Rugby Union 2013-14

[paul_e]

Kvesic was superb.  If he performs like that consistently for the rest of the season it'll give Lancaster a massive headache because Robshaw is poor at the breakdown, this is why I've never been comfortable with Robshaw as the captain, most people in the game knew Kvesic was going to become something special, I don't want us to miss out a truly world class 7 in the world cup because we won't drop the captain and I've thought it might come to that all along.

May was very good, nice to see him do it at 13 as well, I think he's got the pace and skill to play 13 and out, which makes him a fantastic choice for England.  Him and Twelvetrees on the bench covers the entire backline perfectly.

As for Burns, if Gloucester played like that upfront regularly he'd be going nowhere.

Final points on Glaws today, Robson was superb, I've said for a few years that he'll be long term solution at 9 and he's starting to get the experience and consistency to be a top international scrum-half.  He'll surpass Youngs and Wigglesworth soon in my opinion, Him, Care and Dickson would be my 3 for the world cup as it stands.

[Dante Lavelli]

If Northampton can keep this squad together and get a bit of luck with injuries in the backs they'll win everything in the next 2-3 years.

As a part-time fan, I hope so.  From my perspective I cannot see too many Saints leaving for another English club, so will the threat will be from France?  Maybe horrible Saracens? 

[paul_e]

If Northampton can keep this squad together and get a bit of luck with injuries in the backs they'll win everything in the next 2-3 years.

As a part-time fan, I hope so.  From my perspective I cannot see too many Saints leaving for another English club, so will the threat will be from France?  Maybe horrible Saracens? 

I don't think there's a lot of people likely to leave outside of a few fringe players, really the key is getting the backs fit, not many clubs could cope with the number of injuries Saints have been hit by in the last few months, Foden is the key as they've really struggled to replace him, losing Wilson who would be the first choice to do so is just seriously bad luck.  They've also got away with losing Corbs on the back of a truly excellent season from Waller.  It's really strange that a club that lost Tonga'huia and Mujati in the summer have actually improved immensely up front, I doubt anyone would've predicted that, Lawes and Hartley moving from potentially great players to being genuine world class talents has been the key, summer up by them being the key men in easily the best line out in Europe.

[paul_e]

Where does the H&V rugby crowd stand on the Ian Evans stamping issue?

If you haven't seen it:

You can skip to about 1:40 in to see it from the important angle, if you look you see 1 stamp that misses and then 3 that are clearly to his head.  The argument seems to be that he didn't realise it was a head he was stamping on and therefore it's fair game, which is complete bullshit as far as I'm concerned.  1 stamp to the head when he can't see what he's doing I'd accept that and just uphold the red card and a very short ban, as is I think this is on a par with the Nick Wood one earlier in the season so I'd hope for a 6-8week ban, which it deserves.  I have a feeling he's going to get off lightly though, probably 2-3 weeks so he can play the 6N and the same excuses will be given.  If you watch the whole thing there's about 4 players stamping (the normal definition is that a front to back action is rucking and an up and down action is stamping) in there including Evans, If I were the citing commissioner I'd be sending a big fine to the club because that's just not on.  I'm ok with a guy getting a bit of a shoeing (rucking) if he's in the way (although he was there completely legally which also seems to be being missed) but there's never a justification to stamp on someone.

I've been on both sides of that situation a lot of times and only once did the opposition see fit to stamp, one got me in the face and I have the missing teeth to prove it, I also had a cracked rib from the same event.  It led to the most bizarre situation I've ever seen with 3 red cards for stamping (with bans of 4, 8 and 20 weeks for the culprits) 2 red cards for fighting (one for each team, our captain flattened the guy who got me in the face and got an 8 week ban himself) and a 10 minute break midway through the half whilst the ref decided whether to let the game carry on or abandon it.  I had a great view of everything from the side of the pitch whilst I waited for an ambulance.

I guess that does cloud my judgement on stamping a little but going to work on the Monday with a cracked rib and foot print on my face didn't go down well with my boss (I was conducting a load of training at the time so had to start each session with a 'rugby is a messy sport sometimes' speech.

[cheltenhamlion]

In response to the comment re Burns and good ball, versus Burns and his financial requests, I think Gloucester were on a loser from the start.

Leicester tapped him and made an offer at the start of his negotiations with us. They offered to make hime the best paid, home based, ten around.

We were pissing in the wind negotiation wise from there on out.

They tried but couldnt get close to the rival package with other positions to upgrade.

More to come on the tight five though so says a chap I know who works at Hartpury.

[lovejoy]

Does your ITK have any idea who we're getting in at 10?

[cheltenhamlion]

Not that I know of.

[paul_e]

I've heard they were talking with a flyhalf from one of the welsh regions (there were stories about Rhys Priestland a week or 2 back but I don't know if this is alongside those stories or the same link) but I didn't get anything else.  I've also been told a few times that a number of the coaches believe that Billy Burns will be a better 10 than his brother in a few years.

[wobbler147]

Do any of you ever get down to Moseley? They've just had approval for a new stand, hopefully the start of the road back.

http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/rugby/work-set-begin-moseleys-long-6532786

[lovejoy]

It wouldn't surprise me if Sam Davies, Nigel's son came in from Ospreys.

[cheltenhamlion]

A random thought, however...

Kvesic to me has some facial appearances similar to Guzan.

As you were.

Oh, and for Lovejoy, he reckons we may well have at least had a chat with Priestland.

At least, he thought it was him.

My ITK is shite and purely based on seeing what Davies will tell him or spotting people turning up (who he thinks they are).

Sometimes great. Sometimes woefully off beam. His effort with Doncha wish your girlfriend was O Callghan, being an example.

That was the year they beat us at home in the Heineken quarters and was most exciting as a Summer signing.

I think we got an untried Qera and two from Scotland!

[paul_e]

I've thought the same for a while, they could quite easily be related.

[paul_e]

12 week ban for Evans, I'm pretty amazed by that.  I thought it deserved about 8 and I expected him to get 2-3, I'm pretty glad they did go further with it as I don't think the club or player really appreciated how serious it was and were all too busy arguing about the red card to consider that he could've seriously injured someone.

[PGW]

Worcester's misery continues lost 20-6 at Sale today

[paul_e]

I feel for Worcester, they've had some really good players in the last few years but they just haven't been able to keep hold of them and the replacements just haven't worked out.