The Official English Rugby Thread

[SaintK]

The Hask speaks

Stuart called me in for a meeting with him and he asked me how, in my opinion, I was doing within the squad. I said really well. He asked if he had shown me the credibility graph. I said no, but sensing this was some horrific management jargon, I told him he didn’t have to. He insisted. He drew a graph with the x-axis denoting time and the y-axis credibility. There was a line across the top, which was where you were credible. His example of someone who was really credible was Brad Barritt. There was also a line below showing where you weren’t credible, and in this case his example was Chris Ashton after some discipline problems and bans.
He said he would show me where I was. I thought, please don’t. He drew this super-excruciatingly slow line that made progress towards the credible line but stopped an inch off. He said that I was nearly credible. I looked around for a hidden camera, expecting him to point to himself with double-finger guns and say, ‘If you want to be in the hot seat like me, all you have to be is credible.’

Bomber really was a shit #1

My mate reported to him for a while when he was at the RFU. Lancaster managed his coaching staff and team just like this
Jargon and pseudo management speak

[sockwithaticket]

He's not wrong though, is he?

Haskell has a lot of caps for an England back row and that's no accident as he's been a damned fine player on his day, but I don't think there was a single regime other than Eddie where his position was secure. There's always been chatter among fans and pundits about him and whether he warrants a place or his attitude is correct.

Rightly or wrongly, there was a perception issue around Haskell's credibility as a key player.

[Margin__Walker]

Burrell back to union for a swansong with Newcastle.

Hmmm. The return to League didn't turn out too well then?

Nope. Not by all accounts.

[Kawazaki]

Burrell back to union for a swansong with Newcastle.

Hmmm. The return to League didn't turn out too well then?

Nope. Not by all accounts.

Probably the least surprising news of the day to be fair.

[Tichtheid]

The Hask speaks

Stuart called me in for a meeting with him and he asked me how, in my opinion, I was doing within the squad. I said really well. He asked if he had shown me the credibility graph. I said no, but sensing this was some horrific management jargon, I told him he didn’t have to. He insisted. He drew a graph with the x-axis denoting time and the y-axis credibility. There was a line across the top, which was where you were credible. His example of someone who was really credible was Brad Barritt. There was also a line below showing where you weren’t credible, and in this case his example was Chris Ashton after some discipline problems and bans.
He said he would show me where I was. I thought, please don’t. He drew this super-excruciatingly slow line that made progress towards the credible line but stopped an inch off. He said that I was nearly credible. I looked around for a hidden camera, expecting him to point to himself with double-finger guns and say, ‘If you want to be in the hot seat like me, all you have to be is credible.’

What's this from?

I was a big fan of Lanny from several interviews I'd seen/heard and how he seemed to get England to the 'likeable' stage with many who were in the 'anyone but England' camp before.

But that's definitely some cringey management speak BS (and from those interviews, he did seem to like reading oodles of coaching books and the like).

I pinched it from another board, it’s from Haskell’s autobiography “What a Flanker”

[Kawazaki]

The Hask speaks

What's this from?

I was a big fan of Lanny from several interviews I'd seen/heard and how he seemed to get England to the 'likeable' stage with many who were in the 'anyone but England' camp before.

But that's definitely some cringey management speak BS (and from those interviews, he did seem to like reading oodles of coaching books and the like).

I pinched it from another board, it’s from Haskell’s autobiography “What a Flanker”

The extracts are in the Telegraph. There's been three of them so far.

[Glaston]

Ratty in the NZ Herald has his knickers in a twist over Haskell's "confessions" about the maid in the hotel in 2011.

"The stunning revelations from England star James Haskell about 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand"

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/a ... d=12366661

[SaintK]

What's this from?

I was a big fan of Lanny from several interviews I'd seen/heard and how he seemed to get England to the 'likeable' stage with many who were in the 'anyone but England' camp before.

But that's definitely some cringey management speak BS (and from those interviews, he did seem to like reading oodles of coaching books and the like).

I pinched it from another board, it’s from Haskell’s autobiography “What a Flanker”

The extracts are in the Telegraph. There's been three of them so far.

Unfortunately behind a paywall
Cut and paste please!

[JM2K6]

Ratty in the NZ Herald has his knickers in a twist over Haskell's "confessions" about the maid in the hotel in 2011.

"The stunning revelations from England star James Haskell about 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand"

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/a ... d=12366661

Revelations that are exactly what was said at the time. Stunning indeed!

[Hal Jordan]

My son had his first taste of rugby yesterday, joining in with the Development Squad (tinies). It was good watching him run about and even successfully handle the ball on occasion. He said he enjoyed it except "when the ball hit my tummy" (I refrained from saying, "Well catch the bloody thing then") and he wants to go back.

If he takes after me he'll be no great shakes at the game but will enjoy just being on the pitch. He's not allowed beer yet, he's only six.

[Raggs]

My son had his first taste of rugby yesterday, joining in with the Development Squad (tinies). It was good watching him run about and even successfully handle the ball on occasion. He said he enjoyed it except "when the ball hit my tummy" (I refrained from saying, "Well catch the bloody thing then") and he wants to go back.

If he takes after me he'll be no great shakes at the game but will enjoy just being on the pitch. He's not allowed beer yet, he's only six.

Good to know he enjoyed it. Been roped into coaching yet?

Just starting tackling with my u9s, first season. With covid we can only do 15 minutes of it a session. Not doing a great deal just yet, but some seem to be getting the idea. My lad doesn't like how other people fall when he tackles them says they aren't falling properly, so he ends up bouncing on the ground harder.

[Hal Jordan]

There was a call to arms for coaches but my shoulders are so bad at the moment I can get shooting pains if I stretch to take off my socks.

[Raggs]

There was a call to arms for coaches but my shoulders are so bad at the moment I can get shooting pains if I stretch to take off my socks.

I wouldn't care about that :D. Another body is another body. Someone to watch them run around like maniacs, and try and help them out here and there.

[Raggs]

Massively surprised to learn that Rhodes has done something dirty.

[JM2K6]

Unless he's actually been pulled by a hidden arm, there's no way that's a natural movement.

[RodneyRegis]

Filthy fucker is Rhodes.

Loving watching Will Evans pick sale apart.

[RodneyRegis]

And James Chisholm abusing the gainline

[Hal Jordan]

Filthy fucker is Rhodes.

Loving watching Will Evans pick sale apart.

Probably just given the game winning penalty away, though.

[Hal Jordan]

Absolutely shocking ball play by Quins, shuffling back and forth and getting knocked back on our arses.

[RodneyRegis]

Filthy fucker is Rhodes.

Loving watching Will Evans pick sale apart.

Probably just given the game winning penalty away, though.

Anybidy apart from the ref who thinks that was a penalty needs to stop watching rugby.

[RodneyRegis]

Serves us right. We've played no rugby at all this half.

[Hal Jordan]

Fuck. Faf fucking De fucking Clerk.

[Raggs]

Filthy fucker is Rhodes.

Loving watching Will Evans pick sale apart.

Probably just given the game winning penalty away, though.

Anybidy apart from the ref who thinks that was a penalty needs to stop watching rugby.

Think I may be behind, but we're talking about the Will Evans pen?

It's clearly a pen. He enters fine, but there's clearly a ruck, and he then puts his hands into it. It's literally the definition of a ruck before that, with a player from each side pushing each other. If he'd just pushed over, they win the ball, but he reaches into it and grabs it.

[RodneyRegis]

Oh, and esterheuzen can fuck right off.

[Hal Jordan]

Filthy fucker is Rhodes.

Loving watching Will Evans pick sale apart.

Probably just given the game winning penalty away, though.

Anybidy apart from the ref who thinks that was a penalty needs to stop watching rugby.

I've only been watching the last 10 minutes and we are getting fucked at the breakdown. If the ref isn't letting you get any joy, stop fucking going in to give him an excuse.

Not that I thought we'd win this, Sale are better than us tactically and have a better team.

Not been impressed with either of our enormous South Africans to date. Is Lasike injured because I can't see any reason for not having him in the squad given his performances post lockdown.

[RodneyRegis]

Probably just given the game winning penalty away, though.

Anybidy apart from the ref who thinks that was a penalty needs to stop watching rugby.

Think I may be behind, but we're talking about the Will Evans pen?

It's clearly a pen. He enters fine, but there's clearly a ruck, and he then puts his hands into it. It's literally the definition of a ruck before that, with a player from each side pushing each other. If he'd just pushed over, they win the ball, but he reaches into it and grabs it.

Clearly a ruck? Who is forming it?

[JM2K6]

Yes, Lasike is injured, along with a bunch of others. Not sure how we've managed to rack up an injury list again, but we really missed some impact in midfield and having Marler on the pitch and a lock who is an actual lock.

Absolutely shocking ball play by Quins, shuffling back and forth and getting knocked back on our arses.

Well that's because someone decided it was a really good idea to take off our really quite good ten and replace him with a mediocre centre.

[JM2K6]

Anybidy apart from the ref who thinks that was a penalty needs to stop watching rugby.

Think I may be behind, but we're talking about the Will Evans pen?

It's clearly a pen. He enters fine, but there's clearly a ruck, and he then puts his hands into it. It's literally the definition of a ruck before that, with a player from each side pushing each other. If he'd just pushed over, they win the ball, but he reaches into it and grabs it.

Clearly a ruck? Who is forming it?

Ross. He's over the ball. Doesn't need more than that now.

The bigger problem was the lineout we had in the Sale 22 where they drove clean through the legs of the guy in the air and stole the ball. Shocker of a call. However he made some bonkers calls both ways and for a long stretch we were getting some luck, so whatever.

[Hal Jordan]

Quins having problems with the lineout, you say? I'm frankly amazed!

[JM2K6]

Quins having problems with the lineout, you say? I'm frankly amazed!

That's... not the normal problem we have. Teams don't normally get the opportunity to get away with blatant foul play because we've normally conceded a penalty of our own or just thrown them the ball.

[Hal Jordan]

Quins having problems with the lineout, you say? I'm frankly amazed!

That's... not the normal problem we have. Teams don't normally get the opportunity to get away with blatant foul play because we've normally conceded a penalty of our own or just thrown them the ball.

If I had a fiver for every lineout in a good attacking position we've fucked up I'd be able to to hire a hitman to take revenge on two decades worth of hapless packs.

[Raggs]

Ross. He's over the ball. Doesn't need more than that now.

The bigger problem was the lineout we had in the Sale 22 where they drove clean through the legs of the guy in the air and stole the ball. Shocker of a call. However he made some bonkers calls both ways and for a long stretch we were getting some luck, so whatever.

Think Ross makes the offside line, but then once Ross and Evans are in contact together, that's the ruck, after that, Evans tries to grab at the ball.

I'm not going to go so far as to say I wanted Quins to win, but I did want Sale to lose.

[JM2K6]

Ross. He's over the ball. Doesn't need more than that now.

The bigger problem was the lineout we had in the Sale 22 where they drove clean through the legs of the guy in the air and stole the ball. Shocker of a call. However he made some bonkers calls both ways and for a long stretch we were getting some luck, so whatever.

Think Ross makes the offside line, but then once Ross and Evans are in contact together, that's the ruck, after that, Evans tries to grab at the ball.

I'm not going to go so far as to say I wanted Quins to win, but I did want Sale to lose.

Yes, just so. It's impossible for Evans to go for that ball without the ruck being formed. He just had to accept that Ross had beaten him to it and rucked the dull little niggle-merchant straight off it.

[Saint]

So - no crowds for Rugby means no Rugby Championship next season realistically. Which means Saracens (and their players) are in a bit of bother. No rugby for a season, no promotion at the end of next season means that they'll be 2 seasons outside the Premiership. What do they do?

[Margin__Walker]

I think a lot of clubs will be in a lot of bother.

The clubs without seriously rich benefactors will be pretty nervous at the moment. Agree though, it's a particularly bleak look for the Championship and a headache for Sarries too.

[stemoc]

watson should return as england's fullback

[Kawazaki]

So - no crowds for Rugby means no Rugby Championship next season realistically. Which means Saracens (and their players) are in a bit of bother. No rugby for a season, no promotion at the end of next season means that they'll be 2 seasons outside the Premiership. What do they do?

Have they cancelled the Championship?

[Saint]

So - no crowds for Rugby means no Rugby Championship next season realistically. Which means Saracens (and their players) are in a bit of bother. No rugby for a season, no promotion at the end of next season means that they'll be 2 seasons outside the Premiership. What do they do?

Not officially- but the Championship simply can't survive without supporters paying for match day tickets. There's now no sign of that happening for the foreseeable future

Have they cancelled the Championship?

[Raggs]

So when did 36 actually become a poor player? He always had his brainfarts, but equally was a hard working effective player. Couldn't quite hack it at international due to those brainfarts, but now he's seemingly struggling with virtually every aspect of play?

[Kawazaki]

So - no crowds for Rugby means no Rugby Championship next season realistically. Which means Saracens (and their players) are in a bit of bother. No rugby for a season, no promotion at the end of next season means that they'll be 2 seasons outside the Premiership. What do they do?

Not officially- but the Championship simply can't survive without supporters paying for match day tickets. There's now no sign of that happening for the foreseeable future

Have they cancelled the Championship?

I suspect the Championship is more resiliant then you think. It will be tough though, players will be more part-time than FT. However, if it did cease altogether then they would ring-fence the Premiership and, as a share-holder, Saracens would take their place in the new 13-team league regardless of what happens in the Championship.