The Official English Rugby Thread

[JM2K6]

In case anyone is in danger of taking this seriously, this game in the development competition is taking place three days afterLeicester played in the league and four days before they play a knockout game against Leinster. I'm surprised we recognise as many tigers players as we do.

It's Prem at the weekend, they're playing Bristol.

Not that I'm taking a Prem Cup game seriously, but it is unusual to see the knockouts taken so unseriously in terms of selection, especially when the team is home and hosed in the league and playing one of the poorer sides of the year.

Huh, okay. Either way, still incredibly congested for a team who won't be getting time off any time soon...

Ben Kay was right about the reserve scrum half's pass, a thing of absolute beauty. Makes a huge difference.

[Kawazaki]

In case anyone is in danger of taking this seriously, this game in the development competition is taking place three days afterLeicester played in the league and four days before they play a knockout game against Leinster. I'm surprised we recognise as many tigers players as we do.

Good point. Also worth pointing out that Worcester are one of the other semi-finalists which perhaps gives an indication of quality.

[Margin__Walker]

In case anyone is in danger of taking this seriously, this game in the development competition is taking place three days afterLeicester played in the league and four days before they play a knockout game against Leinster. I'm surprised we recognise as many tigers players as we do.

It's Prem at the weekend, they're playing Bristol.

Not that I'm taking a Prem Cup game seriously, but it is unusual to see the knockouts taken so unseriously in terms of selection, especially when the team is home and hosed in the league and playing one of the poorer sides of the year.

Huh, okay. Either way, still incredibly congested for a team who won't be getting time off any time soon...

Ben Kay was right about the reserve scrum half's pass, a thing of absolute beauty. Makes a huge difference.

He learnt everything he knows playing Quins U18s

[JM2K6]

It's Prem at the weekend, they're playing Bristol.

Not that I'm taking a Prem Cup game seriously, but it is unusual to see the knockouts taken so unseriously in terms of selection, especially when the team is home and hosed in the league and playing one of the poorer sides of the year.

Huh, okay. Either way, still incredibly congested for a team who won't be getting time off any time soon...

Ben Kay was right about the reserve scrum half's pass, a thing of absolute beauty. Makes a huge difference.

He learnt everything he knows playing Quins U18s

[JM2K6]

In case anyone is in danger of taking this seriously, this game in the development competition is taking place three days afterLeicester played in the league and four days before they play a knockout game against Leinster. I'm surprised we recognise as many tigers players as we do.

Good point. Also worth pointing out that Worcester are one of the other semi-finalists which perhaps gives an indication of quality.

It would've been a better point if I hadn't gotten the dates wrong! But they do still have to fulfill 3 fixtures in 7 days.

[inactionman]

Tom Youngs retires with immediate effect.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/61244815

Dreadful situation with his wife, hoping for some good news.

[SaintK]

Matt Symons retiring at thee end of the season.
With Tizard off to Saracens they're going to need to recruit.

Harlequins lock Matt Symons will retire from rugby at the end of the current season, the 32-year-old calling time on an eleven-year playing career that began in Esher and saw him travel to New Zealand to captain the Super Rugby Chiefs before returning to England to play in the Premiership for London Irish, Wasps and Quins. A Harlequins statement read: “A totemic figure within the Quins side that claimed the 2020/21 Premiership title in dramatic fashion, Symons will close his career having played over 80 times over the last four years.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/61248266

[JM2K6]

Matt Symons retiring at thee end of the season.
With Tizard off to Saracens they're going to need to recruit.

Harlequins lock Matt Symons will retire from rugby at the end of the current season, the 32-year-old calling time on an eleven-year playing career that began in Esher and saw him travel to New Zealand to captain the Super Rugby Chiefs before returning to England to play in the Premiership for London Irish, Wasps and Quins. A Harlequins statement read: “A totemic figure within the Quins side that claimed the 2020/21 Premiership title in dramatic fashion, Symons will close his career having played over 80 times over the last four years.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/61248266

Maybe, but I think we might just try and make do given the cap issues. We have Lewies, Hammond, Lamb (who's broken at the moment but really had a storming 2nd half of the season last season), Scotland-Williamson (who might be a dud), Jurevicius (who looks more like a 6 to me tbh) as the group for new year. Rumour has it we're looking at some big saffer lump which sounds about right - one more player would help.

[SaintK]

Matt Symons retiring at thee end of the season.
With Tizard off to Saracens they're going to need to recruit.

Harlequins lock Matt Symons will retire from rugby at the end of the current season, the 32-year-old calling time on an eleven-year playing career that began in Esher and saw him travel to New Zealand to captain the Super Rugby Chiefs before returning to England to play in the Premiership for London Irish, Wasps and Quins. A Harlequins statement read: “A totemic figure within the Quins side that claimed the 2020/21 Premiership title in dramatic fashion, Symons will close his career having played over 80 times over the last four years.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/61248266

Maybe, but I think we might just try and make do given the cap issues. We have Lewies, Hammond, Lamb (who's broken at the moment but really had a storming 2nd half of the season last season), Scotland-Williamson (who might be a dud), Jurevicius (who looks more like a 6 to me tbh) as the group for new year. Rumour has it we're looking at some big saffer lump which sounds about right - one more player would help.

Ah yes, forgot about Lamb who as you say was standout last season. Will keep an eye out to see which Saffer "lump" turns up!!

[JM2K6]

Matt Symons retiring at thee end of the season.
With Tizard off to Saracens they're going to need to recruit.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/61248266

Maybe, but I think we might just try and make do given the cap issues. We have Lewies, Hammond, Lamb (who's broken at the moment but really had a storming 2nd half of the season last season), Scotland-Williamson (who might be a dud), Jurevicius (who looks more like a 6 to me tbh) as the group for new year. Rumour has it we're looking at some big saffer lump which sounds about right - one more player would help.

Ah yes, forgot about Lamb who as you say was standout last season. Will keep an eye out to see which Saffer "lump" turns up!!

It's not going to be anyone famous, think some lump playing for an Italian side is being mentioned. Just a grunt which makes sense.

[sockwithaticket]

32's quite early for a non-injury related retirement these days.

He was really good for Wasps and I was disappointed to see him head off to Quins. Definitely a workhorse, glue type player all sides need.

[geordie_6]

Liking what I've seen so far of Joseph the Younger. His running style is remarkably similar to his brother's!

[Margin__Walker]

Liking what I've seen so far of Joseph the Younger. His running style is remarkably similar to his brother's!

Yeah he's very good and was actually getting some gametime last season at 18 before getting injured and spending the best part of a year out. He's slotted straight back in.

I remember JJ at the same age playing and he is incredibly similar style wise. If anything he seems to have slightly more straight line speed. The thing he's really good at is getting his body beyond the tackler and freeing his arms for the offload. He gets a lot of break assists.

Like anything though, we'll see whether he can kick on. It's early days.

[Paddington Bear]

Thought that this was a really interesting listen. Don't agree with Evans on everything but he's insightful and is clearly thinking about the future of the sport. Glad he put down the idea of summer rugby, but slightly surprised that given he mentioned rugby's largest market is the south of France he didn't mention how hot it gets down there in the summer as a factor. Worth an hour of your time IMO, Hamilton also interviews him well - by and large shuts up and lets him talk.

[Oxbow]

Piers Francis is joining Bath next season. I was hoping he'd retire after being released by Northampton, he's still a quality player but has taken so many knocks to the head I'm surprised he knows where Bath is.

I'm not sure if they actually employ any rugby journalists at the BBC, that they call him a fly half in the headline just screams we had a quick look at his Wiki page.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/61255494

[sockwithaticket]

For a team who often need to resort to mid-season signings due to their injury list, I'm not sure Francis is the guy Bath need.

[Hal Jordan]

32's quite early for a non-injury related retirement these days.

He was really good for Wasps and I was disappointed to see him head off to Quins. Definitely a workhorse, glue type player all sides need.

Might be deciding to get out whilst his body is in reasonable shape for the rest of his life, as compared to the state of some poor bastards. Not talking about the CTE victims, more just the guys who are totally wrecked at 40 due to too much graft. Retiring four or so years earlier than usual and saving the impacts may be a wise move.

He may also think that he's done what he needs to do after a good pro career and feels that more years declining into a bench/2nd XV vet isn't for him.

[JM2K6]

32's quite early for a non-injury related retirement these days.

He was really good for Wasps and I was disappointed to see him head off to Quins. Definitely a workhorse, glue type player all sides need.

Might be deciding to get out whilst his body is in reasonable shape for the rest of his life, as compared to the state of some poor bastards. Not talking about the CTE victims, more just the guys who are totally wrecked at 40 due to too much graft. Retiring four or so years earlier than usual and saving the impacts may be a wise move.

He may also think that he's done what he needs to do after a good pro career and feels that more years declining into a bench/2nd XV vet isn't for him.

Strikes me as the sort of guy who has his head screwed on straight when it comes to knowing what life is all about - he's not had a traditional career. Although a job in the city isn't exactly breaking the mould!

[SaintK]

Cipriani off to pastures new. France? Japan?

Cipriani has made 14 appearances so far this season, just eight as a starter. But ahead of this Saturday’s trip to West Country rivals Gloucester, a game that the out-half will start against his old club, he admitted on Instagram that he will soon be leaving England for a fresh taste of life elsewhere.

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/cipri ... ng-bath/

[Kawazaki]

Cipriani off to pastures new. France? Japan?

Cipriani has made 14 appearances so far this season, just eight as a starter. But ahead of this Saturday’s trip to West Country rivals Gloucester, a game that the out-half will start against his old club, he admitted on Instagram that he will soon be leaving England for a fresh taste of life elsewhere.

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/cipri ... ng-bath/

Good luck to him. He's let himself down a few times but he's also been let down by the old farts and Eddie f***ing Jones. Good luck to him.

[sockwithaticket]

Nice quick start for Saints at the Gardens.

[JM2K6]

Very slack by Quins so far. Not coping well with the stoppages. Shit news for saints too

Edit: I really don't like how we've decided not to pick a 7 again, it's really helped us recently to have Wallace on the pitch

[sockwithaticket]

When they're accurate and stringing things together, Saints' passing is sublime.

Can any of our resident supporters shed light on why Grayson gets so little game time, obviously there's the Biggar factor, but why fuck around with Furbank at 10? Has he been injured?

[sockwithaticket]

Also, considering some of the well publicised comments Eddie's made about players' weight, I'm surprised Ludlam is given as much opportunity as he is. Always looks a bit tubby for a flanker.

[JM2K6]

Kay spot on to say we look slow, but it's not just in attack. Very lethargic at the moment. Hopefully we can hold on for a bit while we try and sort it out, Saints look like they can cut us open at will.

[Oxbow]

When they're accurate and stringing things together, Saints' passing is sublime.

Can any of our resident supporters shed light on why Grayson gets so little game time, obviously there's the Biggar factor, but why fuck around with Furbank at 10? Has he been injured?

I like to blame Eddie. Furbank hadn't played 10 for Saints (AFAIK) before Eddie started talking him up, which led to Saints trying to turn him into a 10. Grayson wasn't getting any game time at all because he was always a travelling reserve for Biggar which meant he couldn't even be farmed out to Bedford to get a few games. When he has played he's looked a far better 10 than Furbank, which he is. I should also say there have been a few rumours that things haven't been right with Grayson behind the scenes, thought not sure what.

[JM2K6]

Good Lord this is bad by Quins, every single time Saints give us a chance or hand us the ball we screw it up, and we're really lazy in defence.

[JM2K6]

Saints have been great to watch, mind. Some fabulous offloading and I'm loving the approach.

Down to uncontested scrums two minutes after Quins murdered the Saints scrum on their ball. Bah.

[JM2K6]

Tell you what, Tizard is hugely lucky no one looked at the hit on Lawes - cracked him in the jaw. Pretty obvious red to me. Massive slice of luck.

[JM2K6]

Man, Mitchell has our defence on a string at the moment.

[sockwithaticket]

When they're accurate and stringing things together, Saints' passing is sublime.

Can any of our resident supporters shed light on why Grayson gets so little game time, obviously there's the Biggar factor, but why fuck around with Furbank at 10? Has he been injured?

I like to blame Eddie. Furbank hadn't played 10 for Saints (AFAIK) before Eddie started talking him up, which led to Saints trying to turn him into a 10. Grayson wasn't getting any game time at all because he was always a travelling reserve for Biggar which meant he couldn't even be farmed out to Bedford to get a few games. When he has played he's looked a far better 10 than Furbank, which he is. I should also say there have been a few rumours that things haven't been right with Grayson behind the scenes, thought not sure what.

Ta. I've always thought Grayson looks class when I happen to catch him. Actually think he may be a better bet than Biggar if Saints want to go all out attack.

[Openside]

Why does it stay 15 on 15?

[JM2K6]

Why does it stay 15 on 15?

HIA, no fault of theirs. Only goes to 14 if it's because of a card.

Actually, maybe also from a regular injury. Not sure.

Summing up this game so far, Quins win a rare turnover and Murley drops it cold in acres of space

[Openside]

Quins currently thinking defence is optional

[Openside]

Why does it stay 15 on 15?

HIA, no fault of theirs. Only goes to 14 if it's because of a card.

Summing up this game so far, Quins win a rare turnover and Murley drops it cold in acres of space

Aah thanks - so basically Saintscan stock their scrum with non props?

[JM2K6]

Why does it stay 15 on 15?

HIA, no fault of theirs. Only goes to 14 if it's because of a card.

Summing up this game so far, Quins win a rare turnover and Murley drops it cold in acres of space

Aah thanks - so basically Saintscan stock their scrum with non props?

So can we tbf. And we're lucky they didn't see the headshot from Tizard

[JM2K6]

Casual miracle try?

[sockwithaticket]

The more I see of Murley they more he reminds me of Jack Nowell if he actually had the pace to play in the back three.


Class from Marchant to keep that alive.

[JM2K6]

Fairly sure every shooter in defence has just given Saints a break

[JM2K6]

Not entirely sure you're allowed to just grab the ball in a ruck three seconds after the first man has gone for the ball