The Official English Rugby Thread

[Margin__Walker]

Skinner and Ewers both out of the playoffs with 4 week bans

Shame Dickson get didn't 4 weeks off (or longer) either!!!

It's not the first time. It's was Dickson who failed to give a red to Sam Bedlow earlier in the season for a tip tackle on Brophy Clews which was a stone cold red. Bedlow was subsequently banned.

[sockwithaticket]

Tom Homer's retired aged 31. He was going to play in France but decided to pack it in.

No more being able to say Irish have a couple of Homers playing for them when the ref is acting all special.

At least it sounds like he's not being forced into it by injury. a lot of players are deprived the chance to go out on their own terms.

[JM2K6]

Baxter's thrown his toys out of the pram after those two incredibly obvious bans. Exeter really do seem to believe that various laws shouldn't apply to them, the muppets

[Margin__Walker]

Baxter's thrown his toys out of the pram after those two incredibly obvious bans. Exeter really do seem to believe that various laws shouldn't apply to them, the muppets

Of course he had. Complete with soft pedalling Kitson article.

[Raggs]

Baxter was saying the players should be involved in these laws. Ignoring the fact that they absolutely were. As, perhaps more important, the groups that the players have chosen to protect their interests and safety.

[JM2K6]

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/everyone ... -saracens/

Posted without comment

[Raggs]

Out of interest, what was Saracens team before being expelled, compared to what it is on it's way back?

[sockwithaticket]

'Everyone should get behind them... they have done their time': Rival boss salutes Saracens

Alternate headline

Ex-Saracens coach thinks everyone should stop making such a fuss over financial doping that spanned years



On Exeter, they really are going out of their way to undo goodwill other fans had towards them aren't they?

“Yes, we have to look after the guys who are potentially being high-tackled, but we also have to look after the guys where the high tackle might only be occurring because there is not a lot they can do,” said the Chiefs’ director of rugby. “Everyone has got a responsibility to tackle lower and safely … but rugby is an incredibly dynamic game with a lot of moving parts.”

I can count on a mangled hand the number of reds that have been issued where the tackler wasn't always illegally high or perilously close to it. Get your players to start lower and then there's a discussion to be had, but too many still aren't taking that basic step.


Meanwhile Jack Nowell seems to spend his rehab time posting laughing emoji's on any ban for a high shot (not just those concerning Chiefs players) if not outright calling them a joke. Ultimately not the biggest deal, but alongside certain covid stances emanating from the club and the refusal to even entertain that there might be an issue with the club branding, it doesn't paint the organisation in the best light.

[fishfoodie]

'Everyone should get behind them... they have done their time': Rival boss salutes Saracens

Alternate headline

Ex-Saracens coach thinks everyone should stop making such a fuss over financial doping that spanned years



On Exeter, they really are going out of their way to undo goodwill other fans had towards them aren't they?

“Yes, we have to look after the guys who are potentially being high-tackled, but we also have to look after the guys where the high tackle might only be occurring because there is not a lot they can do,” said the Chiefs’ director of rugby. “Everyone has got a responsibility to tackle lower and safely … but rugby is an incredibly dynamic game with a lot of moving parts.”

I can count on a mangled hand the number of reds that have been issued where the tackler wasn't always illegally high or perilously close to it. Get your players to start lower and then there's a discussion to be had, but too many still aren't taking that basic step.


Meanwhile Jack Nowell seems to spend his rehab time posting laughing emoji's on any ban for a high shot (not just those concerning Chiefs players) if not outright calling them a joke. Ultimately not the biggest deal, but alongside certain covid stances emanating from the club and the refusal to even entertain that there might be an issue with the club branding, it doesn't paint the organisation in the best light.

With all that; & the Anti-Vaxxer vibe; they do seem to be going for that LA Raiders role of proudly being scumbags.

[Margin__Walker]

They are a pretty hard team to warm to at the moment, which is a shame, given the goodwill they had on the way up.

[Kawazaki]

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/everyone ... -saracens/

Posted without comment

[Kawazaki]

Out of interest, what was Saracens team before being expelled, compared to what it is on it's way back?

It's definitely good enough to get in the top half of the premiership. Biggest losses from the squad are in the second row with Kruis and Skelton gone however, Saracens make good players very good players and Tim Swinson has come in and looked very good indeed. Aled Davies is also a very good scrumhalf filling the void left by Wigglesworth and Spencer leaving.

[JM2K6]

The guy who's played 38 internationals looks good? Well I never

[Dragster]

I’m happy to say I really liked the Chiefs, now I don’t. Something is rotten in Devon.

[sockwithaticket]

I was at uni there when they came up and I've been rooting for them alongside Wasps bar the occasions we're in direct competition ever since, but have definitely done a real 180 during covid times.

[JM2K6]

I’m happy to say I really liked the Chiefs, now I don’t. Something is rotten in Devon.

I was born in Exeter and they've always been my second team but over the last couple of years their apparent humility has given way to a bizarre mix of conspiratorial thinking and entitlement.

[sockwithaticket]

Quins have been pioneering the use of some device that can be stuck in a gum shield to help detect when players have had enough contact apparently. Means they've drastically reduced the amount of contact in training and seen far fewer injuries than usual. While this is good, the results they're seeing do seem a bit obvious (fewer contacts, fewer injuries) and you'd have to ask why any serious amount of contact is still going on during training? That goes for any club, I'm sure Quins aren't alone.

[fishfoodie]

Quins have been pioneering the use of some device that can be stuck in a gum shield to help detect when players have had enough contact apparently. Means they've drastically reduced the amount of contact in training and seen far fewer injuries than usual. While this is good, the results they're seeing do seem a bit obvious (fewer contacts, fewer injuries) and you'd have to ask why any serious amount of contact is still going on during training? That goes for any club, I'm sure Quins aren't alone.

Donncha O'Callaghan was amazed that Worcester were still doing full contact in training, as the Irish teams had stopped that years previously, & that was him talking 5 years ago !

[sockwithaticket]

Quins have been pioneering the use of some device that can be stuck in a gum shield to help detect when players have had enough contact apparently. Means they've drastically reduced the amount of contact in training and seen far fewer injuries than usual. While this is good, the results they're seeing do seem a bit obvious (fewer contacts, fewer injuries) and you'd have to ask why any serious amount of contact is still going on during training? That goes for any club, I'm sure Quins aren't alone.

Donncha O'Callaghan was amazed that Worcester were still doing full contact in training, as the Irish teams had stopped that years previously, & that was him talking 5 years ago !

I honestly thought Prem teams were basically doing nothing at this point specifically because of the Irish example and NFL not doing much either.

[Paddington Bear]

'Everyone should get behind them... they have done their time': Rival boss salutes Saracens

Alternate headline

Ex-Saracens coach thinks everyone should stop making such a fuss over financial doping that spanned years



On Exeter, they really are going out of their way to undo goodwill other fans had towards them aren't they?

“Yes, we have to look after the guys who are potentially being high-tackled, but we also have to look after the guys where the high tackle might only be occurring because there is not a lot they can do,” said the Chiefs’ director of rugby. “Everyone has got a responsibility to tackle lower and safely … but rugby is an incredibly dynamic game with a lot of moving parts.”

I can count on a mangled hand the number of reds that have been issued where the tackler wasn't always illegally high or perilously close to it. Get your players to start lower and then there's a discussion to be had, but too many still aren't taking that basic step.


Meanwhile Jack Nowell seems to spend his rehab time posting laughing emoji's on any ban for a high shot (not just those concerning Chiefs players) if not outright calling them a joke. Ultimately not the biggest deal, but alongside certain covid stances emanating from the club and the refusal to even entertain that there might be an issue with the club branding, it doesn't paint the organisation in the best light.

With all that; & the Anti-Vaxxer vibe; they do seem to be going for that LA Raiders role of proudly being scumbags.

There's clearly something a bit weird in the club culture down there. A bit siege mentality.

[Hal Jordan]

"Lynn Swann. Soft!"

[Kawazaki]

The guy who's played 38 internationals looks good? Well I never

He was retiring after Glasgow cut him from the squad. He's an old Scottish lock FFS, young Scottish locks are mostly shite.

[Kawazaki]

Quins have been pioneering the use of some device that can be stuck in a gum shield to help detect when players have had enough contact apparently. Means they've drastically reduced the amount of contact in training and seen far fewer injuries than usual. While this is good, the results they're seeing do seem a bit obvious (fewer contacts, fewer injuries) and you'd have to ask why any serious amount of contact is still going on during training? That goes for any club, I'm sure Quins aren't alone.

Quins defence is utterly shite though.

[Margin__Walker]

LI leavers officially confirmed. Not a huge list and no real shocks, so there will be a fair amount of continuity. Glad we were able to get Naholo off the payroll.

Theo Brophy Clews (retiring)
Harry Elrington
Nic Groom
Tom Homer (retiring)
Charlton Kerr
Andrei Mahu
Motu Matu’u
Waisake Naholo
Vladimir Podrezov

[sockwithaticket]

LI leavers officially confirmed. Not a huge list and no real shocks, so there will be a fair amount of continuity.Glad we were able to get Naholo off the payroll.

Theo Brophy Clews (retiring)
Harry Elrington
Nic Groom
Tom Homer (retiring)
Charlton Kerr
Andrei Mahu
Motu Matu’u
Waisake Naholo
Vladimir Podrezov

How many games did you actually get out of him?

[sockwithaticket]

U20s squad for tomorrow's game against France

15 Orlando Bailey (Bath Rugby)
14 Deago Bailey (Bristol Rugby)
13 Jack Bates (Bristol Rugby)
12 Dan Lancaster (Leeds Tykes)
11 Arthur Relton (Exeter Chiefs)
10 Fin Smith (Worcester Warriors)
9 Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers)*

1 Lewis Holsey (Worcester Warriors)
2 Archie Vanes (Leicester Tigers)
3 Luke Green (London Irish)*
4 Ewan Richards (Bath Rugby)
5 Alex Groves (Bristol Bears)
6 Freddie Thomas (Gloucester Rugby)
7 Lucas Brooke (London Irish)
8 Jack Clement (Gloucester Rugby)*

REPLACEMENTS
16 Sam Riley (Harlequins)*
17 Phil Brantingham (Newcastle Falcons)
18 Harvey Beaton (Saracens)*
19 Arthur Clark (Gloucester Rugby)
20 Emeka Ilione (Leicester Tigers)
21 Nahum Merigan (Bath Rugby)
22 Tom Carr-Smith (Bath Rugby)
23 Tommy Mathews (unattached)
24 Phil Cokanasiga (London Irish)
25 Louis Hillman-Cooper (Gloucester Rugby)
26 Tom Litchfield (Northampton Saints)

*Previously capped at U20

Apparently it can be streamed live on the BBC iPlayer, which is cool. Certainly easier to find than I'd expected.

[Happyhooker]

What time?

[sockwithaticket]

17:00, which isn't so great as the Sale-Exeter game kicks off at 16:30.

[Margin__Walker]

LI leavers officially confirmed. Not a huge list and no real shocks, so there will be a fair amount of continuity.Glad we were able to get Naholo off the payroll.

Theo Brophy Clews (retiring)
Harry Elrington
Nic Groom
Tom Homer (retiring)
Charlton Kerr
Andrei Mahu
Motu Matu’u
Waisake Naholo
Vladimir Podrezov

How many games did you actually get out of him?

4 I think. Was injured by the time he arrived, played several games with a heavily strapped knee and that was all she wrote. He was back playing 40 minutes of an A game in April and could potentially have been selected in the Prem towards the end of the season. I'm guessing they may not have played him, so they could break the contract on an injury clause. May be wrong on that though.

[sockwithaticket]

LI leavers officially confirmed. Not a huge list and no real shocks, so there will be a fair amount of continuity.Glad we were able to get Naholo off the payroll.

Theo Brophy Clews (retiring)
Harry Elrington
Nic Groom
Tom Homer (retiring)
Charlton Kerr
Andrei Mahu
Motu Matu’u
Waisake Naholo
Vladimir Podrezov

How many games did you actually get out of him?

4 I think. Was injured by the time he arrived, played several games with a heavily strapped knee and that was all she wrote. He was back playing 40 minutes of an A game in April and could potentially have been selected in the Prem towards the end of the season. I'm guessing they may not have played him, so they could break the contract on an injury clause. May be wrong on that though.

Eesh, that's a seriously low return on investment. Injuries can't really be helped, but it's always annoying when it's a big name, expensive player out for extended periods.

I suppose the upside is it's given Loader and Hassell-Collins more game time.

[JM2K6]

The guy who's played 38 internationals looks good? Well I never

He was retiring after Glasgow cut him from the squad. He's an old Scottish lock FFS, young Scottish locks are mostly shite.

He only turned 34 earlier this season and has been playing in the championship. It's hardly a shock.

[notfatcat]

Exeter: Nowell; Cuthbert, Slade, Devoto, O'Flaherty; J Simmonds (capt), Maunder; Hepburn, Cowan-Dickie, Williams, Gray, Hill, Kirsten, Capstick, S Simmonds.

Replacements: Yeandle, Moon, Street, Lonsdale, Armand, Townsend, H Skinner, Hogg.



Sale: Hammersley; McGuigan, S James, Tuilagi, Yarde; R du Preez, de Klerk; Harrison, Langdon, Oosthuizen, Wiese, J-L du Preez, T Curry (capt), B Curry, D du Preez.

Replacements: Ashman, Morozov, John, Phillips, Ross, Quirke, Wilkinson, Janse van Rensburg.

I notice the Beeb haven't bothered to give any coverage so far to the other semi-final teams.

[Margin__Walker]

Exeter: Nowell; Cuthbert, Slade, Devoto, O'Flaherty; J Simmonds (capt), Maunder; Hepburn, Cowan-Dickie, Williams, Gray, Hill, Kirsten, Capstick, S Simmonds.

Replacements: Yeandle, Moon, Street, Lonsdale, Armand, Townsend, H Skinner, Hogg.



Sale: Hammersley; McGuigan, S James, Tuilagi, Yarde; R du Preez, de Klerk; Harrison, Langdon, Oosthuizen, Wiese, J-L du Preez, T Curry (capt), B Curry, D du Preez.

Replacements: Ashman, Morozov, John, Phillips, Ross, Quirke, Wilkinson, Janse van Rensburg.

I notice the Beeb haven't bothered to give any coverage so far to the other semi-final teams.

As if by magic

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57484199

Bristol Bears: C Piutau; Morahan, Radradra, S Piutau (co-capt), Malins; Sheedy, Uren; Y Thomas, Thacker, Sinckler, Attwood, Vui, Luatua (co-capt), D Thomas, Hughes.

Replacements: Capon, Woolmore, Afoa, Joyce, Earl, Randall, Lloyd, O'Conor.

Harlequins: Green; Lynagh, Marchant, Tapuai, Morris; Smith, Care; Marler, Baldwin, Louw, Symons, Lewies (capt), Lawday, Kenningham, Dombrandt.

Replacements: Gray, Garcia Botta, Collier, Lamb, J Chisholm, Landajo, Lang, Northmore.

[notfatcat]

3 hours and 4 minutes after the teams were announced. Cunts.

[Margin__Walker]

3 hours and 4 minutes after the teams were announced. Cunts.

Think they would call it fashionably late. At least they have captioned the picture with the correct player names

[SaintK]

Exeter: Nowell; Cuthbert, Slade, Devoto, O'Flaherty; J Simmonds (capt), Maunder; Hepburn, Cowan-Dickie, Williams, Gray, Hill, Kirsten, Capstick, S Simmonds.

Replacements: Yeandle, Moon, Street, Lonsdale, Armand, Townsend, H Skinner, Hogg.



Sale: Hammersley; McGuigan, S James, Tuilagi, Yarde; R du Preez, de Klerk; Harrison, Langdon, Oosthuizen, Wiese, J-L du Preez, T Curry (capt), B Curry, D du Preez.

Replacements: Ashman, Morozov, John, Phillips, Ross, Quirke, Wilkinson, Janse van Rensburg.

I notice the Beeb haven't bothered to give any coverage so far to the other semi-final teams.

As if by magic

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57484199

Bristol Bears: C Piutau; Morahan, Radradra, S Piutau (co-capt), Malins; Sheedy, Uren; Y Thomas, Thacker, Sinckler, Attwood, Vui, Luatua (co-capt), D Thomas, Hughes.

Replacements: Capon, Woolmore, Afoa, Joyce, Earl, Randall, Lloyd, O'Conor.

Harlequins: Green; Lynagh, Marchant, Tapuai, Morris; Smith, Care; Marler, Baldwin, Louw, Symons, Lewies (capt), Lawday, Kenningham, Dombrandt.

Replacements: Gray, Garcia Botta, Collier, Lamb, J Chisholm, Landajo, Lang, Northmore.

Exeter by 12
Bristol by 16

[notfatcat]

Sale by 1
Quins by 1

[Kawazaki]

The guy who's played 38 internationals looks good? Well I never

He was retiring after Glasgow cut him from the squad. He's an old Scottish lock FFS, young Scottish locks are mostly shite.

He only turned 34 earlier this season and has been playing in the championship. It's hardly a shock.

Only 34?

So salty.

[JM2K6]

He was retiring after Glasgow cut him from the squad. He's an old Scottish lock FFS, young Scottish locks are mostly shite.

He only turned 34 earlier this season and has been playing in the championship. It's hardly a shock.

Only 34?

So salty.

What's salty about that? He turned 34 a few months ago, which is no age these days for front five forwards - an experienced Scottish international lock playing well against second tier and semi pro players isn't exactly unexpected. I know you are desperate to believe Saracens suddenly turned his career around but he didn't stop being a good player, he's just another international Saracens signed and way better than anyone he'd have played against this season.

He only stopped playing internationals in 2019 ffs

[Kawazaki]

He's a Scottish lock FFS.