The Rugby Thread

[Dinowolf]

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?

I've already said this Paddy. He wouldn't have been in my squad.

 

[BillyDee]

Given that England have a long history of poor discipline costing them matches, I could not think of a worse person to lead the team.

 

[Dinowolf]

Another example of ill-discipline could lead to Ashton missing the whole of the 6 Nations

http://www.skysports.com/rugby-unio...six-nations-after-being-cited-for-eye-gouging

We'll find out tomorrow

 

[Dinowolf]

Connor O'Shea leaving Quins at end of season.

 

[Donegal Wolf]

Connor O'Shea leaving Quins at end of season.

Rumoured to be going to either Munster or the Italian National Job.

 

[Donegal Wolf]

Another example of ill-discipline could lead to Ashton missing the whole of the 6 Nations

http://www.skysports.com/rugby-unio...six-nations-after-being-cited-for-eye-gouging

We'll find out tomorrow

Funniest story I heard about Ashton was in the 2011 6N when he scored the opening try against Italy he did his attention seeking splash dive, one of the Italian's took the hump about this and during the ensuing handbags Toby Flood is picked up on a microphone saying to the offended Italian "yes we know he is a cunt"

 

[Dinowolf]

Ashton given 10 weeks suspension so will miss the 6-Nations.

Saracens have 3 days to lodge an appeal.

What a plonker.

 

[Dinowolf]

George Smith has agreed to join Eddie Jones on an informal basis to help the England back row with their breakdown skills, starting next Wednesday.

Another meeting in another coffee shop.

 

[Donegal Wolf]

Rory Best confirmed as Ireland's new captain, playing well and a leader but is 33 so only a short term option, problem with having Best (and Hartley as well for that matter), is that hookers rarely finish the game (fnar), so will probably be off the field when a game goes down to the wire

Four new caps McCloskey (good player will win a lot of caps), Stander (one of those horrible imported players from SA), Van Der Flier (who isnt despite the names) and Dillane, but despite the media pressure Schmidt didnt include Garry Ringrose who is being described as the new BOD.

No O'Mahoney, Healy, Ross, Henderson, Bowe or Cave all poorly, Henshaw and Payne included but touch and go.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

George Smith has agreed to join Eddie Jones on an informal basis to help the England back row with their breakdown skills, starting next Wednesday.

Another meeting in another coffee shop.

That is a brilliant coup for Jones and England. For too long England have been bossed at the breakdown by Wales and Ireland (as well as the Southern Hemisphere boys) and George Smith used to be brilliant in that area. Any pointers he can give can only improve England.

 

[lemonjelly]

ashton isn't a team player anyway. Not sure I'd have picked him myself.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

I wouldn't have shed a tear if he was in, put it that way...

 

[Donegal Wolf]

That is a brilliant coup for Jones and England. For too long England have been bossed at the breakdown by Wales and Ireland (as well as the Southern Hemisphere boys) and George Smith used to be brilliant in that area. Any pointers he can give can only improve England.

Indeed, the likes of Ijote and Kvesic look good young back row forwards, they will learn loads off him

 

[Dublin Drummer Wolf]

Rory Best confirmed as Ireland's new captain, playing well and a leader but is 33 so only a short term option, problem with having Best (and Hartley as well for that matter), is that hookers rarely finish the game (fnar), so will probably be off the field when a game goes down to the wire

Four new caps McCloskey (good player will win a lot of caps), Stander (one of those horrible imported players from SA), Van Der Flier (who isnt despite the names) and Dillane, but despite the media pressure Schmidt didnt include Garry Ringrose who is being described as the new BOD.

No O'Mahoney, Healy, Ross, Henderson, Bowe or Cave all poorly, Henshaw and Payne included but touch and go.

Think it's gonna be a tough old season for us this year

 

[Donegal Wolf]

Think it's gonna be a tough old season for us this year

I think that as well, mind you Gatland reckons we are favourites.

suppose it gives the young players a chance to establish themselves, some good prospects there, will see what they are made off.

We could be in big trouble at scrums as we are light on second rows and those that we have done have a lot of biff.

 

[Dinowolf]

I read the reports of what Gatland said. The mind games have started already?

It's difficult to call at the moment IMO, as every team is in the process of rebuilding, albeit at different stages.

Ireland have won the previous two 6Ns and Wales the two prior to that so they have "the winning experience".
Scotland have momentum after their WC campaign and France have a new Head Coach who may have the support he needs from his Clubs. Italy are still struggling and England are at the start of a massive upheaval.

I think we will have to wait for the first matches to be played so we can get a better idea of how things will go, before anyone can make any believable prediction.

 

[Dinowolf]

Sexton a doubt for the first 6N against Wales.

Suffered a concussion for Leinster against Wasps and will undergo the protocol for the injury.
Hopefully it's not too bad.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

I know I should be thinking that is ace because it helps Wales, but I hope Sexton makes it. Concussion protocols though suggest he is going to be missing

 

[Donegal Wolf]

I know I should be thinking that is ace because it helps Wales, but I hope Sexton makes it. Concussion protocols though suggest he is going to be missing

Fair play Paddy,

He does have a worrying record with concussions, got concussed 3 times at the end of 2014 and stood down for 12 matches, hopefully it might be due to his tackling technique and not some long term health issues.

In the H Cup Irish provinces have fallen a long way from the glory days of 2006-2012 when they dominated the competition, first time since 1998 none of them have reached the knock-out stages.

 

[Dinowolf]

Dylan Hartley officially named today by Eddie Jones as his Captain for the 6 Nations Tournament.

I repeat that IMO this is one hell of a gamble by Jones, as Hartley is a bomb waiting to go off, and will surely be targeted by opposition players.