[Closed] 2013/14 Rugby Thread

Prefer robshaw but stefon (and Wallace, Clark and a good few others) are better players than kvesic.

Wrecker - been very impressed by Wallace from what I've seen of him. seem to remember England taking an age to pick Back because they got wrapped up in the whole size issue and forgot to look at what he brought to the team in other areas.
Not suggesting that Wallace is the answer just think they are wrapped up in the whole big is best mentality still.

So D day passed with no agreement between regions and WRU, quelle surprise

So now the WRU are going to set up new regions? WTF people reluctantly bought into that idea can't see them doing it again. Where are they going to play? Who is going to play for them.

I hope one is called the Flamingos, i would support a team called the flamingos, they could be based in Torfaen. Oooh think about it The Torfaen Flamingos, it's the future.

That was never going to end well,still won't no matter where the Welsh end up. Surely threatening to create new regional sides is going to force the clubs hands,why can't the WRU fund the pro teams and accept that they are the figurehead of the game and have a positive impact on the national side,profit or not? We do,it will be a cold day in hell before either of the Scottish sides break even,but the SRU swallow it. The Irish do as well,even though the provinces have been embraced by the supporters.

If the wru win pro rugby in wales will be dead before the end of theagrement.

Not qsure it will foce anything. Premership and bt have offerred equal funding and that has the posdibility of growing the game rather than letting it whither and die playing glasgow and connaught on a wet friday.

Or equally boring,Cardiff and Zebre anytime.Actually that might not be as bad,bottom of the table dogfight/chance for revenge for Cardiff after being the only side to lose to them and all that.

Steffon A has played well in the games I've seen but he looks a fair bit too chunky for an international lIMO. I'm not sure he has the speed about the field either required for that level.

WRU / Regions indeed looks a right mess. Not so Happy New Year !

The Irish do as well,even though the provinces have been embraced by the supporters.

The key difference duckie being that provincial rugby in Ireland has quite a bit of history before Rabo/Pro/BeerCup. With the arrival of European rugby though, the interest certainly went up and the fans went to the grounds in numbers to watch. Even Connaught are improving somewhat. Provincial rugby has been fantastic for the green machine, instead of depending on a lucky crop of players to come together every few decades to have something to shout about.

I suppose Wales winning a few grand slams without the regions being successful means the fans have to be convinced in other ways to embrace the regions. Generally rugby fans in Ireland will nail their colours to two masts - their province and their national side, with some die-hards also supporting their individual club sides.

What's the story with Welsh fans? Can the national side keep delivering GS and 6N trophies without the regions being successful? How have they managed to be so successful in recent years with the regions being in the doldrums? (Qs for the welsh contingent)

IMO I don't think the regions have been bad for the game in Wales quite the opposite. Graham Henry was the driving force behind the regions and he knew something about rugby 😆

I am happy for our stars to go overseas as it means the young players get blooded in Rabo games.

The public like the regions in general Parc y Scarlets is heaving when big games come along, it is just that the Rabo doesn't give you that many big games. I think ticket prices are to high.

Ospreys have done ok won the league a few times. The glaring problem is with European success, Wales has had very little. How many English clubs have won it? Ireland have done very well in Europe why is that? Lots of foreign players? Tax breaks so wages are higher? You tell me DD?

Happy New Year and once again come on the warriors 😀

Pigface, I [i]think[/i] English clubs have won the HC as many times as the Irish and French.

Honours even though apart from the Wasps victory a few years back, Ireland and France have lorded it for the last decade. English clubs were successful in the early years of the competition when the likes of Leicester cheated their way to victory a few times. 😆

Interestingly, the French normally provide the losing finalist.

Welsh regions have done a good job of bringing on welsh talent (and english and tongan ;-). ) missed out on the Vunipolas though. Its just the rabo does not provide any attraction for sponsors or fans and the welsh regions get less cash than either the scottish or irish teams. The lack of wru funding and lack of decent games has meant any investors have drifted away. The rabo is stuck in a positive feedback loop of decline as welsh stars leave so do the fans then the irish teams send over Leinster b who still beat the blues and more fans drift off.

And Wasps had to rely on a Welshie 😆

Sorry I just can't remember an English team winning recently.

One advantage of the rabo is that it rests international players. Sexton played 10 games last season,so far he has played 13 this year. Take somebody like Warburton who is a bit easily broken,will French rugby not,while improving intensity,reduce the number of players available. We have had a similar situation with Beattie/Strokosch.

You're right its an advantage to the national team but not for the regions as they.want to grow the game and have top players playing.

Great start for Ulster hey DD?

Someone's singing when they're winning is it? Pfft...typical Ulster fan.

There's a Heineken Cup game next week we have to worry about BM. It's a competition in which we have real pedigree. You might know the feeling one day.

With all the shite going on I'd forgotten about the rugby. Good game here:

http://www.s4c.co.uk/clic/e_live.shtml

DD,wrong tense.."had" is the correct one to use in your mob's case 😈

Woohoo doing the double over the scabs 😆 very happy with that.

Suppose you need to worry...make sure you qualify for the next round.

DD,wrong tense.."had" is the correct one to use in your mob's case

No tense at all for you duckie. 😛

BlindMelon - Member
Suppose you need to worry...make sure you qualify for the next round.

20 point clear lead to finish a relieved 29-19. That's a great result for the orangemen over their more successful provincial cousins. I think we'll be alright for the next round (famous last words)...Ulster look like they will too...just normally expect an early capitulation from them shorty after. 🙂

Now how does the song go again?

"Sing when yer winnin', ye only sing when..."

Hardly relieved. Would have been a lot more had the ref not been AA's best pal.

£20 to your nominated charity if we don't go further than you lot in the beer cup?

Rolland or The Clancy Clown?

£20 to your nominated charity if we don't go further than you lot in the beer cup?

I'm not a gambling man, sorry. Find someone else.

You big girl DD. Its not gambling its a bit of fun with a charitable donation. Wrecker and I will have the ysual tenner on england wales, although I am not confident this season

Whether I was confident or not, I wouldn't choose to have any of my money riding on a game a_a, much less the prospect of donating to a charity not of my own choosing. I have my own reasons for this, but I don't feel any less masculine for them. Let's just leave it there ok?

Ok princess

Edit.

Rolland AA. Woeful for the game. Pens all over the place. I think Ulster had 14 in the end which is crazy considering they were the dominant home team.

No worries DD. Banter only it is!!

Blindmelon are you Yoda?

Well I've played too long in the front row so probably more Jabba than Yoda!

AA got to have the last word/dig? Why?

Why not, he's happy to start a bit of banter and then gets all precious. Calling someone a big girl is hardly the crime of the centuary.

You should try running round the fat lads george
http://sport.bt.com/video-01363814401986?videoid=3007070188001

Can't see the video, is it the marler tackle? Thing of beauty.
Did you see George flatten the little quins wing?

Oooh Glos got thumped today, even when Sarries were down to 13 men they still outscored Glos! I think the Cherries pack needs one of those reversing klaxons..

It is the marler tackle indeed, I suppose he has to be good at something his tackling is awful. Same site has the game highlights with the try. Paper was raving about it but it wasnt that great, simple missed tackle and then a run in.

Talking about Flood dropped and Cips not promoted
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/england/10550950/England-head-coach-Stuart-Lancaster-set-to-snub-Danny-Cipriani-and-Toby-Flood-for-Elite-Player-Squad.html

Did you see the latest twist in the welsh/English/hiney cup AA? It would appear that we are going to sack the Italians and the EPL teams are joining the rabo...

Lots of rumour and counter rumour. A british league would be a good idea, if the Italians can join the french all would be good...I very much doubt anything much is going to change though.

I have only had BT rugby for last two weeks,when did Salaries start with this running game caper? And Waldrom is really letting himself go the year.

Well that link above seems like confirmation that the Cipriani ship has sailed for good then re England. So Farrell Ford Burns Myler are the four 10's that we'll be picking from. Sweet jebus.

Steenson has been better than alm of them this season-shame he's too old.

Same age as myler tom. The cupboard really is bare at FH for England.
Is slade in the Saxons squad?

Cirpiani deselected himself years ago, his time in Australia wasn't so successful and he's only just back and beginning to play well so in my mind he's not a candidate.

Lancaster is making a mistake if not selecting Flood but they persisted with Farrell when he was playing poorly so perhaps it's really Flood who's making the call.

Why was Flood at 12 yesterday, hope it isnt becaise Williams is better!

Leicester have no fit inside centres, so flood who's played a fair bit in that position (at Falcons with Wilkinson at FH) and even for England, so he moved there. He wasn't kicking as he's carrying an injury that hurts like hell every time he swings, but is carrying on playing as the cupboard is really bare at Tigers with Alan not being quite fit and Bowden with a fractured cheek / eye socket and Heptima (SP) also out.
I suppose they could have played lamb, but even Leicester aren't that desperate!

I think Flood has had a long talk with Lancaster, asked if he's in the running to be fly half and was told yes, behind Farrell and alongside Burns. With that he's gone, right'o, bye bye, I'm off to France for some money while I can, as I want to play international rugby, but if I'm that far behind, I may as well get some money in. So now he's out of England reckoning for good.

Despite the shambles of a season looks like Glaws home match against Munster is sold out. Last time they visited queues were forming in the early hours that tickets went on general sale.

Scrum rule change from now, ref will no longer give 9 verbal instruction to feed,but will instead use a pre-arranged signal. Hope that involves a cattle prod when Care is playing.

Despite the shambles of a season looks like Glaws home match against Munster is sold out. Last time they visited queues were forming in the early hours that tickets went on general sale.

I'll be there. 😀

That makes a lot of sense duckman, to be fair you'd have thought that it'd have been standard from the off!

[url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/25637004 ]Best hope Bris get promotion this year![/url]

Where you sitting/standing DD?

Was going hospitality courtesy of a mate Scamper but had to change plans today so can't make it now. I was there the last time we played and was hoping for a better result this time. Arse! 😡

The only time I've got anywhere near hospitality was using the grounds baby changing facilities, the only ones which I could find we're up with the prawn sandwiches under lock and key 😀

Byrne and Brew playing for the Dregs next season!

England Six Nations training squad (35):
Forwards:
Props: Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Matt Mullan (London Wasps), Henry Thomas (Sale Sharks), Mako Vunipola (Saracens). Hookers: Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints), Rob Webber (Bath Rugby), Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers). Locks: David Attwood (Bath Rugby), Joe Launchbury (London Wasps), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints), Ed Slater (Leicester Tigers). Back-rows: Tom Johnson (Exeter Chiefs), Matt Kvesic (Gloucester Rugby), Ben Morgan (Gloucester Rugby), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins), Billy Vunipola (Saracens), Tom Wood (Northampton Saints).
Backs:
Back three: Chris Ashton (Saracens), Mike Brown (Harlequins), Alex Goode (Saracens), Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby), Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs), Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby). Centres: Brad Barritt (Saracens), Luther Burrell (Northampton Saints), Kyle Eastmond (Bath Rugby), Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester Rugby). Fly-halves: Owen Farrell (Saracens), George Ford (Bath Rugby), Stephen Myler (Northampton Saints). Scrum-halves: Danny Care (Harlequins), Lee Dickson (Northampton Saints), Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers).

better hope Farrell doesnt get broken.

36 can cover 10?

Mowen has walked out on Aus to go to France too.

I would be very happy to see Ford, Myler or 36 play ten versus Wales.

Money talks these days. Hardly surprising given the attrition rate due to injury. Careers can be very short so it makes sense to rinse the French clubs for a few Euros whilst your knees and shoulders still work.

To be fair, and I say this as a Welshman, Wales don't exactly have a glut of talent at fly-half either.

Vunipola
hartley
cole
launchbury
lawes
wood
vunipola
robshaw
Care
Farrel
?
Barritt
Burrell/36
Ashton
Brown

excellent pack very very average backs.

To be fair, and I say this as a Welshman, Wales don't exactly have a glut of talent at fly-half either.

true but I'd take Biggar, Priestland or Hook over any of those 3.

True, but lose Adam, Alun Wynn and Toby through injury and...

I would like to see Eastmond and Watson play together for England. They have been playing well for Barf.

At least the potential replacements will have some international experience. Those england backs are very raw.
Has Eastmond being playing well? one week I heard he played 12 outside Ford and didnt get a pass all game and then the next week he ****ed off home at half time.

😀

When I've seen him playing the outside channels, he has linked very well with Watson. You're right though, it's a very young, inexperienced set of replacement backs in that England squad.

:Forwards: Thomas Domingo (Clermont), Yannick Forestier (Castres), Benjamin Kayser (Clermont), Dimitri Szarzewski (Racing-Métro), Nicolas Mas (Montpellier), Rabah Slimani (Stade Français), Alexandre Flanquart (Stade Français), Yoann Maestri (Toulouse), Pascal Papé (Stade Français), Sébastien Vahaamahina (Perpignan), Thierry Dusautoir (Toulouse, capt), Bernard Le Roux (Racing-Métro), Yannick Nyanga (Toulouse), Damien Chouly (Clermont), Louis Picamoles (Toulouse).

Backs: Jean-Marc Doussain (Toulouse), Maxime Machenaud (Racing-Métro), Jules Plisson (Stade Français), Rémi Talès (Castres), Mathieu Bastareaud (Toulon), Gaël Fickou (Toulouse), Wesley Fofana (Clermont), Maxime Mermoz (Toulon), Sofiane Guitoune (Perpignan), Yoann Huget (Toulouse), Maxime Médard (Toulouse), Geoffrey Palis (Castres), Hugo Bonneval (Stade Français), Brice Dulin (Castres).

how they dont win every year is beyond me

Well, they often do well after a Lions tour so maybe this year...

@aa you go far in the RWC controlling the game upfront and kicking your goals, October / November tournament in 2015. It's nearly 2 years to the start so time for development and change of form for better or worse.

I saw the Mowen news, he's 29 so not a surprise. The young NZ wing Guilford is going to Top 14 too, he hasn't played for NZ since 2012 so understandable

Fofana has been outstanding, looking forward to seeing him in the 6N, going to be a tough match for England away to France first up.

I think the current. Aus captain leaving is a suprise.

France have not selected Freddie M or Trin-duhc so they must be in with a better chance this year

Scarlets v Wales all stars

http://dart1801.blogspot.co.uk/p/home-page.html

Barclay playing well, has he pissed on his chips as far as scotland is concerned?
Lydiate shockingly bad

Ulster win, but no BP! 😯 Massive game at Welford Road against Leicester now for home advantage in the QFs, given that Leicester give Benetton Treviso a battering tomorrow, which is fairly likely.

(BM, even if there was money on it, I'd be hoping Ulster do the job 🙂 )

[b]ijs445ra[/b] - Member 
France have not selected Freddie M or Trin-duhc so they must be in with a better chance this year

@aa Gatland didn't take any Welsh 10's on the Lions Tour so even your national coach doesn't agree with you.

PS in fairness perhaps the selectors told him he had to take a few non-welsh on the tour