assfly wrote: Tue Nov 28, 2023 7:34 am
Challenge Cup is where it's at.
That's the trophy kids dream about.
Yes its a bit like the conference shield in URC.
Ah man, imagine having those two trophies in the cabinet. The pinnacle. There is nothing left to achieve.
See the shield work differently from this year
Whereas in the past overall log position and points accumulated in all games played have counted to the Shield, that is no longer the case. It is now about just the points accumulated in the derby games between the teams in the Shield, with the games against overseas teams no longer contributing to the Shield.
OomStruisbaai wrote: Sun Dec 03, 2023 4:56 pm
Leicester Tigers destroy Newcastle 47-3. Stormers in for a big pakslae next week.
So Libbok vs Pollard the weekend. Leicester seems to be getting some form after a bad start to their season as well. Could be an interesting game,
It looks like the tickets for the Bulls vs Saracens game is selling well already, several blocks on the main stand is already sold out or close to selling out. We might have a 25k-30k crowd the weekend if the sales keep up like that.
OomStruisbaai wrote: Sun Dec 03, 2023 4:56 pm
Leicester Tigers destroy Newcastle 47-3. Stormers in for a big pakslae next week.
So Libbok vs Pollard the weekend. Leicester seems to be getting some form after a bad start to their season as well. Could be an interesting game,
It looks like the tickets for the Bulls vs Saracens game is selling well already, several blocks on the main stand is already sold out or close to selling out. We might have a 25k-30k crowd the weekend if the sales keep up like that.
Dont look like Libbok or the Boks will feature for the Stormers.
R365
“We will probably be strategic around the Leicester game, so maybe not everybody goes [to England] just because of the six-day turnaround.
“We are going to get back on the Tuesday and then play the two-time European Champions on Saturday afternoon at Cape Town Stadium.
“It’s definitely not going to be ‘full metal jacket’ for one team. It will more likely be a 50-50 for Leicester.
“Probably the guy who is definitely playing La Rochelle would stay behind.
“It would probably be a strategic selection, but it is not an A or B [team].
“You have to be realistic. You can’t ask a guy like Ruben van Heerden to play Leicester for 80 minutes on a Sunday afternoon and come and do the same thing six days later via Doha in economy class against the European champions.
“Strategic calls will have to be made. Maybe a hybrid [team] against Leicester and then ‘full metal’ against La Rochelle.
OomStruisbaai wrote: Sun Dec 03, 2023 4:56 pm
Leicester Tigers destroy Newcastle 47-3. Stormers in for a big pakslae next week.
So Libbok vs Pollard the weekend. Leicester seems to be getting some form after a bad start to their season as well. Could be an interesting game,
It looks like the tickets for the Bulls vs Saracens game is selling well already, several blocks on the main stand is already sold out or close to selling out. We might have a 25k-30k crowd the weekend if the sales keep up like that.
Dont look like Libbok or the Boks will feature for the Stormers.
R365
“We will probably be strategic around the Leicester game, so maybe not everybody goes [to England] just because of the six-day turnaround.
“We are going to get back on the Tuesday and then play the two-time European Champions on Saturday afternoon at Cape Town Stadium.
“It’s definitely not going to be ‘full metal jacket’ for one team. It will more likely be a 50-50 for Leicester.
“Probably the guy who is definitely playing La Rochelle would stay behind.
“It would probably be a strategic selection, but it is not an A or B [team].
“You have to be realistic. You can’t ask a guy like Ruben van Heerden to play Leicester for 80 minutes on a Sunday afternoon and come and do the same thing six days later via Doha in economy class against the European champions.
“Strategic calls will have to be made. Maybe a hybrid [team] against Leicester and then ‘full metal’ against La Rochelle.
“That is pretty much where we are at the moment.”
That is a shame, would have been a nice matchup. So the team against Leicester would basically be the URC team that travelled at the beginning for the season when the boks were not available.
Cheetahs squad for Zebre
Full Cheetahs squad: Forwards: Rynier Bernardo, Schalk Ferreira, Justin Forwood, Marko Jane van Rensburg, Daniel Maartens, Friedle Olivier, Sibabalo Qoma, Jeandre Rudolph, Victor Sekekete, Alulutho Tshakweni, Henus van Wyk, Gideon van der Merwe, Marnus van der Merwe, Louis van der Westhuizen, Laurence Victor, Carl Wegner. Backs: Evardi Boshoff, Reinhardt Fortuin, Cohen Jasper, Daniel Kasende, Rewan Kruger, George Lourens, Tapiwa Mafura, Ali Mgijima, Ruan Pienaar.
Have to say I'm thoroughly underwhelmed about this years competition.
Can't see Saints qualifying, in fact Bayonne at home looks like their only potential win.
Dobson playing a new born Paarl Gim boy vs a Paarl Gim legend.
Jurie Mattee making his Stormers debut. Played for Maties a year back. Dylan Sjoblom is plugged from Griquas, played Varsity Cup for Shimlas last year.
OomStruisbaai wrote: Fri Dec 08, 2023 12:30 pm
Dobson playing a new born Paarl Gim boy vs a Paarl Gim legend.
Jurie Mattee making his Stormers debut. Played for Maties a year back. Dylan Sjoblom is plugged from Griquas, played Varsity Cup for Shimlas last year.
Glasgow Warriors v Northampton Saints
(Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow – Kick-off: 20.00; 20.00 GMT)
Teams
Glasgow Warriors: 15 Josh McKay, 14 Sebastian Cancelliere, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Stafford McDowall (captain), 11 Ollie Smith, 10 Tom Jordan, 9 Sean Kennedy, 8 Matt Fagerson, 7 Rory Darge, 6 Scott Cummings, 5 Richie Gray, 4 Sintu Manjezi, 3 Zander Fagerson, 2 Johnny Matthews, 1 Jamie Bhatti.
Replacements: 16 George Turner, 17 Oli Kebble, 18 Lucio Sordoni, 19 Max Williamson, 20 Ally Miller, 21 Sione Vailanu, 22 Ben Afshar, 23 Ross Thompson.
Northampton Saints: 15 George Furbank (captain), 14 Ollie Sleightholme, 13 Tommy Freeman, 12 Fraser Dingwall, 11 George Hendy , 10 Fin Smith, 9 Alex Mitchell, 8 Sam Graham, 7 Angus Scott-Young, 6 Courtney Lawes, 5 Alex Moon, 4 Tom Lockett, 3 Paul Hill, 2 Curtis Langdon, 1 Alex Waller.
Replacements: 16 Robbie Smith, 17 Tarek Haffar, 18 Trevor Davison, 19 Temo Mayanavanua, 20 Tom Pearson, 21 Tom James, 22 Tom Litchfield, 23 Tom Seabrook.
Referee: Luc Ramos (France)
Assistant referees: Vivien Praderie (France), Jonathan Gasnier (France)
TMO: Thomas Charabas (France)
Connacht v Bordeaux-Bègles
(The Sportsground, Galway – Kick-off: 20.00; 21.00 French time, 20.00 GMT)
Teams
Connacht: 15 Mack Hansen, 14 Byron Ralston, 13 Cathal Forde, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Andrew Smith, 10 JJ Hanrahan, 9 Caolin Blade, 8 Seán Jansen, 7 Shamus Hurley-Langton, 6 Cian Prendergast, 5 Joe Joyce, 4 Darragh Murray, 3 Finlay Bealham, 2 Dave Heffernan, 1 Denis Buckley.
Replacements: 16 Tadgh McElroy, 17 Peter Dooley, 18 Jack Aungier, 19 Niall Murray, 20 Conor Oliver, 21 Michael McDonald, 22 David Hawkshaw, 23 John Porch.
Bordeaux-Begles: 15 Romain Buros, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Nicolas Depoorte, 12 Ben Tapuai, 11 Pablo Uberti, 10 Matthieu Jalibert, 9 Maxime Lucu, 8 Tevita Tatafu, 7 Pete Samu, 6 Pierre Bochaton, 5 Thomas Jolmès, 4 Guido Petti, 3 Sipili Falatea, 2 Clément Maynadier, 1 Ugo Boniface.
Replacements: 16 Maxime Lamothe, 17 Ben Tameifuna, 18 Carlü Sadie, 19 Alexandre Ricard, 20 Bastien Vergnes-Taillefer, 21 Antoine Miquel, 22 Paul Abadie, 23 Nans Ducuing.
Referee: Karl Dickson (England)
Assistant referees: Joe James (England), John Meredith (England)
TMO: Stuart Terheege (England)
OomStruisbaai wrote: Fri Dec 08, 2023 2:29 pm
Bulls vs Saracens
Bulls: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 David Kriel, 11 Canan Moodie, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Elrigh Louw (captain), 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Reinhardt Ludwig, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.
Replacements: 16 Simphiwe Matanzima, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Janko Swanepoel, 20 Marcell Coetzee, 21 Zak Burger, 22 Jaco van der Walt, 23 Sergeal Petersen.
Date: Saturday, December 9
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 19.30; 17.30 UK time, 17.30 GMT)
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy)
Assistant referees: Benoit Rousselet (France), Filippo Russo (Italy)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (France)
Saracens: Alex Goode, Alex Lewington, Elliot Daly, Nick Tompkins, Sean Maitland, Owen Farrell (capt), Ivan van Zyl, Billy Vunipola, Andy Christie, Juan Martin Gonzalez, Hugh Tizard, Maro Itoje, Alec Clarey, Jamie George, Mako Vunipola. Bench: Theo Dan, Tom West, Christian Judge, Theo McFarland, Toby Knight, Aled Davies, Olly Hartley, Lucio Cinti
OomStruisbaai wrote: Fri Dec 08, 2023 2:29 pm
Bulls vs Saracens
Bulls: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 David Kriel, 11 Canan Moodie, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Elrigh Louw (captain), 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Reinhardt Ludwig, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.
Replacements: 16 Simphiwe Matanzima, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Janko Swanepoel, 20 Marcell Coetzee, 21 Zak Burger, 22 Jaco van der Walt, 23 Sergeal Petersen.
Date: Saturday, December 9
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 19.30; 17.30 UK time, 17.30 GMT)
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy)
Assistant referees: Benoit Rousselet (France), Filippo Russo (Italy)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (France)
Saracens: Alex Goode, Alex Lewington, Elliot Daly, Nick Tompkins, Sean Maitland, Owen Farrell (capt), Ivan van Zyl, Billy Vunipola, Andy Christie, Juan Martin Gonzalez, Hugh Tizard, Maro Itoje, Alec Clarey, Jamie George, Mako Vunipola. Bench: Theo Dan, Tom West, Christian Judge, Theo McFarland, Toby Knight, Aled Davies, Olly Hartley, Lucio Cinti
That's just about a full strength Saracens squad at the moment.
How strong are the Bulls?
OomStruisbaai wrote: Fri Dec 08, 2023 2:29 pm
Bulls vs Saracens
Bulls: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 David Kriel, 11 Canan Moodie, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Elrigh Louw (captain), 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Reinhardt Ludwig, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.
Replacements: 16 Simphiwe Matanzima, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Janko Swanepoel, 20 Marcell Coetzee, 21 Zak Burger, 22 Jaco van der Walt, 23 Sergeal Petersen.
Date: Saturday, December 9
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 19.30; 17.30 UK time, 17.30 GMT)
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy)
Assistant referees: Benoit Rousselet (France), Filippo Russo (Italy)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (France)
Saracens: Alex Goode, Alex Lewington, Elliot Daly, Nick Tompkins, Sean Maitland, Owen Farrell (capt), Ivan van Zyl, Billy Vunipola, Andy Christie, Juan Martin Gonzalez, Hugh Tizard, Maro Itoje, Alec Clarey, Jamie George, Mako Vunipola. Bench: Theo Dan, Tom West, Christian Judge, Theo McFarland, Toby Knight, Aled Davies, Olly Hartley, Lucio Cinti
That's just about a full strength Saracens squad at the moment.
How strong are the Bulls?
OomStruisbaai wrote: Fri Dec 08, 2023 3:02 pm
Saracens: Alex Goode, Alex Lewington, Elliot Daly, Nick Tompkins, Sean Maitland, Owen Farrell (capt), Ivan van Zyl, Billy Vunipola, Andy Christie, Juan Martin Gonzalez, Hugh Tizard, Maro Itoje, Alec Clarey, Jamie George, Mako Vunipola. Bench: Theo Dan, Tom West, Christian Judge, Theo McFarland, Toby Knight, Aled Davies, Olly Hartley, Lucio Cinti
That's just about a full strength Saracens squad at the moment.
How strong are the Bulls?
I am looking forward to this game. nice to see 2 full strength teams going at each other. Last home game until the the middle of January. So I will be at the game again. Looks like there will be a decent crowd in as well, might be around the 24k number again. To bad most of the crowd is behind the cameras. The weather seemed to have swung in the bulls favor as well, In the beginning of the week the forecast was that the temperature would have dropped to around 18 degrees with rain at kickoff, now it looks like it will be around 26 degrees and dry. That would definitely suit the way they have been playing this season.
The presenting team for the Saints game is horrible. I get that Wilson's English really, but it'd be nice to have someone actually talking on Northampton's behalf since Hogg's there too. The Irish bint TNT have brought in this season has caused me to scrabble for the mute button all season so far.
SaintK wrote: Fri Dec 08, 2023 10:35 am
Have to say I'm thoroughly underwhelmed about this years competition.
Can't see Saints qualifying, in fact Bayonne at home looks like their only potential win.
I think you might have been a bit too pessimistic. Superb win in Glasgow - Saints are playing really well atm. And also a decent side to watch.
sockwithaticket wrote: Fri Dec 08, 2023 9:06 pm
The presenting team for the Saints game is horrible. I get that Wilson's English really, but it'd be nice to have someone actually talking on Northampton's behalf since Hogg's there too. The Irish bint TNT have brought in this season has caused me to scrabble for the mute button all season so far.
Paddington Bear wrote: Fri Dec 08, 2023 9:55 pm
Both sides should be disappointed not to pick up bonus points, for different reasons
Saints should be pretty happy getting a win at a tough place like Glasgow and denying them any spoils. A BP would have been nice but I'm sure they'd have bitten your arm off for that result.
Not a good night for the Scots with Burgh getting well beaten by Clemont.
Paddington Bear wrote: Fri Dec 08, 2023 9:55 pm
Both sides should be disappointed not to pick up bonus points, for different reasons
Saints should be pretty happy getting a win at a tough place like Glasgow and denying them any spoils. A BP would have been nice but I'm sure they'd have bitten your arm off for that result.
Not a good night for the Scots with Burgh getting well beaten by Clemont.
Edinburgh missing 10 starters away to Clermont and losing 31 - 18 doesn't actually feel that bad to be honest. I didn't really expect anything else, in fact I thought it might be worse.
The Glasgow score was very disappointing from a Scottish perspective.
SaintK wrote: Fri Dec 08, 2023 10:35 am
Have to say I'm thoroughly underwhelmed about this years competition.
Can't see Saints qualifying, in fact Bayonne at home looks like their only potential win.
Top Mockerage sir!
As for the comp, still a dog's dinner but most of us will still watch it. Missing weekend really screws things though, sooner go 8 pools of 3 if we got the head to heads back.
sockwithaticket wrote: Fri Dec 08, 2023 9:06 pm
The presenting team for the Saints game is horrible. I get that Wilson's English really, but it'd be nice to have someone actually talking on Northampton's behalf since Hogg's there too. The Irish bint TNT have brought in this season has caused me to scrabble for the mute button all season so far.
Ease up on the misogyny there, sunshine.
Negative gendered terms aren't misogynistic (or misandrist). I have issue with a particular female presenter, not all female presenters. Sara Elgan and Jill Douglas are always welcome as part of BT/TNT's coverage.
sockwithaticket wrote: Fri Dec 08, 2023 9:06 pm
The presenting team for the Saints game is horrible. I get that Wilson's English really, but it'd be nice to have someone actually talking on Northampton's behalf since Hogg's there too. The Irish bint TNT have brought in this season has caused me to scrabble for the mute button all season so far.
Ease up on the misogyny there, sunshine.
Negative gendered terms aren't misogynistic (or misandrist). I have issue with a particular female presenter, not all female presenters. Sara Elgan and Jill Douglas are always welcome as part of BT/TNT's coverage.
If you'd used a negative epithet targeted at someone's skin colour or race you'd have been rightly dragged over the coals for it.
You could have said something about not liking that presenter, but you didn't. You chose to use an epithet that is derogatory towards women, there is no connotation of that word which is positive.
The doubling down and attempt at excusing your use of language is not a good look at all. It would reflect better on you to just admit the use of the term was poor judgement and move on from there.
It's one of the issues I still have with the rugby world, it been getting better and better over the near fifty years I've been involved with rugby, but this sexism is still not acceptable.
We have threads on this board which are just pictures of women's breasts and another one for arses, ffs
Negative gendered terms aren't misogynistic (or misandrist). I have issue with a particular female presenter, not all female presenters. Sara Elgan and Jill Douglas are always welcome as part of BT/TNT's coverage.
If you'd used a negative epithet targeted at someone's skin colour or race you'd have been rightly dragged over the coals for it.
You could have said something about not liking that presenter, but you didn't. You chose to use an epithet that is derogatory towards women, there is no connotation of that word which is positive.
The doubling down and attempt at excusing your use of language is not a good look at all. It would reflect better on you to just admit the use of the term was poor judgement and move on from there.
It's one of the issues I still have with the rugby world, it been getting better and better over the near fifty years I've been involved with rugby, but this sexism is still not acceptable.
We have threads on this board which are just pictures of women's breasts and another one for arses, ffs
Looks like there will be a decent crowd in as well, might be around the 24k number again. To bad most of the crowd is behind the cameras. The weather seemed to have swung in the bulls favor as well, In the beginning of the week the forecast was that the temperature would have dropped to around 18 degrees with rain at kickoff, now it looks like it will be around 26 degrees and dry. That would definitely suit the way they have been playing this season.
