NPR

Jeff the Bear wrote: ↑Sun Dec 13, 2020 6:01 pm So, back to the good old days this weekend, with the regions putting in various degrees of solid shifts, and the Dragons being the embarrassment of Wales.

Alright, calm down Jeff.

A couple of weeks of the ospreys not embarrassing themselves and suddenly the dragons start copping shit again. Let's see how the dragons do when we have more than one fit tighthead, and don't have to make a reshuffle at the last minute.

Congratulations to all the other regions... Good wins.

3 wins out of 4. I'm in a state of shock

I'm very happy with that draw. Topping the pool must be well in our favour, and qualifying should be dead cert against teams we are very good against(bar Japan)

Theflier wrote: ↑Mon Dec 14, 2020 1:00 pm I'm very happy with that draw. Topping the pool must be well in our favour, and qualifying should be dead cert against teams we are very good against(bar Japan)

You being serious?

frodder wrote: ↑Mon Dec 14, 2020 1:09 pm

Theflier wrote: ↑Mon Dec 14, 2020 1:00 pm I'm very happy with that draw. Topping the pool must be well in our favour, and qualifying should be dead cert against teams we are very good against(bar Japan)

You being serious?

Very. Fiji are perennial improvers. Australia are apparently brilliant, despite finishing last in a tri nations they hosted with a great coach. A combined Wales Oz team has more welsh than Oz. We know why Wales are shit, its not hard to fix and assuming its done well we then face what would be the easiest 1/4 teams for Wales. We've great players coming back and great players coming through and foreigners where we need them

Theflier wrote: ↑Mon Dec 14, 2020 1:23 pm

frodder wrote: ↑Mon Dec 14, 2020 1:09 pm

Theflier wrote: ↑Mon Dec 14, 2020 1:00 pm I'm very happy with that draw. Topping the pool must be well in our favour, and qualifying should be dead cert against teams we are very good against(bar Japan)

You being serious?

Very. Fiji are perennial improvers. Australia are apparently brilliant, despite finishing last in a tri nations they hosted with a great coach. A combined Wales Oz team has more welsh than Oz. We know why Wales are shit, its not hard to fix and assuming its done well we then face what would be the easiest 1/4 teams for Wales. We've great players coming back and great players coming through and foreigners where we need them

Foreigners? I admire your honesty.

Rumour mill saying Glos have signed Hastings, so Jarrod is safe. Personally, I think Hastings is vastly inferior, but great for Cardiff

Theflier wrote: ↑Mon Dec 14, 2020 8:13 pm Rumour mill saying Glos have signed Hastings, so Jarrod is safe. Personally, I think Hastings is vastly inferior, but great for Cardiff

Dodged a bullet there. When Pivac is sacked he'll be the starting 10 soon enough

Theflier wrote: ↑Mon Dec 14, 2020 8:13 pm Rumour mill saying Glos have signed Hastings, so Jarrod is safe. Personally, I think Hastings is vastly inferior, but great for Cardiff

Confirmed

Jeff the Bear wrote: ↑Sun Dec 13, 2020 6:01 pm So, back to the good old days this weekend, with the regions putting in various degrees of solid shifts, and the Dragons being the embarrassment of Wales.

I suppose if the Dragons had had Castres this weekend would have gone a lot better for them, but unfortunately they had actual opposition. Not going to lie though, it's not going to get better this weekend.

Theflier wrote: ↑Mon Dec 14, 2020 1:00 pm I'm very happy with that draw. Topping the pool must be well in our favour, and qualifying should be dead cert against teams we are very good against(bar Japan)

Should play Fiji before the cup just to see how Wales fair. But yes, Wales should get out of that group.

bessantj wrote: ↑Wed Dec 16, 2020 7:27 am

Jeff the Bear wrote: ↑Sun Dec 13, 2020 6:01 pm So, back to the good old days this weekend, with the regions putting in various degrees of solid shifts, and the Dragons being the embarrassment of Wales.

I suppose if the Dragons had had Castres this weekend would have gone a lot better for them, but unfortunately they had actual opposition. Not going to lie though, it's not going to get better this weekend.

Sounds like we're missing 16 players, which for our squad is pretty catastrophic. No Hewitt, Screech, Wainwright, Brown, Keddie, Fairbrother, Moriarty, Bateman, Warren, Fry, Tom Griffiths, Max Williams, and probably no Ollie Griffiths, Jordan Williams, Taylor, Greggains,

I guess we'll face Bordeaux with a similar team to last week, but I'm hoping we see Joe Davies in for Maksymiw, maybe Dee starting instead of Hibbs. If Ollie Griffiths is injured again then I'm not sure what the backrow will look like...Lewis Evans and Taine Basham are about the only fit ones left. Just have to hope that Taylor and Greggains pass their fitness checks.

penguin wrote: ↑Wed Dec 16, 2020 10:20 am

bessantj wrote: ↑Wed Dec 16, 2020 7:27 am

Jeff the Bear wrote: ↑Sun Dec 13, 2020 6:01 pm So, back to the good old days this weekend, with the regions putting in various degrees of solid shifts, and the Dragons being the embarrassment of Wales.

I suppose if the Dragons had had Castres this weekend would have gone a lot better for them, but unfortunately they had actual opposition. Not going to lie though, it's not going to get better this weekend.

Sounds like we're missing 16 players, which for our squad is pretty catastrophic. No Hewitt, Screech, Wainwright, Brown, Keddie, Fairbrother, Moriarty, Bateman, Warren, Fry, Tom Griffiths, Max Williams, and probably no Ollie Griffiths, Jordan Williams, Taylor, Greggains,

I guess we'll face Bordeaux with a similar team to last week, but I'm hoping we see Joe Davies in for Maksymiw, maybe Dee starting instead of Hibbs. If Ollie Griffiths is injured again then I'm not sure what the backrow will look like...Lewis Evans and Taine Basham are about the only fit ones left. Just have to hope that Taylor and Greggains pass their fitness checks.

Mate, get your boots and pop down there for us. This is going to be grim.

bessantj wrote: ↑Wed Dec 16, 2020 12:19 pm

penguin wrote: ↑Wed Dec 16, 2020 10:20 am

bessantj wrote: ↑Wed Dec 16, 2020 7:27 am

I suppose if the Dragons had had Castres this weekend would have gone a lot better for them, but unfortunately they had actual opposition. Not going to lie though, it's not going to get better this weekend.

Sounds like we're missing 16 players, which for our squad is pretty catastrophic. No Hewitt, Screech, Wainwright, Brown, Keddie, Fairbrother, Moriarty, Bateman, Warren, Fry, Tom Griffiths, Max Williams, and probably no Ollie Griffiths, Jordan Williams, Taylor, Greggains,

I guess we'll face Bordeaux with a similar team to last week, but I'm hoping we see Joe Davies in for Maksymiw, maybe Dee starting instead of Hibbs. If Ollie Griffiths is injured again then I'm not sure what the backrow will look like...Lewis Evans and Taine Basham are about the only fit ones left. Just have to hope that Taylor and Greggains pass their fitness checks.

Mate, get your boots and pop down there for us. This is going to be grim.

Well, you know...I would...but I haven't renewed my passport this year, otherwise I'd be delighted to tackle the likes of <checks notes> Beka Gorgadze, Cameron Woki and Alexandre Roumat. Fuck that for a game of soldiers...

penguin wrote: ↑Wed Dec 16, 2020 1:06 pm

bessantj wrote: ↑Wed Dec 16, 2020 12:19 pm

penguin wrote: ↑Wed Dec 16, 2020 10:20 am

Sounds like we're missing 16 players, which for our squad is pretty catastrophic. No Hewitt, Screech, Wainwright, Brown, Keddie, Fairbrother, Moriarty, Bateman, Warren, Fry, Tom Griffiths, Max Williams, and probably no Ollie Griffiths, Jordan Williams, Taylor, Greggains,

I guess we'll face Bordeaux with a similar team to last week, but I'm hoping we see Joe Davies in for Maksymiw, maybe Dee starting instead of Hibbs. If Ollie Griffiths is injured again then I'm not sure what the backrow will look like...Lewis Evans and Taine Basham are about the only fit ones left. Just have to hope that Taylor and Greggains pass their fitness checks.

Mate, get your boots and pop down there for us. This is going to be grim.

Well, you know...I would...but I haven't renewed my passport this year, otherwise I'd be delighted to tackle the likes of <checks notes> Beka Gorgadze, Cameron Woki and Alexandre Roumat. Fuck that for a game of soldiers...

Oh come on now, how bad could it *looks up Cameron Woki*... sweet jesus.

We'll loan you James Botham for a game. He's our 4th choice 6 as well as a Wales starter

frodder wrote: ↑Wed Dec 16, 2020 3:17 pm We'll loan you James Botham for a game. He's our 4th choice 6 as well as a Wales starter

Excellent, in return if you have any jars that are difficult to open we can help you with that.

bessantj wrote: ↑Wed Dec 16, 2020 6:13 pm

frodder wrote: ↑Wed Dec 16, 2020 3:17 pm We'll loan you James Botham for a game. He's our 4th choice 6 as well as a Wales starter

Excellent, in return if you have any jars that are difficult to open we can help you with that.

That's a deal

3 wins out of 4 again

frodder wrote: ↑Sun Dec 20, 2020 11:14 am 3 wins out of 4 again

Yes Blues and Scarlets did exceptionally well in their games.

bessantj wrote: ↑Sun Dec 20, 2020 4:29 pm

frodder wrote: ↑Sun Dec 20, 2020 11:14 am 3 wins out of 4 again

Yes Blues and Scarlets did exceptionally well in their games.

The cheese eaters couldn't hack it mate

Grim score for the dregs, saw the first 10 or so, they looked good, somewhat surprised by that level of dicking, then again, they shouldn't be in this comp

frodder wrote: ↑Sun Dec 20, 2020 4:38 pm

bessantj wrote: ↑Sun Dec 20, 2020 4:29 pm

frodder wrote: ↑Sun Dec 20, 2020 11:14 am 3 wins out of 4 again

Yes Blues and Scarlets did exceptionally well in their games.

The cheese eaters couldn't hack it mate

They don't like it up em.

Theflier wrote: ↑Sun Dec 20, 2020 4:41 pm Grim score for the dregs, saw the first 10 or so, they looked good, somewhat surprised by that level of dicking, then again, they shouldn't be in this comp

The team half way through was a complete scratch side. Disappointing but not that surprising. I'm just hoping we can put out our best side somewhere before we are unceremoniously dumped out...

The Ospreys were excellent tbf. North actually looked threatening again.

Beck played really well and it's a case of what could've been for him

frodder wrote: ↑Sun Dec 20, 2020 9:22 pm The Ospreys were excellent tbf. North actually looked threatening again.

Beck played really well and it's a case of what could've been for him

Yes, good game to watch. Like the Castres match, they came back from a bad spell part way through. If you really want to you can see Sam Parry’s gash on line, not nice, it must have stung.

Ospreys figuring out that if you get the ball in North's hands then he's actually quite useful...about time.

Nice to see Beard and Rhys Davies looking good in the second row. Morgan Morris is now getting the WOL hype treatment (but it was a pretty special 17 minutes from him). Pack may not be the mean machine of a few years back but it's got a bit more grit about it now. Good to see.

Would like to see what that backline could look like with Anscombe at 10 rather than Myler. Myler's been a really solid signing, just what they needed after the Luke Price/Marty Mackenzie debacle last year, but he makes Dan Biggar look like Barry John. Lots of good 9s, a crop of wingers with genuine threat, Dan Evans back and firing, decent options in the centres...just need another 10 because if Myler gets injured then they're back to kids.

Correct, their pack looks solid again and it's a mystery why Beard is being overlooked. Nicky Smith seems to be back scrummaging much better too. Myler's goal kicking alone makes him a good signing.

Unfortunately I can't see Anscombe coming back anytime soon so my prediction is they bring Biggar back.

frodder wrote: ↑Mon Dec 21, 2020 9:41 am Correct, their pack looks solid again and it's a mystery why Beard is being overlooked. Nicky Smith seems to be back scrummaging much better too. Myler's goal kicking alone makes him a good signing.

Unfortunately I can't see Anscombe coming back anytime soon so my prediction is they bring Biggar back.

True, and even if he does come back how long will it take him to get back up to speed (assuming he can)? The problem would be that, until Anscombe is either back or gone, it leaves a question mark which might stop a decent player from signing. If you are at a stage of your career where you want to challenge for a Wales spot would you risk Anscombe suddenly reappearing and relegating you to sub status? I'm mainly thinking of someone like Sheedy. With no Anscombe the Ospreys might be attractive, but while he's there in the shadows he's a threat. Tricky position for the Ospreys. Biggar is probably confident enough in himself that he might choose to take that head on, but for most Welsh 10s it might be more of a concern.

penguin wrote: ↑Mon Dec 21, 2020 10:19 am

frodder wrote: ↑Mon Dec 21, 2020 9:41 am Correct, their pack looks solid again and it's a mystery why Beard is being overlooked. Nicky Smith seems to be back scrummaging much better too. Myler's goal kicking alone makes him a good signing.

Unfortunately I can't see Anscombe coming back anytime soon so my prediction is they bring Biggar back.

True, and even if he does come back how long will it take him to get back up to speed (assuming he can)? The problem would be that, until Anscombe is either back or gone, it leaves a question mark which might stop a decent player from signing. If you are at a stage of your career where you want to challenge for a Wales spot would you risk Anscombe suddenly reappearing and relegating you to sub status? I'm mainly thinking of someone like Sheedy. With no Anscombe the Ospreys might be attractive, but while he's there in the shadows he's a threat. Tricky position for the Ospreys. Biggar is probably confident enough in himself that he might choose to take that head on, but for most Welsh 10s it might be more of a concern.

The answer is very simple. Bring back Ookie

frodder wrote: ↑Mon Dec 21, 2020 1:03 pm

penguin wrote: ↑Mon Dec 21, 2020 10:19 am

frodder wrote: ↑Mon Dec 21, 2020 9:41 am Correct, their pack looks solid again and it's a mystery why Beard is being overlooked. Nicky Smith seems to be back scrummaging much better too. Myler's goal kicking alone makes him a good signing.

Unfortunately I can't see Anscombe coming back anytime soon so my prediction is they bring Biggar back.

True, and even if he does come back how long will it take him to get back up to speed (assuming he can)? The problem would be that, until Anscombe is either back or gone, it leaves a question mark which might stop a decent player from signing. If you are at a stage of your career where you want to challenge for a Wales spot would you risk Anscombe suddenly reappearing and relegating you to sub status? I'm mainly thinking of someone like Sheedy. With no Anscombe the Ospreys might be attractive, but while he's there in the shadows he's a threat. Tricky position for the Ospreys. Biggar is probably confident enough in himself that he might choose to take that head on, but for most Welsh 10s it might be more of a concern.

The answer is very simple. Bring back Ookie

Somewhere a WOL journalist's ears just pricked up...

So some of the turk players told some toulon players that the covid situation was not as reported to epcr. I see generations of mating with cabbages is yielding rewards

Theflier wrote: ↑Mon Dec 21, 2020 6:49 pm So some of the turk players told some toulon players that the covid situation was not as reported to epcr. I see generations of mating with cabbages is yielding rewards

We have a sauce for this?

Aled Brew hanging up his boots

Loved to watch him play, beloved wherever he went.

Theflier wrote: ↑Mon Dec 21, 2020 6:49 pm So some of the turk players told some toulon players that the covid situation was not as reported to epcr. I see generations of mating with cabbages is yielding rewards

Given that they were the ones who reaped the rewards of Toulon running away; I'd say they weren't cabbages; they were craftier than the fox what used to be Professor of Cunning at Oxford University !

It is a little surprising that Toulon didn't mention this in the 5,000 page whine afterward.

bessantj wrote: ↑Wed Dec 23, 2020 8:45 pm Aled Brew hanging up his boots

Loved to watch him play, beloved wherever he went.

Bath fans loved him as he was excellent for them. Happy retirement Aled

fishfoodie wrote: ↑Wed Dec 23, 2020 9:15 pm

Theflier wrote: ↑Mon Dec 21, 2020 6:49 pm So some of the turk players told some toulon players that the covid situation was not as reported to epcr. I see generations of mating with cabbages is yielding rewards

Given that they were the ones who reaped the rewards of Toulon running away; I'd say they weren't cabbages; they were craftier than the fox what used to be Professor of Cunning at Oxford University !

It is a little surprising that Toulon didn't mention this in the 5,000 page whine afterward.

thefliar ... nothing more to say

Wyndham Upalot wrote: ↑Wed Dec 23, 2020 9:49 pm

fishfoodie wrote: ↑Wed Dec 23, 2020 9:15 pm

Theflier wrote: ↑Mon Dec 21, 2020 6:49 pm So some of the turk players told some toulon players that the covid situation was not as reported to epcr. I see generations of mating with cabbages is yielding rewards

Given that they were the ones who reaped the rewards of Toulon running away; I'd say they weren't cabbages; they were craftier than the fox what used to be Professor of Cunning at Oxford University !

It is a little surprising that Toulon didn't mention this in the 5,000 page whine afterward.

thefliar ... nothing more to say

GogLais wrote: ↑Sun Dec 20, 2020 9:31 pm If you really want to you can see Sam Parry’s gash on line.

He’s not that bad.

Nadolig llawen. Hope you're all having a good one.