Rugby Union Thread

[cheltenhamlion]

If there wasn't a world cup coming up it would have been months.

[paul_e]

If there wasn't a world cup coming up it would have been months.

Yup, this was always the worry, he's being hyped as the next big thing in english rugby, they were always going to make sure he was back in time for the world cup.  Shocking decision, particularly that they reduced it by 5 weeks for provocation.  Blindside tackle someone then when they give you a bit of a push in reaction it's less of a problem to get up and try to take their head off.  Terrible.

As someone mentioned earlier though, the real villian is the assistant who made up a Chris Ashton punch and completely failed to comprehend the nature of the final punch.  Saints would've won easily against 14 for 50minutes.

Gutted about the other semi as well, saracens are easily the most dull side in the league (despite having a few very exciting players), their game is a throwback to the 10man rugby that dominated in the amateur era.  Even worse they are all about Britz, Burger and Joubert so they're not even doing anything to help develop english talent (other than Farrell).

[Sam Smith]

The press would have cited the usual arguments concerning moral decline and sportsman detached from the paying public if one of the premiership footballers had done that. Some Leicester players came to my school coaching and showing the lads how to use the weights room properly and they said that that lad was the strongest at the club and can bench 220kgs apparently. Its lucky it didnt land on his temple, it could have killed him. Criminal charges surely? I cant believe a game that rejoices the fact they dont tell the ref to Fuck off doesnt demand this kid gets a massive ban! Nothing against rugby and I dont know anything about the game but that ruling seems rediculous.

Sorry for any errors, I cant find spell check.

[cheltenhamlion]

At least Gloucester would have played some rugby in the final although half the squad seem to be leaving in the summer.

[lovejoy]

..and we know in our hearts we would have lost. Just once it would be nice to go to twickenham and give someone a beating. That said 3rd, the Cup and HC next season is a great return for Brush and the boys. G'wan Glaws.

[paul_e]

..and we know in our hearts we would have lost. Just once it would be nice to go to twickenham and give someone a beating. That said 3rd, the Cup and HC next season is a great return for Brush and the boys. G'wan Glaws.

In trinder, sharples and burns gloucester have got the basis of a fantastic backline, I think they're just going to get stronger over the next couple of years.

[damon loves JT]

The sevens are on Sky. It makes me tired just watching it

[paul_e]

Watched a bit of it this morning, the only problem with sevens is that it's all about pace, the best players are the ones who can cover 10-20yards quickest.  Chris Ashton would be awesome to watch in sevens, he'd score a hatful.

[paul_e]

What a first half from saints.  As good a forward performance as you'll ever see and Foden and Jon Clarke have been immense in the backs.

[richard moore]

What a final so far, got the Saints to win at 12/5 as well, as ever a rugby final lives up to all the hype whereas a football equivalent hardly ever does...witness last week's awful FA Cup final

[paul_e]

what a difference half time makes.  I should be gutted (as a saints fan) but it's difficult to be too upset when you see a fly-half play like that.  Stunning performance from sexton backed up by a really aggressive pack, 27-0 to leinster in the second half and that was kept down by some very good defending at times from saints.

[cheltenhamlion]

That was some comeback. As good a scrummaging performance as you will see first half.

[lovejoy]

Northampton got tired in 2H. To be fair to them they play competitive rugby every week whereas the Magners teams can pick and choose whilst focussing on 6N and Heineken Cup matches.

[cheltenhamlion]

Interesting squad for the Barbarians game.

[paul_e]

I really like the look of that squad, lots of very talented youngsters, hopefully it will give a few of them a chance to push for the world cup squad (attwood, marler, dickson and trinder have all done enough to be worth looking at for the world cup squad).

Will be interesting to see how big the barbars go, full internationals all through the squad would make it very interesting (I'd love to see a front row with tonga'huia, castro and britz for example).