International Rugby

[paul_e]

The choice to replace Willis in the squad may be the most bizarre selection decision I've ever seen. Instead of looking around the league at some of the exceptional back row talent (Simmonds, Dombrandt, Hill, other Willis, other Curry, Ludlow, Ludlam, Harrison and plenty more) they've called up a lock who's played 7 games (ever). I'm too confused to even be annoyed about it.

[UK Redsox]

That reminds me of the 80s tale my RL-supporting mate told me about the England RU team going to a pre-match meal.

Brian Barley (centre from Wakefield?) said to England fly-half Les Cusworth, "Pass t'salt, Les."

So Cusworth kicked it off the table...

A bit unfair that. Cusworth was an attacking Fly-Half. If he had been more kick oriented*, he'd have had more caps for England.

* ignoring drop goals. Les did like a drop goal

[UK Redsox]

The choice to replace Willis in the squad may be the most bizarre selection decision I've ever seen. Instead of looking around the league at some of the exceptional back row talent (Simmonds, Dombrandt, Hill, other Willis, other Curry, Ludlow, Ludlam, Harrison and plenty more) they've called up a lock who's played 7 games (ever). I'm too confused to even be annoyed about it.

I'm resigned to the fact that it'll be like this until Jones is got rid of.

[Gareth]

The choice to replace Willis in the squad may be the most bizarre selection decision I've ever seen. Instead of looking around the league at some of the exceptional back row talent (Simmonds, Dombrandt, Hill, other Willis, other Curry, Ludlow, Ludlam, Harrison and plenty more) they've called up a lock who's played 7 games (ever). I'm too confused to even be annoyed about it.

I'm resigned to the fact that it'll be like this until Jones is got rid of.

Sooner the better

[UK Redsox]

Surprised to see some international players turning out for their clubs this weekend, eg Zammo for Glawster.

I thought they were in international bubbles

[UK Redsox]

How many more players need to go down with the bug before France v Scotland gets called off

[paul_e]

How many more players need to go down with the bug before France v Scotland gets called off

Should've been called off as soon as they got the results today so the scots could go back to their clubs for a week, I don't see any value in kicking it until Wednesday.

[UK Redsox]

Scotland v Whateversleftofthefrancesquad is on

[paul_e]

Scotland v Whateversleftofthefrancesquad is on

Pathetic decision, I'd quite like France to publicly call it as such.

[cdbearsfan]

Now off.

[cdbearsfan]

So, to avoid France being understrength, they are likely to postpone it to next week when Scotland will be without ten players? That sounds fair...

[paul_e]

So, to avoid France being understrength, they are likely to postpone it to next week when Scotland will be without ten players? That sounds fair...

This is why there needed to be an early decision to give them time to negotiate with the clubs and leagues to resolve this.

[paul_e]

So, to avoid France being understrength, they are likely to postpone it to next week when Scotland will be without ten players? That sounds fair...

This is why there needed to be an early decision to give them time to negotiate with the clubs and leagues to resolve this.

Just to come back to this a new case was found yesterday which has, finally, prompted a full quarantine meaning they won't be available to play next weekend anyway.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/56196639

I can't imagine the rescheduled game going ahead with Scotland missing half their matchday squad but getting the game played is going to be a nightmare. Normally playing at the end of the season would be an option but with the Lions tour that's unlikely. It might end up being played as a pre-season game as things stand. Of course it might also end up with Scotland awarded the points because there's rumours that a big part of the problem was due to a breech of protocols.

[taylorsworkrate]

3 penalties conceded in the first 4 minutes. England just don't learn do they?

[taylorsworkrate]

England have just gifted Wales 10 points with poor discipline and not bothering to get set. What on earth have they been doing preperation wise over the last fortnight?