The Rugby Thread

[Parkins left foot]

I'd have thought age and size grading were more important than getting rid of contact. When I played rugby at school it was just enormous lads bulldozing the smaller ones. Those who tried to tackle them often got hurt, while the rest of us just let them go on their way and learnt nothing but how to avoid rugby. That might have changed now, of course.

Depends where you are I suspect - worked in primary education till December & all rugby was 'touch' only at that age (up to 11), but know that depending on which secondary they went onto it varied (on the border of Dorset & Wiltshire & each area had a different idea on what to do next)

 

[Donegal Wolf]

I thought Marler was pinged unfairly by the Linesman early on. At one point Stander the Irish 6 was pulling Marlers arm down but nothing was given. Then Cole was pinged by the ref. for changing his binding but the ref. ignored the fact that the Irish 1 had lost his binding altogether and gone down causing the scrum to collapse and that Cole changed his own binding so he didn't follow him.

There were other instances throughout the game where both sides lost out to poor refereeing decisions.

Let's hope Joubert is better for the Wales game.

An interesting analysis which shows how the referee has an impossible job at the scrums

http://www.the42.ie/ireland-england-scrum-analysis-3-2636970-Mar2016/

 

[Dinowolf]

An interesting analysis which shows how the referee has an impossible job at the scrums

http://www.the42.ie/ireland-england-scrum-analysis-3-2636970-Mar2016/

A good analysis which shows people some of the things front-rowers get up to, slightly biased but nevertheless worthwhile reading.

I feel that a good way of reducing this is to replace the penalty award for these 'minor' scrum offences like not binding or pushing correctly, with a free-kick. This would speed up play as free-kicks are usually tap & go by nature, and stop the perpetual kick for lineouts and the time it takes while players walk into position and then decide what play they are going to make.

I think that once the majority of awards are just free-kicks then players will not see the scrum the same way they do now, a possible source of a penalty and 3pts..

 

[Bit on the shaggies]

I've never really understood why penalties are given to a team that has demolished the opposition's scrum. Why doesn't the ref just call advantage and make them play on ? They should be made to use the ball that they've won before being awarded a penalty.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

That's what the advantage law is there for.

 

[Dinowolf]

I've never really understood why penalties are given to a team that has demolished the opposition's scrum. Why doesn't the ref just call advantage and make them play on ? They should be made to use the ball that they've won before being awarded a penalty.

If the ball is moved quickly then most refs will award a penalty advantage and let the play go on.
If the ball is stuck in the scrum then a penalty will be awarded immediately for safety reasons.

 

[leedswolf]

 

[Dinowolf]

Courtney Lawes has limped out of todays' game with an ankle injury.

Doubtful for 6 Nations game next Saturday.

 

[Dinowolf]

Courtney Lawes replaced by Ed Slater in Englands training squad 33.

Luther Burrell has replaced injured Marlon Yarde

Ollie Devoto has recovered from his concussion and takes his place in the squad as does

Manu Tualagi even though Leics. boss Cockerill says he's not ready

 

[Johnny75]

Manu Tualagi even though Leics. boss Cockerill says he's not ready

Looked pretty good to me yesterday, but then I'm as good as Alan at spotting good Rugby players.

 

[Newbridge Wolf]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/35682546?ns_mchannel=social&ns_campaign=bbc_sport&ns_source=facebook&ns_linkname=sport

I really can't argue with his points made here

 

[Dinowolf]

Wales announce an unchanged XV to face England

Charteris and Webb included on the bench

 

[Dinowolf]

From BBC

Manu Tuilagi returns to England's matchday squad to face Wales in the Six Nations at Twickenham on Saturday.

The Leicester centre, 24, has not played for England since June 2014 because of a groin injury.

He replaces Saracens' Alex Goode in the 24-man squad and is likely to start on the bench, with head coach Eddie Jones to name his starting XV on Thursday.

Exeter hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie is cover for Jamie George, who suffered an arm injury in training last Thursday and will undergo further medical checks.

Northampton prop Kieran Brookes is included, has been named in place of club team-mate Paul Hill for the game between the two unbeaten countries in this season's competition.

 

[Dinowolf]

After further medical checks Jamie George will miss the 6N game against Wales, and could be out for 10 weeks with a ruptured tendon in his arm.

So Luke Cowan-Dickie will win his 2nd Cap on Saturday off the replacements bench.

 

[Dinowolf]

England name an unchanged starting XV for the game on Saturday against Wales.

 

[Paul]

Getting excited now

 

[Dinowolf]

Henry Slade on his way to fitness

http://www.skysports.com/rugby-unio...y-slade-in-contention-to-make-injury-comeback

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Try of the tournament there by Ireland. Great rugby.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

They have absolutely destroyed Italy. Very good display indeed.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Squeaky-bum time then. This is going to be a hell of a game I reckon.