The Rugby Thread

[pharvey]

Must admit that is tempting, especially as England appear to be in the easiest group.

They always are...... Hmmm.

[lindosfan1]

Must admit that is tempting, especially as England appear to be in the easiest group.

They always are...... Hmmm.

Just looked at the groups again an your team are in an easy group as well. The Welsh just have to look out for french referees. Pick a decent team, is that possible?
Do all that then get beaten by the English
The English are obviously going to win, So please do not fret to much.

[pharvey]

International rugby (national loyalty etc.) was always a bit of a farce with the 3 year residency rule - this latest rule change makes things even more farcical IMHO.... Though it will be interesting to see what the likes of Fiji, Tonga and Samoa gain and the likes of Australia and NZ lose!

World Rugby Amends Rule and Allows Players to Switch National Teams.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/ ... onal-teams

[lindosfan1]

If I have this right, you can switch teams, play for another then if you are not oicked for 3 years you can switch back.
This could be confusing if you are born in England, live in Wales, have a Scottish mother and Irish Father a French grandmother and Italian grandfather.
Bill Beaumont supported this.

[pharvey]

Well, the Heineken Champions Cup kicks off this coming weekend - and already a farce with the Scarlets and Cardiff missing all first team/squad players due to the Covid BS (and travelling to SA). The Scarlets have decided (sensibly) not to risk injuries to players who have been unable to train (farcical facilities in Belfast), Cardiff (minus 32 frontline squad members!) fielding a team of semi-pro and aged players against the European Champions..... WTF??!!

Still, there's a couple of good matches out there!!

[EDIT] Though I'm dreading the Bath result...... That said, could guarantee some changes in the Management/Coaching Team!!

[pharvey]

Sums it up: -

https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/59549760

https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/59553161

[pharvey]

Truly, very sad news - and the end of a potentially great career it seems All hopes for a speedy recovery and a healthy life, albeit not playing rugby.... He would have been there with Wales in the RWC in France. All thoughts for his health and wellbeing though.

Ifan Phillips: Ospreys Hooker Suffers 'Life-Changing' Injuries in Motorcycle Collision

"Ospreys hooker Ifan Phillips has suffered "life-changing injuries" following a serious road traffic collision involving two motorcycles.

The incident happened in Swansea on Sunday and Phillips was taken to Morriston Hospital, where Ospreys say he is in a stable condition.

Phillips, 25, is the son of former Neath and Wales hooker Kevin.

He has played 40 games for Ospreys and trained with Wayne Pivac's Wales squad last summer.

An Ospreys statement read: "The Ospreys can confirm hooker Ifan Phillips was involved in a serious road traffic accident in Swansea on Sunday afternoon and is now being treated at Morriston Hospital.

"Ifan is in a stable condition and he is uppermost in the thoughts of all of us at the Ospreys.

"On behalf of his team-mates, coaches, staff, all Ospreys supporters and the rugby community, we want to extend our full support to Ifan, his family and his friends.

"The family are overwhelmed and very grateful for the support they have received in the last few days. The Ospreys request Ifan and his family are given privacy at this difficult time.""

[pharvey]

"Harry Potter" (yes really), does a disappearing act.......
.

[pharvey]

Well, Bath Rugby add to their their record breaking run....... Unfortunately UNWANTED records!!

Boxing Day's 20 v 40 loss to Gloucester gives them a "perfect" 10 losses in 10 starts in the Premiership this season, and a single win in the last 19 starts (all matches).

Their worst start to a season in the professional era, heaviest defeats against several teams in the professional era including 71 v 10 (Gloucester) and 17 v 71 (Saracens), most points/most tries conceded......

Seems many moons ago now that teams had a fear of visiting the Rec - seems now teams are virtually guaranteed of a comfortable win.

Big changes are coming, but there's certainly no quick fix to this dire state of affairs....

[lindosfan1]

Well, Bath Rugby add to their their record breaking run....... Unfortunately UNWANTED records!!

Boxing Day's 20 v 40 loss to Gloucester gives them a "perfect" 10 losses in 10 starts in the Premiership this season, and a single win in the last 19 starts (all matches).

Their worst start to a season in the professional era, heaviest defeats against several teams in the professional era including 71 v 10 (Gloucester) and 17 v 71 (Saracens), most points/most tries conceded......

Seems many moons ago now that teams had a fear of visiting the Rec - seems now teams are virtually guaranteed of a comfortable win.

Big changes are coming, but there's certainly no quick fix to this dire state of affairs....

Read in the Times today they canno be relegated from the Gallagher championship, because they are in Englands top flight and are ring fenced. Howdoes that work if you have not won a game?

[pharvey]

Read in the Times today they canno be relegated from the Gallagher championship, because they are in Englands top flight and are ring fenced. Howdoes that work if you have not won a game?

You're quite correct in that the Premiership has been "Ring-fenced" as such for this season (at least) with no relegation to or from the Championship for this season due to Covid - which I have some sympathy with. HOWEVER, there has been much to suggest that this will be extended until the end of the 2024 season which I find disgraceful. Whether the latter has yet been ratified, I don't know - but worryingly it seems quite likely....

I have supported Bath for 40+ years and have seen them (questionably) avoid relegation previously (a number of years back). Quite frankly, this season I don't think they would have a better record, Covid or not and deserve to be relegated - it might just give them the kick up the backside that they deserve...... I'm sure then though, plenty would run - sponsors, investors and players galore. Money far outweighs loyalty or pride - the sport is far from what it used to be unfortunately......

[dtaai-maai]

Just watched the Bristol-Leicester game - it's a cracker!

[pharvey]

Just watched the Bristol-Leicester game - it's a cracker!

Indeed it was - put Quins Saints next on your list!!



Pity there's feck all happenning in Wales with sport - heartbreaking quite frankly.

[pharvey]

If things couldn't get any more ridiculous..... Or fecking annoying!

Bath Rugby, in dire need of more forward power - especially in the Front 3/5, have made a cracking signing in the Russian Loosehead Valery Morozov.... Wonderful !!

Then promptly announce that he has only been signed as cover until the end of the season... WTF??!!! No offence, but there are a fair few squad members who could head for the gates to make way on the salary cap and allow one or two more to come in!! CHRIST!!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/59821551

[pharvey]

As very few supporters of the "Game Played in Heaven" on the Forum, not much point in posting this on any other thread such as "Documentaries....." etc.

Anywho, the three part documentary "Slammed" on BBC is a good one! It covers the years 1998 - 2008 of Welsh rugby, probably the most turbulent in our history. Record breaking losses, record breaking wins, players and coaches MIA galore.....

I remember the good and bad all too well, not to mention the '80's which was a far worse period for Welsh rugby following the "Crowning Years" of the 70's, so thankfully not shown!!

This series shows the Good, Bad and the Ugly of Welsh Rugby from supporters to players and coaches/management. We are a very proud (and opiniated ) nation - especially so when it comes to our national sport!

Worth the watch, Welsh or not!