Rugby Union 2012/13

[paul_e]

Lawes has had an outstanding first half for saints against Castres.

[cheltenhamlion]

Gloucester are through in the Amlin then.

[lovejoy]

Gloucester are through in the Amlin then.

Still think we need a win next week.

[cheltenhamlion]

Top team in each group isn't it?

[andyaston]

Bath are through to the quarter finals in the Amlin.

[lovejoy]

Top team in each group isn't it?

Yes you're right, need a win next week to guarantee a home QF. In all likliehood we'll be seeded second with a win as Bath had an extremely easy group.

[paul_e]

To add a note as this is a bit delayed I should include: for those who haven't seen them...

World cup pools have been announced England have Australia and Wales as confirmed as well as the top unseeded Oceania side (fiji probably) and the playoff winner (looking at the way the pools are lined up I'd think Russia or Romania).

That's easily the hardest group and should mean we're going to need to be playing at our top gear from the off, which is often a good thing if you look at the history books, get out of that group on top and you really should be making the final.

I don't normally look them up early but was checking the qualifying in europe, which is really heavily loaded to favour the big 3 (excluding the 6N) of romania, russia and georgia.

[paul_e]

Interesting transfer merry-go-round for some of the England Boys

Billy Vunipola joining his brother at Sarries
Alex Corbisiero heading to Saints to replace tonga'huia who is going to france (with Mujati)

Good move for corbisiero will be a good place for him to develop, so long as he can stop picking up the niggly injuries.  Not so sure about the Vunipola move, mostly a family thing, but he was becoming a really important part of the team at wasps and rightly getting recognition, I hope he hasn't made the move too soon.

[cheltenhamlion]

Using my rudimentary maths, that is Biarittz at home then.

[lovejoy]

Yes, Balshaw and Yashvilli return to Kingsholm.

[cheltenhamlion]

I fancy going to the game but can't on the Saturday as I am Best Man at a pals wedding.

[paul_e]

I see Ronshaw has been retained as captain for the 6N.  I can't help but think that's a mistake, his form for England in 2012 wasn't good enough for him to deserve a guaranteed starting place which this effectively hands him.

[UK Redsox]

40 years ago this weekend (27 Jan)......................... "this is Gareth Edwards................... a dramatic start................ what a score !"

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/21205137


Phil Bennett's side-steps.... wow

[lovejoy]

In that game there were 30 scrums, 1 reset, 0 collapses. Compare and contract to today.

[paul_e]

In that game there were 30 scrums, 1 reset, 0 collapses. Compare and contract to today.

A few of the commentators are starting to pick this up, the scrum has become all about the hit in recent years.  The shirts were much easier to get a hold of as well.