The Official English Rugby Thread

[duke]

So will Bath redevelop The Rec now?

Have Bath published any plans of their proposals ?

They're in a awfully cramped site, & the pitch is already a narrow one; it's hard to picture any re-development that won't piss off a lot of people, even before a brick is laid.

Not sure, hence my question. Having been there a few times you're spot on

There was a design competition a few years back, some of which can be googled - Grimshaw’s proposal was for an 18,000 capacity stadium which will eat up quite a lot of the space on the Rec.

Planning process is the next stage for the NIMBYs to stick their oars in

[Kawazaki]

So will Bath redevelop The Rec now?

Bath have expressed delight with a Supreme Court ruling that clears the way for the long-awaited redevelopment of the Gallagher Premiership club’s facilities at The Rec. A statement read: “The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused an application seeking to appeal the ruling of the Court of Appeal of February 4, 2022, allowing Bath Rugby to proceed with the planned redevelopment of its facilities at The Rec.

“This brings to an end the long-running legal case relating to the 1922 covenants and paves the way for Bath Rugby to bring forward proposals for a new stadium.”

Bath Rugby CEO Tarquin McDonald said: “We are delighted with this outcome. We acknowledge that this has felt drawn out and at times frustrating for the club, our supporters and the city.

I can't imagine they'd have gone through this process for years and years and years unless they wanted to carry through and build something. I remember seeing plans years ago that looked pretty good. Let's hope they have a team worthy of the investment!

[sockwithaticket]

So is that one specialist and usually crocked centre and more wingers than candidates in a Tory leadership election. Inspiring.

Count the loosehead vs tighthead props

Eddie said on the BBC pod that Rapava Ruskin is there as a loosehead they want to be able to cover tighthead.

[Margin__Walker]

Josh Bassett to Quins according to the Telegraph.

[SaintK]

No safety certificate!!! You'd have thought that would have been sorted before the new stand was opened? Very odd.

Saracens are not able to safely admit 10,000 or more supporters to their stadium because they do not have the necessary certificate, the Guardian can reveal, raising questions over the stringent criteria that govern promotion to the Premiership.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/20 ... -stadium

[Kawazaki]

No safety certificate!!! You'd have thought that would have been sorted before the new stand was opened? Very odd.

Saracens are not able to safely admit 10,000 or more supporters to their stadium because they do not have the necessary certificate, the Guardian can reveal, raising questions over the stringent criteria that govern promotion to the Premiership.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/20 ... -stadium

They have a safety certificate up to 9,999. It's not really a huge issue. New capacity is only 501 higher.

[sockwithaticket]

Josh Bassett to Quins according to the Telegraph.

If they get Launch and Bassett, that settles who I'm supporting for this season.

[SaintK]

No safety certificate!!! You'd have thought that would have been sorted before the new stand was opened? Very odd.

Saracens are not able to safely admit 10,000 or more supporters to their stadium because they do not have the necessary certificate, the Guardian can reveal, raising questions over the stringent criteria that govern promotion to the Premiership.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/20 ... -stadium

They have a safety certificate up to 9,999. It's not really a huge issue. New capacity is only 501 higher.

Fair call

[Kawazaki]

Pick the bones out of this;

https://www.premiershiprugby.com/about- ... our-clubs/

Premiership Rugby is owned 73% by our stakeholder clubs and 27% by CVC Capital Partners.

The decisions made by our Boards are in the best interests of the professional game and the sport of rugby in England.

Premiership Rugby established a new Board of Directors to oversee its strategic and financial growth and development in 2019. The Board, which is chaired by Andrew Higginson, is part of the revised governance structure for the organisation following the investment by CVC Capital Partners to help grow the sport.

The Premiership Rugby Board is composed, in addition to the Chairman, of two executive directors (Premiership Rugby’s Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officer, Jan Gooze-Zijl) and six non-executive directors: three representatives of CVC Capital Partners, three representatives of Premiership stakeholder clubs.

Nigel Melville chairs two separate Premiership Rugby committees: a club investor board and a sporting committee focused on sports governance matters.

What the hell do these boards and committees actually do? Who are the people who sit on the Premiership Rugby Board? Who the hell is Jan Gooze-Zijl? What does Nigel Melville do? And has anyone heard Andrew Higginson say anything ever?

Does anyone know?

[JM2K6]

Josh Bassett to Quins according to the Telegraph.

Bit of a surprise but I suppose Lynagh's out for a while as well which means we'd end up relying on an academy kid a bit too often for comfort. Glad he found somewhere, he's a good allrounder so will be a big asset to Quins.

[Margin__Walker]

Decent signing really.

Not in the England picture. Very experienced, but not too old for a wing. Great all round game and probably getting him for a bit below the market rate.

[Margin__Walker]

Teams for LI v Gloucester tomorrow night. From a LI point of view it's a pretty important game. With the Worcester win struck off, we need a few league points to actually go with the pretty play. Gloucester bring the sort of tight game we struggle against.

On a positive note, a first outing for what most fans would consider a first choice back row. Parton's also back from injury and onto the bench.

[JM2K6]

I too am looking forward to watching Arundell and 29 other blokes

[Margin__Walker]

I too am looking forward to watching Arundell and 29 other blokes

Him and LRZ should just play one on one for the craic. First to ten tries wins.

[JM2K6]

I too am looking forward to watching Arundell and 29 other blokes

Him and LRZ should just play one on one for the craic. First to ten tries wins.

aka the ideal Quins match

[sefton]

So is that one specialist and usually crocked centre and more wingers than candidates in a Tory leadership election. Inspiring.

Count the loosehead vs tighthead props

I’m from the Ika school of props.

[Niegs]

Josh Bassett to Quins according to the Telegraph.

If they get Launch and Bassett, that settles who I'm supporting for this season.

I reckon I'll be hitching my loyalty to that wagon as well henceforth. I have been a fan of their attacking flair. Just have to change one word when saying "Come on, you ______."

[JM2K6]

Josh Bassett to Quins according to the Telegraph.

If they get Launch and Bassett, that settles who I'm supporting for this season.

I reckon I'll be hitching my loyalty to that wagon as well henceforth. I have been a fan of their attacking flair. Just have to change one word when saying "Come on, you ______."

You both have the natural air of pessimism required for the long run as a Quins fan, so welcome

[Paddington Bear]

I know we’ve got a few Irish fans on here - any idea if I’ll be allowed to bring a rucksack into the stadium tonight? Will be going straight from work so need to make some contingencies if not and the website is pretty vague.

[Margin__Walker]

I know we’ve got a few Irish fans on here - any idea if I’ll be allowed to bring a rucksack into the stadium tonight? Will be going straight from work so need to make some contingencies if not and the website is pretty vague.

Should be fine. I took one in with me last time I went towards the end of last season and it was no drama.

Edit - It was a small rucksack though (although it was bigger than the dimensions below). Looks like there's some guidance here although it may be different for the rugby.

If you do bring a bag you will need to have it searched.

Food items are allowed into the stadium as long as they fit in a small bag. Large rucksacks will not be allowed but small backpacks can be brought into the stadium (for guidance, the maximum size allowed is a 10L rucksack, with dimensions 34cm by 24cm by 11cm (13.5 by 9.5 by 4.5 inches).

https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/visiting-the-stadium

Probably wasn't much help actually!

[Paddington Bear]

I know we’ve got a few Irish fans on here - any idea if I’ll be allowed to bring a rucksack into the stadium tonight? Will be going straight from work so need to make some contingencies if not and the website is pretty vague.

Should be fine. I took one in with me last time I went towards the end of last season and it was no drama.

Edit - It was a small rucksack though (although it was bigger than the dimensions below). Looks like there's some guidance here although it may be different for the rugby.

If you do bring a bag you will need to have it searched.

Food items are allowed into the stadium as long as they fit in a small bag. Large rucksacks will not be allowed but small backpacks can be brought into the stadium (for guidance, the maximum size allowed is a 10L rucksack, with dimensions 34cm by 24cm by 11cm (13.5 by 9.5 by 4.5 inches).

https://www.brentfordfc.com/en/visiting-the-stadium

Probably wasn't much help actually!

Thanks - I think I should be OK, you assume they'd be broadly focussed on bags being used to smuggle booze in.
Looking forward to seeing the new stadium, heard lots of good things

[Margin__Walker]

Thanks - I think I should be OK, you assume they'd be broadly focussed on bags being used to smuggle booze in.
Looking forward to seeing the new stadium, heard lots of good things

Yeah, it's a huge upgrade on an industrial estate on the outskirts of Reading.

Nice, compact, tons of decent pubs around by the river. Hopefully it's a decent game.

[Margin__Walker]

Pearson into the training squad for Lawes, who remains in the concussion return to play pathway. Has Lawes had concussion issues in the past? It's clearly a worry

[Oxbow]

Pearson into the training squad for Lawes, who remains in the concussion return to play pathway. Has Lawes had concussion issues in the past? It's clearly a worry

I don't remember him having them in the past, but he's had a few recently, perhaps getting to the point where it starts to be a concern.

[Margin__Walker]

Yep, hopefully all sorts itself up and he's being well advised/monitored etc.

If he's not involved in the autumn with will be interesting to see what approach Eddie takes for 6 and 7, given Lawes had been such a fixture in that hybrid role at 6.

[Slick]

Thanks - I think I should be OK, you assume they'd be broadly focussed on bags being used to smuggle booze in.
Looking forward to seeing the new stadium, heard lots of good things

Yeah, it's a huge upgrade on an industrial estate on the outskirts of Reading.

Nice, compact, tons of decent pubs around by the river. Hopefully it's a decent game.

Where have to moved to?

[Margin__Walker]

Thanks - I think I should be OK, you assume they'd be broadly focussed on bags being used to smuggle booze in.
Looking forward to seeing the new stadium, heard lots of good things

Yeah, it's a huge upgrade on an industrial estate on the outskirts of Reading.

Nice, compact, tons of decent pubs around by the river. Hopefully it's a decent game.

Where have to moved to?

Brentford. Gtech Stadium.

[Slick]

Yeah, it's a huge upgrade on an industrial estate on the outskirts of Reading.

Nice, compact, tons of decent pubs around by the river. Hopefully it's a decent game.

Where have to moved to?

Brentford. Gtech Stadium.

Oh yeah, that's a great spot for a day out in the pubs and some rugby

[Margin__Walker]

Yeah, it really is nice. Don't get down much to London these days, but the few times I've caught games there, the match day experience with the pubs round the ground has been great.

Helps when the sun is shining obviously.

[JM2K6]

You posted this in the wrong thread toga, so:

Exeter v Saracens

Exeter: 15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Jack Nowell, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Ian Whitten, 11 Olly Woodburn, 10 Harvey Skinner, 9 Jack Maunder, 8 Jacques Vermeulen, 7 Christ Tshiunza, 6 Dave Ewers, 5 Jonny Gray, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Harry Williams, 2 Lukę Cowan-Dickie (c), 1 Alec Hepburn
Replacements: 16 Jack Yeandle, 17 Josh Iosefa-Scott, 18 Patrick Schickerling, 19 Jack Dunne, 20 Sam Simmonds, 21 Sam Maunder, 22 Joe Simmonds, 23 Rory O’Loughlin

Saracens: 15 Elliot Daly, 14 Max Malins, 13 Alex Lozowski, 12 Nick Tompkins, 11 Alex Lewington, 10 Owen Farrell (c), 9 Ivan van Zyl, 8 Billy Vunipola, 7 Ben Earl, 6 Theo McFarland, 5 Hugh Tizard, 4 Maro Itoje, 3 Christian Judge, 2 Kapeli Pifeleti, 1 Mako Vunipola
Replacements: 16 Theo Dan, 17 James Flynn, 18 Alec Clarey, 19 Callum Hunter-Hill, 20 Andy Christie, 21 Jackson Wray, 22 Ruben de Haas, 23 Alex Goode


I can't see Saracens winning this. If they come away with 2 bonus points that will be a great result.

Exeter aren't as good as their results suggest. Apart from hockeying Bath I don't think they've been that convincing. That's a monstrous Saracens side.

[duke]

You posted this in the wrong thread toga, so:

Exeter v Saracens

Exeter: 15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Jack Nowell, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Ian Whitten, 11 Olly Woodburn, 10 Harvey Skinner, 9 Jack Maunder, 8 Jacques Vermeulen, 7 Christ Tshiunza, 6 Dave Ewers, 5 Jonny Gray, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Harry Williams, 2 Lukę Cowan-Dickie (c), 1 Alec Hepburn
Replacements: 16 Jack Yeandle, 17 Josh Iosefa-Scott, 18 Patrick Schickerling, 19 Jack Dunne, 20 Sam Simmonds, 21 Sam Maunder, 22 Joe Simmonds, 23 Rory O’Loughlin

Saracens: 15 Elliot Daly, 14 Max Malins, 13 Alex Lozowski, 12 Nick Tompkins, 11 Alex Lewington, 10 Owen Farrell (c), 9 Ivan van Zyl, 8 Billy Vunipola, 7 Ben Earl, 6 Theo McFarland, 5 Hugh Tizard, 4 Maro Itoje, 3 Christian Judge, 2 Kapeli Pifeleti, 1 Mako Vunipola
Replacements: 16 Theo Dan, 17 James Flynn, 18 Alec Clarey, 19 Callum Hunter-Hill, 20 Andy Christie, 21 Jackson Wray, 22 Ruben de Haas, 23 Alex Goode


I can't see Saracens winning this. If they come away with 2 bonus points that will be a great result.

Exeter aren't as good as their results suggest. Apart from hockeying Bath I don't think they've been that convincing. That's a monstrous Saracens side.

Briz shurely???????

[JM2K6]

Yeah, sorry. I get the two "moneybags but completely shit" sides mixed up

[Happyhooker]

it's an excellent little ground, decent pubs and convenient for me to get to. now if you could just sign a couple of wasps ex players so i can legitimately transfer allegiance.......

paddington, last time i went i was then heading for the airport. i was carrying a bag that just about passes ryan air's criteria and was fine

[Margin__Walker]

it's an excellent little ground, decent pubs and convenient for me to get to. now if you could just sign a couple of wasps ex players so i can legitimately transfer allegiance.......

paddington, last time i went i was then heading for the airport. i was carrying a bag that just about passes ryan air's criteria and was fine

Ha. Need to limp through to actually make it as part of whatever 10 club utopia comes next. Switching allegiance only for it to happen again twice within the same season would be careless.

More the merrier though.

[Happyhooker]

it's an excellent little ground, decent pubs and convenient for me to get to. now if you could just sign a couple of wasps ex players so i can legitimately transfer allegiance.......

paddington, last time i went i was then heading for the airport. i was carrying a bag that just about passes ryan air's criteria and was fine

Ha. Need to limp through to actually make it as part of whatever 10 club utopia comes next. Switching allegiance only for it to happen again twice within the same season would be careless.

More the merrier though.

when i stopped playing i was living in n16. wasps being in wycombe/coventry just made it too much of an effort. i tried going to sarries a few times, but fuck that shit - the tipping point was when i took my nephews to a game at the olympic stadium and a load of their fans were hammered, poured beer all over us and quite a few other spectators, called my 10yr old nephew a cunt, started fighting and were finally carted away at half time.

quins i'll go to but can rarely support them as that would mean agreeing with jmk which is no fun.

the li trips were decent last year and almost emotionally tolerable

[Kawazaki]

...the tipping point was when i took my nephews to a game at the olympic stadium and a load of their fans were hammered, poured beer all over us and quite a few other spectators, called my 10yr old nephew a cunt, started fighting and were finally carted away at half time.

They sound more like West Ham fans tbf.

Not a great impression though

[Happyhooker]

...the tipping point was when i took my nephews to a game at the olympic stadium and a load of their fans were hammered, poured beer all over us and quite a few other spectators, called my 10yr old nephew a cunt, started fighting and were finally carted away at half time.

They sound more like West Ham fans tbf.

Not a great impression though

that was my initial thought, but quite a few of them were wearing sarries shirts of various vintages

[Margin__Walker]

it's an excellent little ground, decent pubs and convenient for me to get to. now if you could just sign a couple of wasps ex players so i can legitimately transfer allegiance.......

paddington, last time i went i was then heading for the airport. i was carrying a bag that just about passes ryan air's criteria and was fine

Ha. Need to limp through to actually make it as part of whatever 10 club utopia comes next. Switching allegiance only for it to happen again twice within the same season would be careless.

More the merrier though.

when i stopped playing i was living in n16. wasps being in wycombe/coventry just made it too much of an effort. i tried going to sarries a few times, but fuck that shit - the tipping point was when i took my nephews to a game at the olympic stadium and a load of their fans were hammered, poured beer all over us and quite a few other spectators, called my 10yr old nephew a cunt, started fighting and were finally carted away at half time.

quins i'll go to but can rarely support them as that would mean agreeing with jmk which is no fun.

the li trips were decent last year and almost emotionally tolerable

Should definitely take the plunge then. You'll probably regret it, but what's life without regrets.

It's also a lot of fun on hard pitches when the sun is shining. Fun enough to forget getting manhandled away to the likes of Sale and Leicester away in the rain in winter.

[JM2K6]

it's an excellent little ground, decent pubs and convenient for me to get to. now if you could just sign a couple of wasps ex players so i can legitimately transfer allegiance.......

paddington, last time i went i was then heading for the airport. i was carrying a bag that just about passes ryan air's criteria and was fine

Ha. Need to limp through to actually make it as part of whatever 10 club utopia comes next. Switching allegiance only for it to happen again twice within the same season would be careless.

More the merrier though.

when i stopped playing i was living in n16. wasps being in wycombe/coventry just made it too much of an effort. i tried going to sarries a few times, but fuck that shit - the tipping point was when i took my nephews to a game at the olympic stadium and a load of their fans were hammered, poured beer all over us and quite a few other spectators, called my 10yr old nephew a cunt, started fighting and were finally carted away at half time.

quins i'll go to but can rarely support them as that would mean agreeing with jmk which is no fun.

the li trips were decent last year and almost emotionally tolerable

It is strange that given the plethora of reasons to hold a grudge against Sarries you've gone for the reasonable mistake of their fans confusing your 10 year old nephew for you...

[JM2K6]

Fun enough to forget getting manhandled away to the likes of Sale and Leicester away in the rain in winter.

oh yeah

Sale v Quins

Sale Sharks Starting XV:

15. Joe Carpenter
14. Tom Roebuck
13. Sam James
12. Manu Tuilagi
11. Tom O’Flaherty
10. Robert du Preez
9. Raffi Quirke

1. Bevan Rodd
2. Ewan Ashman
3. Nick Schonert
4. Cobus Wiese
5. Jonny Hill
6. Jono Ross ©
7. Tom Curry
8. Daniel du Preez

Replacements:

16. Tommy Taylor, 17. Simon McIntyre, 18. James Harper, 19. Josh Beaumont, 20. Jean-Luc du Preez, 21. Gus Warr, 22. Sam Hill, 23. Arron Reed

Quins

Harlequins Starting XV

1. Joe Marler - Captain
2. Jack Musk
3. Wilco Louw
4. Dino Lamb
5. Irne Herbst
6. Jack Kenningham
7. Will Evans
8. Archie White

9. Danny Care
10. Marcus Smith
11. Cadan Murley
12. Andre Esterhuizen
13. Joe Marchant
14. Nick David
15. Tommy Allan

Impact Players

16. Sam Riley
17. Santiago Garcia Botta
18. Simon Kerrod
19. George Hammond
20. Matas Jurevicius
21. Lewis Gjaltema
22. Will Edwards
23. Lennox Anyanwu

backs are a tasty enough matchup though having a fly half at 15 against Sale of all people could be a problem. Just a teensy bit of a mismatch in the pack though. Jesus Christ.