The Official English Rugby Thread

[Raggs]

Mako just retired from international rugby. Whilst it leaves us low on experienced loosehead props, it also means we won't be using one who's not cut it at international level for a while.

[SaintK]

Mako just retired from international rugby. Whilst it leaves us low on experienced loosehead props, it also means we won't be using one who's not cut it at international level for a while.

Thanks Mako
Should have been a while ago

[Raggs]

Mako just retired from international rugby. Whilst it leaves us low on experienced loosehead props, it also means we won't be using one who's not cut it at international level for a while.

Thanks Mako
Should have been a while ago

Borthers hasn't named the EPS yet right? So Mako retiring in theory gives him another free swap? He was in the WC group right?

[SaintK]

Mako just retired from international rugby. Whilst it leaves us low on experienced loosehead props, it also means we won't be using one who's not cut it at international level for a while.

Thanks Mako
Should have been a while ago

Borthers hasn't named the EPS yet right? So Mako retiring in theory gives him another free swap? He was in the WC group right?

He didn’t make the RWC squad due to a back injury. Not sure where that leaves Borthwick

[Raggs]

Thanks Mako
Should have been a while ago

Borthers hasn't named the EPS yet right? So Mako retiring in theory gives him another free swap? He was in the WC group right?

He didn’t make the RWC squad due to a back injury. Not sure where that leaves Borthwick

Hmm, guess it depends on if you call it injury cover, meaning it's a free swap (have to assume injuries are a "free" swap at the time, on the basis that they're overturned after), and Mako is still sort of in the EPS. Hopefully it is. Not sure if he'll need all the swaps, but it's good to have flexibility.

[Paddington Bear]

Mako just retired from international rugby. Whilst it leaves us low on experienced loosehead props, it also means we won't be using one who's not cut it at international level for a while.

Thanks Mako
Should have been a while ago

Some good memories and a great servant. A good man who always gave everything

[sockwithaticket]

Bye, Mako. Thanks for the better memories.


Courtney Lawes interview prior to the Saints game, talking about calling time with England when he has so that he can spend more time with his kids and actually be home on his birthday for the first time in 12 years.

There's obviously been a lot said about Farrell and his decision to step away from international rugby, but I take the original statement about being there for his family at face value.

Marler obviously preceded both in this.

We're probably likely to see more of this from seasoned internationals with young families.

[Tichtheid]

Oh dear, Mike Adamson is on the whistle - I imagine that isn't the last time his name is mentioned during this game

[Tichtheid]

What a start!

[Tichtheid]

Saints are playing really well, Bayonne, errrr, aren't

[Oxbow]

Can't wait to see Borthwick pick Big Joe over Tommy Freeman.

[SaintK]

Can't wait to see Borthwick pick Big Joe over Tommy Freeman.

Don’t you just know it

[sockwithaticket]

What was clear and obvious about that? A let off for Bayonne.

[Tichtheid]

oops!

[Tichtheid]

Smith's kicking game is borderline obscene

[Tichtheid]

Strange decision to not set up the maul when the huge guy has just been told sit down for ten minutes

[sockwithaticket]

Freeman has to play in the 6N. He's been on fire.

[Tichtheid]

Freeman has to play in the 6N. He's been on fire.

I could say the same about Hutchinson, I don't understand why Townsend doesn't like him

[sockwithaticket]

Northampton vs. the clock at the moment. Lovely BP score.

Freeman has to play in the 6N. He's been on fire.

I could say the same about Hutchinson, I don't understand why Townsend doesn't like him

He's been key to Saints' good season so far, Toonie would be a fool not to make use of a man in such a rich vein of form.

[Ovals]

Saints doing everything well and at pace. Lovely to watch. Freeman, Furbank, Pearson and Smith all outstanding.

[Tichtheid]

That one was far too easy

[Oxbow]

You could pick an England side made up purely of Saints players at the moment, I'd back it to give most Tier 1 sides a run.

[Margin__Walker]

Agree with KAy there. That last try was a disgrace from a Bayonne point of view.

Waller should never get over the line there.

Saints look superb. You'd happily see that whole backline turn out for England. HAs Hutchinson done his stand down time yet from Scotland?

[Ovals]

That one was far too easy

Awful defensive effort there. Saints beat the clock for the 1st half - an utter shellacking.

[Tichtheid]

Benetton leading The Toon 13 - 22.

[Ovals]

You could pick an England side made up purely of Saints players at the moment, I'd back it to give most Tier 1 sides a run.

Could do much worse. England should use the way Saints play as their blueprint.

[Tichtheid]

HAs Hutchinson done his stand down time yet from Scotland?

Don't say that!

Nah, he played against Argentina away in summer '22

Toonie has to bring him back in - and bring Dingwall and Smith with him

[Margin__Walker]

HAs Hutchinson done his stand down time yet from Scotland?

Don't say that!

Nah, he played against Argentina away in summer '22

Toonie has to bring him back in - and bring Dingwall and Smith with him

Ah, fair enough. Thought it may have been longer than that

[Tichtheid]

HAs Hutchinson done his stand down time yet from Scotland?

Don't say that!

Nah, he played against Argentina away in summer '22

Toonie has to bring him back in - and bring Dingwall and Smith with him

Ah, fair enough. Thought it may have been longer than that

Toonie really likes Chris Harris. The other centres are Tuipulotu, Redpath and Huw Jones. Personally I'd lose Harris for Hutchinson, even though I like Harris.

Stafford McDowall has been outstanding for Glasgow this season too.

[Tichtheid]

If you wanted to show a tuition video of how to throw and take a tae line out - that was it.

However the defence went awol again in the drive for the line

[Dogbert]

Oh dear, Mike Adamson is on the whistle - I imagine that isn't the last time his name is mentioned during this game

On a wider note, Adamson gets a hell of a lot of stick as a referee, I'd say one should stop greetin and get out there and referee oneself, or shut one's trap

[Tichtheid]

Oh dear, Mike Adamson is on the whistle - I imagine that isn't the last time his name is mentioned during this game

On a wider note, Adamson gets a hell of a lot of stick as a referee, I'd say one should stop greetin and get out there and referee oneself, or shut one's trap

I 100% agree.

If you'll note I didn't criticise him, I anticipated the greetin, which hasn't actually happened.

It takes something to take a quote from the Glasgow forum from a couple of weeks ago and bring it on here to try to score a point.

edit, and to leave out the post that was in reply to is really low behaviour.

Appologies to English rugby fans for this, Dogbert brought this shite here

[Dogbert]

oH FFS - get a grip Princess

your only comment on Adamson was hardly in support - why bring it up in the first place.

Why not day 'Hope Adamson ha a good game '

Caught bonny lad

[sockwithaticket]

oH FFS - get a grip Princess

your only comment on Adamson was hardly in support - why bring it up in the first place.

Why not day 'Hope Adamson ha a good game '

Caught bonny lad

Fuck off to the Scottish thread if you want to pick a fight with Tichteid.

[Tichtheid]

'sakes. As good a night it was for Northampton -

Newcastle Falcons 18 - 57 Benetton

Newcastle are really struggling this season.

[Dogbert]

oH FFS - get a grip Princess

your only comment on Adamson was hardly in support - why bring it up in the first place.

Why not day 'Hope Adamson ha a good game '

Caught bonny lad

Fuck off to the Scottish thread if you want to pick a fight with Tichteid.

It was Tichthead who painted a target all over Adamson's back tonight though.

I thought Adamson had decent game tonight ( as he did in the 1872 match )

Lets just leave it there shall we

[geordie_6]

HAs Hutchinson done his stand down time yet from Scotland?

Don't say that!

Nah, he played against Argentina away in summer '22

Toonie has to bring him back in - and bring Dingwall and Smith with him

Id be shocked if Finn Smith isn't in the England squad for this one. With Ford injured and Farrell away, he and Marcus Smith are the next options.

[Tichtheid]

HAs Hutchinson done his stand down time yet from Scotland?

Don't say that!

Nah, he played against Argentina away in summer '22

Toonie has to bring him back in - and bring Dingwall and Smith with him

Id be shocked if Finn Smith isn't in the England squad for this one. With Ford injured and Farrell away, he and Marcus Smith are the next options.

Yeah and fair play to him, he should go where his heart points him - you get guys like Hamish Watson who doesn't sound in the least Scottish but he wanted to play for Scotland as a child. You get guys who move allegiance because they probably won't get a sniff at their first choice, but want to play international rugby. The rules are what they are.

Smith's grandfather played for Scotland, but he's been brought up in England and he wants to play for England - no one can say that is the wrong choice.

Good luck to him, I was kidding when I wrote the quoted post, but I would welcome Smith to the Scotland camp. England have got a very good player there.
Tonight was the first time I really watched him during a game - the lad has everything. The opposition were poor but he put in his tackles against big carriers when required

[sockwithaticket]

'sakes. As good a night it was for Northampton -

Newcastle Falcons 18 - 57 Benetton

Newcastle are really struggling this season.

They have been for at least the last decade tbh. Several seasons ago they made a surprise run to the playoffs, but they got relegated the very next season. Typically they finish 11th or bottom. With some of the mid-season player transfers from last season they clearly got anyone experienced and on a vaguely decent wage off their books. It's well known that they spend the least in the Prem and are trying to live within their means, but that leaves them a squad that's mostly kids and nobodies. Just last month after Tigers reamed them, the head coach said:

Strategically going forward, they [the owners/board] have to make decisions because it's not fair on the league itself. Fundamentally, the result was done and dusted after 25 minutes. As I said, it's a pretty tough night.

The only reason they weren't relegated last season is that the sole team with a ground big enough to make them eligible for promotion didn't finishe high enough in the Championship table.

They're losing two of the only weapons they have left with Carreras heading off to France and Radwan talking about wanting to do Olympic 7s.

Starting to enter "What's the point?" territory tbh.

[Tichtheid]

'sakes. As good a night it was for Northampton -

Newcastle Falcons 18 - 57 Benetton

Newcastle are really struggling this season.

They have been for at least the last decade tbh. Several seasons ago they made a surprise run to the playoffs, but they got relegated the very next season. Typically they finish 11th or bottom. With some of the mid-season player transfers from last season they clearly got anyone experienced and on a vaguely decent wage off their books. It's well known that they spend the least in the Prem and are trying to live within their means, but that leaves them a squad that's mostly kids and nobodies. Just last month after Tigers reamed them, the head coach said:

Strategically going forward, they [the owners/board] have to make decisions because it's not fair on the league itself. Fundamentally, the result was done and dusted after 25 minutes. As I said, it's a pretty tough night.

The only reason they weren't relegated last season is that the sole team with a ground big enough to make them eligible for promotion didn't finishe high enough in the Championship table.

They're losing two of the only weapons they have left with Carreras heading off to France and Radwan talking about wanting to do Olympic 7s.

Starting to enter "What's the point?" territory tbh.

That's genuinely sad to hear.

Maybe it's just me but I like a presence for rugby in the north east of England and not just because of the links with players between Edinburgh and Newcastle, but because it should be a game where the top tier is available to supporter the length and breath of the land - we in Scotland have our own problems with that.

Newcastle don't seem to be too far away from where London Scottish were a few years ago (albeit from a different height) when they chose to go semi pro and gave up on the idea of promotion to the Premiership.