NPR

Slick wrote: ↑Wed Jan 12, 2022 10:41 am

dpedin wrote: ↑Wed Jan 12, 2022 10:34 am

Biffer wrote: ↑Wed Jan 12, 2022 10:29 am

No. The way to do this properly is bit by bit, not just throwing everything up in the air and shouting 'Party at Number 10'

Unions have a duty for player welfare. I can just see a player taking a Union to court for knowingly let him play against an infected opposition or even with a team mate and subsequently contracting a serious case of covid and long covid and having to retire or at least lose income etc. Unions can't let this happen even if it is an outside bet.

All employers have a duty of welfare but we are happily opening up pubs etc and allow thousands of people to sit together to watch

And employers have a legal duty to show they have properly considered what else they can do to protect staff and customers beyond the legal minimum. Part of the covid legislation.

But why do they need protection from Omnicron beyond what vaccination provides? These are fit young men, they're at basically no risk.

OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Wed Jan 12, 2022 6:20 am French travel restrictions are going to handicap the 6 Nations. Justice for Africa.

You mean visa requirements or COVID restrictions? Are the borders still close to South Africans?

TheFrog wrote: ↑Wed Jan 12, 2022 12:57 pm

OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Wed Jan 12, 2022 6:20 am French travel restrictions are going to handicap the 6 Nations. Justice for Africa.

You mean visa requirements or COVID restrictions? Are the borders still close to South Africans?

Nope, covid restrictions

OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Wed Jan 12, 2022 1:01 pm

TheFrog wrote: ↑Wed Jan 12, 2022 12:57 pm

OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Wed Jan 12, 2022 6:20 am French travel restrictions are going to handicap the 6 Nations. Justice for Africa.

You mean visa requirements or COVID restrictions? Are the borders still close to South Africans?

Nope, covid restrictions

Borders still closed?

That's what I hate about politics. I know for a fact that the French government has acknowledged privately that borders closures do not prevent the spread of new variant for the simple reason that (1) by the time a variant is identified somewhere, it is generally already in your own country and (2) it is unconstitutional to prevent your own citizens from returning home, so they will be the one bringing the different variants home.

Yes, governments have to show that they are doing something, and I know for a fact again that privately, the French government has acknowledged that these border restrictions are just that, public propaganda to be perceived as protecting the people in the country.

And the hypocrisy goes further when the wave is going down in South Africa, and still rising in the US with record numbers yet the borders are closed with South Africa and open with the US.

TheFrog wrote: ↑Wed Jan 12, 2022 1:51 pm

OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Wed Jan 12, 2022 1:01 pm

TheFrog wrote: ↑Wed Jan 12, 2022 12:57 pm

You mean visa requirements or COVID restrictions? Are the borders still close to South Africans?

Nope, covid restrictions

Borders still closed?

That's what I hate about politics. I know for a fact that the French government has acknowledged privately that borders closures do not prevent the spread of new variant for the simple reason that (1) by the time a variant is identified somewhere, it is generally already in your own country and (2) it is unconstitutional to prevent your own citizens from returning home, so they will be the one bringing the different variants home.

Yes, governments have to show that they are doing something, and I know for a fact again that privately, the French government has acknowledged that these border restrictions are just that, public propaganda to be perceived as protecting the people in the country.

And the hypocrisy goes further when the wave is going down in South Africa, and still rising in the US with record numbers yet the borders are closed with South Africa and open with the US.

Well our stats should set the example for Omicron. Cases are down from 20,000 to 2,000 and hospitalization and deaths stayed the same.

Scotland will have crowds.

Will look forward going to the Scotland v S Africa game next month

westport wrote: ↑Wed Jan 12, 2022 5:12 pm Will look forward going to the Scotland v S Africa game next month

OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Wed Jan 12, 2022 6:20 am French travel restrictions are going to handicap the 6 Nations. Justice for Africa.

France have scrapped travel ban from UK

sturginho wrote: ↑Thu Jan 13, 2022 11:18 am

OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Wed Jan 12, 2022 6:20 am French travel restrictions are going to handicap the 6 Nations. Justice for Africa.

France have scrapped travel ban from UK

Good news. Crowds allowed everywhere ?

OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Thu Jan 13, 2022 11:58 am

sturginho wrote: ↑Thu Jan 13, 2022 11:18 am

OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Wed Jan 12, 2022 6:20 am French travel restrictions are going to handicap the 6 Nations. Justice for Africa.

France have scrapped travel ban from UK

Good news. Crowds allowed everywhere ?

Not Wales yet. No idea what's happening in Ireland actually, but haven't heard anything so presume it's all OK.

Slick wrote: ↑Thu Jan 13, 2022 11:59 am

OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Thu Jan 13, 2022 11:58 am

sturginho wrote: ↑Thu Jan 13, 2022 11:18 am

France have scrapped travel ban from UK

Good news. Crowds allowed everywhere ?

Not Wales yet. No idea what's happening in Ireland actually, but haven't heard anything so presume it's all OK.

Considering cases are nearly back at pre Omicron can't see Wales not dropping crowd restrictions when restrictions are next reviewed. Blue is cases (dark blue cases announced today - approx 3000), 5000 per line. Peak day was over 15000.

Green = Ireland?

OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Thu Jan 13, 2022 1:03 pm Green = Ireland?

Number of tests. Each horizontal line is 10,000 tests. So on the day there was 15000+ cases there was approximately 30000 tests so +ve rate of over 50%. Wales is the only part of the UK that counts reinfections as a new COVID case provided there was over 6weeks between +ve tests.

I am concerned about France's readiness for these 6N. Apart from La Rochelle and Bordeaux, French clubs are not doing too well.

The Toulouse players, in particular, which are the cornerstone of this French team, seem not to be at their best right now. Toulouse is fast becoming "to lose" these days, and with Dupont possibly sidelined, France is losing a key man in defense and a key finisher. Ntamack plays like he doesn't want to be on the pitch. Baille makes silly mistakes. Jelonch is going downhill and Cros isn't back to the standard that were his when he was first called up.

Add to this that Jalibert had to leave the pitch early against the Scarlets and we may have to play with a third choice flyhalf...

Thankfully, some guys are on fire, like Aldritt, Fickou or Penaud.

Most of the squads being announced this week I think

Hoping gov here lifts the crowd restrictions before 1st week of 6 Nations.

Pubs likely to revert to midnight closing time.

I fear we’ll have a struggle holding on to our championship.

Though there are still restrictions in place here, we are about to lift them in the next week or so as we've passed the peak. Hopefully we'll have a nearly full stadium for Wales on Feb 5th.

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Tue Jan 11, 2022 8:04 pm Re the football stadiums, I've often thought that England should move a few games around the country, away from Twickenham, but I also understand the money side of things and the home advantage, but they could, for example, have played Tonga in Manchester or Birmingham

As owners of Twickenham, they would not only lose the rent that would have to be paid, they would lose the hospitality income too.
These are significant figures for their annual budget, so it is never going to happen.

GogLais wrote: ↑Mon Jan 17, 2022 11:41 am I fear we’ll have a struggle holding on to our championship.

All it takes is five red cards and you'll be laughing

We hear this every year from the Welsh. They're guaranteed wooden spoonists, then after week 1 they're nailed on GS winners.

If they beat us, I think they're going to win another championship. Current form goes out the window with Wales when it comes to 6 Nations. Their players always turn up for this competition.

Ireland are good at home but last time we were overconfident ( and beat New Zealand), England beat us with ease 1st game of 6 Nations.

I think we'll win, but it will be close.

Paddington Bear wrote: ↑Mon Jan 17, 2022 12:46 pm

GogLais wrote: ↑Mon Jan 17, 2022 11:41 am I fear we’ll have a struggle holding on to our championship.

All it takes is five red cards and you'll be laughing

As annoying as it'd be when it occurs against your team, Wales continuing their run of improbably frequent red cards being issued to the opposition would be hilarious.

Watching Penaud play at 13 makes me wonder whether a Fickou-Penaud pair of centers could not be the way forward for France, with Villere and Thomas on the wings...

But I think France will go with Danty-Fickou, and Penaud on the wing. Meaning either Villere or Thomas will not make the cut.

iarmhí wrote: ↑Mon Jan 17, 2022 12:57 pm We hear this every year from the Welsh. They're guaranteed wooden spoonists, then after week 1 they're nailed on GS winners.

If they beat us, I think they're going to win another championship. Current form goes out the window with Wales when it comes to 6 Nations. Their players always turn up for this competition.

Ireland are good at home but last time we were overconfident ( and beat New Zealand), England beat us with ease 1st game of 6 Nations.

I think we'll win, but it will be close.

Second row a big concern at the moment.
Beirne fit and in great form but what about the others.

Uncle fester wrote: ↑Mon Jan 17, 2022 1:20 pm

iarmhí wrote: ↑Mon Jan 17, 2022 12:57 pm We hear this every year from the Welsh. They're guaranteed wooden spoonists, then after week 1 they're nailed on GS winners.

If they beat us, I think they're going to win another championship. Current form goes out the window with Wales when it comes to 6 Nations. Their players always turn up for this competition.

Ireland are good at home but last time we were overconfident ( and beat New Zealand), England beat us with ease 1st game of 6 Nations.

I think we'll win, but it will be close.

Second row a big concern at the moment.
Beirne fit and in great form but what about the others.

A big worry. We could be looking at Kieran Treadwell and Tadgh Beirne. Beirne can't be left out even with all available.

iarmhí wrote: ↑Mon Jan 17, 2022 12:57 pm We hear this every year from the Welsh. They're guaranteed wooden spoonists, then after week 1 they're nailed on GS winners.

If they beat us, I think they're going to win another championship. Current form goes out the window with Wales when it comes to 6 Nations. Their players always turn up for this competition.

Ireland are good at home but last time we were overconfident ( and beat New Zealand), England beat us with ease 1st game of 6 Nations.

I think we'll win, but it will be close.

I think this is one of the tightest tournament in years. I believe Ireland-France-England are very close, Wales snapping at their heels, their weakness being lack of depth, and Scotland able to upset any team.

Italy will just be canon fodder i am afraid, though I wouldn't be surprised if France stuttered its rugby against them for the opener.

Uncle fester wrote: ↑Mon Jan 17, 2022 1:20 pm

iarmhí wrote: ↑Mon Jan 17, 2022 12:57 pm We hear this every year from the Welsh. They're guaranteed wooden spoonists, then after week 1 they're nailed on GS winners.

If they beat us, I think they're going to win another championship. Current form goes out the window with Wales when it comes to 6 Nations. Their players always turn up for this competition.

Ireland are good at home but last time we were overconfident ( and beat New Zealand), England beat us with ease 1st game of 6 Nations.

I think we'll win, but it will be close.

Second row a big concern at the moment.
Beirne fit and in great form but what about the others.

I saw your post and thought you were a French poster and then I read the text you quoted

TheFrog wrote: ↑Mon Jan 17, 2022 1:43 pm

Uncle fester wrote: ↑Mon Jan 17, 2022 1:20 pm

iarmhí wrote: ↑Mon Jan 17, 2022 12:57 pm We hear this every year from the Welsh. They're guaranteed wooden spoonists, then after week 1 they're nailed on GS winners.

If they beat us, I think they're going to win another championship. Current form goes out the window with Wales when it comes to 6 Nations. Their players always turn up for this competition.

Ireland are good at home but last time we were overconfident ( and beat New Zealand), England beat us with ease 1st game of 6 Nations.

I think we'll win, but it will be close.

Second row a big concern at the moment.
Beirne fit and in great form but what about the others.

I saw your post and thought you were a French poster and then I read the text you quoted

Never been able to turn him to the blue side of the Force ;)

TheFrog wrote: ↑Mon Jan 17, 2022 1:43 pm

Uncle fester wrote: ↑Mon Jan 17, 2022 1:20 pm

iarmhí wrote: ↑Mon Jan 17, 2022 12:57 pm We hear this every year from the Welsh. They're guaranteed wooden spoonists, then after week 1 they're nailed on GS winners.

If they beat us, I think they're going to win another championship. Current form goes out the window with Wales when it comes to 6 Nations. Their players always turn up for this competition.

Ireland are good at home but last time we were overconfident ( and beat New Zealand), England beat us with ease 1st game of 6 Nations.

I think we'll win, but it will be close.

Second row a big concern at the moment.
Beirne fit and in great form but what about the others.

I saw your post and thought you were a French poster and then I read the text you quoted

I'm working on my shrug and je ne sais quoi.

French squad

Piliers gauches : Baille, Gros, Bibi Biziwu.

Talonneurs : Marchand, Mauvaka, Barlot

Piliers droits : Atonio, Bamba, Haouas

Deuxième ligne : Willemse, Le Roux, R. Taofifenua, Flament, Vanverberghe, Verhaeghe.

Troisième ligne ; Tanga , Alldritt, Jelonch, Cros, Macalou, Diallo, Cretin, Woki.

Demis de mêlée : Dupont, Lucu, Couilloud

Demis d’ouverture : Ntamack, Hastoy, Berdeu.

Centres : Fickou, Danty, Vakatawa, Favre, Moefana, Vili

Ailiers : Penaud, Villière, Thomas, Lebel.

Arrières : Dulin, Jaminet, Ramos.

Enough good there to hope for a decent campaign.

Would expect early drops to be
- Bizwizu: surely there only for experience. Ditto Moefana.
- Haouas: who like anyone else associated with Montpellier has done f**k all this season. Ditto Verhaeghe
- Taofifenua: because he is too unfit to play more than 40 mins
- Ramos is having a sh*t season

Oddities
- Why is Jalbert out?! He only has a minor injury. Any suggestion that either Hastoy or Berdeu are even fit to share the dressing room with him is nutz.
- Vili already seems over hyped to me. Also playing in a failing ASM team.
- Lucu is injured!
- Vakatawa is having an awful season and looks to be being selected on anything but form. Can't see Fickou starting with anyone other than Danty or Penaud moving back to centre.
- Macalou looked like he'd been thrown to the wolves so surprised to see him back.

Rather nots
- Jelonch is looking increasingly like a selection only because he plays for Toulouse.
- Lard arse Atonio

Paddington Bear wrote: ↑Wed Jan 12, 2022 11:47 am But why do they need protection from Omnicron beyond what vaccination provides? These are fit young men, they're at basically no risk.

Questionable protection now anyway as the virus mutates:

The document prepared by DHSC officials noted that two vaccine doses provide up to 32% effectiveness against Omicron infection, which wanes to in effective zero 20 weeks later.

@Torquemad

Jalibert has a small problem with the quadricep, he should be 100% in a week or two, Hastoy will be fine as the first game is against Italy anyway.
Lucu isn’t injured he got the Covid last week, he’ll be ready.

I agree with you about Vakatawa and Macalou, but disagree about Jelonch

Remember this is a training squad, 19 of these players won't make the match team.

I think for someone like Vakatawa, it is a case of telling him he is still part of the squad and has an opportunity to show he wants it. It is not a guarantee that he will be picked.

Jelonch had a huge game against the AB, and in Australia (his antics put aside). He's proven his worth. So did Atonio against New Zealand. Can't last more than 50 min but he was very good.

Jalibert is rested but could jump ahead of the queue for the Italy game.

Hastoy is a quality fly-half.

I am surprised to see Marchand in that squad. Is he back from his injury?

Looks weak

Wales picking a squad of niggly bastards captained by one of rugby's most punchable characters - game plan clearly to get that one-man advantage ASAP.

And why change a winning game plan?

Looks Weak

It always does, but somehow....

TheFrog wrote: ↑Wed Jan 19, 2022 12:47 am Remember this is a training squad, 19 of these players won't make the match team.

I think for someone like Vakatawa, it is a case of telling him he is still part of the squad and has an opportunity to show he wants it. It is not a guarantee that he will be picked.

Jelonch had a huge game against the AB, and in Australia (his antics put aside). He's proven his worth. So did Atonio against New Zealand. Can't last more than 50 min but he was very good.

Jalibert is rested but could jump ahead of the queue for the Italy game.

Hastoy is a quality fly-half.

I am surprised to see Marchand in that squad. Is he back from his injury?

It's a good question. Somewhere else I posted that he and Guitoune seem to be permanent sick notes. TBH, I'd like him back. Much as I think Chat is far more useful around the park, Marchand is the only one who is reasonably consistent with lineout throwing. Chat blows hot and cold. Bourgarit is too unreliable for intl level. Mauvaka is getting a lot of headlines for scoring tries but I really don't think he is anywhere near as effective (yet) as the other round the park. If Chat's throwing could be fixed, I'd argue that Fra has the best 2 hookers in the NH at the moment.

TheFrog wrote: ↑Wed Jan 19, 2022 12:56 am



Looks weak

Transition time for the Welsh. I think they are going to struggle and even their amazing ability to perform greater than the sum of their parts isn't likely to see them challenging for a few years.