The Rugby Union Thread

koneguitarist

Jamie Roberts dropped for first time, ball may get to the wings at last but wait, Biggar still gonna kick ball to opposition as that's the game plan. 
Ans Sam Davies the guy most likely to open up and run with the ball dropped out if squad altogether? Howley doesn't have a bloody clue. 

eSully

  

snakemanStoo

Barbarians having fun in the rain tonight

MagicPigDetective

We (Wales) have to change, the game has moved on from cementball, you have to score tries to win games, we have needed a better attack coach for years

cj73

Scoootland

cj73

Feck

scrumhalf

Well, that was a nice win against the Boks. But the ref must have had a spiked drink not to see the forward pass for that Boks try.

koneguitarist

Fantastic performance, probably best I have seen in 10 years, hardly put a foot wrong. Teams were shit though but ref was spot on, consistent, to both teams and tried to let game flow. 

mattdavis

It's an odd feeling watching this England team now. There is a real expectation that they now should win every game and they are playing with such passion and commitment that it's wonderful to watch. And for the first time in a while real strength in depth. Feel a bit sorry for Stuart Lancaster as he assembled most of this group but just shows what a difference a coach can make.  

digitalscream

mattdavis said:

It's an odd feeling watching this England team now. There is a real expectation that they now should win every game and they are playing with such passion and commitment that it's wonderful to watch. And for the first time in a while real strength in depth. Feel a bit sorry for Stuart Lancaster as he assembled most of this group but just shows what a difference a coach can make.  

Well, we've been floundering for so long that every England fan has a not-unreasonable hope of a win, while expecting the hammer to fall on us at any moment.

It's a complicated position, supporting England.

tbm

England are comfortably the No. 2 team in world rugby right now. I was doubtful Eddie Jones was the man for the job, but he has them humming. They'll be dominating Europe for a while.

Don't feel to bad for Stu. He has my Leinster boys looking better already. Seems to be more suited to that type of role. 

fretmeister

Billy V has passed his fitness test. Joseph is back in with Daly moved to the wing.

Glad to see Mince getting another go. He was a bit star struck on his debut but his club form has been really good.

scrumhalf

I' not happy about playing Daly on the wing. I can't remember him starting there for Wasps. It has "future utility back on the bench" written all over it.

Gassage

Winnie has been proof reading the player bio's I wrote ...

koneguitarist

Well Wales 'should' win against Japan, but I don't think it's gonna be a walk in the park as any decent coach will target Cuthbert and lack of speed when turning for Welsh backs like Roberts. 
Grubber kicks and chips over the top is an area I would be worried about. Trouble with that is Liam Williams will be so busy covering behind that he will have to counter attack from deep each time rather than joining the line in attack. 
All in all unless we play 10 man rugby and deprive Japan of the ball we could have an awkward time against their speed and cutting edge. 

Gassage

There are 48 Samoan born players playing today in Internationals for the following countries: NZ, Aus, France, England, Japan, Romania, USA, Tonga, fiji, Samoa, and Maori ABs.....

How good would Samoa be if they all played for their home?

fretmeister

Try for Mince!

koneguitarist

Such poor skills from Welsh players, Cuthbert even stood one foot in touch waiting for ball. 
Anscombe is so slow, In thought and telegraphs everything. 
Get Cuthbert off the field now! 

snakemanStoo

Shane Williams was less than impressed with the performance today.

koneguitarist

I'm too embarrassed to say we won, more like Japan lost to us. 
We have serious problems in Wales and I believe it's Howley!