The Rugby Thread

[Tredman]

Chandler looks like he could be something very special.

 

[jd1981]

England avoiding defeat here, toss of a coin next week as both us and Wales are in a serious case of rebuild and that’s being kind.
After that I fully expect England to lose the remaining 3 games comfortably.

 

[jd1981]

Very flat start from Wales, next Saturday will be a case of whose the least shite.

 

[sycophantia]

Didn't see the England game, were England particularly shit or were Italy steppping it up?

Wales look properly crap.

 

[Paul]

I'm knackered watching this

 

[jd1981]

Didn't see the England game, were England particularly shit or were Italy steppping it up?

Wales look properly crap.

Bit of both

 

[jd1981]

This will be an almighty collapse by Scotland if they lose this

 

[sycophantia]

Didn't see the England game, were England particularly shit or were Italy steppping it up?

Wales look properly crap.

Aged well strange game

 

[jd1981]

That game just proves Scotland aren’t as brilliant as they think, and everyone else is a mile behind France and even further behind Ireland.

 

[sycophantia]

That game just proves Scotland aren’t as brilliant as they think, and everyone else is a mile behind France and even further behind Ireland.

Yep, seems to me after the first round of games, Ireland will cruise to another GS, France will finish comfortably second, then everyone else will be scrabbling around to decide who is least crap.

 

[Stan Hullis]

Ireland are clear at the moment, with France slightly behind them.

Then you have the rest and it’s fairly close. I thought there were good signs from England today against an improving Italian team. Don’t forget they nearly beat France at home last year too.

 

[jd1981]

Unless Ireland have a major shock it’ll be pretty routine for them, their cryptonite is just WCQF.

 

[Tredman]

Time for England to change their xenophobic rules about overseas players.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Wales have the same nonsense. Helps neither of us

 

[1986]

If all those players are heading off to France , then there has to be a very good reason .

A number of clubs have folded in recent times in English Rugby . That's suggests a structure that does not have firm foundations . When the first few leave for France and it works out , it encourages others to try their luck and the gates are well and truly open then .

Secondly - changing the rule is not the answer either . Those players will be asked to play a very physical game over in France . You will also be asked to play on a more regular basis , leaving you in poorer condition for the International side .

Thirdly - good weather , nice lifestyle , decent regular stable income - where would their loyalties lie then , even if they were allowed to play International Rugby for England .

 

[Tredman]

If all those players are heading off to France , then there has to be a very good reason .

A number of clubs have folded in recent times in English Rugby . That's suggests a structure that does not have firm foundations . When the first few leave for France and it works out , it encourages others to try their luck and the gates are well and truly open then .

Secondly - changing the rule is not the answer either . Those players will be asked to play a very physical game over in France . You will also be asked to play on a more regular basis , leaving you in poorer condition for the International side .

Thirdly - good weather , nice lifestyle , decent regular stable income - where would their loyalties lie then , even if they were allowed to play International Rugby for England .

I don't see what any of that has to do with England international games?

Its club rugby and they can clearly make more money in France. Good on them. The English game is probably as, if not more, physically demanding as the French game and, if the RFU engaged, then it would be trivial to have clauses in their contract relating to release for Test matches. We can't solve the lack of money in English club rugby it just is what it is - we have to accept we're the Ligue 1 to their EPL in this game.

Thirdly - weather? loyalties? Really? I guess we shouldn't expect Jude Bellingham to play for England again then.

 

[jd1981]

It’s an absurd rule from one of the most backward organisations in the world.
Totally designed to keep English players in England and an attempt to making the Premiership a better competition.
It’ll always be second fiddle regardless of what you put in place.
Just doesn’t work players go anyway, English rugby is a mess look at how many sides have gone bust or are close to it and the state of the England side currently

 

[Donegal Wolf]

Make no sense in England's position. The volume of players England produce means sides are always going to be competitive in Europe etc.
Other countries who had it Australia, South Africa, Wales have relaxed the rules as why work with 1 hand behind your back.

Work well in Ireland & New Zealand as the Unions have complete control over players, regarding number of appearances and even who they play for (neither of which RFU have).

Mind you when Sexton went to Paris for 2 years Ireland bent the rules to let him play.

 

[jd1981]

How’s that not a high tackle?

 

[jd1981]

France making some really daft errors, not finding touch from a penalty and just dropping a routine catch into touch