The Rugby Thread

[pharvey]

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas.....!!

It's going to take planning, guile a significant amount of beer and a lot of luck to survive the coming weeks....

Autumn International Rugby Schedule - Simply too long to post!!

https://www.autumn-internationals.co.uk/summer-2021/

[dtaai-maai]

^^Autumn? Blimey, that schedule only takes us up to 7th August!! A few difficult decisions coming up...

[PeteC]

Re July Internationals. I think there are going to be some BIG spreads with the results this first weekend.

FYI, many of our pool "regulars" are not signed up for this one as it's not a HHF Forum pool. See below as it's an open pool set up by one of Pharvey's friends.

Join Not Lions, my July Internationals league on Superbru! You can find my pool here:

https://www.superbru.com/july_internati ... p=12344119

or by downloading the Superbru app and searching for the pool with code:

bashgird

First Round July 3-7:

phpsuJGSLAM.jpg (17.24 KiB) Viewed 411 times

[pharvey]

Re July Internationals. I think there are going to be some BIG spreads with the results this first weekend.

FYI, many of our pool "regulars" are not signed up for this one as it's not a HHF Forum pool. See below as it's an open pool set up by one of Pharvey's friends.

Join Not Lions, my July Internationals league on Superbru! You can find my pool here:

https://www.superbru.com/july_internati ... p=12344119

or by downloading the Superbru app and searching for the pool with code:

bashgird

First Round July 3-7:


phpsuJGSLAM.jpg

Thanks Pete - I should have pointed that out myself

For Wales, it's a mix and match of experienced players, players missing out on the Lions tour, players that are on the "edge" of international status - then again, I'm sure it's the same for several players in the "Home Unions".

The "July Internationals" will be one to watch whatever - thankfully at the movement not clashing with other sporting events (EG. Wales play at 3pm, The B&I Lions at 5pm and England Wendyball at 8pm) - all good stuff!

[PeteC]

Ref the B&I Lions, honestly speaking I don't know how they are going to hold up down there for more than a month. It's like continuous away matches.

I have a feeling they may fade towards the end rather than gel and excel? We'll see.

[pharvey]

Ref the B&I Lions, honestly speaking I don't know how they are going to hold up down there for more than a month. It's like continuous away matches.

I have a feeling they may fade towards the end rather than gel and excel? We'll see.

There is that and the B&I Lions have a win ratio of just over 40% throughout their history - they may be the "Best of British", but not normally playing together. Unlike national teams, they only come together every 4 years and obviously players change during that period.

That said, the Lions (and Gatland's) record has not been bad over the last two tours - both looking to be unbeaten in Test matches in three tours over 13 years (should have been 12)!!

[EDIT] I'm going for a 3-0 win for the Lions, with LRZ being highest Try scorer....

[PeteC]

LZR's just a babe so to speak. How does he match up against Harelquin's Lynagh? They're both 20 I think. Although, I don't think Lynagh is part of the B&I Lions this year. If he was Welsh would he be?

[pharvey]

LZR's just a babe so to speak. How does he match up against Harelquin's Lynagh? They're both 20 I think. Although, I don't think Lynagh is part of the B&I Lions this year. If he was Welsh would he be?

LZR is on another level - better all round rugby player IMHO and proven at international level. Considering England have the biggest representation in the Lions, being Welsh wouldn't help Lynagh that much I would guess

Lynagh himself only qualifies through residency - Australian father (obviously), Italian mother and born in Italy..... Also plays for 'Quins so doesn't deserve a place in the Lions anyway!!

[dtaai-maai]

SA vs Georgia on Sky Sports tomorrow at 5.30 BST. Might take the opportunity to have a look at the opposition.

[pharvey]

SA vs Georgia on Sky Sports tomorrow at 5.30 BST. Might take the opportunity to have a look at the opposition.

Surprised it's still on considering the positive Covid tests within the squad and recent training cancelled. If it does go ahead, how many "First Team" players will be involved?

I suspect it will be very much an "A Team" selection and unfortunately we won't really get a good idea of the opposition.

[dtaai-maai]

I'm sorry, Mr Harvey, but after the arse-waxing revelation, which was ill-judged IMO, I find I can no longer view your posts in quite the same light. Some skeletons are best left in the closet. In fact, I may have to review my plans to visit your part of the country later in the summer...

[pharvey]

I'm sorry, Mr Harvey, but after the arse-waxing revelation, which was ill-judged IMO, I find I can no longer view your posts in quite the same light. Some skeletons are best left in the closet. In fact, I may have to review my plans to visit your part of the country later in the summer...

It was for charity..... And whilst "dethroning" myself, there was a cheer from "Wooden Spoon" - though I'm guessing they didn't know the "source" of their donation... ..... Even the LHG raised a smile, though I'm guessing that was due to my pain.

Apologies for the graphic detail of the earlier post, but whilst you're here.... https://woodenspoon.org.uk/

[dtaai-maai]

Even the LHG raised a smile, though I'm guessing that was due to my pain.

I hope I get to meet the LHG. I bet she's an absolute sweetheart who has no idea how maligned she is on the forum. Not that I'd mention it of course...

[PeteC]

Pharvey, if you had to pick the best Welsh player in the modern era, would it be Sam Warburton or Alun Wyn Jones? I know, play(ed) different positions but one must stand out?

[pharvey]

Pharvey, if you had to pick the best Welsh player in the modern era, would it be Sam Warburton or Alun Wyn Jones? I know, play(ed) different positions but one must stand out?

Christ, that's a hard one.... Both excellent players and Captains (club, country and British & Irish Lions) - numerous honors, Championship wins, Grand Slams, Triple Crowns not to mention a series win with the B&I Lions against Australia and a drawn series against the AB's...... Incredible records.

A very tight call, but I think I'd have to go with AWJ for his slightly better record and incredible longevity - 148 Caps for Wales, 20 Caps for Wales U20 and 9 Caps for the B&I Lions (would likely have been 12 if not for injury).

That said, rumour has it a "miracle recovery" could be on the cards for AWJ and he could make it to SA after all.....

https://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/n ... uth-africa