Domestic & European Rugby 2017-18

[cheltenhamlion]

Another win for Gloucester. I will be getting a nose bleed soon.

[cheltenhamlion]

Signing Matt Banahan at the end the season. I like that. Good cover across the Backs. And Polledri, who has been brilliant of late, called up by Italy.

[paul_e]

Signing Matt Banahan at the end the season. I like that. Good cover across the Backs. And Polledri, who has been brilliant of late, called up by Italy.

Banahan is a good squad player who wasn't quite international class.  Good signing and I'm surprised Bath haven't fought a bit harder to keep him.

[cheltenhamlion]

They essentially offered him the same contract for another couple of years and we chucked an extra year, and a little more cash, on it. I don't know how this changes our plans for Alex Cuthbert who we have also been talking to but I guess that isn't a runner now given that we wouldn't want to stymie the game time for Thorley. We are apparently talking to saffer props as well.

[paul_e]

Saints have appointed Chris Boyd from the hurricanes.  Not one I know much about because he's pretty much only been in SH rugby but his record is very impressive.

[Dante Lavelli]

Andy Goode was very positive about the appointment on his podcast, having worked with him briefly whilst at the Sharks (he was backs coach apparently).

The producer of the show is a kiwi and was equally positive.

Both said it was a bit of a coop by the saints.

[manic-road]

Good win for Worcester today away at Exeter for their first ever win at Sandy Park.

[aev]

Cipriani to leave Wasps.

[UK Redsox]

I'm beginning to think that we might not get promoted this year

http://www.englandrugby.com/fixtures-and-results/competitions/south-west-division/#/table

[paul_e]

I'm beginning to think that we might not get promoted this year

http://www.englandrugby.com/fixtures-and-results/competitions/south-west-division/#/table

I've played against 3 of those, we had a tour down in Devon and played teams from ivybridge, exmouth and newton abbot, along with a couple from wales and a couple of other midlands teams, was 15 a side but only 10mins each way as a 2 group cup and shield thing, we lost to newton abbot in the semi of the cup and beat one of the welsh lot (from Cardiff) in the 3rd place game.  Was based at Exmouth so we could have a couple of nights out in Torquay.  It's a great place to play rugby.

Sorry, I know that's utterly irrelevant, just didn't know they were all in the same league as your lot.

[UK Redsox]

That's how low we've fallen Paul

In the pre-league days we used to play Brixham, Weston and Camborne but the rest of them wouldn't have got a look in.

Next season we'll be playing teams that used to play our Second XV and in one case (Newent) our Thirds.

Could be leapfrogged by fecking Drybrook 

[tomd2103]

Saints have appointed Chris Boyd from the hurricanes.  Not one I know much about because he's pretty much only been in SH rugby but his record is very impressive.

Comes with a good reputation Paul and was widely thought to be one of the three on the WRU's shortlist to replace Gatland as Wales coach after the World Cup.  Apparently was all set to join Cardiff until Saints intervened. 

[paul_e]

Saints have appointed Chris Boyd from the hurricanes.  Not one I know much about because he's pretty much only been in SH rugby but his record is very impressive.

Comes with a good reputation Paul and was widely thought to be one of the three on the WRU's shortlist to replace Gatland as Wales coach after the World Cup.  Apparently was all set to join Cardiff until Saints intervened. 

Indeed, the more I've looked into the more I think they've pulled off a bit of a masterstroke with this one, time will tell but they aren't going to die wondering with an appointment like this.

[ADVILLAFAN]

Watched the last 20 minutes of Barrow v Toronto in the Rugby League Championship. Could hardly see the players for mud; quite enjoyable and bonkers that Toronto are in that League.

It was on Freesports.

[UK Redsox]

Watched the last 20 minutes of Barrow v Toronto in the Rugby League Championship. Could hardly see the players for mud; quite enjoyable and bonkers that Toronto are in that League.

It was on Freesports.

Aren't there extreme sanctions for contaminating this thread with talk of the Northern Game ?