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The All Purpose Rugby Union Thread (P2) |
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#5001 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: durty sarf london
Posts: 16,241
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Toulon open to joining Premiership
I have to check the date to see it's not April Fools Day. This will never happen, no idea why owner is saying this. Have they had another falling out with Top 14 clubs? |
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#5002 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: High Wycombe
Posts: 1,034
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Quote:
Toulon open to joining Premiership
I have to check the date to see it's not April Fools Day. This will never happen, no idea why owner is saying this. Have they had another falling out with Top 14 clubs? |
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#5003 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: durty sarf london
Posts: 16,241
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Quote:
Sounds like his usual mouthing off. Although you would have thought that the Pro 12 would be the better option as those teams as used to the travelling around Europe
Re: Pro 12 I think there have been rumblings about ditching the two Italian clubs in favour of adding London Welsh and Scottish to the league. That's something I could see happening or at the very least expanding to a Pro 14. |
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#5004 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: mid west wales
Posts: 9,617
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The Six Nations TV schedule for this season has been released
http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/lat...ons-broadcasts |
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#5005 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Wales, UK
Posts: 940
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Quote:
The Six Nations TV schedule for this season has been released
http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/lat...ons-broadcasts |
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#5006 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Ireland
Posts: 7,470
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On to on-field matters some cracking matches this weekend in Europe
Always love the final round of matches, so many twists and turns, permutations and combinations Even teams that have already qualified will want to ensure a home quarter. That's why I love this competition- always something to play for! Group B between Ospreys, Exeter, Clermont and Bordeaux is the one to watch out for- every team can still qualify!!! |
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#5007 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Ireland
Posts: 7,470
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Challenge Cup Quarters
Quins v London irish Gloucester v Dragons Sale v Montpellier Grenoble v Connacht 3 English teams and Grenoble in semis? |
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#5008 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Ireland
Posts: 7,470
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First time in 18 years no irish team has made European quarters. Absolutely no complaints
Six Nations chances look as grim as ever |
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#5009 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,451
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Quote:
First time in 18 years no irish team has made European quarters. Absolutely no complaints
Six Nations chances look as grim as ever |
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#5010 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Ireland
Posts: 7,470
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Quote:
English and French marginilisation plan is working then.
The form Irish XV is very, very far away from the one that'll be picked. Little chance we'll beat wales or England imo and we will also be vulnerable to France and Scotland |
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#5011 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,430
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Quote:
English and French marginilisation plan is working then.
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#5012 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Ireland
Posts: 7,470
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Quote:
Or just the Irish teams didn't turn up. Ulster were unlucky but Leinster were poor. Munster have been shocking this season. Maybe the fact they have to try during the Pro-12 now rather than just do whatever they want and still qualify is stretching them further?
The year Leinster and Ulster made the final was farcical. It's much better for NH rugby to see a level playing field all round at club level. Ulster weren't even great tbh. Oyonnax were a disgrace and Toulouse are finished. You cannot afford to get zero points from a home match in this comp |
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#5013 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: durty sarf london
Posts: 16,241
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Hartley confirmed as England captain
After weeks of speculation/media leeks Eddie Jones chooses Dylan Hartley to be his captain. This should be......interesting. |
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#5014 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Northampton, UK
Posts: 3,247
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Quote:
Hartley confirmed as England captain
After weeks of speculation/media leeks Eddie Jones chooses Dylan Hartley to be his captain. This should be......interesting.
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#5015 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: durty sarf london
Posts: 16,241
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Quote:
At least Wayne Barnes can't send him off playing for England.
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#5016 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,430
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So with the 10 players released back to the clubs it looks like England's 15 will be something like:
1. Cole 2. Hartley 3. Vunipola 4. Kruis 5. Launchbury 6. Robshaw 7. Haskell 8. Billy V 9. Youngs 10. Ford 11. Nowell 12. Farrell 13. JJ 14. Watson 15. Brown Interesting to see if Devoto and Clifford get on. I'm quite disappointed by Haskell being at 7 but I just think it's going to be a stop gap solution for this 6N whilst George Smith teaches Clifford and Kvesic the ropes... and we just need to get Sam Underhill back over the boarder as I think he could be the hope in 4 years time. |
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#5017 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: South Wales
Posts: 5,866
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Underhill is a fantastic n7, England need to get him asap.
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#5018 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Ireland
Posts: 7,470
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Quote:
So with the 10 players released back to the clubs it looks like England's 15 will be something like:
1. Cole 2. Hartley 3. Vunipola 4. Kruis 5. Launchbury 6. Robshaw 7. Haskell 8. Billy V 9. Youngs 10. Ford 11. Nowell 12. Farrell 13. JJ 14. Watson 15. Brown Interesting to see if Devoto and Clifford get on. I'm quite disappointed by Haskell being at 7 but I just think it's going to be a stop gap solution for this 6N whilst George Smith teaches Clifford and Kvesic the ropes... and we just need to get Sam Underhill back over the boarder as I think he could be the hope in 4 years time. Ollie Devoto is laughable, can't even get into Bath team Itoje is fierce unlucky |
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#5019 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,430
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Quote:
Care could be 9 yet!
Ollie Devoto is laughable, can't even get into Bath team Itoje is fierce unlucky |
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#5020 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Ireland
Posts: 7,470
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Quote:
Agree on Itoje, I think the thing is with Launch, Lawes and Kruis all playing superbly he's clearly 4th in that pecking order, but with more potential. He'll be capped before the champs are over I'd think, any injury to a 2nd row or Robshaw (who I don't think has ever been injured, is he wolverine?) and he should be in the match day squad.
Lawes is having a very mediocre year though, but he still is a serious option from the bench tbf Kruis and Launch would be the Lions partnership on form. I'm still in disbelief as to how someone as average as Geoff Parling made the team at RWC. All in all this looks a better lineup than the Lancaster era 6/4, justified faves? I have a feeling Wales will pip them though |
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#5021 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Ireland
Posts: 7,470
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So first starting 15 for 6n named
Wales team: G Anscombe (Cardiff Blues); G North (Northampton), J Davies (Clermont Auvergne), J Roberts (Harlequins), T James (Cardiff Blues); D Biggar (Ospreys), G Davies (Scarlets); R Evans (Scarlets), S Baldwin (Ospreys), S Lee (Scarlets), L Charteris (Racing 92), A-W Jones (Ospreys), S Warburton (Cardiff Blues, capt), J Tipuric (Ospreys), T Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons). Replacements: K Owens (Scarlets), G Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), T Francis (Exeter), B Davies (Wasps), D Lydiate (Ospreys), L Williams (Cardiff Blues), R Priestland (Bath), A Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues) Is it just me or is this the most low key build up ever for a six nations? I do think the failure of the NH teams at the RWC really puts a question mark on the prestige of the event in its current state. That said I'll be glued to it as ever It's a Wales or England title for me and given the uncertainty over England with a new mgmt team I think Wales are the safer call at the minute. Wales who were probably the one NH team (along with Scotland I guess) who can leave with their heads held high from the RWC are slowly getting players back after their injury crisis and have a stable and steady team for a while now. they're the least unknown quantity in the event, and I do think they have a squad tailor made to beat their NH rivals. They really need to avoid a slow start like with recent years though. Traditionally perform well after a RWC year (won slam both times under gatty thus far) England's whole campaign could hinge on a real banana skin at Murrayfield on Saturday. If they navigate that one they have both Ireland and Wales to come at home, they'll be super confident. I do expect one mess up somewhere along the way though, so I'd predict 4 wins again, for the 5th or 6th season running. I think we'll see France improvement under a new coach and I have a feeling they'll beat either England or Ireland in Paris and finally claim a big win again. I think a title is a bridge too far though Scotland's hopes also hinge on Saturday, a win and they could become a real dark horse for a title shot, a loss and they're already in a wooden spoon battle perhaps. Ireland are already a write off for me, too many injuries, confidence dented in the RWC and too many players playing sub-par for their clubs, who have all done terribly in Europe. There remains a real unnerving possibility Ireland could lose all their first 3 matches. I expect a similar injury-riddled campaign to 2013 if I'm honest Italy with all due respect are only making up the numbers and will be targeting their annual "six-pointer" vs Scotland already. They'll no doubt give a good account of themselves in a game or two but there are too many matches in this competition for a thread-bare squad If I had to predict I'd go Wales (PD) England France Ireland Scotland Italy It's the most intriguing campaign for a while though, imo |
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#5022 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: durty sarf london
Posts: 16,241
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Quote:
So first starting 15 for 6n named
Wales team: G Anscombe (Cardiff Blues); G North (Northampton), J Davies (Clermont Auvergne), J Roberts (Harlequins), T James (Cardiff Blues); D Biggar (Ospreys), G Davies (Scarlets); R Evans (Scarlets), S Baldwin (Ospreys), S Lee (Scarlets), L Charteris (Racing 92), A-W Jones (Ospreys), S Warburton (Cardiff Blues, capt), J Tipuric (Ospreys), T Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons). Replacements: K Owens (Scarlets), G Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), T Francis (Exeter), B Davies (Wasps), D Lydiate (Ospreys), L Williams (Cardiff Blues), R Priestland (Bath), A Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues) Is it just me or is this the most low key build up ever for a six nations? I do think the failure of the NH teams at the RWC really puts a question mark on the prestige of the event in its current state. That said I'll be glued to it as ever It's a Wales or England title for me and given the uncertainty over England with a new mgmt team I think Wales are the safer call at the minute. Wales who were probably the one NH team (along with Scotland I guess) who can leave with their heads held high from the RWC are slowly getting players back after their injury crisis and have a stable and steady team for a while now. they're the least unknown quantity in the event, and I do think they have a squad tailor made to beat their NH rivals. They really need to avoid a slow start like with recent years though. Traditionally perform well after a RWC year (won slam both times under gatty thus far) England's whole campaign could hinge on a real banana skin at Murrayfield on Saturday. If they navigate that one they have both Ireland and Wales to come at home, they'll be super confident. I do expect one mess up somewhere along the way though, so I'd predict 4 wins again, for the 5th or 6th season running. I think we'll see France improvement under a new coach and I have a feeling they'll beat either England or Ireland in Paris and finally claim a big win again. I think a title is a bridge too far though Scotland's hopes also hinge on Saturday, a win and they could become a real dark horse for a title shot, a loss and they're already in a wooden spoon battle perhaps. Ireland are already a write off for me, too many injuries, confidence dented in the RWC and too many players playing sub-par for their clubs, who have all done terribly in Europe. There remains a real unnerving possibility Ireland could lose all their first 3 matches. I expect a similar injury-riddled campaign to 2013 if I'm honest Italy with all due respect are only making up the numbers and will be targeting their annual "six-pointer" vs Scotland already. They'll no doubt give a good account of themselves in a game or two but there are too many matches in this competition for a thread-bare squad If I had to predict I'd go Wales (PD) England France Ireland Scotland Italy It's the most intriguing campaign for a while though, imo As for who wins this, I'd probably swap a few of your placings around. Wales/Ireland (PD) England Ireland/Wales France Scotland Italy |
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#5023 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Ireland
Posts: 7,470
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Quote:
It does seem a bit more low key that usual, but I think that might be to do with Prem and Pro 12 starting later. There has barely been much time to get used the regular season starting then all of a sudden we've got 6 Nations.
As for who wins this, I'd probably swap a few of your placings around. Wales/Ireland (PD) England Ireland/Wales France Scotland Italy Sure, if the actual form xv was picked then there might be a sliver of hope but when the likes of Sexton, Murray, R.Kearney, Toner and Heaslip are bang off form, you combine that with the injuries to O'Mahony, Henderson, Bowe, Healy, Ross, Moore (with Sexton probably a bang on the head away from missing the whole comp), the retirement of POC, the fact a few raw players will be introduced and add all that to the fact they were grossly found out at the RWC quarters and the club teams are at a real low ebb and it is pretty nigh on impossible paint a positive picture ahead of the campaign I'd take 2 or 3 wins playing a positive brand of Rugby to be honest and re-building the side. Hopefully McCloskey gets plenty game time at 12, Payne at FB and Jackson starts a game or two at least. I'd hope it may be the unearthing of Stander also |
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#5024 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,430
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Quote:
No chance Ireland will be winning it, to be honest.
Sure, if the actual form xv was picked then there might be a sliver of hope but when the likes of Sexton, Murray, R.Kearney, Toner and Heaslip are bang off form, you combine that with the injuries to O'Mahony, Henderson, Bowe, Healy, Ross, Moore (with Sexton probably a bang on the head away from missing the whole comp), the retirement of POC, the fact a few raw players will be introduced and add all that to the fact they were grossly found out at the RWC quarters and the club teams are at a real low ebb and it is pretty nigh on impossible paint a positive picture ahead of the campaign I'd take 2 or 3 wins playing a positive brand of Rugby to be honest and re-building the side. Hopefully McCloskey gets plenty game time at 12, Payne at FB and Jackson starts a game or two at least. I'd hope it may be the unearthing of Stander also I'd put Wales as favorites (which they'll hate), and then England or France behind them. Ireland and Scotland are both dark horses for the reasons you mentioned already with Scotland, and my belief that the players can turn it on when in the national jersey. |
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#5025 |
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Forum Member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: durty sarf london
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England team: Joe Marler, Dylan Hartley (captain), Dan Cole, Joe Launchbury, George Kruis, Chris Robshaw, James Haskell, Mako Vunipola, Danny Care, George Ford, Jack Nowell, Owen Farrell, Jonathan Joseph, Anthony Watson and Mike Brown.
Replacements: Jamie George, Mako Vunipola, Paul Hill, Courtney Lawes, Jack Clifford, Ben Youngs, Alex Goode and Ollie Devoto. Not that much of a change in starting XV from RWC, interesting to see how differently we play on Saturday. |
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