The Official English Rugby Thread

[Raggs]

Looks like Neild was offside for that.

He's not part of the ruck even. I thought that might be the case when it first happened, glad they went back.

[sockwithaticket]

Looks like Neild was offside for that.

He's not part of the ruck even. I thought that might be the case when it first happened, glad they went back.

Yep, I got a little chuckle of them breaking down just how unentitled he was to pick that ball up.

A good lesson in 'if it looks too good to be true...'

[Paddington Bear]

Red for me. Braindead

[sockwithaticket]

That's not really much of a tackle even before you conside contact point.

[Paddington Bear]

Not being funny this has been the interpretation of the laws for years now, and this is his full time job. Don’t enter collisions like that and don’t play the victim, there’s a good chance that you’ve just cost your team the game

[Paddington Bear]

Weak from Du Preez, should always win that chase

[sockwithaticket]

That's an unusual try for a big, slow lock!

[Kawazaki]

He's a big big lad. Good footwork.

[sockwithaticket]

Not being funny this has been the interpretation of the laws for years now, and this is his full time job. Don’t enter collisions like that and don’t play the victim, there’s a good chance that you’ve just cost your team the game

Pretty much. It's about as textbook an example of the type of hit World Rugby don't want as you'll see. If I were his team mate I'd be pretty annoyed at him doing something so stupid and putting us under pressure for the rest of the match..

[Dinsdale Piranha]

That's an unusual try for a big, slow lock!

For a big man the pickup is impressive.

[Ovals]

I don't mind Richards. He's done his punishment for previous misdeeds. He gets more than the sum of its parts from his teams and that is the mark of a good man-manager. He plays very attractive rugby as well and clearly has a good eye for spotting talent.

I'd have him as England coach in a heartbeat over Eddiot.

He shouldn't, and never will be, within a million miles of getting the England gig.

[sockwithaticket]

Slade bollocksing up that pass was probably justice for the missed neck grab on Sale 21 at the ruck agyer the lock's big rumble.

[sockwithaticket]

HIA my left nut.

[Kawazaki]

I don't mind Richards. He's done his punishment for previous misdeeds. He gets more than the sum of its parts from his teams and that is the mark of a good man-manager. He plays very attractive rugby as well and clearly has a good eye for spotting talent.

I'd have him as England coach in a heartbeat over Eddiot.

He shouldn't, and never will be, within a million miles of getting the England gig.

If some of the public comments of Eddie Jones, not to mention the lamentable performances, are acceptable then I don't see a problem with Dean Richards particularly if he gets England playing the all-court game that he has got from the club sides he's coached. Look at the demise of Leicester since he left.

[Margin__Walker]

In other news, Ealing just lost to the Cornish Pirates. Pressure will be on them now.

[Kawazaki]

In other news, Ealing just lost to the Cornish Pirates. Pressure will be on them now.

No promotion to play for.

Is there relegation from The Championship this season?

[FalconJock]

There should be the promtion for the Championship winners as the Premiership plans to expand to 14 teams next season with a further season of no relegation for 22/23 season.

Might be interesting to see what happens if say Bedford won the Championship as they have always intimated that they would not seek promotion if they won the Championship/Play Offs


https://www.premiershiprugby.com/news/r ... relegation

[Paddington Bear]

The problem is that the Champ is viable as a league for clubs who can attract 4 figure crowds. No one looks likely to be a useful addition to the Prem

[Kawazaki]

There should be the promtion for the Championship winners as the Premiership plans to expand to 14 teams next season with a further season of no relegation for 22/23 season.

Might be interesting to see what happens if say Bedford won the Championship as they have always intimated that they would not seek promotion if they won the Championship/Play Offs


https://www.premiershiprugby.com/news/r ... relegation

I think Bedford's club model relies heavily on using loan players under contract with Premiership clubs - Saracens and Saints mainly. They'd be buggered if they reached the Premiership because they'd have no players!

[Ovals]

I don't mind Richards. He's done his punishment for previous misdeeds. He gets more than the sum of its parts from his teams and that is the mark of a good man-manager. He plays very attractive rugby as well and clearly has a good eye for spotting talent.

I'd have him as England coach in a heartbeat over Eddiot.

He shouldn't, and never will be, within a million miles of getting the England gig.

If some of the public comments of Eddie Jones, not to mention the lamentable performances, are acceptable then I don't see a problem with Dean Richards particularly if he gets England playing the all-court game that he has got from the club sides he's coached. Look at the demise of Leicester since he left.

That's just 'whataboutery'. I'm not Jones fan but that's no reason to want Richards. As for Leicester, the decline had well and truly set in under his leadership.

[Kawazaki]

That's just 'whataboutery'. I'm not Jones fan but that's no reason to want Richards. As for Leicester, the decline had well and truly set in under his leadership.

I mentioned Jones to demonstrate that press conference gobshites are considered fair game by the RFU for the England job.

Could you expand on your opinion that Leicester were well into their decline when they sacked Richards? He'd won 4x Premierships and 2x HECs in just six seasons in his first coaching job.

[ASMO]

Definitely ends up as more of an elbow than a shoulder, but the intent is clearly thereto pile in with all his weight behind a shoulder hit. Would be ridiculous if it wasn't cited and met with at least an 8 week ban (probably halved for no previous, managing to say sorry in a convincing tone of voice and not scoffing all the biscuits).

Maxwell Keys is a dogshit ref at best

[sockwithaticket]

Definitely ends up as more of an elbow than a shoulder, but the intent is clearly thereto pile in with all his weight behind a shoulder hit. Would be ridiculous if it wasn't cited and met with at least an 8 week ban (probably halved for no previous, managing to say sorry in a convincing tone of voice and not scoffing all the biscuits).

Maxwell Keys is a dogshit ref at best

As a Wasps fan I'm happy to agree, but it was Christrophe Ridley and TMO Claire Hodnet that missed this particular incident.

[Kawazaki]

If Kelly was going to be cited then it would have to have been done by now wouldn't it?

Absolute disgrace if he isn't cited.

It's just the usual circle the wagons bullshit.

[ASMO]

Definitely ends up as more of an elbow than a shoulder, but the intent is clearly thereto pile in with all his weight behind a shoulder hit. Would be ridiculous if it wasn't cited and met with at least an 8 week ban (probably halved for no previous, managing to say sorry in a convincing tone of voice and not scoffing all the biscuits).

Maxwell Keys is a dogshit ref at best

As a Wasps fan I'm happy to agree, but it was Christrophe Ridley and TMO Claire Hodnet that missed this particular incident.

I stand corrected, but my statement still holds true

[Kawazaki]

Just been confirmed that Kelly has been cited.

I can't see any mitigation whatsoever in what he did tbh and I can usually see an angle somewhere, if only to be contrary!

[Ovals]

That's just 'whataboutery'. I'm not Jones fan but that's no reason to want Richards. As for Leicester, the decline had well and truly set in under his leadership.

I mentioned Jones to demonstrate that press conference gobshites are considered fair game by the RFU for the England job.

Could you expand on your opinion that Leicester were well into their decline when they sacked Richards? He'd won 4x Premierships and 2x HECs in just six seasons in his first coaching job.

Certainly. In the lead up to him leaving, Leicester won just 3 of their previous 12 games in the Zurich Premiership - he 'resigned' when it was clear that the players (and, I assume the Board) had no confidence in his ability to lead them out of trouble.

[Ovals]

That's just 'whataboutery'. I'm not Jones fan but that's no reason to want Richards. As for Leicester, the decline had well and truly set in under his leadership.

I mentioned Jones to demonstrate that press conference gobshites are considered fair game by the RFU for the England job.

Could you expand on your opinion that Leicester were well into their decline when they sacked Richards? He'd won 4x Premierships and 2x HECs in just six seasons in his first coaching job.

Certainly. In the lead up to him leaving, Leicester won just 3 of their previous 12 games in the Zurich Premiership - he 'resigned/was sacked' when it was clear that the players (and, I assume the Board) had no confidence in his ability to lead them out of trouble.

[Kawazaki]

That's just 'whataboutery'. I'm not Jones fan but that's no reason to want Richards. As for Leicester, the decline had well and truly set in under his leadership.

I mentioned Jones to demonstrate that press conference gobshites are considered fair game by the RFU for the England job.

Could you expand on your opinion that Leicester were well into their decline when they sacked Richards? He'd won 4x Premierships and 2x HECs in just six seasons in his first coaching job.

Certainly. In the lead up to him leaving, Leicester won just 3 of their previous 12 games in the Zurich Premiership - he 'resigned' when it was clear that the players (and, I assume the Board) had no confidence in his ability to lead them out of trouble.

Oh ye of little faith Leicester.

I might be wrong but I don't think there's an English coach who has won more domestically or in Europe than Richards.

[Raggs]

I mentioned Jones to demonstrate that press conference gobshites are considered fair game by the RFU for the England job.

Could you expand on your opinion that Leicester were well into their decline when they sacked Richards? He'd won 4x Premierships and 2x HECs in just six seasons in his first coaching job.

Certainly. In the lead up to him leaving, Leicester won just 3 of their previous 12 games in the Zurich Premiership - he 'resigned' when it was clear that the players (and, I assume the Board) had no confidence in his ability to lead them out of trouble.

Oh ye of little faith Leicester.

I might be wrong but I don't think there's an English coach who has won more domestically or in Europe than Richards.

So you're saying that the "recent" results should have been ignored for his commendable record with them in general?

[Kawazaki]

Certainly. In the lead up to him leaving, Leicester won just 3 of their previous 12 games in the Zurich Premiership - he 'resigned' when it was clear that the players (and, I assume the Board) had no confidence in his ability to lead them out of trouble.

Oh ye of little faith Leicester.

I might be wrong but I don't think there's an English coach who has won more domestically or in Europe than Richards.

So you're saying that the "recent" results should have been ignored for his commendable record with them in general?

4x leagues and 2x ECs in 6 years v 3 wins in 12 games.

The board weren't exactly steadfast in their support were they.

[Slick]

Is that you crying on the video?

[Raggs]

So tournament wins, record equally win streaks, highest win percentage etc are probably things you'd agree that we should look at in terms of defending poor performances at times?

And tell me again how you feel about Eddie Jones

[Kawazaki]

So tournament wins, record equally win streaks, highest win percentage etc are probably things you'd agree that we should look at in terms of defending poor performances at times?

And tell me again how you feel about Eddie Jones

Eddie Jones is abysmal. If England had the same board of directors that Leicester had when Richards was sacked then Jones would have been kicked out the first time he finished fifth in the 6Ns, let alone waited for a second time in just six seasons.

[Ovals]

So tournament wins, record equally win streaks, highest win percentage etc are probably things you'd agree that we should look at in terms of defending poor performances at times?

And tell me again how you feel about Eddie Jones

Eddie Jones is abysmal. If England had the same board of directors that Leicester had when Richards was sacked then Jones would have been kicked out the first time he finished fifth in the 6Ns, let alone waited for a second time in just six seasons.

But you think Leicester were wrong - logically, therefore, you should be supporting the RFU's approach with Jones.

Going back to Richards - the situation with the team, during that period, was shambolic. He seemed to have completely lost the plot at the time and was making some really bizarre team selections. It was really hard to understand what was going on. The results improved dramatically when he was released. And, although he has had some, limited, success - he hasn't won a top honour in the subsequent 16 years. Not exactly a recent record that screams 'England Coach'.

[Kawazaki]

So tournament wins, record equally win streaks, highest win percentage etc are probably things you'd agree that we should look at in terms of defending poor performances at times?

And tell me again how you feel about Eddie Jones

Eddie Jones is abysmal. If England had the same board of directors that Leicester had when Richards was sacked then Jones would have been kicked out the first time he finished fifth in the 6Ns, let alone waited for a second time in just six seasons.

But you think Leicester were wrong - logically, therefore, you should be supporting the RFU's approach with Jones.

Going back to Richards - the situation with the team, during that period, was shambolic. He seemed to have completely lost the plot at the time and was making some really bizarre team selections. It was really hard to understand what was going on. The results improved dramatically when he was released. And, although he has had some, limited, success - he hasn't won a top honour in the subsequent 16 years. Not exactly a recent record that screams 'England Coach'.

If you want to play the strawman game of compare the club coach record to the England coach record then go for it.

Your describing of events in the year 2004 as if it were yesterday is impressive. Now, you might have a great memory or you might be using hyperbole and bullshit. I don't know. What I do know is that in six years, Richards won 4x league and 2x HECs. That's not a fluke. I've also just read he resigned rather than was sacked which suggests he felt he wasn't getting the support that he felt he needed to continue that run of success. The 17 years since he left suggest Richards was right.

He's also kept Newcastle in the Premiership since he was appointed back in 2012 when they were in The Championship. That's no mean feat considering they have the smallest budget in the league. They play an attractive style too which belies what one might imagine a gruff behemoth like Richards would like the way the game is played.

In contrast, Jones has had the best of everything. A five-star training centre, more access to the players, more EQPs, thriving academies. And after six years do you really think the England team are better equipped, better coached and better selected than they were before he started back in 2015?

I'm not advocating that Richards should necessarily be the next England coach either by the way, but I do think he'd be an improvement. A significant one on Jones. I also don't think Bloodgate should exclude him either - he lost three years of his career due to that, he's done his penalty.

[Raggs]

He's also kept Newcastle in the Premiership since he was appointed back in 2012 when they were in The Championship. That's no mean feat considering they have the smallest budget in the league. They play an attractive style too which belies what one might imagine a gruff behemoth like Richards would like the way the game is played.

Apart from getting them relegated in 18/19. And keeping them above London Welsh was hardly a great achievement.

[Ovals]

Eddie Jones is abysmal. If England had the same board of directors that Leicester had when Richards was sacked then Jones would have been kicked out the first time he finished fifth in the 6Ns, let alone waited for a second time in just six seasons.

But you think Leicester were wrong - logically, therefore, you should be supporting the RFU's approach with Jones.

Going back to Richards - the situation with the team, during that period, was shambolic. He seemed to have completely lost the plot at the time and was making some really bizarre team selections. It was really hard to understand what was going on. The results improved dramatically when he was released. And, although he has had some, limited, success - he hasn't won a top honour in the subsequent 16 years. Not exactly a recent record that screams 'England Coach'.

If you want to play the strawman game of compare the club coach record to the England coach record then go for it.

Your describing of events in the year 2004 as if it were yesterday is impressive. Now, you might have a great memory or you might be using hyperbole and bullshit. I don't know. What I do know is that in six years, Richards won 4x league and 2x HECs. That's not a fluke. I've also just read he resigned rather than was sacked which suggests he felt he wasn't getting the support that he felt he needed to continue that run of success. The 17 years since he left suggest Richards was right.

He's also kept Newcastle in the Premiership since he was appointed back in 2012 when they were in The Championship. That's no mean feat considering they have the smallest budget in the league. They play an attractive style too which belies what one might imagine a gruff behemoth like Richards would like the way the game is played.

In contrast, Jones has had the best of everything. A five-star training centre, more access to the players, more EQPs, thriving academies. And after six years do you really think the England team are better equipped, better coached and better selected than they were before he started back in 2015?

I'm not advocating that Richards should necessarily be the next England coach either by the way, but I do think he'd be an improvement. A significant one on Jones. I also don't think Bloodgate should exclude him either - he lost three years of his career due to that, he's done his penalty.

You were the one that brought up Jones' international record when we were discussing Richards domestic record - so don't come the old 'strawman' argument with me.

'Resigned' - happens to coaches a lot of the time when they have no choice.

And trying to argue with me about Jones is pointless - I'd have got rid of him long ago.

It's all academic anyway - he's never going to get the England gig - even the clowns at the RFU have more sense than that.

[Kawazaki]

So we're all agreed, Eddie is shite?

[SaintK]

So we're all agreed, Eddie is shite?

He was fine in the early years. Been here too long now