The Official English Rugby Thread

[inactionman]

Brizzle have just signed Lam up to 2028. That seems an unusually long contract considering he hasn't won anything with them yet.

He's clearly quality, quite likely going to be chased internationally (longer contract = more payoff), entertaining style gets bums on seats even without silverware. Considering how long they've been in the prem they're doing well, at the same time, clearly spending the pennies.

And the owner is rich as anything, so if he has to buy him out if they get tired of him, they can do so.

Agree that they've been deeply impressive since coming back, not just effective but very easy on the eye.

Bastards.

Lam looks to have a good eye for an underrated player, and has managed to get both mercenary and relative journey man clicking as a coherent team. Doesn't always work.

[inactionman]

Are the first round matches not on the box (Fri night excepted?)

They televised pretty much everything under the sun last year

[sockwithaticket]

Brizzle have just signed Lam up to 2028. That seems an unusually long contract considering he hasn't won anything with them yet.

He's clearly quality, quite likely going to be chased internationally (longer contract = more payoff), entertaining style gets bums on seats even without silverware. Considering how long they've been in the prem they're doing well, at the same time, clearly spending the pennies.

And the owner is rich as anything, so if he has to buy him out if they get tired of him, they can do so.

That's true.

They've clearly been on an upward trajectory, but they've also had a fairly cheap squad augmented with a few very big money players. It's going to be interesting to see how they navigate some of their cheaper players, who've been integral to their climb up the table, understandably wanting more money while retaining star quality that's possibly on more than is sensible (eg. Hughes supposedly on 500k). That's a challenge they haven't had to meet yet, personally I'd want to see how Lam navigates that before extending him beyond a couple of seasons. I don't work with Lam or have more money than I know what to do with, though.

[Oxbow]

Every game last season was televised because of Covid and fans not being able to attend. Now I think it's back to the normal 3 televised games a week.

[sockwithaticket]

Are the first round matches not on the box (Fri night excepted?)

They televised pretty much everything under the sun last year

Tigers v. Exeter on Saturday and Quins v. Falcons on Sunday are the other televised games.

Now that fans are back in grounds they're back to the pre-covid schedule of one game per day. I think that's a mistake. The others are all still being filmed for highlights and broadcast elsewhere, at least make them a red button or app option. Not every fan is in a position to go to the ground of their team and plenty of fans like to watch teams other than their own, but not necessarily enough to buy a ticket. Geographical considerations come in there too.

[inactionman]

Every game last season was televised because of Covid and fans not being able to attend. Now I think it's back to the normal 3 televised games a week.

The Bath game's on at 5 so thought it might be on the box, but appears not.

[Hal Jordan]

Yep. First match against Edinburgh
https://www.epcrugby.com/challenge-cu ... results/

That's being played on the ex-players lunch day at old club. I'm on a table of 12 of mostly my old Colts side. 12.00pm start. Going to be carnage.

good luck! We've got one at the end of October which will be as messy as usual

Sponsors and Patrons Lunch tomorrow, I am hosting a table of 10 on behalf of my firm, heaven help us.

We're also the match day sponsor so I get the honour of choosing the Man of The Match. The last could of times it's been easy as we won and one award was to the winger scoring a hat trick and another was to a lock who absolutely crushed it all over the field.

[Sinkers]

Being the other side of the world/timezone it’s tricky for me to keep in touch with all the goings on.

But ahead of the new season, what are your thoughts on this - players to watch for 2021-22 premiership?

https://www.rugbyworld.com/tournaments ... CqE6qj77Vc

[SaintK]

That's being played on the ex-players lunch day at old club. I'm on a table of 12 of mostly my old Colts side. 12.00pm start. Going to be carnage.

good luck! We've got one at the end of October which will be as messy as usual

Sponsors and Patrons Lunch tomorrow, I am hosting a table of 10 on behalf of my firm, heaven help us.

We're also the match day sponsor so I get the honour of choosing the Man of The Match. The last could of times it's been easy as we won and one award was to the winger scoring a hat trick and another was to a lock who absolutely crushed it all over the field.

Enjoy yourselves, it's been a long time!!!!

[Oxbow]

Just noticed that Dickson is reffing Saints first game, I hope to fuck he's improved since last season.

[JM2K6]

Being the other side of the world/timezone it’s tricky for me to keep in touch with all the goings on.

But ahead of the new season, what are your thoughts on this - players to watch for 2021-22 premiership?

https://www.rugbyworld.com/tournaments ... CqE6qj77Vc

It's an odd one. Some incredibly obvious picks, largely an article on the well established talent with a few decent calls:

Bath - Cam Redpath - already made waves at international level
Bris - Harry Randall - already capped over the summer
Exeter - Jack Maunder - I think he's shit, but he has 100 caps for Exeter...
Glos - Wales and Lions Rees-Zammit? Big call
Quins - Scotland-Williamson! The first "you might not be familiar with this guy" choice. I'm glad it wasn't Dombrandt/Smith/etc
Tigers - vPoortvliet, alright, he's still 2nd choice but a good shout as he's top notch
Irish - the back three that's done so well in the last couple of years. They weren't even brave enough to pick one...
Falcons - Radwan, the guy who tore it up for England
Saints - Sleightholme, a good shout if you've not been watching that much club rugby recently
Sale - Bevan Rodd, another good shout, regular club watchers will know what he's about already but he's the coming man
Sarries - Reffell, good call, always interesting to see how exciting young Championship players make the step up
Wasps - Atkinson, fair enough
Worcs - Fin Smith, fair enough

They've not really pushed the boat out here. All of these guys are talented players [except Maunder, cough] but many of them are established stars or v obvious choices. I assume the intended audience is the occasional rugby watcher.

[SaintK]

Being the other side of the world/timezone it’s tricky for me to keep in touch with all the goings on.

But ahead of the new season, what are your thoughts on this - players to watch for 2021-22 premiership?

https://www.rugbyworld.com/tournaments ... CqE6qj77Vc

Yes, some interesting names in there. I'm keen to see how some o thge players that caught the eye last season develop during this season. Van Portvliet and Steward at Tigers, certainly Radwan at Falcons and Freeman at Saints and Barbeary returning to fitness at Wasps.
Am hoping that with no relegation we may see more expansive rugby along the Bristol/Quins style
So, wins in the first round for:
Bristol
Chiefs
Saints
Sale
Irish
Quins

[Sinkers]

Fair enough. I think the only names I wasn’t really aware of were Rodd and Reffel.

Thanks for the insight on those

[JM2K6]

Being the other side of the world/timezone it’s tricky for me to keep in touch with all the goings on.

But ahead of the new season, what are your thoughts on this - players to watch for 2021-22 premiership?

https://www.rugbyworld.com/tournaments ... CqE6qj77Vc

Yes, some interesting names in there. I'm keen to see how some o thge players that caught the eye last season develop during this season. Van Portvliet and Steward at Tigers, certainly Radwan at Falcons and Freeman at Saints and Barbeary returning to fitness at Wasps.
Am hoping that with no relegation we may see more expansive rugby along the Bristol/Quins style
So, wins in the first round for:
Bristol
Chiefs
Saints
Sale
Irish
Quins

Quins could easily be ambushed in the first match - they've picked a relatively weak side. No Marler (Botta starts, ffs), Gray, Louw, Lewies, Chisholm, or Smith. Marler's on the bench at least. Newcastle will pile into them.

[SaintK]

Being the other side of the world/timezone it’s tricky for me to keep in touch with all the goings on.

But ahead of the new season, what are your thoughts on this - players to watch for 2021-22 premiership?

https://www.rugbyworld.com/tournaments ... CqE6qj77Vc

Yes, some interesting names in there. I'm keen to see how some o thge players that caught the eye last season develop during this season. Van Portvliet and Steward at Tigers, certainly Radwan at Falcons and Freeman at Saints and Barbeary returning to fitness at Wasps.
Am hoping that with no relegation we may see more expansive rugby along the Bristol/Quins style
So, wins in the first round for:
Bristol
Chiefs
Saints
Sale
Irish
Quins

Quins could easily be ambushed in the first match - they've picked a relatively weak side. No Marler (Botta starts, ffs), Gray, Louw, Lewies, Chisholm, or Smith. Marler's on the bench at least. Newcastle will pile into them.

Bugger! I may have to change my Superbru prediction now
I was guessing blind........with aall the predictions

[inactionman]

Being the other side of the world/timezone it’s tricky for me to keep in touch with all the goings on.

But ahead of the new season, what are your thoughts on this - players to watch for 2021-22 premiership?

https://www.rugbyworld.com/tournaments ... CqE6qj77Vc

At JMK notes, Redpath at Bath has already had his breakout, I'd be looking to se if De Glanville can follow - he had a Baabaas callup before being a silly boy and has ben in a few England camps. He's listed as 10 but played a lot of last season at 15 (if my beer-addled memory can be relied on), decent skills and tricky runner.

[Margin__Walker]

Yeah JM. Noticed that they didn't actually have a stab at one for LI.

They are more of a known quantity now anyway. For me, I'd say that Ben Donnell and Matt Williams would be ones to watch.

Donnell has played plenty for a guy that's just turned 21, but has a real chance to nail down the 7 shirt with Cowan gone. Looking better and better towards the end of last season and picked up where he left off in the one pre season game they played.

Williams came through in the same group of players as the back three, but got left behind a bit by Covid and a serious injury that kept him out for a year. Was the stand out performer of that crop in the last Championship season. Will suffer a bit playing in the same position as Rona, but is versatile and can fill in at 12 and wing. Fit again now, and again looked sharp in pre season for what it's worth.

[Paddington Bear]

Looking forward to tonight. Served our time deservedly and time to have a crack at it fairly. Sarries team:

1 Ralph Adams-Hale

2 Tom Woolstencroft

3 Marco Riccioni

4 Nick Isiekwe

5 Tim Swinson

6 Jackson Wray (c)

7 Ben Earl

8 Billy Vunipola

9 Aled Davies

10 Alex Lozowski

11 Rotimi Segun

12 Nick Tompkins

13 Dom Morris

14 Alex Lewington

15 Elliott Obatoyinbo

Replacements:

16 Kapeli Pifeleti

17 Richard Barrington

18 Alec Clarey

19 Callum Hunter-Hill

20 Sean Reffell

21 Joe Simpson

22 Manu Vunipola

23 Ben Harris

[SaintK]

Looking forward to tonight. Served our time deservedly and time to have a crack at it fairly. Sarries team:

Spoiler

Show

1 Ralph Adams-Hale

2 Tom Woolstencroft

3 Marco Riccioni

4 Nick Isiekwe

5 Tim Swinson

6 Jackson Wray (c)

7 Ben Earl

8 Billy Vunipola

9 Aled Davies

10 Alex Lozowski

11 Rotimi Segun

12 Nick Tompkins

13 Dom Morris

14 Alex Lewington

15 Elliott Obatoyinbo

Replacements:

16 Kapeli Pifeleti

17 Richard Barrington

18 Alec Clarey

19 Callum Hunter-Hill

20 Sean Reffell

21 Joe Simpson

22 Manu Vunipola

23 Ben Harris

Despite all those missing it still looks a strong team
I fancy Bristol by 9 though

[JM2K6]

Yeah JM. Noticed that they didn't actually have a stab at one for LI.

They are more of a known quantity now anyway. For me, I'd say that Ben Donnell and Matt Williams would be ones to watch.

Donnell has played plenty for a guy that's just turned 21, but has a real chance to nail down the 7 shirt with Cowan gone. Looking better and better towards the end of last season and picked up where he left off in the one pre season game they played.

Williams came through in the same group of players as the back three, but got left behind a bit by Covid and a serious injury that kept him out for a year. Was the stand out performer of that crop in the last Championship season. Will suffer a bit playing in the same position as Rona, but is versatile and can fill in at 12 and wing. Fit again now, and again looked sharp in pre season for what it's worth.

For Quins we have a rash of youngsters in the squad that people already know about (Northmore, Lynagh, Kenningham, Tizard, etc) but judging by the pre-season and the first squad, I guess Craig Trenier, Sam Riley & Fin Baxter are going to be the ones trying to make names for themselves already. Some of the ridiculous u18 backline look like they'll get some gametime this season maybe - Cleaves, Oresanya, Slevin, Anyanwu - but realistically most of these guys will filter in in the next 18 months - 2 years I reckon.

[Margin__Walker]

Yeah JM. Noticed that they didn't actually have a stab at one for LI.

They are more of a known quantity now anyway. For me, I'd say that Ben Donnell and Matt Williams would be ones to watch.

Donnell has played plenty for a guy that's just turned 21, but has a real chance to nail down the 7 shirt with Cowan gone. Looking better and better towards the end of last season and picked up where he left off in the one pre season game they played.

Williams came through in the same group of players as the back three, but got left behind a bit by Covid and a serious injury that kept him out for a year. Was the stand out performer of that crop in the last Championship season. Will suffer a bit playing in the same position as Rona, but is versatile and can fill in at 12 and wing. Fit again now, and again looked sharp in pre season for what it's worth.

For Quins we have a rash of youngsters in the squad that people already know about (Northmore, Lynagh, Kenningham, Tizard, etc) but judging by the pre-season and the first squad, I guess Craig Trenier, Sam Riley & Fin Baxter are going to be the ones trying to make names for themselves already. Some of the ridiculous u18 backline look like they'll get some gametime this season maybe - Cleaves, Oresanya, Slevin, Anyanwu - but realistically most of these guys will filter in in the next 18 months - 2 years I reckon.

Yeah the likes of Riley and Baxter have obviously made waves at age grade and look ready for some proper gametime. I remember seeing Cleaves play a couple of years ago for Wellington and thinking he was a sure bet as far as prospects go, so will be interesting to see whether he lives up to the expectation.

[Kawazaki]

Looking forward to tonight. Served our time deservedly and time to have a crack at it fairly. Sarries team:

1 Ralph Adams-Hale

2 Tom Woolstencroft

3 Marco Riccioni

4 Nick Isiekwe

5 Tim Swinson

6 Jackson Wray (c)

7 Ben Earl

8 Billy Vunipola

9 Aled Davies

10 Alex Lozowski

11 Rotimi Segun

12 Nick Tompkins

13 Dom Morris

14 Alex Lewington

15 Elliott Obatoyinbo

Replacements:

16 Kapeli Pifeleti

17 Richard Barrington

18 Alec Clarey

19 Callum Hunter-Hill

20 Sean Reffell

21 Joe Simpson

22 Manu Vunipola

23 Ben Harris

Very lively set of backs, all are fairly quick and it'll be interesting to see how the Loz/Nick/Dom midfield set up and play. All three are actually quite similar in size and all are strong defensively. Would have preferred Goode at the back though, assume he's picked up a knock?

[JM2K6]

Yeah JM. Noticed that they didn't actually have a stab at one for LI.

They are more of a known quantity now anyway. For me, I'd say that Ben Donnell and Matt Williams would be ones to watch.

Donnell has played plenty for a guy that's just turned 21, but has a real chance to nail down the 7 shirt with Cowan gone. Looking better and better towards the end of last season and picked up where he left off in the one pre season game they played.

Williams came through in the same group of players as the back three, but got left behind a bit by Covid and a serious injury that kept him out for a year. Was the stand out performer of that crop in the last Championship season. Will suffer a bit playing in the same position as Rona, but is versatile and can fill in at 12 and wing. Fit again now, and again looked sharp in pre season for what it's worth.

For Quins we have a rash of youngsters in the squad that people already know about (Northmore, Lynagh, Kenningham, Tizard, etc) but judging by the pre-season and the first squad, I guess Craig Trenier, Sam Riley & Fin Baxter are going to be the ones trying to make names for themselves already. Some of the ridiculous u18 backline look like they'll get some gametime this season maybe - Cleaves, Oresanya, Slevin, Anyanwu - but realistically most of these guys will filter in in the next 18 months - 2 years I reckon.

Yeah the likes of Riley and Baxter have obviously made waves at age grade and look ready for some proper gametime. I remember seeing Cleaves play a couple of years ago for Wellington and thinking he was a sure bet as far as prospects go, so will be interesting to see whether he lives up to the expectation.

He's properly ridiculous at age group level, but there's no guarantees he won't end up like Ibitoye (who's just signed for Tel Aviv Heat...)

[Margin__Walker]

Yeah, saw that today. That's some fall from grace in a few years. Although presume it's because the backers there have thrown some money at it and it will be a few quid more than a Championship gig over here.

[Raggs]

Yeah, saw that today. That's some fall from grace in a few years. Although presume it's because the backers there have thrown some money at it and it will be a few quid more than a Championship gig over here.

They've signed Renalto (sp?) Bothma too, think they're taking the competition seriously, so may have a few decently paid players. Not going to be prem money I'd have thought, but still probably pretty well paid. Sunny country, nice beaches, lot worse places to end up. If it wasn't for Covid, I'd be trying to see if a game lined up with a holiday there, but who knows when it'll be simple to visit again.

[JM2K6]

Renaldo - and yeah, it's a bit like the Japan league (or Chinese football from a few years back) as far as I can tell. Still...

Ibitoye will probably be picked up by a Premiership club in a year or two. Don't think his time in France speaks highly of him, though.

[Torquemada 1420]

Any working streams for this season's Prem?

[sockwithaticket]

Any working streams for this season's Prem?

It's not the best, but this one's working okay for tonight's game. Or so I've been told.

http://live.jokerswidget.org/freelivema ... 58540.html

[sockwithaticket]

That was loveyl, more of that please Briz.

[Paddington Bear]

Lots of unforced pens from Sarries and Bristol’s line speed is rapid. The difference so far

[Torquemada 1420]

Any working streams for this season's Prem?

It's not the best, but this one's working okay for tonight's game. Or so I've been told.

http://live.jokerswidget.org/freelivema ... 58540.html

[Paddington Bear]

Very very much take that. Forwards on top, feeling more confident than expected

[Paddington Bear]

‘Why haven’t the rule changes stopped kicking?!?!’ Ask pundits of a sport where territory is more important than possession

[SaintK]

Very very much take that. Forwards on top, feeling more confident than expected

Like the look of the Sarries Italian tight head

[sockwithaticket]

Uren needs to speed up getting the ball away. This is one of those games where he's justifying the anger ASMO typically directs at him.

[Torquemada 1420]

Can see shy Thacker didn't get much start time last season. Hands like tits.

[Torquemada 1420]

Healey is such a twonk. 1st game of the season FFS

[Brazil]

The rolling away rule is already a farce. It only works if you make players stay on their feet, and it's clearly not being enforced.

[Hal Jordan]

Uren is Ben Youngs levels of slow crabbery.

[Torquemada 1420]

Bristol doing zilch to commit the fraudsters to the breakdown nor trying any chip kicks to keep the fanning line honest.