Domestic & European Rugby 2017-18

[cheltenhamlion]

Gloucester have picked up Marais from the Sharks to replace Hibbard next season. Be interesting to see how many Saffers we sign. 

[paul_e]

tigers vs wasps today, after 25 minutes Robson has done everything you'd want from a world class scrum-half, he's been superb and put in one of the greatest try saving tackles I've ever seen, and this guy can't get in the squad, it's very frustrating that Jones just doesn't seem interested.

[dcdavecollett]

You do wonder if there's a reason for this beyond playing ability.

[cheltenhamlion]

Great win for Gloucester at Connacht.

[paul_e]

Sale wasps has bene a good game to watch but the defending has been horrific.

[paul_e]

Ridiculous end to the game.

Bassett gets flattened off the ball, no one reacts and whilst he's being treated (for a facial injury) Sale break and nearly score, with Haskell getting a yellow on the line.  After the scrum De Klerk Elbows Cipriani in the face (leaving him out cold for 7-8minutes) and gets away without even a penalty, game restarts after about 11 minutes and Sale win with a try in the corner because the extra man gave them a massive overlap.

I fully expect 2 citings and both getting called as, at the very least, red cards.  Wasps can be very upset about it.

[paul_e]

Here's the Cipriani injury -

http://www.punditarena.com/rugby/smcmahon/watch-danny-cipriani-knocked-cold-brutal-collision-faf-de-klerk/

The ref gave nothing (judging it a clash of heads) but de Klerk's right arm is in a very dangerous position, I'm fairly sure that's the first contact.  On top of that I don't understand how de klerk was allowed to stay on if it was given as a clash of heads, if he's hit Cipriani hard enough to knock him out then he has to be subjected to a HIA as well, even if he seems fine.

I also missed the fact that at no point did he stop the clock so Haskell's yellow sin-binning was technically completed when the game was restarted.

[Gareth]

Glad Worcester won today after seeing Irish beat Quins - was convinced Worcester were ‘on the beach’ & wouldn’t get another win this season

[cheltenhamlion]

We are off to watch Stourbridge v Tynedale on Saturday.

[UK Redsox]

A charity plug.....

Wayne Barnes XV v Forest of Dean XV in Lydney on May 6th

A host of former internationals, coached on the day by Warren Gatland.

Will also feature Nigel Owens, who will join Wayne for a charity meal on Sat 5th

https://www.facebook.com/events/1540820436037763/

https://inmemory.breastcancernow.org/debbie-broderick

I probably won't be able to be there, which is disappointing because I used to work with Paul Broderick

[cheltenhamlion]

Semi for Gloucester in Europe tonight against the geordies. Should be a decent game.

[cheltenhamlion]

Get in.

[UK Redsox]

Not worth a new thread, so I'll plonk this here

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/may/03/flashing-lights-seven-point-tries-and-rolling-subs-its-world-series-rugby

[paul_e]

Stupid changes, the subs one will be abused, the lineout and scrum changes are just an attempt to make the game more like league (just meatheads running into each other) and the bonus points super try thing is pathetic.

O hope the whole thing falls on it's arse given it's only come about because the australians are sulking about their super rugby sides being shit.  If Australian fans just want to watch braindead shit they can watch league and Aussie rules.

[paul_e]

Watching Falcons vs Wasps, Cipriani has gone off with an injury after 45 but before that he's been utterly brilliant.  I get why Jones doesn't pick him but I can't stop thinking that we miss out on having the bit of genius he could offer.