Domestic and European Rugby 2016 - 2017

[Jon Crofts]

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.

[cdbearsfan]

Well done, Reading English.

[paul_e]

Awful start from Saints, stade up by 7 after 4 minutes.

[paul_e]

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.

[cheltenhamlion]

My Gloucester ITK guy reckons they got an absolute wedge of cash in compensation for Fearns.

[paul_e]

As I suspected earlier in this thread, Hartley has signed a new deal with Saints - http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/40655092

[tomd2103]

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. 

[nigel]

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

[nigel]

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.

[paul_e]

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.

[UK Redsox]

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

[Jon Crofts]

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.

[nigel]

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 😊

[tomd2103]

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. 

[Dante Lavelli]

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.