The Rugby Thread

[leedswolf]

https://youtu.be/0GE5N9dfUCE

The French RU backs could learn a thing or two watching this.

 

[Dinowolf]

RFU and Bristol Rugby reach agreement over Steve Borthwick

http://www.skysports.com/rugby-unio...ol-rugby-reach-agreement-over-steve-borthwick

 

[Dinowolf]

Jonny May has suffered a 'significant' injury to his knee, which has still to be assessed for surgery or not, but it's very likely that he will miss the 6-Nations.

 

[Donegal Wolf]

Confirmed Tommy Bowe and Ian Henderson to miss 6 nations, to go along with O'Mahony and Payne already out, plus of course O'Connell gone.

Along with that Murray, Henshaw and Ross all touch and go, that's before we get to Sexton playing like a drain at the moment!

Going to be a long spring... battle between us, Scotland and France for 3rd, I think.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Visser is missing for at least the first couple of matches for Scotland. Wales look like missing Jake Ball, but otherwise should have a reasonably full squad to pick from.

It could be a very interesting six nations. England are obviously going to be hurting, and I expect them to have a big tournament. Wales should be there or thereabouts. Ireland have massive injury issues but are quality. Scotland have made a big step forward with their excellent World Cup achievements. The French look like they should be awful, so knowing them will play mercurial stuff and then manage to lose against Italy.

All up for grabs really.

 

[Donegal Wolf]

Aye with new coaches, some new players and tactics being introduced should be wide open (have put a few quid on England myself).

Anyhows didn't take Andy Farrell long to get a new job, starts next summer as Ireland's defensive coach, on face of it cant say I am too impressed, after England conceded 16 tries in the 8 meaningful games (excl Uruguay) and criticism from England players in the RFU review about a conservative tactical approach (least we wont have the nepotism issue).

Then again Gatland has used him for the Lions and Schmidt has been very good at picking his back-up staff so obviously has something going for him.

 

[Newbridge Wolf]

Andy Farrell is one of my all time sporting heros, he was immense in League. He went too late to Union to make any impact as his body had seemingly broken down. The doctor who operated on his knee couldn't believe that he was walking let alone playing top class rugby. Like Burgess he also didn't really fit into any position in an England Union side, he could obviously run, tackle and pass - England Union only like you to do one or at most two of those skill sets

Any doubts on what kind of a man he is, he offered to give his salary back for the year when he converted to Union as he felt he'd let them down by being injured and didn't justify it


It doesn't surprise me that he's got a new job, England's failings I doubt emanated from Farrell's involvement.

 

[Dinowolf]

Northampton now second club considering formal complaint about RFU approach for their coach.

Alex King says he was never offered a job with England, and he's staying at Northampton. Jim Mallender going off half-cock by the look of it, or the Press creating a story?

Ian Peel is to handle scrum matters for England during the 6-Nations before moving on to Saracens. He's used to the England set-up with his U-20 experience and meetings previously with Rowntree 'when required'.

 

[Dinowolf]

More problems for England after the weekend

Injuries to Launchbury (head), Kruis (stretchered off after blow to head), Nowell (knee), Hartley (rib)

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Presumably Launchbury and Kruis will go straight into the concussion protocol, so it might be touch and go for them for the first round of matches?

 

[Dinowolf]

Seven new caps named by Eddie Jones in his 1st squad.

Maro Itoje, Sam Hill, Jack Clifford, Elliot Daly, Josh Beaumont, Ollie Devoto, Paul Hill

Plus recalls for Ashton, Yarde and Hartley, Cowan-Dickie and Kvesic

 

[Paul]

Am I the only person who doesn't like Dylan Hartley ?

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

You most certainly are not.

 

[Dublin Drummer Wolf]

Am I the only person who doesn't like Dylan Hartley ?

LOLOLOLOLOLOL

 

[Dinowolf]

Am I the only person who doesn't like Dylan Hartley ?

He is one horrible gamble in my opinion.

How can other players respect a man who can't control his actions/temper on the field? If he was made Captain, how can he lead by example if he keeps transgressing?

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

He is one horrible gamble in my opinion.

How can other players respect a man who can't control his actions/temper on the field? If he was made Captain, how can he lead by example if he keeps transgressing?

Mentioned to Pad last night, how can you make someone captain when there's a very real chance he'll do something stupid in the next few weeks and get himself banned. Over a year's worth of suspensions across his career. No thank you.

 

[Paul]

 

[Dinowolf]

Eddie Jones has asked Jonny Wilkinson to join coaching staff on an informal basis.

Apparently Jones met Jonny in Waitrose and after a chat over coffee, Jones asked Jonny to come and help England with their kicking game.

 

[Dinowolf]

TBH I think Hartley was unlucky there, as it was obvious to me that he was calling Tom Youngs a "fucking cheat" and not Wayne Barnes who is a nob anyway.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Still stupid to do it. Swearing on the rugby pitch is pretty frowned upon and why give the idiot Barnes ammunition.

However, if you think he was unlucky there I will point you toward the myriad other suspension offences he has picked up. Disciplinary disaster area.