Winters coming;all inclusive rugby thread.

CaptainFlashheart – Member

Flooring? It’s all heated wing mirror luxury for the flooring set, donchaknow.

CFH, you may be the person to ask a question that’s bugged me for a while..

If you have underfloor heating (and presumably no radiators?) where do you dry your damp undies when your tumble drier blows up? 🙂

I think the Welsh need to be realistic about maintaining 4 teams. Reducing the pro teams to 3 with two main teams and one development team would probably be good for the clubs that remain but bad for Wales. Scotland is really struggling because there simply aren’t enough spots for players to get experience at pro level, especially at scrum half and stand off.

Saying that, I think that Edinburgh’s performances this season show that it takes more than a cash injection to improve a team. I would rather see the budgets of Glasgow and Edinburgh reduced and the money used to set up a third development team, possibly based in the Aberdeen area.

On an unrelated note, I’m developing a serious man-crush on Nico Matawalu. Just think how awesome he’s going to be when he learns to decipher the Glasgow accent 🙂

Edinburghs issue this season has been a number of players egos getting in the way of catching/passing/tackling. One seasons Heine cup and they think they are rugby royalty.

I am not convinced a third team is the way forward it failed previously. Realistic expectations would be better. We do not have the numbers playing the game i think Murrayfield holds twice as many folk as actually play in Scotland

Edit: Scotland also have a history of producing decent 9s and backrows but it is rare we manage to get a full team of quality players. Our centre choices at present are not great.

The welsh regions need good coaches first and foremost.

His ad really should just say, “POTATO! SANDWICH! POTATO!” instead, though! (One for DD if he’s reading! )

Oi! Racialist! 😀

Aww, diddums. Hope it hurts. And ends your career.

CFH, you may be the person to ask a question that’s bugged me for a while..

If you have underfloor heating (and presumably no radiators?) where do you dry your damp undies when your tumble drier blows up?
Double ewe tee eff?

Duckman, sorry!

POTATO!

😉

😆 Sorry, OT!

A coincidence – I popped in to see a friend who runs a LBS in the centre of town and we were talking about 29ers.

He then went on to say that Colin Charvis has been in a few times sizing up a 29er Giant ready to do the Cape Epic. I saw that he rode MTBs years ago, when he first moved down here but wasn’t aware that he takes it seriously enough to ride that.

The large 29er looks like a 26er under him..

Well said on Clark CFH, bit of Karma maybe.

So first round of games?

Wales v Ireland…… Close call, irelands lineout to win it.
England v Scotland…. Hard to see how scotland can win.
France should beat italy home or away… Not sure where its being played.

Scott Johnson : So England have some injury problems? That’s a sad story. I guess it only leaves them with another 40,000 players to pick from. 🙂

And Khan Fotuali’i is being targeted by all sorts of teams but the main rumour is that he’ll go to Northampton.

6N fantasy league if anyone fancys it again this year.

League name is: STW 2013
PIN: 27578

http://espnscrum.fantasyleague.com/Index.aspx

England are really going to miss Corbisero….he really sorted the scrum when he came back in the Autumn.

And Khan Fotuali’i is being targeted by all sorts of teams but the main rumour is that he’ll go to Northampton.

Confirmed now.
Vunipola is stronger in the scrum than Marler, which could be needed if Youngs is at hooker.

8 week ban for Delon’s tip tackle, wonder how Rolland was so sure it was a yellow after reddingour hero Sam in the world cup…. frothing I am frothing.

He determined that the act was in the mid range of the IRB’s sanctioning regime (8 weeks) and in line with the IRB’s memorandum on deterring tip tackles and taking into account the player’s previous disciplinary record, he added a further two weeks.

Due to Armitage’s remorse and his good conduct during the hearing, the Judicial Officer then deducted two weeks before imposing a suspension of eight (8) weeks.

‘I’m sorry I’m a ****, would you care for a biscuit?’

Confirmed now.

🙁 Bugger.

Well my mercenary comment has well and truly bitten me on my fat props arse. Sexton has not renewed his IRFU contract…..

The Irish Rugby Football Union has been informed that Jonathan Sexton will not be renewing his contract to remain playing full-time in Ireland from the end of this season.
Philip Browne, IRFU Chief Executive, said: “We are very disappointed, as we know the Irish rugby public will be, that Jonathan Sexton will not be playing his rugby full-time in Ireland from next season.
“Johnny is a major talent and his full-time presence in Ireland will be missed, particularly by Leinster.

“We wish Johnny continued success with his career and he will receive all the support he needs over the next number of weeks in what we know was a very difficult decision for him.

“While we remained in the fight right up until the last possible moment to keep Johnny in Ireland with a very strong offer, ultimately, following negotiations with the player’s agent, we had no option but to take the decision that it would not be in the best interest of Irish rugby to chase the reported financial incentives being offered.

“The IRFU has made a commitment to, and been largely successful in, keeping as many Irish players as possible playing full time in Ireland.

“However, we have always recognised that some of our players will be targeted by overseas clubs with offers which, quite simply, are not within our orbit.

“While Johnny has made the decision to move on to a new club, the IRFU is fully committed, together with the provinces, to maintaining its programme of nurturing and retaining Irish rugby talent.

“We feel that the benefits of the careful and considered management of those players will allow us to maintain this policy.”

Leinster head coach Joe Schmidt said: “Naturally, I’m disappointed. I’ve really enjoyed Johnny’s input over the last few years and he has added tremendous value to the Leinster environment both on and off the field.

“The offer he has received is exceptional, even by French standards, but I know that it was still a tough decision for him.”

As a non Leinster Irish fan I say good luck to him, Racing have so many players you get a fair amount of rotation, it will also bring on his current understudy Madigan who could turn out to be a very good player in his own right so it could end up being good for Ireland.

Kohn I play for Wales?. Is he any good?

http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/21198750

Racing have so many players you get a fair amount of rotation,

I’m beginning to despise Racing (and Toulon) who seem to think that if they don’t win anything they’ll just buy all the best players until they do. Call me old fashioned but I don’t like it!

anagallis_arvensis – Member
Kohn I play for Wales?. Is he any good?

http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/21198750

Maybe I’m being unfair but my gut reaction would be that he’s a 31 year old player who gas never been on the radar before so he can’t be that good….

As always I hope I’m wrong.

Maybe I’m being unfair but my gut reaction would be that he’s a 31 year old player who gas never been on the radar before so he can’t be that good….

He’s ok. 6ft7 and 21 stone. Starting in one of the best teams in the country right now. He may not be as good as Davis but with all of the injuries Wales have, he’s not exactly shit.

but with all of the injuries Wales have, he’s not exactly shit.

Ha, I did delete a paragraph mentioning something like this! 🙂

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01ffdhd/Grand_Slam_2012/

😀

So Tuilagi out of Scotland game, it will seriously weaken their attacking options but they should still have far too much for Scotland.
Wales to delay naming team until they have calculated how many ambulances they will need to drop off the injured players prior to kick off. Ian Evans is our last hope for the lineout and he hasnt played since the autumn so he is going to be way off the pace.

If we can get this type of commitment from the rest of the team and consistently then we can avoid the drop

Tweetypoo

Having said that Grey was passed fit but chose to sit the game out to focus on the 6Nwhich I find disappointing.

Having said that Grey was passed fit but chose to sit the game out to focus on the 6Nwhich I find disappointing

Chose? CHOSE???
He should be reminded who pays his wages.

Its the LV Cup! No one gives a shit and if your facing relegation it would be wise to rest the entire first 15!!!

Well the same could be said of Scotland, I mean its not as if it will make a difference on Saturday is it?

Shocking arrogance from the englanders as usual 😉

Dont think he was missed. Buckley had a good game and thats saying something!

Shocking arrogance from the englanders as usual

Plural?

I like to tar all of them with the same brush… 😉

Corbisero to miss whole tournament too. Thats a blow, Vunipola is still quite raw but does look very promising, not sure I rate Marler but dont watch much Aviva.

Having said that Grey was passed fit but chose to sit the game out to focus on the 6Nwhich I find disappointing

Steve Diamond was interviewed before the game and said Grey had returned form Scotland training injured…or am I being naive?

If youngs is at hooker, vunipola. If Hartley, marler will be ok.
Youngs has had problems holding the front row in and needs strong props. As Corbs is out we really need Hartley to start. Manu is a blow but I’m looking forward to seeing 36 play.

On another note, it seems that kohn is very highly rated. Quiet, nails and industrious so it seems. Is Samson likely to get a game?

Not sure Samson is in the squad as Adam is fit ( ish looks like he carrying a knee injury) and so is Mitchel. . I reckon Kohn many start as Ian Evans hasnt played since the autumn and Ryan Jones is needed at Six as Lydiate is out. Or we need a big lump to compensate for playing Warburton at Six and Tipuric st 7. Putting ian evans and Kohn behind Adam Hibbard and James could put the irish under real pressure when scrumaging.

Steve Diamond was interviewed before the game and said Grey had returned form Scotland training injured…or am I being naive?

Just going by this in the Scotsman.

Richie Gray

Scotland: Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors), Sean Maitland (Glasgow Warriors), Sean Lamont (Glasgow Warriors), Matt Scott (Edinburgh), Tim Visser (Edinburgh), Ruaridh Jackson (Glasgow Warriors), Greig Laidlaw (Edinburgh); Ryan Grant (Glasgow Warriors), Dougie Hall (Glasgow Warriors), Euan Murray (Worcester Warriors), Richie Gray (Sale Sharks), Jim Hamilton (Gloucester), Alasdair Strokosch (Perpignan), Kelly Brown (captain, Saracens), Johnnie Beattie (Montpellier).

Replacements: Ross Ford (Edinburgh), Moray Low (Glasgow Warriors), Geoff Cross (Edinburgh), Alastair Kellock (Glasgow Warriors), David Denton (Edinburgh), Henry Pyrgos (Glasgow Warriors), Duncan Weir (Glasgow Warriors), Max Evans (Castres)

Not considered due to injury: Peter Horne, Chris Cusiter, Chris Fusaro (Glasgow Warriors), Ross Rennie (Edinburgh Rugby), Scott Lawson (London Irish)

http://www.espnscrum.com/six-nations-2013/rugby/story/176209.html

Maitland debut hat-trick?

Jim Telfer is right you know 😆

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbynation/rugby-news/2013/01/29/outspoken-lions-legend-jim-telfer-brands-welsh-players-lazy-91466-32702331/