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The All Purpose Rugby Union Thread (P2)
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bluesdiamond
26-10-2013
Originally Posted by Mark F:
“Has everyone made up and got back together now?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/24660351”

Whilst it tries to address the two competitions with a different format. I wonder by losing four places in the shield if it is the right move? Or just a fudge.

Regards qualifying for the shield.
We have 12 English Clubs, 12 Celtic League 12 and 14 French which equates to 38 of the 40.

The Cup currently has 24 places, the Shield 20. So who loses? The Italian Clubs and the Portugese, Romania?

Russia hosted the recent World Cup 7's. Their league I believe is a summer league. But with the Shield played in December and January, so as to give a window to the Six Nations and the Quarter Finals in April. Does their need to be a bigger overhaul to allow clubs from Russia or in the future Scandanavia nations to compete in the Shield or as the article suggests a third level competition.

I would imagine the real issue for any season restructure is having two major blocks of international rugby. And the cost to Professional clubs in terms of lost revenue if say you tried to consolidate dates. eg having no break between the Six Nations the two rest weeks,

However, if a third level event was created could it run during November and February and March? Or can any future competition (Russia the only European Nations B country to be affected currently by the winter) allow for such a club to play fixtures earlier/later in the season to avoid the winter extremes?

A look at the current level 3 sees Sweden if a club/team from Sweden was invited to a third tier Europe competition like Russia have issues with the Winter.
Last edited by bluesdiamond : 26-10-2013 at 10:48
gemmaovwales03
27-10-2013
It's now on the BBC news ticker that Bayonne have cancelled Mike Phillips contract.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/24692325
Sideburns57
27-10-2013
Originally Posted by gemmaovwales03:
“It's been updated since I posted the link. When I posted BBC Wales were reporting that Phillips would be receiving a letter in 48 hours notifying him that he has been sacked. Silly boy he seemed to really enjoy it over there but just like Henson he can't handle his drink.”

I remember seeing a picture of him outside a McDonald's with a bouncer keeping him horizontal on the pavement! It could be worse.......Gavin Henson, Mike and Cipriani could all go out together one night!!
Mike Teevee
28-10-2013
O Connor exiled to Irish?

looks like James O Connor will be announced as a London Irish player tomorrow.

A good (if temporary) signing for the Exiles
gemmaovwales03
28-10-2013
Originally Posted by Sideburns57:
“I remember seeing a picture of him outside a McDonald's with a bouncer keeping him horizontal on the pavement! It could be worse.......Gavin Henson, Mike and Cipriani could all go out together one night!!”

That would be a bouncers worst nightmare. The latest is Phillips is taking legal action after finding out about his sacking in a French interview in a newspaper this morning.
Sideburns57
29-10-2013
Worst nightmare? He seemed to be in control! I think a bouncer's worse nightmare is being a bouncer itself!

Yes, I saw that re legal action.
Kiko H Fan
29-10-2013
Originally Posted by Mike Teevee:
“O Connor exiled to Irish?

looks like James O Connor will be announced as a London Irish player tomorrow.

A good (if temporary) signing for the Exiles”

If they can keep him off the sauce.
Mike Teevee
29-10-2013
Irish have confirmed the signing, until the end of the season

Should do okay, not sure his off the field problems are as big as made out by the media
Cissy Fairfax
30-10-2013
England 23 named, forwards pick themselves, starters and bench look clear cut.

Backs a bit disappointing. Good to see Foden back in the 23, hopefully starting at 15 but I doubt it. Thought Wade may finally get a chance but looks like we're stuck with Ashton again or Brown.

Wouldve liked Eastmond too, he was terrific against Argentina but with Yarde that would have probably been too many newcomers in one back line.
Mike Teevee
30-10-2013
not sure Danny Care took the matchday squad announcement well

he retweeted this last night

Quote:
“ England 23-man squad:

Backs: Chris Ashton (Saracens), Mike Brown (Harlequins), Ben Foden (Northampton Saints), Marland Yarde (London Irish); Joel Tomkins (Saracens), Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester Rugby); Owen Farrell (Saracens), Toby Flood (Leicester Tigers); Lee Dickson (Northampton Saints), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers).

Forwards: Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints), Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers); Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Mako Vunipola (Saracens), David Wilson (Bath Rugby); Dave Attwood (Bath Rugby), Joe Launchbury (London Wasps), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints); Ben Morgan (Gloucester Rugby), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins), Billy Vunipola (Saracens), Tom Wood (Northampton Saints).

Players released: F Burns (Gloucester), L Burrell (Northampton), D Care (Harlequins), K Eastmond (Rugby), A Goode (Saracens), T Johnson (Exeter), M Kvesic (Gloucester), H Thomas (Sale), H Trinder (Gloucester), R Webber (Bath), C Wade (Wasps). ”

tbf I can see where he's coming from, is Dickson really playing better this season?
Mike Teevee
31-10-2013
Saturday's team

Quote:
“ England Team: Mike Brown (Harlequins), Chris Ashton (Saracens), Joel Tomkins (Saracens), Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester), Marland Yarde (London Irish), Owen Farrell (Saracens), Lee Dickson (Northampton), Mako Vunipola (Saracens), Tom Youngs (Leicester), Dan Cole (Leicester), Joe Launchbury (Wasps), Courtney Lawes (Northampton), Tom Wood (Northampton), Chris Robshaw (captain, Harlequins), Billy Vunipola (Saracens).

Replacements:
Dylan Hartley (Northampton), Joe Marler Harlequins), David Wilson (Bath), Dave Attwood Bath), Ben Morgan (Gloucester), Ben Youngs (Leicester), Toby Flood (Leicester), Ben Foden (Northampton). ”

Quote:
“ Australia team: Israel Folau (NSW Waratahs); Adam Ashley-Cooper (NSW Waratahs), Tevita Kuridrani (ACT Brumbies), Matt Toomua (ACT Brumbies), Nick Cummins (Western Force); Quade Cooper (vice-captain, Queensland Reds), Will Genia (Queensland Reds); James Slipper (Queensland Reds), Stephen Moore (ACT Brumbies), Ben Alexander (ACT Brumbies), Sitaleki Timani (NSW Waratahs), James Horwill (Queensland Reds), Scott Fardy (ACT Brumbies), Michael Hooper (NSW Waratahs), Ben Mowen (captain, ACT Brumbies)

Replacements:
Saia Fainga'a (Queensland Reds), Benn Robinson (NSW Waratahs), Sekope Kepu (NSW Waratahs), Kane Douglas (NSW Waratahs), Ben McCalman (Western Force), Nic White (ACT Brumbies), Christian Leali'ifano (ACT Brumbies), Bernard Foley (NSW Waratahs) ”

Kierenj
31-10-2013
Originally Posted by Mike Teevee:
“not sure Danny Care took the matchday squad announcement well

he retweeted this last night



tbf I can see where he's coming from, is Dickson really playing better this season?”

Care really is a whiney little bitch sometimes... he's not having a great season at all and just hasn't picked himself up after not being in the Lions squad (which I did think was harsh on him), but as a great boxer once said, it's about how hard you get hit and keep moving forward. Moaning and whining and "life isn't fair" just makes you look pathetic.

Is Parling injured? I must have missed that somehow, he was being toted as a potential captain as well. Good to see both Vunipola's given a chance, I love Ben Morgan but it's good to have them both available, although if we lose Robshaw or Wood I don't know how we'll get the ball without a 7.

Lawes has made a great start to the season, I'm not a fan of Yarde, looks to have so many holes in his game but he really is the best of a bad bunch. And as much as I despise Mike Brown it would have been harsh on him to have been dropped as he was one of our best players in the 6N.
Kierenj
31-10-2013
Just seen that he suffered a concussion.
Cissy Fairfax
01-11-2013
I'd have Wade top of all wingers on current form. Foden should be a certain starter. Brown has had some very average games and was dreadful against Wales. Ashton hasnt played well for some time now. Him over Yarde maybe, at a push but not Wade.
Kierenj
01-11-2013
Originally Posted by Cissy Fairfax:
“I'd have Wade top of all wingers on current form. Foden should be a certain starter. Brown has had some very average games and was dreadful against Wales. Ashton hasnt played well for some time now. Him over Yarde maybe, at a push but not Wade.”

No way, have you watched this season? Ashton has been superb and looks back to Ashton of 3 years ago... Wade is another one trick pony the same as Varndell and Sackey, will do well at club level and probably for England against the likes of Italy and Scotland but against top Test teams they'll just see them as a weak link.
Mike Teevee
01-11-2013
Originally Posted by Kierenj:
“No way, have you watched this season? Ashton has been superb and looks back to Ashton of 3 years ago... Wade is another one trick pony the same as Varndell and Sackey, will do well at club level and probably for England against the likes of Italy and Scotland but against top Test teams they'll just see them as a weak link.”

Wade has played one international for England, so it's far too early to be writing him off. There's nothing to say that he can't be England's equivalent of Shane Williams (given the right coaching).

As for Varndell he's been poorly treated by England management, by being ignored for years. He finally got called up to the training squad this summer, which was well deserved. Unluckily he's currently out injured, so we'll never now if he'd have made at least the Saxons squad.

Ashton's had a good run at club level recently, but he's been mainly pants on international stage since coming back from RWC. Yet it would be equally unfair to write him off as it would IMO be to write off Wade
Kierenj
01-11-2013
Originally Posted by Mike Teevee:
“Wade has played one international for England, so it's far too early to be writing him off. There's nothing to say that he can't be England's equivalent of Shane Williams (given the right coaching).

As for Varndell he's been poorly treated by England management, by being ignored for years. He finally got called up to the training squad this summer, which was well deserved. Unluckily he's currently out injured, so we'll never now if he'd have made at least the Saxons squad.

Ashton's had a good run at club level recently, but he's been mainly pants on international stage since coming back from RWC. Yet it would be equally unfair to write him off as it would IMO be to write off Wade”

I'm just judging him on what I see on the park... he is superb with ball in hand and a bit of space in front of him in the opposition half. But even at club level when he gets the ball with time in his own half he doesn't know what to do. I'm an avid Leicester fan and was a huge fan of Varndell when he came on the scene but even the most ardent of Leicester fans could tell that after he didn't really progress after 1 year he was never going to be another Cohen or Luger. The sad truth is Wade gets by on pure speed, he's an absolute speed merchant but he can't think (and he doesn't need to a lot of the time), but for me that is what separates these guys from the next step up.

You could see from the very start that Ashton was going to be good, his running lines, support play and finishing were always very good and obvious, Wade doesn't have that. Ashton was poor at Club level last season so the fact he was bad in the Tests was no surprise, but as I've said his club form has turned around and I expect to see the same for England.

In terms of actually creating something I think Yarde could be better long term that Wade.

That all said I'd be very happy if I was wildly wrong and Wade became a world class winger.
sensoria
01-11-2013
Originally Posted by Mike Teevee:
“not sure Danny Care took the matchday squad announcement well

he retweeted this last night



tbf I can see where he's coming from, is Dickson really playing better this season?”

Fotuali'i introduction at saints has imporved him no end. I think Fotuali'i is hands down the best scrum half in the world. I think it has forced Dickson to up his game considerably.

in my opinion.
gemmaovwales03
01-11-2013
Matthew Rees is to have extensive treatment for testicular cancer
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/24622497

Wish him well with his treatment and hope to see him back playing for the Blues soon
Ads
02-11-2013
The English press is ramping up the pressure on England ahead of this years' autumn internationals - saying we need to start winning most of these games with the world cup not far away now. If England lose to Australia this afternoon, expect some fireworks in the papers tomorrow!
Marmite Baby
02-11-2013
Originally Posted by sensoria:
“Fotuali'i introduction at saints has imporved him no end. I think Fotuali'i is hands down the best scrum half in the world. I think it has forced Dickson to up his game considerably.

in my opinion.”

He been very good for the Saints especially last Saturday's game against Saracens which I attended but he's not in Genia's class.
MeicY
02-11-2013
Originally Posted by Ads:
“The English press is ramping up the pressure on England ahead of this years' autumn internationals - saying we need to start winning most of these games with the world cup not far away now. If England lose to Australia this afternoon, expect some fireworks in the papers tomorrow!”

They also need to prove that last year's win against the All Blacks wasn't a flash in the pan - and also on the flip side that the 30-3 loss to Wales wasn't indicative of their true form. Australia will be tough to beat first match out. Five points in it either way for me.

Having said that, I thought the Welsh press were bad. But the Times dedicating so much space to RU on Friday opened my eyes. Anyone would think this team were World Cup contenders, not a team in transition whose recent form is as holey and patchy as a rag doll.
Arcana
02-11-2013
I'm beginning to wish i'd watched the Leek game, mismatch notwithstanding, rather than the Onion.
Stunty
02-11-2013
Originally Posted by Ads:
“The English press is ramping up the pressure on England ahead of this years' autumn internationals - saying we need to start winning most of these games with the world cup not far away now. If England lose to Australia this afternoon, expect some fireworks in the papers tomorrow!”

To the casual rugby watcher anyone would think that it was a matter of by how many points England would win. Where did the pundits and press get that kind of confidence?

Ian Robertson's tone certainly dropped several decibels when Australia scored their try ...... enough so that I was uncertain that it was actually a try.

England should not write off the Aussies.
Marmite Baby
02-11-2013
I must have put a curse on Genia after my previous post.
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