The Official English Rugby Thread

[Kawazaki]

Glos playing a French side in Europe... brings back memories of Andy Hazell going bezerker on that fat prop that kept falling on him... he was running out of things to hit him with! Unlikely to mention that be little tet a tet in the comms, I imagine...

That must be one of the dumbest red cards ever earned. What an idiot.

IIRC Gloucester had spent the whole game being gouged, bitten and kicked and he decided enough was enough. Remember it seeming a not unreasonable reaction at the time.

Doesn't make what he was doing on the floor 3 yards from the ref any less dumb.

[SaintK]

That must be one of the dumbest red cards ever earned. What an idiot.

IIRC Gloucester had spent the whole game being gouged, bitten and kicked and he decided enough was enough. Remember it seeming a not unreasonable reaction at the time.

Doesn't make what he was doing on the floor 3 yards from the ref any less dumb.

Bet you'd have done the same if you'd been raked across the eyeballs

[sockwithaticket]

Quite, it's clearly not a rational act. It's red mist because he thinks someone has willingly endangered his sight. I doubt I'd be making calm, calculated decisions about how to retaliate if someone did that to me. During a professional sporting encounter no less, it's not some street brawl where you might reasonably expect any and all types of violence to be used against you, but a work place with clear codes of conduct. You sign up for a certain amount of physical punishment as a rugby player, people going after your eyes is not part of that deal.

[Kawazaki]

IIRC Gloucester had spent the whole game being gouged, bitten and kicked and he decided enough was enough. Remember it seeming a not unreasonable reaction at the time.

Doesn't make what he was doing on the floor 3 yards from the ref any less dumb.

Bet you'd have done the same if you'd been raked across the eyeballs

I toured in France three times! Been gouged and bag snatched. You settle the score the same way - when the ref can't see.

Worse gouging I had done to me was by a well-known ex-Barking scrumhalf (now a coach) in a 7s competition. Yes Kev, that one.

[SaintK]

Doesn't make what he was doing on the floor 3 yards from the ref any less dumb.

Bet you'd have done the same if you'd been raked across the eyeballs

I toured in France three times! Been gouged and bag snatched. You settle the score the same way - when the ref can't see.

Worse gouging I had done to me was by a well-known ex-Barking scrumhalf (now a coach) in a 7s competition. Yes Kev, that one.

If it's either of the ones I'm thinking then blimey

[Paddington Bear]

Honestly it was a classic Challenge Cup away game - thuggish French side at home more interested in violence than rugby, meme Celtic refereeing and not a lot riding on it. Probably worth it.

[SaintK]

Honestly it was a classic Challenge Cup away game - thuggish French side at home more interested in violence than rugby, meme Celtic refereeing and not a lot riding on it. Probably worth it.

Hazell got 14 weeks for that.

[SaintK]

Carley's spot on there despite the TMO's reluctance to call it foul play and Atkinson (Glaws player) in the comms box attempting to talk it down as a non-incident. Thorley goes running into contact fully upright and his head hits Rob Miller's. It's the first point of contact.

The whole point of the current push is for players to be tackling lower and Thorley has every option to do so.

Thorley got 6 weeks reduced to 4 misses 3 matches
Would have probably got less but Glaws contested it

[mos_eisely_]

Glad to hear that Eddie brought in Barnes and Carley to go through reffing decisions with the squad.

Hope it brings the penalty count right down this weekend. Then we might have a chance

[Un Pilier]

IIRC Gloucester had spent the whole game being gouged, bitten and kicked and he decided enough was enough. Remember it seeming a not unreasonable reaction at the time.

Doesn't make what he was doing on the floor 3 yards from the ref any less dumb.

Bet you'd have done the same if you'd been raked across the eyeballs

I would. If I was sure it was the right guy, I would. Tbf, not many of my games were televised

[geordie_6]

Mail reporting that Malins has been starting at full back in training this week. Also that LCD and (sigh) Ewels are pushing for a starting place. Telegraph reporting similar, along with Ben Earls possibly starting.

See what today brings.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugby ... tions.html

[Paddington Bear]

Only thing keeping me in this game is that every time under Eddie we've been expected to lose heavily he's pulled a rabbit out of the hat. Struggling to see it but would be nice.

[Hal Jordan]

I suppose the crunch will be what he does with the back row, because we could end up with Ewels and Hill at lock and Itoje at 6...

Or Crazy Eddie picking Martin as a fuck you to the critics.

[Raggs]

Mail reporting that Malins has been starting at full back in training this week. Also that LCD and (sigh) Ewels are pushing for a starting place. Telegraph reporting similar, along with Ben Earls possibly starting.

See what today brings.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugby ... tions.html

No issue with Ewels starting, it means at least one of the players responsible for stupid penalties is getting dropped to the bench. Don't care if he's not exceptional himself.

[Kawazaki]

Only thing keeping me in this game is that every time under Eddie we've been expected to lose heavily he's pulled a rabbit out of the hat. Struggling to see it but would be nice.

I suspect any half-decent coach could get a tune out of the best players who are eligible to play for England. Persistently picking the ones who aren't the best or who aren't the best and picking them out of position or out of form or who have ossified into the team after 100+ caps is not something a half-decent coach would do.

[Happyhooker]

Mail reporting that Malins has been starting at full back in training this week. Also that LCD and (sigh) Ewels are pushing for a starting place. Telegraph reporting similar, along with Ben Earls possibly starting.

See what today brings.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugby ... tions.html

No issue with Ewels starting, it means at least one of the players responsible for stupid penalties is getting dropped to the bench. Don't care if he's not exceptional himself.

No. He'll be moved to 6

[sockwithaticket]

Mail reporting that Malins has been starting at full back in training this week. Also that LCD and (sigh) Ewels are pushing for a starting place. Telegraph reporting similar, along with Ben Earls possibly starting.

See what today brings.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugby ... tions.html

Malins and LCD would be most welcome.

I'd worry that chucking them into the France game has the potential to see them used as escape goats in the event of it going as badly as some of us fear, regardless of their individual contribution. I also fear Malins might not be ready. He seems class and we need to find out whether he is or not, but after a few minutes here and there at the end of games a start against France is a pretty big step up.

[Ovals]

Mail reporting that Malins has been starting at full back in training this week. Also that LCD and (sigh) Ewels are pushing for a starting place. Telegraph reporting similar, along with Ben Earls possibly starting.

See what today brings.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugby ... tions.html

Malins and LCD would be most welcome.

I'd worry that chucking them into the France game has the potential to see them used as escape goats in the event of it going as badly as some of us fear, regardless of their individual contribution. I also fear Malins might not be ready. He seems class and we need to find out whether he is or not, but after a few minutes here and there at the end of games a start against France is a pretty big step up.

Ready or not - he only has to be better than Daly at FB to improve the team - so the bar is not very high.

[sockwithaticket]

Mail reporting that Malins has been starting at full back in training this week. Also that LCD and (sigh) Ewels are pushing for a starting place. Telegraph reporting similar, along with Ben Earls possibly starting.

See what today brings.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugby ... tions.html

Malins and LCD would be most welcome.

I'd worry that chucking them into the France game has the potential to see them used as escape goats in the event of it going as badly as some of us fear, regardless of their individual contribution. I also fear Malins might not be ready. He seems class and we need to find out whether he is or not, but after a few minutes here and there at the end of games a start against France is a pretty big step up.

Ready or not - he only has to be better than Daly at FB to improve the team - so the bar is not very high.

True, but I worry that if he's anything less than amazing it'll be an excuse for Eddie to re-deploy Daly straight away. In the interests of seeing Malins or A N Other take the fullback shirt I'd rather they got their shot against a more beatable team and with England running a little better. We saw how quickly Lawrence got dropped when his lack of involvement was largely the responsibility of more senior players.

[JM2K6]

Malins has earned it.

Earl's been pretty flaky for England so far - lots of errors, not much to be positive about - but I'm happy to extend the same "wait and see what he's like when he's allowed to start a game, not chase one" that I do for Robson. Not sure how it's going to look with Itoje supposedly moving to 6, though.

[Hells Bells]

Think Earl will start at 7 and Curry will move back to 6, don’t know how much that will change things (probably improves on our carrying but will lose some of the ruck work/no penalty count that Wilson brings).

Ewels has never done much for England but Hill has been utterly braindead so far in his England career.

[Margin__Walker]

Pretty much as per the leaks. Looks a little better

15. Max Malins (Bristol Bears, 6 caps)
14. Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, 49 caps)
13. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 37 caps)
12. Owen Farrell (Saracens, 91 caps) (C)
11. Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby, 64 caps)
10. George Ford (Leicester Tigers, 75 caps)
9. Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 107 caps)

1. Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 65 caps)
2. Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, 29 caps)
3. Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, 42 caps)
4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 46 caps)
5. Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, 19 caps)
6. Mark Wilson (Newcastle Falcons, 21 caps)
7. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 31 caps)
8. Billy Vunipola (Saracens, 59 caps)

FINISHERS
16. Jamie George (Saracens, 57 caps)
17. Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, 26 caps)
18. Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 10 caps)
19. Jonny Hill (Exeter Chiefs, 7 caps)
20. Ben Earl (Bristol Bears, 11 caps)
21. Dan Robson (Wasps, 10 caps)
22. Ollie Lawrence (Worcester Warriors, 4 caps)
23. Elliot Daly (Saracens, 50 caps)

[Paddington Bear]

On paper that's a very good side. Let's hope it sticks it together.

[JM2K6]

Malins alone should really help us get some attacking & counter-attacking threat going. Please let us play rugby, Eddie.

Surprised to see Wilson back, I thought he was a goner after being singled out for the first loss.

[Kawazaki]

Ben Youngs - "Dupont is changing the way that 9s play"

https://www.skysports.com/watch/video/s ... -half-role


Youngs is being very modest here. He has changed the way that 9s play as well and what's more he has done it for much much longer than Dupont.

About 10 fucking years so far without any indication that he will ever play differently.

[Kawazaki]

Malins alone should really help us get some attacking & counter-attacking threat going. Please let us play rugby, Eddie.

Surprised to see Wilson back, I thought he was a goner after being singled out for the first loss.

He'll kick the leather off it. You know this. I know this.

[sockwithaticket]

Not much to argue with there given the available players and Eddie's cast iron picks.

[ASMO]

On paper that's a very good side. Let's hope it sticks it together.

Which paper are you reading? What he has done is basically polished a turd instead of performing surgery.

[Oxbow]

What was the point in bringing Ribbans into the squad then starting with Charlie 'well I suppose he fills out a shirt' fucking Ewels.

[JM2K6]

What was the point in bringing Ribbans into the squad then starting with Charlie 'well I suppose he fills out a shirt' fucking Ewels.

Gives R&C another opportunity to say how Eddie's giving more players like Ribbans a chance

[sockwithaticket]

Before England put me through the ringer on Saturday Wasps get a chance to further disappoint on Friday.



Pleased for Miller that he gets to retain the 15 shirt after another strong showing. It's, on paper, a strong side, but it's been losing to all comers and I don't see much changing despite a slight uptick in our attacking capability last week against Gloucester.



That looks a very strong Bris team, although Tiff Eden at 10 is a big downgrade from Sheedy. Were it not for the way they struggled against Worcester last week I'd fully expect them to dick us hard.

[Hal Jordan]

Lots of paper being waved about on this thread.

[JM2K6]

That's a very weak Bristol side.

[Kawazaki]

Just seen this from yesterday, Clive Woodward picked his XV to start against France on Saturday.

15 Max Malins
14 Anthony Watson
13 Piers O'Connor
12 Henry Slade
11 Paolo Odogwu
10 Marcus Smith (VC)
9 Harry Randall
1 Ellis Genge
2 Luke Cowan-Dickie
3 Kyle Sinkler
4 Maro Itoje (C)
5 Alex Dombrandt
6 Sam Underhill
7 Tom Curry
8 Sam Simmonds.

[sockwithaticket]

That's a very weak Bristol side.

Piutau, Purdy, O'Connor and Naulago are class. Uren might not be on the same level as Randall, but he's still a good Prem 9.

Other than Vui into the second row ahead of Joyce and maybe Thacker at 2 instead of Byrne (who has been very good for them) I don't see who from the pack would drop out. Possibly Lahiff, but Afoa's ancient and best suited to a bench role now.

[sockwithaticket]

Just seen this from yesterday, Clive Woodward picked his XV to start against France on Saturday.

15 Max Malins
14 Anthony Watson
13 Piers O'Connor - Not in either squad. Whether you agree with it or not there's no mechanism to pick him barring an injury to someone.
12 Henry Slade - where he's not looked particularly effective in the past
11 Paolo Odogwu
10 Marcus Smith (VC) - Not in either squad.
9 Harry Randall - Injured
1 Ellis Genge
2 Luke Cowan-Dickie
3 Kyle Sinkler
4 Maro Itoje (C)
5 Alex Dombrandt - Ridiculously out of position, also not in either squad.
6 Sam Underhill - Just back after injury and not in either squad
7 Tom Curry
8 Sam Simmonds. - Not in either squad.

Fucking, Clive. I really wish people would stop paying him for his bullshit opinions.

[JM2K6]

That's a very weak Bristol side.

Piutau, Purdy, O'Connor and Naulago are class. Uren might not be on the same level as Randall, but he's still a good Prem 9.

Other than Vui into the second row ahead of Joyce and maybe Thacker at 2 instead of Byrne (who has been very good for them) I don't see who from the pack would drop out. Possibly Lahiff, but Afoa's ancient and best suited to a bench role now.

Piutau when fit and on form is world class, but he did not look either of those things last time out. Purdy is a good-not-great winger and not a centre's arsehole. O'Conor is excellent. Naulago is dangerous but is still coming to terms with the basics of the game.

I think Uren's okay and I know ASMO hates him, but he's not a top scrum half. Eden is Championship stuff. Adeolokun is very raw. Lahiff is 3rd choice and a big step down from the top 2 (Afoa's been tearing it up, age is irrelevant when you're that good). Joyce is a nobody. Byrne's making the best of his opportunities but he's no Thacker (and tbh I think hooker is a weak spot for them anyway). Yann Thomas isn't great. Dan Thomas is miles below Ben Earl's standard. No Malins means no alternative if Piutau isn't on form, too.

It's a poor Bristol side. I don't doubt Lam's ability to get a tune out of them, though.

[ASMO]

That's a very weak Bristol side.

Piutau, Purdy, O'Connor and Naulago are class. Uren might not be on the same level as Randall, but he's still a good Prem 9.

Other than Vui into the second row ahead of Joyce and maybe Thacker at 2 instead of Byrne (who has been very good for them) I don't see who from the pack would drop out. Possibly Lahiff, but Afoa's ancient and best suited to a bench role now.

Piutau when fit and on form is world class, but he did not look either of those things last time out. Purdy is a good-not-great winger and not a centre's arsehole. O'Conor is excellent. Naulago is dangerous but is still coming to terms with the basics of the game.

I think Uren's okay and I know ASMO hates him, but he's not a top scrum half. Eden is Championship stuff. Adeolokun is very raw. Lahiff is 3rd choice and a big step down from the top 2 (Afoa's been tearing it up, age is irrelevant when you're that good). Joyce is a nobody. Byrne's making the best of his opportunities but he's no Thacker (and tbh I think hooker is a weak spot for them anyway). Yann Thomas isn't great. Dan Thomas is miles below Ben Earl's standard. No Malins means no alternative if Piutau isn't on form, too.

It's a poor Bristol side. I don't doubt Lam's ability to get a tune out of them, though.

Guilty as charged, he is a younger crappier version of Ben Youngs...service so slow and inaccurate.

[Hal Jordan]

Is he eligible for England, he sounds just the ticket.

[Kawazaki]

Guilty as charged, he is a younger crappier version of Ben Youngs...service so slow and inaccurate.

There are no crappier versions of Ben Youngs. I'd consider Mauro Bergamasco an upgrade now.