Rugby Union 2013-14

[paul_e]

Indeed, they probably need someone more willing to punt to the corners and get the pack on the front foot, I'm a big fan of Freddie and think he's immensely talented but he needs a stable pack in front of him and glaws haven't had that for a few years.  I suspect we'll start to see his little brother soon though, from the bits of seen of him in the England youth sides he's going to be as good if not better.

[lovejoy]

Let's just get someone who wants to play for the club.

[paul_e]

Let's just get someone who wants to play for the club.

Slightly harsh on Burns tbh, I just think the fit was wrong.  He wants to play a really high line so he can use his running ability to make space for the outside backs but to do that you need the pack to be solid and get regular quick ball, Glaws haven't had that pack for 18months and it's not helping anyone.

[lovejoy]

We will have next season though. Now we're being put through the charade of pretending Leicester are approaching him now, not November when the deal was done.

[cheltenhamlion]

To be fair, Nigel Davies is hiding anything. He basically he is off to Leicester, is glad it is now in the open and will be looking to sign possibly two to replace him.

He also suggested that he wants a ten who will control the game rather than change it.

[paul_e]

To be fair, Nigel Davies is hiding anything. He basically he is off to Leicester, is glad it is now in the open and will be looking to sign possibly two to replace him.

He also suggested that he wants a ten who will control the game rather than change it.

exactly.  This glaws side needs someone to keep them playing in the right areas and 'directing traffic'.

[JD]

Is the rugby improving over there? It is still thought over here in New Zealand as a last pay day to earn big money before the career ends and play less intense Rugby. I suppose that all the All Blacks that play over there are ex-AB's.

[paul_e]

That's more because NZ don't pick people that are playing abroad than anything else.

I think there's very little difference between the quality at club level certainly the top 10-12 sides in the Heineken would be competitive against the top 10-12 in the superugby.  Where there is a difference is in the mental side of things, northern hemisphere rugby is focused on setting the platform of good field position and then opening the game out with southern hemishpere sides generally more interested in running aggressive lines earlier in the play.

[JD]

How does the quality of Northern competitions compare with the Super 15 tournament? it is a genuine question as I don't get to see the European competitions.

[paul_e]

It's hard to compare them really, the formats are totally different, the Heineken cup format  is similar to world cup - 6 groups of 4, the 6 winners and 2 best runners-up go in to a straight-forward single game knockout.

I think the best answer is, if you took the best 4 teams from each tournament and played them off all of the games would be fantastic and I'd be completely unwilling to bet on them, I'd be particularly interested to see the outcome of Toulon vs the Bulls - that'd be a bruising game.

[lovejoy]

I think the intensity is similar as is the concentration of internationals. it would be like a northern vs southern hemisphere international match I think ie close and dependent on how its refereed and if its on hard ground or not.

[paul_e]

Good win for Saints tonight, 2nd in the group behind Leinster and highly unlikely to qualify but it does highlight the disparity in the groupings this year that Castres and the Ospreys (French champions and arguably the strongest side in Wales) have finished 3rd and 4th in the group.  Northampton seem to have had a really tough group like this every season since they made the final a few years back.

From tonight Waller is very unlucky not to have been called up for the 6N squad, the English core of the Saints pack is phenomenal, Waller, Hartley, Lawes and Wood have stepped up to a new level.  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.

[lovejoy]

Cracking intense game with Ulster winning at Leceister. Full of impact and high quality play in tough conditions.
This is what the Heineken Cup is all about.

[paul_e]

This season in the Heineken cup has just served to show, once again, how big an effect the Italian teams have, the 2 groups with them in both leading to the winners getting a home QF and the 2nd place teams getting the runners up spots.  The changes to european rugby really are needed to limit how big a part this plays.

[cheltenhamlion]

Agreed. I might add that, whilst parts of the game need working on, Gloucester were bloody great in Perpignan today.

It is amazing what happens when you start winning the scrum and release the weapons at the back.

May and Kvesic the standouts today. May destroyed them with room and Kvesic ran the floor.

Leicester bound bollocks picked up a bit as well. Those previous pair the star turns for me though.