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Oh yes! 😂
My great news for Wales, Feyi Waboso reported as opting for England and Zammit reported as off to Japan
and just as news about Welsh rugby couldn't guess worse rumours are circulating that Zammit is off to Japan with immediate effect and so will miss six nations.
Sorry, and I realise he was the object of your tanned/nice haired back fetish, he hasn’t developed at all last two years. And that’s as a Gloucester fan who wanted him to be the next Sinbad. I am much happier with Williams arrival than worried about LRZ leaving.
Oh; and Godspeed JPR Williams.
Sorry, and I realise he was the object of your tanned/nice haired back fetish
Wrong tanned player, Zammit may not have quite got to where he might be capable of but he's still bloody good. Much better than other options Wales have. He was likely to play 15 this season too which I think would have been good for him. If he isn't in our 6Nations squad we start to look very, very shaky at 15 and 10 and 8 and 6 and our probs are not much good either....I am not sure the pro game in Wales will survive next year's second round of wage cuts.
Yeah...RIP JPR. I was there (as they say) for that Bridgend v All Blacks game. (For some reason a whole load of us got to go down to the Brewery Field from school).
Also, my dogs barked at him thirty-something years later in Merthyr Mawr sand dunes 😂
Just heard that JPR Williams was still playing in 2003.
Definitely says something.
RIP JPR, great player and exciting to watch.
Ah man, that's sad. Childhood hero 🙁 RIP
Six Nations squads today for Wales and England, maybe other not sure.
Will the very much Welsh Feyi Waboso pick up where Mako Vunipola has left of as a Welshman in the England squad?
Wales squad is to be sponsored by elastoplast. I hope Garland goes all out youth and makes Jenkins captain. Would be nice to see Cameron Winnett in the squad but think it's too soon for the likes of Mackenzie Martin, Morgan Morse
Outside half the cupboard is bare, really worrying, Winnett needs a year or two before he becomes a regular starter at 15 so it looks like Zammit will shift back. I still dream of Grady playing 13 but it doesn't seem to happen 😟 and all the hookers are broken.
I'll be happy if Wales win 2 games, satisfied with one win but not surprised if Italy beat us.
I'm expecting a mainly southern Africa c team with a smattering of scots and hopefully a stolen 9 10 from England while their focus is on feyi waboso
The Racing Farrell deal. I don't see how he fits into that back line. Current racing 10 is superb and Farrell is more trundle, with an accurate kicking game, but not mercurial. Although I'd love to watch him try to follow a backs plan devised by Freddy and Big Joe.
Umm…did anyone see this coming?
LRZ off to the USA!
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/67995451
FFS!
That's a massive surprise..... and a massive snub (and loss) to Wales..!!!
Dunno what the problem is. He's got his 25 caps, right?
World xv
Forwards
Ewan Ashman – Edinburgh Rugby (12)
Josh Bayliss – Bath Rugby (5)
Jamie Bhatti – Glasgow Warriors (34)
Andy Christie – Saracens (4)
Luke Crosbie – Edinburgh Rugby (7)
Scott Cummings – Glasgow Warriors (33)
Jack Dempsey – Glasgow Warriors (15)
Rory Darge – Glasgow Warriors (15)
Grant Gilchrist – Edinburgh Rugby (68)
Richie Gray – Glasgow Warriors (78)
Matt Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors (40)
Zander Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors (62)
Alec Hepburn – Exeter Chiefs (uncapped)
Will Hurd – Leicester Tigers (uncapped)
Johnny Matthews – Glasgow Warriors (1)
WP Nel – Edinburgh Rugby (61)
Jamie Ritchie – Edinburgh Rugby (46)
Pierre Schoeman – Edinburgh Rugby (26)
Sam Skinner – Edinburgh Rugby (30)
George Turner – Glasgow Warriors (40)
Glen Young – Edinburgh Rugby (3)
Backs
Adam Hastings – Gloucester Rugby (27)
Ben Healy – Edinburgh Rugby (4)
George Horne – Glasgow Warriors (26)
Darcy Graham – Edinburgh Rugby (39)
Rory Hutchinson – Northampton Saints (8)
Huw Jones – Glasgow Warriors (43)
Blair Kinghorn – Toulouse (50)
Stafford McDowall – Glasgow Warriors (1)
Harry Paterson – Edinburgh Rugby (uncapped)
Ali Price – Edinburgh Rugby (66)
Cameron Redpath – Bath Rugby (9)
Arron Reed – Sale Sharks (uncapped)
Kyle Rowe – Glasgow Warriors (1)
Finn Russell – Bath Rugby (75)
Kyle Steyn – Glasgow Warriors (15)
Sione Tuipulotu – Glasgow Warriors (22)
Duhan van der Merwe – Edinburgh Rugby (34)
Ben White – Toulon (18)
FFS indeed. What a blow for Wales rugby. I had a feeling he was too big (or at least thought he was) for rugby in Wales. That documentary about him gave me the feeling that he saw himself as beyond hard work and graft. That along with a load of ego massaging from the press and an imploding WRU means that this seemed likely although I never expected the NFL. What's a rubbish way to announce it as well, a kick in the teeth for Gatland and Wales fans who've supported him by getting named in the team and then announcing this.
So has Waboso been named in England squad...Welsh pro rugby is broken potentially beyond fixing. I note another exile in Exeter has been named in England u20 squad. It seem Waboso wanted to stay in Exeter to finish medical degree and he can't stay if he chooses Wales
LRZ has zero chance of making it, the ipp is nothing more than a marketing exercise. For context, I did a postgrad at the Uni of Georgia. The Bulldogs play in front of 95k fans and consist of guys who have been pro in all but name since they were 12 and even then only 20% of college drafts have careers in the pro game. Being a bit quick/elusive runner will get him far in our game, but he is just taking a ticket and joining a Q over there.
AA; what if the WRU were to pay for his continued studies? They can't be that skint.
AA; what if the WRU were to pay for his continued studies? They can’t be that skint.
Don't hunks it's a money issue as such, more that Cardiff Uni didn't want him so he only got into Exeter
that he saw himself as beyond hard work and graft
If that is the case he's less than zero chance of making it in the NFL. As @duckman says, he's up against guys who've been schooled in the game since peewee football; and the majority of them never make it.
I did read that they are expanding the IPP for 2024 so all practice squads will include an IPP player.
I’m no fan (ABWEE), but Welsh rugby has been shamefully mismanaged. It’s an utter disgrace given all the history that’s there. I really think they’re on borrowed time; and one of these years they’ll stop being able to pull it out of the bag internationally. Probably not this year though: the six nations is likely to be pretty scrappy I think, though I fancy France to win it.
they’ll stop being able to pull it out of the bag internationally
Have you seen the right head props in the Wales squad, two are total shit and the third I have never heard of. Outside half is Costello (barely AVE club player) Lloyd who hardly has played ten and Cai Evans who is a shit slow 15
Lmao! Louis, my dude, what are you doing?
I hope it does work out for him but it does seem a bit nuts to sack off rugby (which he is excellent at, and a fan favourite) to maybe break into an NFL practice squad. Mind you he will probably get to still earn loads and live somewhere glamorous for a few years.
Can't see him making it. It's a big ask. He'll be competing against guys with years of football behind them, many of them from tough backgrounds with football being the only way out. He has speed but dunno if he has NFL breakaway type speed. WR would be the position but there's a lot to learn. He's not physical enough to be a DB (plus he can't tackle) and you've got to learn to read the game. Kick and punt return possibly but you still need another position in the team. Still, he'll get paid more than he gets in rugby just being on a practice squad. The IPP program lets NFL teams have an extra player on the practice squad so that's helpful for him. Good luck to him. He might enjoy it, at least.
The situation in Welsh rugby is starting feel like it did when everyone ****ed off to league.
Waboso in England squad as the decline in Welsh rugby continues. Don't worry we have added Tom Rogers rather than Zaamit or Waboso 😱😱😱😥😥😥😮😮😮
23k a game v 11ish? Christ for that over an international career I would buy some salmon chinos, a second hand Barbour and the complete works of Winston Churchill on Spotify.
Leinster fans losing their minds over Peter O Mahony being made Irish captain and not their anointed James Ryan.
Not really.
Pom is the right choice as captain and will do a great job.
But both of them are under a lot more pressure for their places this season.
Not the best 6 in Munster -Ahern - or the best 5 on Leinster on current form.
But pom is the better captain and raises his game when needed.
POM is one player i would love to have for Scotland. A real warrier and never a backward step. Any team with him in it plays better.
One of the very few players i would love to poach. Hates everyone from Glasgow tho🤣
Is it POM and Ryan Wilson that really don't get on? Two is the biggest wind up merchants in the game, so hardly surprising if true!
Yes.
23k a game v 11ish? Christ for that over an international career I would buy some salmon chinos, a second hand Barbour and the complete works of Winston Churchill on Spotify.
You also need to factor in that playing for a Welsh region will not be as well paid as an English team.
Scotlands big team won last night, place was jumping although it was colder than a witches tit. Even though he is a back,Jones was absolutely sublime; when did we get into a situation where Chris Harris couldn’t get into a Scotland squad? Even TJ’s posh boys XV managed to scrape a win, albeit against the pointless Scarlets (despite Edinburgh being the worst professional team in Scotland. FACT)
The Harris thing is madness. Surely you have him for backs cover. If a winger is injured, Jones to wing Harris into 13. If finn goes off, kinghorn to 10 D'Arcy to 15? You'd still need high balls competable cover.
Joe Schmidt to coach Australia. Although I’m not expecting them to match the Lions* next year, Schmidt v Farrell Snr makes an interesting thought. <br /><br />
They've got Nucifora incoming too. Who's been behind most of the successful Irish appointments of the last 10 years
So what are peoples opinions of the 'Euro' cup format? Out of 8 games int he first knock out stage 5 of them are repeats of pool stage games.
Personally I think it's rubbish & would prefer going back to an old style of a 4 team group with home and away games. Not bothered about the SA teams being in the comp, but I think preferered it as a European competition.
Being a Tigers fan I'm pissed off that we get to play Leinster again, so not only will that be another drubbing (I'd rather have dropped into the challenge cup!), it's also a bit boring as we seem to get them every year! The format to me just seems overly complicated and not that interesting with all the repeat matchups.
This thread seems to be mostly populated by non english rugby fans so it'd be interesting to hear your opinions. The Tigers forum seems unanimous in it's dislike of the format but not sure about the rest of the prem teams.
Don't like the format either.
As well as the repeat games, there were too many fixtures that had teams sending "second XV" s.
Either not enough jeopardy, or giving up before they got there and resting for the leagues. That shouldn't happen in Big cup.
It's obviously set up this way to keep more big french and English teams in until next round, but it spoils it when there's games that don't matter to at least 1 side.
I'm fine with the SA in. At least they send a full team
So what are peoples opinions of the ‘Euro’ cup format?
Speaking as a supporter of the Welsh regions, the format is pretty irrelevant and I have really bothered to look at it 😄😄😄.
I was a bit surprised that Cardiff had Bath, then Hairyqueens and then Racing... Seemed a tough draw!
Carre uses the post to bounce himself upfield!!
Faz to Racing has been confirmed.
Black Lion really struggled against a good Clermont team on Saturday, the French were a joy to watch at times. BL fans never stopped their noisy support of the team and with over 17000 in the Meskhi Stadium it made for a great evening’s entertainment. Lots of French fans made the trip which added to the atmosphere.
I just don't see how he fits in. Unless borthwick is hoping he can become less formulaic.
Watching the weekend games I can't help feel for the second week in a row that the French must have really upset Andrew Brace he wouldn't give them the steam of his piss unless.
Gatland seems a bit sore of his loss of the other winger going to England. In fact there’s two people in the media - the other being Zak Mercer - raging about Englands short term/ no chance to settle selection policies.
The 6N will be quite interesting, with perhaps Ireland and France dominant as the more settled of any of the teams currently.
With England instead of Dads Army we appear to have a Senior Rugby Youth Traing Scheme (maybe a bit harsh) so I hope this bodes well for the RWC ‘27.
Also; I watched an interview with Dylan Hartley the other day. Live him or hate him, he can barely walk up stairs and faces a lifetime of degeneration and physio. The RFU really need to step up with supporting players.
As well as the repeat games, there were too many fixtures that had teams sending “second XV” s.
Like Toulon at the weekend against Glasgow for example.
I was a bit surprised that Cardiff had Bath, then Hairyqueens and then Racing… Seemed a tough draw!
It was a tough draw, the fact that you play every team in your group except the team from your league means your best chance of a weak team is one of the French teams who are not keen and send their seconds.
The repeat fixtures are a bit crap but maybe a freak outcome. Some great games at the weekend especially Bordeaux away in SA. Ulster at Quins was comically funny, Quins had 7 tries for 9 visits to Ulster 22!. If R16 goes to form La Rochelle play Leinster in 1/4 finals which even though they play each other every year I'm certainly not sick off.
Competition has maybe 5 or 6 outstanding teams, Bordeaux, Toulouse, La Rochelle, Leinster and possibly the Bulls especially at home, of the English teams Northampton have the best chance of breaking into this group.
Six Nations soon upon us, and as a Wales fan I cannot remember things ever being so bleak. First game against Scotland and there's no way Wales should win that game. Losing to Scotland though will be so miserable - we could go on from there to lose all our games ☹️
Don’t worry, you have England Colts to play 🙂
Don’t worry, you have England Colts to play 🙂
I think I would be fairly confident if I was an England fan - 2nd or 3rd place should be achievable
In theory this fixture list is the best chance Scotland have had for a second place finish in years. A miracle in the final game could even mean winning the whole thing.
Which means an opening weekend loss and a 5th place finish beckons.
Anyone watched the Netflix series yet? Don’t bother if you’ve played/been involved in Rugby, it’s more pitched as insightful for those who don’t IMO.
Although again, despite ending with barely registering in comparison injury myself at 25 I’m shocked at the condition of Stuart Hogg at the age of 30. Essentially barely able to get through the training sessions and relying on strapping , painkillers and adrenaline to get through a half, left with collapsing knees to retire.
I will piss myself laughing if Wales beat Scotland first up 😄😄😄😄
Can't see it though, Wales will be lucky to beat Italy this year. I just hope they can bring a Cardiff esque vibe to their games. A young, hopelessly outmatched side giving it a proper lash. Cardiff have been great fun to watch this season as long as seeing them win isn't a priority!
painkillers and adrenaline
Is that all?
Although again, despite ending with barely registering in comparison injury myself at 25 I’m shocked at the condition of Stuart Hogg at the age of 30. Essentially barely able to get through the training sessions and relying on strapping , painkillers and adrenaline to get through a half, left with collapsing knees to retire.
Its seems shocking but if you compare to NFL its shocking how long rugby players play for. The average top-flight NFL career is < 4 years. They're done by the time they're 28 as a norm. They get in, play hard for a few years and then move on. I guess its one of the reasons they get paid so much as their prime is so short.
Six Nations soon upon us, and as a Wales fan I cannot remember things ever being so bleak
may i remind you of large chunks of the 80's and 90's!
but yes, it does feel particularly bleak at the moment. not having key players available due to injury has always been part of our challenges with the lack of depth in certain positions, but the flood of players leaving wales / opting not to play for wales to ply their trade 'abroad is getting critical. whilst the 25 cap rule was only recently revised, it needs to be looked at again, as without a strong national team the regions haven't got a hope and the death spiral continues. interestingly Gats was calling for it to be looked at again recently - the architect of the rule in the first place iirc
i'm taking some client to Twickenham for the England game, which normally i would be extremely giddy about, however i'm expecting a long and painful day!
Just seen 1/2p in the Crusaders squad to play Munster on their preseason tour. How did I miss that?
Wales, Scotland and England teams announced today.
Hoping Wales pick Grady and Botham, would like to see Winnett involved too but maybe off bench.
Can't see Wales winning, Scotland have the better players these days. Wales front row will be awful no matter who they pick and we don't have a 10 worthy of our proud history 😥. Still Scotland do seem to love losing in Cardiff
Wales team to face Scotland: Winnett; Dyer, Watkin, Tompkins, Adams; Costelow, G Davies; Domachowski, Elias, Brown, D Jenkins (capt), Beard, Botham, Reffell, Wainwright.
Replacements: Dee, Mathias, Assiratti, Teddy Williams, Mann, Tomos Williams, I Lloyd, Grady.
I shall be needing a big sofa to hide behind
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Scotland: Rowe, Steyn, Jones, Tuipulotu, Van der Merwe, Russell, White; Schoeman, Turner, Z Fagerson, R Gray, Cummings, Crosbie, Ritchie, M Fagerson.
Replacements: Ashman, Hepburn, Millar-Mills, Skinner, Dempsey, Horne, Healy, Redpath
Who is going to get sent off so Wales can win?
England:
15. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 31 caps)
14. Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints, 3 caps)
13. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 57 caps)
12. Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints, uncapped)
11. Elliot Daly (Saracens, 64 caps)
10. George Ford (Sale Sharks, 91 caps) – vice captain
9. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints, 11 caps)
1. Joe Marler (Harlequins, 88 caps)
2. Jamie George (Saracens, 85 caps) – captain
3. Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 33 caps)
4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 76 caps) – vice captain
5. Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, 18 caps)
6. Ethan Roots (Exeter Chiefs, uncapped)
7. Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 30 caps)
8. Ben Earl (Saracens, 25 caps)
Replacements
16. Theo Dan (Saracens, 7 caps)
17. Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 58 caps) – vice captain
18. Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 107 caps)
19. Alex Coles (Northampton Saints, 3 caps)
20. Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins, uncapped)
21. Danny Care (Harlequins, 96 caps)
22. Fin Smith (Northampton Saints, uncapped)
23. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs, uncapped)
Backrow for England is 2/3 Welsh and the less said about Waboso the better 😜😜😜😜
That must be the smallest backrow England have put out in years, could struggle in lineout unless Roots is a decent option.
unless Roots is a decent option.
Don't recall seeing him as a lineout option.
Damn it Toulouse. Look how they have massacred my boy!
Two weeks is a long time to be without Kinghorn - he is quickly turning into a world-class talent.
I would expect anything too clever from England at this stage. Actually maybe the full stop is in the wrong place…. 🤔 … but anyway I’d expect basic Rugby 101 with the ball to the carriers just to get the team playing basic rugby together.
Two line out options in Itoje and Chessum off the top.
Can’t see Wales winning, Scotland have the better players these days.
As soon as you start reading stories like this you know Scotland is on for an opening weekend loss.
https://www.planetrugby.com/news/opinion-time-for-scotlands-golden-generation-to-actually-deliver
I'm sure Underhill is a lineout option too. As Kryton says though, Chessum and Itoje will likely be all that is required, can't see anything too expansive making an appearance!
Scotland team sheet 'R Gray'...as in Ritchie Gray? I thought that he'd retired ages ago?
Oh my, Ireland looking very strong. One hand on the Slam already. Only England to feasibly beat them, and it seems unlikely going by tonight's game.
Too many Richie Gray's. I used to play alongside a Richie gray at gala but that was a good 20years ago.
Only England to feasibly beat them,
Lol ha ha very funny.
Ireland looking like the GS winners for sure, France likely a close second. Likely only losing this game. Although, this is France we are talking about and a Tuilagi will be on the pitch soon….
What is it with the itv coverage that they have to constantly have micro-replays or shots of the crowd. Very irritating.
Much as I have enjoyed frustrated fan faces in the heartlands of French Rugby, I don't think we can blame ITV for the broadcast feed; the commentary is entirely on them though. I think Ireland need a big second half here despite Willemse's contribution.