Rugby Union

[peasy23]

Job done for Leinster, having a week off last week certainly hasn't done them any harm.

[GordonS]

You've just got to admire Leinster. They're absolute thoroughbreds. From 14-0 down, they won the remaining 70 minutes 41-6. Better than Exeter up front, in defence, discipline, handling, tactics, physically, mentally, the lot.

[GordonS]

And of course Sam Warburton is an effortlessly composed, insightful, generous co-commentator. Could he be anything else? Pure man-crush fodder.

[Savage Henry]

Townsend appointed Lions attack’ coach.  Hopefully it’s chuck-it-all-over-the-shop Townsend and not “pragmatic”Townsend. 

Edited April 10, 2021 by Savage Henry

[Salvo Montalbano]

Townsend appointed Lions forwards’ coach.  Hopefully it’s chuck-it-all-over-the-shop Townsend and not “pragmatic”Townsend. 

Attack coach. Forwards coach would give been quite an interesting appointment!

[GAD]

32 minutes ago, Salvo Montalbano said:

55 minutes ago, Savage Henry said:

Townsend appointed Lions forwards’ coach.  Hopefully it’s chuck-it-all-over-the-shop Townsend and not “pragmatic”Townsend. 

Attack coach. Forwards coach would give been quite an interesting appointment!

Is it attack coach then? I was quite surprised to read forwards coach there!

[Genuine Hibs Fan]

3 hours ago, GAD said:

Yeah, I mean Mercer is 23 and he's already convinced there is nothing he can do to break into that squad. And no wonder he's feeling like that after watching big fat Billy V flopping about during the 6 nation's being absolutely shite. In fact, apart from Italy, I don't think there was a single game England's back row weren't dominated by their opponents.

Torn on this Leinster v Exeter game. Two pretty cunty teams. Probably hate Leinster more.

England have often seemed to have a problem with persisting with previously top class players who are taking a nose dive, and Billy V is that rn, the idea that a guy with his well publicized work rate issues would stay sharp enough in the second was a big misstep from eddie.

Hard to move on guys who have just made a world cup final and won the following 6N and autumn nations cup though. He'll refresh next year and they'll be good again no doubt, as much as the inevitable dips are v funny Jones is no mug 

[GAD]

31 minutes ago, Genuine Hibs Fan said:

England have often seemed to have a problem with persisting with previously top class players who are taking a nose dive, and Billy V is that rn, the idea that a guy with his well publicized work rate issues would stay sharp enough in the second was a big misstep from eddie.

Hard to move on guys who have just made a world cup final and won the following 6N and autumn nations cup though. He'll refresh next year and they'll be good again no doubt, as much as the inevitable dips are v funny Jones is no mug 

Totally agree, it'll work out well for Eddie in the end, but he does seem to upset a lot of players in the process. We are in the middle of a world cup cycle and he's managed to lose Mercer at 23 and Redpath at 21, two young guys who are absolutely ready to step up and will be at the right age in 2023, and seemingly he's lost them just because he's a bit of a twat.

[Genuine Hibs Fan]

35 minutes ago, GAD said:

Totally agree, it'll work out well for Eddie in the end, but he does seem to upset a lot of players in the process. We are in the middle of a world cup cycle and he's managed to lose Mercer at 23 and Redpath at 21, two young guys who are absolutely ready to step up and will be at the right age in 2023, and seemingly he's lost them just because he's a bit of a twat.

Oh aye, the murmurs around players just now are I'm sure just England trying to prevent this becoming a thing, which could prove a real issue for them leaking players.

That being said I hope Odogwu goes to italy just to be one step closer to one of the most fun potential back lines ever:

15. Allan (I know he doesn't play there but for the bit) 14. Minozzi 13. Odogwu 12. Canna 11. ioane 10. Garbisi 9. Varney.

Would arguably ship more but would score at least 3 great tries a game. 

[John Lambies Doos]

I think with Toonie taking attacks coach then DVM, Hogg, Russell and possibly Harris goes.
I actually think Sexton misses out here, he will take Bigger and Russell and will also take Farnell who can also cover centre. Sure Hogg could even cover stand off.
Sexton is far too injury prone and his attitude when he gets taken off is embarrassing.

[GAD]

2 hours ago, John Lambies Doos said:

I think with Toonie taking attacks coach then DVM, Hogg, Russell and possibly Harris goes.
I actually think Sexton misses out here, he will take Bigger and Russell and will also take Farnell who can also cover centre. Sure Hogg could even cover stand off.
Sexton is far too injury prone and his attitude when he gets taken off is embarrassing.

It would be some scenes if Gatland didn't pick Sexton for the tour. This would be dropping O'Driscoll x100. I would fucking love it.

[peasy23]

[John Lambies Doos]

It would be some scenes if Gatland didn't pick Sexton for the tour. This would be dropping O'Driscoll x100. I would fucking love it.

Thing is he will take Bigger and farrell. Farrell because Gatland loves him and he can play centre. There really is only room for one more, Russell or Sexton.. I can see Sexton not going, the Irish seethe would be magnificent....

[John Lambies Doos]

RIP

[aDONisSheep]

53 minutes ago, John Lambies Doos said:

7 hours ago, GAD said:

It would be some scenes if Gatland didn't pick Sexton for the tour. This would be dropping O'Driscoll x100. I would fucking love it.

Thing is he will take Bigger and farrell. Farrell because Gatland loves him and he can play centre. There really is only room for one more, Russell or Sexton.. I can see Sexton not going, the Irish seethe would be magnificent....

Sexton shouldn't go.  On hard tracks you need a running threat at 10, and let's  be honest, that's not Sexton's wheelhouse.

My picks are Biggar/Russell to start with the other on the bench just i  case plan A isn't working.  Farnell along for ride in case 10 or 12 positions have a run of injuries.

I don't think Scotland will have a large contingent (not because they are bad  more because there are excellent alternatives).  

My guess

On plane;

Hogg

Russell

DVM

Strong possibles;

Ritchie

Watson

Z Fagerson 

Bolters;

Harris

Price

Edited April 11, 2021 by aDONisSheep

[honestly united]

43 minutes ago, aDONisSheep said:

Sexton shouldn't go.  On hard tracks you need a running threat at 10, and let's  be honest, that's not Sexton's wheelhouse.

My picks are Biggar/Russell to start with the other on the bench just i  case plan A isn't working.  Farnell along for ride in case 10 or 12 positions have a run of injuries.

I don't think Scotland will have a large contingent (not because they are bad  more because there are excellent alternatives).  

My guess

On plane;

Hogg

Russell

DVM

Strong possibles;

Ritchie

Watson

Z Fagerson 

Bolters;

Harris

Price

I would add Watson to the definites now I think, surely Gatland cant  not pick the player voted best in the 6 Nations?

[aDONisSheep]

34 minutes ago, honestly united said:

I would add Watson to the definites now I think, surely Gatland cant  not pick the player voted best in the 6 Nations?

Watson would be one of the first on my list, but I worry about Gatland's view.  He's a bit like Benny Hill from The Italian Job in that he 'likes 'em big'!

I'm a big fan of Gatland (I watched his Wasps teams first hand), but I just get the feeling, he'll try to fight fire with fire and go big.

Yours

aDONis

[ajwffc]

Rainbow Cup in doubt
https://www.rugbypass.com/news/doubts-cast-over-rainbow-cup-reports/

[honestly united]

10 hours ago, ajwffc said:

Rainbow Cup in doubt
https://www.rugbypass.com/news/doubts-cast-over-rainbow-cup-reports/

Plan seems to have been for the 4 SA teams to be based in Bristol for the 4 games in Europe but seems that they have been told they wont be getting visa's for the players. If they are out I would think they will just change the fixtures so that those due to be playing SA teams will just play each other to keep things simple.

[ajwffc]

9 hours ago, honestly united said:

Plan seems to have been for the 4 SA teams to be based in Bristol for the 4 games in Europe but seems that they have been told they wont be getting visa's for the players. If they are out I would think they will just change the fixtures so that those due to be playing SA teams will just play each other to keep things simple.

i think if the SA teams can't enter they will just pull it but we will find out by the end of the week 

Edited April 12, 2021 by ajwffc