Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Off Topic => Sports Arena => Topic started by: Dante Lavelli on August 12, 2016, 01:39:02 PM
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Anyone know when the European Cup fixtures are announced? I'm tempted by a trip to Montpellier for the Saints match.
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The mighty Lyd will be in National 3 South West again. I'll go to the home games if I'm not watching Villa.
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I think I might have to arrange a trip over to the ricoh this year. The Wasps backline is just about the best backline every assembled in club rugby.
9 Robson/Simpson
10 Cipriani/Gopperth
11 Halai/Tagicakibau
12 Eastmond/Beale
13 Daly/Leuia/De Luca
14 Wade
15 Le Roux/Miller
The only one of those who isn't/won't be a regular international squad member is Gopperth and that's only because he's a kiwi and they have had some phenomenal fly-halves recently.
And that's behind a pack with Mullan, Launchbury, Hughes and Haskell in it. They're my tip for both the premiership and europe this season.
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On my own team the saints pack just gets strong every season, picamoles was a brilliant signing. I'm stil not sure that the quality is there at 10 though and fotuali'i is a big loss at 9.
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On my own team the saints pack just gets strong every season, picamoles was a brilliant signing. I'm stil not sure that the quality is there at 10 though and fotuali'i is a big loss at 9.
A colleague is a season ticket holder and he often moans that Myler, whilst honest and consistent, cannot see the opportunities that a decent flyhalf exploits. In hindsight a Cipriani playing front foot rugby for saints would have been an awesome prospect (despite the fact he's a cock).
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On my own team the saints pack just gets strong every season, picamoles was a brilliant signing. I'm stil not sure that the quality is there at 10 though and fotuali'i is a big loss at 9.
A colleague is a season ticket holder and he often moans that Myler, whilst honest and consistent, cannot see the opportunities that a decent flyhalf exploits. In hindsight a Cipriani playing front foot rugby for saints would have been an awesome prospect (despite the fact he's a cock).
That's exactly right they've tried to sign a replacement a few times but Mallinder has always struggled to trust them, Hanrahan is the latest who just doesn't get the big starts. I'd also say that when he has signed alternatives at 10 they've always been from just below international standard, just like Myler. They could really do with a big statement signing there by getting a big name from the SH.
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They can have James Hook if they want.
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Season starts next week, predictions for the top 4?
I'll go Saracens, Wasps, Leicester, Saints.
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Season starts next week, predictions for the top 4?
I'll go Saracens, Wasps, Leicester, Saints.
Sounds about right, I certainly wouldn't bet against it.
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Bath might displace the Saints, given that they have a new coach and I suspect their players might feel a tad more refreshed than after the world cup.
...Then Exeter too.
It should be a good league this year (again).
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Bath might displace the Saints, given that they have a new coach and I suspect their players might feel a tad more refreshed than after the world cup.
...Then Exeter too.
It should be a good league this year (again).
I still think Bath have too many gaps in the squad. Exeter are a funny one, anywhere outside the bottom 2 wouldn't be massively unexpected they really could go either way.
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Gloucester to be bang average around mid table as usual.
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The BBC's list of promising youngsters:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/37218751
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"We are top of the league, say we are top of the league"
http://www.englandrugby.com/fixtures-and-results/competitions/south-west-division/#
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The BBC's list of promising youngsters:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/37218751
Not sure about that list, Marchant is fair but I'd question the rest and Harry Mallinder is the best young player in the country and should be there. On top of that Worcester have, apparently, got an absolute beast of a second row coming through, can't remember his name right now though.
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Glaaaaster Leicester was quite some game.
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It was and Gloucester play Friday game again. Worcester away tonight on BT. Considering how shit they are, our record there is not great.
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Glawster are lucky that they don't have to play the Mighty Lyd anymore
The two sequences of games when we beat them three time in a row
(http://i65.tinypic.com/33p6kxw.jpg)
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Big result for Bath today. From an England perspective I hope Blackadder develops Ford as I think he has the potential to be a better player than farrell. A confident/arrogant Ford would be great to watch, currently he comes across as a bit meek and mild.
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Good game so far tonight, Glaws looking really good in patches, the'r 2nd try was a lovely break by sharples and Morgan before the recycled and it was chipped through for Sharples to finish.
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Oh, and Billy Burns looks to have taken a big step up as well, I think he'll be a top player in another year or 2.
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Big win for Glaws at the end, importantly they saw out a lead, hopefully Villa can take their lead and be another team to get over the habit of bottling it late.
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Belter of a game on bt sports 2 right now, sarries vs saints 9-9 at half time and both sides are looking brutal up front.
Strong wind means you'd put saints slightly on top but nothing in it really.
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Didn't post straight away at the end of the game because I wanted to watch a few things again and cool down a little. With that said the ref completely ruined the 2nd half for me.
He'd already decided to not have the tmo check a swinging arm against Ashton which i think should've been reviewed but it was borderline so I ignored it.
To follow that up with no yellow for a shoulder charge to the back out of play had me pretty riled within a few minutes of the start of the 2nd half.
Then giving a yellow for a tip tackle which was borderline had me decided that the ref was doing his best to ensure Sarries got the rub of the green. The penalty try confirmed it and for that decision alone I hope saints put in a formal complaint against him, terrible game changing decision.
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Didn't post straight away at the end of the game because I wanted to watch a few things again and cool down a little. With that said the ref completely ruined the 2nd half for me.
He'd already decided to not have the tmo check a swinging arm against Ashton which i think should've been reviewed but it was borderline so I ignored it.
To follow that up with no yellow for a shoulder charge to the back out of play had me pretty riled within a few minutes of the start of the 2nd half.
Then giving a yellow for a tip tackle which was borderline had me decided that the ref was doing his best to ensure Sarries got the rub of the green. The penalty try confirmed it and for that decision alone I hope saints put in a formal complaint against him, terrible game changing decision.
Has Ashton been cited for biting?
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Apparently so, I missed that as well but he does do stupid things when he's riled up and saints had him, wigglesworth and couple of others really pissed off so it wouldn't surprise me if there's something to it.
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Video here - http://www.punditarena.com/rugby/adrumm/watch-chris-aston-bite-northamptons-alex-waller/ - Looks pretty conclusive to be honest, I suspect he'll be seeing a ban there.
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Big win for Gloucester. Not many get anything at Sale.
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Video here - http://www.punditarena.com/rugby/adrumm/watch-chris-aston-bite-northamptons-alex-waller/ - Looks pretty conclusive to be honest, I suspect he'll be seeing a ban there.
Yeah doesn't look good, I suspect his defence will be that Waller is trying to choke him or maul his face with his fist. Ashton doesn't move his head to Wallers hand/wrist, Waller has got his fist jammed up against Ashton's mouth already.
edit to say, just seen elsewhere he's been cited for 2 separate biting incidents, both on Waller.
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Video here - http://www.punditarena.com/rugby/adrumm/watch-chris-aston-bite-northamptons-alex-waller/ - Looks pretty conclusive to be honest, I suspect he'll be seeing a ban there.
Yeah doesn't look good, I suspect his defence will be that Waller is trying to choke him or maul his face with his fist. Ashton doesn't move his head to Wallers hand/wrist, Waller has got his fist jammed up against Ashton's mouth already.
edit to say, just seen elsewhere he's been cited for 2 separate biting incidents, both on Waller.
On that defence, with Dylan Hartley and Stephen Ferris you had a very similar offence (Ferris pulling at his face, Hartley bites his finger to get his hands off him) and Hartley got 8 weeks and that should really be the benchmark.
Given a ban last season for raking I dsoubt they'll try to reduce it for good character so 6-10 weeks I'd guess.
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Biting? What happened to giving someone a good old fashioned kick up the bollocks?
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I read that Ashton is threatening to leave English rugby if he receives a long ban, admittedly this was the headline and the detail/truth might be different, but if true I hope the RFU throw the book at him.
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Given a ban last season for raking I dsoubt they'll try to reduce it for good character so 6-10 weeks I'd guess.
Given 13-weeks. Apparently the minimum ban is 10-weeks for biting so an extra three for previous crimes.
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Given a ban last season for raking I dsoubt they'll try to reduce it for good character so 6-10 weeks I'd guess.
Given 13-weeks. Apparently the minimum ban is 10-weeks for biting so an extra three for previous crimes.
An extra 3 weeks for previous crimes that have already been punished is a bit OTT.
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Ashton denied both charges, which meant that when he was found guilty of the first count there were no mitigating factors to reduce his suspension from the lower-end estimate of 12 weeks. He was given an extra week because he was banned for 10 weeks in January for putting his hand near the eye area of an opponent.
(From the Guardian)
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Yep, got 13 weeks because he's an idiot. He should've admitted it (given how clear the footage was) at which point he would've been looking at closer to 8-10 weeks. When I gave a timeframe I didn't expect him to try to deny it and I thought they might go a little easier on him.
I went as low as 6 because if he'd admitted and had said it was a reaction to Waller grabbing him round the mouth that he regretted immediately I think they might have been a little more lenient.
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He is undoubtedly a good player but you can see why he has recently struggled to get picked for England.
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He is undoubtedly a good player but you can see why he has recently struggled to get picked for England.
He's a phenomenal player when he's playing to his strengths, right up with the best wingers in the world, unfortunately Sarries aren't playing to those strnegths and instead are focusing on making him a kick chasing bulldog. He'll still score tries but he's not the player he could be if he went to a club who were more interested in creating angles for him. He'd be unstoppable in the current wasps team with all their big carriers and offloading game.
Until the last year or so he'd always been aggressive but he'd stayed just on the right side of the line, now he's turning into a bit of a liability.
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He will be back off to League soon.
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or to france
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Good start to saints-wasps really big hits around the tight but both looking to get wide. I suspect this will be one of the games of the season.
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5-7 after 25, wasps in the lead after an 80 yard break away try, saints absolutely bludgeoning them
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I'm a little worried that my rugby team are turning into my football team, totally dominate for a half before falling apart in the 2nd half.
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Reports of fighting in the family enclosure at Ashton agate last night. CCTV being reviewed but some eye witness accounts point to fans being provoked and reacting, not good.
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The saints dominate but fail to score and even look like scoring despite possession and territory.
It's got to be a worry for Malinder as it has been like this for a while.
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The saints dominate but fail to score and even look like scoring despite possession and territory.
It's got to be a worry for Malinder as it has been like this for a while.
yep, although the one that was scratched off was 50/50 as the half time chat showed, could easily have gone the other way and meant a half time lead. On top of that I think the ref was very lenient with wasps giving away penalties in the last 5, there were 4-5 in the first half and 3-4 more in the 2nd before he eventually pulled out a yellow card. I do think the biggest problem for Saints is Myler, he's a tidy kicker and his game management is decent but he's just no threat and it makes us less than the sum of our parts.
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A season ticket holder I know says the same thing about Myler. He's the definition of solid, but when the pack are as good as they are and with foden, north, the pisis and Malinder they should be creating much more. For example, I cannot imagine Myler even attempting the Cipriani move for Wasps first try.
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A season ticket holder I know says the same thing about Myler. He's the definition of solid, but when the pack are as good as they are and with foden, north, the pisis and Malinder they should be creating much more. For example, I cannot imagine Myler even attempting the Cipriani move for Wasps first try.
Absolutely, Myler is a great option to tighten up a game and has a part to play but they need that spark of genius at 10. With Wilson, Burrell, Tuala, Elliott, Collins and Tuitavake to add to those you've named they have threats all through the centres and outside backs and yet too often Myler is too deep and we play in front of teams. I'd love a 10 who step up and stand flat so that we're operating right in the faces of the defence instead. Given how good his hands are in the tight I suspect Mallinder could do the job but I do prefer him at 12.
Oh and that move you mention is why I want Cipriani in the England squad. The only other 10 we have who can do that is Freddie Burns who has also started the season in great form. Hopefully he's over the poor form and injuries that have ruined the last couple of seasons for him.
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good game on BT tonight, saints 14-13 exeter. Saints 2 tries came in about 2 minutes, second direct from the kick off after the first 80-90yard break.
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Lost to Bath (again). Still pissed off.
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Will upset a few on here but the Banahan try for Bath just was excellent, the way they created an overlap in the first phase was brilliantly executed and then the running from Banahan was perfect, just aiming at the soft inside shoulder.
Good game so far, yet again for this season, the Televised games have pretty much met the billing every time.
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Bad result again for Saints, they've got a very strong squad but there's clearly something wrong. I suspect Mallinder is in his last season but having my rugby team struggling for wins when Villa are so poor is very frustrating.
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Watching Gloucester throw it away at the end of every match is just like watching the Villa.
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Bad result again for Saints, they've got a very strong squad but there's clearly something wrong. I suspect Mallinder is in his last season but having my rugby team struggling for wins when Villa are so poor is very frustrating.
BT had this game on Freeview, so i watched it all for once. Northampton didn't show up. If Quins had finished a quarter of their chances, it would have been over by half time. Desperately dull game to watch.
Only saw the highlights of Saracens v Wasps but very surprised it ended up a 5 point game. Cipriani is a human highlight reel though...
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2 outstanding performances at the weekend from Cipriani and Robshaw.
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Cipriani was utterly brilliant, I didn't watch it live but I've caught up now and that was an inspired performance.
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Tigers away in Glasgow tonight. They appear to have not bothered with defence training this week, they're defending like Glaws in the last 10.
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Tigers lost heavily in end, terrible performance from them.
Today the early game is Wasps v Zebre and it's a big start for wasps but then conceded a cheap one from a line out. I'm not sure how the ref let it stand though, I'm fairly certain the ball carrier detached and then reattached at the back of the maul and he's just stood and watched it happen.
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talking to myself in here but every time I've seen Wasps this season my disbelief that Cipriani isn't in the England squad increases. This is a truly faultless performance at 10.
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Zebre are a poor side, that has to be a disclaimer on this but the running lines and soft skills of this wasps side are a genuine joy to watch.
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Saracens giving mighty Toulon a hiding in their own backyard. Three tries before half-time.
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Toulon right back in it now though.
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Toulon right back in it now though.
Yes, some game !
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Really good win for Sarries in the end, can't help but think that trinh-duc kicking a pen to the 22 instead of the 5 when they were totally on top was the difference, you need a world class 10 to compete at the top level and he is nowhere near that class.
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Massive win for saints to snatch it at the end like that, could be really important for the season for them.
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Johnny May is back.
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What a try by Nick Tompkins!
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Some cracking games this weekend. Wasps and Saracens look to be head and shoulders above the English clubs at the moment.
Leicester and Saints are just too inconsistent.
I'd speculate that there is something not right at the Saints at the moment, despite bringing through Harrison, Malinder and Wilson (?) last season, plus adding Picamoles, they have gone backwards. I read that they are replacing their attacking coach so they're at least trying to address the situation.
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Saints are in a mess and, If I'm honest, I blame Mallinder senior for it. Wilson has been around for ages though.
The problem is, and always has been, that the 9, 10, 12 channel just doesn't work and the consistent is that Myler is always the 10 he goes to under pressure. It means that everything is relying on the pack moving forward. As soon as a ref goes against them or a team stifles that dominance they don't have any other plan. The worst thing is that I think the saints squad is far far better than the results are showing. If you look through the squad they have a superb pack with great strength in depth and a phenomenal set of outside backs but they just can't seem to link the 2. I reckon a change of coach could make all the difference. I've said a few times that I don't expect Mallinder to last to the start of next season so the next coach will be a really interesting choice.
On topic I agree on wasps and sarries, the former in particular have built a fantastic squad fair;ly quietly over a couple of years, I'm just not sure they have the front 5 depth to challenge at the very top unless they get very lucky with injuries. If you look from 6 and up they've got the best options in europe by quite a way in my opinion, when you add DeLuca, Halai, Beale and LeRoux to the options they had yesterday that's pretty frightening, and in the back row they've got Jones and Haskell to add to the 4 from yesterday as well. That said I'm a huge fan of Tommy Taylor at Hooker, I think he'll be a top player in a couple of years, so they are looking at the front 5 options as well.
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Ashton off to Toulon at the end of the season. He's one of those players that are hard to like. Leaves Saints once he's learnt how to play union and then deserts Saracens having been suspended/injured for large chunks of the season.
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Ashton off to Toulon at the end of the season. He's one of those players that are hard to like. Leaves Saints once he's learnt how to play union and then deserts Saracens having been suspended/injured for large chunks of the season.
The saints > sarries thing was money, they offered a lot more than saints were able to, he pretty much doubled his money. This one will be the same, but with added 'fuck you' to the rfu for not picking him.
On the liking him thing, I always thought he was arrogant but harmless but his time at sarries has added a nasty streak. The frustrating thing is that he should be the sort of winger that you want in your squad when you start playing more expansive because he tracks play so well meaning he was always able to pick a line through a gap, a natural talent that he seems to have abandoned in the last couple of seasons in favour of smashing people and proving how manly he is.
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Here endeth Chris Ashton's England career.
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London Welsh facing another winding-up petition from HMRC
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Can a game be both dull and compelling? Saints v Gloucester tried it's best. I guess it became compelling because neither team had the attacking quality to dominate the game.
What was noticeable was how much better May looked than the other backs, even North.
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Can a game be both dull and compelling? Saints v Gloucester tried it's best. I guess it became compelling because neither team had the attacking quality to dominate the game.
What was noticeable was how much better May looked than the other backs, even North.
Awful game, Saints are a mess right now and Gloucs just don't know how to see a game out. The decision to let Mallinder try to run the injury off was the low point for me, he could barely stand and was clearly not able to play a part in the defensive line.
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Tremendous comeback win for Gloucester over Saracens at the weekend, even if it was the reserves playing.
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Didn't pay any attention to the reserves rugby this weekend, I think Saints won but that's about all I know. Any win over Sarries is a good result though.
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25-6 down at half time and turned it around.
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Good win for Gloucester over Wasps at the weekend.
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How does National league 1 work. One team up or is there a play-offs thing for Moseley - who are probably already looking like they'll finish 2nd - to get back into the Championship?
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How does National league 1 work. One team up or is there a play-offs thing for Moseley - who are probably already looking like they'll finish 2nd - to get back into the Championship?
I think it was 1 auto and 1 via playoffs until a few years ago when it changed to 1 auto promotion so yeah, looking unlikely that moseley will get back this season.
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Balls. Ta.
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Speaking as a connacht man, Pat Lam is going to be a phenomenal coach for bristol.
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First job, get them promoted!
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Not necessarily! as a follower of Worcester I am already thinking the 2 games with Bristol will define relegation as Warrriors seem such a soft touch defensively. Seems as though some are trusting that all will be good once Houggard returns but momentum can be bad.
Before Ryan left I genuinely thought mid table with no nervousness was well within grasp, not sure Hogg carries the needed gravitas.
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I'd forgotten all about Beale at Wasps. The BBC are suggesting he could return this weekend. I'm not sure they need any more backs!
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I'd forgotten all about Beale at Wasps. The BBC are suggesting he could return this weekend. I'm not sure they need any more backs!
Yep, they still have Willie Le Roux to add in January as well. Their squad is stunning once you get out of the front 5 and even in there they have quality they're just a bit inexperienced and the backup options are a bit light.
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Awful saints performance tonight, Mallinder really needs to be moved on now the club are a mess.
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disgusting decision to give Manu a yellow in the munster v tigers game, absolute joke that the ref didn't even look at the replay. Munster have dominated but I do find it very frustrating that they've been allowed to go off their feet at almost every breakdown. If you can do that and lock the ball off it's a hell of a lot easier to build pressure and get good ball back.
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Dylan Hartley is a fucking scumbag.
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Dylan Hartley is a fucking scumbag.
I won't try to defend what he did (I can't it was pathetic).
That said i think the officitiating in the last couple of weeks has been appalling against the English teams. In the current munster tigers game it's beyond incompetence and firmly into cheating territory. There's been 4 kickable penalties for Munster and only 1 was an actual penalty. On top of that the offside line, for munster, appears to be 2yards further forward than normal and competing for the ball on your knees isxok if you're wearing red.
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And then the ref goes complete 180 and gives tigers the rub 2nd half, culminating in a shockung yellow for Zebo (I'd have given the penalty though).
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Brill finish to the Connaught game v Wasps.
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This is a pathetic performance from saints, Mallinder might leave even sooner than I thought.
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They can stay shit for a couple of weeks yet. They have a trip to Kingsholm due soon.
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Not necessarily! as a follower of Worcester I am already thinking the 2 games with Bristol will define relegation as Warrriors seem such a soft touch defensively. Seems as though some are trusting that all will be good once Houggard returns but momentum can be bad.
Before Ryan left I genuinely thought mid table with no nervousness was well within grasp, not sure Hogg carries the needed gravitas.
I think this needs upgrading to Worcester WILL be going down, having watched this since getting back from VP those players have downed tools....unless there is a reaction at board level to get a proper DOR who can knock them into shape & impose some defensive organisation there won't be another win this season
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Tough call right now, Worcester and Bristol are both terrible, it's a bit of a shame that they can't both go. The big question mark for me is qualification for the champions cup, Saints really can't afford to miss out on it but they're so poor right now that I wouldn't bet on it, the game in hand for quins and glaws will be really interesting.
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Tough call right now, Worcester and Bristol are both terrible, it's a bit of a shame that they can't both go. The big question mark for me is qualification for the champions cup, Saints really can't afford to miss out on it but they're so poor right now that I wouldn't bet on it, the game in hand for quins and glaws will be really interesting.
Financially they *should* be able to afford it, as Sunday Times today said they've made a profit for the past 16 years. A bit like Arsenal, they need to start releasing some of the cash and investing in players. The above article also states that they're well within the salary cap yet could not match Bath's contract offer for the Scrum Half which left.
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It seems Gloucester are getting bought buy a rich French bloke. What that means for recruitment I have no idea. Hopefully it means they can get players to see a fucking game out.
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If anyone is watching the sarries v exeter game and they can explain how Barritt didn't get a yellow for that tackle I'd be interested. The red for Barrington was correct but I don't see how Barritt goes unpunished for a forearm to the face.
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nowell has just scored a wonder try.
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The Mighty Lyd 9, Old Redcliffians 8
Not exactly an open flowing game at Regentsholme this afternoon but a good win for Lydney against title contenders.
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Gloucester ruined Worcester yesterday. And I see that Hartpury are pissing their league.
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You mean Gloucester B
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Well quite. But if they win that they are a second tier team.
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Owen Williams will join Gloucester from Leicester.
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They have been after a fly half for a while.
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Rugby in the know from the bloke who told me about Owen Williams a couple of weeks back. He reckons the showpiece signing by the new owner is Leigh Halfpenny.
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For Moseley? Nice. Need something.
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Heineken draw is wide open. Gloucester second seeds and at home to Cardiff in the smaller cup. Us v Bath final would be interesting.
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London Welsh have been officially removed from the championship so no relegation this year and all their results have been removed from the table.
http://www.englandrugby.com/news/rfu-update-london-welsh-rfc/?sf52499204=1
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Will 2 go up from Moseley's division then?
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Nope, just 1 going up still, and no one being relegated which is a bit of a lifesaver for Richmond who looked dead and buried.
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Ford and Burns to swap clubs.
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Good moves for both of them I think, Ford clearly hasn't been happy with Bath over the way they got rid of his dad and Burns just isn't a Tigers fly-half, he's never really looked 'right'
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Burns is a local boy at Bath as well.
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Rugby in the know from the bloke who told me about Owen Williams a couple of weeks back. He reckons the showpiece signing by the new owner is Leigh Halfpenny.
His move back to Wales (Scarlets) has fallen through due to the WRU and their central contract.
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This takeover is taking a lot longer than expected.
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A wild punt for tonight but am going for Glawster to bear Sarries in a tight game with Hook vital off the bench.
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Well this is the best time to play them so there's more of a chance of an upset tonight than most weeks.
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They still look strong. And Mako is starting.
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For those of us who just have Freeview, the game is on BT Showcase channel 59.
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Really good game so far and it's been as close as i expected. Glaws opened a decent lead but the next 15-20 is the key, i think they're going to need another score though.
Personally I'd be all over wigglesworth like a rash right now, he looks fucked and he's a major part of this team.
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Really good game so far and it's been as close as i expected.
That spell of box kicking just after the injury was not a great advert for modern rugby
However.... great win for Glawster
I'll be at Lydney v Cleve tomorrow
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Brilliant win for glaws, looked bad for them when doran-jones got the yellow (which i think was harsh given the big delay). Took a huge effort to stop sarries running away from them after that.
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Get in! Some bravery from Glaws there. Stick your bonus point up your arse!
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Lydney 41, Cleve 27
First time this season that the Mighty Lyd have scored over 40 points.
However, we're still only just above the relegation places and it looks like we've lost our scrum half / captain for the rest of the season
Given the lack of strength in depth at that position, I still expect to see Lyd relegated. We would then be in 'South West 1 West' playing teams that used to play against our seconds and thirds (Matson, Drybrook, Newent etc)
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Does Solomona at Sale qualify for England in March?
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Does Solomona at Sale qualify for England in March?
There's some debate about it and anyway he's apparently been pretty clear in the past that he wouldn't be interested. With our wing options I wouldn't be chasing him but if he qualifies and comes out saying we're the only country he wants to play for then I'd consider it.
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Does Solomona at Sale qualify for England in March?
There's some debate about it and anyway he's apparently been pretty clear in the past that he wouldn't be interested. With our wing options I wouldn't be chasing him but if he qualifies and comes out saying we're the only country he wants to play for then I'd consider it.
I have seen these comments alluded to but I can only see quotes from his time at Castleford with regards to RL. He look a fantastic finisher.
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Great win under pressure for Worcester today
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This Stade Francais - Racing merger sounds a bit wank to me. Is there much protest about it in France?
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Bristol are fucked now. Nothing out of us Friday and 2 points for Worcester yesterday.
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Bristol are fucked now. Nothing out of us Friday and 2 points for Worcester yesterday.
:-)
Probably the first time in all the years of Worcester being in/out of Premiership that we have been a decent attacking side (when Houggard is fit) rather than grinding it out defensively.
Hopefully Gary Gold is retained for next year & acquisitions are a permanent deal for Vui, an upgrade at 10 & a summer working on fitness & solid defence 'may' see looking up at top 8 rather than bottom 2 all season again!!
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We are bound to have some cast offs for you......
Gave Cardiff a pasting Friday and a semi final at La Rochelle (or Rochdale if you are predictive text).
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Glaws have their new coach for next season as well - http://www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk/news/13712.php#.WOKIcm8rKUk - Johan Ackerman. He's got a very good reputation for over-achieving with the Lions last year and they're looking very good again this year. I don't watch a massive amount of SH rugby but I saw them a few weeks ago and I think his style will translate really well. I think there could be some good times ahead for you boys.
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Fearns will be a good signing for next season.
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The Mighty Lyd beat Launceston on Saturday to guarantee survival in N3SW
Bromsgrove will finish bottom
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A fella at work who played for Bromsgrove predicted this. They were well and truly humped by having to move leagues, the travelling was always going to restrict them.
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Glaws have their new coach for next season as well - http://www.gloucesterrugby.co.uk/news/13712.php#.WOKIcm8rKUk - Johan Ackerman. He's got a very good reputation for over-achieving with the Lions last year and they're looking very good again this year. I don't watch a massive amount of SH rugby but I saw them a few weeks ago and I think his style will translate really well. I think there could be some good times ahead for you boys.
The Ex-coach was interviewed on the Rugby Pod Podcast the other day. Highly recommended.
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What a win for Gloucester at the weekend.
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Great news for Worcester last two days, another year for Donnagh O'Callaghan leading on the pitch & Gary Gold staying on as DoR!
Be very interesting to see what he does in terms of tweaking the squad & whether he can get the club out of that bottom 2 cycle.
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A fella at work who played for Bromsgrove predicted this. They were well and truly humped by having to move leagues, the travelling was always going to restrict them.
They beat us 31-17 at our place on Saturday in the final game of the season. I'm surprised that Bromsgrove finished bottom because they didn't look too bad. However, Lyd is one of their closer away games.
I can see Lyd struggling again next season. Apparently we've lost a sponsor, so how well we do might depend on the quality of loans/castoff players we get from Hartpury
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http://www.englandrugby.com/news/independent-panel-decision-thurrock-and-lichfield-appeals/?sf74423632=1
An absolute tragedy that Lichfield Ladies' appeal to join the new Ladies Super League has been thrown out at judicial review. It's the equivalent of excluding Man City out of the Premier League.
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Great news for Worcester last two days, another year for Donnagh O'Callaghan leading on the pitch & Gary Gold staying on as DoR!
Be very interesting to see what he does in terms of tweaking the squad & whether he can get the club out of that bottom 2 cycle.
Dylan Hartley joining in the summer too if the rumours are true.
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I wouldn't read too much into those. It might happen and a few months ago I think it might have been close but since the 6N Hartley has been in much better form and Mallinder has been far more conciliatory with him. I think they've realised that, for all the good things he brings, Haywood isn't good enough to start regularly if we want to challenge and Charlie Clare isn't ready to be a regular.
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The Rugby Pod seemed to suggest it was a done deal. Both Goode and Hamilton had seemingly heard it from different sources. They also said that a few key forwards have gone to Malinder and said that either Dorian West leaves or they will.
They also mentioned a player that Saints are going to sign, but I missed the name, other than he sounded like an pacific islander.
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Great news for Worcester last two days, another year for Donnagh O'Callaghan leading on the pitch & Gary Gold staying on as DoR!
Be very interesting to see what he does in terms of tweaking the squad & whether he can get the club out of that bottom 2 cycle.
Dylan Hartley joining in the summer too if the rumours are true.
Not sure that would be the greatest use of any funds this summer as already have 3 perfectly adequate hookers, would far prefer a high quality 10 and also make sure the pot of props is deep enough
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The Rugby Pod seemed to suggest it was a done deal. Both Goode and Hamilton had seemingly heard it from different sources. They also said that a few key forwards have gone to Malinder and said that either Dorian West leaves or they will.
They also mentioned a player that Saints are going to sign, but I missed the name, other than he sounded like an pacific islander.
As I say, I'd heard it was close a few months back but they guy who told me that has back-tracked a lot in the last few weeks but I guess we'll see.
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The Gloucester takeover isn't happening so no Halfpenny.
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Vui off to Bristol which is disappointing, if he isn't loaned out he'll tear up the Championship! He has brought great options in line out & loose that will take some replacing.
23 released today, mainly squad players including Vuna & Lamb and 2/3 retirements like Betty/Short so would expect 6/7 of Golds signings to join the 3/4 already announced...a quality 10 is a must.
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Come on Glaws!
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Great news for Worcester last two days, another year for Donnagh O'Callaghan leading on the pitch & Gary Gold staying on as DoR!
Be very interesting to see what he does in terms of tweaking the squad & whether he can get the club out of that bottom 2 cycle.
Would be nice to see the bottom 2 cycle broken. They certainly seemed to play well enough at the tail end of the season to show that it's possible.
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Come on Glaws!
Best team won on the night.
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Usually I dislike a team more when they become successful, but I'm softening on saracens. Jim Hamilton on his podcast reveals loads of tales and it appears that it is the culture at the club which sets then apart (not the flexible salary cap). Their coaches emphasise 'making memories' which is Saracen's equivalent of Team Sky's marginal gains. Andy Goode summed this up as "win or lose, they're always on the booze" (and in the same breathe implying that the trips to NY etc are paid for by the club and a way of avoiding paying the players directly).
They're not just piss-heads though, when Hamilton joined (2014) he was shocked at the close knit culture and how hard they trained, identifying that it was the younger players that are the leaders and best align with the 'making memories' ethos.
Not massively interested, I admit, but it's got to be good for English rugby in the long run.
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Wow. the Chiefs win with the final play of the match versus Saracens. Only saw the last 5 minutes but looked an incredible match.
Rugby is in a good place. The Scarlets beating Leinsters adds to the story too.
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Superb finish to the first semi, Exeter leading by 2 until the 75th when sarries got a try but missed the conversion. From the kick off sarries choked chiefs and looked likely to carry off until they gave a scrum penalty. From that Slade put in the best touch finder you'll ever see before they drove over from the line out.
Great game and, on balance, the right result.
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2nd semi was equally brilliant, wasps winning it with a 77th minute try to take it by a point.
On top of that Saints won the playoffs against connacht, Apparently Mallinder was superb at 10, I fully expect him to break into the England squad next season.
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2nd semi was equally brilliant, wasps winning it with a 77th minute try to take it by a point.
On top of that Saints won the playoffs against connacht, Apparently Mallinder was superb at 10, I fully expect him to break into the England squad next season.
Lawes was the official man of the match, Mallinder was steady from what I saw via Facebook. Mallinder strikes me as too big to be a ten, I'd guess that he'd be a better inside centre where his strength would be more of an asset. Saints have also signed that chap from Aukland blues so Myler will have some competition next season.
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2nd semi was equally brilliant, wasps winning it with a 77th minute try to take it by a point.
On top of that Saints won the playoffs against connacht, Apparently Mallinder was superb at 10, I fully expect him to break into the England squad next season.
Lawes was the official man of the match, Mallinder was steady from what I saw via Facebook. Mallinder strikes me as too big to be a ten, I'd guess that he'd be a better inside centre where his strength would be more of an asset. Saints have also signed that chap from Aukland blues so Myler will have some competition next season.
Yeah, Mallinder is a 12, it's obviously his best position. I got it from a friend who went and was raving about him, he also said Lawes was brilliant but I tend to not worry about that because I honestly can't remember the last time I spoke to him about a game where he didn't (he firmly believes Lawes is the best lock in world rugby and is currently the best player in Europe, he's a big fan).
Piers Francis looks a fantastic player. I heard mention of him being linked about a month before it was announced and started trying to catch their games. I've seen about 5-6 now and he's been excellent, I can totally understand why Jones has called him into the squad to go to Argentina, looks like one he was hoping would move to England so he could get him in.
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I watched both semi finals and can't remember an afternoon of such high intensity Northern Hemisphere club rugby. All four teams should be extremely proud of their efforts and the final next week should be pretty special. I fancy Exeter to have a bit too much for Wasps up front and win a close one.
Sorry guys, not having Mallinder as an international player. I know he's only young but all I see is Twelvetrees Mark 2. I much prefer the claims of youngsters like Lozowski and Malins. Tin hat on 😬
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I watched both semi finals and can't remember an afternoon of such high intensity Northern Hemisphere club rugby. All four teams should be extremely proud of their efforts and the final next week should be pretty special. I fancy Exeter to have a bit too much for Wasps up front and win a close one.
Sorry guys, not having Mallinder as an international player. I know he's only young but all I see is Twelvetrees Mark 2. I much prefer the claims of youngsters like Lozowski and Malins. Tin hat on 😬
I think all three are very good but I think what you're missing about Mallinder is his work in the tight. He's big and strong and has a great boot and a solid defence (where the Twelvetrees reference is valid) but it ignores just how good he is at offloading and passing out of contact.
Malins will, in my opinion, be pushing Farrell all the way for club and country in a couple of years but it's worth noting that the best I've ever seen him play was with Mallinder outside him for the U20s. I think Lozowski is the weakest of the 3, he's decent but nothing more for me.
I honestly believe that the team for the 2020 6N will include Maunder, Malins, Mallinder and Marchant as 9-10-12-13 - I think they're all world class players in the making.
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Superb finish to the first semi, Exeter leading by 2 until the 75th when sarries got a try but missed the conversion. From the kick off sarries choked chiefs and looked likely to carry off until they gave a scrum penalty. From that Slade put in the best touch finder you'll ever see before they drove over from the line out.
Great game and, on balance, the right result.
And what a kick it was. It was, literally, an all or nothing kick. Fortune certainly favoured the brave with that kick.
Agree, Exeter deserved it.
Jack Nowell was excellent again. I think he'd be a fantastic open side flanker, too.
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Superb finish to the first semi, Exeter leading by 2 until the 75th when sarries got a try but missed the conversion. From the kick off sarries choked chiefs and looked likely to carry off until they gave a scrum penalty. From that Slade put in the best touch finder you'll ever see before they drove over from the line out.
Great game and, on balance, the right result.
And what a kick it was. It was, literally, an all or nothing kick. Fortune certainly favoured the brave with that kick.
Agree, Exeter deserved it.
Jack Nowell was excellent again. I think he'd be a fantastic open side flanker, too.
Agree, I'd love to see him give it a go, might make it slightly easier to work out our best team as well.
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I watched both semi finals and can't remember an afternoon of such high intensity Northern Hemisphere club rugby. All four teams should be extremely proud of their efforts and the final next week should be pretty special. I fancy Exeter to have a bit too much for Wasps up front and win a close one.
Sorry guys, not having Mallinder as an international player. I know he's only young but all I see is Twelvetrees Mark 2. I much prefer the claims of youngsters like Lozowski and Malins. Tin hat on 😬
I think all three are very good but I think what you're missing about Mallinder is his work in the tight. He's big and strong and has a great boot and a solid defence (where the Twelvetrees reference is valid) but it ignores just how good he is at offloading and passing out of contact.
Malins will, in my opinion, be pushing Farrell all the way for club and country in a couple of years but it's worth noting that the best I've ever seen him play was with Mallinder outside him for the U20s. I think Lozowski is the weakest of the 3, he's decent but nothing more for me.
I honestly believe that the team for the 2020 6N will include Maunder, Malins, Mallinder and Marchant as 9-10-12-13 - I think they're all world class players in the making.
You just like the letter 'M' don't you?
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London Micks back in the Prem, I doubt they'll stay up but I may just have to get a season ticket for the Madjetski next season.
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Well done, Reading English.
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Awful start from Saints, stade up by 7 after 4 minutes.
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Superb game, saints win by a point after an exceptional finish from Tuala with 10 to go.
Revisiting a point from earlier.
Yeah, Mallinder is a 12, it's obviously his best position. I got it from a friend who went and was raving about him, he also said Lawes was brilliant but I tend to not worry about that because I honestly can't remember the last time I spoke to him about a game where he didn't (he firmly believes Lawes is the best lock in world rugby and is currently the best player in Europe, he's a big fan).
On form I think my mate is right, Lawes was great tonight, absolutely astonishing performance.
On top of that there were a few moments of magic from Mallinder, the Pass for the Tuala try was brilliant, the conversion was top drawer given the pressure and the break early in the 2nd half was excellent.
On the negative Tom Wood got an obvious red for stamping on Camara's face and I suspect he'll get a long ban, moronic from a player who I've normally got a lot of time for.
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My Gloucester ITK guy reckons they got an absolute wedge of cash in compensation for Fearns.
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As I suspected earlier in this thread, Hartley has signed a new deal with Saints - http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/40655092
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Not sure if anyone has seen this, but it is looking very likely that two South African sides will join the Pro12 from next season, taking it up to 14. Rumours are that a third side were also interested in joining.
I think this is them testing the waters of a move to NH rugby, as their Super Rugby deal is up in 2020.
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Not sure if anyone has seen this, but it is looking very likely that two South African sides will join the Pro12 from next season, taking it up to 14. Rumours are that a third side were also interested in joining.
I think this is them testing the waters of a move to NH rugby, as their Super Rugby deal is up in 2020.
Yes, Cheetahs and Kings making it up to 14.
Apparently Zebre, an Italian club side could drop out in the future to be replaced by an American team.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/40653822
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Worcester have signed Peter Stringer on a 6 month contract. Cover for Hougaard.
Didn't realise he was 39, though!!
Could be an interesting signing for them. Bit of nous about him.
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Not sure if anyone has seen this, but it is looking very likely that two South African sides will join the Pro12 from next season, taking it up to 14. Rumours are that a third side were also interested in joining.
I think this is them testing the waters of a move to NH rugby, as their Super Rugby deal is up in 2020.
Yes, Cheetahs and Kings making it up to 14.
Apparently Zebre, an Italian club side could drop out in the future to be replaced by an American team.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/40653822
I'm surprised the SA teams have got in before the americans if I'm honest, I'd been expecting that for a while. I still think there's more changes to come there as well because there's a lo9t of pressure to let Romania, Georgia and maybe even Russia join the party and I suspect Canada will be pushing for a place once a US team does join. I can honestly see it splitting into 2 leagues and ending up a bit like the mess for super rugby if they're not careful.
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The thing is that Super Rugby is the top level of the game for those areas.
An expanded Pro12/14/16 is still a bit Division Two without any English and French teams
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Worcester have signed Peter Stringer on a 6 month contract. Cover for Hougaard.
Didn't realise he was 39, though!!
Could be an interesting signing for them. Bit of nous about him.
I couldn't stand Stringer when he was an International, a snidey little bastard, but fair play to him for putting his body on the line at 39.
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Worcester have signed Peter Stringer on a 6 month contract. Cover for Hougaard.
Didn't realise he was 39, though!!
Could be an interesting signing for them. Bit of nous about him.
I couldn't stand Stringer when he was an International, a snidey little bastard, but fair play to him for putting his body on the line at 39.
Yes, but, he was bloody good with it 😊
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Not sure if anyone has seen this, but it is looking very likely that two South African sides will join the Pro12 from next season, taking it up to 14. Rumours are that a third side were also interested in joining.
I think this is them testing the waters of a move to NH rugby, as their Super Rugby deal is up in 2020.
Yes, Cheetahs and Kings making it up to 14.
Apparently Zebre, an Italian club side could drop out in the future to be replaced by an American team.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/40653822
I'm surprised the SA teams have got in before the americans if I'm honest, I'd been expecting that for a while. I still think there's more changes to come there as well because there's a lo9t of pressure to let Romania, Georgia and maybe even Russia join the party and I suspect Canada will be pushing for a place once a US team does join. I can honestly see it splitting into 2 leagues and ending up a bit like the mess for super rugby if they're not careful.
Think the South Africans have got their eyes on the English and French big boys in the RCC1 tournament and as I said, I think this is just them testing the waters in the NH especially as the games will be in the sort of same time zone. Would not surprise me at all to see the remaining teams join the two in 2020, as Super Rugby seems to be struggling a bit and especially if they were given the chance to all be in the same conference.
It already looks like it is going to be split into two conferences and there is talk of interest from a team in the US and in Germany. Interesting times ahead.
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As I suspected earlier in this thread, Hartley has signed a new deal with Saints - http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/40655092
Missed that. Thank you for posting.
The Saints fans I know have been critical of him recently (last season especially) claiming that he has not been committed to the club and was neglecting his club captain duties. This will hopefully be the catalyst for change, as he is definitely a good player. Indeed if Jamie George plays more for England he may actually spend more time at the club and bring his captain qualities back with him.
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Not sure if anyone has seen this, but it is looking very likely that two South African sides will join the Pro12 from next season, taking it up to 14. Rumours are that a third side were also interested in joining.
I think this is them testing the waters of a move to NH rugby, as their Super Rugby deal is up in 2020.
Yes, Cheetahs and Kings making it up to 14.
Apparently Zebre, an Italian club side could drop out in the future to be replaced by an American team.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/40653822
I'm surprised the SA teams have got in before the americans if I'm honest, I'd been expecting that for a while. I still think there's more changes to come there as well because there's a lo9t of pressure to let Romania, Georgia and maybe even Russia join the party and I suspect Canada will be pushing for a place once a US team does join. I can honestly see it splitting into 2 leagues and ending up a bit like the mess for super rugby if they're not careful.
Think the South Africans have got their eyes on the English and French big boys in the RCC1 tournament and as I said, I think this is just them testing the waters in the NH especially as the games will be in the sort of same time zone. Would not surprise me at all to see the remaining teams join the two in 2020, as Super Rugby seems to be struggling a bit and especially if they were given the chance to all be in the same conference.
It already looks like it is going to be split into two conferences and there is talk of interest from a team in the US and in Germany. Interesting times ahead.
According to the link above the South Africans won't be able to qualify for the Champions Cup, so, unless that changes in the future the English and French big boys won't come into it.
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Season starts next week, predictions for the top 4?
I'll go Saracens, Wasps, Leicester, Saints.
So I got that wrong.
This year:
Saracens, Leicester, Wasps, Exeter
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Season starts next week, predictions for the top 4?
I'll go Saracens, Wasps, Leicester, Saints.
So I got that wrong.
This year:
Saracens, Leicester, Wasps, Exeter
Those 4 plus bath and saints as the top 6, wasps and sarries top 4 with 2 from 4.
Saints have lost picamoles but have a much more balanced squad this year, Francis and Tuitavake are a massive step up. They were brilliant in the first preseason game yesterday apparently.
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Gloucester will be in a relegation scrap.
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Not sure if anyone has seen this, but it is looking very likely that two South African sides will join the Pro12 from next season, taking it up to 14. Rumours are that a third side were also interested in joining.
I think this is them testing the waters of a move to NH rugby, as their Super Rugby deal is up in 2020.
Yes, Cheetahs and Kings making it up to 14.
Apparently Zebre, an Italian club side could drop out in the future to be replaced by an American team.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/40653822
I'm surprised the SA teams have got in before the americans if I'm honest, I'd been expecting that for a while. I still think there's more changes to come there as well because there's a lo9t of pressure to let Romania, Georgia and maybe even Russia join the party and I suspect Canada will be pushing for a place once a US team does join. I can honestly see it splitting into 2 leagues and ending up a bit like the mess for super rugby if they're not careful.
Think the South Africans have got their eyes on the English and French big boys in the RCC1 tournament and as I said, I think this is just them testing the waters in the NH especially as the games will be in the sort of same time zone. Would not surprise me at all to see the remaining teams join the two in 2020, as Super Rugby seems to be struggling a bit and especially if they were given the chance to all be in the same conference.
It already looks like it is going to be split into two conferences and there is talk of interest from a team in the US and in Germany. Interesting times ahead.
According to the link above the South Africans won't be able to qualify for the Champions Cup, so, unless that changes in the future the English and French big boys won't come into it.
Not this season, but I think there are plans that they could in the future. That happens and I think there is a very good chance that the rest of their Super Rugby teams will follow when their current deal runs out in 2020. Read somewhere as well that their cut of the Pro14 deals are in Sterling, so again that is attractive to them.
Watch this space on that front methinks.