The Rugby Thread

[pharvey]

Big changes in Welsh rugby - whether or not they will work/improve things is another matter: -

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/ieu ... w-26562803

On the bad and sad side of things...
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Both will get (and deserve) heavy bans - I'm sure a damned sight longer than that bloody Wendyballer who assaulted the ref!

[pharvey]

Plenty of rugby on again this weekend: -

https://www.wheresthematch.com/live-rugby-union-on-tv/

The main ones for me will have to be Scarlets vs Brive (S4C 31.03), Cardiff vs Sale (BT Sports 01.04) & Saracens vs Ospreys (BT Sports 02.04), although plenty to choose from should the Welsh teams capitulate!!

https://www.wheresthematch.com/live-rugby-union-on-tv/

[dtaai-maai]

I'm watching Stormers-Quins. Breakneck first 20 mins, but they have one thing in SA that our game is sadly missing - cheerleaders!

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[dtaai-maai]

Some excellent rugby today. Gloucester really unlucky. Now...

COME ON YOU SHAAAARKS!!

[dtaai-maai]

Half time. Wow, Cardiff... who knew?

[pharvey]

Some excellent rugby today. Gloucester really unlucky. Now...

COME ON YOU SHAAAARKS!!

Were you searching for Welsh or English Rugby then.....

Has been great rugby over the weekend - BT Sport commentators being their usual brainless selves, whether giving results away or being utterly clueless and biased.

Welsh Rugby hit and miss - Sarries vs Ospreys ongoing, but great results for the Scarlets and Cardiff..... As for the Dragons, they need to be binned! Top players have or are leaving, Management (including the WRU) has been shite at best.

[dtaai-maai]

Are you watching the women's 6 Nations, Pietro? Haven@t worked up the urge yet and wondering if I should make the effort...

[pharvey]

Are you watching the women's 6 Nations, Pietro? Haven@t worked up the urge yet and wondering if I should make the effort...

I have been mate .... The game has come on leaps and bounds in Wales - one "good thing" the Union has done. Hopefully it will move on. England, France and NZ Women's rugby are way ahead purely due to the financial investment and "Going Pro" years ago. Wales have given Pro Contracts to some 24 players to date (beginning 18 months ago) and it's made a huge difference. We've beaten Ireland and Scotland in our opening games, but it's another level taking on England next.... Hell, I can't even call them the Lillywhites being Women's Rugby!! Will have to think of a suitable name.

It's not the same, but certainly has it's moments. Go for the highlights in the first instance!!

[dtaai-maai]

England, France and NZ Women's rugby are way ahead

Yes, I've been seeing the results, and I have to say I'm not really interested in watching England run in 12 tries against someone like Italy. No competition.

Having said that, I might rouse myself to watch the Wales game next weekend. (If there's nothing more interesting happening...)

[pharvey]

Some cracking matches coming up over the next few days with the European Challenge and Champions Cup competition matches being played. Crickfree.tv is always a good option to view: -
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Happy viewing

[pharvey]

Well in case you haven't seen (but maybe able to watch the highlights) DM and "others", I won't post the results of tonight's European matches - suffice to say though some great (and bad) rugby in both!!

Outside of European rugby though....



How the hell the ref only thought this was a Yellow even after reviewing the incident on the Big Screen, God only knows...... NOTE: It was upgraded to a Red Card by the TMO - the bloody ref should also be disciplined!! This could be a lengthy ban for Blyth - I don't think he has a great disciplinary record either.

This type of play needs to be stamped out. Whilst I want rugby to continue to be a Full Contact sport, we don't need the utter thuggery and certainly need to protect players against unnecessary head (or other) injuries.

[dtaai-maai]

Wow, shocking! I watched the clip before reading what came after. My initial reaction was that the ref should have shown the red card and told him to get off the pitch immediately after seeing the first replay, never mind the protocol, but then when he showed the yellow...

[pharvey]

Genius when it comes off - complete @rse if it doesn't....... The Coach might have a few words either way!!
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[dtaai-maai]

This is why I'm a bit sceptical about women's rugby, and a few other sports.

Basically, it amounts to: "We demand equal pay, but we'd also appreciate it if you made it a bit easier for us as we're not as strong as the men."

I'm not quite at the "they should stick to netball" stage, but apart from the (very) occasional game of T20 cricket, I'm not at the "watching women's sport" stage either!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/65252916

England head coach Simon Middleton has suggested goal-kicking rules in women's rugby should change because of the "natural discrepancy between male and female athletes".

The Red Roses converted eight of the 22 tries they scored in the first two rounds of the Women's Six Nations.

In the women's tournament, 46% of tries have been converted, compared with 68% after two rounds of the men's event.

Middleton called it "an unfair game for female kickers".

In rugby union, a conversion kick must be taken in line with where the try-scorer grounded the ball behind the tryline.

Middleton, who will step down as England head coach after the Six Nations, believes players in women's rugby should not have to take conversions from the touchline.

He suggested if a try is scored within 5m of the touchline in women's rugby, the kicker should have the option to take the kick from 10m inside the touchline to reduce the distance to the posts.

[pharvey]

This is why I'm a bit sceptical about women's rugby, and a few other sports.

Basically, it amounts to: "We demand equal pay, but we'd also appreciate it if you made it a bit easier for us as we're not as strong as the men."

Yes, I tend to agree. "Equality" when it suits at times. That said, women's rugby and football certainly seem to be on the rise and support increasing significantly - fair play.