The Rugby Thread

[pharvey]

Apologies - thought I'd already posted... I certainly had match reviews in my head!! And YES DM, as an aside the Dragons vs Ospreys match was a cracker!!
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[pharvey]

Loads of rugby on again this weekend - starting tonight (UK) with Bristol taking on Gloucester - the latter looking far better than last season, but this will be a difficult game for them.
Bath away to Leicester is also a big game - hopefully Bath will add to that performance against Saints last weekend!
Sarries vs Sharks will be interesting and as for games in Wales, Scarlets vs Cardiff could well be a cracker.

It is also of course the final round of the "Rugby Championship" - a few shocks this year, especially how the Pumas have played! I suspect however, they are going to have a bit of a backlash from the Jaarpies.

Far too many fixtures to list, but take a look @ https://www.wheresthematch.com/live-rugby-union-on-tv/ for general info.

[pharvey]

I won't give any scores away in case some are looking at recordings etc., but Bristol vs Gloucester was quite the match last night!! If you haven't seen, try and get a repeat/recording!!

Also watched the NZ vs Aus match this morning - again, well worth the watch. I'll post scores etc. tomorrow'ish after this afternoon's (UK) final match of the competition...

[pharvey]

^ Christ, my memory has gone to pot! I honestly thought I'd posted the Final Championship Rugby table et al.... Hopefully some watched the Bristol vs Gloucester match - hell!

Forgetting the match reviews, the Final HHF Prediction League Table is: -
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Congrats to JJBones on the title this year - commiserations to Oz who deservedly finishes in last place In all seriousness, the Wallabies will no doubt bounce back.

As for this weekend's rugby, some great matches on the cards in the UK. Saturday's match Bath vs Bristol is the classic derby in rugby and in the Southwest! This could be yet another classic, but Bath's Russell needs a far better performance this week and Bristol's attack could well take advantage of Bath's first choice Wingers missing due to injury.

This evening's games (Friday) could well be worth the watch: -

Saints vs the "'Queens"
Sharks vs Gloucester

And not forgetting the Welsh sides!!

Scarlets vs Connacht
Cardiff vs Glasgow

As for the full schedule, take a look here - https://www.wheresthematch.com/live-rugby-union-on-tv/

[pharvey]

Some potentially cracking matches on again this weekend Full list @ https://www.wheresthematch.com/live-rugby-union-on-tv/

The highlight for me is going to be Gloucester vs Bath - couldn't realistically get to the game with my current "mobility" (especially at £55 a pop for crappy seats), a visit to a Gloucester pub with "Pooley"(from the Superbru Leagues) - a devout Gloucester supporter seemed the next best option.... Of course dependent on a Bath win!! The latter could be in question after a pretty dire display against Bristol Bears last weekend and faltering performances from Finn Russell recently.

Exeter have not had the best of starts with a young team, but will still be a difficult away-day for Bristol. Tigers vs Saints could also prove to be a close one as could Sunday's match between the 'Queens and Sarries. Cardiff vs Scarlets in the URC could also prove to be a cracker!

[Big Boy]

especially at £55 a pop for crappy seats

Really?

OK, a few weeks ago now, but my son used to pay £70 for a Bristol season ticket. And you complain about Wendyball?

[Big Boy]

A bit of further research, and £55 for the crap seats still seems very harsh

[Edit] Why almost twice as much to watch Bath at a far inferior stadium?

[pharvey]

especially at £55 a pop for crappy seats

Really?

OK, a few weeks ago now, but my son used to pay £70 for a Bristol season ticket. And you complain about Wendyball?

£70 for a Bristol Bears Season Ticket? You can't even drive into Bristol for week for that these days!!

That £55 for crappy tickets was admittedly getting tickets late in the day through Ticketmaster (always a bit of a con), but ticket prices to rugby matches have shot up. Not to the extremes of football - remembering, this is Top-League Rugby. What's the cost of going to see the EPL with the added couple of pints and a pie?

To watch Bath Rugby at home these days you're talking +/- £30 for the Terraces and the likes of the afore mentioned £55 for the best seating. I used to be a Season Ticket holder many moons ago for +/- £120 (Ground/Standing) - it's now nigh on impossible with the waiting lists.

Bristol are staging their "Home Match" against Bath at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff in May '25 with a view of stealing some additional support from across the bridge - tickets range in price, but top level is £75 from what I can see. Many English clubs have used Twickenham in the past for bigger crowds and additional revenue, but I can't say what the Unions or Stadium owners charge for the privilege.

[EDIT] Not having a pop at Bristol over their decision to play Bath in Cardiff. Bath will have agreed, many English Clubs as well as the four Welsh Regions also do it or very similar. BIG DAYS at the National Stadiums is always good for the sport, but there's so much still to be done in Rugby.

[pharvey]

A bit of further research, and £55 for the crap seats still seems very harsh
[Edit] Why almost twice as much to watch Bath at a far inferior stadium?

Missed this - sorry. Yep, ticket prices are harsh indeed and to some extent why Rugby Clubs are failing as a whole. We supporters simply can't afford it.

As for the 2nd point, firstly, Bristol use a Football "Stadium", Bath have I think possibly one of the best settings in World Rugby (inferior in capacity but certainly not atmosphere or experience) - especially on an evening. Have you or your son been there? A pity if you haven't - truly one of the great venues (despite my bias). Secondly, Bath have massive support, huge waiting lists and will charge due to that (Bristol need to fill their Stadium) - I certainly don't agree with Bath as many true/long time supporters are being priced out.

[Big Boy]

Yes, but whilst a football stadium, you aren't exposed to the elements or crazy flooding.

I spent many years working in Bath, drove past the stadium many times, and even drank with the players quite a few times in the Bog Island Club, but never ventured into the stadium for a game. I thought my son had, but even he never got to the Bath stadium either. At the end of the day, Bath Rugby was always the enemy. My son's proudest moment was scoring against a Bath junior side a couple of times. I'll never forget that game - on top of Lansdown with sub-zero temperatures. We went down the hill to the Rose & Crown in Wick and thawed out in front of the huge log fire.

At almost £54 a game for season ticket holders, it is no wonder Rugby is failing. Even Bristol's almost £28 a game is pretty steep.

[dtaai-maai]

Yes, but whilst a football stadium, you aren't exposed to the elements or crazy flooding.

No, but you are exposed to football supporters...

[Big Boy]

Yes, but it's Ashton Gate, so not real football supporters

[pharvey]

Yes, but whilst a football stadium, you aren't exposed to the elements or crazy flooding.

I spent many years working in Bath, drove past the stadium many times

And there you go -it's not a bleeding "Stadium", never was and should never be. If you ever ventured into "Bog Island", did you know the guys? I'm now talking Spurrell (the owner) and the likes of Hall, Simpson and others that attended?

Drove past? Hell, that's always been difficult in itself. But then again, those working within the Government - but sorry, that goes to a different thread I guess..

[Big Boy]

Yes, I think it was Spurrell - a mean looking git. Wouldn't want to get on the wrong side of him. In fact they were all mean looking gits (I can say that 8,000 miles away ).

Seriously though, they were quite nice guys to talk to, We used to go there most Thursday nights.

[dtaai-maai]

Meanwhile, back to the subject of the rugby being played this weekend :

Some potentially cracking matches on again this weekend Full list @ https://www.wheresthematch.com/live-rugby-union-on-tv/

The highlight for me is going to be Gloucester vs Bath

Well, it has to be Chiefs vs Bristol for me, then Tigers-Saints later if I'm not 'rugbyed out'. At least, for once, there's nothing else happening in the sporting world to distract my attention.