The Official English Rugby Thread

Where goats go to escape
Random1
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JM2K6 wrote: Sat Nov 20, 2021 8:40 pm
Raggs wrote: Sat Nov 20, 2021 8:35 pm
JM2K6 wrote: Sat Nov 20, 2021 8:33 pm

Yes. Random1 was bemoaning the lack of one, no?
I guess technically he is a big old lump, he just doesn't tend to do much useful stuff in my mind. Depresses me to see how powerful Etzebeth is and able to carry like a truck etc. That said, if he keeps avoiding the stupid penalties, he's probably the best available at the moment.
Gosh, okay. I see him having huge impact, think he's had a stellar autumn.
😂 you’re hard work sometimes. I am sat here and I genuinely don’t know if you think hill is awesome or not. 🤷🏻‍♂️
Random1
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Raggs wrote: Sat Nov 20, 2021 8:35 pm
JM2K6 wrote: Sat Nov 20, 2021 8:33 pm
Raggs wrote: Sat Nov 20, 2021 8:28 pm

Hill? As in the Hill we've currently got playing for England?

Munga looks like he's got some serious strength about him.
Yes. Random1 was bemoaning the lack of one, no?
I guess technically he is a big old lump, he just doesn't tend to do much useful stuff in my mind. Depresses me to see how powerful Etzebeth is and able to carry like a truck etc. That said, if he keeps avoiding the stupid penalties, he's probably the best available at the moment.

Is he a lump?

He isn’t someone that even looks big.

The saffas look much bigger. I’d like one like that please.
Oxbow
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I think Hill played his best rugby so far for England in the Autumn tests, but it was a fairly low bar to start with.
sockwithaticket
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Hal Jordan wrote: Sat Nov 20, 2021 8:32 pm 12 remains an issue as it has since about 2003, we haven't had a convincing proper inside centre for years. Farrell has played manfully but his lack o a running threat has caught us out too often, and he ain't getting any younger. Tuilagi is a complete waste of a squad place as he's made of glass.
Ojomoh and Kelly are the coming men. Might be ready in time for the world cup.
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JM2K6
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Random1 wrote: Sat Nov 20, 2021 8:46 pm
Raggs wrote: Sat Nov 20, 2021 8:35 pm
JM2K6 wrote: Sat Nov 20, 2021 8:33 pm

Yes. Random1 was bemoaning the lack of one, no?
I guess technically he is a big old lump, he just doesn't tend to do much useful stuff in my mind. Depresses me to see how powerful Etzebeth is and able to carry like a truck etc. That said, if he keeps avoiding the stupid penalties, he's probably the best available at the moment.

Is he a lump?

He isn’t someone that even looks big.

The saffas look much bigger. I’d like one like that please.
He's the biggest second row available to England.

And I don't think I've been unclear - Hill has been excellent this autumn. He's largely cut out the dumb penalties and he's shown plenty of the form he had at Exeter. He scores tries, has excellent workrate, does a lot of good work in mauls in attack and defence, and is a bloody big and awkward bloke to deal with.
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JM2K6
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sockwithaticket wrote: Sat Nov 20, 2021 8:49 pm
Hal Jordan wrote: Sat Nov 20, 2021 8:32 pm 12 remains an issue as it has since about 2003, we haven't had a convincing proper inside centre for years. Farrell has played manfully but his lack o a running threat has caught us out too often, and he ain't getting any younger. Tuilagi is a complete waste of a squad place as he's made of glass.
Ojomoh and Kelly are the coming men. Might be ready in time for the world cup.
I dunno if he'll be good enough but Lennox Anyanwu has started to make waves and is beginning to break through for Quins - he's an absolute unit. Definitely not suggesting he'll be England's world cup centre, just one to keep an eye on as he's played the various age groups for England and seems to have a rare combo of skills and size.
sockwithaticket
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JM2K6 wrote: Sat Nov 20, 2021 8:53 pm
sockwithaticket wrote: Sat Nov 20, 2021 8:49 pm
Hal Jordan wrote: Sat Nov 20, 2021 8:32 pm 12 remains an issue as it has since about 2003, we haven't had a convincing proper inside centre for years. Farrell has played manfully but his lack o a running threat has caught us out too often, and he ain't getting any younger. Tuilagi is a complete waste of a squad place as he's made of glass.
Ojomoh and Kelly are the coming men. Might be ready in time for the world cup.
I dunno if he'll be good enough but Lennox Anyanwu has started to make waves and is beginning to break through for Quins - he's an absolute unit. Definitely not suggesting he'll be England's world cup centre, just one to keep an eye on as he's played the various age groups for England and seems to have a rare combo of skills and size.
:thumbup:

How old is he?
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JM2K6
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sockwithaticket wrote: Sat Nov 20, 2021 8:58 pm
JM2K6 wrote: Sat Nov 20, 2021 8:53 pm
sockwithaticket wrote: Sat Nov 20, 2021 8:49 pm

Ojomoh and Kelly are the coming men. Might be ready in time for the world cup.
I dunno if he'll be good enough but Lennox Anyanwu has started to make waves and is beginning to break through for Quins - he's an absolute unit. Definitely not suggesting he'll be England's world cup centre, just one to keep an eye on as he's played the various age groups for England and seems to have a rare combo of skills and size.
:thumbup:

How old is he?
He's 20, handful of senior appearances. Scored a couple of tries on Friday against Saints apparently.
sockwithaticket
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JM2K6 wrote: Sat Nov 20, 2021 9:00 pm
sockwithaticket wrote: Sat Nov 20, 2021 8:58 pm
JM2K6 wrote: Sat Nov 20, 2021 8:53 pm

I dunno if he'll be good enough but Lennox Anyanwu has started to make waves and is beginning to break through for Quins - he's an absolute unit. Definitely not suggesting he'll be England's world cup centre, just one to keep an eye on as he's played the various age groups for England and seems to have a rare combo of skills and size.
:thumbup:

How old is he?
He's 20, handful of senior appearances. Scored a couple of tries on Friday against Saints apparently.
Sweet. I'll keep an eye out for him in the U20s and Prem.
Random1
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JM2K6 wrote: Sat Nov 20, 2021 8:49 pm
Random1 wrote: Sat Nov 20, 2021 8:46 pm
Raggs wrote: Sat Nov 20, 2021 8:35 pm

I guess technically he is a big old lump, he just doesn't tend to do much useful stuff in my mind. Depresses me to see how powerful Etzebeth is and able to carry like a truck etc. That said, if he keeps avoiding the stupid penalties, he's probably the best available at the moment.

Is he a lump?

He isn’t someone that even looks big.

The saffas look much bigger. I’d like one like that please.
He's the biggest second row available to England.

And I don't think I've been unclear - Hill has been excellent this autumn. He's largely cut out the dumb penalties and he's shown plenty of the form he had at Exeter. He scores tries, has excellent workrate, does a lot of good work in mauls in attack and defence, and is a bloody big and awkward bloke to deal with.
Google reckons he’s an inch taller than itoje, but 4 kilo lighter.

Launch is 12 kg heavier than itoje.
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JM2K6
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Random1 wrote: Sat Nov 20, 2021 9:06 pm
JM2K6 wrote: Sat Nov 20, 2021 8:49 pm
Random1 wrote: Sat Nov 20, 2021 8:46 pm

Is he a lump?

He isn’t someone that even looks big.

The saffas look much bigger. I’d like one like that please.
He's the biggest second row available to England.

And I don't think I've been unclear - Hill has been excellent this autumn. He's largely cut out the dumb penalties and he's shown plenty of the form he had at Exeter. He scores tries, has excellent workrate, does a lot of good work in mauls in attack and defence, and is a bloody big and awkward bloke to deal with.
Google reckons he’s an inch taller than itoje, but 4 kilo lighter.

Launch is 12 kg heavier than itoje.
Player weights are almost entirely invented.
Random1
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JM2K6 wrote: Sat Nov 20, 2021 9:11 pm
Random1 wrote: Sat Nov 20, 2021 9:06 pm
JM2K6 wrote: Sat Nov 20, 2021 8:49 pm

He's the biggest second row available to England.

And I don't think I've been unclear - Hill has been excellent this autumn. He's largely cut out the dumb penalties and he's shown plenty of the form he had at Exeter. He scores tries, has excellent workrate, does a lot of good work in mauls in attack and defence, and is a bloody big and awkward bloke to deal with.
Google reckons he’s an inch taller than itoje, but 4 kilo lighter.

Launch is 12 kg heavier than itoje.
Player weights are almost entirely invented.
Yeah, but there’s some consistency to it ie launch just looks bigger than hill
geordie_6
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JM2K6 wrote: Sat Nov 20, 2021 8:27 pm Hill is a monster.

Hugh Tizard in a few years is going to be a beast. Kpoku too, probably.
Off to France.
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Madness
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Random1 wrote: Sat Nov 20, 2021 9:15 pm
JM2K6 wrote: Sat Nov 20, 2021 9:11 pm
Random1 wrote: Sat Nov 20, 2021 9:06 pm

Google reckons he’s an inch taller than itoje, but 4 kilo lighter.

Launch is 12 kg heavier than itoje.
Player weights are almost entirely invented.
Yeah, but there’s some consistency to it ie launch just looks bigger than hill
Watched the Wasps v Exeter game and from pitch side Hill was easily biggest lump in the packs, without Kruis our best combo would be Itoje and Launch,.
LenCohen
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Random1 wrote: Sat Nov 20, 2021 9:06 pm
JM2K6 wrote: Sat Nov 20, 2021 8:49 pm
Random1 wrote: Sat Nov 20, 2021 8:46 pm

Is he a lump?

He isn’t someone that even looks big.

The saffas look much bigger. I’d like one like that please.
He's the biggest second row available to England.

And I don't think I've been unclear - Hill has been excellent this autumn. He's largely cut out the dumb penalties and he's shown plenty of the form he had at Exeter. He scores tries, has excellent workrate, does a lot of good work in mauls in attack and defence, and is a bloody big and awkward bloke to deal with.
Google reckons he’s an inch taller than itoje, but 4 kilo lighter.

Launch is 12 kg heavier than itoje.
How could anyone look at Hill and Itoje and not instantly realise Hill is far bigger? Unless they're thick as fuck
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notfatcat
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JM, I wouldn't describe Lennox as an absolute unit. Maybe he looked big when paired with Lasike at Bath (I only ever saw the brief highlights of that game) but he just looks like a normal sized player to me on the pitch. Plus I walked past him last night and thought the same. Apart from all that though - damn good prospect.
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JM2K6
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He's very beefy - not sure he's particularly tall (I know Lasike is a short-arse) but he's muscular and every time I've seen him he's been horrible to deal with in contact. For a 20 year old centre he's got a lot of power and a reassuringly big arse :grin:
Dinsdale Piranha
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JM2K6 wrote: Sun Nov 21, 2021 12:07 am He's very beefy - not sure he's particularly tall (I know Lasike is a short-arse) but he's muscular and every time I've seen him he's been horrible to deal with in contact. For a 20 year old centre he's got a lot of power and a reassuringly big arse :grin:
I've only seen him a briefly but he also seems to have a brain.
Slick
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I didn’t realise Freddie Steward is only 20… bloody hell
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Paddington Bear
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Still feels fantastic that win.

Shows what we can do - that and the France win were real markers and begs the question of why so often we kick the leather off it.
Loads of heroes yesterday but hard to look beyond Bevan Rodd for me. That was a hell of an ask for an inexperienced prop and fair play he gave that everything.
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notfatcat
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Meh, it was a fine win but I don't think we played particularly well. Not one that will stay long in the memory for me.
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Kawazaki
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Pollard missed 11pts and Steyn narrowly missed a drop goal. 3 tries to 1 is impressive though.
petej
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notfatcat wrote: Sun Nov 21, 2021 10:45 am Meh, it was a fine win but I don't think we played particularly well. Not one that will stay long in the memory for me.
We got bummed up front. It is a good win considering that. Not a win I could see us getting with Farrell playing.
sockwithaticket
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It was definitely an emininently losable game given that second half performance from South Africa. and we really didn't post enough points during our first half ascendancy.

What's really encouraging is the way a pretty young team adjusted to things and eventually came punching back, doing enough to scrape it.

Also, I take Quirke being given 30 minutes as huge. Can barely remember the last time Jones gave a replacement scrum half that sort of opportunity. Quirke took it too, he was really good. Not just better than Youngs, as that's a low bar to clear, but legit international quality.
geordie_6
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sockwithaticket wrote: Sun Nov 21, 2021 10:53 am It was definitely an emininently losable game given that second half performance from South Africa. and we really didn't post enough points during our first half ascendancy.

What's really encouraging is the way a pretty young team adjusted to things and eventually came punching back, doing enough to scrape it.

Also, I take Quirke being given 30 minutes as huge. Can barely remember the last time Jones gave a replacement scrum half that sort of opportunity. Quirke took it too, he was really good. Not just better than Youngs, as that's a low bar to clear, but legit international quality.
Re Quirke, I was particularly impressed by how he managed after the chargedown. Didn't get inside his own head, but got on with it.
Oxbow
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Hopefully his display will mean the end of Youngs. 50 caps too late mind, but with youngsters like Quirke, Mitchell, Randall and van Portfleet, plus Robson still around there really is no reason to persist with him any longer.

So Youngs to start in the 6N then.
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Madness
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Beating the world champions but not a performance to remember. Back to the early days of Jones being a lucky coach. Add Genge, George, LCD, Launch, Daly, Watson, Farrell back to the squad and we should be in a good place for the Six Nations, although the game in Paris is looking tricky!

May had a shocker, one of the worst games I've seen by an England player, knock ons, penalties given away, seemed to completely lost his head. That, for me, was worse than Care, Lozowski, Isiekwe and not far off a Burrell and they've never played again. With Watson, Malins, Radwan, Daly, Marchant and Nowell all offering something more that May be the end!!!

Also we need to stop playing Curry at 8 and Lawes at 6. Curry is a decent 8 behind a solid pack but the real skill of a regular 8 is coping with bad ball at the back of a struggling scrum.

No 6-2 split

Team I'd like for Paris assuming all fit and on form - never going to happen

Marler
George
Sinks
Itoje
Launch
Curry
Underhill
Dombrandt
Robson
Smith
Daly
Manu
Slade
Watson
Steward

Genge, LCD, Stuart, Lawes, Simmonds, Quirke, Farrell, Malins
sockwithaticket
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Swap Ford for Farrell on the bench and I agree with that team.
petej
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sockwithaticket wrote: Sun Nov 21, 2021 11:40 am Swap Ford for Farrell on the bench and I agree with that team.
I'd rather keep may than Daly but would prefer Marchant to either.
sockwithaticket
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petej wrote: Sun Nov 21, 2021 12:17 pm
sockwithaticket wrote: Sun Nov 21, 2021 11:40 am Swap Ford for Farrell on the bench and I agree with that team.
I'd rather keep may than Daly but would prefer Marchant to either.
Daly on the wing worked very well in his first couple of international seasons.

There certainy selections that could be quibbled, but I have no major issues with the team Madness put forward.

If we're being really granular, I'd quite like to swap Slade for Marchant. I think 13 always benefits from having a real speedster. Radwan, Malins and Freeman would definitely be breathing down the necks of anyone in a wing slot.
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Hal Jordan
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sockwithaticket wrote: Sun Nov 21, 2021 10:53 am It was definitely an emininently losable game given that second half performance from South Africa. and we really didn't post enough points during our first half ascendancy.

What's really encouraging is the way a pretty young team adjusted to things and eventually came punching back, doing enough to scrape it.

Also, I take Quirke being given 30 minutes as huge. Can barely remember the last time Jones gave a replacement scrum half that sort of opportunity. Quirke took it too, he was really good. Not just better than Youngs, as that's a low bar to clear, but legit international quality.
Did we have a huge amount of ascendancy in the first half? We caught them cold and raced to a lead but started to choke off 25-30 minutes in as they ground into the pack.

Hill looks like he might be getting his head around Test rugby and a good, stable Test quality lock is fine, not everyone can be world class.

Agree on the scrum half situation, for Quirke's try his accurate and quick delivery to start the move was half the cause of it. Does anyone think Youngs would have delivered that speed of pass?

Curry should never start at 8 again, but he's Jones pet project now so I think we're stuck with it.

6-2 is lunacy.
Slick
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Madness wrote: Sun Nov 21, 2021 11:31 am Beating the world champions but not a performance to remember. Back to the early days of Jones being a lucky coach. Add Genge, George, LCD, Launch, Daly, Watson, Farrell back to the squad and we should be in a good place for the Six Nations, although the game in Paris is looking tricky!

May had a shocker, one of the worst games I've seen by an England player, knock ons, penalties given away, seemed to completely lost his head. That, for me, was worse than Care, Lozowski, Isiekwe and not far off a Burrell and they've never played again. With Watson, Malins, Radwan, Daly, Marchant and Nowell all offering something more that May be the end!!!

Also we need to stop playing Curry at 8 and Lawes at 6. Curry is a decent 8 behind a solid pack but the real skill of a regular 8 is coping with bad ball at the back of a struggling scrum.

No 6-2 split

Team I'd like for Paris assuming all fit and on form - never going to happen

Marler
George
Sinks
Itoje
Launch
Curry
Underhill
Dombrandt
Robson
Smith
Daly
Manu
Slade
Watson
Steward

Genge, LCD, Stuart, Lawes, Simmonds, Quirke, Farrell, Malins
Your first game is against Scotland. Sickening arrogance back after one win
All the money you made will never buy back your soul
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JM2K6
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Slick wrote: Sun Nov 21, 2021 7:18 pm
Madness wrote: Sun Nov 21, 2021 11:31 am Beating the world champions but not a performance to remember. Back to the early days of Jones being a lucky coach. Add Genge, George, LCD, Launch, Daly, Watson, Farrell back to the squad and we should be in a good place for the Six Nations, although the game in Paris is looking tricky!

May had a shocker, one of the worst games I've seen by an England player, knock ons, penalties given away, seemed to completely lost his head. That, for me, was worse than Care, Lozowski, Isiekwe and not far off a Burrell and they've never played again. With Watson, Malins, Radwan, Daly, Marchant and Nowell all offering something more that May be the end!!!

Also we need to stop playing Curry at 8 and Lawes at 6. Curry is a decent 8 behind a solid pack but the real skill of a regular 8 is coping with bad ball at the back of a struggling scrum.

No 6-2 split

Team I'd like for Paris assuming all fit and on form - never going to happen

Marler
George
Sinks
Itoje
Launch
Curry
Underhill
Dombrandt
Robson
Smith
Daly
Manu
Slade
Watson
Steward

Genge, LCD, Stuart, Lawes, Simmonds, Quirke, Farrell, Malins
Your first game is against Scotland. Sickening arrogance back after one win
Yeah, we should be very scared of Scotland - some of their best posters have already dismissed England entirely as nothing to fear. Going to be a tough tournament for us!
Slick
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Well done JM, pulled it back
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I like neeps
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Hello Englishmen,

John Fletcher has been hired by the SRU to over player pathways, is he any good?
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JM2K6
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I like neeps wrote: Wed Nov 24, 2021 1:42 pm Hello Englishmen,

John Fletcher has been hired by the SRU to over player pathways, is he any good?
Yes. He was part of an excellent U18 setup alongside Peter Walton, and Dean "I steal rugby jobs for a fucking living" Ryan sacked them and butchered the whole thing.
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Margin__Walker
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I like neeps wrote: Wed Nov 24, 2021 1:42 pm Hello Englishmen,

John Fletcher has been hired by the SRU to over player pathways, is he any good?
Every player that went through that U18s set up seemed to think he was fantastic.
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Paddington Bear
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I may be being colossally dim but why are there four Prem games all on Friday night?
Old men forget: yet all shall be forgot, But he'll remember with advantages, What feats he did that day
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Kawazaki
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Paddington Bear wrote: Thu Nov 25, 2021 8:37 am I may be being colossally dim but why are there four Prem games all on Friday night?


I don't know.

There's huge questions for Premiership Rugby to answer in my opinion. It's being marketed dreadfully. It's almost like they don't want anyone to watch it or even know about it.
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Raggs
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Paddington Bear wrote: Thu Nov 25, 2021 8:37 am I may be being colossally dim but why are there four Prem games all on Friday night?
Clubs wanting a long turnaround time for their next fixture? If not everything is televised, they can play when they want right?
Give a man a fire and he'll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life.
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