URC Season 2024/2025 Official Thread

[clydecloggie]

Well I’ve never seen that in 40+ years of watching and playing rugby…

Edit: ref gave a penalty against Duhan for what he said was deliberately running into him and pushing him whilst chasing a kick

Deliberately hitting the ref is a red card offence, so if it's only a penalty it doesn't make any sense at all from that perspective for starters.

[Slick]

Well I’ve never seen that in 40+ years of watching and playing rugby…

Edit: ref gave a penalty against Duhan for what he said was deliberately running into him and pushing him whilst chasing a kick

Deliberately hitting the ref is a red card offence, so if it's only a penalty it doesn't make any sense at all from that perspective for starters.

I think to be fair to the ref he wasn’t too bothered but the TMO told him to give a penalty. But I agree, if they are saying he has pushed the ref it’s a red

[Chilli2]

Good win for the Sharks.

[Sandstorm]

Galant. Tits for hands. Useless twat.

[fishfoodie]

Connacht showing the other Provinces how it's done !

It's great to have a competition at SH too; I was a bit worried when Marmion left, & Blade moved to the starting position that we'd lost that, but there's still incredible competition at SH

[assfly]

I know it was an understrength Munster, but that was the best I've seen the Sharks play in a long time.

Grant Williams was phenomenal. Big games too from Fassi, Mapimpi, AE, Tshituka, Eben, Ox. Unfortunately all players we will lose to the Boks, but at least our "b' team have some momentum to play with.

[assfly]

Also, the Irish commentary in the Leinster Lions game was disgraceful. It's been a long time since I've heard someone be so disrespectful to a visiting team, as well as getting in comments about how South African teams shouldn't be in the Champions Cup. I though it was a great game but he ruined the experience.

[OomStruisbaai]

Also, the Irish commentary in the Leinster Lions game was disgraceful. It's been a long time since I've heard someone be so disrespectful to a visiting team, as well as getting in comments about how South African teams shouldn't be in the Champions Cup. I though it was a great game but he ruined the experience.

Suppose the Lions proof him wrong?

[assfly]

Suppose the Lions proof him wrong?

I thought the Lions played quite well, so yes to a degree. But that's not my point.

A bit of balance and humility would have been nice.
It's fairly obvious there is a gulf in talent, when you look at the team sheets man-on-man. So considering until then they were unbeaten and where they are on the log, that's quite impressive.
There's no need for the commentator to be a dick.

[Sandstorm]

A bit of balance and humility would have been nice.

It's Leinster. You'll be waiting a loooong time.

[Slick]

Also, the Irish commentary in the Leinster Lions game was disgraceful. It's been a long time since I've heard someone be so disrespectful to a visiting team, as well as getting in comments about how South African teams shouldn't be in the Champions Cup. I though it was a great game but he ruined the experience.

They are always absolutely awful. Was Gordon D'Arcy one of them? He is absolutely the worst

[Biffer]

A bit of balance and humility would have been nice.

It's Leinster. You'll be waiting a loooong time.

It's not just for Leinster. They're usually worse for Ulster tbh.

[Sandstorm]

A bit of balance and humility would have been nice.

It's Leinster. You'll be waiting a loooong time.

It's not just for Leinster. They're usually worse for Ulster tbh.

And Muster. In fact the Irish commentators are fucking awful. All of them. Even Ferris, who likes to be one-of-the-lads, turns biased at the drop of a hat.

[Biffer]

This is the first time three out of the four Welsh teams have won in the same weekend for more than three and a half years.

I wouldn't get too excited though, two of the games were Edinburgh and Zebre. More due to scheduling than them getting better.

[Uncle fester]

It's Leinster. You'll be waiting a loooong time.

It's not just for Leinster. They're usually worse for Ulster tbh.

And Muster. In fact the Irish commentators are fucking awful. All of them. Even Ferris, who likes to be one-of-the-lads, turns biased at the drop of a hat.

I'm saying nawthin

[fishfoodie]

Hey lads, no point complaining on here; direct your complaints to the broadcaster !

There's nothing stopping them providing alternative commentary with commentators from both sides; it's already happening with games in SA, & the Welsh usually have dual Welsh & English commentaries, both by Welsh commentators.

There's a lot of shit Irish commentators, but we're hardly alone in that, & all that's happening is that the other Countries are being exposed to the shite the Irish have always had to tolerate.

[OomStruisbaai]

I like to listen to the other countries commentators, specially the Aussies. They bring a lot of emotion in it but change their tune when their team lose.Never listen to our Souties , rather to Afrikaans.

[Tichtheid]

Hey lads, no point complaining on here; direct your complaints to the broadcaster !

There's nothing stopping them providing alternative commentary with commentators from both sides; it's already happening with games in SA, & the Welsh usually have dual Welsh & English commentaries, both by Welsh commentators.

There's a lot of shit Irish commentators, but we're hardly alone in that, & all that's happening is that the other Countries are being exposed to the shite the Irish have always had to tolerate.

I think there has been a definite change towards bias being acceptable in a commentator and pundits. I used to like Eddie Butler, but would often read online comments along the lines of, "He's not really Welsh is he?" due to his attempts at neutrality during a Wales game

In terms of the spectacle and the athleticism and skills of the players, we've come a long long way from the amateur days, but not everything back then was bad, and I miss the likes of Bill McLaren.

[fishfoodie]

Hey lads, no point complaining on here; direct your complaints to the broadcaster !

There's nothing stopping them providing alternative commentary with commentators from both sides; it's already happening with games in SA, & the Welsh usually have dual Welsh & English commentaries, both by Welsh commentators.

There's a lot of shit Irish commentators, but we're hardly alone in that, & all that's happening is that the other Countries are being exposed to the shite the Irish have always had to tolerate.

I think there has been a definite change towards bias being acceptable in a commentator and pundits. I used to like Eddie Butler, but would often read online comments along the lines of, "He's not really Welsh is he?" due to his attempts at neutrality during a Wales game

In terms of the spectacle and the athleticism and skills of the players, we've come a long long way from the amateur days, but not everything back then was bad, and I miss the likes of Bill McLaren.

... and the English had the likes of Nigel Starmer-Smith, & we had Fred Cogley, Professionals all, who loved the game, & they were employed regardless, because their employers always had Rugby on, so they didn't have to be partisan, & pretend that dire matches weren't dire, just to make their employers happy.

Now we get lightweights & former players who do piece work, & 99% of them are crap. There are honourable exceptions, but most former players are just too close to their former clubs/provinces to be decent commentators, & they sure as hell don't spend anything like the time that their predecessors did preping for their commentary, because after all; they're just getting paid of this match !

[PornDog]

A bit of balance and humility would have been nice.

It's Leinster. You'll be waiting a loooong time.

While I would agree that the Irish commentators are generally awful (it was probably either Hugh Cahill or Ryle Nugent), they're also not Leinster fans. Hugh Cahill in particular, despite being from Leinster, is a huge Munster fan. Quinny is awful on co-comms as well as Darcy, but I kind of like Donal Lenihan, despite the fact that he's from Cork. The guy who does it for Virgin Media is good, but they don't have any club rugby. Mark Robson is an acquired taste and will come out with some real facepalm stuff, but he's a good commentator.

To be fair to Ferris, while he is of course an Ulster fan, he doesn't shy away from harshly criticising them when its warranted.

[Uncle fester]

I think Quinlan can be good when Munster are not playing. They should really do away with ex-players working on games with their old team.

[Uncle fester]

Rowntree is gone from Munster.
Wonder what the hell happened there.

[assfly]

Rowntree is gone from Munster.
Wonder what the hell happened there.

He heard there was as gig for commentary open.

[PornDog]

He must have lost the dressing room, can't see him throwing in the towel or the branch getting rid of him in early season otherwise.

[Uncle fester]

He must have lost the dressing room, can't see him throwing in the towel or the branch getting rid of him in early season otherwise.

While that looks to be a factor, the relationship with the branch and IRFU seems to have really gone downhill.

[SaintK]

Rowntree is gone from Munster.
Wonder what the hell happened there.

Shafted by the blazer wearing dinosaurs and some of the older players according to the other place.

[Uncle fester]

Rowntree is gone from Munster.
Wonder what the hell happened there.

Shafted by the blazer wearing dinosaurs and some of the older players according to the other place.

Spoken to a few people in the know and it seems it's a bit of everything with too many people pulling in different directions and he's just worn out from it.

He owes us nothing. Sad to see him go.

[fishfoodie]

Rowntree is gone from Munster.
Wonder what the hell happened there.

Shafted by the blazer wearing dinosaurs and some of the older players according to the other place.

Spoken to a few people in the know and it seems it's a bit of everything with too many people pulling in different directions and he's just worn out from it.

He owes us nothing. Sad to see him go.

Yeah; a lot like Lancaster you have the feeling that he'll now be a lot better coach the next place he rocks up.

.... but, there's still a lot of obviously fucking awful shit going on in Munster, & if Murray is still getting money from the Munster salary pool, & GR had any say in that, then he needs to own that !

There's a lot to still fix in Munster, & sacking GR isn't going to fix much of that, & whoever comes in next will probably only get a few years before ROG gets brought back to either do some remarkable renaissance of Munster rugby, or more likely, piss & moan about how everything is stacking against them, & it's not the fault of the arse holes who've had decades to fucking just duplicate whats worked in Leinster, but failed completely failed to do so ....

[OomStruisbaai]

Felix Jones will be the coach.

[assfly]

Felix Jones will be the coach.

Does he know the stadium well?

[Sards]

Felix Jones will be the coach.

Does he know the stadium well?

Geez dude...you cant fault Ouboet....he was spot on about the Stormers vs Warriors match....
The advantage of age and experience.

[Sards]

Felix Jones will be the coach.

I feel quite swak that Rowntree felt he had to take that position after the Sharks mauled Munster.
That was a sensational Sharks side that we wont see that often.

[OomStruisbaai]

Round 7
(Kick-offs listed are Britain & Ireland time.)
Fri 29 Nov Glasgow Warriors v Scarlets (7.35pm)
Fri 29 Nov Ulster v Leinster (7.35pm)
Sat 30 Nov Sharks v Stormers (3pm)
Sat 30 Nov Cardiff v Dragons (5.15pm)
Sat 30 Nov Connacht v Bulls (5.30pm)
Sat 30 Nov Edinburgh v Benetton (7.35pm)
Sat 30 Nov Munster v Lions (7.35pm)
Sat 30 Nov Zebre Parma v Ospreys (7.35pm)

[Uncle fester]

Shafted by the blazer wearing dinosaurs and some of the older players according to the other place.

Spoken to a few people in the know and it seems it's a bit of everything with too many people pulling in different directions and he's just worn out from it.

He owes us nothing. Sad to see him go.

Yeah; a lot like Lancaster you have the feeling that he'll now be a lot better coach the next place he rocks up.

.... but, there's still a lot of obviously fucking awful shit going on in Munster, & if Murray is still getting money from the Munster salary pool, & GR had any say in that, then he needs to own that !

There's a lot to still fix in Munster, & sacking GR isn't going to fix much of that, & whoever comes in next will probably only get a few years before ROG gets brought back to either do some remarkable renaissance of Munster rugby, or more likely, piss & moan about how everything is stacking against them, & it's not the fault of the arse holes who've had decades to fucking just duplicate whats worked in Leinster, but failed completely failed to do so ....

I'd expect this from somebody outside Ireland but surprised at you. Folks need to accept that what works for Leinster won't work for the other three provinces.

Need to do better though. It's not acceptable that Limerick has been totally lost as a player generation pool. That's why our front five forwards are shit. Cork and the others can only do so much.

[fishfoodie]

Spoken to a few people in the know and it seems it's a bit of everything with too many people pulling in different directions and he's just worn out from it.

He owes us nothing. Sad to see him go.

Yeah; a lot like Lancaster you have the feeling that he'll now be a lot better coach the next place he rocks up.

.... but, there's still a lot of obviously fucking awful shit going on in Munster, & if Murray is still getting money from the Munster salary pool, & GR had any say in that, then he needs to own that !

There's a lot to still fix in Munster, & sacking GR isn't going to fix much of that, & whoever comes in next will probably only get a few years before ROG gets brought back to either do some remarkable renaissance of Munster rugby, or more likely, piss & moan about how everything is stacking against them, & it's not the fault of the arse holes who've had decades to fucking just duplicate whats worked in Leinster, but failed completely failed to do so ....

I'd expect this from somebody outside Ireland but surprised at you. Folks need to accept that what works for Leinster won't work for the other three provinces.

Need to do better though. It's not acceptable that Limerick has been totally lost as a player generation pool. That's why our front five forwards are shit. Cork and the others can only do so much.

It's obviously not going to be a copy & paste, but the essential elements to focus on were/are the same; develop regular support, & build an academy system.

In Leinster they had to go from three men & a dog turning up in Donnybrook, to a proper support in the RDS, & Munster had great support in Thomond, & some how have gone backwards with the terraces being empty for most matches.

On the Academy side, obviously Leinster have an advantage with the schools system, but for me Munster had clubs that were a condensed version of the schools, & already had that link to the province, but somehow this got fucked up.

I don't know how much is down to Munster still trying to maintain two bases in Limerick & Cork, but it's not something that can be ignored.

[Sards]

Will be sad if the Sharks will be the SA embarrament again.

Just stop sniffing around our players. Vok off and develop your own ....

[OomStruisbaai]

Time for the real rugby to start
Round 7

Fri 29 Nov Glasgow Warriors v Scarlets (7.35pm) Live on BBC Wales & Premier Sports

Fri 29 Nov Ulster v Leinster (7.35pm) Live on BBC N Ireland, RTÉ & Premier Sports

Sat 30 Nov Sharks v Stormers (3pm) Live on Premier Sports

Sat 30 Nov Cardiff v Dragons (5.15pm) Live on Premier Sports

Sat 30 Nov Connacht v Bulls (5.30pm) Live on RTÉ & Premier Sports

Sat 30 Nov Edinburgh v Benetton (7.35pm) Live on Premier Sports

Sat 30 Nov Munster v Lions (7.35pm) Live on TG4 & Premier Sports

Sat 30 Nov Zebre Parma v Ospreys (7.35pm) Live on S4C & Premier Sports

[fishfoodie]

Mayo GAA lodge application to host Connacht rugby clash

by John Melvin

AN application has been made by Connacht Rugby to Mayo GAA County Board for the hosting of an interpro rugby game between Connacht and Munster on March 29 next year at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park.

The matter was raised at a Mayo GAA county board meeting, where there was general support for hosting such a game.

Should it happen, it would be the first ever rugby game to be played at the Castlebar venue.
...

https://www.con-telegraph.ie/2024/11/19 ... gby-clash/

I think matches like this are a great idea.

If you're a provincial team, then you need to have some matches out on the road, & MacHale is great venue, & Castlebar a lovely town, & Rugby seems to be going from strength to strength in Mayo, so getting families in the area in for the game would be brilliant, & they'll have more capacity than they would have in Galway, so they can do a bunch of family ticket lotteries etc in schools, & bring them if for next to nothing.

I think a minor roadtrip is in the offing for a night out in Castlebar

[Uncle fester]

Mayo GAA lodge application to host Connacht rugby clash

by John Melvin

AN application has been made by Connacht Rugby to Mayo GAA County Board for the hosting of an interpro rugby game between Connacht and Munster on March 29 next year at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park.

The matter was raised at a Mayo GAA county board meeting, where there was general support for hosting such a game.

Should it happen, it would be the first ever rugby game to be played at the Castlebar venue.
...

https://www.con-telegraph.ie/2024/11/19 ... gby-clash/

I think matches like this are a great idea.

If you're a provincial team, then you need to have some matches out on the road, & MacHale is great venue, & Castlebar a lovely town, & Rugby seems to be going from strength to strength in Mayo, so getting families in the area in for the game would be brilliant, & they'll have more capacity than they would have in Galway, so they can do a bunch of family ticket lotteries etc in schools, & bring them if for next to nothing.

I think a minor roadtrip is in the offing for a night out in Castlebar

I thought the place was dog rough but it is a great idea. Whatever about Leinster but Ulster are really missing a trick playing all their games in Belfast.

[fishfoodie]

Mayo GAA lodge application to host Connacht rugby clash

by John Melvin

AN application has been made by Connacht Rugby to Mayo GAA County Board for the hosting of an interpro rugby game between Connacht and Munster on March 29 next year at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park.

The matter was raised at a Mayo GAA county board meeting, where there was general support for hosting such a game.

Should it happen, it would be the first ever rugby game to be played at the Castlebar venue.
...

https://www.con-telegraph.ie/2024/11/19 ... gby-clash/

I think matches like this are a great idea.

If you're a provincial team, then you need to have some matches out on the road, & MacHale is great venue, & Castlebar a lovely town, & Rugby seems to be going from strength to strength in Mayo, so getting families in the area in for the game would be brilliant, & they'll have more capacity than they would have in Galway, so they can do a bunch of family ticket lotteries etc in schools, & bring them if for next to nothing.

I think a minor roadtrip is in the offing for a night out in Castlebar

I thought the place was dog rough but it is a great idea. Whatever about Leinster but Ulster are really missing a trick playing all their games in Belfast.

The Leinster guys get the shakes if they're more than a Ben Youngs pass away from the Horse Show , but agree about Ulster, they could go on the road, & maybe even put the GAA knuckledraggers to the test, & look for similar permission to play outside Ulster Rugbys traditional comfort zone