NPR

JM2K6 wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2025 9:30 am

Slick wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2025 8:30 am

JM2K6 wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2025 8:23 am It's weird how the Scottish fans are getting so wound up over this

Here comes the arrogant English

We must be winning again

A bloke sat near me Saturday spent the game chain vaping, loudly explained at half-time his recent promotion and pay rise, before throwing wanker signs at the French fans as they left. Think it’s fair to say we are back

Paddington Bear wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2025 9:46 am
A bloke sat near me Saturday spent the game chain vaping

You can vape at Twickers?

Sandstorm wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2025 9:59 am

Paddington Bear wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2025 9:46 am
A bloke sat near me Saturday spent the game chain vaping

You can vape at Twickers?

No but like just about every other place where it’s banned people just ignore it. Was the same in Dublin last week, same on trains particularly outside of rush hour etc.

I did chuckle at the amount of ‘ne fumer pas’ announcements required on the concourses pre-match as well, heated Gallic moment

Paddington Bear wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2025 9:46 am

JM2K6 wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2025 9:30 am

Slick wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2025 8:30 am

Here comes the arrogant English

We must be winning again

A bloke sat near me Saturday spent the game chain vaping, loudly explained at half-time his recent promotion and pay rise, before throwing wanker signs at the French fans as they left. Think it’s fair to say we are back

Probably a cunt in Corporate Hospitality who wouldn't know one end of a rugby ball if it was stuck up his arse.
The RFU have been squeezing junior clubs on ticket allocations to free up more for Corporate Hospitality as they make far more money out of them

Gatland gone from Wales

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union ... wrj451k95o

So they have 2 weeks to find someone to replace him.

Although his position was clearly untenable after 14 straight losses, I can't imagine there will be a massive queue of people to replace him. Given the talent available to the Welsh team and the structural problems in Wales, I can't help feeling that this is a position that no one will want and no one will succeed in.

JM2K6 wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2025 8:23 am It's weird how the Scottish fans are getting so wound up over this

Not as hilarious as the mental cartwheels you're all doing on the Quins forum to try and find ways to explain why Marcus should be starting for England and/or why things are easier for Fin. Genuinely lol reading through it earlier.

Also interesting that even some of his biggest fans have finally noticed my observation that Marcus isn't half the player without a massive 12 to assist him.

Kawazaki wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2025 11:01 am

JM2K6 wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2025 8:23 am It's weird how the Scottish fans are getting so wound up over this

Not as hilarious as the mental cartwheels you're all doing on the Quins forum to try and find ways to explain why Marcus should be starting for England and/or why things are easier for Fin. Genuinely lol reading through it earlier.

Also interesting that even some of his biggest fans have finally noticed my observation that Marcus isn't half the player without a massive 12 to assist him.

You must know how extremely weird your behaviour is here, right? Replying to an obvious wind up joke that has nothing to do with you with this stalkery shit?

As it happens, I haven't said anything about it being easier for Fin, that's just a lie. I've also spent a significant amount of time on there defending Fin from fans bitter about the coverage, and have repeatedly said he should be the starting 10. It's bad enough you have this creepy obsession, but the least you could do is try and be remotely honest about it.

Now do us all a favour and fuck off, will you?

Lobby wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2025 10:58 am Gatland gone from Wales

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union ... wrj451k95o

So they have 2 weeks to find someone to replace him.

Although his position was clearly untenable after 14 straight losses, I can't imagine there will be a massive queue of people to replace him. Given the talent available to the Welsh team and the structural problems in Wales, I can't help feeling that this is a position that no one will want and no one will succeed in.

£2m pay off? How the fuck can the WRU afford that?

JM2K6 wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2025 11:13 am

Kawazaki wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2025 11:01 am

JM2K6 wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2025 8:23 am It's weird how the Scottish fans are getting so wound up over this

Not as hilarious as the mental cartwheels you're all doing on the Quins forum to try and find ways to explain why Marcus should be starting for England and/or why things are easier for Fin. Genuinely lol reading through it earlier.

Also interesting that even some of his biggest fans have finally noticed my observation that Marcus isn't half the player without a massive 12 to assist him.

You must know how extremely weird your behaviour is here, right? Replying to an obvious wind up joke that has nothing to do with you with this stalkery shit?

As it happens, I haven't said anything about it being easier for Fin, that's just a lie. I've also spent a significant amount of time on there defending Fin from fans bitter about the coverage, and have repeatedly said he should be the starting 10. It's bad enough you have this creepy obsession, but the least you could do is try and be remotely honest about it.

Now do us all a favour and fuck off, will you?

I go there for a laugh - what's wrong with that? The squirming and whataboutery is hilarious.

As for being honest - yeah right oh!

Fuck off, weirdo.

JM2K6 wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2025 11:21 am Fuck off, weirdo.

Keep banging your drum JM - everyone else is wrong.

SaintK wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2025 11:16 am

Lobby wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2025 10:58 am Gatland gone from Wales

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union ... wrj451k95o

So they have 2 weeks to find someone to replace him.

Although his position was clearly untenable after 14 straight losses, I can't imagine there will be a massive queue of people to replace him. Given the talent available to the Welsh team and the structural problems in Wales, I can't help feeling that this is a position that no one will want and no one will succeed in.

£2m pay off? How the fuck can the WRU afford that?

I haven’t seen mention of a payoff. Where’s that being reported? That’s a huge figure for a nearly broke WRFU.

ScarfaceClaw wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2025 11:31 am

SaintK wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2025 11:16 am

Lobby wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2025 10:58 am Gatland gone from Wales

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union ... wrj451k95o

So they have 2 weeks to find someone to replace him.

Although his position was clearly untenable after 14 straight losses, I can't imagine there will be a massive queue of people to replace him. Given the talent available to the Welsh team and the structural problems in Wales, I can't help feeling that this is a position that no one will want and no one will succeed in.

£2m pay off? How the fuck can the WRU afford that?

I haven’t seen mention of a payoff. Where’s that being reported? That’s a huge figure for a nearly broke WRFU.

I haven't seen that either. Where'd you get that figure (SaintK)?

Meanwhile the Scots will be fearful that the WRU are chasing after Franco Smith to replace Gatland.

Lobby wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2025 11:35 am

ScarfaceClaw wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2025 11:31 am

SaintK wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2025 11:16 am
£2m pay off? How the fuck can the WRU afford that?

I haven’t seen mention of a payoff. Where’s that being reported? That’s a huge figure for a nearly broke WRFU.

I haven't seen that either. Where'd you get that figure (SaintK)?

Meanwhile the Scots will be fearful that the WRU are chasing after Franco Smith to replace Gatland.

Hopefully it will make the SRU get their fingers out their arses and get a proper succession plan in place

SaintK wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2025 11:16 am

Lobby wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2025 10:58 am Gatland gone from Wales

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union ... wrj451k95o

So they have 2 weeks to find someone to replace him.

Although his position was clearly untenable after 14 straight losses, I can't imagine there will be a massive queue of people to replace him. Given the talent available to the Welsh team and the structural problems in Wales, I can't help feeling that this is a position that no one will want and no one will succeed in.

£2m pay off? How the fuck can the WRU afford that?

Do you reckon they let him have one last go on the zipline this morning

Actually think the Wales job would suit Lancaster perfectly

I can't see any coaching appointment being able to fix it

If I was wru chief I'd be inclined to appoint a young (and relatively cheap) Welsh coach whilst the going is not so good, and save a few quid to try to fix the mess in club and regional rugby. At least a coach taken from club rugby will appreciate - and have some idea how to at least work with - the challenges in club rugby.

Paying high profile coaches fortunes to coach the national team seems madness when you're broke and the real problems are elsewhere.

inactionman wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2025 11:42 am I can't see any coaching appointment being able to fix it

If I was wru chief I'd be inclined to appoint a young (and relatively cheap) Welsh coach whilst the going is not so good, and save a few quid to try to fix the mess in club and regional rugby. At least a coach taken from club rugby will appreciate - and have some idea how to at least work with - the challenges in club rugby.

Paying high profile coaches fortunes to coach the national team seems madness when you're broke and the real problems are elsewhere.

They should hire a chick for the lolz

The next question is who takes over as interim coach; Howley? Even though Gatland looked totally broken during the Italy game, Howley's not exactly an upgrade and is tainted by his betting scandals and his ice cream business in Tenby.

There's also a question as to whether this will make it more or less likely that Wales will concede a record score against the Irish

JM2K6 wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2025 11:13 am

Kawazaki wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2025 11:01 am

JM2K6 wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2025 8:23 am It's weird how the Scottish fans are getting so wound up over this

Not as hilarious as the mental cartwheels you're all doing on the Quins forum to try and find ways to explain why Marcus should be starting for England and/or why things are easier for Fin. Genuinely lol reading through it earlier.

Also interesting that even some of his biggest fans have finally noticed my observation that Marcus isn't half the player without a massive 12 to assist him.

You must know how extremely weird your behaviour is here, right? Replying to an obvious wind up joke that has nothing to do with you with this stalkery shit?

As it happens, I haven't said anything about it being easier for Fin, that's just a lie. I've also spent a significant amount of time on there defending Fin from fans bitter about the coverage, and have repeatedly said he should be the starting 10. It's bad enough you have this creepy obsession, but the least you could do is try and be remotely honest about it.

Now do us all a favour and fuck off, will you?

Mate he’s managed to rile you right up there , you feeding his flames - this is the exact kind of button pushing i do on certain threads and posters.

You can always tell me to fuck off though :)

ScarfaceClaw wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2025 11:31 am

SaintK wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2025 11:16 am

Lobby wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2025 10:58 am Gatland gone from Wales

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union ... wrj451k95o

So they have 2 weeks to find someone to replace him.

Although his position was clearly untenable after 14 straight losses, I can't imagine there will be a massive queue of people to replace him. Given the talent available to the Welsh team and the structural problems in Wales, I can't help feeling that this is a position that no one will want and no one will succeed in.

£2m pay off? How the fuck can the WRU afford that?

I haven’t seen mention of a payoff. Where’s that being reported? That’s a huge figure for a nearly broke WRFU.

It was quoted The Rugby Paper at the weekend if the WRU were to buy out his remaining ccontract, though that may have been the coaching team.

inactionman wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2025 11:42 am I can't see any coaching appointment being able to fix it

If I was wru chief I'd be inclined to appoint a young (and relatively cheap) Welsh coach whilst the going is not so good, and save a few quid to try to fix the mess in club and regional rugby. At least a coach taken from club rugby will appreciate - and have some idea how to at least work with - the challenges in club rugby.

Paying high profile coaches fortunes to coach the national team seems madness when you're broke and the real problems are elsewhere.

They may well be.

The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) has approached Cardiff boss Matt Sherratt about taking on a caretaker coaching role for the tournament.

ScarfaceClaw wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2025 11:31 am

SaintK wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2025 11:16 am

Lobby wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2025 10:58 am Gatland gone from Wales

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union ... wrj451k95o

So they have 2 weeks to find someone to replace him.

Although his position was clearly untenable after 14 straight losses, I can't imagine there will be a massive queue of people to replace him. Given the talent available to the Welsh team and the structural problems in Wales, I can't help feeling that this is a position that no one will want and no one will succeed in.

£2m pay off? How the fuck can the WRU afford that?

I haven’t seen mention of a payoff. Where’s that being reported? That’s a huge figure for a nearly broke WRFU.

I heard on one of the podcasts, might have been Eggchasers, that there was a performance related clause that Gatland has failed to hit (there's a shock!) which allowed the WRU to get rid.

Can't imagine anyone significant wanting to take on the Wales role.

Rumour I heard was Gatland was on £700k/year. That's why it's taken so long to get rid of him, they couldn't sort out a payoff.

Biffer wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2025 12:31 pm Can't imagine anyone significant wanting to take on the Wales role.

Rumour I heard was Gatland was on £700k/year. That's why it's taken so long to get rid of him, they couldn't sort out a payoff.

Yeah, I've seen people on reddit suggesting the WRU get in people like Cheika, Lancaster or Felix Jones in. Even if the WRU had the cash to assemble a crack coaching team right now, I can't imagine anyone with serious ambitions or standing wants to take on the absolute clusterfuck that is Welsh rugby right now. Sure it's a feather in your cap if you can sort things out, but how likely is that?

JM2K6 wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2025 8:23 am It's weird how the Scottish fans are getting so wound up over this

Where?

Lobby wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2025 11:35 am

ScarfaceClaw wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2025 11:31 am

SaintK wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2025 11:16 am
£2m pay off? How the fuck can the WRU afford that?

I haven’t seen mention of a payoff. Where’s that being reported? That’s a huge figure for a nearly broke WRFU.

I haven't seen that either. Where'd you get that figure (SaintK)?

Meanwhile the Scots will be fearful that the WRU are chasing after Franco Smith to replace Gatland.

Perhaps we can convince them to take Toonie?

Punter15 wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2025 1:01 pm

JM2K6 wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2025 8:23 am It's weird how the Scottish fans are getting so wound up over this

Where?

Slick was raging

(I was riffing off PB and Slick's exchange but then things got extremely weird so my heart isn't in continuing the bit)

Michael Bradley is available

Lobby wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2025 11:35 am

ScarfaceClaw wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2025 11:31 am

SaintK wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2025 11:16 am
£2m pay off? How the fuck can the WRU afford that?

I haven’t seen mention of a payoff. Where’s that being reported? That’s a huge figure for a nearly broke WRFU.

I haven't seen that either. Where'd you get that figure (SaintK)?

Meanwhile the Scots will be fearful that the WRU are chasing after Franco Smith to replace Gatland.

After Franco's experience with the Azzurri, I doubt he's in a rush to take on another struggling national team?

Sherrat in..

sturginho wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2025 1:38 pm

Lobby wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2025 11:35 am

ScarfaceClaw wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2025 11:31 am

I haven’t seen mention of a payoff. Where’s that being reported? That’s a huge figure for a nearly broke WRFU.

I haven't seen that either. Where'd you get that figure (SaintK)?

Meanwhile the Scots will be fearful that the WRU are chasing after Franco Smith to replace Gatland.

After Franco's experience with the Azzurri, I doubt he's in a rush to take on another struggling national team?

Italy then Wales ... bit of a step backwards aint it? Glasgow to Wales is a backwards step!!!

TB63 wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2025 1:39 pmSherrat in..

Hasn't he got a woeful record with the Blues?

dpedin wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2025 1:51 pm

sturginho wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2025 1:38 pm

Lobby wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2025 11:35 am

I haven't seen that either. Where'd you get that figure (SaintK)?

Meanwhile the Scots will be fearful that the WRU are chasing after Franco Smith to replace Gatland.

After Franco's experience with the Azzurri, I doubt he's in a rush to take on another struggling national team?

Italy then Wales ... bit of a step backwards aint it? Glasgow to Wales is a backwards step!!!

I disagree, I would say it is much, much larger than a backward step

sockwithaticket wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2025 12:58 pm

Biffer wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2025 12:31 pm Can't imagine anyone significant wanting to take on the Wales role.

Rumour I heard was Gatland was on £700k/year. That's why it's taken so long to get rid of him, they couldn't sort out a payoff.

Yeah, I've seen people on reddit suggesting the WRU get in people like Cheika, Lancaster or Felix Jones in. Even if the WRU had the cash to assemble a crack coaching team right now, I can't imagine anyone with serious ambitions or standing wants to take on the absolute clusterfuck that is Welsh rugby right now. Sure it's a feather in your cap if you can sort things out, but how likely is that?

It's part of this Welsh delusion that they're one of the big boys.

SaintK wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2025 2:22 pm

TB63 wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2025 1:39 pmSherrat in..

Hasn't he got a woeful record with the Blues?

You take what you can get in the middle of a tournament. Usually you'd look at the assistants, but I suspect someone at the WRU is wise enough to know that elevating Howley even to interim head coach would go down like diarrhoea in a stuck lift.

Biffer wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2025 2:37 pm

sockwithaticket wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2025 12:58 pm

Biffer wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2025 12:31 pm Can't imagine anyone significant wanting to take on the Wales role.

Rumour I heard was Gatland was on £700k/year. That's why it's taken so long to get rid of him, they couldn't sort out a payoff.

Yeah, I've seen people on reddit suggesting the WRU get in people like Cheika, Lancaster or Felix Jones in. Even if the WRU had the cash to assemble a crack coaching team right now, I can't imagine anyone with serious ambitions or standing wants to take on the absolute clusterfuck that is Welsh rugby right now. Sure it's a feather in your cap if you can sort things out, but how likely is that?

It's part of this Welsh delusion that they're one of the big boys.

Not on here it ain't

SaintK wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2025 2:22 pm

TB63 wrote: Tue Feb 11, 2025 1:39 pmSherrat in..

Hasn't he got a woeful record with the Blues?

They're doing ok in the URC this season, although they were woeful the season before - where they were arguably dealing with the fallout from Live Fast's very weird exit the season before that. He seems to have righted the ship a bit.

I'm not that familiar with Welsh club rugby but most things I've heard about Sherratt sound encouraging, he's reputedly very good with getting younger lads through and Wales are going to need that. Seems a good appointment in the circumstances

Would have been nice if they could have waited until after the England match, the buggers.

Gatland's such an enigma. On the face of it, he's a highly competent coach with some excellent results in the 6N and with the Lions. But when he gets it wrong - like with the current Wales side and the 0-8 Chiefs in 2020 - he makes a proper job of it.

Gumboot wrote: Wed Feb 12, 2025 3:39 am Gatland's such an enigma. On the face of it, he's a highly competent coach with some excellent results in the 6N and with the Lions. But when he gets it wrong - like with the current Wales side and the 0-8 Chiefs in 2020 - he makes a proper job of it.

His methods are outdated. Teams when Wales were in their pomp were unfit, didn’t focus on workrate etc, didn’t have the back play to break down a very fit, very motivated and well drilled defence. Now these are practically the basics of any half decent side and he never had any attacking flair

Welsh talent pool is dry. Where are the AWJs or Breadman's to drag an entire pack up a level? A North, Ickle or Phillips to frighten a defence?

They're a couple of old stagers and a bunch of kids without experience or direction.