The Rugby Thread

[PeteC]

Nigel went into the cattle raising business in Wales about 18 months ago. If you look at him on Twitter very little about rugby over that period of time, and everything about cattle. I think he's been following a well thought out life plan for several years now. He seemed very active in local rugby and kids teams/organizations etc., and Covid put a stop to all of that now so not surprised he's calling it a day.

[pharvey]

Nigel went into the cattle raising business in Wales about 18 months ago. If you look at him on Twitter very little about rugby over that period of time, and everything about cattle. I think he's been following a well thought out life plan for several years now. He seemed very active in local rugby and kids teams/organizations etc., and Covid put a stop to all of that now so not surprised he's calling it a day.

Covid has little to do with him calling it a day - was always on the cards with regards to international rugby, purely due to age and fitness. He'll never stop supporting "Grass Routes" or "Age Level" Rugby" in Wales and as such will always be prized. He has and always will have a huge amount of respect throughout rugby.

He'll be there for a few years yet in rugby!!

[PeteC]

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[PeteC]

[pharvey]

Thanks for that Pete - I wasn't going to make the 4am start! Certainly looks like the AB's put in a huge display. The run by Clarke was quite something!

Keep thinking Jordie Barret is the spitting image of John Kirwan both in appearance and the way he plays.

[Big Boy]

Wasps cleared to play Exeter Chiefs in final despite Covid-19 cases

https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/54627360

Common sense prevails, and that is coming from a Bears supporter.

[pharvey]

Wasps cleared to play Exeter Chiefs in final despite Covid-19 cases

https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/54627360

Common sense prevails, and that is coming from a Bears supporter.

Yep, with regards to the play-off's, it's good to see, That said, I'll regard Exeter as champions whatever happens on Saturday.

[pharvey]

Aside from the Premiership final, this weekend sees the start of the Autumn internationals program (not to be confused with the Autumn Nations Cup which kicks off on November 13th): -

Friday 23rd Oct KO 19:30 (local), Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh (Televised ITV4 - UK).

Scotland vs Georgia

Saturday 24th Oct KO 15:30 (local), Aviva Stadium, Dublin (Televised ITV - UK).

Ireland vs Italy

Saturday 24th Oct KO 18:00 (local), Twickenham, London (Televised BT Sport)

Exeter vs Wasps

Saturday 24th Oct KO 21:00 (local), Stade De France, Paris (Televised ITV4/S4C - UK)

France vs Wales

Sunday 25th OCT KO 14:00 (local), Twickenham, London (Televised SKY)

England vs Barbarians - Seems a tad pointless as BaaBaa's games really are for the crowd (non-existent nowadays ).

[dtaai-maai]

Thanks pharvey, keep up the good work!

[PeteC]

As is obvious, South Africa passed this year for a variety of reasons mostly Covid related.

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[pharvey]

^ Back to the "Tri-Nations" it is then......

[EDIT] I'll start a prediction league for interested parties once it's organised on SB. At the moment they're still including South Africa, so I'll give it a few days to see what's happening.

There is also going to be the Autumn Nations Tournament in +/- 3 weeks. Would the preference be for one or the other to be set up, or both? Personally, if only going for one, the Nations Cup would be the more interesting one.

[pharvey]

Heads up for all those in the HH Six Nations Prediction League.

Ireland vs Italy tomorrow (24.10) will complete Round 4 of the tournament - Round 5 will be played over the weekend 31.10-01.11.

Get your picks in!!

[pharvey]

England v Barbarians Called Off After Players Breach Covid Rules

"England's match against the Barbarians at Twickenham on Sunday has been called off after 12 Barbarians players were stood down for breaking Covid rules.

The players left their hotel bubble - contrary to team protocols - to have dinner at a London restaurant.

During its investigation, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) said it discovered another breach where players left the hotel without permission.

Former England captain Chris Robshaw is among the players who have apologised.

The RFU said the players' actions meant the "bubble environment" was compromised.

"We are incredibly disappointed to be calling a halt to this fixture," said RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney. "We know how much fans were looking forward to seeing the teams play.

"However, our priority is to protect the health and safety of the England squad and the other international teams they will go up against this autumn."

Robshaw, Richard Wigglesworth, Sean Maitland and Jackson Wray were among the 12 players stood down from the fixture, along with a number of other Saracens players."

Personally I thought the game was a bit of a waste in the first place - BaaBaas games really need the "live fans", which obviously is not happening at the moment. That said, what a bunch of conceited tw@ts this group is with seemingly zero respect what many others have done to put this game in place - a real put down to the great tradition that is Barbarians RFC. I wonder what SKY Sports will have to say.......

"....along with a number of other Saracens players." Now there's a surprise

[PeteC]

Six Nations is back with Ireland vs Italy happening today. It's been so long I had forgotten all about it!

[dtaai-maai]

Watching the Exeter-Wasps game. It's a filthy evening at Twickers, and I was just reflecting on the pitches nowadays. When I used to play (in the 70s-80s) it would be a sea of mud by now!

(EDIT: Many thanks to pharvey, the Buffstreams link has been an absolute godsend!)