Rugby Union 2012/13

[paul_e]

No one had started a post so I thought I'd get the ball rolling.

First thing - http://www.premiershiprugby.tv/ - excellent website, all games available in full the same day they're played, and highlights within a few days.

From this weekend How good a comeback was it for Quins - that mental strength this early in the season is pretty impressive, think they might have a good year in europe.

[UK Redsox]

More importantly, the "Mighty Lyd" had a convincing victory over Barking. Given the upheaval in the coaching ranks and the number of players who left this summer, we're hot favourites for relegation. Therefore, Saturday's win was a pleasant surprise, albeit against a team that has also lost a load of players.

The leagues have now existed for 25 years and Lydney must be the most consistent (or maybe the dullest) non-Premiership team. We're still at the same level as we were when the leagues started.
We've been promoted a couple of times but have never been lower than where we started.

[cheltenhamlion]

Gloucester lost at home. AGAIN! However, they did look much stronger up front.

[paul_e]

Glaws vs Saints was a very good, very close match, I think both will have a good season, can't be happy with a home defeat on the first day though.

[cheltenhamlion]

We aren't happy with a home defeat ever. Against any opposition. In any competition.

[lovejoy]

Early days and Davies deserves some space although I dare him to lose at home again! Our front five looks light with Big Jim suspended and I worry our back line will be starved of ball.

6th

[UK Redsox]

We aren't happy with a home defeat ever. Against any opposition. In any competition.

Especially not on Boxing Day by a team from 20 miles down the A48 

(Ah, the good old days)

[cheltenhamlion]

Minimum requirement this season is Heineken Cup qualification.

[paul_e]

Minimum requirement this season is Heineken Cup qualification.

Surely most teams in the premiership have that as their target.

Glaws should be targeting the playoffs, along with Quins, Tigers, Saints, Sarries and possibly Exeter.  I don't think anyone else has a strong enough squad to get up to the top 4 but I'd think only Welsh, Worcester and Wasps will be thinking safety first.

[Dante Lavelli]

Where have exeter come from all of a sudden?

[paul_e]

Excellent management basically.

Strong front 5, great back row, reliable half back pair and good defensive players outside.  They're really tough to beat because they're excellently organised and very fit.  As you'll guess I have a strong opinion of their best unit - Tom Johnson gets a lot of plaudits (after doing well for england as well) but James Scaysbrook is just as good a player.  The pair of them were exceptional last season - run all day, tackle well, pass and carry well and win loads of turnovers.

On top of that they're well drilled in the line and the scrum so they don't give away much there either.

I question how much further they can get with their squad but they're certainly at the least a solid mid table side, and with the likes of Bath, Irish and Sale looking disjointed still I think they're a great shout to make the heineken cup again this year.

[Dave Cooper please]

Where have exeter come from all of a sudden?

Devon.

[Pat McMahon]

Where have exeter come from all of a sudden?

Devon.

Much more of that stuff and you'll be parachuted as a pundit on MOTD

[JD]

Apt to post this on a Rugby thread, Football has overtaken Rugby as the most popular played sport in New Zealand.

It's about time...

[cheltenhamlion]

I might go to the rugby tomorrow. Big local derby between Stourbridge and DK.