European Rugby Thread

[fishfoodie]

A bit of a shit way to open the thread; but Covid is already buggering things up

Scarlets have conceded Saturday's European Champions Cup game at Bristol Bears over the Covid-19 crisis that means the vast majority of their squad are in quarantine in Belfast.

They leave isolation on Friday and player welfare concerns and complications surrounding borrowing players have led to the decision.

Scarlets say they have only 14 fit players in training.

[Slick]

I presume most/all of this is on BT Sports or Sky?

[robmatic]

I presume most/all of this is on BT Sports or Sky?

Diddy cup games will mostly be streamed on the ERC website, I think.

[SaintK]

I presume most/all of this is on BT Sports or Sky?

BT have 2 matches on Fiday
5 on Saturday
3 on Sunday

[sockwithaticket]

I presume most/all of this is on BT Sports or Sky?

Sky don't have anything these days, haven't for at least a couple of seasons. It's all BT.

Channel 4 will have a couple of games too. Cardiff - Toulouse this weekend.

[fishfoodie]

I presume most/all of this is on BT Sports or Sky?

Sky don't have anything these days, haven't for at least a couple of seasons. It's all BT.

Channel 4 will have a couple of games too. Cardiff - Toulouse this weekend.

Are they showing it after the watershed ?; or will they pixellate out the worst of the pummelling ?

[Tichtheid]

I presume most/all of this is on BT Sports or Sky?

Diddy cup games will mostly be streamed on the ERC website, I think.

BT and C4 have the rights.


The ERC are charging a fiver a game to stream on their website or twenty nicker for a weekend pass.

I already have BT Sport and Channel 4 obviously, but if I want to watch Edinburgh get pumped by Saracens I have to fork out another £4.99.

[petej]

I presume most/all of this is on BT Sports or Sky?

Diddy cup games will mostly be streamed on the ERC website, I think.

BT and C4 have the rights.


The ERC are charging a fiver a game to stream on their website or twenty nicker for a weekend pass.

I already have BT Sport and Channel 4 obviously, but if I want to watch Edinburgh get pumped by Saracens I have to fork out another £4.99.

Looking forward to Bordeaux vs Leicester. Both top of their leagues.

[sockwithaticket]

I presume most/all of this is on BT Sports or Sky?

Sky don't have anything these days, haven't for at least a couple of seasons. It's all BT.

Channel 4 will have a couple of games too. Cardiff - Toulouse this weekend.

Are they showing it after the watershed ?; or will they pixellate out the worst of the pummelling ?

A wet December day in Cardiff could be a leveller. Toulouse will almost definitely still win, but I can seem them being fairly perfunctory about it rather than going full bore and delivering a pummeling.

[fishfoodie]

Sky don't have anything these days, haven't for at least a couple of seasons. It's all BT.

Channel 4 will have a couple of games too. Cardiff - Toulouse this weekend.

Are they showing it after the watershed ?; or will they pixellate out the worst of the pummelling ?

A wet December day in Cardiff could be a leveller. Toulouse will almost definitely still win, but I can seem them being fairly perfunctory about it rather than going full bore and delivering a pummeling.

I'll be cheering for Cardiff anyway !

Connachts win away to Toulouse is most fans European highlight

[Slick]

We talk about little else in this house

[fishfoodie]

We talk about little else in this house

Good man; I knew you were a proper Rugby man

[Uncle fester]

Munster registered the following players for Europe to try and avoid conceding:

Forwards:
Alessandro Heaney (loosehead prop) - Exile/U20
Kieran Ryan (loosehead prop) - Munchins/U20
Darragh McCarthy (tighthead prop) - Clonakilty/U20
Darragh McSweeney (tighthead prop) - PBC/U20
Dylan Murphy (hooker) - Nenagh/U20
Edwin Edogbo (lock) - Cobh RFC/U20
John Forde (back-row forward) - PBC/U20
Nicky Greene (back-row forward) - Bandon/U20
Peter Hyland (back-row forward) - PBC/U21
Jack Kelleher (back-row forward) - PBC/U21
Conor Moloney (back-row forward) - Ennis/U20
Fearghail O’Donoghue (back-row forward) - Cashel/U21
Jack O’Sullivan (back-row forward) - Cobh/U20

Backs:
Adam Maher (scrum-half) - Rockwell/U20
Andrew O’Mahony (scrum-half) - CBC/U19
Jack Oliver (scrum-half) - Castletroy/U19
Tony Butler (out-half) - Ennis/U20
Alan Flannery (centre) - Rockwell/U21
Darragh French (centre) - PBC/U20
George Coomber (winger) -CBC/U20
Jamie Shanahan (winger) - Skib/U21
Patrick Campbell (full-back/winger) - PBC/U20

[Happyhooker]

Munster registered the following players for Europe to try and avoid conceding:

Forwards:
Alessandro Heaney (loosehead prop) - Exile/U20
Kieran Ryan (loosehead prop) - Munchins/U20
Darragh McCarthy (tighthead prop) - Clonakilty/U20
Darragh McSweeney (tighthead prop) - PBC/U20
Dylan Murphy (hooker) - Nenagh/U20
Edwin Edogbo (lock) - Cobh RFC/U20
John Forde (back-row forward) - PBC/U20
Nicky Greene (back-row forward) - Bandon/U20
Peter Hyland (back-row forward) - PBC/U21
Jack Kelleher (back-row forward) - PBC/U21
Conor Moloney (back-row forward) - Ennis/U20
Fearghail O’Donoghue (back-row forward) - Cashel/U21
Jack O’Sullivan (back-row forward) - Cobh/U20

Backs:
Adam Maher (scrum-half) - Rockwell/U20
Andrew O’Mahony (scrum-half) - CBC/U19
Jack Oliver (scrum-half) - Castletroy/U19
Tony Butler (out-half) - Ennis/U20
Alan Flannery (centre) - Rockwell/U21
Darragh French (centre) - PBC/U20
George Coomber (winger) -CBC/U20
Jamie Shanahan (winger) - Skib/U21
Patrick Campbell (full-back/winger) - PBC/U20

Looks about as long as our injury list

[petej]

Looking forward to Bordeaux vs Leicester. Both top of their leagues.

Leicester by a lot as Jalibert (#10) Bordeaux’s xfactor is out for 2 weeks.

It is away in France and trinh-duc is a decent back up. Bordeaux-Begles pack has some big units in it.

[sockwithaticket]

Wasps have confirmed that 18 players will definitely be unavailable for this weekend through injury, same as last week:
Charlie Atkinson, Ali Crossdale, Tom Cruse, Kieran Curran, Malakai Fekitoa, James Gaskell, Ben Harris, Francois Hougaard, Joe Launchbury, Rob Miller, Ryan Mills, Ben Morris, Paolo Odogwu, Dan Robson, Will Simonds, Sam Spink, Theo Vukasinovic and Jack Willis.

Fifita and Hougaard are being given the chance to prove fitness and are considered 50/50 chances for selection. Munster loanee Alex McHenry won't be available.

[Tichtheid]

Edinburgh Rugby team to face Saracens at StoneX Stadium in the EPCR Challenge Cup
Saturday 11 December (kick-off 3.15pm) - streamed live at epcrugby.tv

15. Emiliano Boffelli 14. Jack Blain 13. Mark Bennett 12. James Lang (VICE-CAPTAIN) 11. Ramiro Moyano 10. Charlie Savala 9. Ben Vellacott

1. Pierre Schoeman 2. Stuart McInally (VICE-CAPTAIN) 3. WP Nel 4. Marshall Sykes 5. Grant Gilchrist (CAPTAIN) 6. Luke Crosbie 7. Hamish Watson 8. Nick Haining

Replacements

16. Dave Cherry 17. Boan Venter 18. Lee-Roy Atalifo 19. Jamie Hodgson 20. Magnus Bradbury 21. Henry Pyrgos 22. Jaco van der Walt 23. Cammy Hutchison (6)

Unavailable due to injury: Luan de Bruin, Darcy Graham, Damien Hoyland, Henry Immelman, Blair Kinghorn, Mesulame Kunavula, Viliame Mata, Pierce Phillips, Jamie Ritchie, George Taylor, Ben Toolis, Glen Young


Saracens Men team to play Edinburgh:

1 Mako Vunipola 2 Kapeli Pifeleti 3 Alec Clarey 4 Nick Isiekwe 5 Callum Hunter-Hill 6 Andy Christie 7 Ben Earl 8 Billy Vunipola

9 Ivan van Zyl 10 Manu Vunipola 11 Max Malins 12 Alex Lozowski 13 Elliot Daly 14 Alex Lewington 15 Alex Goode (c)

Replacements:

16 Ethan Lewis 17 Eroni Mawi 18 Harvey Beaton 19 Tim Swinson 20 Jackson Wray 21 Aled Davies 22 Nick Tompkins 23 Elliott Obatoyinbo

[sockwithaticket]

The 'Have you got a pair of boots?' fixture teams.

Wasps' last men standing:


Munster's covid depleted ranks (though not that depleted to my eyes...)

[fishfoodie]

A Few positive tests in the Leinster squad this week; but they've enough depth that it'll be a long time before they have to call up the mascot

LEINSTER: Hugo Keenan; Jordan Larmour, Garry Ringrose, Ciarán Frawley, James Lowe; Ross Byrne, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Rónan Kelleher, Tadhg Furlong; Ross Molony, Ryan Baird; Rhys Ruddock (capt), Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris.

Replacements: Dan Sheehan, Cian Healy, Michael Ala’alatoa, Devin Toner, Max Deegan, Luke McGrath, Jimmy O’Brien, Tommy O’Brien.

BATH: Tom de Glanville; Semesa Rokoduguni, Will Butt, Max Ojomoh, Will Muir; Orlando Bailey, Ben Spencer; Lewis Boyce, Jacques du Toit, Will Stuart; Josh McNally, Charlie Ewels (capt); Tom Ellis, Richard DeCarpentier, Josh Bayliss.

Replacements: Tom Dunn, Arthur Cordwell, D’Arcy Rae, Will Spencer, Joe Simpson, Gabe Hamer-Webb, Tom Prydie.

Referee: Pierre Brousset (France).

Kickoff Saturday, 15:15

[fishfoodie]

Kick-off: 1pm, Sunday. Venue: Sportsground. On TV: Live on BT Sport.

CONNACHT: Oran McNulty; Alex Wootton, Shayne Bolton, Sammy Arnold, Mack Hansen; Jack Carty (capt), Kieran Marmion; Matthew Burke, Shane Delahunt, Finlay Bealham; Oisín Dowling, Niall Murray; Cian Prendergast, Conor Oliver, Jarrad Butler.

Replacements: Dave Heffernan, Jordan Duggan, Dominic Robertson-McCoy, Leva Fifita, Seán Masterson, Caolin Blade, Conor Fitzgerald, Tom Farrell.

STADE FRANCAIS: Telusa Veainu; Paul Champ, Alex Arrate, Ngane Laumape, Lester Etien; Nicolas Sanchez, James Hall; Quentin Bethune, Tolu Latu, Nemo Roelofse; Mathieu De Giovanni, JJ van der Mescht; Marcos Kremer, Charlie Francoz, Tala Gray (capt).

Replacements: Lucas Da Silva, Moses Alo Emile, Paul Alo Emile, Paul Gabrillagues, Loic Godener, William Percillier, Adrien Lapegue.

Referee: Luke Pearce (England).

Looks like it'll very mild for the time of year, 12C, but it will be windy, so hopefully both sides put the ball thru the hands.

[GrahamWa]

La Rochelle v Glasgow Warriors on Sunday KO 3:15pm (UK Time)

Stade Rochelais

Reda WARDI, Pierre BOURGARIT, Uini ATONIO, Romain SAZY, Will SKELTON, Paul BOUDEHENT, Victor VITO, Greg ALLDRITT (cap), Tawera KERR-BARLOW, Ihaia WEST, Arthur RETIÈRE, Levani BOTIA, Jérémy SINZELLE, Jules FAVRE, Brice DULIN.

Le banc : Guillaume LAGAHE, Dany PRISO, Ramiro HERRERA, Thomas LAVAULT, Rémi BOURDEAU, Pierre POPELIN, Eneriko BULIRUARA, Jonathan DANTY

Glasgow

1. Oli Kebble (62)
2. George Turner (66)
3. Zander Fagerson (103)
4. Scott Cummings (80)
5. Richie Gray (68)
6. Matt Fagerson (74)
7. Rory Darge (10)
8. Jack Dempsey (6)

9. Ali Price (C) (99)
10. Ross Thompson (21)
11. Rufus McLean (15)
12. Sam Johnson (78)
13. Sione Tuipulotu (7)
14. Kyle Steyn (37)
15. Josh McKay (1)

16. Johnny Matthews (17)
17. Jamie Bhatti (53)
18. Enrique Pieretto (23)
19. Lewis Bean (11)
20. Rob Harley (257)
21. Ally Miller (2)
22. George Horne (71)
23. Duncan Weir (112)

Unavailable for selection: Simon Berghan, Fraser Brown, Tom Lambert, Ewan McQuillin, Ryan Wilson.

A few Covid cases in La Rochelle, but they have followed protocols and everything good. I expect Glasgow will get some positives and have to forfeit the next game against Exe just like last year.

https://www-lequipe-fr.translate.goog/R ... _tr_pto=sc

[fishfoodie]

Nightmare start by Saints. 0 - 13 down, with less than nine minutes gone; & Racing haven't done much

[petej]

Nightmare start by Saints. 0 - 13 down, with less than nine minutes gone; & Racing haven't done much

Far too easy. 0-23 nearly a point a minute

[sockwithaticket]

Saints set for a real gaping at this rate.

[fishfoodie]

Nightmare start by Saints. 0 - 13 down, with less than nine minutes gone; & Racing haven't done much

Far too easy. 0-23 nearly a point a minute

saints go backward with every carry.

[Oxbow]

Saints are utter dogshit tonight, but the referee is giving them absolutely nothing.

[I like neeps]

No surprise Saints are getting nothing going without their playmaker in chief Rory Hutchinson.

[fishfoodie]

At last, high risk; but they needed to get something there.

[sockwithaticket]

Saints 6 needs to sort his life out. That lid and 'tache combo is pure 'Florida man' mugshot.

[fishfoodie]

The difference between the way Racings passing tears the defense; while with Saints; everyone is able to shift

[Tichtheid]

Lauret was great in that half

[Raggs]

The difference between the way Racings passing tears the defense; while with Saints; everyone is able to shift

They're also often playing deep. It means Saints have further to rush, and Racing have more time to choose (and space on the outside).

[fishfoodie]

God above that was too easy.

Shockingly off the pace at the start of both halves

[I like neeps]

Oh dear George Furbank.

[Tichtheid]

Flake Russell eh?

[Torquemada 1420]

Bad luck Saints. Flake is having an on the button day.

[Biffer]

Fantastic from Finn Russell

[Biffer]

Biggar has decided he's been humiliated enough for the evening

[Torquemada 1420]

Saints have got this horribly wrong. Racing have lost 4 of their last 5 games because their pack is powder puff and been beaten up.

But that backline is the best in the comp and the pack is mobile so trying running rugby against them is suicide.

[petej]

Flake Russell eh?

I think it takes more guts to play as Russell does than as a dull defensive 10.

Should really be a yellow on Racing there. Saints get the try eventually.