The Official English Rugby Thread

[Un Pilier]

Well, that was better from Tigers. Encouraging.

[Kawazaki]

Saracens 2ndXV doing well.

[sockwithaticket]

Saracens 2ndXV doing well.

Yeah only the 8 tier 1 internationals in the starting XV is a bit of a step down for them.

[Kawazaki]

Saracens 2ndXV doing well.

Yeah only the 8 tier 1 internationals in the starting XV is a bit of a step down for them.

Don't forget the one on the Bristol bench.

[fishfoodie]

That's a shit decision.

Any obstruction was very marginal, & there's no way he can say it influenced the outcome

[Raggs]

That's a shit decision.

Any obstruction was very marginal, & there's no way he can say it influenced the outcome

Yeah, I wish there was an overhead view to actually show how close Maro was. Personally I don't think there was any chance of him even being close enough to attempt a tackle.

[Dinsdale Piranha]

That's a shit decision.

Any obstruction was very marginal, & there's no way he can say it influenced the outcome

Yeah, I wish there was an overhead view to actually show how close Maro was. Personally I don't think there was any chance of him even being close enough to attempt a tackle.

Which makes blocking Itoje even more stupid.

[Kawazaki]

That's a shit decision.

Any obstruction was very marginal, & there's no way he can say it influenced the outcome

Yeah, I wish there was an overhead view to actually show how close Maro was. Personally I don't think there was any chance of him even being close enough to attempt a tackle.

That's not really the point though is it? You penalise the offence, not the imagined outcome.

[Raggs]

That's a shit decision.

Any obstruction was very marginal, & there's no way he can say it influenced the outcome

Yeah, I wish there was an overhead view to actually show how close Maro was. Personally I don't think there was any chance of him even being close enough to attempt a tackle.

That's not really the point though is it? You penalise the offence, not the imagined outcome.

If Maro is not in a position to even attempt a tackle, then he can't be prevented from doing it. I think it was one of those calls that could have gone either way to be honest, an overhead view may have helped clarify it either way.

[Kawazaki]

Yeah, I wish there was an overhead view to actually show how close Maro was. Personally I don't think there was any chance of him even being close enough to attempt a tackle.

That's not really the point though is it? You penalise the offence, not the imagined outcome.

If Maro is not in a position to even attempt a tackle, then he can't be prevented from doing it. I think it was one of those calls that could have gone either way to be honest, an overhead view may have helped clarify it either way.

Alternatively just don't change your line and make it an easy offence to spot.

[Raggs]

Alternatively just don't change your line and make it an easy offence to spot.

Well that would have been smart too.

[fishfoodie]

That's a shit decision.

Any obstruction was very marginal, & there's no way he can say it influenced the outcome

Yeah, I wish there was an overhead view to actually show how close Maro was. Personally I don't think there was any chance of him even being close enough to attempt a tackle.

That's not really the point though is it? You penalise the offence, not the imagined outcome.

Come on; officials always make an assessment as to whether or not an offence matters; otherwise you'll get ARs on the opposite wing calling for penalties, when they have zero impact on play.

The mistake was in, maybe, obstructing the biggest whinger in the Premiership. It was his high pitched whine that made the officials look again

[Kawazaki]

Yeah, I wish there was an overhead view to actually show how close Maro was. Personally I don't think there was any chance of him even being close enough to attempt a tackle.

That's not really the point though is it? You penalise the offence, not the imagined outcome.

Come on; officials always make an assessment as to whether or not an offence matters; otherwise you'll get ARs on the opposite wing calling for penalties, when they have zero impact on play.

The mistake was in, maybe, obstructing the biggest whinger in the Premiership. It was his high pitched whine that made the officials look again

The officials certainly have more respect for the players than you do.

[sockwithaticket]

How long will it take for Saracens losing to stop being fun?

[JM2K6]

Itoje getting a turnover after landing on his forearms before going for the ball and being praised by Kay for the "perfect turnover" annoyed me, doubly so considering he followed up by criticising someone a minute later for being on their hands first...

Don't think our refs have handled the new approach well yet, compared to the NZ refs.

[Kawazaki]

How long will it take for Saracens losing to stop being fun?

How long until you reach adulthood?

[sockwithaticket]

How long will it take for Saracens losing to stop being fun?

How long until you reach adulthood?

Think that settles who you are. Hi, Toga.

[Rhubarb & Custard]

Itoje getting a turnover after landing on his forearms before going for the ball and being praised by Kay for the "perfect turnover" annoyed me, doubly so considering he followed up by criticising someone a minute later for being on their hands first...

Don't think our refs have handled the new approach well yet, compared to the NZ refs.

Not sure about that last, ours have been much quicker to ignore the new requirements

[Dinsdale Piranha]

Itoje getting a turnover after landing on his forearms before going for the ball and being praised by Kay for the "perfect turnover" annoyed me, doubly so considering he followed up by criticising someone a minute later for being on their hands first...

Don't think our refs have handled the new approach well yet, compared to the NZ refs.

Not sure about that last, ours have been much quicker to ignore the new requirements

The last time there was an attempt to enforce the laws - straight feeds etc - I remember the refs in England gave it about 5 weeks before giving up.

[Rhubarb & Custard]

Itoje getting a turnover after landing on his forearms before going for the ball and being praised by Kay for the "perfect turnover" annoyed me, doubly so considering he followed up by criticising someone a minute later for being on their hands first...

Don't think our refs have handled the new approach well yet, compared to the NZ refs.

Not sure about that last, ours have been much quicker to ignore the new requirements

The last time there was an attempt to enforce the laws - straight feeds etc - I remember the refs in England gave it about 5 weeks before giving up.

If at first you don't succeed quit!

[Raggs]

Saints with multiple changes.

Mallinder and Haywood OUT. Naiyaravoro and Matavesi IN. Fish and Gibson on the bench.

Then Gibson is apparently out and Collins is on the bench (Gibson was a 6th forward).

[sockwithaticket]

Lovely strike move off the scrum.

[Oxbow]

This isn't a bad game so far, compared to what I've read about the weekend's other games anyway.

[sockwithaticket]

This isn't a bad game so far, compared to what I've read about the weekend's other games anyway.

I know I'm biased, but so far it's game of the weekend, though I didn't see Bath/irish.

edit - second try scored off the back of a scrum. I remember in our recent pomp we were lethal off scrums, nice to see.

[Oxbow]

And I know I'm biased, but that's high.

[Double]

Dunno if that's high but definitely needs a second look.

[Double]

Looks like he hits him on the shoulder and rides up? Clutching at straws because I don't want to see a red...

[sockwithaticket]

Definite yellow. Not the first time, it's something Feikitoa really needs to work on.

[sockwithaticket]

That steal from Willis was brilliant.

[Punter15]

I’m wildly biased but Dingwall sinks as he lands otherwise it’s fine.

Watching in slow mo makes everything look worse.

[Raggs]

I’m wildly biased but Dingwall sinks as he lands otherwise it’s fine.

Watching in slow mo makes everything look worse.

As it was with force, it's still a yellow even with that I believe.

[sockwithaticket]

It's starting to become the Jack Willis show. So many positive incidents.

[Raggs]

Think Willis has now become only the second player ever to get 30+ turnovers in a season. 37 I believe is the highest on record, I'm thinking he's on at least 31 now.

[sockwithaticket]

Amazing bit of volleyball to defend the pen kick to the corner by Bassett.

Think Willis has now become only the second player ever to get 30+ turnovers in a season. 37 I believe is the highest on record, I'm thinking he's on at least 31 now.

I'm so happy he plays for us. Would dread seeing him in an opposition team sheet.

[sockwithaticket]

Pretty sure that was forward.

[SaintK]

Best 40 minutes of the weekend
Wasps worth the lead!

[Raggs]

Best 40 minutes of the weekend
Wasps worth the lead!

It pains me, but I think if Saints had scored 2 tries, I'd not be feeling it would be unfair. Though big defense obviously leads to knock ons, just wonder if we're taking advantage of rust, rather than defending very well (if you see what I mean).

Wasps phase play hasn't looked that special, but our set piece strikes have been a joy to watch

[sockwithaticket]

Wasps turning over so much ball at the moment. Dogged defence.

[Hal Jordan]

A backrow with Lawes at 6 is struggling at the breakdown? I'm shocked, shocked I tell you!

[Kawazaki]

How on earth did Furbank get capped?