The Rugby Union Thread

Jalapeno

My summary.

Ireland - simply superb ! I really enjoyed it.

England huffed and puffed a lot, but it looked like very hard work to beat a pretty ordinary Australia. Forwards will have to up it signifacantly against the Saffers or we'll get mullered. Not sure Tuilagi's flying battering ram will work 2 weeks on the trot. We will need proper wingers to match SA's pace out wide.

I was impressed with Saffer's demolition of Scotland, brutal but effective. They didn't engage in as much "game management" as I've seen from them lately (I mean yes, the packed walked everywhere, but in-play they were fast & totally committed).

bertie

Jalapeno said:

My summary.

Ireland - simply superb ! I really enjoyed it.

England huffed and puffed a lot, but it looked like very hard work to beat a pretty ordinary Australia. Forwards will have to up it signifacantly against the Saffers or we'll get mullered. Not sure Tuilagi's flying battering ram will work 2 weeks on the trot. We will need proper wingers to match SA's pace out wide.

with any luck, and nothing personal (to him)  Farrell will still be injured,  Smith / Slade / Manu   with May and Radwan on the wings........ Malins on the bench.......................  and Steward wrapped in cotton wool after each game hence forth

fretmeister

Farrell and George are out for the weekend.

Both injured.

Bertie - you might just get your dream line up!

VimFuego

Farrell's not too much of a loss, but George has been immense and we're starting to look a little light on the front row. Thankfully just the boks this weekend, not much of a scrummaging team the boks...

Jalapeno

Yeah, George is a big loss,hopefully Genge & Sinckler will be ok.

fretmeister

Jalapeno said:

Yeah, George is a big loss,hopefully Genge & Sinckler will be ok.

I think there has to be 10 days clear from the positive test. Do we know when they did theirs?

VimFuego

Genge's 10 days won't be up till next week I believe. Marler to join the squad for training on Friday, so not a lot of time to pick up stuff.

koneguitarist

Wales are looking hard for anybody to play, not sure if we have enough players left. If we can achieve parity in set piece, we stand a chance against Aussies, but we have too many injuries in key positions. Struggling in Front Row, 2nd row and back row for ball carriers. Luckily we have some pace behind, but not much else. 

fretmeister

George Ford is leaving Tigers at the end of the season.

Rumours are he's going to Sale.

Faf + GF would be a very potent set up!

bertie

fretmeister said:

George Ford is leaving Tigers at the end of the season.

Rumours are he's going to Sale.

he is,   join up with   Quirke, Manu and Curry  -  Faf wont be fit for months

fretmeister

bertie said:

fretmeister said:

George Ford is leaving Tigers at the end of the season.

Rumours are he's going to Sale.

he is,   join up with   Quirke, Manu and Curry  -  Faf wont be fit for months

TBH I thought Reinarch was a better attacking 9 for the Boks.

sev112

Erasmus banned from games for a year ! Wow

VimFuego

sev112 said:

Erasmus banned from games for a year ! Wow

that's gonna trigger no end of saffers

kaypeejay

sev112 said:

Erasmus banned from games for a year ! Wow

It says 2 months on the BBC website

drofluf

kaypeejay said:

sev112 said:

Erasmus banned from games for a year ! Wow

It says 2 months on the BBC website

It's both 2 & 12 months From the BBC:

"South Africa's director of rugby Rassie Erasmus has been banned from all rugby for two months and from involvement with the Boks on matchdays for a year. "

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/59318939

bertie

@drofluf ;   -  what he said...........................  2 from all rugby involvement,  12 from matches

fretmeister

England team is up:

1. Bevan Rodd

2. Jamie Blamire

3. Kyle Sinckler

4. Maro Itoje

5. Jonny Hill

6. Courtney Lawes

7. Sam Underhill

8. Tom Curry

9. Ben Youngs

10. Marcus Smith

11. Jonny May

12. Manu Tuilagi

13. Henry Slade

14. Joe Marchant

15. Freddie Steward

FINISHERS

16. Nic Dolly

17. Joe Marler

18. Will Stuart

19. Charlie Ewels

20. Sam Simmonds

21. Alex Dombrandt

22. Raffi Quirke

23. Max Malins

bertie

at least I get my choice mid-field  -   the 7/2 split  looks alarming but I guess with Simmons there,  he could make a stab at being a back - certainly better than Bergamasco  !!!   

sev112

I reckon SA will be dropping the ball deliberately all over the pitch so that they can get scrum penalties over and over.  Does look an inexperienced front row for us (including replacements) against what they have (including reserves)

VimFuego

well, given our issues at hooker and LH I guess it's about the best 23 we could field, still not sure about Curry at 8, but overall as strong as we can manage. I think the best we can realistically hope for is a close defeat, but I can see that front row leaking penalties and it'll be difficult to maintain the momentum to win. But here's to hoping.