2024/2025 Not Heineken Cup

[SaintK]

Pollock made 23 tackles yesterday, not bad for a show pony.

More than the combined aging Leinster backrow

At least 3 of whom are likely Lions!!

[Paddington Bear]

Got to 60 mins on a proper watch, there’s only one top class 10 on that pitch. Prendergast seems to be an experiment in rebuilding Jonny Sexton with the addition of abject cowardice in defence. He shouldn’t be anywhere near the Lions tour.

Pollock did very well for a 20 year old up against a world class back row. Freeman superb and it’s unclear how Dingwall has ever really been out of favour for England

[Kawazaki]

... it’s unclear how Dingwall has ever really been out of favour for England

Because the England coaches are utterly shite?

Exhibit B: Alex Lozowski

[Rhubarb & Custard]

I simply cannot make my mind up if I like the try from Van der Flier, on the one hand we want to encourage attacking play, on the other that really did feel an age before Deegan popped the ball up off the floor. Though I was amused at Dingwall having 2/3 attempts to influence that little passage and managing to have no impact whatsoever.

The other thing that stood out was in the build up to the 2nd try for Freeman, I think it was the second not the third, when Ringrose really bit in on Pollock selling Lowe and indeed his team down the river. Not sure why he wouldn't trust Van Der Flier of all people to make that tackle, or maybe he takes a view on VdF's left shoulder tackle attempts, or was that a reaction even panic to Pollock's influence on the game? I get Pollock had skirted past a 10 not wanting to tackle into the spokes already, and Pollock is good, but that felt a horrible decision from Ringrose, a player whose calling card is supposed to be his defensive reads.

[SaintK]

... it’s unclear how Dingwall has ever really been out of favour for England

Because the England coaches are utterly shite?

Exhibit B: Alex Lozowski

.........how many caps has Slade got?

[Paddington Bear]

... it’s unclear how Dingwall has ever really been out of favour for England

Because the England coaches are utterly shite?

Exhibit B: Alex Lozowski

.........how many caps has Slade got?

Please nobody post the actual number

[Uncle fester]

I simply cannot make my mind up if I like the try from Van der Flier, on the one hand we want to encourage attacking play, on the other that really did feel an age before Deegan popped the ball up off the floor. Though I was amused at Dingwall having 2/3 attempts to influence that little passage and managing to have no impact whatsoever.

The other thing that stood out was in the build up to the 2nd try for Freeman, I think it was the second not the third, when Ringrose really bit in on Pollock selling Lowe and indeed his team down the river. Not sure why he wouldn't trust Van Der Flier of all people to make that tackle, or maybe he takes a view on VdF's left shoulder tackle attempts, or was that a reaction even panic to Pollock's influence on the game? I get Pollock had skirted past a 10 not wanting to tackle into the spokes already, and Pollock is good, but that felt a horrible decision from Ringrose, a player whose calling card is supposed to be his defensive reads.

Not the first time Ringrose has over-committed in defence. He frequently tops the missed tackle list because of it. His defenders will claim that it's because he's the "shooter" but I'm not convinced.

[Kawazaki]

... it’s unclear how Dingwall has ever really been out of favour for England

Because the England coaches are utterly shite?

Exhibit B: Alex Lozowski

.........how many caps has Slade got?

The weird insane obsession England coaches attribute to sunk-cost experience means the more caps you accumulate, the more likely it is that you'll accumulate many more.

I mean, Ben Youngs and Dan Cole are the two highest capped England players of all time. Both are bang average players, neither remotely close to World XV level at any stage of their careers.

It's obscene really.

[Rhubarb & Custard]

I simply cannot make my mind up if I like the try from Van der Flier, on the one hand we want to encourage attacking play, on the other that really did feel an age before Deegan popped the ball up off the floor. Though I was amused at Dingwall having 2/3 attempts to influence that little passage and managing to have no impact whatsoever.

The other thing that stood out was in the build up to the 2nd try for Freeman, I think it was the second not the third, when Ringrose really bit in on Pollock selling Lowe and indeed his team down the river. Not sure why he wouldn't trust Van Der Flier of all people to make that tackle, or maybe he takes a view on VdF's left shoulder tackle attempts, or was that a reaction even panic to Pollock's influence on the game? I get Pollock had skirted past a 10 not wanting to tackle into the spokes already, and Pollock is good, but that felt a horrible decision from Ringrose, a player whose calling card is supposed to be his defensive reads.

Not the first time Ringrose has over-committed in defence. He frequently tops the missed tackle list because of it. His defenders will claim that it's because he's the "shooter" but I'm not convinced.

I hardly watch Leinster that often but it was something happening in Ireland's midfield in the 6N too. So maybe it's a coaching thing, or maybe he's older and trying to cover a lost step in pace, or maybe he's just made a couple of mistakes and too much is being read into it.

I would have understood biting on Pollock had that been Healy inside him, but it does feel very wrong to have a schoolboy moment when it's VdF right there

Another thing which surprised me in that try was Keenan not hiting Ramm. Perhaps Keenan thought somehow he could still get back and cover or was somehow hoping for an intercept, but Keenan does that right thing forcing the pass from Ramm and then has the option to say okay you've given the pass but now you had the accept the price of taking a shot to the ribs, and instead Keenan barely touches him. It's overtly not physical, it's pre-season not knockout rugby

[Torquemada 1420]

Not the first time Ringrose has over-committed in defence. He frequently tops the missed tackle list because of it. His defenders will claim that it's because he's the "shooter" but I'm not convinced.

This. He's frightened by pace.

As for Leinster's decision to bench Barrett

[Torquemada 1420]

How TF is that not a pen try Dickheadson?

[PornDog]

That looks pretty grounded against the base of the flag to me and that's why the ref didn't proceed to address whether or not Keenan was on his feet or required to be.

Yeah, so what I was thinking was, because the fat of the ball was infield, and only the tip was touching the post (ie technically elevated above the literal base of the post) that it should be good - but yeah, probably a generous interpretation on my part!

Also on reflection the non-penalty try is probably fair too. Whil JvdF would have gotten to touch it down without the illegal intervention, he probably would have been called for a double movement if he had.

[Torquemada 1420]

Jalibert's chance to prove he is better than Ntamack. F**k this game up and he'll be gone in Galthie's eyes.

[Torquemada 1420]

Oh FFS. How TF is Brace given any game involving a Fre side?

[sockwithaticket]

Hell of an opening salvo there from Bordeaux.

Lovely conditions so hopefully we see a lot more of that from both sides.

[Torquemada 1420]

Hell of an opening salvo there from Bordeaux.

Lovely conditions so hopefully we see a lot more of that from both sides.

A lot to live up to after the first semi. And Fre v Fre games are normally

[sockwithaticket]

Hell of an opening salvo there from Bordeaux.

Lovely conditions so hopefully we see a lot more of that from both sides.

A lot to live up to after the first semi. And Fre v Fre games are normally

It's bucking that trend so far.

[Torquemada 1420]

UBB discipline has hurt them bad this season and with Bent Brace reffing, they need to be much better than normal.

[Paddington Bear]

Mystifying to appoint a ref who can’t speak French.

Both teams actually trying to play rugby, pleasantly surprised

[Torquemada 1420]

Mystifying to appoint a ref who can’t speak French.

Brain dead but that sums up the ERC.

[sockwithaticket]

Can almost forgive the pink boots with finishes like that.

[Torquemada 1420]

Was about to post that surprised Jalibert taking the dead ballers.

[Torquemada 1420]

Has to be the first decent game I've seen from Graou in half a decade. So far.

[Torquemada 1420]

Mystifying to appoint a ref who can’t speak French.

Or a commentator who can close to pronouncing players names.

[OomStruisbaai]

Mystifying to appoint a ref who can’t speak French.

It's a good thing.

[Torquemada 1420]

Now that is some score.

[sockwithaticket]

LBB is ridiculous.

[Torquemada 1420]

Also, normal Graou service resumed

[Torquemada 1420]

Dangerous to chase a game against UBB. Turnovers will be murdered.

[Torquemada 1420]

Meafou really is a freak.

[Torquemada 1420]

This kid Gazzotti is one to watch.

[PornDog]

Love to see some proper counter rucking

[sockwithaticket]

Feels like Ntmack is carrying into contact a lot for a fly half.

[sockwithaticket]

This kid Gazzotti is one to watch.

Yours

[Torquemada 1420]

Pfft. Not sure about that by Brace. Was there a ruck?

[I like neeps]

If Marchand is holding his head he should be having a HIA.

[Torquemada 1420]

UBB 2/3rd's wobble on.

[Torquemada 1420]

And there's Jalibert's weakness.

[Torquemada 1420]

Hopeless by Brace. Lucu clearly pulled back by the foot to prevent him getting to the ball at that ruck.

[Torquemada 1420]

Brace

Just f**k off to the local park you f**king moron.