The Official English Rugby Thread

[Kawazaki]

The strongest England team will never have Farrell at 10. Ever.

That's Farrell the flyhalf with 5 English Premierships and 3 European Cups in 8 years.

Yeah, he's rubbish.

[sockwithaticket]

I thought we'd long ago covered that a list of trophies by a player's name doesn't necessarily indicate that they're any good. Tim Payne, for example, has 2 Heineken Cup winner's medals and 3 Premiership titles to his name, yet has to rate as one of the worse England front rowers to earn > 5 caps.

That's not to say Farrell's rubbish, just that it's not a compelling argument.

[Kawazaki]

I thought we'd long ago covered that a list of trophies by a player's name doesn't necessarily indicate that they're any good. Tim Payne, for example, has 2 Heineken Cup winner's medals and 3 Premiership titles to his name, yet has to rate as one of the worse England front rowers to earn > 5 caps.

That's not to say Farrell's rubbish, just that it's not a compelling argument.

Only a moron would try to find some sort of equivalence between a prop and a flyhalf.

[Raggs]

How's Farrell's record at 10 for England? In comparison to Ford?

[Kawazaki]

How's Farrell's record at 10 for England? In comparison to Ford?

People hate Farrell for lots of reasons but mostly because he's a very competitive bastard who walks the line. Leicester simply wouldn't be shit with the squad of players they have if Farrell was their flyhalf.

[Glaston]

How's Farrell's record at 10 for England? In comparison to Ford?

People hate Farrell for lots of reasons but mostly because he's a very competitive bastard who walks the line. Leicester simply wouldn't be shit with the squad of players they have if Farrell was their flyhalf.

Comedy gold as usual.
Farell wouldnt even make it as Leicester player cos he is a bit of a pea heart tosser .

[Oxbow]

Piers Francis has tested positive for Covid. There's no way tonight's game should go ahead, Sale should be made to forfeit.

[Paddington Bear]

How's Farrell's record at 10 for England? In comparison to Ford?

People hate Farrell for lots of reasons but mostly because he's a very competitive bastard who walks the line. Leicester simply wouldn't be shit with the squad of players they have if Farrell was their flyhalf.

Comedy gold as usual.
Farell wouldnt even make it as Leicester player cos he is a bit of a pea heart tosser .

Notoriously pea hearted side that is Saracens. 'I don't like the bloke so would rather cheer for someone else' is fine, to pretend he's useless because you don't like him is just silly.

[Kawazaki]

Being reported that Sale have had more positive tests so tonight's delayed fixture had been cancelled.

Saturday's semi-finals will be;

Exeter (1) v Bath (4)
Wasps (2) v Bristol (3)

[SaintK]

Being reported that Sale have had more positive tests so tonight's delayed fixture had been cancelled.

Saturday's semi-finals will be;

Exeter (1) v Bath (4)
Wasps (2) v Bristol (3)

I should bloody well think so!!!

Interesting from Kitson on PRL leadership or rather lack of it!!
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog ... ale-covid

[Joost]

Wasps v Briz should be a good game, plenty of firepower in both backlines and both on top form

Ex will obviously be favourites, but Bath have looked good lately and haven’t lost away from home since the re-start - hopefully the nonsense with Sale hasn’t distracted their preparation too much.

[Kawazaki]

Wasps v Briz should be a good game, plenty of firepower in both backlines and both on top form

Ex will obviously be favourites, but Bath have looked good lately and haven’t lost away from home since the re-start - hopefully the nonsense with Sale hasn’t distracted their preparation too much.

Bath can beat Exeter, they just have to play a very strict territory game. Anything in their own half they must kick long or box kick and make Exeter play out from deep. So much of Exeter's points accumulation is predicated on using multiphase possession from 30-40m out. It won't be easy of course and will require making 200+ tackles with something well above 90% tackle success but it is doable. It's basically the Saracens method against Exeter!

[Margin__Walker]

At some point it would be nice if refs got tough on sealing off. Exeter are a great story, but some of that multi phase pick and go play skirts very close to the line, with the latching players collapsing over the top of the tackled player time and time again, making any competition impossible.

Certainly effective, and I'll be cheering for them in the HC, but it's pretty dull rugby to watch.

[Kawazaki]

At some point it would be nice if refs got tough on sealing off. Exeter are a great story, but some of that multi phase pick and go play skirts very close to the line, with the latching players collapsing over the top of the tackled player time and time again, making any competition impossible.

Certainly effective, and I'll be cheering for them in the HC, but it's pretty dull rugby to watch.

It's very dull. Interesting point on the sealing off, refs are normally quite hot on penalising that. My bigger concern is pre-latching on, and in some cases even latching on slightly above and forward of the ball-carrier. In my view it is happening time and again, particularly by Exeter. It's been banned since the 19th century!

[Kawazaki]

Regards my latching observation above. Quick Google the this up...

https://www.rugbyworld.com/in-the-mag/p ... tch-110154

Dave Ewers...

“It’s important to know how your team-mates prefer to go into contact. Don Armand, for example, has a strong upper body so tends to go in a bit higher. When I carry, I don’t want someone latching before contact. That’s what I try to do as a latcher, too: allow the ball-carrier to do his thing and commit to contact, then I’ll try to add momentum by latching on.”

That reads like he latches on before contact to me.

[ASMO]

Regards my latching observation above. Quick Google the this up...

https://www.rugbyworld.com/in-the-mag/p ... tch-110154

Dave Ewers...

“It’s important to know how your team-mates prefer to go into contact. Don Armand, for example, has a strong upper body so tends to go in a bit higher. When I carry, I don’t want someone latching before contact. That’s what I try to do as a latcher, too: allow the ball-carrier to do his thing and commit to contact, then I’ll try to add momentum by latching on.”

That reads like he latches on before contact to me.

Reads perfectly the opposite to me.

[Ovals]

Being reported that Sale have had more positive tests so tonight's delayed fixture had been cancelled.

Saturday's semi-finals will be;

Exeter (1) v Bath (4)
Wasps (2) v Bristol (3)

I should bloody well think so!!!

Interesting from Kitson on PRL leadership or rather lack of it!!
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog ... ale-covid

So much for Sale claiming they were ready to play on Sunday - makes it seem that they were happy to put more people at risk. Just as well Worcester objected.

[Raggs]

Regards my latching observation above. Quick Google the this up...

https://www.rugbyworld.com/in-the-mag/p ... tch-110154

Dave Ewers...

“It’s important to know how your team-mates prefer to go into contact. Don Armand, for example, has a strong upper body so tends to go in a bit higher. When I carry, I don’t want someone latching before contact. That’s what I try to do as a latcher, too: allow the ball-carrier to do his thing and commit to contact, then I’ll try to add momentum by latching on.”

That reads like he latches on before contact to me.

That reads like you can't read...

[Choc]

I don’t really get the accusations of boring rugby from Exeter. It’s pretty repetitive when they are within 10 meters of the try line I’ll grant you and I think that’s clouding the opinion over all. They aren’t afraid to attack from deep, run decent lines, the backs see a lot of ball and Slade and the back 3 tend to make a lot of breaks - yes it’s often loads of phases but it’s certainly more expansive than watching Wigglesworth and Farrell hoik it up in the air all day.

[Raggs]

I don’t really get the accusations of boring rugby from Exeter. It’s pretty repetitive when they are within 10 meters of the try line I’ll grant you and I think that’s clouding the opinion over all. They aren’t afraid to attack from deep, run decent lines, the backs see a lot of ball and Slade and the back 3 tend to make a lot of breaks - yes it’s often loads of phases but it’s certainly more expansive than watching Wigglesworth and Farrell hoik it up in the air all day.

Saracens will go expansive once they get to where they want. And to be honest, I'd rather they kicked it to get there, than take 20 phases of going left to right and back again, to get there.

[Choc]

They both work and they are both pretty attritional in nature, either with or without the ball.

I don’t think Exeter is quite as Gatland ball as some would have us believe, that’s all.

[Raggs]

They both work and they are both pretty attritional in nature, either with or without the ball.

I don’t think Exeter is quite as Gatland ball as some would have us believe, that’s all.

They can grind phase after phase, with little invention or advance, often securing the ball in a manner that some may suggest verges on sealing off. They have some nice plays though, and can do some pretty stuff.

[JM2K6]

I think you're being quite unfair. They have a decent amount of flair in that backline, and they pick excellent lines.

[Kawazaki]

Exeter may well win their first European Cup using their style but I hope in a way they don't win as I don't want other teams to copy it.

Until this year it's never been good enough to progress past the best teams in Europe so hopefully this season is the outlier.

Maybe a ref will penalise them for pre-binding on carries or sealing off and force their hand?

[Sandstorm]

Exeter may well win their first European Cup using their style but I hope in a way they don't win as I don't want other teams to copy it.

Until this year it's never been good enough to progress past the best teams in Europe so hopefully this season is the outlier.

Maybe a ref will penalise them for pre-binding on carries or sealing off and force their hand?

Haven't fans been bitching about hopefully "not winning Saracen's way" for years too?

[Niegs]

At some point it would be nice if refs got tough on sealing off. Exeter are a great story, but some of that multi phase pick and go play skirts very close to the line, with the latching players collapsing over the top of the tackled player time and time again, making any competition impossible.

Certainly effective, and I'll be cheering for them in the HC, but it's pretty dull rugby to watch.

It's very dull. Interesting point on the sealing off, refs are normally quite hot on penalising that. My bigger concern is pre-latching on, and in some cases even latching on slightly above and forward of the ball-carrier. In my view it is happening time and again, particularly by Exeter. It's been banned since the 19th century!

I looked into this the other day after wondering about Bath's try at the start of this clip ... how do you stop three players 'wedging' like this? (But it's not a 'flying wedge' so say ref forums I looked into, admitting the wording of it is very much specific to the tap penalty move that involves also a charge).



I'd be fine if they banned it because, for me, it goes against the spirit of a 'fair contest' the same way sealing off does. If teams want to push over, just do a proper maul where teammates bind on after or as ball carrier has made contact. If people insist on leaving it in, let defenders have hands in front of the offside line (ensuring both feet behind) so they can get into a strong defensive stance.

[Kawazaki]

Exeter may well win their first European Cup using their style but I hope in a way they don't win as I don't want other teams to copy it.

Until this year it's never been good enough to progress past the best teams in Europe so hopefully this season is the outlier.

Maybe a ref will penalise them for pre-binding on carries or sealing off and force their hand?

Haven't fans been bitching about hopefully "not winning Saracen's way" for years too?

I don't know, have they?

[Joost]

Both sides have been very capable of playing some nice stuff to go with the attritional carrying and defence. What was it, 10 tries in the Prem final last year (and one of the best finals I can remember!).

We’re not exactly talking the bore-fest rugby that teams like Munster used to go for; those classic 9 - 6 Euro knockout games

[Kawazaki]

Brad Barritt. What a player...

https://twitter.com/Saracens/status/131 ... 71108?s=09

[Tichtheid]

Brad Barritt. What a player...

https://twitter.com/Saracens/status/131 ... 71108?s=09

He was probably the best player on the park against Leinster a few weeks ago, he epitomised the team’s effort that day.

[SaintK]

So tomorow then:
Exeter +13
Wasps +9

[Ovals]

So tomorow then:
Exeter +13
Wasps +9

Looking forward to these games.

Surprised that Wasps are such heavy favourites against Brizzle. Good to see Willis and Launch back in the team.

[sockwithaticket]

Teams for tomorrow









Bath only had a video as far as I could see, so they get a mere text write up

15. Anthony Watson, 14. Ruaridh McConnochie, 13. Jonathan Joseph, 12. Cameron Redpath, 11. Joe Cokanasiga, 10. Rhys Priestland, 9. Ben Spencer; 1. Beno Obano, 2. Tom Dunn, 3. Will Stuart, 4. Josh McNally, 5. Charlie Ewels (C), 6. Tom Ellis, 7. Sam Underhill, 8. Taulupe Faletau
Replacements

16. Jack Walker, 17. Lewis Boyce, 18. Christian Judge, 19. Elliott Stooke, 20. Miles Reid, 21. Will Chudley, 22. Josh Matavesi, 23. Tom de Glanville

[sockwithaticket]

So tomorow then:
Exeter +13
Wasps +9

Looking forward to these games.

Surprised that Wasps are such heavy favourites against Brizzle. Good to see Willis and Launch back in the team.

Reckon Wasps have the edge in the pack and at half back. Brizz might have it in the backline.

Should mean a narrow win for Wasps.

[JM2K6]

Great stat from the Quins insta feed - only one player has beaten more than 50% of the tackle attempts against him this season, and it's Marcus Smith with a frankly ridiculous 63%

[Hal Jordan]

Contact dodging coward.

[sockwithaticket]

Great stat from the Quins insta feed - only one player has beaten more than 50% of the tackle attempts against him this season, and it's Marcus Smith with a frankly ridiculous 63%

Quite the juxtaposition to have old man Gopperth as the young fella's nearest competition. That's pure daylight between him and anyone else too.

Pretty impressive for Tompkins to be so high up with only half a season of games.

[Tichtheid]

Contact dodging coward.

I so wish Smith had some sort of Scottish connection so that he'd be the Edinburgh player from Brighton College that Harry Leonard never quite was.

Seriously, I think Smith is brilliant, he could be the best fly half in the world

[Ovals]

Great stat from the Quins insta feed - only one player has beaten more than 50% of the tackle attempts against him this season, and it's Marcus Smith with a frankly ridiculous 63%

Quite the juxtaposition to have old man Gopperth as the young fella's nearest competition. That's pure daylight between him and anyone else too.

Pretty impressive for Tompkins to be so high up with only half a season of games.

Good to see that we've got 3 of the top 4 playing for us tomorrow.

[Kawazaki]

It is an odd stat and it would be interesting to see how it's collated. For example, a player like Manu Tuilagi or Billy Vunipola would likely have a low 'players beaten' number but it might take 2 or 3 players to complete a tackle on them which achieves a similar objective (creating a mis-match).