The Rugby Thread

[pharvey]

Yes, interesting to watch. Good comeback by the Chiefs but Gloucester should probably have been further ahead by then. LRZ not quite with it, I think he's had too much hair cut off. Having said that, the Exeter fly half missed a few simple kicks at goal. Exeter certainly not yet looking the force they were.

There's too much going on tomorrow for me to watch the rugby. Feel free to mention the Wales result (though I have a feeling you may not want to... ) but please keep the Saints-Tigers result under your hat until Sunday.

LRZ was very disappointing - as you say, not with it today. Gloucester missed a huge opportunity there - Exeter don't seem to be the force they were last season. Not taking the lineout drives which were their call previously?

Fair result at the end of the day.

Of course I'll point out the Welsh win, you won't believe the odds I've got on 50 points over NZ. And these "bookies" think they know their stuff!

[pharvey]

Well, Half-Time.... Thanks for a French Ref. - is he pi$$ed off with Brexit, fishing or just pi$$ed off with Wales? A penalty that should have been a Yellow Card, a Yellow Card that should have been Red. A disgraceful display quite frankly.

Wales playing far better than I thought they would, but Priestland needs tp come on.

[dtaai-maai]

Well, Half-Time.... Thanks for a French Ref. - is he pi$$ed off with Brexit, fishing or just pi$$ed off with Wales? A penalty that should have been a Yellow Card, a Yellow Card that should have been Red. A disgraceful display quite frankly.

Wales playing far better than I thought they would, but Priestland needs tp come on.

Well, because the cricket finished early (the only highlight of my day), I watched the 2nd half live, then went back to look at some the first half.

Priestland should have started, and the no. 9 was useless. I assume the first non-yellow card was Barret's deliberate knock on - absolutely, a no-brainer card for a cynical offence. As for the Moriarty 'tackle', the main problem is that he was leading with his head down. Having said that, I didn't see any arm wrap from either of the tacklers. Could have gone either way (yellow or red, or even possibly 2 yellows!).

The bottom line, of course, is that Wales were completely outclassed. Shame, but it was that simple.

[pharvey]

The bottom line, of course, is that Wales were completely outclassed. Shame, but it was that simple.

Agreed, but minus 20 players and the addition of an arse of a French referee didn't help!!

[dtaai-maai]

Northampton-Leicester

Well, that was a game and a half! Thoroughly entertaining! Quite tasty at times too.


EDIT: What's next? Oh, go on then, anything for a laugh, let's have a look at Bath-Wasps...

[dtaai-maai]

England vs New Zealand this afternoon. Unfortunately it's only the women, but I might take a quick look out of interest. It's live on BBC at 2.30 UK time (don't forget the clocks have gone back).

[pharvey]

Northampton-Leicester

Well, that was a game and a half! Thoroughly entertaining! Quite tasty at times too.


EDIT: What's next? Oh, go on then, anything for a laugh, let's have a look at Bath-Wasps...

Leicester on fire at the moment - cracking match against Northampton...

Bath vs Wasps - yes I'm biased but questions being raised over Williams' Red Card. We'll wait and see if it's contended.

Bath now 6 without a win - something's obviously very wrong and I believe more than ever that changes have to be made to the coaching team. Cr@p defense, cr@p game management. The players are there, but simply not delivering.

England vs New Zealand this afternoon. Unfortunately it's only the women, but I might take a quick look out of interest. It's live on BBC at 2.30 UK time (don't forget the clocks have gone back).

Well, with Quins vs Saracens on at 3pm, I know what I'll be watching. Had forgotten that the English players had been released to camp though..... Pity - though still strong sides named.

[dtaai-maai]

England vs New Zealand this afternoon. Unfortunately it's only the women, but I might take a quick look out of interest. It's live on BBC at 2.30 UK time (don't forget the clocks have gone back).

Well, with Quins vs Saracens on at 3pm, I know what I'll be watching. Had forgotten that the English players had been released to camp though..... Pity - though still strong sides named.

Ended up watching the cricket instead, but I did catch the Haka. I'm not sure it's a good idea to try to emulate the men with that, it was hilarious!
I'll watch Quins-Sarries in the morning.

[pharvey]

I'll watch Quins-Sarries in the morning.

You won't be disappointed.

[dtaai-maai]

Spoiler alert!! Oh right, thanks very much Pietro, now I know it's going to be a good game...!

[dtaai-maai]

Bath vs Wasps - yes I'm biased but questions being raised over Williams' Red Card. We'll wait and see if it's contended.

These decisions are so tricky nowadays, but they do look at them very carefully with a clear step-by-step process. Bath eyes might be raised at the red, but other eyes would have undoubtedly raised at a yellow.

Also the Bath no.5 had plenty of time to consider that Gopperth is nearly 40...

Bath now 6 without a win - something's obviously very wrong and I believe more than ever that changes have to be made to the coaching team. Cr@p defense, cr@p game management. The players are there, but simply not delivering.

This all sounds very familiar. There's a guy called Nuno likely to be available very soon...

I've been meaning to ask you what you think of Cipriani. Past his best? Bit of a liability? Still a potential game-changer, surely? Can't say I was too impressed with the lad who started at 10, particularly at the end of the 1st half when he put the ball out of play when kicking for touch from a penalty 10 yards out... that was a real groan moment. Surprised they didn't take the easy 3 points.

EDIT: And after watching the full game here's another observation, and a potential tip for Bath's coaching staff: Bath were at their best when they were down to 13 men...

[pharvey]

Bath vs Wasps - yes I'm biased but questions being raised over Williams' Red Card. We'll wait and see if it's contended.

These decisions are so tricky nowadays, but they do look at them very carefully with a clear step-by-step process. Bath eyes might be raised at the red, but other eyes would have undoubtedly raised at a yellow.

Difficult decisions indeed - especially now with contact to the head etc. Fortunately highlights of the match were on BT Sport which I subscribe to. Questions were raised by the pundits and as this was recorded, I could look step by step. In all honesty, in "real time" it looked Red. BUT, watching it over, it was actually a decent cleanout. The issue is he marked him from a distance and obviously knew the potential consequences. It's a tight call IMO, but not a Red. We'll see if Bath/Williams contest the call - if they do, and it is still ruled as a Red, a longer ban could well be implemented. Or do they plead guilty in the hopes of a lighter ban? Injuries also a concern for Bath at the moment..... Although with the current coaching team, I don't think that makes a blind bit of difference!!

Bath now 6 without a win - something's obviously very wrong and I believe more than ever that changes have to be made to the coaching team. Cr@p defense, cr@p game management. The players are there, but simply not delivering.

This all sounds very familiar. There's a guy called Nuno likely to be available very soon...

I've been meaning to ask you what you think of Cipriani. Past his best? Bit of a liability? Still a potential game-changer, surely? Can't say I was too impressed with the lad who started at 10, particularly at the end of the 1st half when he put the ball out of play when kicking for touch from a penalty 10 yards out... that was a real groan moment. Surprised they didn't take the easy 3 points.

We don't need a new Manager, just a decent Defence Coach, somebody with knowledge of "Game Management" and a true Captain..... Not too much to ask surely?!!

Cipriani... Hmmm? As a person, I think he's a complete tw@t - headless chicken, self-destructive. As a rugby player, a great talent who can turn a game - for better or worse dependant on his attitude on the day. IMHO he's done nothing for Bath so far - but is this due to him or coaching/tactics, who knows?

Priestland is a great loss to Bath, but Wales' and Cardiff's gain - getting on (in rugby terms) at 34, but a great talent and tactical rugby brain. Personally I wish he was still at Bath but the ridiculous WRU "60 Cap Rule" should be kicked into touch (pardon the pun). We've lost the best of several players because of it!

[pharvey]

Well, a great deal of rugby on this weekend with the November Internationals and plenty of club/regional games.

Leicester vs Bath this evening was well worth a watch despite being a top of the table vs bottom of the table clash (unbeaten vs winless). I won't go into detail as I know DM tends to watch recordings on the Premiership Site, so may not have seen the match as of yet.

Can't say I'm looking forward to Wales vs SA - despite players coming in, we're still a weakened side and are going to be mullered by the SA pack IMHO. I seriously rate Dan Biggar, but feel Priestland is hard done by not to start at 10 - even Anscombe being on the bench above him.... Ludicrous decision, but that's Pivac.

England have an easy one vs Tonga, but could still be interesting to see how they play after a (quite frankly) cr@ppy 6 Nations.

Ireland vs Japan, Scotland vs Aus, France vs Argentina...... These could be the games to watch.

[PeteC]

Both Japan and France are not the teams I remember from last year. I think NZ will have more trouble with Ireland than they will with France.

[pharvey]

Both Japan and France are not the teams I remember from last year. I think NZ will have more trouble with Ireland than they will with France.

Didn't see the French game, but Argentina are hardly a poor side - they have beaten the world's best in the past after all!

Japan were absolutely dire rather than Ireland being great - though they were bl**dy good. Can't say I've seen who, if anyone Japan were missing.

England vs Tonga a joke game as it always was going to be. Nothing can be gained from that one IMHO.

A much improved Wales vs SA was a decent enough match, although Wales were outclassed in the forwards and with the pack desperately missing the likes of Faletau, Owens, AWJ and Navidi..... We need to build strength in depth over the coming years, or it's all going to go tits up. That said, Ellis Jenkins was immense at Blindside.

Why the feck Priestland wasn't in the matchday squad and why Pivac is still head coach - OK, I just dislike the latter..... As he's a dick!

[EDIT] Did I forget to mention the complete and utter twunt who ran onto the pitch and fecked up a try scoring opportunity for Liam Williams. Please name him and drop him off at an agreed time and place for the Welsh public to deal with.......

Anywho....... Bring on Australia!!