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As the new Premiership seasons kicks off this evening time for a new thread.
I'll start with a quick note about two old Worcester players.
Cecil Duckworth passed recently , he was key in getting Worcester to where they are now and was a long standing servant both to the club and the local community.
Also one of his old 1st team mates, my father , passed on the 27th October. We have his funeral on the 23rd.
RIP to them both and hopefully they are chucking a ball about some where much nicer.
Whats going to happen this season?
Will it even get to the end?
Exeter for the English premiership?
France for the Six Nations?
England in the group of deaths for the World cup.
RIP to the Worcester boys.
I'm looking forward to the new season. My team (Falcons) are back into the top flight although as we've just lost Sinoti Sinoti I don't really fancy our chances so much. I've been struggling over the last few weeks watching the internationals - I'm not a fan of the atmosphere without a crowd! I will be watching BT Sport on Saturday to see them play Bath at the Rec, hoping we can pull off a result like we did at the start of the 97/98 season, won our first game away and went on to win the Premiership! Unlikely I know but I hold onto the possibility however distant. And I cling on to the fact that we've won our last 3 against Bath too.
I think Exeter have to be favourites but I've got a soft spot for Bristol, Pat Lam was a great player for us and I think he makes a fantastic coach.
Love Pat Lam too.
Ireland should never have let him go, was doing great things at Connacht, and if he can make them champions he can do it for Bristol too. Eventually.
Think the condensed season, and covid absences/injuries will play a big part - squads rather than best 15/23 will be the winners. Exeter are more established on that front so think they'll still take it this year, but Bristol soon - unless Ireland get him back.
France for the next WC, think they'll be building to that and experimenting so they'll loose the odd 6 Nations game but it won't matter as much to them, not the big goal.
England strong already, and starting to really take advantage of their player depth. Any injuries seem to be covered by quality back ups now.
Scotland better than they have been for a while.
Wales rebuilding - but is pivac the right coach or is he their David Moyes?
Ireland rebuilding too. Farrell six games in and handing out a lot of new caps. James Ryan new captain tomorrow - gets Twickenham away on a three game losing streak for his first test.
Good experience for three years time if they stick with this, hope they do.
Maybe leinster for a trophy? Always enjoy the games during international season as you start to see the youngsters coming through . Penny, Baird, and kelleher look like the next generation could be better than the current.
And thanks for starting this Pete.
And rip to the Worcester boys.
Al
so one of his old 1st team mates, my father , passed on the 27th October. We have his funeral on the 23rd.
RIP to them both and hopefully they are chucking a ball about some where much nicer.
Sorry to hear that. Swansea RFC once had a minute's silence for my father's cousin - it was odd standing on the terrace for someone I knew. Thoughts are with you.
Thanks for starting a new thread, sorry to hear about your father. Worcester were always a great club. Played them loads when I was a kid as I played for Bromsgrove.
Quite excited about this new look Wales team for Georgia, really want to see how the backs go. Not sure any of them can tackle though, have to see.
TJ is going to blow a gasket when Zammit is picked for the Lions over Graham and Van Der Whatsit 😜😜😜😆
I’m shitting bricks about the Georgia match😳
I’m shitting bricks about the Georgia match😳
I'm focussing on the new players Zammit, Sheey, Ioan Lloyd, Botham, Hardy, Johnny Williams, Seb Davies getting another go. Its exciting.....till kick off.....then I'll be shitting it like you!!
I can see why AA! the battle of who are top dogs in tier 2.
Genuinely s****ing as I wait for the reply.
I can see why AA! the battle of who are top dogs in tier 2.
Luckily Pivac19 has been clever enough to choose a team full of kids so we have a good excuse when we lose!
Convincing win by Exeter last night!
Another great game this morning - Argies v crims
I suspect Scotland will get a cuffing from France. No Entamack means we win the battle of the hair at 10 but even with wee Dunkies strange growth I fear this France team will be out for revenge and will be too much. Should be a high scoring game
On paper France look too strong but they often dont travel well.
Ireland England could be good. Think England will be too much for Ireland but then again, Ireland will have to get out of second gear unlike last week. I'd be worried about POM at 7, what does he offer there these days apart from an angry face?
Just noticed Darcey TJ's Lovechild Graham has been dropped from the 23!!! His Lions credentials take an early blow!!
Bit depressing driving through Twickenham having picked up my daughter from sport, no discernible evidence of an international about to be played in a few hours.
Loving the French women’s back play against England.
Aa
Rotation dear boy. When you have to find a place for King Blairhorn
Rotation dear boy.
Rotated right out the 23 😆😆😆😆
Pom isn't a 7 at all.
Stander can do a decent job there, tackles, jackals, works hard. Think he'll do the bulk of the work as always.
Connors on the bench is a 7 too, 15 tackles a game style.
Pom is in to "guide" Ryan. That's about it. And lineout for the 22y old hooker.
Pom is in to “guide” Ryan. That’s about it. And lineout for the 22y old hooker.
Hmmm, that's not going great so far.
I advise all the welsh players to pull a hammy this week!!
Johnny May! What a Try!
Anyone else suffering poor video playback on Amazon Video. I’m on Vodafone BB, Speedtest shows 100 down whilst watching and restarted the Amazon Fire, but still poor quality.
Hurumph.
Its fine on c4. The English cheer leader women is bloody annoying though!
Tackler releasing is clearly out of fashion!
Clearly only the irish tacklers must releae!
Cheers AA, didn’t realise it was on C4, much better!
Another reason to sack of Amazon Prime next month.
Took the dog for a walk second, didnt miss much apparently.
England are powerful though! Too strong for the home nations just now but sooner or later they will meet the saffers in a final. Can't see them loosing the prime cup or whatever its called.
Oh great, pissing down for Wales game just what our shite pack and exciting backs wanted.....
England are powerful though! Too strong for the home nations just now
Yep, France may give them a game though.
France will definitely give England a game!.
Worcesters squeezed out a 1 point win today and Newcastle won on thei return to the Premiership.
Nice to see Zammit it playing and getting a try.
Zammit had a nice run and offload to Tipuric who was then knocked out by a punch.
I dont like to criticise refs 😜😜😜😜 but he was shite. Almost every scrum ended in a pen or free kick.
Two shite games of rugby today, its like watching greco roman wrestling with the odd try. At least May scored a very nice try, was it Farrel he went round at the start?
Miss the days when my reward for dragging nearly 17 stone to a tackle was a free shot on an already stationary opponent. The Georgian was about a foot from the ball, what was the issue?
The Georgian was about a foot from the ball, what was the issue?
Are you talking about the Tipuric incident? Copped him right on the chin with a swinging arm punch.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=z2HRw6Gh8uM
shoulder and forearm but then....................
The referees worked through the process and arrived at the right decision under the laws
Agreed. If Tipuric wasn't dropping in the tackle then the arm is just wrapping in the tackle.
You reckon? the bloke can see Tips is falling and the bloke that chins him is never in a position to do anything but hit him, that guys shoulder was nowhere near and after the yellow carded man is nowhere near the tackle, hes gone past. The mitigation for a dropping player is not for when someone else tackles him and you are just rushing in for a cheap shot with a straight arm, its a classic Owen Frallelesq cheap shot.
Agreed. If Tipuric wasn’t dropping in the tackle
True, but Tipuric wasnt dropping in the tackle he was being tackled, that is entirely predictable and crucially in this case the player has a clear line of sight to see the player is being tackled and dropping in that case mitigation should not be applied.
Owen Frallelesq cheap shot.
Talking of which, did anyone notice Farrell no arms shoulder barge in disguise this weekend? He just can’t help himself.
Are the games only available now on pay to view?
Where can I stream the Scotland France game?
Seriously, **** Amazon and Besos.
I don’t know why some people expect to watch for free. How do you think it’s paying for itself without ticket sales?
Hogg - what a shocker!
You can get aonths trial of prime to watch for free!
Disappointing lack of shots fired by scotland. They battled bloody well well but when you are two scores down with 10 to go, kick tennis followed by by garryowens that you cant compete for us not the answer....
ps.... Not to say I wouldnt be very happy with a performance like that from Wales at this point!!!
Interesting start to the Gallagher Premiership this weekend with wins for Falcons (my team), Exeter, Tiger, Sale, Worcester & Wasps. I think the boys at Bath were probably a little surprised - and I would have backed Bristol to turn Wasps over. Didn't see the Bristol / Wasps game but the score suggests it was a close one. Bring on round 2 and Sale up at Kingston Park!
not the cuffing I feared but a rather toothless performance from Scotland along with too many penalties. Not much point in having the best wings in the world if you never give them a pass
Not much point in having the best wings in the world if you never give them a pass
Steady on there old fella!!
Hogg is an interesting one for me re the Lions, top players come up with top plays when the heat is on. Hogg just seems to drop balls over the line or kick touch in goal. I admit he had to go for it with the kick at the end so that was good he just got it wrong
Not a great game from Hogg. Trying too hard I think. If he keeps on making mistakes then he is ruling himself out of the lions.
Hogg for me is the best Lion's eligible 15 if in form. I always thought that giving him the captaincy was the wrong move though. Grey was the obvious choice surely?
Hogg for me is the best Lion’s eligible 15 if in form
If Liam comes back to form he would be close.
Hogg, Watson and Adams would be a great back 3 to take on SA. Physical and fast.
I'm not a 100% sure this belongs here but as presumably we're all rugby fans on the thread:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/55056643
I loved watching Dominici play - RIP.
RIP - Great player.
Ah man, that's very sad 🙁
a_a....agreed that's looks like a cracking back 3....not sure May could be left out though really. He's been one of the worlds form wingers for the last few years. I really rate Darcy Graham, Joe Cockanasiga could be the 2021 'out of nowhere' test starter too if he get's back from injury. Jack Nowell is a Gatland favourite and plays like an extra flanker half the time, as does that kiwi Irish lad....Louw.
Daly has always toured as a wing too....probably the hardest part of the squad to get a place imo. 2, 9 and 10 aren't exactly brimming with options and when Billy V and Faletau simultaneously pick up their next 6 month lay offs, number 8 is looking fairly thin on the ground too!
I’m not a 100% sure this belongs here but as presumably we’re all rugby fans on the thread:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/55056643
I loved watching Dominici play – RIP.
Oh my god thats awful, great player...RIP
a_a….agreed that’s looks like a cracking back 3….not sure May could be left out though really
True, but, and no doubt it is partly bias, I think Adams is far more physical, I think the SA would go after May. Just an opinion. Also any player who cant work out where to put his head when asked to fill in on the flank, shouldnt be a Lion.....FACT.
I would have Daly over May too. Graham and Cockanasiga need to get in their national teams first
Hogg, Watson and Adams would be a great back 3 to take on SA. Physical and fast.
I don't disagree, but how could you not take Jonny May on current form?
I don’t disagree, but how could you not take Jonny May on current form?
I dont think he is physical enough, I think SA would target him.
Christophe Dominici has died, only 48, star of the 1999 World Cup semi final, which is certainly in my top 5 of sporting occassions I have attended.
Dominici so so sad, such a tragedy
Full team for England against Wales. As biased as this sound i expect Wales are going to get thumped:
15. Elliot Daly (Saracens, 45 caps)
14. Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby, 53 caps)
13. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 32 caps)
12. Owen Farrell (Saracens, 86 caps)
11. Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby, 59 caps)
10. George Ford (Leicester Tigers, 70 caps)
9. Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 102 caps)
1. Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 62 caps)
2. Jamie George (Saracens, 52 caps)
3. Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, 38 caps)
4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 41 caps)
5. Joe Launchbury (Wasps, 67 caps)
6. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 26 caps)
7. Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 20 caps)
8. Billy Vunipola (Saracens, 54 caps)
<h2>FINISHERS</h2>
16. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, 24 caps)
17. Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, 21 caps)
18. Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 6 caps)
19. Jonny Hill (Exeter Chiefs, 2 caps)
20. Ben Earl (Bristol Bears, 6 caps)
21. Jack Willis (Wasps, 1 cap)
22. Dan Robson (Wasps, 5 caps)
23. Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, 44 caps
Pass the lube!!!
WTF does Elias need to do to be dropped, Halfpenny offers nothing. Watkin is the only centre to have done ok. Lloyd Williams is shit, Webb is shittier Botham is far too green
Wales: Halfpenny; Adams, Tompkins, J Williams, Rees-Zammit; Biggar, Lloyd Williams; W Jones, Elias, Lee, Ball, Alun Wyn Jones (capt), Lewis-Hughes, Botham, Faletau.
Replacements: Dee, Carre, Francis, Rowlands, Wainwright, Webb, Sheedy, Watkin.
When is the match I need to arrange to be busy!!
I think the England team is unnecessary and think this was a good chance to play some new players, thats basically the World Cup squad playing a new/second string Welsh team. For me there's nothing to be pleased about to see a win really and the game lacks a competitive excitement, and I mean that with all due respect to the Welsh team.
The only reason I can think of is that Jones is closing the gap in the World Rankings to number 1, or trying to knock Wales out of the top 10.
Stop the game now!
Not sure how the tackle in the air on Biggar or the high shot on Adams were mussed, in addition to all the blockers from England on kick defence. Still nice to see JBR Williams score....
England are playing shit, but also getting away with murder. Hopefully someone has a word with them otherwise loose balls and penalties including a yellow could see us lose. The ruthless efficiency from the Ireland game seems to have gone.
Game lost so lets get Sheedy on and roll the dice!
Wales have looked very tired lat 10 mins
Englands ruthless steamroller out to play. A dull game for the neutral
Rees-Zammit the only welsh guy that enhanced his reputationj
Rees-Zammit the only welsh guy that enhanced his reputationj
Botham did well.
JBR Williams did well.
Faletau played his best game for Wales in a very long time.
Wales have looked very tired lat 10 mins
So was I after that dull game.
That was dull. I think France would have beaten that England team though, it’ll be tense next week.
So was I after that dull game.
Most of the games up here have been very dull.
Had that game been played in front of 80 000 screaming welshman it may have got more squeaky for England when Wales closed to 13-18.
Play on he used his arms!! FFS, thats a cast iron straight red.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1332725813825970181
Not a great game to watch. Pleased it wasn’t the 40+ points I was expecting. Wish Sheedy had been able to do something. The blocking in front of catchers has to be stopped by referees, it shouldn’t be difficult. Not sure the referee was watching with both eyes. That challenge on Adams was dangerous.
Godammit needs the ball more than one metre from the touchline
Well, the Ref, TMo and all experts in the studio disagree.
He tackled him on the chest and attempted to wrap his arms.
If you’d said the Biggar tackle in the air I’d agree it was a pen. Ref sadly said Biggar jumped into him. Incorrect, but Biggar does do that so his reputation went against him.
Is it just me with crap Prime video quality again?
WRT prime quality - its streaming on a peak time, so you are at the mercy of your ISP.
He tackled him on the chest
Really? First contact is clearly neck and chin