Really dumb decision to go wide there by Ireland. Probably cost them the game and the series. Disappointing.

Well, after the RWC debacle it’s been a pretty good time for English rugby.

Grand Slam, 3-0 sweep in Australia, Saxons winning the series in SA, Saracens winning the European Cup and the U20s winning the World Championship.

Not too shabby. 😀

It’s been a good few months for English rugby. Eddie Jones seems to have made a big impact; people say it’s not the coaches etc, but we’e better under Jones than Bomber.

The future looks pretty good too. Went to watch the U20’s yesterday. It was a thoroughly good day with some great rugby played. Mallinder looked pretty darn good and a slight cut above the other players but that’s not surprising given that he’s getting regular first team rugby.

Thought the Argentinan team looked bloody good too and took apart a very physical, direct SA team.

As much as I’ve enjoyed the international season post RWC its a phoney period of rebuilding. The only real tournament that matters is the RWC and the next one is in 2019

That is a beautiful try. The offload was cracking. I so hope Japan keep on improving, with them and Argentina getting better and better, world rugby is looking good for a little while now

Not quite the exceptional match we saw in Sydney but a tough high quality game (full match here not sure of there are highlights somewhere). Barcelona venue worked stadium looked pretty full. Top 14 final Toulon v Racing (L’Equipe suggested it was the best final of the mdoern era)

🙂

Wow it looked full but I thought it couldn’t be as capacity is 100k. I am generaly supporting Toulon but after the red card I wanted to see Racing win, epic match.

What are the reasons for the Armitages going?

Has Stefon(sp) not been player of the year two out of the last three? I am also amazed nobody in the prem didn’t take a punt on him, he would still be around at the next WC

^^ thats what I read. After 5 years in the sunshine of the South of France I think the lure of the UK is limited particularly when an England place isn’t a factor. I think there is no team salary cap in France either. Stefon had a decent game and looked more mobile than I remember him.

I wonder if Fardy will get cited after the sat match? I’ve just rematches the match – just before the Vunipola try, Robshaw steals the line out and charges for the line. He is held up, but Fardy grabs him round the neck, and tries to rip him off by his ear. Robshaws ear was bleeding after. Nasty.

I’ve obviously got far too much time on my hands!

Still, there’s the Olympic 7s coming up and the RC and the end of the Super Rugby season. PLenty to keep us going…..

I think we should take a moment to compare and contrast the determination, fortitude, skill under pressure, organisation, team spirit and professionalism of our English national rugby and football teams.

Hum, I wonder if he’s considered rehabilitaed now ?

Crusaders v Rebels…,surely someone must feel a little bit sorry for Australian players??! 😯

Just watched the first half – if the Rebels were a pack of mangy dogs, a vet would’ve put them down by now…….

10 mins into the 2nd half – three more tries 64-7!

What a pasting for the Aussie sides from the Kiwis so far this weekend:

Blues (bottom of NZ conference) 40 – 15 Brumbies (top of Oz conference)

Reds 5 – 50 Chiefs

Crusaders 85 – 26 Rebels

Looks like the NZ sides are gearing up nicely for the play-offs. The joke is that the Lions might end up as top seed with home advantage by virtue of having a somewhat easier fixture list whilst the NZ teams have had to knock seven bells out of eachother – twice each.