The Rugby Thread

[lindosfan1]

England prop Joe Marler has been given a 10-week ban for grabbing Alun Wyn Jones' genitals during Saturday's Six Nations win over Wales.

Centre Manu Tuilagi has been banned for four weeks for his red card late on in the game at Twickenham.

Lock Courtney Lawes, who was cited for a dangerous tackle, has escaped punishment.

The decisions were made by an independent citing commissioner at a disciplinary hearing in Dublin.

The shortest ban under World Rugby rules for "grabbing, twisting or squeezing the genitals" is 12 weeks, though the commission reduced that by three weeks to take account of mitigating factors, including good character and remorse.

However, they also increased the ban by one week after taking into account Marler's recent disciplinary record.

Tuilagi was shown a red card for a last-ditch tackle on George North in the 75th minute of England's 33-30 victory.

The disciplinary panel found the offence was worthy of a six-week ban, reduced by two weeks after taking into account mitigating factors.

The panel also ruled that Lawes' tackle on Jones during the first half at Twickenham was not worthy of a suspension.

England lead the table on points difference from France, who failed in their Grand Slam bid with defeat by Scotland on Sunday.

Wales' match against Scotland is the only match scheduled to go ahead this weekend after the Italy v England and France v Ireland fixtures were postponed due to coronavirus concerns.

Organisers say no immediate decision will be made regarding rescheduling while the coronavirus situation is ongoing.

[sateeb]

The shortest ban under World Rugby rules for "grabbing, twisting or squeezing the genitals" is 12 weeks,

Not being a big rugger fan I do find it disconcerting that there are even rules for this behaviour.

Is there a rule about anal invasion during a scrum?

[Big Boy]

[Thistle]

Breaking news from the BBC,Wales v Scotland now off.

[pharvey]

The shortest ban under World Rugby rules for "grabbing, twisting or squeezing the genitals" is 12 weeks,

Not being a big rugger fan I do find it disconcerting that there are even rules for this behaviour.

Is there a rule about anal invasion during a scrum?

Played rugby against a French team? Thankfully I avoided the "anal bit" (is there a phew emoji?), but have almost lost an eye through gouging, and a testicle through God only know's what happened in a ruck - in hospital for a week through the latter.

"Tackling the tackle" may sound funny - but trust me, it's not when on the receiving end.

Breaking news from the BBC,Wales v Scotland now off.

Hugely pi$$ed off! I am not often on home ground to watch matches with tickets - this also being my mother's birthday........ feck it!!

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/uk-n ... n-17901744

[dtaai-maai]

The shortest ban under World Rugby rules for "grabbing, twisting or squeezing the genitals" is 12 weeks,

Not being a big rugger fan I do find it disconcerting that there are even rules for this behaviour.

And yet, it has never seemed odd to me... until now - how odd!

[pharvey]

The shortest ban under World Rugby rules for "grabbing, twisting or squeezing the genitals" is 12 weeks,

Not being a big rugger fan I do find it disconcerting that there are even rules for this behaviour.

And yet, it has never seemed odd to me... until now - how odd!

Seriously DM, I have to have a pint and a chat with you one day!!

[dtaai-maai]

Get us tickets for Wales v. England next year and I'll be there!

[pharvey]

Get us tickets for Wales v. England next year and I'll be there!

Bung me your credit card details and it's a date - promise not to tickle your tackle.....

[dtaai-maai]

Ooops

[pharvey]

Ooops

[PeteC]

Full schedule of televised Super Rugby today and tomorrow on TRUE 669 if you can't find anything else live to watch. Times indicated are Thai time.

phpwyHjwgPM.jpg (33.97 KiB) Viewed 368 times

[pharvey]

Not unexpected, but nevertheless not good news.....

Huge Blow For Six Nations Fans as Government Announces it Won't Protect it From TV Paywall

"The UK Government has declined to protect the Six Nations and block attempts to take the championship behind a paywall.

Earlier this month, the bidding process for the tournament’s TV rights from 2022 onwards began and there was widespread speculation that Sky TV were leading the way with a bid that gazumped BBC and ITV.

Amazon were also mooted as potential broadcasters as fears grew that rugby’s greatest annual championship was becoming pay-per-view.

The Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee have opposed such a move since it became apparent what was going on behind the scenes and lobbied to keep the sport on free-to-air.

Certain sporting events are listed as category A by OFCOM, meaning that live coverage of those events must remain on free-to-air television. In rugby union, only the Rugby World Cup final is on that list.

The Six Nations is currently category B, which means live coverage may be behind a paywall as long as highlights or a delayed broadcast remain on free-to-air."

More @: - https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rug ... s-17955691

[oakdale160]

Many Thai bar girls regard that as a friendly greeting/

[pharvey]

A fairly significant change to tactics in both defense and attack - a good move on the face of it, certainly if it reduces injuries (especially concussions)

Source: - https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rug ... s-18005620

"Rugby looks set to kick off after the coronavirus shutdown with the introduction of the 50:22 law across all levels of the game

Reports in the Times on the weekend suggest players and coaches have given their approval to a year-long trial for the 2020-21 season, with a permanent introduction planned for the following campaign.

The law sees the attacking side awarded the lineout if they can bounce a kick into touch from their own half in the opposition's 22.

It's styled on the 40:20 already in operation in rugby league.

The trial is expected to be rubber-stamped at a World Rugby summit in May, in which time the game itself could well still be in self-isolation due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Trials have already taken place in Australia’s National Rugby Championship and Global Rapid Rugby tournament,

“We are highly-encouraged with the package of trials currently operational in selected competitions around the globe,” said a World Rugby spokesman on the weekend.

The 50:22 trial was born out of a player welfare imperative to reduce the risk of injury.

The purpose of the trail is to thin out packed front-line defences after research showed the tackle-area accounts for 50 per cent of injuries and 76 per cent of concussions.

The new law would mean defenders would have to be assigned to the back field to cover kicks rather than joining the front-line rearguard."