The Rugby Union Thread

fretmeister

I think I read somewhere that a Welsh MP has tabled a motion to get it relisted as an A rated event.

Govt has other things to worry about now though so I doubt it will get any time.

Nitefly

Vunipola not now available, as he's self-isolating after passing through Hong Kong:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/51721889

rsvmark

VimFuego said:

cos there isn't already enough money in rugby: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/51704956

this'll be a horrendously bad idea IMO. 

Due to cuts in funding, the RFU are not supporting the Schools cup semi finals this year which have traditionally been played at Allianz. Games are played all day across multiple completions and the 2 age groups. Win or lose, these have been terrific events for school rugby and the players love it. They are well attended by parents, friends and wider family watching the players give it 100%.  Imagine being a 15yo trotting out to play a massive game at a national venue.

i know for a fact, other premiership grounds offered to do it for free.

Shame on you RFU for pulling funding and not supporting the up and coming players.

scrumhalf

The RFU needs to be reformed from top to bottom. There us so much money sloshing around in the game, it has to be managed better.

Are we that far away from Will Carling's "57 old farts"? 

crunchman

scrumhalf said:

The RFU needs to be reformed from top to bottom. There us so much money sloshing around in the game, it has to be managed better.

Are we that far away from Will Carling's "57 old farts"? 

It's possible that the old farts were better than the current lot.  With backgrounds in the amateur game, they would have realised the need to support the lower levels and keep participation up.

When you look at the governing bodies of all the major sports, we are a bit stuffed long term.  We are unlikely to have anything good to watch in 25 years time.

Rocker

Daft playing an international game behind closed doors. The 6N Championship is not going to be finalised until much later this year so why the rush?

fretmeister

Rocker said:

Daft playing an international game behind closed doors. The 6N Championship is not going to be finalised until much later this year so why the rush?

Some places reporting that the Italy home games will be called off / postponed.

6N committee is meeting today about it. The Times said decisions been made already.

fretmeister

Now confirmed - Italy -v- England is postponed.

Gassage

For those going to Twickenham on Saturday, please note that to honour England's onging back row selections, the Scrum Bar Band will feature a drummer on guitar, a guitarist on keys, a bassist on drums and a keys player on bass.

It'll be fine though - all great player

hywelg

Gassage said:

For those going to Twickenham on Saturday, please note that to honour England's onging back row selections, the Scrum Bar Band will feature a drummer on guitar, a guitarist on keys, a bassist on drums and a keys player on bass.

It'll be fine though - all great player

Did you never see the Hamsters? 

fretmeister

hywelg said:

Gassage said:

For those going to Twickenham on Saturday, please note that to honour England's onging back row selections, the Scrum Bar Band will feature a drummer on guitar, a guitarist on keys, a bassist on drums and a keys player on bass.

It'll be fine though - all great player

Did you never see the Hamsters? 

Many times for me.

They were excellent. As what the bit of the show you allude to.

Gassage

hywelg said:

Gassage said:

For those going to Twickenham on Saturday, please note that to honour England's onging back row selections, the Scrum Bar Band will feature a drummer on guitar, a guitarist on keys, a bassist on drums and a keys player on bass.

It'll be fine though - all great player

Did you never see the Hamsters? 

Ironically I watched Dave Bronze last week.

scrumhalf

Gassage said:

hywelg said:

Gassage said:

For those going to Twickenham on Saturday, please note that to honour England's onging back row selections, the Scrum Bar Band will feature a drummer on guitar, a guitarist on keys, a bassist on drums and a keys player on bass.

It'll be fine though - all great player

Did you never see the Hamsters? 

Ironically I watched Dave Bronze last week.

Was this at a gig or is there something you want to share wiith the rest of the forum?

rsvmark

So with reference to the corona virus, we have cancelled games and games behind closed doors. Is there any premiership footy on this weekend? I wonder what the attendances would be for all football vs rugby this weekend?

fretmeister

Scotland women’s game has been called off, one of the players has tested positive.

Not good.

Schnozz

Never a red

MagicPigDetective

Schnozz said:

Never a red

Where were his arms? 

And why did Joe Marler feel the need to fondle AWJ’s balls?

btw: well deserved England win, fair play. But you got a bit dirty towards the end there. 

digitalscream

What a shit end to a great game.

And...even taking out the fact that I'm an England supporter, that was never a red - Tuilagi was already committed based on North jumping upwards to get out of Slade's tackle. North was unsuccessful, and if Tuilagi hadn't turned he would've clotheslined him (and probably taken his head off at that speed). There's literally nothing he could've done to avoid collision with the head even though it was neither dangerous play nor malicious. Just shit circumstances.

While we're on that, though...the ref's criteria for the length of an advantage appeared to be "as long as Wales need it to be", and his entire team seemed to be asleep for all of Wales' lineouts - not a single one was straight, as evidenced by the one that Itoje got pinged for - if he had to move so far over to get to the ball that he was in danger of colliding with one of their players, then the ball was obviously not straight!

Fretwired

digitalscream said:

What a shit end to a great game.

And...even taking out the fact that I'm an England supporter, that was never a red - Tuilagi was already committed based on North jumping upwards to get out of Slade's tackle.

Disagree. That was red - reckless and dangerous - even Sir Clive Woodward said it was a red card.

MagicPigDetective

Biggar got flattened by a no arms tackle in the first minute. This set the tone for the game. A lot of illegal high tackling by England. 

I didn’t expect Wales to win, and England’s defence was so strong. 

Btw: RIP Matthew Watkins, a great player.