The Rugby Thread
Comments
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Absolute dogshit (Wales defence not DB's comment!)1
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Not convinced Skelton ever released the player after tackling him there but if Wales lose this they've only themselves to blame.0
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Well they did their best to throw that away. Not sure I would have wanted Priestland taking that 4 or 5 years ago!0
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Was a bit squeaky bum at the end but what the heck, a win is good enough for me. They can work on the rest in training0
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2 extremely unimpressive wins against 14 man teams and an injury list that's as long as a Tory MP's expense account.
Pivac's autumn report card gets a rather generous C from me.
(mostly for having to use so many inexperienced test players)"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0 -
France put the ABs to the sword - two losses on the bounce against different NH teams is almost unheard of for them.
Did anyone watch it? I didn't, so curious as to how the game panned out, though did see the scoreline develop.0 -
Oh, match of the evening for sure. Classic France. YOLO Rugby.
There is a passage in the second half that sums up the entire game but I don't want to post it because you need to see it in context, 'as live'....
(highlights will do)We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
- @ddraver0 -
Wales' pasting at the hands of NZ has been put into context, it's going to be a tough 6 Nations.
So two last minute penalty wins but one game was far better than the other.
Some odd results in the Premiership with Worcester trouncing Bristol and Gloucester hammering Exeter but I guess that's quite common during the autumn internationals. Hadn't realised how bad Bath have been this season and that Worcester win won't have helped.0 -
It's Premiership Cup, so what is supposed to be the development competition, same as last weekend. Bath for example effectively had an academy squad with 4 first teamers, against a premiership standard Goucester squad last w/end - was literally men vs boys.Pross said:Wales' pasting at the hands of NZ has been put into context, it's going to be a tough 6 Nations.
So two last minute penalty wins but one game was far better than the other.
Some odd results in the Premiership with Worcester trouncing Bristol and Gloucester hammering Exeter but I guess that's quite common during the autumn internationals. Hadn't realised how bad Bath have been this season and that Worcester win won't have helped.
Suspect similar was seen today with various mismatches.
The competition needs better rules around who can play to avoid this.0 -
I’ve always found it strange that league matches are played during international periods.The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
I am not sure. You have no chance.Veronese68 wrote:PB is the most sensible person on here.0 -
Ah, that makes more sense.Dorset_Boy said:
It's Premiership Cup, so what is supposed to be the development competition, same as last weekend. Bath for example effectively had an academy squad with 4 first teamers, against a premiership standard Goucester squad last w/end - was literally men vs boys.Pross said:Wales' pasting at the hands of NZ has been put into context, it's going to be a tough 6 Nations.
So two last minute penalty wins but one game was far better than the other.
Some odd results in the Premiership with Worcester trouncing Bristol and Gloucester hammering Exeter but I guess that's quite common during the autumn internationals. Hadn't realised how bad Bath have been this season and that Worcester win won't have helped.
Suspect similar was seen today with various mismatches.
The competition needs better rules around who can play to avoid this.0 -
Pains me to say it but the England women's team are bloody good. Different level to any other women's team.0
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Do watch it if you can one of the most French displays for ages . . . thoroughly entertainingDorset_Boy said:France put the ABs to the sword - two losses on the bounce against different NH teams is almost unheard of for them.
Did anyone watch it? I didn't, so curious as to how the game panned out, though did see the scoreline develop.Wilier Izoard XP0 -
c'est meilleur en francais...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaaaW9vG7Xc
(Sorry DB, if you haven't caught up by now it's too late)We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
- @ddraver0 -
Not quite as good as the RWC try they scored against the ABs at Twickenham (in 1991?) from their own in goal line. Still impressive.ddraver said:c'est meilleur en francais...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaaaW9vG7Xc
(Sorry DB, if you haven't caught up by now it's too late)0 -
Someone needs to do a mashup of all the different commentators calling it like the Italian Team pursuit
( )We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
- @ddraver0 -
The European cup competitions rapidly becoming a farce.
Not helped by some ad hoc decision making from the ERC.
UK government imposed restrictions and it’s match forfeited.
French government impose restrictions and it’s matches postponed.
Then Covid hit Leinster forfeit to Montpellier, despite the French team having the same problem."Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0 -
Quite enjoying harlequins vs Cardiff blues on c4 at the moment0
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Yes.johngti said:Quite enjoying harlequins vs Cardiff blues on c4 at the moment
Just like last week it was a very entertaining watch.
Channel 4 certainly got lucky with having both Cardiff fixtures. Two weeks ago it looked as if both would get postponed, but instead they got a feast of “have a go” rugby from a collection of school kids, part timers and seasoned internationals.
"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.1 -
Yes, dreadfully partisan from ERC and really unfair on the non-french teams.blazing_saddles said:The European cup competitions rapidly becoming a farce.
Not helped by some ad hoc decision making from the ERC.
UK government imposed restrictions and it’s match forfeited.
French government impose restrictions and it’s matches postponed.
Then Covid hit Leinster forfeit to Montpellier, despite the French team having the same problem.
Competition has become a farce.0 -
Well, the latest decision by the ERC is predictable, the justification used is factually incorrect. It amounts to little more than match fixing by the governing body:"A distinction should be drawn between the decisions in respect of the seven round two matches in question and other tournament fixtures which were previously cancelled due to Covid-19 outbreaks or forced isolations affecting player availability," said the EPCR statement.
"Those previously cancelled fixtures could not have been played as scheduled under any circumstances, whereas the clubs involved in the round two matches in question were all cleared and available to contest the matches.
"Therefore, the determined outcomes of the three previously cancelled or forfeited Heineken Champions Cup fixtures, and the one EPCR Challenge Cup fixture, will stand."
"Science is a tool for cheaters". An anonymous French PE teacher.0 -
Keeping the French & Irish teams happy, who already have a hugely unfair advantage.0
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The guardian had an interesting (and worrying) take on the game’s future yesterday. Basically the idea is that a significant drop in playing numbers over the last few years means that the only people playing are those who are actually quite good. This means that local clubs will fold and those who are playing for the love of the game will have no option to get a game. The result will be that it’s going to be a bit like gridiron in the US where schools tend to play, the best players feed into a university/college system (that currently exists) and the best from there will move into semi-pro or pro teams.
So no longer a game for any shape and size and a big loss to communities.0 -
I am heavily involved in "local" rugby and have been for many years. I have played at my club for 36 years and counting and am on the committee as treasurer. In essence, I agree with what the article is saying insofar as there are fewer people playing - we have historically put out three teams on a Saturday (going back 30 years or so, 5 teams was not uncommon) but two is the most we can muster most weeks. Rather than the number of "signed up" (i.e. membership paid) playing members being the problem per se, it is the ongoing weekly commitment of those players that seems to be the problem. On paper, we have enough signed up players to put out four teams and a colts every week but weekly availability seems to be limited to enough for two teams (and a colts) plus anyone else who hasn't got something better to do! People seem to like the idea of belonging to a rugby club without having the regular commitment or desire to play regularly that is needed to ensure the club flourishes as it could. Having said that, I believe we are in a better position than many clubs judging by the cry offs by opponents late in the week or on a Friday night. We then go into a pool to play any team available and always, (always) end up having to travel to play away as opposing teams are rarely interested in travelling away and, if we want a game, we have to go to them. The reciprocal arrangement is that they will travel to our place later in the season but, come the day, the opposition often cry off. Players having their cake and eating it if you like. We (second team) went through 2 months without a single home match.johngti said:The guardian had an interesting (and worrying) take on the game’s future yesterday. Basically the idea is that a significant drop in playing numbers over the last few years means that the only people playing are those who are actually quite good. This means that local clubs will fold and those who are playing for the love of the game will have no option to get a game. The result will be that it’s going to be a bit like gridiron in the US where schools tend to play, the best players feed into a university/college system (that currently exists) and the best from there will move into semi-pro or pro teams.
So no longer a game for any shape and size and a big loss to communities.
The pandemic cetainly hasn't helped and the mobile phone is the curse of local sports of all kinds!Wilier Izoard XP0 -
Sounds a shame. I've no real interest in rugby but sport should be about the love of the game not just playing until it's obvious you can't make it pro. I like the idea of guys even my age still getting their shirts dirty then both teams having a drink after - why would people want to stop when they are barely out of their teens?
There's been a big reduction in adult grassroots soccer teams too - albeit probably from a much higher base - when I played initially our local league had around a dozen divisions now it's maybe 3 or 4.
[Castle Donington Ladies FC - going up in '22]0 -
Is this case across all area’s as my 7 year old grandson has just started playing at Malton and Norton. I have been down watch and there seems to be dozens of kids playing. Also I have taken him to a couple of away fixtures at Beverley and Driffield and again there seems to be healthy numbers playing to the extent it’s often difficult to park your car.laurentian said:
I am heavily involved in "local" rugby and have been for many years. I have played at my club for 36 years and counting and am on the committee as treasurer. In essence, I agree with what the article is saying insofar as there are fewer people playing - we have historically put out three teams on a Saturday (going back 30 years or so, 5 teams was not uncommon) but two is the most we can muster most weeks. Rather than the number of "signed up" (i.e. membership paid) playing members being the problem per se, it is the ongoing weekly commitment of those players that seems to be the problem. On paper, we have enough signed up players to put out four teams and a colts every week but weekly availability seems to be limited to enough for two teams (and a colts) plus anyone else who hasn't got something better to do! People seem to like the idea of belonging to a rugby club without having the regular commitment or desire to play regularly that is needed to ensure the club flourishes as it could. Having said that, I believe we are in a better position than many clubs judging by the cry offs by opponents late in the week or on a Friday night. We then go into a pool to play any team available and always, (always) end up having to travel to play away as opposing teams are rarely interested in travelling away and, if we want a game, we have to go to them. The reciprocal arrangement is that they will travel to our place later in the season but, come the day, the opposition often cry off. Players having their cake and eating it if you like. We (second team) went through 2 months without a single home match.johngti said:The guardian had an interesting (and worrying) take on the game’s future yesterday. Basically the idea is that a significant drop in playing numbers over the last few years means that the only people playing are those who are actually quite good. This means that local clubs will fold and those who are playing for the love of the game will have no option to get a game. The result will be that it’s going to be a bit like gridiron in the US where schools tend to play, the best players feed into a university/college system (that currently exists) and the best from there will move into semi-pro or pro teams.
So no longer a game for any shape and size and a big loss to communities.
The pandemic cetainly hasn't helped and the mobile phone is the curse of local sports of all kinds!0 -
The minis and juniors section at our club is absolutely packed! So much so that we have to use local school pitches as our (three) full size pitches cannot accommodate all of he Minis and Juniors. The problem is that these numbers don't translate into senior rugby (although we also have a very well resourced colts team born largely out of the M&Js). There is a drop off from the juniors as they grow up (I guess many are there as Dad takes them on a Sunday morning and their enthusiasm wanes as they get older).webboo said:
Is this case across all area’s as my 7 year old grandson has just started playing at Malton and Norton. I have been down watch and there seems to be dozens of kids playing. Also I have taken him to a couple of away fixtures at Beverley and Driffield and again there seems to be healthy numbers playing to the extent it’s often difficult to park your car.laurentian said:
I am heavily involved in "local" rugby and have been for many years. I have played at my club for 36 years and counting and am on the committee as treasurer. In essence, I agree with what the article is saying insofar as there are fewer people playing - we have historically put out three teams on a Saturday (going back 30 years or so, 5 teams was not uncommon) but two is the most we can muster most weeks. Rather than the number of "signed up" (i.e. membership paid) playing members being the problem per se, it is the ongoing weekly commitment of those players that seems to be the problem. On paper, we have enough signed up players to put out four teams and a colts every week but weekly availability seems to be limited to enough for two teams (and a colts) plus anyone else who hasn't got something better to do! People seem to like the idea of belonging to a rugby club without having the regular commitment or desire to play regularly that is needed to ensure the club flourishes as it could. Having said that, I believe we are in a better position than many clubs judging by the cry offs by opponents late in the week or on a Friday night. We then go into a pool to play any team available and always, (always) end up having to travel to play away as opposing teams are rarely interested in travelling away and, if we want a game, we have to go to them. The reciprocal arrangement is that they will travel to our place later in the season but, come the day, the opposition often cry off. Players having their cake and eating it if you like. We (second team) went through 2 months without a single home match.johngti said:The guardian had an interesting (and worrying) take on the game’s future yesterday. Basically the idea is that a significant drop in playing numbers over the last few years means that the only people playing are those who are actually quite good. This means that local clubs will fold and those who are playing for the love of the game will have no option to get a game. The result will be that it’s going to be a bit like gridiron in the US where schools tend to play, the best players feed into a university/college system (that currently exists) and the best from there will move into semi-pro or pro teams.
So no longer a game for any shape and size and a big loss to communities.
The pandemic cetainly hasn't helped and the mobile phone is the curse of local sports of all kinds!
Another issue is the number of 16, 17, 18 year olds who now go to University / other further education, and lose their connection with the club. 20 - 30 years ago it was a relatively small percentage that "went away" for their further education as most would either start work or get apprenticeships locally.Wilier Izoard XP0 -
It's also a long, long season, with competitive matches from the start of September to the end of April, plus pre-season. People have more alternative opportunities at weekends and don't want to tie up 8-9 months of the year with one sport.
The minis & youth sections of many clubs are hugely successful, but as you say, more kids move away now than ever and then lose the connection.
Add in the need for extra subs as you move up the leagues.0
