The Official English Rugby Thread

[Tichtheid]

So bets on England playing an expansive game or their usual kick and chase anti rugby dross?

England will score 50+ and look great running 'em in from halfway.

[Kawazaki]

Tbh even if they didn't get deducated points they were still just a mid-table team, outside of the top 4.

Still so salty.

[Kawazaki]

The worst team in the league was relegated and whilst supplying many players didn't send any 9s, not even the ones they lost to Bath and Leicester

Maths as well as rugby are not your strong suit are they.

Always amusing when some takes a lofty tone and immediately drops the ball combining such as are and suit.

Sarries claiming they weren't the worst side is akin to someone banned for speeding saying they're actually a much better driver than those without points on their licence, maybe they have a technical point but by dint of their cheating the rules they don't get to make it for some time. Come back and prove it after the ban and try not to cheat again.

Though I will concede I was never a very good rugby player, and I'd hazard a guess I'm worse now than over a decade ago.

We can add shite at metaphors as well as rugby and maths.

A novel trifecta.

[Kawazaki]

Yes but they also played second stringers for many of the games when they would likely have played more of their nirmal starters, it is comparing apples and pears

As did pretty much everyone else to be fair, especially following the restart.

Saracens would not have missed the play-offs had they played the season without points penalties. They beat up Leinster in Dublin with 15 of their squad missing ffs.

[JM2K6]

Tbh even if they didn't get deducated points they were still just a mid-table team, outside of the top 4.

Still so salty.

Why would I be salty? Quins put 40 points on Saracens pre-COVID. They're a good side but once they were forced to make a show of being legal they weren't the all-conquering champions any more.

5th place is decent. There's no shame in it. If I were salty I'd be banging on about them being last and pretending it was a sign of how bad they were, like someone else.

[sockwithaticket]

Yes but they also played second stringers for many of the games when they would likely have played more of their nirmal starters, it is comparing apples and pears

As did pretty much everyone else to be fair, especially following the restart.

Saracens would not have missed the play-offs had they played the season without points penalties. They beat up Leinster in Dublin with 15 of their squad missing ffs.

I can't pretend I gave enough of a shit about Saracens' fortunes in Europe to watch that game, but would this be you pretending players who've left the club count as part of the squad again? Besides the permanent moves it's not clear how many of the loan deals were players avoiding the Championship or providing breathing room for Sarries to get their finances in order ahead of their nigh inevitable return to the Prem.

As for the other bit, there's simply no way of knowing. As has been pointed out their final points tally would've placed them on the cusp of sneaking in, but we don't know what kind of team Sarries or their opponents would have played in their fixtures had the relegation not been guaranteed.

[JM2K6]

As did pretty much everyone else to be fair, especially following the restart.

Saracens would not have missed the play-offs had they played the season without points penalties. They beat up Leinster in Dublin with 15 of their squad missing ffs.

I can't pretend I gave enough of a shit about Saracens' fortunes in Europe to watch that game, but would this be you pretending players who've left the club count as part of the squad again? Besides the permanent moves it's not clear how many of the loan deals were players avoiding the Championship or providing breathing room for Sarries to get their finances in order ahead of their nigh inevitable return to the Prem.

As for the other bit, there's simply no way of knowing. As has been pointed out their final points tally would've placed them on the cusp of sneaking in, but we don't know what kind of team Sarries or their opponents would have played in their fixtures had the relegation not been guaranteed.

Aye, the team that beat Leinster started 7 Lions and a world cup winning Saffer tighthead. Not exactly a 2nd XV.

[Raggs]

Aye, the team that beat Leinster started 7 Lions and a world cup winning Saffer tighthead. Not exactly a 2nd XV.

And had just had their arses handed to them the week before by a genuine 2nd XV from Wasps, so probably had a bit of a firework up them.

[Rhubarb & Custard]

Maths as well as rugby are not your strong suit are they.

Always amusing when some takes a lofty tone and immediately drops the ball combining such as are and suit.

Sarries claiming they weren't the worst side is akin to someone banned for speeding saying they're actually a much better driver than those without points on their licence, maybe they have a technical point but by dint of their cheating the rules they don't get to make it for some time. Come back and prove it after the ban and try not to cheat again.

Though I will concede I was never a very good rugby player, and I'd hazard a guess I'm worse now than over a decade ago.

We can add shite at metaphors as well as rugby and maths.

A novel trifecta.

I did rather a lot of maths at Uni, so that one's a little close to the bone. That said being not very good at rugby and mathematics seems the norm in this country, so how many people are that good metaphors that being poor at all three would be novel?

[SaintK]

Always amusing when some takes a lofty tone and immediately drops the ball combining such as are and suit.

Sarries claiming they weren't the worst side is akin to someone banned for speeding saying they're actually a much better driver than those without points on their licence, maybe they have a technical point but by dint of their cheating the rules they don't get to make it for some time. Come back and prove it after the ban and try not to cheat again.

Though I will concede I was never a very good rugby player, and I'd hazard a guess I'm worse now than over a decade ago.

We can add shite at metaphors as well as rugby and maths.

A novel trifecta.

I did rather a lot of maths at Uni, so that one's a little close to the bone. That said being not very good at rugby and mathematics seems the norm in this country, so how many people are that good metaphors that being poor at all three would be novel?

40-30 and game point!!

[SaintK]

Murphy finally gets the sack!!! Mutuaal my arse. Should have happened a long time ago. The senior "management" at the club beggars belief

Geordan Murphy has left his role as director of rugby at Leicester Tigers, ending a 23-year association with the Premiership club.
Tigers say the decision to part company was taken mutually after the 42-year-old was told his contract, which expired in 2021, would not be renewed.
Murphy was a player for 16 years, became Tigers head coach in 2018, and took his current post in July.
"I have spent 23 great years at Leicester Tigers," Murphy said.
"I'm most proud of the respect I earned from my team-mates and colleagues, and I'm grateful to all of them for how they have helped me, supported me and shared in my time at this club."
Leicester say they will not recruit another director of rugby, but will instead advertise for a new role within their coaching set-up.

[Margin__Walker]

Firing your DoR a week before the start of the season

Bold move.

[JM2K6]

Always seemed like an absolute spoofer, and a dick of a man.

[Woddy]

Always seemed like an absolute spoofer, and a dick of a man.

He came up with the nickname 36, which was a service to English rugby.

[sockwithaticket]

Firing your DoR a week before the start of the season

Bold move.

Given the amount of bloat at senior coach/management level for Tigers recently, trimming their options down is probably no bad thing.

As well as Borthwick, Mike Ford's still hanging around the gaff iirc?

[Margin__Walker]

Firing your DoR a week before the start of the season

Bold move.

Given the amount of bloat at senior coach/management level for Tigers recently, trimming their options down is probably no bad thing.

As well as Borthwick, Mike Ford's still hanging around the gaff iirc?

Oh, sure. He's been pretty rubbish. It's more the timing that always seems a bit keystone cops. Should have gone before now if he was going.

Was it O'Connor they fired a week or two into the season a year or two back?

For a big traditional club with a good base of support, they seem to be a complete shambles behind the scenes.

[SaintK]

Firing your DoR a week before the start of the season

Bold move.

Given the amount of bloat at senior coach/management level for Tigers recently, trimming their options down is probably no bad thing.

As well as Borthwick, Mike Ford's still hanging around the gaff iirc?

Stankovic the scrum coach has already left and the "new" attach coack (can't recall his name) has also gone.
Borthwick and Ford are going to be busy!!!

[sockwithaticket]

Firing your DoR a week before the start of the season

Bold move.

Given the amount of bloat at senior coach/management level for Tigers recently, trimming their options down is probably no bad thing.

As well as Borthwick, Mike Ford's still hanging around the gaff iirc?

Oh, sure. He's been pretty rubbish. It's more the timing that always seems a bit keystone cops. Should have gone before now if he was going.

Was it O'Connor they fired a week or two into the season a year or two back?

For a big traditional club with a good base of support, they seem to be a complete shambles behind the scenes.

True and yeah that was what they did with O'Connor. However shit he was, that was a terrible way to fire him unless there was some sort of incident demanding immediate dismissal and afaik there's never been any hint that was the case. If you're not going to give the new guy an off-season to work with the players before they embark on meaningful games you'd best pray he's an absolute miracle worker.

I suppose this shows some progress from Tigers - it's not during the season and the replacement has already been in post for a while.

[sockwithaticket]

Firing your DoR a week before the start of the season

Bold move.

Given the amount of bloat at senior coach/management level for Tigers recently, trimming their options down is probably no bad thing.

As well as Borthwick, Mike Ford's still hanging around the gaff iirc?

Stankovic the scrum coach has already left and the "new" attach coack (can't recall his name) has also gone.
Borthwick and Ford are going to be busy!!!

Absolutely mad considering the scrum has been one of their few positives. Hadn't heard about the attack coach.

Bet they're hoping for some rapid progress on ring fencing, eh?

[Bullet]

Firing your DoR a week before the start of the season

Bold move.

Given the amount of bloat at senior coach/management level for Tigers recently, trimming their options down is probably no bad thing.

As well as Borthwick, Mike Ford's still hanging around the gaff iirc?

Further trimming announced with Rory Underwood standing down from his role as Non-Executive Director on the Leicester Tigers Board with immediate effect.

Wasn't he one of those blocking any change?

[JM2K6]

Do they have financial problems?

[Margin__Walker]

Do they have financial problems?

Wouldn't be a surprise. They were the club with the most high profile issues relating to salary cuts, aren't bankrolled by a billionaire and previously had a good match day income thanks to high attendances.

[SaintK]

Firing your DoR a week before the start of the season

Bold move.

Given the amount of bloat at senior coach/management level for Tigers recently, trimming their options down is probably no bad thing.

As well as Borthwick, Mike Ford's still hanging around the gaff iirc?

Further trimming announced with Rory Underwood standing down from his role as Non-Executive Director on the Leicester Tigers Board with immediate effect.

Wasn't he one of those blocking any change?

Yep another one of trhose ex-players on the board with Ben Kay
Evidently he was against Murphy's sacking

[sockwithaticket]

Fuck me, looks like we're being treated to one of the England - Georgia scrummaging practices rather than a match.

[tc27]

As a front row I enjoyed that.

As Flatman pointed out Genge's nose inches fom the turf it that last scrum.

[Margin__Walker]

Stop it with the cute kicks already

[Oxbow]

Farrell still kicking it away, the stupid shit.

[Slick]

3 knock ons in 20 minutes from WC Jonny May

[Hal Jordan]

Farrell still kicking it away, the stupid shit.

He will never be the word class fly half he is talked up to be.

Also, no way was Georgia's anthem anything other than an old Communist rabble rouser with the hammer and sickle references removed.

[sockwithaticket]

No one looks like they know what they're doing in attack except Farrell when he kicks it for the umpteenth time.

[Hal Jordan]

No one looks like they know what they're doing in attack except Farrell when he kicks it for the umpteenth time.

It's almost like we have our two best outside centres in the wrong position and a moron at 9.

At least the forwards are turning up.

[Niegs]

No one looks like they know what they're doing in attack except Farrell when he kicks it for the umpteenth time.

But, but, but ... didn't Youngs say Eddie can work out a plan to beat anyone in 10 minutes? Maybe he forgot to tell the lads on the pitch?

[Hal Jordan]

"England's solid start" - type 2 on the Bristol stool scale.

[sockwithaticket]

Hey, look at that, putting it through the backs works.

No one looks like they know what they're doing in attack except Farrell when he kicks it for the umpteenth time.

But, but, but ... didn't Youngs say Eddie can work out a plan to beat anyone in 10 minutes? Maybe he forgot to tell the lads on the pitch?

Convincing Ben you're clever can't be a difficult task...

[sockwithaticket]

Marchant to wing now JJ's fucked?

[Hal Jordan]

JJ shows that he's a centre, but fucks himself in the process.

Can we now try and move the ball a bit instead of percentage kicking?

[Hal Jordan]

George on a hat trick so he's not coming off any time soon (fair enough). Can we give Robson 40, please?

[Oxbow]

George on a hat trick so he's not coming off any time soon (fair enough). Can we give Robson 40, please?

Preferably the first 40 with Spencer or Mitchell on the bench.

[tc27]

Typical..cut away to Scotland...im outraged etc etc

[Hal Jordan]

George on a hat trick so he's not coming off any time soon (fair enough). Can we give Robson 40, please?

Preferably the first 40 with Spencer or Mitchell on the bench.

You are a saucy knave!