i'd pick The Kiwi Biter over Hibbard but other than that its a good analysis.
So the league finals tomorrow. Predictions please... I'll go with Tigers by 5 and Ulster by 2. It will be a tough ask for Ulster but I really think we can beat them up front and hopefully contain the backs.
SUFTUM
Northampton by a couple of point in a very close game. Ulster by a slightly bigger margin.
I'd be happy with that Tom!
http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/lions-threats-and-how-to-counter-locks-and-lineout/
not sure where the idea that AW Jones can play six has come from.
Splendid day thus far :-)[IMG] 
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Hartley red carded?
Am dischuffed. Was hoping the Flounge at T5 would be showing the final. It's not on.
So, interwebz and a Glenlivet 18 or two (ahem) instead!
Good to see the scum Hartley living up to expectations
Flood munched fairly twice by Lawes. Off with concussion after catching his noggin on Dank Hole's knee.
Situation vacant for a lions no 2.....
Indeed.
So is hartley likely to be banned for lions?
Best?
Owens?
Anyone but scum Hartley.
If he's playing on Saturday, I'll lead the booing from the stands!
Or Ford?
Well, excellent day out and a pretty good game I thought. Last 15 minutes were the real killer for the Saints-too many gaps appeared. Flood going off looked like a potential game changer until Hartley piped up with 'the refs an effing cheat'. Goal kicking was pretty diabolical......I was expecting more from Ford.
Not sure who I dislike more the idiot who wrote this or Hartley himself. Sad that North will be playing with this team next season.
But Barnes had told him that "You can't kick it straight to touch". In other words there was time for the scrum if he did. Barnes, though, from the Forest of Dean, has a slight West Country drawl, which flattens the "a" of "can't", so that in the midst of a stadium of 80,000 the "can't" was all but indistinguishable from a "can". Myler protested that he thought he had said he could kick it out. It was a misunderstanding. Hartley's Lions tour could be over, effectively, because of a referee's accent.
http://m.guardian.co.uk/sport/2013/may/25/dylan-hartley-red-card-premiership-final
AA that's easy Hartley is a vile specimen playing in a vile team. The thought of Gogzilla playing there doesn't please me.
Yeah I read that....seems stupid. We all know that you cant kick the ball dead from a restart when there is time clearly left on the clock. Myler seems to have missed out on learning this though!
11 week ban then, Hey Rory I think your phone may be about to ring.
Good Lordy, daly looked very good today!
Brown did well, I cannot see how Goode can be in the picture for the 15 shirt.
Foden was brilliant and Burrell was great too. ford did a great job when flood came off.
Hartley is a complete idiot. Barnes had a shocker, that lawes tackle was never late.
Both Lawes hits were things of beauty. Is COCKerill likely to be in hot water as well for his demanding of a red for Lawes?
Had same debate with my mate after the Lawes hit and penalty, he thought it was late and a penalty whereas I thought it legit and exactly what I'd be looking for in my forwards
Slightly late but he was committed, unlucky to get a card for it.
Bloody good tackle with a full wrap unlike a lot of other so called tackles that go unpunished that are a horizontal shoulder charge.
The lawyers hit was late, but only just. It would have been fine but for Coles knee.We won't miss Ford next year, Lamb can easily fill his boots. Hartley was / is an arse who has no place in rugby. Saints seem to breed them...
Still, Tigers champions again. I'm a very happy man. On to the Lions!
It was never a card IMO. Lamb is a good replacement FH, but he's not got a patch on ford and cockerill knows it.
I agree, not a card just a bit late.
Ford has good promise but each match I've seen this year, he's played alright, tackled just about ok and been shocking at place kicks. I really don't know what the hype is! I understand he's kept Owen Almighty out of the fly half birth in all age groups, but then anyone who could catch, run and pass a ball would! Would live to be proved wrong, but I think he's going to be an almost player.
You may well be right. Be interesting to see what b*** can do with him. Burns was good today.
Just watching England v Barbarians..
England have got 2 wingers and a fullback, 😯
About bleedin time.
Well, it looks like [url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/22678456 ]Cotter wont be in charge of Scotland[/url], or not right away at least. Any other contenders?
Isn't just a bit late , late? ? ? 😆
That's like saying I didn't bite him hard.
I am just playing devils advocate here as I haven't seen it 😀
Tickets sorted.
Meeting Irish mate for pre match warm up beers in Wan Chai early on Saturday.
There's lovely for you.
DezB - Member
Just watching England v Barbarians..
England have got 2 wingers and a fullback,
About bleedin time.
What's more they, 36, and the back row ran into space and not the opposition. Who would believe it! (Notes of course that's all well and good when the oppo give you the space to run into)
Flashy no one likes a show off but have a great time will be a lot of fun.
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Bet Rory thinks this is all ****ing brilliant.
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Nice clip AA I was thinking about that earlier today. A certain justice to it all. I've seen Rory play all season and he has been one of our best players. He suffered in the 6N without POC being there. I'm so pleased for him he is a genuinely humble guy who gives 100% every time.
@cfh surely it's Whan Chai post match ?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/22675907
This is a good read, he comes across as such a good bloke which ties in with everything I have heard about him
I don't know why I haven't been invited out to play in the Sevens before
😆 Top, top bloke.
He is, there was a really good piece on him in the Times a year or so ago. Been around long enough to still have an almost amateur outlook on the game.
@pigface thanks for the link, a great read .. I loved this one too
[i]The lads who are younger and faster than me [/i]
ie everyone 🙂
Jambalaya, before AND after!;-)
Oh, and Rory, you picked the wrong seat! Should be upstairs, window and exit seat in row 62!
Newcastle up, justice done. Quite funny that it's only [i]now[/i] Mr Ryan sees how ridiculous the Championship play offs are.......
Welcome back, LW.
Not long 'til I'm upstairs CFH - can't wait! Oh and talking of cant wait...
LIONS! LIONS! LIONS!
Watching Highlanders Blues as an aperitif 😆 crazy rugby so entertaining. Not sure they play to the same rules though.
Sound enough. Phillips was superb. Hopefully Sexton's goal kicking will come together.
Top 14 final tonight
Pigface- I was thinking the same thing watching that match!
Lions did a good job- the eternal pessimist has to say how long can you keep being awesome for on a 6 week tour? Just kidding
Sexton looked good in open play and can be thankful 1/2p should really be in the Test side to take care of kicking duties.
If there was any doubt Farrel is no longer the "Ice Man" but instead Ashton's long lost twin (who can place kick a bit) then today confirmed it. If you want to wind people up great- it's part of the game. Winding someone up and then retaliating yourself is daft and he could have easily been binned/ sent off too. Clapping as the binned guy goes off is the Ashton icing on the cake. 🙄
Watched it on Internet feed and the commentators kept on going on about Farrell's wonderful temperament. Right up to the point where he tried to hit Brits back. I think he was lucky not to get a yellow card too. Wouldn't rule out a citing either. The Aussies will be watching and planning on riling him big time. Seen a few hints of that in his game before and the clapping of Brits as he was sin binned off shows a real lack of class.
Conditions looked pretty moist so not suprised at a few handling errors but pretty solid game from most. Phillips looked good but those runs could end up as turnovers against the Aussies.
Solid scrum and Faletau worked bloody hard all game.
Roll on the first proper game in Perth.
Excellent Top 14 final. Castes worthy winners, looked fresher and controlled the game. Winning the championship and beating both Heinekin Cup finalists is an achievement but at the same time you have to query the scheduling as Toulon looked a little tired and were always on the back foot. Michelak had another poor game and gifted Castres with a decisive score dropping the ball when under no pressure and allowing his opposing number 9 to waltz over unchallenged for a try on half time.
Lions and Farrell - stupid to react, no issue with sarcastic applause. Sexton better hope there is another in form kicker in the team.
Guys; since the winter is over and we are now into summer,could we post on the summer rugby thread and let this one die please? It will allow us the chance to slag off each others nations contribution to the lions/ summer tours in one location 😈