France win 27-0 in Argentina.
Best French win against anyone for a good few years I think!!

45-21 winners in the end, a great day for English rugby.

That's 9 isn't it? We had that silly friendly against Wales before we set off down under.

Early retirement for an Ireland and for a Wales international

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/36649689

http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/spo...mbs_to_retire/


Game is undoubtedly getting more physical year by year. Retiring just before or just after reaching the age of 30 seems to have become more prevalent.

I think it's maybe that we hear about it more now, also much better medical care means they can see something that could cause long term implications years down the line. A good mate of mine retired at 28 due to knee injuries, in the olden days he'd have just strapped it up and kept playing and it would have kept being sore... until he would have turned 35 and required an entire knee reconstruction.

By retiring at 28 he has his whole life ahead of him and can still run around and play with his kids.

Gutted for Fitz though, he was great to watch.

Going in similar direction to NFL. You get many retirements around 30, especially in the high impact positions, partly must be on the toll to the body due to the hits.

Premiership fixtures announced

Opening weekend

The powers that be at Twickenham might have hoped for more high profile games maybe?

They've seemingly fixed that both Sarries and Quins have home matches at HQ.

I'm guessing we (Wasps) declined an invite to be one of the away sides, so for the first time I won't be seeing my team play on opening weekend.

Yes and then Quins seem to play a "home" game at Twickers around Christmas time too.

Just think they might have wanted Sarries v Leicester for example.

Still its a game of rugby so people will be attracted.

Pro12 fixtures released today - Sunday fixtures scrapped, and introduction of six "Big Weekends" where sides from the same union face off. No Italian TV deal confirmed yet.

England announce 45 man squad

No Cips
No Ashton
No Kieran Brookes

I'd say the first two's England careers are over. Not sure why Brookes has been dropped, he was playing very well before his mid season injury.

I think Jones thought Brookes was too big, seems odd to leave him out completely though as similar to you I thought he was superb in the first half of last season.

Cips is just too inconsistent and in reality who would you drop for him? Farrel, Ford and Slade all better last season (although Frd for England not Bath).

Ashton I feel for but again, Jones had a chat with him last season and told him what he needs to work on so it's up to Ashton to show what he has early this season.

Looks like door is now closed for Kvesic, can't say I'm surprised,

Yeah there certainly seems to be some issue around Brookes that Jones doesn't like. Personally it seems a bit out of nowhere, but then again I don't watch Northampton week in week out.

I'd still say Cips is worth a place in a 45 man EPS, even if Ford, Farrell and Slade might start ahead of him.

Ashton looks to have be left behind since his long international scoring drought. Even though he bounced back and did really well for Sarries, both Lancaster and Jones rate other players like Yarde, May and Nowell ahead of him. Which I suppose is harsh.

I don't get the hype around Kvesic. I know he has good stats for winning turnovers but I don't see what else he brings to the table. Haskell is currently in possession of No7 jersey and it looks like either Clifford or Harrison will be the one's to inherit nail down the position long term.

What am I missing in Kvesic?

You're missing nothing... he's a great pilferer of the ball and those who still thinkwe need a guy who is just an out and out pilferer will sing his praises.

But when you look at what the International "ball winners" do (Warburton, Hooper, Pocock, SOB, Cane, Savea) you realise that they are all great ball carriers or link-men.

Vern Cotter's contract not being renewed, Gregor Townsend takes over at SRU from summer 2017.

BBC Sport

Glasgow Warriors appointment made already - Chiefs coach Dave Rennie as the new Head Coach.

Link

I gather the Townsend appointment to SRU was made in order to prevent Gregor from leaving as seemingly he is in demand following a couple of successful Warriors Pro12 seasons.

Off to the pub to watch Australia/NZ in a bit

Interesting headlines from down under

Listening device found in team meeting room at All Blacks' hotel

• A police investigation is underway and hotel has launched own inquiry

• Bug may have recorded team meeting, says NZ Rugby boss Steve Tew

• Aussie rugby boss is "utterly disappointed" media broke story "on match day"

• ARU categorically denies involvement

• Police boss questions delay in discovery being relayed to authorities

http://m.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/a...ectid=11697828

Australia 8-42 New Zealand.

They are on a different level. Yes, even to England who would need a phenomenal defensive effort to have a chance of beating them at the moment.Dissappointing there is no England v New Zealand Autumn game this year.

Even the Lions next summer will have to be something special.

Rugby Championship Round Two Results

New Zealand 29-9 Australia
Argentina 26-24 South Africa

NZ march on and keep hold of the Bledisloe Cup which they've had since 2002!!!!

Pumas just produced a marvellous display to beat the boks.

Leicester being hammered at Kingsholm.

Now it's 31 each with a few minutes to go

Some turn around - probably sums both sides up in a way!

Now Leicester have won it 38-31

Luke Pearce with a couple of interesting interpretations of what constitutes a forward pass in the Quins-Bristol game.

Decent game though, Quins below par but just about did enough, while Bristol showed enough to suggest that they can compete at this level, let down by too many penalties and handling errors.