European Rugby Thread

[Paddington Bear]

It's fairly concerning Adamson is reffing England Wales, he's clearly not international standard

[Lobby]

It's fairly concerning Adamson is reffing England Wales, he's clearly not international standard

He should at least be a bit better than Pascal Gaüzère was last year, but agree he's one of the weaker refs on the international circuit (and I fail to understand why he's the only ref to be given two 6 nation games)

[Kawazaki]

It smacks of a political appointment. I read that Scotland hasn't had a ref in the 6Ns since 2004(ish)!

[PornDog]

I hadn't even realised the final 16 was going to be done over 2 legs:


Like the season isn't already congested enough. Also, I know this bit is random, but the number of matches involving same nation teams makes it even duller.

Imagine the excitement as Leinster play Connacht for the 4th time this season.

Meanwhile, in the Challenge Cup we have to wait another 6 weeks before we finish the pool stage.

Connacht have been Leinster's biggest rivals on the field over the past 5 years or so - should be an absolute cracking couple of games.

[The sun god]

I hadn't even realised the final 16 was going to be done over 2 legs:


Like the season isn't already congested enough. Also, I know this bit is random, but the number of matches involving same nation teams makes it even duller.

Imagine the excitement as Leinster play Connacht for the 4th time this season.

Meanwhile, in the Challenge Cup we have to wait another 6 weeks before we finish the pool stage.

Just the luck of the draw really. I can guarantee you though that both grounds will be full to capacity and the pubs around Eyre Square and Ballsbridge will be bursting at the seams before and after.

[sockwithaticket]

Imagine the excitement as Leinster play Connacht for the 4th time this season.

Meanwhile, in the Challenge Cup we have to wait another 6 weeks before we finish the pool stage.

Similarly another Bristol - Sale game doesn't set the pulse racing as a Prem viewer.

Bristol finding a bit of their mojo now and their pack is hardly powder puff so should at least give them par up front. Randall v Quirke should be worth the entrance fee alone.

It's more in terms of the frequency of the fixture than the teams' on field merits. Twice in the league and maybe a play off meeting is fine. I look to Europe for different match ups, the pool stages have done a good job of guaranteeing that.

[La soule]

The irony of this farcical Euro season is the only Fre club not to qualify will be the one who put in the most effort and deserved to be there: Castres!

Eh. Like most, their efforts were mixed. They spent almost all of their round 2 game looking like they resented being asked to play a game.

They were only narrowly beaten in every game. Unlike MH or Toulouse. No-one said they played pretty.

Castres sent some seriously under strength team away. Those lads still tried hard but outcome could have been different with first choice players travelling.

[JM2K6]

To be fair, their last opposition sent out a heavily weakened team too. Castres might have been thumped if Quins had been bothered about winning.

[GogLais]

It's fairly concerning Adamson is reffing England Wales, he's clearly not international standard

Suits me, a bit of randomness and chaos in the game might help our cause.

[Torquemada 1420]

On the EPCR thing, the Fre Govt. has now written to them courtesy of the ministry of sport. So now it's Toulouse, the LNR, the FFR and the Govt.

EPCR better have good lawyers and deep pockets.

[inactionman]

Is there an Irish rugby thread, or is that risking attracting the swarm?

Anyway, reason I ask is there's an article in Grauniad on Keet Earls and his bipolar condition, but as I can't see Irish thread I'll put it here:

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/ ... r-disorder

[SaintK]

Is there an Irish rugby thread, or is that risking attracting the swarm?

Anyway, reason I ask is there's an article in Grauniad on Keet Earls and his bipolar condition, but as I can't see Irish thread I'll put it here:

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/ ... r-disorder

Read it this morning. Another excellent inerview by Donald McRae.
Brave and ballsy of Earls to confront his demons and well done the Irish team management for supporting him.

[sockwithaticket]

Is there an Irish rugby thread, or is that risking attracting the swarm?

Anyway, reason I ask is there's an article in Grauniad on Keet Earls and his bipolar condition, but as I can't see Irish thread I'll put it here:

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/ ... r-disorder

https://www.notplanetrugby.com/viewtopi ... by#p171442

They were here en masse for a couple of days last week, but seem to have buzzed off again bar one or two.

[The sun god]

Is there an Irish rugby thread, or is that risking attracting the swarm?

Anyway, reason I ask is there's an article in Grauniad on Keet Earls and his bipolar condition, but as I can't see Irish thread I'll put it here:

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/ ... r-disorder

Read it this morning. Another excellent inerview by Donald McRae.
Brave and ballsy of Earls to confront his demons and well done the Irish team management for supporting him.

Jeez, that's a very good piece. I guess you never know the problems that other people have and are going through. My opinions of Earls as a human being , not that I ever thought differently, have gone up even more.

[Torquemada 1420]

Is there an Irish rugby thread, or is that risking attracting the swarm?

Anyway, reason I ask is there's an article in Grauniad on Keet Earls and his bipolar condition, but as I can't see Irish thread I'll put it here:

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/ ... r-disorder

Thanks for that. Poor lad has been dealt a really sh*tty hand and nothing but respect for his courage and determination.

[Tichtheid]

Good luck to him, brilliant player.

[Torquemada 1420]

[JM2K6]

Is there an Irish rugby thread, or is that risking attracting the swarm?

Anyway, reason I ask is there's an article in Grauniad on Keet Earls and his bipolar condition, but as I can't see Irish thread I'll put it here:

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/ ... r-disorder

Christ. Never liked him, always thought he was a bit of a cunt. An object lesson for me there (albeit one I learned with Marler already, not that my own mental health issues didn't give me any pause). It's funny, I'm a huge advocate of considering people's mental health, trying to treat people with respect IRL, helping friends & colleagues get through difficult periods in their personal and professional lives, and when it comes to rugby I'm all "yeah that guy's a cunt / overrated / a bottler" and don't give it a second thought

[Torquemada 1420]

Is there an Irish rugby thread, or is that risking attracting the swarm?

Anyway, reason I ask is there's an article in Grauniad on Keet Earls and his bipolar condition, but as I can't see Irish thread I'll put it here:

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/ ... r-disorder

Christ. Never liked him, always thought he was a bit of a cunt. An object lesson for me there (albeit one I learned with Marler already, not that my own mental health issues didn't give me any pause). It's funny, I'm a huge advocate of considering people's mental health, trying to treat people with respect IRL, helping friends & colleagues get through difficult periods in their personal and professional lives, and when it comes to rugby I'm all "yeah that guy's a cunt / overrated / a bottler" and don't give it a second thought

Have to confess, that's where I was with Earls. So much so, I always laughed at replays of Hose Gear running over the top of him, Lomu-esque, for that try back way back whenever. That said, I think we have some defence: if people behave like c**ts without having declared a mitigating factor, how else are we to respond? 99% of the time, it is because they are c**ts. Like you and I

[JM2K6]

Is there an Irish rugby thread, or is that risking attracting the swarm?

Anyway, reason I ask is there's an article in Grauniad on Keet Earls and his bipolar condition, but as I can't see Irish thread I'll put it here:

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/ ... r-disorder

Christ. Never liked him, always thought he was a bit of a cunt. An object lesson for me there (albeit one I learned with Marler already, not that my own mental health issues didn't give me any pause). It's funny, I'm a huge advocate of considering people's mental health, trying to treat people with respect IRL, helping friends & colleagues get through difficult periods in their personal and professional lives, and when it comes to rugby I'm all "yeah that guy's a cunt / overrated / a bottler" and don't give it a second thought

Have to confess, that's where I was with Earls. So much so, I always laughed at replays of Hose Gear running over the top of him, Lomu-esque, for that try back way back whenever. That said, I think we have some defence: if people behave like c**ts without having declared a mitigating factor, how else are we to respond? 99% of the time, it is because they are c**ts. Like you and I

Excuse me I have mental health problems, you're on your own here. I am protected

[Happyhooker]

I have mental health issues
You are crazy
He is a cunt.

[Crash669]

I have mental health issues
You are crazy
He is a cunt.

But enough about your multiple personalities.

[JM2K6]

I have mental health issues
You are crazy
He is a cunt.

But enough about your multiple personalities.

Have you heard about the cocktail-drinking one yet? The shame of it.

[Torquemada 1420]

Excuse me I have mental health problems, you're on your own here. I am protected

Mehhh. We are getting to the US type situation where it's ubiquitous.

[ASMO]

I have mental health issues
You are crazy
He is a cunt.

The good old irregular verb

[Torquemada 1420]

I have mental health issues
You are crazy
He is a cunt.

But enough about your multiple personalities.

[Uncle fester]

Is there an Irish rugby thread, or is that risking attracting the swarm?

Anyway, reason I ask is there's an article in Grauniad on Keet Earls and his bipolar condition, but as I can't see Irish thread I'll put it here:

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/ ... r-disorder

There is indeed. https://www.notplanetrugby.com/viewtopic.php?t=8

Good that you posted it here because it brings the point about mental health to a wider audience.
He's always been a super private guy so quite a few people were taken aback by the bio but most Munster fans would be aware of his background and some of the issues discussed in the book. Very few would have been aware as to the extent of them though.
Rugby in Limerick is pretty working class but Moyross, where he's from, is very far removed from the D4 cliché associated with the sport. His father Ger was a formidable enough player, a teak tough flanker who is probably one of the best players from the late amateur era to not be capped by Ireland. His background is part of the reason he wasn't capped so Keith being capped and an established international is big for both his family and the Moyross area.

[inactionman]

Is there an Irish rugby thread, or is that risking attracting the swarm?

Anyway, reason I ask is there's an article in Grauniad on Keet Earls and his bipolar condition, but as I can't see Irish thread I'll put it here:

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/ ... r-disorder

Christ. Never liked him, always thought he was a bit of a cunt. An object lesson for me there (albeit one I learned with Marler already, not that my own mental health issues didn't give me any pause). It's funny, I'm a huge advocate of considering people's mental health, trying to treat people with respect IRL, helping friends & colleagues get through difficult periods in their personal and professional lives, and when it comes to rugby I'm all "yeah that guy's a cunt / overrated / a bottler" and don't give it a second thought

If I read between the lines, are you saying Dan Biggar has mental health issues?




To be fair, reports from Northampton are that he's a decent man, and very well liked - just his on-pitch persona is a bit John Terry.

[inactionman]

Is there an Irish rugby thread, or is that risking attracting the swarm?

Anyway, reason I ask is there's an article in Grauniad on Keet Earls and his bipolar condition, but as I can't see Irish thread I'll put it here:

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/ ... r-disorder

Christ. Never liked him, always thought he was a bit of a cunt. An object lesson for me there (albeit one I learned with Marler already, not that my own mental health issues didn't give me any pause). It's funny, I'm a huge advocate of considering people's mental health, trying to treat people with respect IRL, helping friends & colleagues get through difficult periods in their personal and professional lives, and when it comes to rugby I'm all "yeah that guy's a cunt / overrated / a bottler" and don't give it a second thought

As a follow-on, it's not just mental health - I remember Jiffy slagging off Jonathan Thomas for quite a passive tackle in the 6N (IIRC he had a 9 lined up and blindsided and he put in more of a wrap, so maybe everyone was disappointed not to see the 9 get shattered) and it turned out he's had sadly suffered all sorts of concussion issues.

[JM2K6]

Is there an Irish rugby thread, or is that risking attracting the swarm?

Anyway, reason I ask is there's an article in Grauniad on Keet Earls and his bipolar condition, but as I can't see Irish thread I'll put it here:

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/ ... r-disorder

Christ. Never liked him, always thought he was a bit of a cunt. An object lesson for me there (albeit one I learned with Marler already, not that my own mental health issues didn't give me any pause). It's funny, I'm a huge advocate of considering people's mental health, trying to treat people with respect IRL, helping friends & colleagues get through difficult periods in their personal and professional lives, and when it comes to rugby I'm all "yeah that guy's a cunt / overrated / a bottler" and don't give it a second thought

If I read between the lines, are you saying Dan Biggar has mental health issues?




To be fair, reports from Northampton are that he's a decent man, and very well liked - just his on-pitch persona is a bit John Terry.

Biggar? He's just chopsy on the field. Not seen anything from him like Earls' meltdowns or Marler's behaviour.

[inactionman]

Christ. Never liked him, always thought he was a bit of a cunt. An object lesson for me there (albeit one I learned with Marler already, not that my own mental health issues didn't give me any pause). It's funny, I'm a huge advocate of considering people's mental health, trying to treat people with respect IRL, helping friends & colleagues get through difficult periods in their personal and professional lives, and when it comes to rugby I'm all "yeah that guy's a cunt / overrated / a bottler" and don't give it a second thought

If I read between the lines, are you saying Dan Biggar has mental health issues?




To be fair, reports from Northampton are that he's a decent man, and very well liked - just his on-pitch persona is a bit John Terry.

Biggar? He's just chopsy on the field. Not seen anything from him like Earls' meltdowns or Marler's behaviour.

My comment was tongue in cheek, but that's understating it a touch.

[SaintK]

Is there an Irish rugby thread, or is that risking attracting the swarm?

Anyway, reason I ask is there's an article in Grauniad on Keet Earls and his bipolar condition, but as I can't see Irish thread I'll put it here:

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/ ... r-disorder

Christ. Never liked him, always thought he was a bit of a cunt. An object lesson for me there (albeit one I learned with Marler already, not that my own mental health issues didn't give me any pause). It's funny, I'm a huge advocate of considering people's mental health, trying to treat people with respect IRL, helping friends & colleagues get through difficult periods in their personal and professional lives, and when it comes to rugby I'm all "yeah that guy's a cunt / overrated / a bottler" and don't give it a second thought

If I read between the lines, are you saying Dan Biggar has mental health issues?




To be fair, reports from Northampton are that he's a decent man, and very well liked - just his on-pitch persona is a bit John Terry.

Seems to act like that mainly for Wales, don't see it so much in a Saint's shirt. And yes he is hugely liked at Saints

[Uncle fester]

Biggar? He's just chopsy on the field. Not seen anything from him like Earls' meltdowns or Marler's behaviour.

The what now?

[de_Selby]

Off topic but it's funny how people perceive players on the opposition team. I can see how someone might thing Marler is a cunt but can't see how you would think Earls is at all.

[Torquemada 1420]

As a follow-on, it's not just mental health - I remember Jiffy slagging off Jonathan Thomas for quite a passive tackle in the 6N (IIRC he had a 9 lined up and blindsided and he put in more of a wrap, so maybe everyone was disappointed not to see the 9 get shattered) and it turned out he's had sadly suffered all sorts of concussion issues.

Yeah, well we all know what the Welsh ntl side's attitude to player welfare is when it comes to concussion.

[S/Lt_Phillips]

Off topic but it's funny how people perceive players on the opposition team. I can see how someone might thing Marler is a cunt but can't see how you would think Earls is at all.

See his reaction to getting a red card for dumping Fraser Brown on his head

[JM2K6]

Off topic but it's funny how people perceive players on the opposition team. I can see how someone might thing Marler is a cunt but can't see how you would think Earls is at all.

See his reaction to getting a red card for dumping Fraser Brown on his head

Yeah, this. Is that the one where he went tonto on a radio phone or something like that later? I remember him doubling down on it.

He's always struck me as an incredibly angry man on the field with a huge entitlement complex.

[Uncle fester]

Off topic but it's funny how people perceive players on the opposition team. I can see how someone might thing Marler is a cunt but can't see how you would think Earls is at all.

See his reaction to getting a red card for dumping Fraser Brown on his head

Yeah, that was poor on the day that it was.

Anything else? Not really seeing an Irish Chris Ashton here!

[JM2K6]

Ah, I see we're at the stage where fans are angrily demanding I justify an opinion. Fair enough - on the basis that I don't keep a spreadsheet of these things, make it "meltdown [singular] and subsequent dickheadedness in the press, allied to a general sense that he was an occasional twat on the field and an unlikeable member of an unlikeable team".

[sockwithaticket]

Off topic but it's funny how people perceive players on the opposition team. I can see how someone might thing Marler is a cunt but can't see how you would think Earls is at all.

See his reaction to getting a red card for dumping Fraser Brown on his head

That's certainly a stand out and like JMK says, he wasn't exactly repentant in the aftermath. I can understand, given the circumstances around that match, being too fired up getting it badly wrong and not taking it well on the field, but the lack of contrition afterward was cunt behaviour.

There've been other more minor incidents down the years that just made him come across as unlikeable.