The Rugby Thread

[Dinowolf]

Greig Laidlaw called into Lions squad.

 

[Dinowolf]

Have to have hugh respect for someone who is prepared to turn down what was the pinnacle of his career to support his family

+1

Agree, huge respect.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Greig Laidlaw called into Lions squad.

I didn't really want to discuss a replacement last night out of respect for the Youngs family, but that really was the only sensible decision by the Lions management for me. Laidlaw will be an excellent back up scrum half and has very strong leadership qualities that will be of great value in NZ.

 

[jd1981]

Another easy draw.

http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/39868565

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Agreed - Australia and Wales should progress from that group, just like the last time they were together in a RWC group.

 

[Sniffer]

Agreed - Australia and Wales should progress from that group, just like the last time they were together in a RWC group.

:bigfinger:

 

[Dublin Drummer Wolf]

Great draw for Ireland.

 

[Bit on the shaggies]

Agreed - Australia and Wales should progress from that group, just like the last time they were together in a RWC group.

Depends, they might yet get Samoa in their group...

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

or Fiji

 

[Tredman]

Magnificent game between sarries and clermont today. Great to see Saracens become only the second English club to retain the European cup

 

[Johnny75]

Magnificent game between sarries and clermont today. Great to see Saracens become only the second English club to retain the European cup

I enjoyed that too. Billy Vunipola looks leaner and meaner than I've seen him for England, must be like getting hit by a truck for 80 minutes.

 

[Tredman]

I enjoyed that too. Billy Vunipola looks leaner and meaner than I've seen him for England, must be like getting hit by a truck for 80 minutes.

Yeah he did look a bit lighter and quicker than usual, still took the standard 3 players to stop him though.

Though Mako and Kruis did really well too.

 

[Dinowolf]

Cracking game, brilliant quality.

Disappointed that the best rugby ref in the world didn't use the sin-bin on two occasions for Cleremont deliberate foul play close to their line, but it didn't detract from the action, just made it harder for Sarries.

 

[Donegal Wolf]

Was at the game (still recovering to be honest after Edinburgh's cultural experience), agreed good game, Clermont fans had no hard luck stories afterwards, you always got the impression that Clermont were just hanging in there, last 20 minutes when they got it back to 18-17 Saracens were very impressive in closing down the game.

Saracens do have a great squad of players, also Mark McCall after being shafted by Ulster has rebuilt his career very impressively.

 

[Dinowolf]

AVP semi-finals

Exeter 18 - 16 Saracens - What a game this was. Top quality and fantastic ending to a magnificent game of rugby.

Wasps 21 - 20 Leicester - Heartbreaking for Tigers as Wasps finally got through their top defensive display right at the end.

If the final lives up to the standard of the semis then it will be some match. Can't wait for next Saturday at 1:30 pm.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Billy V is out of the Lions tour

 

[Tredman]

Nightmare, one of the few truly world class players we had.

 

[Donegal Wolf]

Haskell brought in as a replacement, so a flanker in for a No 8 which is strange, must mean Stander (who does play 8 for Munster) will be used there.

Big loss, NZ were even money a couple of days ago to win the series 3-0, will be odds-on now

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

I like Haskell but surely Nathan Hughes is the natural replacement.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Haskell brought in as a replacement, so a flanker in for a No 8 which is strange, must mean Stander (who does play 8 for Munster) will be used there.

Big loss, NZ were even money a couple of days ago to win the series 3-0, will be odds-on now

Faletau is a certainty to be the test no 8 now. Which is a mistake - he is a shadow of two years ago.