The Rugby Union Thread

Fretwired

CabbageCat said:

I thought this was quite funny. Dunno if it has been posted

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151917700455443

It's a bit silly to say it's anti-English. It was probably made by the English for the English and it plays to the English self-superiority. It doesn't matter if the other nations think badly of us as long as they are thinking about us.

I'm English and I'm not offended .. thought it slightly daft to be honest. Every rugby/football fan knows that the Scots, Wales and Irish support two teams - their own country and any team playing England. Nothing to get worked up about ..

bertie

tbm said:

Pretty classy stuff from the WRFU:

https://twitter.com/BrianODriscoll/status/442696132809195520

cant read it, too bloody small (and yes I do have me specs on and they did come from specsavers)

was quite impressed with Joey Bartons comments yesterday for a footballer,  -  especially as isnt the the one that was had up for twatting team mates and/or people in a nigh club ??

imalone

digitalscream said:

It's the first game in a long time where England looked dangerous no matter who had the ball.

Except May. I nearly posted to say earlier in this thread that if, I was English, May is the kind of player who would really annoy me. This has now simply changed to it's frustrating to watch him whatever. Occasionally one of those long sideways runs will work, usually you'll just ruin your own attack, fairly often you'll lose a turnover because you're not taking it into the tackle well.

joneve

imalone said:

digitalscream said:

It's the first game in a long time where England looked dangerous no matter who had the ball.

Except May. I nearly posted to say earlier in this thread that if, I was English, May is the kind of player who would really annoy me. This has now simply changed to it's frustrating to watch him whatever. Occasionally one of those long sideways runs will work, usually you'll just ruin your own attack, fairly often you'll lose a turnover because you're not taking it into the tackle well.

Erm...he's gained positive metres on most of the sideways runs he's made, mostly because his speed is ridiculous. If anything he needs to be more decisive on his sideline runs. There was one instance last week against the Irish where he had nothing but grass in front of him and could have made a play for the corner, but passed it inside. Twelvetrees annoys me more. Save for the sublime kick for Burrell's try, every time he gets the ball in and England shirt he carries a yard and is tackled or makes a bad pass.

Gassage

Here you go: My summary with Winterbottom.

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,16024_9198629,00.html

bertie

Gassage said:

 My summary with Winterbottom.

try sitting on a cusion then.

Gassage

Double post!!

Gassage

joneve said:

imalone said:

digitalscream said:

It's the first game in a long time where England looked dangerous no matter who had the ball.

Except May. I nearly posted to say earlier in this thread that if, I was English, May is the kind of player who would really annoy me. This has now simply changed to it's frustrating to watch him whatever. Occasionally one of those long sideways runs will work, usually you'll just ruin your own attack, fairly often you'll lose a turnover because you're not taking it into the tackle well.

Erm...he's gained positive metres on most of the sideways runs he's made, mostly because his speed is ridiculous. If anything he needs to be more decisive on his sideline runs. There was one instance last week against the Irish where he had nothing but grass in front of him and could have made a play for the corner, but passed it inside. Twelvetrees annoys me more. Save for the sublime kick for Burrell's try, every time he gets the ball in and England shirt he carries a yard and is tackled or makes a bad pass.

Note: runs like that totally fuck up an attacking structure- he is closing his own support players off by running across them, so he will be definition struggle to retain at contact.

36 is a rock; don't denude what he is doing. When players start to work off him and understand his offloads then we will get even better.

tbm

Why Ireland lose to France with such regularity, and why it might not happen on Saturday. A bit parochial, but an entertaining read none the less.

http://whiffofcordite.com/2014/03/12/psychiatrists-couch/

Gassage

TBM- liking that...!

tbm

Ok, predictions. I think;
France by 2
England by less than 30
Wales by 9

My power animal thinks;
Ireland by 11
England by 49
Scotland by 8

My power animal is a toad.

CabbageCat

Do we know if Parise is back? If so Ireland should be forced to play Italy again because scores don't count if Parise isn't playing.

fretmeister

So - 3 internationals on Saturday, and the LV Cup Final on Sunday.

I need to get beer and pizza in the house in massive quantities!

bertie

fretmeister said:

 the LV Cup Final on Sunday.

at Sandy as well isnt it ?  Load of my ol muckers are going up

fretmeister

bertie said:

fretmeister said:

 the LV Cup Final on Sunday.

at Sandy as well isnt it ?  Load of my ol muckers are going up

Yup. The land of no parking at the ground!

It will be the telly for me.

koneguitarist

Well Scotland could be a game too far for Wales.

Has anyone any clue what's in Gatlands mind ? He has changed whole front row apart from Jenkins ? WTF?

Gassage

Right @fretwired I credit you for this opening.....LOL

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,16016_9213181,00.html

Fretwired

@Gassage .. good article .. you going to Italy?

tbm

I'm getting very very nervous now. Hate that Ireland are playing last.

By all indicators, we should win. But it's France. In Paris. With something at stake.

I'll be a wreck by kick-off.

Dunno why I'm expecting sympathy from England fans.  

Gassage

Fretwired said:

@Gassage .. good article .. you going to Italy?

Noooo- I could have but.... 2 reasons- it's one of my Level 4 coaching exams next weekend (dreading this- it's supposed to be Masters level)

And I'm guestlisted to the Aussie Floyd tomorrow night, as Dave Fowler's using my 1960 CS Tele for Run Like Hell