Rugby 2023-24 World Cup Year!

Joe Schmidt to coach Australia.   Although I’m not expecting them to match the Lions* next year, Schmidt v Farrell Snr makes an interesting thought.  

Imo, it’s the best thing that could happen to Australian rugby, and saves the next world cup too

They’ve got Nucifora incoming too. Who’s been behind most of the successful Irish appointments of the last 10 years

So what are peoples opinions of the ‘Euro’ cup format? Out of 8 games int he first knock out stage 5 of them are repeats of pool stage games.

Personally I think it’s rubbish & would prefer going back to an old style of a 4 team group with home and away games. Not bothered about the SA teams being in the comp, but I think preferered it as a European competition.

Being a Tigers fan I’m pissed off that we get to play Leinster again, so not only will that be another drubbing (I’d rather have dropped into the challenge cup!), it’s also a bit boring as we seem to get them every year! The format to me just seems overly complicated and not that interesting with all the repeat matchups.

This thread seems to be mostly populated by non english rugby fans so it’d be interesting to hear your opinions. The Tigers forum seems unanimous in it’s dislike of the format but not sure about the rest of the prem teams.

Don’t like the format either.

As well as the repeat games, there were too many fixtures that had teams sending “second XV” s.
Either not enough jeopardy, or giving up before they got there and resting for the leagues. That shouldn’t happen in Big cup.
It’s obviously set up this way to keep more big french and English teams in until next round, but it spoils it when there’s games that don’t matter to at least 1 side.
I’m fine with the SA in. At least they send a full team

And that’s not a dog at Tigers. Good game this week. It was stade Francais who bottled it and sent the kids

So what are peoples opinions of the ‘Euro’ cup format? 

Speaking as a supporter of the Welsh regions, the format is pretty irrelevant and I have really bothered to look at it 😄😄😄.

I was a bit surprised that Cardiff had Bath, then Hairyqueens and then Racing… Seemed a tough draw! 

Carre uses the post to bounce himself upfield!!

https://twitter.com/jaredwright17/status/1748821179815559609/mediaViewer?currentTweet=1748821179815559609&currentTweetUser=jaredwright17

Faz to Racing has been confirmed.

Black Lion really struggled against a good Clermont team on Saturday, the French were a joy to watch at times. BL fans never stopped their noisy support of the team and with over 17000 in the Meskhi Stadium it made for a great evening’s entertainment. Lots of French fans made the trip which added to the atmosphere.

I just don’t see how he fits in. Unless borthwick is hoping he can become less formulaic.

Watching the weekend games I can’t help feel for the second week in a row that the French must have really upset Andrew Brace he wouldn’t give them the steam of his piss unless.

Gatland seems a bit sore of his loss of the other winger going to England.  In fact there’s two people in the media – the other being Zak Mercer – raging about Englands short term/ no chance to settle selection policies.

The 6N will be quite interesting, with perhaps Ireland and France dominant as the more settled of any of the teams currently.

With England instead of Dads Army we appear to have a Senior Rugby Youth Traing Scheme (maybe a bit harsh) so I hope this bodes well for the RWC ‘27.

Also; I watched an interview with Dylan Hartley the other day.   Live him or hate him,  he can barely walk up stairs and faces a lifetime of degeneration and physio.   The RFU really need to step up with supporting players.

As well as the repeat games, there were too many fixtures that had teams sending “second XV” s.

Like Toulon at the weekend against Glasgow for example.

I was a bit surprised that Cardiff had Bath, then Hairyqueens and then Racing… Seemed a tough draw! 

It was a tough draw, the fact that you play every team in your group except the team from your league means your best chance of a weak team is one of the French teams who are not keen and send their seconds.

The repeat fixtures are a bit crap but maybe a freak outcome. Some great games at the weekend especially Bordeaux away in SA. Ulster at Quins was comically funny, Quins had 7 tries for 9 visits to Ulster 22!.  If R16 goes to form La Rochelle play Leinster in 1/4 finals which even though they play each other every year I’m certainly not sick off. 

Competition has maybe 5 or 6 outstanding teams, Bordeaux, Toulouse, La Rochelle, Leinster and possibly the Bulls especially at home, of the English teams Northampton have the best chance of breaking into this group.

Six Nations soon upon us, and as a Wales fan I cannot remember things ever being so bleak. First game against Scotland and there’s no way Wales should win that game. Losing to Scotland though will be so miserable – we could go on from there to lose all our games ☹️

Don’t worry, you have England Colts to play 🙂

Don’t worry, you have England Colts to play 🙂

I think I would be fairly confident if I was an England fan – 2nd or 3rd place should be achievable

In theory this fixture list is the best chance Scotland have had for a second place finish in years.  A miracle in the final game could even mean winning the whole thing.

Which means an opening weekend loss and a 5th place finish beckons.

Anyone watched the Netflix series yet?  Don’t bother if you’ve played/been involved in Rugby, it’s more pitched as insightful for those who don’t IMO.

Although again, despite ending with barely registering in comparison injury myself at 25 I’m shocked at the condition of Stuart Hogg at the age of 30.  Essentially barely able to get through the training sessions and relying on strapping , painkillers and adrenaline to get through a half, left with collapsing knees to retire.

I will piss myself laughing if Wales beat Scotland first up 😄😄😄😄

Can’t see it though, Wales will be lucky to beat Italy this year. I just hope they can bring a Cardiff esque vibe to their games. A young, hopelessly outmatched side giving it a proper lash. Cardiff have been great fun to watch this season as long as seeing them win isn’t a priority!

painkillers and adrenaline

Is that all?

Although again, despite ending with barely registering in comparison injury myself at 25 I’m shocked at the condition of Stuart Hogg at the age of 30. Essentially barely able to get through the training sessions and relying on strapping , painkillers and adrenaline to get through a half, left with collapsing knees to retire.

Its seems shocking but if you compare to NFL its shocking how long rugby players play for. The average top-flight NFL career is < 4 years. They’re done by the time they’re 28 as a norm. They get in, play hard for a few years and then move on. I guess its one of the reasons they get paid so much as their prime is so short.

Six Nations soon upon us, and as a Wales fan I cannot remember things ever being so bleak

may i remind you of large chunks of the 80’s and 90’s!

but yes, it does feel particularly bleak at the moment. not having key players available due to injury has always been part of our challenges with the lack of depth in certain positions, but the flood of players leaving wales / opting not to play for wales to ply their trade ‘abroad is getting critical. whilst the 25 cap rule was only recently revised, it needs to be looked at again, as without a strong national team the regions haven’t got a hope and the death spiral continues. interestingly Gats was calling for it to be looked at again recently – the architect of the rule in the first place iirc

i’m taking some client to Twickenham for the England game, which normally i would be extremely giddy about, however i’m expecting a long and painful day!

Just seen 1/2p in the Crusaders squad to play Munster on their preseason tour. How did I miss that?

Wales, Scotland and England teams announced today.

Hoping Wales pick Grady and Botham, would like to see Winnett involved too but maybe off bench.

Can’t see Wales winning, Scotland have the better players these days. Wales front row will be awful no matter who they pick and we don’t have a 10 worthy of our proud history 😥. Still Scotland do seem to love losing in Cardiff

Wales team to face Scotland: Winnett; Dyer, Watkin, Tompkins, Adams; Costelow, G Davies; Domachowski, Elias, Brown, D Jenkins (capt), Beard, Botham, Reffell, Wainwright.

Replacements: Dee, Mathias, Assiratti, Teddy Williams, Mann, Tomos Williams, I Lloyd, Grady.

I shall be needing a big sofa to hide behind

Fantasy 6 nations anyone ??

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Not played this before but its got a good twist… your player “star”value goes up or down depending on their performance … giving you possibility of more “stars” to spend in the next round.

Scotland: Rowe, Steyn, Jones, Tuipulotu, Van der Merwe, Russell, White; Schoeman, Turner, Z Fagerson, R Gray, Cummings, Crosbie, Ritchie, M Fagerson.

Replacements: Ashman, Hepburn, Millar-Mills, Skinner, Dempsey, Horne, Healy, Redpath

Who is going to get sent off so Wales can win?

England:

15. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 31 caps)

14. Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints, 3 caps)

13. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 57 caps)

12. Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints, uncapped)

11. Elliot Daly (Saracens, 64 caps)

10. George Ford (Sale Sharks, 91 caps) – vice captain

9. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints, 11 caps)

1. Joe Marler (Harlequins, 88 caps)

2. Jamie George (Saracens, 85 caps) – captain

3. Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 33 caps)

4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 76 caps) – vice captain

5. Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, 18 caps)

6. Ethan Roots (Exeter Chiefs, uncapped)

7. Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 30 caps)

8. Ben Earl (Saracens, 25 caps)

Replacements

16. Theo Dan (Saracens, 7 caps)

17. Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 58 caps) – vice captain

18. Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 107 caps)

19. Alex Coles (Northampton Saints, 3 caps)

20. Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins, uncapped)

21. Danny Care (Harlequins, 96 caps)

22. Fin Smith (Northampton Saints, uncapped)

23. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs, uncapped)

Backrow for England is 2/3 Welsh and the less said about Waboso the better 😜😜😜😜

That must be the smallest  backrow England have put out in years, could struggle in lineout unless Roots is a decent option.

unless Roots is a decent option.

Don’t recall seeing him as a lineout option.

Damn it Toulouse. Look how they have massacred my boy!

Two weeks is a long time to be without Kinghorn – he is quickly turning into a world-class talent.

I would expect anything too clever from England at this stage.  Actually maybe the full stop is in the wrong place…. 🤔 … but anyway I’d expect basic Rugby 101 with the ball to the carriers just to get the team playing basic rugby  together.

Two line out options in Itoje and Chessum off the top.

Can’t see Wales winning, Scotland have the better players these days.

As soon as you start reading stories like this you know Scotland is on for an opening weekend loss.

Opinion: Time for Scotland’s golden generation to actually deliver

I’m sure Underhill is a lineout option too. As Kryton says though, Chessum and Itoje will likely be all that is required, can’t see anything too expansive making an appearance!

Scotland team sheet ‘R Gray’…as in Ritchie Gray? I thought that he’d retired ages ago?

Oh my, Ireland looking very strong. One hand on the Slam already. Only England to feasibly beat them, and it seems unlikely going by tonight’s game.

Too many Richie Gray’s. I used to play alongside a Richie gray at gala but that was a good 20years ago.

Only England to feasibly beat them,

Lol ha ha very funny.

Ireland looking like the GS winners for sure, France likely a close second. Likely only losing this game.  Although, this is France we are talking about and a Tuilagi will be on the pitch soon….

What is it with the itv coverage that they have to constantly have micro-replays or shots of the crowd. Very irritating.

Much as I have enjoyed frustrated fan faces in the heartlands of French Rugby, I don’t think we can blame ITV for the broadcast feed; the commentary is entirely on them though. I think Ireland need a big second half here despite Willemse’s contribution.