[Closed] 2013/14 Rugby Thread

Jambalaya not taking Hook, Priestland or Biggar on the Lions tour (Priestland was injured anywa doesnt mean anything in relation to Ford, Myler and 36 being poor back up to Farrel at ten for england. Ford could be good but the other twao will never be international tens.

And neither will priestland, hook or biggar!

Well one is a lion with a grand slam under his belt, another has a grand slam and the final one a six nations win. None will ever be more than serviceable international tens but Myler and 36( as a ten) will never be as good and have no international experience. Ford could be better but is very raw. Without Farrel England ate screwed. England are poor at bringing young talent on. Burrel is an uncapt 26 yrar old similar age to J Davis.

Scarlets front row last night was exceptional Lee, Phillips and John all under 23. Want to see Lee bench in this six nations. G Davies at 9 could be the answer as back up to Mike Phillips for wale too. As england have little behinf Farrel at ten wales have NOTHING behind Phillips

I'm not sure how raw Ford is. I have seen him play a couple of times now and he controlled the game very well.
He is extremely dedicated and works very hard at his game. He has been picked as cover but will probably get some game time in 6N which will help him develop. Might struggle to dispose Farrell at moment, but if he handles his game time well then he could be a real star.

So could Watson having also seen him play a few times he is a real handful. If they are good enough they are old enough.

So? Dan Luger has a RWC winners medal.....
I don't often say this about players, but they are all shit. I also think that 36 is shit at centre and FH. Nothing wrong with myler other than his age. If you had been watching AP rugby, you'll see he's playing exceptionally well.
England's policy of neglecting young talent is long and frustrating, I hoped we'd see an end to It with SL but alas he's just the same.

And Ballshaw plus hes a lion too. My point is the options for england lack experience the welsh options are better due to experience rather than a gulf in talent. Have seen Ford play for Bath he kickss lots his kicking for posts is erratic and hes part of the reason Eastmond and Joeseph have been in poor form/quiet they rarely get a pass.

Scamper, if you're reading, plans changed again. I'm at Kingsholm today. I'll be up on the prawn sandwich balconies. 😀

I'm not sure those are quite the reasons.
I think the weather may have a big part in how teams play, don't think there have been too many dry games this season. They are also 4 on the tries scored table so must be scoring from somewhere.
His goal kicking has been erratic but is improving, his kicking from hand has been good and has controlled some games very well in difficult conditions.
Obviously Gav should be playing at 10 for Bath, but he seemed quite happy the other day walking round parading the A trophy that Bath have just won...... (sorry don't do smiley faces with a wink or whatever it is)

He scored a try too in the A final. Classic Gav gliding along looking slow but still got in at the corner. I am glad he looked happy. He's playing 13 v Dregs today I think, hes a bit slow for 13. May get a chance at ten if Heathcote gets in Scotland squad.

This thread does need more Gav love!

Sounds like Quims were nlucky.

Careless would be a better description TBH

Had a great afternoon at Kingsholm. The atmosphere was, as expected, fantastic, with Munster fans travelling in big numbers. And I won a tenner in the table sweepstake having predicted a score of 22-7. 😀

Gloucester fans were never quiet during the game - and as one would expect, very gracious in defeat. They had no complaints. The welsh referee was very poor though.

Great result for Leinster coming from 14-0 down to get the away victory at Castres. All down to the last weekend in that group. Hopefully that'll see Northampton exiting. 🙂

And I won a tenner in the table sweepstake having predicted a score of 22-7

I thought you didn't gamble? Or do you just not gamble when it's against the best province in Ireland. 😀

It was a game of skill BM. I won! 😀

(Fair comment though...but it would be bad form not to throw in a pound when everyone else is too.)

The Orangemen could do with delivering a few trophies if we're to believe that. I think their lack of experience on the big stages tells when the pressure is on though. 🙂 Good form team on their day...but when it matters...

Can't have been much skill involved! Lucky guess big man.

So Munster have won one more than us many moons ago. We are the young team on the up. Whenever you are handing out 2 year deals to Donncha 'I think I'm a winger' O'Callaghan then you know the cupboard is bare!

This is our year! Big performance at the tigers next week to put fear in the rest of Europe.

Can't have been much skill involved! Lucky guess big man.

Tbh, I was the last in the circle so I was picking a Munster result that wasn't too close to anyone else's. Everybody else (myself included if I'd been asked earlier) was going for bigger margins. Three guys had to go Glaws. 😀

Every year seems to be Ulster's year these days. It's about time they delivered. Tbf to O'Callaghan, he's merely cover these days, and Munster tend to stand by their men in the latter years of their careers. It all part of having a bit of class and pedigree. 😉

Hopefully that'll see Northampton exiting

But Back played for tigers DD... 😀

Munster tend to stand by their men in the latter years of their careers. It all part of having a bit of class and pedigree.

Sure give him a bus pass while they are at it. 😀

And why wouldn't they? I'm sure the Orangemen would look after a two Heineken Cup medal winning player as he approaches his final years as a player. If they had any.

Ha ha have you seen the Seabass advert on Rugby Dump? 😆

So Munster have won one more than us many moons ago.

I like to think that Munster have won 1.5 more European Cups than Ulster, given the lack of English opposition the year Ulster won it, also 3 league titles to your one. I do think however both of us would agree that Leinster are probably stronger than both of us at present.

As for DOC on the wing, no defending that one!

Now that is just plain odd!

This is him recently.

I like to think that Munster have won 1.5 more European Cups than Ulster, given the lack of English opposition the year Ulster won it, also 3 league titles to your one.

FFS we can only play whats in front of us. In 1999 we had Toulouse in our group and QF as well as Stade Francais in the SF so worthy winners. I believe Muster were also in it that year, the lack of English participants didn't really help them out, dumped out in the QF by the team we beat in the final.

The year Muster won it for the first time, a long time after Ulster set the standard, you only had Sale in your group so don't give me that!

You and DD will now be telling me that Deccie 'Turnip head - king of the Blarney' Kidney was actually a dynamic non biased coach next 😀

I do think however both of us would agree that Leinster are probably stronger than both of us at present.

No way*, they are my least favourite province, Munster are my second favourite, however I may nave to reconsider that given the way their supporters are getting on. 😀

*-Actually yeah you are right, just don't tell the D4 latte drinkers I said that

The Chabal KO is so funny for the look of disbelief on his face when the ref calls him over. It's like that song "I wasn't me". In fairness his opposite number was trying to hold him back, reminds me of a famous punch Neil Back took from a NZer, he was asked about it after the game (re potential citing) and his repsonce was "I think I might have been holding on"

George North Interview [url= http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/jan/13/george-north-wales-lions-rugby-union ]Guardian link[/url]

Wales squad for 2014 RBS Six Nations:
Forwards: Paul James (Bath), Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Ryan Bevington (Ospreys), Richard Hibbard (Ospreys), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Emyr Phillips (Scarlets), Adam Jones (Ospreys), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Rhodri Jones (Scarlets), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Luke Charteris (Perpignan), Ian Evans (Ospreys), Andrew Coombs (Dragons), Ryan Jones (Ospreys), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Sam Warburton Capt (Cardiff Blues), Toby Faletau (Dragons), Dan Lydiate (Racing Metro), Aaron Shingler (Scarlets)
Backs: Rhodri Williams (Scarlets), Mike Phillips (Racing Metro), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Rhys Priestland (Scarlets), James Hook (Perpignan), Jonathan Davies (Scarlets), Jamie Roberts (Racing Metro), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), George North (Northampton Saints), Leigh Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues), Liam Williams (Scarlets).

some real dross in there especially at nine, only 3 centres picked 2 of whom are broken. I'd pick

James
Hibbard
Adam
AW Jones
Girafferis
Warburton
Tipuric
Faletau
Phillips
Biggar
North
Roberts (if fit)
S Williams
Cuthbert
1/2p

Gethin (if fit, if not anyone but Bevington)
Owens
Lee
Evans
R Jones
my nan as replacement 9
Priestland
Hook

Cement head will pick Lydiate though even if he is playing rubbish.

Spose Gatland has won a fair bit more though so most welshies myself included will put faith in him over you. Not slating your nan but Rhys (a good friend) has had a few tricky niggles but I'm sure in a year or so and given a few caps he'll be wearing red more often! Immense talent and top lad!

My nan doesnt mind she's been dead a while anyway. Rhys has looked better last few times I've seen him over last season better than Trebaldy anyway!
Did you see Lydiate v Scarlets? Poor doesnt even begin to cover it and I'm a massive fan. Looks to have bulked up a lot too.

I'm a massive massive Lydiate fan, but I have to agree with you and makes me sad to say it too but lately he has been a sack of shit. Looks slow, sluggish and disinterested. I have a sneaky feeling he'll jack in France soon, it's certainly not doing him any good or his battle to keep the 6 shirt and convince Gats that him Warbs and Falletau are the back 3 of choice going forward, Shingler is playing well, Ryan will always deliver and Warbs and Tips together are a proven combo when AWJ and Ianto take on more ball carrying.
Hope he ignites some fire soon, he's capable of being one of the games best number 6's.

Rhys has an X factor about him, but he has the odd injury and then that affects his confidence, he can be a Dwayne Peel Danny Care type player, produce unexpected moments of class, hopefully he'll get more game time at club and country level and show this. Otherwise give Gareth Davies a pop, love a good lively character at nine!

Too many of that squad are broken, have just been broken or are simply broken all the time for me to be confident for example Roberts, Davies, Warbrton, Gethin.
Gareth Davies was excelent last friday.

Ireland extended 44-man squad for Six Nations: Forwards: Rodney Ah You (Connacht)*, Stephen Archer (Munster), Rory Best (Ulster), Robin Copeland (Cardiff Blues)*, Sean Cronin (Leinster), Robbie Diack (Ulster)*, Cian Healy (Leinster), Jamie Heaslip (Leinster), Iain Henderson (Ulster), Chris Henry (Ulster), Rob Herring (Ulster)*, David Kilcoyne (Munster), Mike McCarthy (Leinster), Jack McGrath (Leinster), Martin Moore (Leinster)*, Jordi Murphy (Leinster)*, Paul O'Connell (Munster), Tommy O'Donnell (Munster), Peter O'Mahony (Munster), Mike Ross (Leinster), Rhys Ruddock (Leinster), Devin Toner (Leinster), Dan Tuohy (Ulster), Damian Varley (Munster).
Backs: Isaac Boss (Leinster), Darren Cave (Ulster), Gordon D'Arcy (Leinster), Keith Earls (Munster), Luke Fitzgerald (Leinster), Robbie Henshaw (Connacht), Paddy Jackson (Ulster), Felix Jones (Munster), David Kearney (Leinster), Rob Kearney (Leinster), Ian Keatley (Munster), Ian Madigan (Leinster), Kieran Marmion (Connacht), Luke Marshall (Ulster), Fergus McFadden (Leinster), Conor Murray (Munster), Brian O'Driscoll (Leinster), Eoin Reddan (Leinster), Jonathan Sexton (Racing Metro 92), Andrew Trimble (Ulster).

True that, many a broken men in the squad and I'm sure they'll be targeted too.

Hey ho, what's the song "two outa three ain't bad".

How has Robin Copeland been playing for the Blues? I don't know much about him.

I'd imagine Zebo, Bowe and Gilroy will be added to the squad next week. The only weakness I see is the lack of a ball carrier in the back row as Fez and SOB are out. I would like to see Tuohy get a start at lock as he carries well. Other than that feeling cautiously optimistic.

Copeland is ok. Not international quality but would do a job in an emergency.

Is BOD pushing it to far? Should he of called it a day after the Lions tour?

@Pigface, had the Lions tour ended better for him I think he may have retired. He may now decide to push on for RWC 2015 and I think he wants to make a point in this years RBS and against Wales especially.

Irish squad is almost every fit Irish qualified player who plays for Ulster, Munster and Leinster with a few extras, so doesn't tell us much.

I've only seen Copeland is a couple of times but he has looked very good in the H Cup, he was MOM against Glasgow away and carried well again at the weekend in a well beaten Cardiff team. Hard to say if he is international class or not but I am looking forward to having him at Munster next season. Kieran Marmion the Connaught SH is a serious talent and I expect him to head to Leinster soon.

Whats BODs point going to be Jiffy Junior wont be playing anyway and Gatlands point was that Jiffy Junior was better.

I suspect the media will build up the whole Gatland V BOD thing before the match, I would hope BOD has moved on.

Ireland's problem is we still haven't got anyone who is clearly better than him. He has become a bit on a penalty machine with Southern Hemisphere refs but calls seem to go the other way for him in 6N and HCup. Ulster have a few decent centers, Munster have none and he is still at 13 for Leinster when fit. Lots of people hoping Jared Payne the answer but I have only seen him at 15.

I think Payne is the only option at 13 from Ulster. Cave just isn't good enough, even if he does think otherwise.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/25230420

How not to get selected I think. Slag the coach and former captain! I'd like to see Earls get a bit of an opportunity as he has the potential to step up if he stays injury free. The cupboard at 13 is very bare in Ireland.

I think this will be BOD's final season he's getting broken much too often and you can't nurse him to the World Cup and hope he stays fit. Plus his Mrs said this is his last season so that will be it. 😀

I got the impression that bods first reason for staying on was one more crack at NZ, at home too. Whole team seemed to be focused entirely on that one game as his last and best chance. Anyone thinking there's a fixture that matters more is kidding themselves.
Henshaw looks exciting as a possible longer term option, but reckon Tommy Bowe might be the next best 13 for now if needed. There's more cover for wing.
BM, reckon it's Henry's turn to show how it works as a true 7. Was going well when not injured and Cians back for ball carrying duties. Jordi Murphy's prob nearest like for like style and might be a good impact bench shout.

@loum - really ? The Autumn internationals are friendlies, it's the RBS and RWC which count. It's important to build a winning mentality in the friendlies so that come the games that matter you have a chance.

Us,
Forwards: John Beattie (Montpellier), Kelly Brown (Saracens), Geoff Cross, David Denton, Alasdair Dickinson, Ross Ford (all Edinburgh Rugby), Chris Fusaro (Glasgow Warriors), Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh Rugby), Ryan Grant, Jonny Gray (both Glasgow Warriors), Richie Gray (Castres), Jim Hamilton (Montpellier), Robert Harley (Glasgow Warriors), Scott Lawson (Newcastle Falcons), Kieran Low (London Irish), Moray Low, Pat MacArthur (both Glasgow Warriors), Ross Rennie (Edinburgh Rugby) Alasdair Strokosch (Perpignan), Tim Swinson and Ryan Wilson (both Glasgow Warriors).

Backs: Chris Cusiter (Glasgow Warriors), Nick De Luca (Edinburgh Rugby), Alex Dunbar (Glasgow Warriors), Max Evans (Castres), Dougie Fife (Edinburgh Rugby), Stuart Hogg, Ruaridh Jackson, Sean Lamont (all Glasgow Warriors), Greig Laidlaw (Edinburgh Rugby), Sean Maitland (Glasgow Warriors), Matt Scott (Edinburgh Rugby), Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors), Duncan Taylor (Saracens), Greig Tonks (Edinburgh Rugby) and Duncan Weir (Glasgow Warriors).

Not considered due to injury: Alastair Kellock (Glasgow Warriors), Euan Murray (Worcester Warriors), Peter Horne (Glasgow Warriors) and Tim Visser (Edinburgh Rugby).
Could the Welsh please take Scott Johnston back please? I don't think he has watched any of the two Scottish teams at all this year. And Kelly Brown nailed on as captain when he isn't good enough to start?

We dont want him, ship him back to Aus. Suprised Barclay didnt get in has he retired?

I see SOB and Heaslip may be iff to France. Doomed we're all doomed.

Barclay has blown hot and cold this year. Johnston will pick Brown,despite his lack of games/pace. Fusaro is next in line after Brown,despite being the stand out Scottish back row player this year. After that Rennie,then perhaps Barclay. While they are still young,we are finally starting to grow some backs. Dougie Fife,who was a ball boy just a blink of an eye ago has made the squad after five tries in seven games.

Think Rennie is lucky to make the squad having missed most of the season and Roddy Grant is perhaps unlucky to miss out again based on his recent performances. Should be Fusaro for starting 7 but not convinced it will happen.

Would like to see Tonks given a shot at 10 has done well for Edinburgh covering there the last few weeks.

So, Ryan "Nicest man in rugby" may be off to Brizzle?

Might relocate to Wales. Pretty much guaranteed a starting place for any of the regions the way this is heading. 🙁

SOB signs a new deal with IRFU that keeps him at Leinster until 2016!
will be interesting to see what Heaslip does

How long will SoB last? What that boy puts himself through every time he plays is something else. What is he, Late 20's?

will be interesting to see what Heaslip does

Well, whatever he does, I imagine it'll be accompanied by some tweets with slightly oblique references to heroic Greek myths and legends and the odd quote loaded with self-belief. 😀

Lol @ DD

Duckie just look at Fez. Very similar to SOB, he's pretty ****ed now. I doubt he will ever be back at the level he was a few years ago. Ulster extended his contract to get him fit but didn't say for how long, not a great endorsement.

SOB had to stay home, he's got his cows to feed. ROG writing in the Irish Times reckons Heaslip will go to Toulon. TBH I wouldn't be that bothered if he did. He's been living in his 2009 form for too long. I'd like to see a backrow of POM, Henry and SOB AT 6,7,8.

@loum if Henry plays as well for Ireland as he has for Ulster the past few seasons then he will do well, he's our most reliable forward by a mile. I see Strauss is back this weekend. Great news as Cronin throws like Stevie Wonder in the dark and Best ain't much better.

What do we think for a starting 15 then?

Healy
Best
I'd like to see Moore but it will be Ross
POC
McCarthy (I'd like to see Tuohy get a go)
POM
Henry
Heaslip
Murray
Sexton
Zebo
Marshall
BOD
Bowe
Kearney

Arent Bowe and Zebo broken? Surely you can find a 15 who can tackle too?

Zeno came on in the second half against Glaws.

Did he? Great he's good to watch.
I read on the Beeb that Bevington is hoping to step into Gethins shoes for Wales. A small part of me died, surely it has to be P James at 1? I'd like to see
James
Hibbard
Adam
AW Jone (cpt)
Evans/ Charteris
R Jones
Tips
Faletau
Phillips
1/2p
S Williams
North
Cuthbert
Hook

although doubtless Lydiate, Warburton and Roberts will be picked despite having no form.

Oh I might pick an outside half too, probably Biggar

@ AA Bowe and Zebo are expected to be added to squad next week.

I have to agree James is a much better option.

Did I not read an interview with SoB in which was saying he took orders for bread,milk and eggs from his team mates?

Grant
McArthur(it will be Ford)
Cross
Hamilton
Grey junior/Gilchrist
Strokosh
Fusaro
Denton
Laidlaw
Maitland
Jackson
Scott
Evans
Maitland
Tonks

Maitland so good you picked him twice Duckie? 😀

Grant
Ford
Cross
Hamilton
Swinson
Denton
Fusaro
Beatie
Laidlaw
Tonks
Fife
Scott/Taylor
Taylor/Scott
Maitland/Seymour
Hogg

How long will SoB last? What that boy puts himself through every time he plays is something else. What is he, Late 20's?

A lot longer in Ireland than France given the number of games he will be required to play, they way things are going he might have no HCup, No league games next season just inter provincials and internationals.

Bevington can hope 😆 he isnt bad but needs to improve a lot to be a good international player.

He seems to have gone backwards with the removal of the hit in scrums.

ijs445ra - Member
Maitland so good you picked him twice Duckie?

Doh, that should be Fife, was trying to put them in their correct position.

BBC Headline fail...!

England head coach Stuart Lancaster re-appoints Bath flanker Chris Robshaw as England captain for the 2014 Six Nations.

Barf? I think not!

looks like Evans will be getting a long rest, ****

[img] [/img]

Can't see what his defence will be for that one. Looks like four deliberate stamps to the face.

**** indeed!

Not sure if he knew it was his face but its certainly deliberate. He has previous too. Having said that an old school kiwi woukd blame the Leinster player for trying to tackle a maul and the lying in the way. Not defending him but if the ref had blown for the initial offence none of this would have happend.

His defense will be that he was driven over the player and was trying to get his feet on the ground. The panel will take into account the fact he is not looking at him as he stamps on him,despite the fact he looks down firsT.Banned before; 4 weeks,no previous 2 weeks. Judge Duckman

he has previous ask Harry Ellis about his knee

I hated Ellis,but if he did his knee with a stamp,then l hope other players livelihoods are protected for a while. BTW tigers v Ulster,what a game! I love you AA 😉

What a game indeed, tigers got ruaned!!

Awesome performance and what a scrum from Tom Court a few mins from the end.

Looking forward to the home QF when all the building work at Ravers will be finished and 18000 will be cheering them on. SUFTUM

Really exciting match, Piennar is a genius. Great to see a match like that from arguably the country's two best teams

It will be a fitting first match at ravenhill, can't wait

Melon,if you are a Ulster fan,while he was at uni I played in the same Dundee rugby team back row as Tony McWhirter. He came to Dundee to do dentistry and despite being a complete pisshead was rather handy.( 6"6" and 18 stone helped a wee bit)

Yeah he was our 8 when we won the Heine in '99. He does a bit of punditry on BBC NI in Ulster's home Rabo games. Suppose that 18 st comes in handy if he's pulling a stubborn molar.

Well done Ulster, great game hung in there and took their chances. Munster in your home semi maybe?

Aye,we raised a beer to him,he was second on t podium,a throwback to previous era.
Gavin Hastings
Tam Smith
Stu Campbell
Richard Cramb
Adam Buchanan-Smith
John Manson
Sean Longstaff
Rob Wainwright
Jeremy Cambell-Lamerton
Damien Cronin
Finley Calder
Lindsey Fenwick
Paul Burnell
Derek White
Andy Nichol
Jay Allan
And played against pretty much every Scottish and English int of the late 80's to 90's.
Played with/drank/set fire to my pubes with all of the above in the amateurish game,now...I would be watching them from a stand having played at 9am to ensure as good as crowd as possible. Need a new knee and hip,but wonder if l had a better time than folk that play now.

Yep, fantastic result for Ulster. It was a good game. Takes real quality to beat them at Welford Road in the HC. Saracens at Ravers - [i]should[/i] be a semi-final place - but they'll be tough opposition.

Draw to see where the home advantage lies for the SFs tomorrow isn't it?

[img] [/img]

😀