The Rugby Thread

[pharvey]

S4C available on BBC iPlayer apparently.

Hadn't realised, but seems to be the case - hopefully you'll be able to catch it live.

More potential Covid issues affecting UK Rugby (though only reported in the Daily Mail so far......): -

"The climax of the Premiership season has been thrown into chaos after an outbreak of COVID-19 amongst the players at Sale.

Sportsmail understands the club’s crucial final-round match with Worcester could be cancelled after a ‘double figure number’ of positive tests.

The league announced on Friday morning that team announcements have been delayed and PRL are now scrambling to find a solution.

The competition is set up for a grandstand finish, with Sale, Wasps, Bristol and Bath all vying for the three remaining play-off places.

But Sale could now be forced to forfeit the match, leaving Wasps and Bath with a guaranteed semi-final, and Bristol needing just one point against London Irish.

PRL refused to comment."

More @ https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugby ... ID-19.html

[pharvey]

Note to DM - Leinster vs Scarlets being shown on S4C (KO 20:15).

Apologies, meant Leinster vs Dragons (a long night for the Dragons I fear).

Scarlets play tomorrow (03.10) when they host Munster.

[pharvey]

More on the "Sale Saga", with Northampton Saints also possibly effected. This could really have a huge impact with a Top Four "Play-off" finish and European Champions Cup qualification at stake.

Sale’s Key Game Under Threat After 16 Positive Tests

"Sale Sharks’ critical Premiership clash with Worcester Warriors is reportedly under threat of being cancelled after 16 players tested positive for coronavirus.

The decisive final round of regular-season fixtures on Sunday has been thrown into chaos by the spread of Covid-19 through the Sharks, with a small number of backroom staff also testing positive.

The fallout could also affect Northampton’s trip to Gloucester after Saints played Sale at Franklin’s Gardens on Tuesday.

More to follow…"

From https://www.planetrugby.com/sales-key-g ... ive-tests/

[pharvey]

Well, it was always going to be a frustrating/annoying day once I heard Wayne " The Blinkered" Barnes was going to be refereeing Saracens vs Bath - Bath needing a win to confirm a top 4 place. Bath with the help of Barns of course are now reliant on Sale losing come Wednesday should that match go ahead (certainly shouldn't without all effected isolating for 14 days).

Also a Big Hand to BT's mind numbingly useless commentators giving a running update on the scores of the other matches I had recorded - cheers guys!!

[arcadianagain]

Well, it was always going to be a frustrating/annoying day once I heard Wayne " The Blinkered" Barnes was going to be refereeing Saracens vs Bath - Bath needing a win to confirm a top 4 place. Bath with the help of Barns of course are now reliant on Sale losing come Wednesday should that match go ahead (certainly shouldn't without all effected isolating for 14 days).

Also a Big Hand to BT's mind numbingly useless commentators giving a running update on the scores of the other matches I had recorded - cheers guys!!

Pharvey, apart from the fact he`s English, what is your problem with Wayne Barnes?

[dtaai-maai]

Oh boy, you had to ask...
"Once upon a time there was an English referee in charge of a game between Wales and France/Ireland/New Zealand/......... [enter team of your choice here]..."

[pharvey]

Pharvey, apart from the fact he`s English, what is your problem with Wayne Barnes?

No racism involved - at least from my side...... He's just made (and makes) some poor decisions. There's also a fair amount of sarcasm/tongue-in-cheek involved.

[pharvey]

Well after the farcical handling of the whole Covid - Sale issue, the Gallagher Premiership Semi-Final Playoffs are fixed for Saturday

Wasps vs Bristol Bears (KO 13:30 UK)
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Wasps-Bears.JPG (45.56 KiB) Viewed 457 times

Exeter vs Bath (KO 16:30 UK)
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Exeter-Bath.JPG (45.62 KiB) Viewed 457 times

Would be great to see a Bath vs Bristol final, but unlikely and looking more like a Bristol vs Exeter final IMO - although Wasps vs Bristol is a tight one to call.

[Big Boy]

You've gotta love an underdog

[pharvey]

You've gotta love an underdog

I can see Bristol doing it despite past results - they'll certainly be pumped up for it! Exeter however will be a game too far.....

[pharvey]

You've gotta love an underdog

I can see Bristol doing it despite past results - they'll certainly be pumped up for it! Exeter however will be a game too far.....

Well that "Gypsy-like" prediction was somewhat off the mark you could say! Wasps 47 vs Bristol 24

Despite a couple of well taken tries, very much a below par performance from Bristol, being their own worst enemies at times and decisions going against them at others. Certainly can't take anything away from Wasps who were quite frankly rampant in attack and for the majority of the match, smothering in defence. Great performance from the backrow also with several turnovers.

Now for Exeter vs Bath

[dtaai-maai]

I have to mention again why don't you just get Rugby Pass, and use your VPN to point to Singapore, Thailand or somewhere over here where the games are not blocked by Rugby Pass?

Rugby Pass is $20 per month, or am I missing something? (Been trying to watch Exeter-Bath but buffstreams isn't cooperating)

EDIT: Got there on buffstreams at the 30 mins mark. I had been trying via Opera's VPN, now I've downloaded the Firefox VPN ($5 a month) and that's done the trick.

[Big Boy]

I'm paying $9.99/month.

[pharvey]

I'm paying $9.99/month.

Guess it depends on which region you're in, that said it's banned in the UK so access is only with a VPN anyway, so presumably a specific region can be selected.

As for Exeter vs Bath..... A demolition job quite frankly - 35 vs 6 in Exeter's favour

Bath made far too many mistakes against a side that you simply can't afford to make mistakes against. The difference between Exeter's & Bath's defence was night and day - although the former were certainly stretching the rules at times and their Second Row Hill was lucky not to receive a red card IMO for a dreadful shoulder charge on Faletau.

Exeter's power +/- 10m from the line is a sight to see and almost a guaranteed 5 or 7 points, and you can hardly question their backline either who looked a lot more dangerous than Bath's. Ultimately, a Bath win was unlikely but Christ, I was hoping it was going to be a tad closer!!

Unfortunately Bath (and others) have a long way to go to match this Exeter squad.

[dtaai-maai]

As for Exeter vs Bath..... A demolition job quite frankly - 35 vs 6 in Exeter's favour

Bath made far too many mistakes against a side that you simply can't afford to make mistakes against. The difference between Exeter's & Bath's defence was night and day - although the former were certainly stretching the rules at times and their Second Row Hill was lucky not to receive a red card IMO for a dreadful shoulder charge on Faletau.

Exeter's power +/- 10m from the line is a sight to see and almost a guaranteed 5 or 7 points, and you can hardly question their backline either who looked a lot more dangerous than Bath's. Ultimately, a Bath win was unlikely but Christ, I was hoping it was going to be a tad closer!!

Unfortunately Bath (and others) have a long way to go to match this Exeter squad.

Can't disagree with any of that - except perhaps for the Hill card; I thought yellow was right, and I suspect you're looking through Bath-coloured glasses .

Bath are a decent side (though I wasn't overly impressed with the scrum half - Spencer?), and with their back line you expect more than they achieved today, but (a) they need the ball first and (b) the Exeter defence is astonishing. An awesome side.

I'm sorry I missed the other game, now that I've hopefully got the streaming sorted I really must get the schedule organised. Rugby is really my game over and above anything else.
Gopperth is amazing, must be the best NZ player never to have played for the All Blacks.