The Official English Rugby Thread

[SaintK]

Newcastle already off to a worryingly, yet not unexpectedly, poor start.

Didn't quite manage to catch all of Bath - Bristol, but what I did see looked fun.

Newcastle were abject front to back. They will not win a match for the second season in a row with performances like that.

Bristol well deserved the win. Bath left far too many points out on the pitch
Great tussle between Randall and Spencer at scrum half which Randall convincingly won.

[petej]

Newcastle already off to a worryingly, yet not unexpectedly, poor start.

Didn't quite manage to catch all of Bath - Bristol, but what I did see looked fun.

Newcastle were abject front to back. They will not win a match for the second season in a row with performances like that.

Bristol well deserved the win. Bath left far too many points out on the pitch
Great tussle between Randall and Spencer at scrum half which Randall convincingly won.

It would be nice to Randall involved in the England squad again, particularly with Mitchell out. I suspect van poortfliet will be selected as borthwick seems to really like him.

[Margin__Walker]

Newcastle already off to a worryingly, yet not unexpectedly, poor start.

Didn't quite manage to catch all of Bath - Bristol, but what I did see looked fun.

Newcastle were abject front to back. They will not win a match for the second season in a row with performances like that.

Bristol well deserved the win. Bath left far too many points out on the pitch
Great tussle between Randall and Spencer at scrum half which Randall convincingly won.

Hard to criticise Newcastle too much given the gulf in resources between them and most of the rest of the league. They are on a proper shoestring at the moment in comparison and it shows pretty painfully on the pitch. The cutbacks they've made in the last couple of seasons have pushed them over the edge in terms of their ability to be competitive.

Things probably aren't going to change until some investment comes though or they manage to lose a play off to a Champ team down the road at some point.

[JM2K6]

Exeter staring at another chastening defeat. That starting lineup today has more in common with a minor cup team rather than a supposedly big premiership side. An awful lot of not-yets and never-will-be players and very little actual class to tie it all together.

[Paddington Bear]

Sarries putting Exeter to the sword thus far, Exeter’s only points coming courtesy of a fortunate bounce after Sarries charged down a kick.

Highlight so far has to be Rhys Carre getting the ball in open space, running a good straight line, drawing the man and giving it to set up a try, followed by him grinning like a Cheshire Cat in the background as the try is scored, as only a prop who has managed to not cock up an open play opportunity can.

On Newcastle above - they look so poor I think a championship play-off against a side that wants to come up would be a very very tough proposition for them. Quite sad

[JM2K6]

Don't think an idiot winger getting himself binned and then Saracens scoring down his wing two minutes later was the idea from Exeter, but it's not a surprise.

Elliott is a very exciting talent.

[Paddington Bear]

Don't think an idiot winger getting himself binned and then Saracens scoring down his wing two minutes later was the idea from Exeter, but it's not a surprise.

Elliott is a very exciting talent.

It’s possible to get overexcited about a young winger, but it’s hands like that that give you confidence in his future, as much as his pace/step

[JM2K6]

Don't think an idiot winger getting himself binned and then Saracens scoring down his wing two minutes later was the idea from Exeter, but it's not a surprise.

Elliott is a very exciting talent.

It’s possible to get overexcited about a young winger, but it’s hands like that that give you confidence in his future, as much as his pace/step

He seems to be an excellent all rounder - the athleticism is the cherry on top rather than the sum total of his game.

[JM2K6]

For all the deep throating by the commentary team, Saracens will probably be very unhappy with the second half and how their subs performed. That should have been a full on thrashing.

[SaintK]

Isiekwe and Ewels called up for England camp replacing Martin and Coles who were both injured over the weekend
Not very inspsiring!

[Biffer]

Chieka trying to play the victim card for his own bad behaviour. Prick.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union ... dvmgj41eeo

[inactionman]

Isiekwe and Ewels called up for England camp replacing Martin and Coles who were both injured over the weekend
Not very inspsiring!

Ewels is a very lucky chap - regardless of whether you view him a good player (I do, others don't) he's had two very poor red cards.

[inactionman]

Chieka trying to play the victim card for his own bad behaviour. Prick.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union ... dvmgj41eeo

He's got no need to have any contact with the matchday doctor. Leave them alone to do their job.

[petej]

Chieka trying to play the victim card for his own bad behaviour. Prick.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union ... dvmgj41eeo

I was surprised when chessum briefly came back on.
Chieka seems to be like the Australian Cockerill. I expect the rugby to be pretty uninspiring.

[Lobby]

Chieka trying to play the victim card for his own bad behaviour. Prick.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union ... dvmgj41eeo

I was surprised when chessum briefly came back on.
Chieka seems to be like the Australian Cockerill. I expect the rugby to be pretty uninspiring.

Should fit right in with Leicester then.

[sockwithaticket]

Chieka trying to play the victim card for his own bad behaviour. Prick.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union ... dvmgj41eeo

He's not entirely wrong tbh - many of us don't want him in the league. Saw more than enough of his whinging and official blaming during his international career. He's like a more nasal, less inventive Rassie.

And you've gotta love professional sport managing to keep losers in top jobs. He ran Australia into the ground and achieved a 50% win rate with the Pumas in his brief stint with them. It's not a recent CV that screams I can get one of the most decorated clubs in the English game back to consistently contesting finals.

[Sandstorm]

And you've gotta love professional sport managing to keep losers in top jobs. He ran Australia into the ground and achieved a 50% win rate with the Pumas in his brief stint with them. It's not a recent CV that screams I can get one of the most decorated clubs in the English game back to consistently contesting finals.

Baffles me too!

[epwc]

I was frankly amazed that they gave him the job, no surprise that he’s confirming what a knob he is

[JM2K6]

Always nice to have people on the board who are unfamiliar with Leicester Tigers.

[Rhubarb & Custard]

Cheika, actually like Eddie, is clearly a good coach. The query is whether emotionally he's going to be the right fit, but I can see why one might take a punt.

The latest around Chessum isn't good however, were there a fit and proper person test that was ongoing someone showing so little regard for player safety shouldn't be welcomed at any club, and Leicester should be on warning they may need to dismiss for cause

[Stranger]

Cheika, actually like Eddie, is clearly a good coach. The query is whether emotionally he's going to be the right fit, but I can see why one might take a punt.

The latest around Chessum isn't good however, were there a fit and proper person test that was ongoing someone showing so little regard for player safety shouldn't be welcomed at any club

It was the IMDD who cleared Chessum to return. He then changed his mind later which caused the "discussion"

[inactionman]

Wasps apply for place in expanded Championship

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union ... 2yrxdn3r0o

[Lobby]

Cheika, actually like Eddie, is clearly a good coach. The query is whether emotionally he's going to be the right fit, but I can see why one might take a punt.

The latest around Chessum isn't good however, were there a fit and proper person test that was ongoing someone showing so little regard for player safety shouldn't be welcomed at any club, and Leicester should be on warning they may need to dismiss for cause

Is he really a good coach though?

He had mixed results with Leinster; was sacked by Stade Francais after just 2 years; was rather lucky to lead Australia to the World Cup final in 2015 (just ask Scotland about that Quarter Final) on the back of which he was awarded Coach of the Year, but then endured a dreadful time with the Aussie national team (England's first series win and whitewash in Aus in 2016, heavy losses to NZ, Ireland, England and Scotland etc.). Australia got steadily worse under him in 2018 and 2019 and were dumped out of the 2019 RWC with a heavy loss to England.

His results with Argentina were also pretty poor, especially in comparison with their performances since Felipe Contepomi has been in charge.

Like Eddie, his best results were a long time ago (2015 in his case), and nothing he's done since suggests that he's a good coach in 2024.

[Rhubarb & Custard]

I'd say yes he'd still be a good coach, clearly even one of the world's leading coaches, grated there are a few dozen others. Maybe you could make a counter argument he's lost some drive, or perhaps current interpretations don't suit some aspects of what he's trying to get his team to do, yesterday's new somewhat as it were, but I doubt he's slipped back that much when it comes to his thinking on the game.

[Rhubarb & Custard]

Cheika, actually like Eddie, is clearly a good coach. The query is whether emotionally he's going to be the right fit, but I can see why one might take a punt.

The latest around Chessum isn't good however, were there a fit and proper person test that was ongoing someone showing so little regard for player safety shouldn't be welcomed at any club

It was the IMDD who cleared Chessum to return. He then changed his mind later which caused the "discussion"

Whatever Cheika on hearing the update didn't have as first principles player safety. And one can reasonably query from that is he a fit and proper person?

Sadly the game doesn't take player safety especially seriously, or maybe luckily if you're Cheika, who amazingly had the gall to whine about it

[SaintK]

Local derby weekend in the Premiership. Though not sure quite how local Sale v Falcons is tonight

[duke]

Local derby weekend in the Premiership. Though not sure quite how local Sale v Falcons is tonight

It’s the frozen North so must be local per the Blazerati. Similar to Exeter v Bristol/Bath being a derby despite there being 100 miles between the cities

[ASMO]

Newcastle regressing every game they played this season. Their confidence is completely shot, i am not sure they are redeemable, i think relegation would be their best bet to be honest

[SaintK]

Newcastle regressing every game they played this season. Their confidence is completely shot, i am not sure they are redeemable, i think relegation would be their best bet to be honest

Yep probably for the best though you’d have to hope they actually survive

[fishfoodie]

Watched a podcast about the financials of the clubs, & hoooo-leeee crap but Newcastle & Sale are hanging on by their fingernails

Can the League survive them both going pop ?, because having >80-90% of your revenue going to just wages isn't sustainable.

Would the RFU have to copy the WRU, & prop up Wasps Mk II, or promote one/two of the championship teams to at least keep 10 teams in the top flight ?

[petej]

Awful unfortunate injury to saints player but reffell has been binned for a low tackle which he has wrapped. Seems reactive decision from the ref.

[Oxbow]

The ref said it was because he was off his feet when he made the tackle.

[Oxbow]

About the only positive I can take from that is Henry Pollock.

[petej]

About the only positive I can take from that is Henry Pollock.

Missing lawes and Ludlum.

Really good performance from chessum. Thought Woodward was decent for Tigers and unlike perese wasn't a card magnet.

[Stranger]

Chessum was my MOTM

[petej]

Chessum was my MOTM

Martin and chessum is a decent pair of locks to bully teams with. Cracknell was good at 8 as well.

[JM2K6]

The ref said it was because he was off his feet when he made the tackle.

Yup. He was on his knees, and frankly he's lucky that was considered a wrap anyway - he just flung himself head first at the legs with a half arsed wrap coming much later.

Austin is insufferable in commentary these days, sadly. Flatman not much better - arguing against every bit of foul play like it's all a bit of a laugh

[SaintK]

About the only positive I can take from that is Henry Pollock.

He is going to be some player.
The problem yesterday was the inability to compete with Tigers power up front.
Also if you get the ball over the line 5 times you need to come away with points!!!

[JM2K6]

I reckon you see Fin Smith's class in games like that. He made an error or two, but otherwise he was always trying to do the right thing and in rugby it only takes one good decision allied to one defensive error and you're back in it. His ability to pick the pass and get involved at the right time, when when everything else is a clown show, bodes really well for his international future.

I don't think there was much wrong with the game plan and his tactical approach, some days all you can do is feed your players and hope they don't fuck it up.

[Paddington Bear]

Looks like Christie has had an absolutely horrific injury here