The Rugby Thread

[pharvey]

Yes, I think it was Spurrell - a mean looking git. Wouldn't want to get on the wrong side of him. In fact they were all mean looking gits (I can say that 8,000 miles away ).

Seriously though, they were quite nice guys to talk to, We used to go there most Thursday nights.

They were all mean barstewards on the pitch - Hall very much so off it, knew and had a pint or 3 with his brother on multiple occasions, but John was not the nicest of guys!! Spurrell was something else on the pitch - the only time you saw him smile was leaving a Ruck and someone flat on his back - oh, the "Dark Arts". As you say though, most were great characters on and off the pitch - Bath is a massive Rugby City and you always get to see the stars of past and present throughout.
Bath Rugby have always been perceived as the enemy in the West Country, that's what makes games against the likes of Bristol and Gloucester superb events! I've gladly cheered on Bath in "The Shed" in Gloucester and enjoyed many a pint with Gloucester fans - I shan't be in "The Shed" today, but I'll certainly enjoy a pint or two with the "Enemy"

Not been to the latest Bristol "Stadium", but doesn't seem to generate the same passion or atmosphere as other clubs - then again, Bristolians seem to dislike everybody

Meanwhile, back to the subject of the rugby being played this weekend :

Jealousy (of not visiting Bath Rugby) doesn't become you DM

Well, it has to be Chiefs vs Bristol for me, then Tigers-Saints later if I'm not 'rugbyed out'. At least, for once, there's nothing else happening in the sporting world to distract my attention.

Yep, Chiefs vs Brizzol is a good bet - it's going to be a close one IMHO, but the Exeter Pack need to stand up. An Exeter win will help Bath and others out, but very early doors.

[dtaai-maai]

Two hugely entertaining games at Exeter and Leicester yesterday, then one rather tasty and testy bout at Leicester. I'll say no more for now in case Pietro is being held hostage in a Gloucestershire pub.

Bit of a dilemma this afternoon: what to watch, Quins-Sarries or Dragons-Lions? Tricky, I'll have to think about it...

[pharvey]

Two hugely entertaining games at Exeter and Leicester yesterday, then one rather tasty and testy bout at Leicester. I'll say no more for now in case Pietro is being held hostage in a Gloucestershire pub.

After that result, there was some gentle extracting of the urine (stood next to the exit mind you), before a quick and quiet departure.... In typical fashion however, BT/TNT Sports posted the full set of results straight after the Gloucester vs Bath game with zero warning. What is wrong with these tw@ts?!

Bit of a dilemma this afternoon: what to watch, Quins-Sarries or Dragons-Lions? Tricky, I'll have to think about it...

Oh Ha-de-Fecking-Ha.... Cardiff vs Scarlets was good mind

[pharvey]

BTW DM - Dragons vs Lions was quite the game. A tad better than the boredom of the Three Kittens it seems

[pharvey]

Plenty on again this weekend!! Unfortunately, the Ospreys have been mullered by injuries and have resorted to some extremes - a Hooker playing in the Backrow for one (walking into a comment or 3 from DM there).. Sadly therefore, their away match against Munster is looking like a heavy loss. The Scarlets vs Bulls is likely to be a defeat for the home side, but I'm holding out for some help!! With Cardiff travelling to Edinburgh, it's left to the Dragons standing much chance of a win. All in all, not looking good for the Welsh sides....

As for the "Premiership", there are a few true crackers on the cards!! I shall be watching 'Queens vs Bath of course - though there's several on the cards!! "DM's 'Queens" will be slight favourites at home, but Bath are looking very good at the moment.

Saints vs Sale is going to be a close one as is Bristol vs Sarries.

Full List of Matches Timings and Channels Here: - https://www.wheresthematch.com/live-rugby-union-on-tv/

[pharvey]

I am of course hoping that "Girly Smith" gets a lesson taught yet again. Russell however has not been playing his best rugby and Smith has had a new haircut and his nails done... Just as a question DM - do you get your fingernails done as well pre-match or just wear the shirt and keep the photo's?!

[dtaai-maai]

I am of course hoping that "Girly Smith" gets a lesson taught yet again. Russell however has not been playing his best rugby and Smith has had a new haircut and his nails done... Just as a question DM - do you get your fingernails done as well pre-match or just wear the shirt and keep the photo's?!

No, my nails are always immaculate, but I have been trying to find out where he gets his hair done. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[pharvey]

Well, I certainly called the Saints vs Sale match wrong!! Sale had an abysmal 1st half with some truly atrocious defence and a Yellow Card where they shipped 21 points. That said, Saints looked good..... The 2nd Half was a damn sight closer, but the game was long gone - Saints had already pocketed their Try Bonus in under 25 minutes!!

Scarlets took a surprising victory over the Bulls, the latter suffering from a Red Card which the Scarlets took full advantage of, pulling off a narrow 23-22 win. A fair bit of controversy though as Scarlets escaped a Red (or any Card) of their own for what seemed a pretty similar offence... Well, I did say I was holding out for some help!!

Looking forward to 'Queens vs Bath later on - all looking at Russell vs Smith, but Forward battle will be key - especially in the Backrow.

[pharvey]

Quite the games yesterday!! I'll keep results quiet for now just in case others get the chance to watch ( 'Quins vs Bath and Bristol vs Sarries) - truly edge of the seat stuff for devout supporters and neutrals alike!

If this afternoon's match between Leicester Tigers and Gloucester can come close (weather permitting), I'll be a happy man!! That and the F1 on later....

[pharvey]

Hell's Teeth, what a weekend!! Three absolutely cracking matches in the Premiership!!

We're only 5 matches in, but things are truly kicking off (pardon the pun) - things truly are close in the league. Bonus Points and last minute wins will have a huge impact - 'Quins vs Bath the classic example: -

Depressingly bad as it is/was, "Girly Boy" Smith undoubtedly won the so called "Battle-of-the-10's" vs Russell - the latter had his moments, but he's not earning his inflated salary so far this season IMHO... That said, he did actually kick towards the uprights this time around - "Touch Kicking" being indifferent

Bath had 2 Yellow Cards - the first of which was ridiculous (the 2nd clear and justified). 'Quins gave away a multitude of penalties not only in their 22, but within 5m of the line, yet no cards.... Obviously I'm neutral in this (though TNT commentators and the home crowd obviously not)

The HUGE thing though, is that Bath with two minutes to go, were taking a SINGLE "Losing Point"... Come Full Time, the FULL FIVE POINTS!!

Cracking match!

Leicester vs Gloucester yet another classic - you have to feel for Gloucester, but then again admire the brilliance of the Tigers' 10 Pollard - true class.

Gloucester need a win, BUT the "Bonus Points" they are achieving .....

[pharvey]

A couple of not to miss matches again for me this weekend.

Bristol Bears vs Northampton Saints - Friday 7:45pm (UK)
Bath vs Sale Sharks - Saturday 3:05pm (UK)
Sarries vs Leicester Tigers - Saturday 5:30pm (UK)

Gloucester might just get a much needed win against Newcastle, but hell - Newcastle took the win over Exeter last week!! And on that note, the 'Queens are playing away to Exeter on Sunday (3:00pm (UK)). Can't see anything but a victory for the away side, but....

Full list and channels here - https://www.wheresthematch.com/live-rugby-union-on-tv/

[pharvey]

Well, another decent weekend of rugby - the highlight obviously being the Internationals! There is however the Premiership Cup kicking off this evening with Northampton Saints vs Leicester Tigers being the prime fixture (KO 19:45 TNT Sports). Obviously the Cup games will not involve the top players, but still some interesting fixtures.

As for the Internationals, the Lillywhites host the Blackness at Twickers the "Allianz Stadium" - KO 15:10 (UK). Scotland take on the Flying Fijians" at Murrayfield later in the day - KO 17:40 (UK). Both games being televised on TNT Sports and streamed on the usual suspects.

[dtaai-maai]

Obviously the Cup games will not involve the top players, but still some interesting fixtures.

Yes, I was looking at these earlier. I wouldn't mind seeing Cornish Pirates ( ) taking on Exeter, but I'll have to settle for the highlights. Really looking forward to England-NZ tomorrow. We have to be the underdogs, but the results at Twickenham have been mighty close over the last few years. I see pharvey's mate Marler has managed to stir up the All Blacks nicely in advance of the match!

[pharvey]

Obviously the Cup games will not involve the top players, but still some interesting fixtures.

Yes, I was looking at these earlier. I wouldn't mind seeing Cornish Pirates ( ) taking on Exeter, but I'll have to settle for the highlights. Really looking forward to England-NZ tomorrow. We have to be the underdogs, but the results at Twickenham have been mighty close over the last few years. I see pharvey's mate Marler has managed to stir up the All Blacks nicely in advance of the match!

It certainly looks like being a tight one tomorrow at the "Allianz" I can't see it being more than a score between them. That said, NZ will be targeting Slade in mid-field. He did nothing wrong against 'Quins last weekend <ahem>, but at the end of the day he's still played less than 80 mins rugby since coming back from a shoulder injury. The Lillywhites will be relying on him in defence...

Those in white will have the upper hand in the tight I think - especially the front row where NZ struggled at times in the Championship - they also weren't their usual dominant selves in the last Quarter, which could be key tomorrow.

Bath's Ben Spencer comes in at Scrumhalf, he's been playing top class rugby at Bath, but his previous displays (off the bench) for England haven't been great.

As for Marler, the guy's a twat. I'm all for banter and a bit of pi$$taking, but the guy has absolutely zero respect and a slightly lower IQ. Stick to the game, keep quiet and shave your head you Muppet!!

[EDIT] Winding up the ABs doesn't normally end well.... Though of course Marler left the squad.

Anywho, looking forward to both games tomorrow (and it even fits in with F1)!!

[pharvey]

Would you want to take on this man - even when pi$$ed? Zinzan Brooke was a class player and is a legend in the sport - something Marler will never be.


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[EDIT] I met him once in Cardiff (along with many others) - despite being with the man with head in own arse (Carling - who refused to speak to anyone), he was and is an amazing character - and YES, he is fecking big!!