The Rugby Thread

[pharvey]

No clue about the American. Rugby Pass TV has some of their games on but I've never really watched.

The southern game is still using the red card player replacement after 20 minutes, but they've scrapped the "Captain's Challenge", and I think there was a third new rule, but not sure what it was?

It was tongue in cheek with American Rugby Union - we all have to follow the same rules - I assume it's yards rather that meters when the NFL play in Wembley?!

Somewhat of an outcry in the "Valleys" with regards to the "Captain's Challenge", but then again Caerdydd lost....

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rug ... l-20704880

[dtaai-maai]

I'm watching, I'll let you know. I've watched 5 matches from Friday to today and the situation hasn't repeated.

Edit: On a personal basis I'm about 3 years in since watching rugby for the first time and I would say my eye is at 50%. I hope I live long enough to be able to see let's say 75%?!

Be grateful you hven't started watching cricket!!

Haven't seen a review of the Quins-Bath game yet, pharvey. I assume you saw it, but I won't comment just in case. Glad I saw it without knowing the result, as it was a cracking game.

[pharvey]

"Our Nige" played a spot of rugby at school (essential in Wales) but was apparently cr@p!

It was said he loved rugby and had to be involved - he just couldn't play it!! Apparently he was ref'ing by the time he was 15 and actually took charge of a "proper match" (not professional). There's a massive amount of qualifications to go through - and understandably so. I played to (lower ) district level, before deciding actual work would benefit me... But believe me, just understanding/knowing the rules/regulations within the forwards was enough!! We honestly thought that the only things the backs had to worry about was "Offside" and a "Forward Pass"!!

Wayne Barnes (my hero ) was similar in that he was cr@p at rugby as a player and took charge of a "proper" match at a similar age.... 15'ish.

Despite what I say (with banter), I do class Barnes as a top ref - not quite up to Nige's standards though . Must admit, that Luke Pearce has been extremely good - a lot more to see of him I think.

Do not get me started on Women TMO's after last night's match (Bath vs Quins)...

[dtaai-maai]

Catch the last 20 mins of the Exeter game if yu can...

[pharvey]

Haven't seen a review of the Quins-Bath game yet, pharvey. I assume you saw it, but I won't comment just in case. Glad I saw it without knowing the result, as it was a cracking game.

Cracking game, yes and one which Bath certainly didn't deserve to win.

WTF the Bath coaching/management team are doing, I have no idea. Yes, try new players, develop the team/squad - but this was a fecking imporant game!! We might be nowhere near the play off's, BUT Europe is still important to some of us!! Thankfully, we got a Bonus "losing" Point due to Quins' resident "Wendyballer" Smith's inability to kick and Marchant's Yellow Card....

Bath picked a side that was totally mix-match as if there was c*ck all to play for - thankfully, the team did try and a number of players new and old did shine. Not so much the squad than the coaching/management team that need to change at Bath, and the sooner the better IMHO!!

Whilst decisions would have made zero difference to the score, I'd love to see what views the TMO's were looking at whilst reviewing some of the offsides/forward passes.....

Again, sick and tired of the (lack of) refereeing over feeding of the scrum (nothing biased - both sides guilty)......

[pharvey]

Catch the last 20 mins of the Exeter game if yu can...

I am indeed!!

[dtaai-maai]

Haven't seen a review of the Quins-Bath game yet, pharvey. I assume you saw it, but I won't comment just in case. Glad I saw it without knowing the result, as it was a cracking game.

Cracking game, yes and one which Bath certainly didn't deserve to win.

WTF the Bath coaching/management team are doing, I have no idea.

Exactly the same thought occurred to me as I was watching. Looking at the talent in Bath's squad, it's difficult to explain why they seem to underperform so often. It's such a recurring problem that it has to be down to the coaching staff. Having said that, beefing up their front row and upgrading their halfbacks might help. (I don't much like Spencer, but he had a decent enough game yesterday.)

[pharvey]

Having said that, beefing up their front row and upgrading their halfbacks might help. (I don't much like Spencer, but he had a decent enough game yesterday.)

Spencer is a great talent, but seems to just get pi$$ed off and stop playing at times - I understand his frustration, but FFS you should still give it your all! Priestland at Flyhalf has saved Bath on a number of occasions and has been the stand out player at times. Bath's loss and Wales' gain in that he's returning to the regions and will be joining Caerdydd next season.

I certainly agree with regards to the Front-row - and again we are letting players go.

There's something wrong in the hierarchy at Bath IMHO - I've been a supporter for many years and have seen the up's and downs, but recent years are worrying. Lots of money yes, but plenty of politics also which is not needed!

[pharvey]

Catch the last 20 mins of the Exeter game if yu can...

Well, an exhibition rather than a match wasn't it?!

Exeter absolutely superb - the last try summing things up. Superb off-loading and this when you are 70 odd points up.

There was lot's to say after Sales' win over Bristol, questioning who's the best/who deserves the title..... Hmmmmmm.

Yes Newcastle RFC are only slightly less poor than their Wendyball counterparts, but lets be fair, Exeter look very, very good!!

[arcadianagain]

This a just a question as I have no prior knowledge but, did the inclusion of top South African players affect the results of the Premiership when British players were involved in the Six Nations?

[arcadianagain]

This a just a question as I have no prior knowledge but, did the inclusion of top South African players affect the results of the Premiership when British players were involved in the Six Nations?

[pharvey]

This a just a question as I have no prior knowledge but, did the inclusion of top South African players affect the results of the Premiership when British players were involved in the Six Nations?

It's difficult to say really. The "top side's" squads (Exeter, Saracens et. al) in general do not seem to be hit so hard with the loss of players on international duty - the "smaller/less wealthy" sides more so.

In the case of Saracens, their cheating (salary cap) came to light and they were automatically relegated anyway last season. Sale have the biggest SA contingent (+/- 10 squad members I believe) several of whom are first choice players, so British international duty effected/effects them way less - so I guess you could say they have, will benefit at the time of the Six Nations.

[PeteC]

What is it with this Benetton Rugby team? When I see "Italy" in regards to Rugby Union I just keep moving down the page. How can they be so good in this Cup and Italy so awful in internationals.

[pharvey]

What is it with this Benetton Rugby team? When I see "Italy" in regards to Rugby Union I just keep moving down the page. How can they be so good in this Cup and Italy so awful in internationals.

Not many Italians play for Benetton.... - In all seriousness, these days, the squad has a majority of Italians ('ish), but they miss the front and back-rows. Argentina providing the best parts of the front row and a few Jarrpies there in the backrow, not to mention the backline.....

[pharvey]

Here we go again - hopefully no further cases and all will recover well...... Likely the only way Bath would have got any points

"Saturday's Premiership game between Gloucester and Bath has been called off because of coronavirus cases at the Kingsholm club.

Gloucester say "a number of positive Covid-19 tests" were returned by players and other staff.

They have also closed their stadium until further notice as a precautionary measure.

A Premiership Rugby panel will allocate points for the match, which will not be rescheduled.

It is likely, however, that Bath will be awarded four points and Gloucester two - as happened with other games which had to be cancelled because of Covid earlier in the season.

"The club is working closely with Public Health England and Premiership Rugby and continue to act upon the advice offered," Gloucester said in a statement.

"Health, wellbeing and safety are paramount, and all players and staff are being monitored by Gloucester Rugby medical staff, in addition to their families being offered support where necessary.

"In the interests of privacy, Gloucester Rugby will not be disclosing the names of those affected."

Gloucester are due to travel to Worcester Warriors on 12 June for their final game of the Premiership campaign, with Bath at home to Northampton Saints on the same day."

Premiership 2020-21 - Covid cancellations

Round 4: Bath v London Irish, Newcastle v Leicester
Round 5: London Irish v Northampton, Worcester v Harlequins
Round 6: Northampton v Leicester
Round 9: Northampton v Newcastle
Round 10: Worcester v Newcastle
Round 21: Gloucester v Bath

Taken from the BBC