The Rugby Thread

[PeteC]

I got rid of the posts to keep Pharvey happy!

[pharvey]

I got rid of the posts to keep Pharvey happy!

Oh, you should have kept them!!

Racing vs 'Quins was edge of your seat stuff. I was out of breath at the end!

It was a cracker! And who was Man of the Match...?

Hell of a match, and thanks DM for pointing out that Marcus "Oh I'm so wonderful, butter wouldn't melt in my mouth, I squeak when I walk (more so when I'm running like a girl) but I need my hair and nails done" Smith did indeed play reasonably well. Perhaps though DM, some poor defence also came into play.....

In all honesty , fair play indeed to Harlequeens, to beat Racing in Paris is quite something and a bonus point to boot! The ref and his assistants again missed things, but I think evened out between the two sides (questions over more Yellow Cards deserved by the visitors perhaps) and the match was certainly fast moving!! Some great performances from some class players - and let's be fair, there were quite a few on display - good God, Kolisi !! If these Muppets handed out "Man of the Match" to someone on the losing team, well.....

Have to say though - Closed roof, artificial pitch, perfect conditions Racing had the penalty opportunities and Drop Goal opportunities to as an absolute minimum to draw the game or win it with the different options given to them at the end. Poor, poor tactics from Racing, but a hell of a win for the Rah, Rah, Lah-de-Dah Clan!!

Oh, oh, oh - and it wasn't a COMPLETE disaster for the Welsh regions this weekend!! Dragons and Ospreys winning at least..... I shan't bother with details, Welsh Rugby is in turmoil and it's very, very sad to see.....

Bath are a different team this year!

Oh indeed they are!! HUGE difference in confidence, HUGE difference in defence, HUGE difference in attitude - and there's more to come!! The defence still needs work as does the lineout, but potentially we've the odd class act coming in this season and next. We'll be competing for domestic and European titles for sure....... Unfortunately I want to see Cardiff come back, but it appears their next game in "Europe" is against Bath!!

Ho Hum.......

[PeteC]

Eddie Jones is back with Japan again.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/67703042

[pharvey]

Eddie Jones is back with Japan again.

I think he was even during the RWC and despite constant denials from himself and the Japanese Rugby Union.... Personally, I'm a bit upset he didn't re-sign with England!!

[pharvey]

Oh Lordy, some cracking European Rugby again coming up in the next few days - https://www.wheresthematch.com/live-rugby-union-on-tv/

The highlights for me obviously the Welsh games, but Cardiff vs Bath being "The Match"!! I was offered tickets, but with health issues and an 8pm KO in Cardiff, it was a no-no unfortunately

Quins vs Toulouse, Leinster vs Sale, Stade vs Leicester all looking like great games!! Yep, the LHG is certainly a lucky lady!!

[pharvey]

I'm honestly not convinced with Howley, but there's a great deal needed in Welsh Rugby at the moment. There's been an exodus of players - retirements, moves outside of Wales, and the whole BS with funding.... Welsh Regions and clubs are going to suffer from years to come with the utter mess that has been made, but the silver lining must be that the younger players are now getting pushed through far more quickly and as such getting more game time. We have just under 4 years until the next RWC, so hopefully we can build a team to beat!!

Rob Howley makes sensational return to Welsh rugby as part of Warren Gatland's coaching team: -

"Rob Howley has made a sensational return to Welsh rugby as part of Warren Gatland's coaching team for the Six Nations.

The former Wales scrum-half will replace Jonathan Thomas as an assistant coach in Gatland's back-room team but will also take charge of the men's pathway by working closely with the U20s set-up. Howley will take the immediate opportunity to hit the ground running in his new pathway centred role, and will be present at an U20s camp in Scotland next week, along with training matches in the new year ahead of the Six Nations competition.

Howley was a critical part of Gatland's backroom team as attack coach between 2008-2019 playing a crucial role as Wales won four Six Nations titles, including three Grand Slams. The 53-year-old was also attack coach on the 2009, 2012, and 2017 British & Irish Lions tours."

More @ https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rug ... n-28286972

[dtaai-maai]

Anyone stupid enough to use their WRU-issued mobile for prohibited gambling activity surely has no business being given any form of responsibility for coaching the national side?

[pharvey]

Anyone stupid enough to use their WRU-issued mobile for prohibited gambling activity surely has no business being given any form of responsibility for coaching the national side?

A tw@t yes, but he's had 4 years out (of the Welsh game) and Gatland obviously sees something in him. He's going to be involved with the U20's to start with, so I guess give him his chance there.

There'll be the Nay Sayers and TBH I'd be one of them a couple of years back, but I'm 50/50 at the moment. He's a fair bit to prove/make up for, but give him a chance at least for 6 months or so, which will take in the U20's matches and a stint at the 6N.

The state Welsh Rugby is in, he can't really take us backwards can he?

[pharvey]

Christ, I honestly didn't think the Scarlets could drop any further..... Changes have to be made and damn quickly!! 7 losses from 9 in all competitions this season. Things are seriously, seriously going tits up....

However, some cracking rugby today The highlight for me had to be Cardiff vs Bath - good God what a game!! I won't post the result in case some haven't seen yet and have the chance to do so, but I'll just say it's certainly worth the watch!!

I had other matches on record or recorded, but TNT/BT Sports completely ruined things as is their wont, by giving results/updates throughout the Cardiff vs Bath match and without warning!! Absolute tw@ts Though the LHG did find my frustration quite amusing....

[pharvey]

Another cracking match of rugby earlier with Exeter hosting Munster - again, I won't post the result in case those that missed it have the chance to watch the replay....

Quins vs Toulouse has had to be recorded for later viewing - can't handle another game this weekend!!

[dtaai-maai]

I've caught most of the games, though I couldn't find Bath-Scarlets (not that I tried very hard... ). And now that I've finally got rid of my neighbour (she must have seen me unloading the booze shopping ) I'll give the Quins game a go.

[pharvey]

I've caught most of the games, though I couldn't find Bath-Scarlets (not that I tried very hard... ). And now that I've finally got rid of my neighbour (she must have seen me unloading the booze shopping ) I'll give the Quins game a go.

Well it was Cardiff vs Bath, so that's probably why you couldn't find it!! But certainly worth the watch- cracking game. Scarlets on the other hand were bloody dire against Georgian outfit Black Lion....

I'll have a watch of the Quins vs Toulouse match tomorrow.....

[dtaai-maai]

I'll have a watch of the Quins vs Toulouse match tomorrow.....

Oh, you'll love it!!

[pharvey]

I'll have a watch of the Quins vs Toulouse match tomorrow.....

Oh, you'll love it!!

Christ I've got to stop looking at this thread and listening to you before watching the game!! I had visions that "Girly no-knob" Smith had played a blinder and the "Harlequeens" had recorded a dramatic victory.... BUT, nope!! I did enjoy the match, but not for the reasons you might think (aside from Smith's penalty kick to touch in the opening minutes ).

Toulouse are quite the team and their bench is second to none. Quins certainly tried, but ultimately mid-field defence and a lack of comparable power/fitness late on cost them dearly. Toulouse are certainly going to be the one's to beat - it's been done before obviously, but who's going to do it this season?

But Oh, wasn't it wonderful to see the Lah-de-Dah crowd straightening and dusting off their Quin's coloured blazers and heading to the North Carpark to be helped up onto/into a relaxing carriage whilst Jeeves serves some refreshments. Those French Oiks (along with other Celts) must be tamed and trained it seems!!

[EDIT] My apologies, my love of Harlequins Rugby, "HQ" and the whole "Twickers" thing just gets the better of me sometimes...

[dtaai-maai]

I've caught most of the games, though I couldn't find Bath-Scarlets (not that I tried very hard... ). And now that I've finally got rid of my neighbour (she must have seen me unloading the booze shopping ) I'll give the Quins game a go.

Well it was Cardiff vs Bath, so that's probably why you couldn't find it!!

Cardiff Schmardiff, they're all Welsh, aren't they??

Christ I've got to stop looking at this thread and listening to you before watching the game!!

See? When is a spoiler not a spoiler...?