International Rugby

[UK Redsox]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/cded9rjxnp0o

On Wednesday, the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) confirmed the cessation of the men's sevens programme as "part of a broader strategic effort to ensure long-term financial sustainability".

Good. I hope that other Unions follow.

Sevens Rugby is for pre-season training and post-season parties (I went to many Middlesex Sevens in the 70s/80s).
I've never understood why it became an international sport, let along professional.

[cdbearsfan]

For the first time I can't bring myself to care about a Lions series.

Australia are so so poor that they should be hammered in all 3 tests.

That sounds like a reason to watch, to me.

[cdbearsfan]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/cded9rjxnp0o

On Wednesday, the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) confirmed the cessation of the men's sevens programme as "part of a broader strategic effort to ensure long-term financial sustainability".

Good. I hope that other Unions follow.

Sevens Rugby is for pre-season training and post-season parties (I went to many Middlesex Sevens in the 70s/80s).
I've never understood why it became an international sport, let along professional.

Strong disagree. It's a welcome addition to the Olympics. Ireland not even being able to field a team in a sport for which they're genuine medal contenders is pathetic.

[paul_e]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/cded9rjxnp0o

On Wednesday, the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) confirmed the cessation of the men's sevens programme as "part of a broader strategic effort to ensure long-term financial sustainability".

Good. I hope that other Unions follow.

Sevens Rugby is for pre-season training and post-season parties (I went to many Middlesex Sevens in the 70s/80s).
I've never understood why it became an international sport, let along professional.

Strong disagree. It's a welcome addition to the Olympics. Ireland not even being able to field a team in a sport for which they're genuine medal contenders is pathetic.

I agree, I like the tournament nature of it and the simpler rule set and short format means it works brilliantly as a weekend event. I've been to a few sevens events over the years and they're great for fans.


I'd be amazed if England don't make money from it so I can't see them following Ireland on this.

[nigel]

Certainly making a name for herself

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/c5y88l317kpo

From the parts I saw of the England vrs France game she had an excellent game.

Next stop a World Cup game?

[paul_e]

I had to very quickly close the live chat on YouTube because of the amount of twats moaning about her.

[nigel]

I had to very quickly close the live chat on YouTube because of the amount of twats moaning about her.

How did you think she did, Paul?

[paul_e]

I had to very quickly close the live chat on YouTube because of the amount of twats moaning about her.

How did you think she did, Paul?

Very well for me, the only mistake was that I'd have gone straight red for Feyi-Waboso rather than sending it to the bunker for an inevitable 20min red. I think she got the French high tackle spot on and it shouldn't have been upgraded.

Aside from that she was fair and consistent with her decisions around the breakdown and scrum which is where the vast majority of my frustration with refs comes normally.

More generally every time I've seen her I think she's done a good job and, as things stand, she'd be high on the list for major finals, etc. That said the only high profile British ref I have a real problem with (other than normal inconsistencies) is Karl Dickson who takes his biases too far and regularly seems to guess at outcomes that he wants to see.

[Gareth]

Have I just seen that Feyi-Wabuso is going on a 3 test summer tour whilst banned from the first 2?  Borthwick :-) England need an elite coach not him

[nigel]

Have I just seen that Feyi-Wabuso is going on a 3 test summer tour whilst banned from the first 2?  Borthwick :-) England need an elite coach not him

Personally I don’t mind him going.
Borthwick probably wants him to know he’s not being ditched because of a reckless tackle, and being around the squad will be good for his confidence.
At least we know one of the starters for the 3rd game 😉

[PaulWinch again]

He’s missed a lot of time, so think it makes sense.

[paul_e]

I agree, I'd have taken him even it was 3 games, I'd have picked a cover player as well though (which I assume we did).

[taylorsworkrate]

England are playing absolutely brilliantly against a very strong Argentina team. Absorbed the pressure in the first half with a couple of sin bins, now playing some lovely stuff in the second half

[PaulWinch again]

This is a really impressive result.

[taylorsworkrate]

George Ford never being a British Lion is a bit of a pisstake. Still a tremendous player