Rugby Union (was 2014-15, now an ongoing thread)

[paul_e]

And exeter

[villan1975]

Watched the Gloucester vs Wasps game over the Xmas period and  the very few games I have seen Twelvetrees play I genuinely cannot see that he is an international player. During the Wasps game there were a huge gaps in the midfield. Jonny May on the other hand really did look the business. Off to watch the game tomorrow too against Oyonnax.....love the atmosphere and social drinking environment at the rugby but unlike football there is a vast difference between international and club standard.

[Dante Lavelli]

.....love the atmosphere and social drinking environment at the rugby but unlike football there is a vast difference between international and club standard.

Agree with that, it a completely different experience to football, less charged by (fake?) emotion yet enjoyable for different reasons.

With regards to the jump in standards I cannot disagree however the Heineken cup (forgot the new name) is probably almost comparable.  However, I'm not sure that this is a bad thing.  Rugby clubs operate within a salary cap and consequently seem to positively encourage youth development and coaching of players.  I even see the robbing of players during the international breaks as a good thing nowadays as it again encourages/forces the clubs to play their younger players. 

As ever football could learn a lot from rugby, but Woodward's treatment at Southampton suggest that football not ready for this.

[paul_e]

Massive win for Bath away in Toulouse, Joseph was pure electric, the 4th try is one of the best you'll ever see.

[Dante Lavelli]

I just watched ospreys v saints and the commentators were talking about the Eng centre partnership (with reference to Burrell) and they said Joseph on current form would be in contention for a starting spot in any team in the world.  I might have to stay up and watch the re-run of the Bath match...

[paul_e]

I just watched ospreys v saints and the commentators were talking about the Eng centre partnership (with reference to Burrell) and they said Joseph on current form would be in contention for a starting spot in any team in the world.  I might have to stay up and watch the re-run of the Bath match...

Do, if only for the 4th try, it's an absolute worldy (the other 3 are pretty damn good as well) and I agree with them, Joseph is probably the best centre in europe right now, and very possibly the best in the world, him and Burrell have to be given a chance in the 6N.

[lovejoy]

Only one team left in Europe with a 100% record.

[PaulWinch again]

Lawes out for start of 6 nations. Another critical blow.

[peter w]

Cheers paul e...

Not that fussed with them missing the 6 nations as its all about being ready for the World Cup. Which i still think we'll win.

[PaulWinch again]

The concern is that we never can get our first choice team out and I think that is making Lancaster more conservative. Just look how we were progressing last 6 Nations. Since then we've had injuries and other issues and he's going back into his shell.

[paul_e]

I've been waiting to post this for a while

take a bow JJ, that's fucking immense.

[paul_e]

I'm not convinced that his likely team for the wales game would beat the Saxons:

Saxons squad:




Full squad:





Waller Cowan-Dickie Brookes
Day Itoje
Croft Waldrom Kvesic
Dickson
Slade
Wade Burgess Devoto Ashton
Daly


Subs: Mullen, Webber, Thomas, Ewers, Garvey, Simpson, Yarde, Pennell


That's a very good, mostly young, side and has a lot more pace than the main squad.


Barritt, Wigglesworth, Goode, Twelvetrees, Wilson, Kruis and Easter are all very iffy selections for me, the only 1 in genuinely good form is Easter but at 36 I don't really see the point of recalling him, he's not going to get in ahead of Billy V and Morgan so we've got a 36 year old taking up the 3rd choice spot, maybe going to world cup and getting a game in an easy group match and then retiring, it seems pointless to me.

[PaulWinch again]

Easter shouldn't have been recalled. I'm horrified still to see Goode in the squad. On the plus side I doubt either will get near the team. I just really wish we'd give Wade a shot in the senior squad. Also isn't it a bit odd that Rokoduguni is in neither squad?

[Dante Lavelli]

Northampton looking very average (except their defence) versus Racing Metro.  The Welsh players Robert's and North have looked good/okay but not much from Burrell by comparison.

[paul_e]

Northampton just looked off their game, across the board, the pack were terrible.  Worst performance from Saints for about 2 years, really frustrating that it's come in a game where they could've really put downa  marker in europe and they've now left themselves with a tough away game for the QF.