[Closed] 2013/14 Rugby Thread

Yeah the only guy I can think of who went from League to Union and made it as a forward (without any union background) was Brad Thorn.

I can't see the point of the Burgess move except for, presumably, his bank balance.

(If it IS a move. I did say it was on the Daily Mail site. As an aside, I was amazed by how many pictures there are and how little writing there is when you click open an article.)

Yeah the only guy I can think of who went from League to Union and made it as a forward (without any union background) was Brad Thorn.

I can't see the point of the Burgess move except for, presumably, his bank balance.

(If it IS a move. I did say it was on the Daily Mail site. As an aside, I was amazed by how many pictures there are and how little writing there is when you click open an article.)

so predictions, cant see much past three home wins this week

Ireland 24 Wales 18
England a lot Scotland almost nothing
France 28 Italy 6

I'm going to Murrayfield tomorrow so it'll be a triumphant victory for scotland for sure.

Oh its at murryfield... England by a lot still!

anagallis_arvensis - Member
so predictions, cant see much past three home wins this week

Ireland 24 Wales 18
England a lot Scotland almost nothing
France 28 Italy 6

I find myself agreeing with AA on well, everything... 😯

Ireland by ten
England by an embarrassingly large amount
France by ten

France to be convincing against Italy.
Ireland to edge it against Wales.
Scotland and England to try and bore the other team to death with Scotland winning due to being better at withstanding dull rugby 😛

Got to say that Burgess wont cut it in union, he's a complete mutant, hyper aggressive, supreme athlete etc, however he's a league forward, and has played league his entire life. Its almost that the union game wont be enough for him (that's not knocking union, more the position he'll find himself in). In league he's working all the time, in union he'll be rarely on the ball. Its almost like trying to turn an ice hockey player into a grass hockey player - The sports have the same principles but they are chalk and cheese when it comes to the collision (league)and the scrimmaging (both forwards and backs responsibilities in union)

Just about to leave the house with Stoner Jr Sr to go and watch Warriors get reamed again by Leicester. Jr Sr's enthusiasm for the club seems completely independent of their performance. Which is nice 😉

At least the beer's alright.

Say a little prayer for us please chaps...

Worcester always amaze me, used to play them all the time as a kid, they were just a little club like Bromsgrove... how did they get where they are now?

Ireland to win with a BOD try 😀
France by less than 10
Scotland to do better than expected and lose by about 5 (although prob not score a try)

Ireland to win with a BOD try

keith wood will explode

I reckon there are 2 easy calls and one toss of a coin this weekend.

Sadly England will outclass a limited, unimaginative Scotland side - [b]Scotland 6 England 38[/b]

France, even given the unpredictable nature of their game will still be too much for a decent Italian side - [b]France 32 Italy 15[/b]

The tough call is in Dublin - a fiesty game between 2 good teams - home advantage might just swing it - [b]Ireland 24 Wales 21[/b]

Lets hope I have one of these wrong!
Bad forecast for Edinburgh tomorrow, pitch isn't good, so maybe...just maybe?

Just setting off to watch Sale V Gloucester, with Sale's Academy lads playing Leeds Carnegie first. Would be nice to do a double on Glos, Sale have improved a lot this yr but still an awful long way to go.

Having just got round to watching the ireland scotland game I cannot believe how bad scotland were and ireland were very poor for large parts too. If wales had some in form players I'd be quite hopefully, sadly they dont really.

Irish nation wondering if they ever mentioned the time Gatland dropped O’Driscoll

The Irish rugby media and public are currently seeking an answer to the question of whether they have ever, at any point in the past, spoken about the fact that Brian O’Driscoll was dropped last summer during the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia in 2013.

BOD“Not sure if I ever mentioned this fact before, but O’Driscoll was dropped last summer,” said Michael Earls of the Leinster Supporter’s Club. “Warren Gatland, who is coaching Wales now, was the man who dropped him. Did I ever say that?”

Similarly, Elaine Connors of Munster has also publically appealed for an answer to the vexing question. “Did I, or any of my fellow patriots, ever voice our opinion on the non-selection of a certain Irish player last year?” pondered Elaine to anyone who would listen.

Ireland’s top journalists and pundits are also debating whether to mention the non-selection of Brian O’Driscoll in any of their media output this week ahead of the Six Nations clash with Wales or whether to ignore the issue for fear of realising too late it was a topic they had addressed previously.

“That would be awfully embarrassing,” said one Irish Times journalist (off the record).

As reported previously on The East Terrace, the Irish rugby community is furious that players like Brian O’Driscoll and Paul O’Connell were finally part of a successful Lions tour after a succession of miserable failures dating back to 2001.

Many in Irish rugby are also annoyed that after coming fifth in last year’s Six Nations (and bottom from all the unions which make up the British and Irish Lions) they only supplied almost a third of the starting lineups for the opening two tests.

“Gatland clearly hates the Irish,” said Earls. “If the likes of Bowe and Healy hadn’t been injured before the first test against OZ we would have only had about six players in the starting lineup. We came fifth in the Six Nations. We should have had more. I tell you, as a grown man who can vote and have children, Gatland is holding a grudge against us after his time in Ireland and paid us back by dropping one Irish player for the third test test and at the same time bringing in Sean O’Brien. Is it not clear he hates us? Woe is us and a plague upon all things Kiwi.”

Despite the time that has lapsed since the Lions series victory, actual real human beings like Rob Henderson (on the BBC’s Scrum V (aka as Mob V) on 2nd Feb) are still suggesting that Gatland should have selected a specialist centre on the bench for the third test and then brought that specialist centre on for a farewell, sentimental ten minutes of rugby.

The Irish rugby community has asked the world’s media and fans to help them find a voice and air their righteous grievance with the world. The East Terrace is proud to support that cause.

“Please use #didweevermentionBODwasdropped on social media to help spread the word,” added Earls. “Never forgive, never forget and never, whatever you do, apply logic and reason.”

Aye AA - we were poor and Ireland were not as good as some reported. I reckon Ireland and Scotland will improve but not enough in Scotland's case to get a result.
Ireland will lose if they don't improve!

Looking forward to the midfield battle - 10,12 and 13 look evenly matched.

A wet miserable Murrayfield is always a potential trap for England. Scrappy first 30. Hopefully more open and quality (weather permitting) last 50.

Really looking forward to Ireland v Wales. Should be the highlight of the weekend.

10,12 and 13 look evenly matched.

sexton v Priestland very much sexton
Darcy v Roberts very much Roberts
BOD 2014 v Williams I'd take Williams

11-14 are much stronger for Wales IMO but Ireland stronger at half back which could be crucial.

Ireland front 5 much stronger and should win the game in combination with a a backrow in form. Wales would need Warbs and Lydiate at their best to compete and one is way off form and the other has played about 15 mins since Nov. The shame is of the irish I'd only take Healy, POC and Sexton over their welsh counterparts if they were all playing at their best. But its a team game and Ireland are currently a better team.

The shame is of the irish I'd only take Healy, POC and Sexton over their welsh counterparts if they were all playing at their best. But its a team game and Ireland are currently a better team.

My instinct is to agree with this and I see Ireland as the better collective group of players at the moment too. What we easily forget is that Sexton, O'Connel, BOD etc's limited game time lately too and/ or ongoing injury concerns are not different really to similar thing within the Welsh team. Sexton's hamstring has been up and down lately for example and who knows how he is really doing (despite a good break last weekend).

I think the game is so tough nowadays and injuries so frequent that you can't really be a club player and international player at the same time. Roberts, Warburton, Gethin, etc are prime examples of players who give everything come international time but spend most of the club season injured.

Interesting that everyone predicts an Irish win. Sadly I too have the same prediction 😥

I'd only take the two Jones', Roberts, North and Halfpenny from the Welsh side. Looking at the forecast it looks like it could be 10 man rugby which will suit us very well. Ire by less than one score

Top international stadiums with shite pitches.......extraordinary?

Ulster Ospreys on bbc2

Murrayfield tomorrow..rain wind pitch cut to bits..........expecting forwards battle with high ball bombs looking forward to

Hogg vs Brown ( this tournament has some outstanding 15s)
Fusaro vs the referee ( not seen the lad play on real time but heard a fair bit from Scottish friends)
Hamilton defending himself against Hartley
Scotland cannot cross the gainline and really do not a 10 thankfully they are not playing Hogg there

I expect it to be closer than predicted but England will win by 10

Wales to beat Ireland by 3.......irish were not good last week and Hibberts tackling was dominant

Wynn Jones vs O'Connell
Welsh front row will be dominant

France to beat Italy.............unlikely but I do think the Italians could be winners here, more I hope they will than a reality I am afraid to say

Hibbard is better than Best both have shite darts but Hibbard is a machine. Faletau is better than that show pony you have. Id have both Tips and Warbs over Henry (but not SOB to be fair). Scott Williams is better than the player BOD currently is too. Your 9 would get the nod over Phillips in much the same way I suppose. Oh and neither of your wingers are better than Cuthbert for all his faults he does score lots of tries, Trimble and the fullbacks bro are honest triers but nothing more.
As you say it'll be won and lost upfront and Wales only having one decent lineout option in AW Jones and a scrum that has gone from being a strength to a liability with the new rules dont fill anyone with much hope.
In other news, how good was Hogg v Ireland, shame about the dross in front of him 🙁

U20's game here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/25865163

bit damp

In terms of form this season I agree on Tips but He isn't starting. Henry has been in outstanding form as has Heaslip, Best and Trimble. I'm far from Heaslips biggest fan but he has been playing very well.

Hogg was Scotland's only player last week.

Henry has been storming lately and will be hard for the Welsh to keep quiet. A guess a lot too depends on how the breakdown is refereed. What is the forecast on that front?

Heaslip... I'm less convinced. He might well do a lot of work that goes largely unseen but he always looks like he plays with the physically of a five foot nothing 9 but in an 8's body.

Wayne Barnes is ref so plenty of pens!

I hope it isn't like Ulster Ospreys currently, blowing a gale and pissing down making for very poor watching

its a 3 nil thriller at half time in the u20's!! the kick from the wales 10 is the most incredible thing I've ever seen, it turned 90 degrees when the wind caught it and took it over.

Ospreys 7-3 up at ht. Morgan looks very sharp at 10, best player on the pitch. It's getting really rough over here

Very much enjoying the u20 game!

Worcester v Leicester is a decent game. 19 - 17 to Worcs.

Hogg is very very good, saw a good few times last year and impressed could be a real superstar

Brown is what England need, edgy in the face player great runner and much more disciplined

r Kearney is better than a just a honest trier good under the high ball

but all pale in comparison to Halfpenny.

The art of the hooker....actually hooking in the scrum and being able to throw in has been lost......

r Kearney is better than a just a honest trier good under the high ball

I was talking about the winger brother.
How many chances are the Ospreys going to butcher?

Looks like Eli Walker bust his hamstring again. If he had given that pass Ospreys would have won.

****ing hell trebaldi you stupid ****.

Sad to see Eli come on almost score and then go off again, hope its not the hamstring again.
Ulster had too much composure and class.

That was satisfying 🙂

godammit, we went down 23-22!

That as close to a win as we'll see the rest of this season then 🙂

The boys loved it though (took a load of U7 lads from the club)

Stoner, was at the Sale game - when they announced the result of the Wuss game a groan went up around the ground, people seemed to really feel for Wuss.

Worcs actually played alright. They even scored a try this time! 🙂

But not even Loser's bonus points is going to salvage the season for us

Hoping for a Scottish win today but fully expect England to win by 12 to 15 points :|. Even the weather is against Scotland today. Only thing we can ask is that the Scottish team leave the pitch having given everything.

Why is the weather against you gordi? What's they local take on Brown not even making the bench. He seemed ok last week.

Forecast says gales and hail so since Scotland are prone to handling errors anyway I think we will struggle to keep posession.

I haven't seen last weeks game by all accounts Scotland were poor and Brown was no worse than many. Slightly puzzling decision to drop him.

Remember Andy Nichols blue lips and hope. Of course, I will be hoping that it goes to form but a wet M'field always makes me nervous. Instead of the usual marketing BS, don't you think the SRU should just run a video of CMD from yesterday!!! 😉 Lancaster has already asked wee eck to talk to the English team!!

Scotlands secret plan is to get John Swinney to give his budget speech to the england pack just before kick off in the hope that they fall asleep 🙂
Anyway don't want to hijack the thread.

Let's hope it's a good game and the weather/pitch aren't too bad. Relishing the starter in Dublin more though. Great afternoon. Just need to get as many jobs done now so that the "boss" doesn't complain if I am watching both matches later!!!!!

His many brownie points can I get in in just under 3 hours?

It is a bit puzzling as why Brown was dropped, given he was selected as captain after Johnson said he would only be named captain if he warranted a certain place in the team and also puzzling because Ryan Wilson was totally outplayed last week.

I know Kelly, having taught him at school and he will be philosophical about this and when he is next given a chance he will show his usual work rate, commitment and determination to prove the doubters wrong.

I'd have thought his "inside Knowledge" of the English players may have been useful today?

Despite getting MOM last week, Heaslip was poor IMO.
Played like he wanted to be a back hanging round on the wing.
Gave passes so others took the contact when he did get it close and generally fannied about all through. First time I noticed him actually put head down and bash the gainline was 79th minute when he'd just been tannoyed for his award. He's got away with it with SOB in the side but was shown up by Denton last week. Not saying Henry had a bad game at all, he didn't, but Heaslip really needs to play like a proper 8 in this line up.
Last time I remember him fannying about so much was when the Ozzies battered Ireland in the autumn. Looked like he didn't want to break a nail then too. Thing is, next game he matched Kieran Read so he can do it when he really wants to.
Never captain material though - his inconsistency looks down to commitment not skill.

I for one am just looking forward to the respectful cheers from the Irish crowd when Y Gat arrives. After all, no one likes boo-boys, do they?

😉

Sounds like the Welsh can't shut up about their coaches' decicions last summer.
Not just the internet experts but now Howley's on it too this week.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/26076932

No surprise if they don't get a little bit back today. 😉

I loved it two years ago when the "silent for the kickers" irish crowed booed halfpennies winning kick!

I expect England Scotland to be close, England rarely run away with the game at Murrayfield - add in weather and pitch problems and I think we are looking at a 0-5 point margin, hopefully to England.

biggest question of the day is who has the best beard?
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Anyone not getting sound on the BBC online coverage?

I wasnt but then was when going thru the watch live page rather than the sports pages.

Weather looks better than expected.

Enjoy.....

Lets hope Barnes doesn't spoil this. He tends to a bit pedantic and likes to be the main attraction!

Errrrrrr, penalty errrrrr.......against green????

Guessing at the highest level!!!!

Wales doing well to hold this to 6pts so far. Needs a spark???

Oh dear what a line out.

Good kick, good line out - easy try.

Wales playing like clowns 🙁

Very disappointed with Wales so far, just not in the game at all. Sexton running the show

It's been a poor first half not helped by the ref. Wales have been very negative and Ireland have bossed the breakdown. Let's hope for a better second half. Scot Williams will be cited as well

So far the worst I've seen from Wales for a long time. Time to take Gethin, Lydiate and Priestland off.

I hope (as a neutral) that Wales have a big first 10m in 2h. Not living up to expectations so far. Fingers crossed.

Scot Williams will be cited as well

BOD COULD HAVE DIED!!!!
Bollocks nothing in it.
Jaunking.. Priestland has done well with what he's had IMO. No lineout and scrums negated means no posession

Wales have been utter dross so far. It can only get better, surely....

But I don't think it will.

its like the old days watching wales without a lineout falling apart

Wales will get back into this - Ireland can't keep this going for 80 mins and Wales will find an answer soon.

Phillips chucking toys now...

You have to love POM - imagine him in a classroom!!!!

to be fair other than high kicks and mauls ireland are doing nothing

??? 😉 (scarlet-tinted specs)

If I was irish I'd want to be out of sight and over the hill by now with all the possession

Healy just punched sam....cite him

Possibly true, but not exactly doing nothing!! Anyway, here you go.....