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The All Purpose Rugby Union Thread (P2)
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Mike Teevee
01-12-2014
Hmm I don't think it'll have any bearing on the RWC matches, bar a small psychological boost (unless it's another rout).

For all the hype around the games, I think the benefit of being the host nation will help England. It's a near certainty that there will be some refereeing decisions that people will point to that favour England (subconscious bias by the officials).

I mean how the hell did France not get a penalty in the last 10 minutes against New Zealand? It was like the officials were scared to ruin the 'All Black Fairy Tale' win.

Risky as it sounds England just need to beat one of Australia or Wales and we should get through, especially as Australia vs Wales is their respective last matches of pool A.
platelet
01-12-2014
Originally Posted by CGG_12:
“It's the most interesting 6n in yonks- I cannot wait. I'd be surprised if there was a Grand Slam I think.

All of Ireland, England and Wales are certainly capable of winning it and it'd be highly imprudent to write off the French- though they surely aren't consistent enough”

I think the French will struggle. England and Ireland have home advantage against them.

The other three yes all will be in contention (at least until the 6th feb is over). First game lost will be very hard to come back from. England v Ireland will also be a monster. I'd have to give it to Ireland but an hoping I'm wrong - enough to be travelling to Dublin for it anyway. Either of these two games could scupper England's chances. If we win both then I think we'd roll through the French on the final weekend. If we've lost both already however, we'd probably cave against them.

Originally Posted by CGG_12:
“I can see Scotland getting at least one big win too”

Yep. My money would be on Wales. Home advantage and players they meet week on week and their improved performance. Really looking forward to Scotland in the whole competition mind

I'd agree a grandslam is a real outsider in this one
CGG_12
01-12-2014
Originally Posted by platelet:
“England v Ireland will also be a monster. I'd have to give it to Ireland but an hoping I'm wrong - enough to be travelling to Dublin for it anyway. Either of these two games could scupper England's chances. If we win both then I think we'd roll through the French on the final weekend. If we've lost both already however, we'd probably cave against them.”

Very intriguing

England have now won 4 in a row vs Ireland. I'd give England the advantage in the front 5 but Irl marginally shade back row (though Morgan is giving England some added impetus) and Ireland have the better backs. But don't underestimate the power of the England pack and the role they may have on the outcome. I'd slightly fancy Irl simply because of home advantage but it'll be damn close
CGG_12
01-12-2014
Originally Posted by platelet:
“

Yep. My money would be on Wales. Home advantage and players they meet week on week and their improved performance. Really looking forward to Scotland in the whole competition mind

I'd agree a grandslam is a real outsider in this one”

Very worried about Ireland over there too. 2013 was a bit of a farcical game but in general they have been knocking on the door for quite a while at beating us in Murrayfield.

With Glasgow showing such form and a very improved Autumn showing, surely the signs are we'll finally see a decent Scotland in the 6n. 2013 was positive enough but they beat an injury decimated Ireland which sort of put a flattering spin on their campaign

Jonny Gray has been a massive addition to them
irishfeen
05-12-2014
Great to see the IRFU with the support of the Irish/N.Irish governments and the GAA launch a bid to hold the 2023 Rugby World Cup. The games would probably be played in the following stadiums across Ireland (4 IRFU, 8 GAA)

Croke Park (Dublin) - 82,300 [GAA]
Semple Stadium (Tipperary) - 53,000 [GAA]
Aviva Stadium (Dublin) - 51,700 [IRFU]
Fitzgerald Stadium (Killarney) - 50,000 [GAA]
Gaelic Grounds (Limerick) - 49,886 [GAA]
Pairc Ui Chaoimh (Cork) - 45,000 after redevelopment [GAA]
McHale Park (Castlebar) - 42,000 [GAA]
Casement Park (Antrim) - 40,000 after redevelopment [GAA]
Pearse Stadium (Galway) - 26,197 [GAA]
Thomond Park (Limerick) - 25,630 [IRFU]
RDS (Dublin) - 18,500 [IRFU]
Ravenhill (Belfast) -18,196 [IRFU]

I presume all the home nations will be supporting the bid? New Zealand rugby posted a message of support this morning too ... I really hope we win - it would be the biggest sporting event we would ever hold.
david1955
06-12-2014
Originally Posted by irishfeen:
“Great to see the IRFU with the support of the Irish/N.Irish governments and the GAA launch a bid to hold the 2023 Rugby World Cup. The games would probably be played in the following stadiums across Ireland (4 IRFU, 8 GAA)

Croke Park (Dublin) - 82,300 [GAA]
Semple Stadium (Tipperary) - 53,000 [GAA]
Aviva Stadium (Dublin) - 51,700 [IRFU]
Fitzgerald Stadium (Killarney) - 50,000 [GAA]
Gaelic Grounds (Limerick) - 49,886 [GAA]
Pairc Ui Chaoimh (Cork) - 45,000 after redevelopment [GAA]
McHale Park (Castlebar) - 42,000 [GAA]
Casement Park (Antrim) - 40,000 after redevelopment [GAA]
Pearse Stadium (Galway) - 26,197 [GAA]
Thomond Park (Limerick) - 25,630 [IRFU]
RDS (Dublin) - 18,500 [IRFU]
Ravenhill (Belfast) -18,196 [IRFU]

I presume all the home nations will be supporting the bid? New Zealand rugby posted a message of support this morning too ... I really hope we win - it would be the biggest sporting event we would ever hold.”

That looks like a great bid. I hadn't realised that Ireland had so many large stadiums. Best of luck to them. I'm surprised Qatar haven't put in a bid a they would obviously win.
irishfeen
06-12-2014
Originally Posted by david1955:
“That looks like a great bid. I hadn't realised that Ireland had so many large stadiums. Best of luck to them. I'm surprised Qatar haven't put in a bid a they would obviously win.”

I hear Qatar are darkhorses alright ... Ya the GAA have large stadiums in most counties in Ireland (north and south) so with a bit of renovation's all would make very decent WC venues.

It seems like it will be a fight to host by ourselves, South Africa, Argentina and Italy - I would be surprised if we didn't get it or go very close after the success of New Zealand.
CGG_12
08-12-2014
Huge weekend for the English clubs

Not so much for the Irish.

Leicester will be kicking themselves they didn't beat Scarlets earlier but with the big guns all returning (to be fair they have been riddled with injuries) they look a serious outfit

Munster look like they're gone at this stage and Leinster are in turmoil. Even if they do qualify they'll be annihilated by the first half decent team they meet

I'm very much enjoying it this year though, the 20 teams works a lot better than the 24 I feel
CGG_12
08-12-2014
Originally Posted by irishfeen:
“ I hear Qatar are darkhorses alright ... Ya the GAA have large stadiums in most counties in Ireland (north and south) so with a bit of renovation's all would make very decent WC venues.

It seems like it will be a fight to host by ourselves, South Africa, Argentina and Italy - I would be surprised if we didn't get it or go very close after the success of New Zealand.”

SA are more or less guaranteed to get one out of 2023/2027 but you'd have to imagine Ireland are favourites for the other

Will need to offer a match or two in Murrayfield/Millenium Stadium to secure the Scottish/Welsh vote though so you could nearly add them to your list above
Mike Teevee
08-12-2014
Castogiovanni goes a bit OTT in rant at Cockerill

I think maybe he has just left this in the past and concentrated on playing for Toulon. Dan Cole moved ahead of him in the pecking order, so he was no longer first choice.

The fact that he payed to leave doesn't necessarily give him the moral high ground, it's not like Toulon don't pay massive wages. Also he's hardly a first choice for Toulon either, so he gets payed a lot to sit on the bench.
Kierenj
10-12-2014
Originally Posted by Mike Teevee:
“Castogiovanni goes a bit OTT in rant at Cockerill

I think maybe he has just left this in the past and concentrated on playing for Toulon. Dan Cole moved ahead of him in the pecking order, so he was no longer first choice.

The fact that he payed to leave doesn't necessarily give him the moral high ground, it's not like Toulon don't pay massive wages. Also he's hardly a first choice for Toulon either, so he gets payed a lot to sit on the bench.”

Yeah this was a bit of an odd one. I'm a Leicester fan and love Castro... I also don't really like Cockerill, but this is really odd and can't really say anything bad about Cockerill's response. Maybe just a passionate/mad Italian moment?
Rascar_Capac
12-12-2014
http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/new...oh-set-8263150

A great response from Coventry and surrounds, even discounting for freebies and STH it looks like they will shift around 20,000 tickets.

Feel bad for individual Wasps fans who were regular attendees, but there was not great support at Adams Park. It is very early days, but hopefully we can see another English club averaging solidly over 10,000 a game. With a big stadium I guess crowds will fluctuate quite wildly, will be interesting to see how things pan out over the next year.
Glenn A
13-12-2014
I'd much rather watch a good rugby match of both codes( league is big where I live) than an overhyped football match. I quite like the tactics and the high scoring nature of the sport. However, without Sky or BT Sport, it's difficult to see a club match and the pub always puts football on instead, although for league., we always have the Superleague on.
Daniel_Gleeball
14-12-2014
I think rugby players are beginning to catch up with footballers in terms of simulation.
Full backs go down like they have been shot if anyone touches them after they have kicked the ball away. Scrum halves spin around like a top for the refs attention if anyone touches them in a scrum or ruck. I really wish the authority's would come down harder on any form of simulation in sports.
Glenn A
14-12-2014
Originally Posted by Daniel_Gleeball:
“I think rugby players are beginning to catch up with footballers in terms of simulation.
Full backs go down like they have been shot if anyone touches them after they have kicked the ball away. Scrum halves spin around like a top for the refs attention if anyone touches them in a scrum or ruck. I really wish the authority's would come down harder on any form of simulation in sports.”

Certainly don't get that in league, where the men battle on regardless. It's a shame if the Chelsea tactics of timewasting and faking injuries is creeping into union, though it international level it's still a good sport
Daniel_Gleeball
15-12-2014
Very true you don't seem to get to much simulation in Rugby league. I like the fact that if a ref sees something that looks untoward but is not 100% sure he can put the offending player on report rather than unfairly send him off.

You get simulation in American football that is for sure. When a teams offence adopts a no huddle strategy in order to dis orientate the opposition defence, it is quite common for one of the defenders to roll around on the floor with a phantom injury, in order to stop the game., and enable the defence to regroup.
ihatemarmite
19-12-2014
anyone else go to watch games in National 1 league? What does it cost per ticket? I went with a mate to Blackheath recently and it was quite enjoyable if a bit genteel. £12 a ticket.
Ads
21-12-2014
Going really well for Wasps in their first game in their new home. I really hope the move works out for them as English club rugby would really benefit from having more clubs with fanbases to rival those of the likes of Leicester and Quins.
Daniel_Gleeball
21-12-2014
Originally Posted by Ads:
“Going really well for Wasps in their first game in their new home. I really hope the move works out for them as English club rugby would really benefit from having more clubs with fanbases to rival those of the likes of Leicester and Quins.”

I understand why they moved. There were simply to many London teams. They are a club with a great history. Might have some tasty derby games against Leicester and Northampton.
Ads
21-12-2014
Originally Posted by Daniel_Gleeball:
“I understand why they moved. There were simply to many London teams. They are a club with a great history. Might have some tasty derby games against Leicester and Northampton.”

If this move is a long term success I wonder if any other of the lesser supported professional clubs may consider moving? Birmingham could surely support a top flight club?
Mike Teevee
22-12-2014
Originally Posted by Daniel_Gleeball:
“I understand why they moved. There were simply to many London teams. They are a club with a great history. Might have some tasty derby games against Leicester and Northampton.”

Originally Posted by Ads:
“If this move is a long term success I wonder if any other of the lesser supported professional clubs may consider moving? Birmingham could surely support a top flight club?”

As a Wasps fan I think it's a terrible move for supporters. I understand that the club needed to have a viable ground which could provide stability for our long term future, I just think that upping sticks and moving to Coventry is a kick in the teeth.

Considering there was a Brentford option which would have seen the club build a 15k stadium (with added corporate facilities for extra revenues), the idea that we only had the Midlands as an option seems misleading to me.

Anyway there's nothing I can do about it now. I'll go to the games with play in London, but trips up to Coventry on a Sunday afternoon is not an easy option for me.

Happy with yesterday's win, but tinged with sadness that my club has left me behind.
MeicY
27-12-2014
The commentary on this Scottish Derby match by Sky is a little bit tooth-wrenching.

I know the edict "It didn't exist till we started covering it" is prevalent but do we really need a history of the 1872 Cup every gamebreak?
Cissy Fairfax
27-12-2014
Over 82,000 for a club game is phenomenal at this time of the year.

Been some decent matches today, expect Northampton to have much too much for Quins.
davethecue
28-12-2014
Speculation in the papers today that Jonny will be Knighted in theNew Year Honour's list

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news...kinson-4882163
david1955
31-12-2014
Originally Posted by davethecue:
“Speculation in the papers today that Jonny will be Knighted in theNew Year Honour's list

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news...kinson-4882163”

Very strangely Jonny has not been knighted. He even appeared to confirm that he had been just yesterday. Was it taken away from him because he boasted about it, but that would apply to Esther Rantzen and Joan Collins. Something very odd is going on.
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