The Rugby Thread

[dtaai-maai]

Wow! I posted that as the clock went into the red - what a finish! And justice done.

[pharvey]

spoilt by some poor refereeing.

Didn't think Wayne Barnes could travel to NZ?

Seriously, am yet to see things - hoping to get a decent link.

[pharvey]

Dreadful "swinging arm" tackle by Farrell - he's got away with a lot over the years, but deserves a lengthy ban for this one. A lot of high tackles do seem to be "reaction" type or the tackled player "ducking" into the tackle, but this was blatant - steaming in from the side trying to take the poor guys head off!

[EDIT] The ban must do justice - Marler had a 10 week ban for taking a fancy to Alun Wyn Jones' genitalia, punishment was deserved (if only for Marler's stupidity), but not this severe. Farrell on the other hand deserves that figure (minimum recommended is 6 weeks), but he will no doubt play on the fact that this is the first red card of his career (and obviously he's extremely sorry... .

Video(s) at link: - https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rug ... d-18884670

"England captain Owen Farrell faces a lengthy ban from rugby after a "shocking" incident in the Saracens v Wasps match.

Farrell was shown a straight red card in the 61st minute for the awful swinging arm tackle on Wasps player Charlie Atkinson in the Gallagher Premiership match.

The moment left pundits and fans stunned, with former England player Andy Goode among those criticising the man tipped to lead the Lions next year.

Goode said: "Shocking swinging arm from Owen Farrell and deserved a red card. Decent ban coming too... it was a case of when this happened not if....."

[dtaai-maai]

Well, at least Wayne Barnes wasn't refereeing...

[pharvey]

Well, at least Wayne Barnes wasn't refereeing...

Didn't have time - he's plotting against Wales!

[pharvey]

SKY et al getting a monopoly on Rugby would be devastating IMO - there must be at least a comprimise between terrestrial and "Cable Sports" or there'll be a huge loss of support. Terrestrial broadcast gives rugby to the masses, "Cable" injects more money.

Personally, I think if Amazon keep to the same type of price for subscription it would be far more appealing to the public than SKY or BT (based on UK). Then go for a balance - as a minimum allow terrestrial to screen extended highlights of some matches, or give outright for selective matches. Always an argument, but the financial/broadcasting side must be resolved to save the sport especially after these hard times.

https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/ama ... -tv-rights

"Technology giant Amazon could add to its UK sports rights portfolio by securing live English Test rugby union for its Prime Video over-the-top (OTT) platform, according to the Daily Mail.

Pay-TV broadcaster Sky Sports’ long-term deal for England’s November internationals is expiring and Amazon has reportedly opened talks regarding the Eight Nations tournament which is taking place instead of the traditional autumn tours.

The Six Nations organising body, which oversees the annual northern hemisphere tournament that takes place earlier in the year, has been put in charge of the rights tender process for the new event and is also in talks with other broadcasters."

[Big Boy]

I haven't watched a lot of rugby for a few years (outside of England internationals), and a few rules have crept in that surprise me. In last nights Bears vs Saints game there was another one that I had never heard of. Both Saints loose head props were injured and needed to be replaced (at different times of course). Referee had to get involved. Decision:

- Loose head prop had to be replaced.
- Further scrums would be non-contested.
- After the replacement came on to the field, Saints had to forfeit a player, and continue with 14 men.

Fantastic for the Bears, which was reflected in the scoreline, but I couldn't help feeling sorry for Saints.

[PeteC]

Isn't there usually another player on the bench, whether a prop or not, who could fill in for the remainder of the match? Or, is it some rule that limits positions to what the person is/designated?

[Big Boy]

I think a loose head prop has to be a loose head prop. Yes, they usually have a spare on the bench, but if both are injured, I guess what I saw in yesterday's game is what happens. The ref did have to explain the rule to both sides, so obviously not a common occurrence.

[dtaai-maai]

2. The team must form a scrum with eight players.
Scenario 1.
During the match a team replaced both their props through injury. The replacement TH gets
injured.
1. If the team cannot field a suitably trained front row uncontested scrums must be
ordered. The injured TH player cannot be replaced. The team lose a player.
2. The remaining front row substitutes (hooker/LH) must be used in the front row
of the uncontested scrums and another player must be nominated to leave the
field.
3. The team plays with 14 players until the end of the game.

So basically, if there are no more specialist LH or TH props available, uncontested scrums are called, but a front row forward still has to be used to make up an 8-man scrum and the team lose a back.

I imagine this is to prevent the sort of shenanigans indulged in by the French, when they (allegedly) engineered an uncontested scrum situation near the end of a match (against Wales?).

I don't know if this is a permanent change to the laws or a trial.

(EDIT: The team doesn't lose a player if the injury that led to the uncontested scrums decision was the result of foul play by the opposition.)

[dtaai-maai]

Wales vs France, 6 Nations 2017, refereed by... wait for it... Wayne Barnes (cue pharvey rant )

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rug ... c-12762972
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/ ... orge-north

However, Gatland may have learned from that experience and applied it during the match vs georgia later the same year...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/42041251
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/ ... tch-report

[dtaai-maai]

Isn't there usually another player on the bench, whether a prop or not, who could fill in for the remainder of the match? Or, is it some rule that limits positions to what the person is/designated?

The front row positions are highly specialised (special training required in gouging, biting, nut-squeezing, etc.), and like must be replaced by like to avoid the possibility of serious injuries. Hence uncontested scrums if no suitable replacement is available. Not an ideal scenario, by any means.

[PeteC]

Won't interest everyone. I'm assuming it will revert to playable video after the LIVE session is over.

[pharvey]

GALLAGHER ENGLISH PREMIERSHIP MATCHES - SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 13: -
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Prem20.JPG (29.64 KiB) Viewed 299 times

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Top games for me will be Sale vs Bath with Bath needing a win to get into the top 4/Play-offs, and Wasps vs Bristol - both impressive of late and looking to improve positions and a home advantage in the Semi-Finals of the Play-offs. All should be putting out strong sides.

Saracens vs Exeter on paper should be an absolute cracker of a match (current champions vs champions- elect(?)), but so difficult to see what sides they'll put out. Exeter have already confirmed a home Semi-Final place and Saracens relegated (cheating barstewards). That said, Exeter have shown incredible squad depth, Saracens have several players out on loan or those who have already left.....

At least the Bears are on at a decent time for you this weekend BB

[Big Boy]

At least the Bears are on at a decent time for you this weekend BB

Yes, I looked at the listing, and thought, "Just after midnight not bad." Then I looked again - there is a god