The Rugby Thread

[pharvey]

I can appreciate an excellent pair of buttocks performance as well as anyone.

And there's me thinking it was the hair.... I have to admit, I am now a tad more concerned.

[404cameljockey]

I can appreciate an excellent pair of buttocks performance as well as anyone.

And there's me thinking it was the hair.... I have to admit, I am now a tad more concerned.

The best hair in rugby surely must go to the annoying 'My Little Pony' Faf.

[pharvey]

I missed the incident, but not the match. Just adds to the misery of the Bath performance in the first 45 minutes or so, the TNT (Ex-'Queens Players commentary and well..). It was certainly a "Game of Two Halves though", despite the annoying commentary at times of his (DM ) insistent love of that bloody Wendyballer playing for the Lah-de-Dahs.

In all honesty though, how in God's name does this happen?! Could have a hell of an impact on the final standings (and finances) for the clubs. Bath had made an incredible comeback and who knows what the extra 3 minutes could have made?

Some poor ref'ing, but has to be said that was overall, not biased. This though.....

Harlequins v Bath: RFU Apologises for Timing Mistake Over Player in Sin-Bin[/b]

"The RFU has apologised after Harlequins lock Irne Herbst spent seven minutes in the sin-bin instead of 10 during a win over Bath - but the result will stand.

A timing error by officials meant Herbst was allowed to rejoin play early after receiving a yellow card.

Quins survived a Bath comeback to win the Premiership match 40-36.

"We would like to apologise to both teams for this mistake," said the RFU Professional Game Match Officials Team (PGMOT) in a statement.

"As is the usual process, the PGMOT will review all games to ensure continued improvement and learnings."

Harlequins appeared to be cruising and held a commanding 40-13 advantage when Herbst was yellow-carded in the 64th minute at Twickenham Stoop.

But Bath then hit back with two tries in quick succession before the South African returned to the field and made a crucial tackle as the home side clung on for victory.

Bath director of rugby Johan van Graan raised the error with referee Anthony Woodthorpe after the final whistle."

However, the PGMOT statement confirmed the result will stand, leaving second-placed Bath five points behind Premiership leaders Northampton Saints.

[pharvey]

Some decent rugby coming up today ([EDIT] https://www.wheresthematch.com/live-rugby-union-on-tv/) - highlights for me being: -

Exeter vs Bath (Champions Cup - Last 16) 3pm UK
Ospreys vs Sale (ERC - Last 16) 8pm UK

These two could be very close IMHO - despite some recent results. Bath are unrecognisable in comparison to the last few seasons, but some decisions regarding "Squad Rotation" and use of substitutions have been open for discussion shall we say - 33 vs 3 down at HT last time out against 'Quins and Bath come back to 40 vs 36!! Exeter have had a very mixed season with some great wins, but last time out were hammered 5 vs 41 away to Sale

Ospreys have been the shining light for Welsh Rugby in an otherwise very gloomy period..... Despite Sale's overwhelming victory against Exeter last week, hopes are high for the Swansea outfit. Passion and confidence on the up, I have hope.... Well Christ, all hope for "my" Region the Scarlets has long vanished...

Adding insult to injury to Welsh Rugby however is the fact that the Ospreys will be playing at "Home" in Bridgend (Brewery Field) as their normal Home ground Swansea City's Liberty Stadium which is deemed to big for the expected crowd(s) (this one being for European knockout Rugby FFS!!)

All Four Rugby Regions in Wales have recently posted losses of over £2 Million for the Financial Year.... A VERY SAD STATE OF AFFAIRS!!

Thankyou WRU!!

[dtaai-maai]

I was going to tank you for sorting out my day's rugby, but on closer examination I'll opt for:
Exeter-Bath 3pm
Bordeaux-Sarries 5.30pm
Lenister-Leicester 8pm

Thankyou WRU!!

It's just occurred to me that my initials are PWRU, so from now on I wish to be known as Philip Welsh Rugby Union.

But on second thoughts...

[pharvey]

I was going to tank you for sorting out my day's rugby, but on closer examination I'll opt for:
Exeter-Bath 3pm
Bordeaux-Sarries 5.30pm
Lenister-Leicester 8pm

Three games (plus the earlier F1 Qualifying) would be crossing a line with the LHG that is not on the cards shall we say..... I'm allowed the 3pm match, 5:30 will be an early dinner and "attention giving" before she has to go to work... So freedom for the late match!! Although, Leinster - Leicester is just going to be too one sided IMHO.... Ospreys it has to be!!

It's just occurred to me that my initials are PWRU, so from now on I wish to be known as Philip Welsh Rugby Union.

Don't even go there!

[pharvey]

Stacks of European Rugby on again this weekend....

https://www.wheresthematch.com/live-rugby-union-on-tv/

Picks for me: -

Gloucester vs Ospreys (Friday 8:00pm UK) - Gloucester will be firm favourites with the Ospreys in uncharted territory getting to this stage in a European Competition for the first time. Would be quite something to get past Gloucester at Kingsholm in front of the Gloucester support and the "Shed"..... I dearly hope it's an away win!!

Bordeaux vs 'Quins (Saturday 3:00pm UK) - I can see 'Queens being handed their collective backsides here, but that in itself would be fun to watch That said, if 'Quins through caution to the wind, you never know - they certainly have the backline that could cause an upset..

Leinster vs La Rochelle (Saturday 5:30pm UK) - Not many come away with a win against Leinster at home, but there's been some classics between these two.

Toulouse vs Exeter (Sunday 3:00pm UK) - Toulouse to give Exeter what they deserve after fluking a win against Bath!!

And that will be Rugby "Burnout" for a little while!!

[pharvey]

Oh DAMN!! There's Northampton vs Bulls now starting..... I have free reign, the LHG is away..... Guilt or dare I blaspheme in saying too much rugby already this weekend?!!

No, damn it... I'm going to read the paper - pop into the garden, cook my supper!! But then, simply to appease the Rugby Gods, I shall keep the BT Box and TV on.

[dtaai-maai]

It was another good game.

I'm watching Toulouse-Exeter. You have to hand it these French fans: you won't find a more fair-minded, objective and less partisan group anywhere...
Likewise for the TV directors.

[dtaai-maai]

You have to hand it these French fans: you won't find a more fair-minded, objective and less partisan group anywhere...

...other than pharvey, of course!

[pharvey]

You have to hand it these French fans: you won't find a more fair-minded, objective and less partisan group anywhere...

...other than pharvey, of course!

Oh now, now..... There's no need is there, how more fair minded could I be?

Anywho..... Current Exeter Captain Jack Yeandle could be in a spot of shite for this. I didn't see it during the match (well, annihilation), but it's been picked up by several viewers. No mention of a citing yet, but it does not look good. Very short video, so needs a couple of views. I assume there'll be more for the citing officer to look at, but.....
.

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Yeandle does have a pretty decent deciplinary record - aside from a 3 week Ban a few years back. This however could be a tad different. Contact to the eye area is very much frowned upon - let alone eye-gouging and is pretty much top of the pile with regards to penalties handed out. Forget weeks, the starting point is likely to be months.

[dtaai-maai]

Owwww! That made me wince just looking at it! I was thinking maybe accidentla, but a second look makes that unlikely. And tjhere won't be a third look...

[pharvey]

I was thinking maybe accidental, but a second look makes that unlikely.

That's the thing - and I'm sure officials will be taking a far closer look. A ban well into next season is on the cards I think... Didn't think he was the type, but maybe just hid it well. There's obviously a lot of the "Dark Arts" that goes unseen, but eye-gouging is a serious no-no. Prevalent in French rugby in past years and almost expected years back. I toured to the south of France at age grade rugby (a little while back ) and I and 2 others in the pack suffered from it - two of us needing multiple stiches. Back then, it was normal - these days it's (thankfully) a disgrace.

He'll be lucky to get away with under 3 months IMHO, but likely deserves nearer 6.

[EDIT] And I'm blaming French Rugby!! Sorry, simply happened to be a match against the French.. Hey-ho

[pharvey]

Owwww! That made me wince just looking at it! I was thinking maybe accidentla, but a second look makes that unlikely. And tjhere won't be a third look...

Going back to this, I've seen/heard nothing more - he was back playing last weekend and will no doubt be on the pitch again this weekend. Something is very wrong here....

Huge matches again this weekend with the URC and Premiership getting to the playoff stages. The Ospreys being the (only) shining light for Welsh Rugby gunning for the next stage - away to the Bulls is a big, big match. The Ospreys currently in 7th and the Bulls in 4th....

The Premiership is incredibly tight for the playoffs and this weekend's games are going to be quite something! Friday's match between Bath and Sarries is obviously the highlight for me, but it's going to be a tough one - especially with Bath missing a few first choice players including the maverick that is Russell.

Leicester vs Bristol, "DM's 'Queens" vs Northampton - hell, it's going to be good. Just looking at the current table: -
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Prem-Table.jpg (41.59 KiB) Viewed 1069 times

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Many more matches to pick from!! https://www.wheresthematch.com/live-rugby-union-on-tv/

Enjoy

[pharvey]

You don't often get these incidents with rugby "stars" these days, but unfortunately while less prevalent than in some other sports, they sadly do happen. Well, it seems Billy has been a naughty boy again. I hope this doesn't effect his "swansong" move to France. The report doesn't say he'd been drinking (and he has said he no longer drank alcohol), but......

England Rugby Star Billy Vunipola Arrested and ‘Tasered Twice’ for Alleged Violent Incident

"England rugby international Billy Vunipola has been arrested for an alleged violent incident at a bar in Mallorca, Spain.

According to reports in Spanish media, Vunipola was tasered twice by police at around 4:30am on Sunday morning at Epic bar in Palma, after he became aggressive and allegedly tried to attack customers and security personnel.

The 6ft 2in, 20-stone back row was alleged to have removed his shirt and been threatening staff and drinkers with bottles and chairs. The police were called and although the first taser shot apparently had little effect on him, he was subdued by the second.

Vunipola – who plays his club rugby for Saracens – is claimed to have challenged officers before they handcuffed him and reports state he was then sedated and strapped to his bed at a nearby hospital.

He then appeared in court on Sunday and has been released on bail pending an investigation.

Saracens released a statement on Monday morning, saying: “Saracens is aware of an incident involving Billy Vunipola in Majorca. We will of course deal with this incident internally, and will not make any further comment until then.”"

https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rug ... 36291.html