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Pivac must go.
Who would you replace him with?
Who would you replace him with?
Garland and Edwards?
Failing that, anyone.
AWJones was excellent considering that was his first game in months, same with Navidi. LRZ with a good finish and North was decent at 13
I fancy Pat Lam
I fancy Pat Lam
Did you swipe right?
I fancy Pat Lam
Did you swipe right?
😂 I did realise it sounded dodgy - just after I’d posted 😀😀
Pat Lam would be great, I'd settle for Shaun the Sheep at the moment!!
Henshaw put down a marker for Lions 12.
If you didn't know that Ireland only had 14 men you would have thought they lost in the last 10-15 due to some silly errors as they just looked so much better most of the time. The fact that they did that with 14 blokes for 70% of the game was a real achievement. Strong side. Ireland vs France next week could well be the game of the tournament, in fact this might be what they needed.
Henshaw put down a marker for Lions 12.
Yes, and Billy Burns put down a marker for Lions waterboy
For playing 65 mins a man down Ireland did better than I expected.
That was a cracking game; AWJ isn't quite done yet, is he? And that camera angle as Reece Z dived for the line despite Furlogh filling the space! One question though; even during my brief Welshness I still hated jiffy, is that normal?
The drop in quality from Sexton to Burns is huge!
Still, at least his brother has someone in the family who ****s up as much.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QGJOJtlvsrc
Even during my brief Welshness I still hated jiffy, is that normal?
Go left go left, numbers, boom, squeak
Yep, normal
I’ve never been normal - Jiffy’s great 😀
He is annoying but gets a free pass from me on account of being amongst the very best ever.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=urS4XdBrnrM
Jiffy is less one eyed than Dawson who is just awful.
Lucky Wales today but I will take it.
No doubt a 1 week ban due to previous good behaviour and saying sorry incoming for POM. This should have been a straight red
https://twitter.com/i/status/1312418560552112129
He took Hogg out 3? years ago. Nothing says cheap shot merchant like arriving 4th with a swinging elbow.
Hogg the ultimate cheap shot merchant
Ah pigface, good to see your annual posting of Hoggs only sending off. I am beginning to think you came home early from work and found a Scotland number 15 jumper on the stairs.
I don't know what's going on any more.
BBC News - Matt Dawson column: Scotland's win was as comprehensive as any New Zealand performance
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/55963063
Looks like Wales will be without
J Davies
Hallam Amos
Zammit
JBR Williams
Maybe North
Lydiate
Toms Williams
With Adams still suspended for being a ****.
Might clean my boots, I have covered wing or fullback in an emergency before.
1/2p
Liam
Watkin
Tompkins (god he's shit in defence)
AN Other wing is Lane fit yet?
Bigger
Davies
Faletau
Tipuric
Navidi
Beard/Ball
AWJones
Francis
Owens
Wyn Jones
R Jones
Dee
Brown
Ball/Beard
Wainwright
L Williams
Jarrod Evans (it'll be Shhedy though)
AN Other back **** knows, maybe Halaholo
Anagallis (and any other Wales fans) seeing as we are between weekends I wanted to pick your brains.
I read somewhere ages ago that the current financing and set up in Wales was undermining small clubs and reducing the no of players coming through?
As I can't be arsed to research and assume you know all about it, do you want to tell me what's going on?
For example:
Wales Pop 3.1 million
NZ Pop 4.9 Million
Ok NZ only really plays one sport, and they seem to have a billion other aaron crudens and Carters, Canes and Saveas waiting in the wings.
However Wales seem to be short of men all the time, but Wales is rugby mad, you would expect every kid in wales to dream about taking 1/2p place. What's going on?
I don’t know what’s going on any more.
BBC News – Matt Dawson column: Scotland’s win was as comprehensive as any New Zealand performance
The funny thing about this is that I have already seen on the forums, some Scots fans, who normally dismiss anything Dawson says out of hand, quoting this article. Stopped clock and all that I suppose.
You can't really compare Wales to NZ, the game in Wales is dying at grassroots. Football is much bigger. Scotland and Ireland are better comparisons but Wales also has a population quite a bit smaller than Ireland or Scotland both those 2 at around 5 million, Wales 3.5. Wales has about half Ireland's registered players, but more than Scotland, Scotland do seem to have a far better and more organised, how can I put it, poaching plan.
In terms of funding well Wales funds 4 Pro teams compared to Scotland's 2 so the funding is diluted, Wales try harder to keep Team Wales players in Wales too. Both Scotland and Ireland are significantly more affluent countries as well so more supporters can spend more.
In addition to this a lot of young Wales players get scholarships at English schools etc, that's how we lost the Vunipola's etc.
It is was it is
New Zealand is a bit better at recruiting as well. Wales got Hogarth, we got Laney,they got Joe Rocathoko.
I never see kids with Blues merch or tops here in Cardiff, they are all wearing CCFC stuff instead.
New Zealand is a bit better at recruiting as well. Wales got Hogarth, we got Laney,they got Joe Rocathoko.
The Brenden the Chainsaw Laney please.
Howarth was pretty good tbf, shame his nan wasn't Welsh!
You can’t really compare Wales to NZ, the game in Wales is dying at grassroots.
I think this is the interesting (albeit v sad) bit. Why? I think that's the article I read (5 or more years ago) that grassroots clubs were dying partly to do with the national model??
It's bad news of local interest in local clubs is dying out. I can see it might just be money.
Here (Crawley) our two local clubs are thriving with one side having 120 odd players in the u10-u18 bracket. I think U13's is over subscribed and not letting any more players in.
New Zealand is a bit better at recruiting as well. Wales got Hogarth, we got Laney,they got Joe Rocathoko.
If you are a free agent and you can choose Wales, Scotland England or NZ, surely NZ has to be No1 choice? I guess it depends on grandparents and sentiment, but if NZ tells you that you are good enough to join the squad, that might all drop away for a chance to join the worlds best rugby side?
for a chance to join the worlds best rugby side?
England surely. They’re on the track to become “the greatest team ever” 😂😂😂😂
I think this is the interesting (albeit v sad) bit. Why? I think that’s the article I read (5 or more years ago) that grassroots clubs were dying partly to do with the national model??
I'd be tempted to say that the problem began when regions were introduced, but it was before that - Welsh teams never coped with professionalisation in 1995. In the late 90s, I knew people who were coaching or playing for teams you've never heard of who could afford to go full time in those clubs. (My middle daughter's best friend is half Samoan. Her father came over years ago to play for some tiny club in west Wales.) And then the funding swung in the opposite direction - the regions were formed, all the funding started being funnelled into those teams and the national team, and the feeder clubs were left to rot. Swansea RFC, my team, effectively disappeared down the plughole within a year as a decent team, as did plenty of other clubs. So the fans, who were disenfranchised anyway, just found other things to do on a Saturday afternoon. I think I've taken my kids to about 5 rugby games in 17 years! (Although I had a season ticket for the Ospreys for years, but could never truly say they were a team I liked.)
There are other reasons, obviously, not just my personal rant above..
Of the 3.2 million, most live along the M4 corridor. 50 miles or so of very deprived, very low income valleys. Despite the WRU's insistence that north Wales is a rugby heartland, it isn't and never has been - all the famous clubs are from that 50 mile stretch between Llanelli and Newport. So you've got well under 2 million people, not many potential sponsors from local businesses and a ruling body who are more interested in the cost of the national stadium than whether Swansea RFC have got a game this weekend. (Or at least, that what it feels like.) It is genuinely a miracle that the national team is even vaguely competitive these days.
Citing for Farrell? I didn't see it at the time nor did the team complain
https://twitter.com/rugby_ap/status/1358360514317975552
@TJagain It also looks like he is trying to wrap and the other tacklers arm knocks his out of the way. Still images tell you eff all mind...
@Idlejon, this sounds like the story I had read before. Some famous sides like Swansea, Neath, Merthyr etc all struggling. Such a shame.
In England rugby is run by some old gits who I often wonder if they are gaining something out of it. Luckily there is enough to keep it all buoyant, I wonder if that is a problem in Wales too, but the individuals are "gaining" too much and not leaving anything behind for the game?
I'd like to see a UK governing body, not a national one, so we can spread out the riches and keep the small nations supported.
Citing for Farrell?
I can't help think having him off the pitch for one reason or another is good for England v Italy. They need Ford/someone to bring the backs into play a la Ireland yesterday. This continual kick game has had its day.
Yeah plus how many times did he just kick to Hogg, how stupid was that.
(PS another england fan told me that this was not stupid, but I asked him how many tries we scored...)
Citing for Farrell
Don't be daft!
As kryton alluded to, it would be a really good idea if it was for the italy game...
all the famous clubs are from that 50 mile stretch between Llanelli and Newport. So you’ve got well under 2 million people
And that also happens to be where the two successful football clubs are. And Rugby as a sport can't compete with football these days, the marketing machine is too strong and well funded.
I can’t help thinking if the 4 Welsh regions joined up with the English premiership it would help mobilise fans etc. You can pack cardiff out with any Wales game especially Wales v England, the chance of a mini England vs Wales from the regional teams would surely mobilise a wider number of both traditional fans and newer/ faker weather fans. Cardiff, scarlets etc playing bristol or Exeter, bath Gloucester etc away games to Newcastle all sound more appealing than some way off Italian, or South African side and much much more chance of getting travelling fans coming into Wales to watch games. Why not bin the pro 14 and lump Irish and Scottish fans in and have 2 leagues with promotion/ relegation?
There is at the very least a strong argument that a large per centage of Scottish fans will not want to be lumped into into the second division where their club would still face all the problems that the Scottish Pro teams face now but would also have no access to the European competitions
I can’t help thinking if the 4 Welsh regions joined up with the English premiership it would help mobilise fans etc.
pie in the sky. why would English clubs want this? Same cake shared wider and it would mean english teams n effect being relegated. what level do the welsh clubs come in at?
Pro 14 is the only game in town.
New drinking game.
Every time a member of the coaching staff spot they're on TV and then pull their facecovering up you drink. No one walks away from this game.
Oh and why are the players socially distanced for anthems but not for the maul straight from kick off?
pie in the sky. why would English clubs want this?
Some sort of British type league would mean no promotion or relegation and it does seem to be what certain investors like CVC would like to see.
I think it should happen now whilst Saracens are demoted!!
I think its a good idea. Might unify us...
3 match ban for POM
However, the fact there were no off-field aggravating factors as well as the player's record and conduct in the hearing, O'Mahony received a 50% reduction of sanction in mitigation.
What the hell is a off field aggravating factor, and why do they matter?
However, the fact there were no off-field aggravating factors as well as the player’s record and conduct in the hearing, O’Mahony received a 50% reduction of sanction in mitigation.
Just a pity that they don’t take his on-field record - of smashing wildly into unprotected heads - into account. Did any player ever increase his sanction through his conduct at the hearing?
Yes,Salaries coach Venter? didn't realise the nice biscuits were for the panel and got his ban increased. But no; not normally.
If Pivac doesn’t make it after the 6 nations my vote would be for Pat Lam. Whatever he’s doing at Brizzle seems to be working. Seems a decent bloke as well.
Did any player ever increase his sanction through his conduct at the hearing?
Henson, refused to apologise for laying out that prop who tried to hit him off the ball.
Was reading an article on how refs keep note of who has been carded for what in previous matches and how that can influence their decisions.
Was reading an article on how refs keep note of who has been carded for what in previous matches and how that can influence their decisions.
Maybe they should tell them before the game starts.. "Peter, we note that you've now smacked 4 different players in the face with your shoulder in the last few years. I'd suggest raising your standards. Ah, sod it, here's red card, you're only going to do it anyway."
I can't remember who I was talking to a few years ago, but he said that he'd had a penalty given against him for abusing the ref. When he pointed out to the ref that he hadn't said a word, the ref replied that it didn't matter, he knew what he was thinking. 😀
It's a tricky one, obviously if a player has form for a certain foul and does it you can't really have much sympathy but on the other hand does that mean referees might prejudge an action?
It only becomes an issue if refs are taking intent into account rather than simply the result. I'm actually not sure if they are supposed to or not.
Speaking as a ref I am not aware of any referee that notes which players have been sanctioned and the offences they've been sanctioned for. We deal with offences on the pitch according to the laws and the framework for high/ head contact. A player's record is something for the relevant constituent body or leagues disciplinary officers and the discipline process. Sanctions for all offences as very clearly set out and it is at hearings where mitigation by the player/ their rep or club can be presented. It isn't an issue of the intent per se but rather that did the offending player have the opportunity to pull out of a contact/ clear line of sight/ wrap or not etc. I can't imagine POM conciously went into that ruck with the intention of smashing his shoulder into Francis' head. High speed, poor technique etc. Which is what players are being educated on through the framework supported by sanctions, coaching etc.
Akira, not in Scotland they don't. If you end up in front of a SRU hearing then previous will be taken into account.
Shit, North confirmed out for Saturday.
So that's;
Adams (being a ****)
J Davies (ankle)
Amos (concussion)
Tomos Williams (hammy)
North (eye)
J Williams (concussion)
and Tompkins a doubt due to shoulder
Backline could be:
1/2p
Zammit
Watkins
Halaholo
Loopy Liam
Bigger
That useless **** who kicked the ball back to Ireland with 10s to go
AA I'm surprised you have even bothered, thought you'd be a rugby league convert by now......
I can’t imagine POM conciously went into that ruck with the intention of smashing his shoulder into Francis’ head.
Er...why not? (Tho I thought it was his forearm not shoulder)
AA I’m surprised you have even bothered, thought you’d be a rugby league convert by now……
Going to watch that ^^ at lunchtime. In the meantime, England team for Italy:
15. Elliot Daly
14. Anthony Watson
13. Henry Slade
12. Owen Farrell
11. Jonny May
10. George Ford
9. Ben Youngs
1. Mako Vunipola
2. Luke Cowan-Dickie
3. Kyle Sinckler
4. Maro Itoje
5. Jonny Hill (Exeter Chiefs, 5 caps)
6. Courtney Lawes
7. Tom Curry
8. Billy Vunipola
FINISHERS
16. Jamie George
17. Ellis Genge
18. Will Stuart
19. Charlie Ewels
20. Ben Earl
21. Jack Willis
22. Dan Robson
23. Max Malins
Wilson & Laurence have paid the ultimate price, Jamie George's admission of being off the pace has cost him and the next thing to penalising Farrell has happened moving him to 12. On paper we should be racking up a score against Italy, and they need to as we're in the PD game now.
I thought Lawrence looked ok that 1time they passed him the ball.
Johnny Hill is a mystery to me when Lawes is available. Surely England have a decent 6 somewhere.
Let's hop Billy V has been on the stairmaster all week and May has had some catching lessons!
This would have been the game to send the message to those players who clearly underperformed that they can be dropped, given where we are in a WC cycle surely Jones and co must start to test different combinations and expose potential England players to the pressure etc.
FINISHERS
FFS.
Dan Robson? He is comically useless at that level, surely a younger prospect could be found?
Get Care back in for the rest of the 6N with a young SH in the wider squad for experience, several Quinns surely must be on the radar at the moment. Unless he's planning on using a possible summer tour to test players out like the one to Argentina.
Navidi broken too??!?!? Edit Achilles apparently, then MacLeod was to be picked but he broke too!!
Wales team to face Scotland
1. Wyn Jones (31 Caps)
2. Ken Owens (78 Caps)
3. Tomas Francis (53 Caps)
4. Adam Beard (22 Caps)
5. Alun Wyn Jones (CAPT) (144 Caps)
6. Aaron Wainwright (27 Caps)
7. Justin Tipuric (81 Caps)
8. Taulupe Faletau (82 Caps)
9. Gareth Davies (58 Caps)
10. Dan Biggar (88 Caps)
11. Liam Williams (67 Caps)
12. Nick Tompkins (9 Caps)
13. Owen Watkin (26 Caps)
14. Louis Rees-Zammit (5 Caps)
15. Leigh Halfpenny (94 Caps)
Replacements:
16. Elliot Dee (33 Caps)
17. Rhodri Jones (18 Caps)
18. Leon Brown (13 Caps)
19. Will Rowlands (6 Caps)
20. James Botham (3 Caps)
21. Kieran Hardy (2 Caps)
22. Callum Sheedy (5 Caps)
23. Willis Halaholo (*Uncapped)
15. Stuart Hogg CAPTAIN (Exeter Chiefs) – 81 caps
14. Darcy Graham (Edinburgh) – 15 caps
13. Chris Harris (Gloucester) – 24 caps
12. James Lang (Harlequins) – 5 caps
11. Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh) – 6 caps
10. Finn Russell VICE CAPTAIN (Racing 92) – 52 caps
9. Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors) – 38 caps
1. Rory Sutherland (Edinburgh) – 12 caps
2. George Turner (Glasgow Warriors) – 13 caps
3. Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) – 35 caps
4. Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors) – 18 caps
5. Jonny Gray VICE CAPTAIN (Exeter Chiefs) – 62 caps
6. Blade Thomson (Scarlets) – 9 caps
7. Hamish Watson (Edinburgh – 37 caps
8. Matt Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) – 10 caps
Substitutes:
16. David Cherry (Edinburgh) – 1 cap
17. Oli Kebble (Glasgow Warriors) – 6 caps
18. WP Nel (Edinburgh) – 41 caps
19. Richie Gray (Glasgow Warriors) – 66 caps
20. Gary Graham (Newcastle Falcons) – 3 caps
21. Scott Steele (Harlequins) – 2 caps
22. Jaco van der Walt (Edinburgh) – 1 cap
23. Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors) – 27 caps
Get Care back in for the rest of the 6N
I suspect his continuing critique of Eddie & the team in the press will prevent that.
You guys don't pick form players though, so he should crack on. Why Smith and Simmonds the larger can't get near your squad even is an absolute mystery to me.
Agreed Duckman, it's baffling.
Prediction for Scotland vs Wales?
I'm going for Wales by at least a converted try..
Prediction for Scotland vs Wales?
I’m going for Wales by at least a converted try..
Thats what I thought about Scotlands last game... 🙁
I have to believe Scotland can win it by a try or two. Then either I'm proved right and we win or I have my hopes dashed in a way every Scottish fan is very used to.
[quote="akira"]
I have to believe Scotland can win it by a try or two. Then either I’m proved right and we win or I have my hopes dashed in a way every Scottish fan is very used to.
this
Akira you are playing it all wrong, they way to manage expectation is to expect the worst, so as Scotland fan expect to lose badly, then you are either smug and correct, or an incorrect winner.