NPR

assfly wrote: Tue Nov 28, 2023 9:30 am

OomStruisbaai wrote: Tue Nov 28, 2023 8:34 am

assfly wrote: Tue Nov 28, 2023 7:34 am Challenge Cup is where it's at.

That's the trophy kids dream about.

Yes its a bit like the conference shield in URC.

Ah man, imagine having those two trophies in the cabinet. The pinnacle. There is nothing left to achieve.

See the shield work differently from this year

Whereas in the past overall log position and points accumulated in all games played have counted to the Shield, that is no longer the case. It is now about just the points accumulated in the derby games between the teams in the Shield, with the games against overseas teams no longer contributing to the Shield.

OomStruisbaai wrote: Tue Nov 28, 2023 12:42 pm

assfly wrote: Tue Nov 28, 2023 9:30 am

OomStruisbaai wrote: Tue Nov 28, 2023 8:34 am
Yes its a bit like the conference shield in URC.

Ah man, imagine having those two trophies in the cabinet. The pinnacle. There is nothing left to achieve.

I'd love to see ANY Saffer team winning the European leagues.

Man that will be great.

If the Bulls win the European Cup it would make them World Champions for all time.

Toulouse, Crusaders, Saracens, Leinster will never compete in the same competition.

Zig wrote: Thu Nov 30, 2023 12:09 am

OomStruisbaai wrote: Tue Nov 28, 2023 12:42 pm

assfly wrote: Tue Nov 28, 2023 9:30 am

Ah man, imagine having those two trophies in the cabinet. The pinnacle. There is nothing left to achieve.

I'd love to see ANY Saffer team winning the European leagues.

Man that will be great.

If the Bulls win the European Cup it would make them World Champions for all time.

Toulouse, Crusaders, Saracens, Leinster will never compete in the same competition.

It will take a few years, but it will happen.

Soup is already a dead horse.

Stormers B will play against Leicester. Stormers A 6 days later against the champs.

Leicester Tigers destroy Newcastle 47-3. Stormers in for a big pakslae next week.

OomStruisbaai wrote: Sun Dec 03, 2023 4:56 pm Leicester Tigers destroy Newcastle 47-3. Stormers in for a big pakslae next week.

So Libbok vs Pollard the weekend. Leicester seems to be getting some form after a bad start to their season as well. Could be an interesting game,

It looks like the tickets for the Bulls vs Saracens game is selling well already, several blocks on the main stand is already sold out or close to selling out. We might have a 25k-30k crowd the weekend if the sales keep up like that.

bok_viking wrote: Mon Dec 04, 2023 8:57 am

OomStruisbaai wrote: Sun Dec 03, 2023 4:56 pm Leicester Tigers destroy Newcastle 47-3. Stormers in for a big pakslae next week.

So Libbok vs Pollard the weekend. Leicester seems to be getting some form after a bad start to their season as well. Could be an interesting game,

It looks like the tickets for the Bulls vs Saracens game is selling well already, several blocks on the main stand is already sold out or close to selling out. We might have a 25k-30k crowd the weekend if the sales keep up like that.

Dont look like Libbok or the Boks will feature for the Stormers.

R365

“We will probably be strategic around the Leicester game, so maybe not everybody goes [to England] just because of the six-day turnaround.

“We are going to get back on the Tuesday and then play the two-time European Champions on Saturday afternoon at Cape Town Stadium.

“It’s definitely not going to be ‘full metal jacket’ for one team. It will more likely be a 50-50 for Leicester.

“Probably the guy who is definitely playing La Rochelle would stay behind.

“It would probably be a strategic selection, but it is not an A or B [team].

“You have to be realistic. You can’t ask a guy like Ruben van Heerden to play Leicester for 80 minutes on a Sunday afternoon and come and do the same thing six days later via Doha in economy class against the European champions.

“Strategic calls will have to be made. Maybe a hybrid [team] against Leicester and then ‘full metal’ against La Rochelle.

“That is pretty much where we are at the moment.”

OomStruisbaai wrote: Mon Dec 04, 2023 9:16 am

bok_viking wrote: Mon Dec 04, 2023 8:57 am

OomStruisbaai wrote: Sun Dec 03, 2023 4:56 pm Leicester Tigers destroy Newcastle 47-3. Stormers in for a big pakslae next week.

So Libbok vs Pollard the weekend. Leicester seems to be getting some form after a bad start to their season as well. Could be an interesting game,

It looks like the tickets for the Bulls vs Saracens game is selling well already, several blocks on the main stand is already sold out or close to selling out. We might have a 25k-30k crowd the weekend if the sales keep up like that.

Dont look like Libbok or the Boks will feature for the Stormers.

R365

“We will probably be strategic around the Leicester game, so maybe not everybody goes [to England] just because of the six-day turnaround.

“We are going to get back on the Tuesday and then play the two-time European Champions on Saturday afternoon at Cape Town Stadium.

“It’s definitely not going to be ‘full metal jacket’ for one team. It will more likely be a 50-50 for Leicester.

“Probably the guy who is definitely playing La Rochelle would stay behind.

“It would probably be a strategic selection, but it is not an A or B [team].

“You have to be realistic. You can’t ask a guy like Ruben van Heerden to play Leicester for 80 minutes on a Sunday afternoon and come and do the same thing six days later via Doha in economy class against the European champions.

“Strategic calls will have to be made. Maybe a hybrid [team] against Leicester and then ‘full metal’ against La Rochelle.

“That is pretty much where we are at the moment.”

That is a shame, would have been a nice matchup. So the team against Leicester would basically be the URC team that travelled at the beginning for the season when the boks were not available.

Yes , look like . Bulls dont have sunday matches

ROUND 1

Friday 8th December
Connacht 20:00 Bordeaux-Begles
Glasgow Warriors 20:00 Northampton

Saturday 9th December
Toulon 13:00 Exeter
Bath 15:15 Ulster
Toulouse 15:15 Cardiff Rugby
Bulls 17:30 Saracens
Munster 17:30 Bayonne
Bristol Bears 20:00 Lyon

Sunday 10th December
Sale Sharks 13:00 Stade Francais
La Rochelle 15:15 Leinster
Leicester Tigers 15:15 Stormers
Racing 92 17:30 Harlequins

ROUND 2

Friday 15th December
Bayonne 20:00 Glasgow Warriors
Northampton 20:00 Toulon

Saturday 16th December
Saracens 13:00 Connacht
Stormers 13:00 La Rochelle
Bordeaux-Begles 15:15 Bristol Bears
Leinster 17:30 Sale Sharks
Lyon 17:30 Bulls
Cardiff Rugby 20:00 Bath
Ulster 20:00 Racing 92

Sunday 17th December
Exeter 13:00 Munster
Harlequins 15:15 Toulouse
Stade Francais 17:30 Leicester Tigers

ROUND 3

Friday 12th January
Northampton 20:00 Bayonne

Saturday 13th January
Exeter 13:00 Glasgow Warriors
Lyon 13:00 Connacht
Bristol Bears 15:15 Bulls
Toulon 15:15 Munster
Leinster 17:30 Stade Francais
Stormers 17:30 Sale Sharks
Cardiff Rugby 20:00 Harlequins
Ulster 20:00 Toulouse

Sunday 14th January
Bath 13:00 Racing 92
La Rochelle 15:15 Leicester Tigers
Bordeaux-Begles 17:30 Saracens

ROUND 4

Friday 19th January
Connacht 20:00 Bristol Bears
Glasgow Warriors 20:00 Toulon

Saturday 20th January
Bulls 13:00 Bordeaux-Begles
Harlequins 13:00 Ulster
Leicester Tigers 15:15 Leinster
Racing 92 15:15 Cardiff Rugby
Munster 17:30 Northampton
Stade Francais 17:30 Stormers
Saracens 20:00 Lyon

Sunday 21st January
Sale Sharks 13:00 La Rochelle
Toulouse 15:15 Bath
Bayonne 17:30 Exeter

Cheetahs squad for Zebre
Full Cheetahs squad: Forwards: Rynier Bernardo, Schalk Ferreira, Justin Forwood, Marko Jane van Rensburg, Daniel Maartens, Friedle Olivier, Sibabalo Qoma, Jeandre Rudolph, Victor Sekekete, Alulutho Tshakweni, Henus van Wyk, Gideon van der Merwe, Marnus van der Merwe, Louis van der Westhuizen, Laurence Victor, Carl Wegner. Backs: Evardi Boshoff, Reinhardt Fortuin, Cohen Jasper, Daniel Kasende, Rewan Kruger, George Lourens, Tapiwa Mafura, Ali Mgijima, Ruan Pienaar.

Have to say I'm thoroughly underwhelmed about this years competition.
Can't see Saints qualifying, in fact Bayonne at home looks like their only potential win.

Saturday 9th December
Toulon 13:00 Exeter
Bath 15:15 Ulster
Toulouse 15:15 Cardiff Rugby
Bulls 17:30 Saracens
Munster 17:30 Bayonne
Bristol Bears 20:00 Lyon

On Prime this weekend?

Edit: Meh, it's on TNT (BT) Sport

DHL Stormers vs Leicester Tigers: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Courtnall Skosan, 13 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 12 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 11 Ben Loader, 10 Jurie Matthee, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Keke Morabe, 7 Willie Engelbrecht, 6 Nama Xaba, 5 Connor Evans, 4 Hendre Stassen, 3 Brok Harris (captain), 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Sti Sithole.
Replacements: 16: JJ Kotze, 17 Kwenzo Blose, 18 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 19 Dylan Sjoblom, 20 Junior Pokomela, 21 Marcel Theunissen, 22 Stefan Ungerer, 23 Cornel Smit.

Dobson playing a new born Paarl Gim boy vs a Paarl Gim legend.

Jurie Mattee making his Stormers debut. Played for Maties a year back. Dylan Sjoblom is plugged from Griquas, played Varsity Cup for Shimlas last year.

A mix B & C team.

Leicester by 50.

OomStruisbaai wrote: Fri Dec 08, 2023 12:30 pm
Dobson playing a new born Paarl Gim boy vs a Paarl Gim legend.

Jurie Mattee making his Stormers debut. Played for Maties a year back. Dylan Sjoblom is plugged from Griquas, played Varsity Cup for Shimlas last year.

A mix B & C team.

Leicester by 50.

12 Jean-Luc du Plessis

Glasgow Warriors v Northampton Saints
(Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow – Kick-off: 20.00; 20.00 GMT)
Teams

Glasgow Warriors: 15 Josh McKay, 14 Sebastian Cancelliere, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Stafford McDowall (captain), 11 Ollie Smith, 10 Tom Jordan, 9 Sean Kennedy, 8 Matt Fagerson, 7 Rory Darge, 6 Scott Cummings, 5 Richie Gray, 4 Sintu Manjezi, 3 Zander Fagerson, 2 Johnny Matthews, 1 Jamie Bhatti.
Replacements: 16 George Turner, 17 Oli Kebble, 18 Lucio Sordoni, 19 Max Williamson, 20 Ally Miller, 21 Sione Vailanu, 22 Ben Afshar, 23 Ross Thompson.

Northampton Saints: 15 George Furbank (captain), 14 Ollie Sleightholme, 13 Tommy Freeman, 12 Fraser Dingwall, 11 George Hendy , 10 Fin Smith, 9 Alex Mitchell, 8 Sam Graham, 7 Angus Scott-Young, 6 Courtney Lawes, 5 Alex Moon, 4 Tom Lockett, 3 Paul Hill, 2 Curtis Langdon, 1 Alex Waller.
Replacements: 16 Robbie Smith, 17 Tarek Haffar, 18 Trevor Davison, 19 Temo Mayanavanua, 20 Tom Pearson, 21 Tom James, 22 Tom Litchfield, 23 Tom Seabrook.

Referee: Luc Ramos (France)
Assistant referees: Vivien Praderie (France), Jonathan Gasnier (France)
TMO: Thomas Charabas (France)

Connacht v Bordeaux-Bègles
(The Sportsground, Galway – Kick-off: 20.00; 21.00 French time, 20.00 GMT)

Teams

Connacht: 15 Mack Hansen, 14 Byron Ralston, 13 Cathal Forde, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Andrew Smith, 10 JJ Hanrahan, 9 Caolin Blade, 8 Seán Jansen, 7 Shamus Hurley-Langton, 6 Cian Prendergast, 5 Joe Joyce, 4 Darragh Murray, 3 Finlay Bealham, 2 Dave Heffernan, 1 Denis Buckley.
Replacements: 16 Tadgh McElroy, 17 Peter Dooley, 18 Jack Aungier, 19 Niall Murray, 20 Conor Oliver, 21 Michael McDonald, 22 David Hawkshaw, 23 John Porch.

Bordeaux-Begles: 15 Romain Buros, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Nicolas Depoorte, 12 Ben Tapuai, 11 Pablo Uberti, 10 Matthieu Jalibert, 9 Maxime Lucu, 8 Tevita Tatafu, 7 Pete Samu, 6 Pierre Bochaton, 5 Thomas Jolmès, 4 Guido Petti, 3 Sipili Falatea, 2 Clément Maynadier, 1 Ugo Boniface.
Replacements: 16 Maxime Lamothe, 17 Ben Tameifuna, 18 Carlü Sadie, 19 Alexandre Ricard, 20 Bastien Vergnes-Taillefer, 21 Antoine Miquel, 22 Paul Abadie, 23 Nans Ducuing.

Referee: Karl Dickson (England)
Assistant referees: Joe James (England), John Meredith (England)
TMO: Stuart Terheege (England)

Bulls vs Saracens
Bulls: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 David Kriel, 11 Canan Moodie, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Elrigh Louw (captain), 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Reinhardt Ludwig, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.
Replacements: 16 Simphiwe Matanzima, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Janko Swanepoel, 20 Marcell Coetzee, 21 Zak Burger, 22 Jaco van der Walt, 23 Sergeal Petersen.

Date: Saturday, December 9
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 19.30; 17.30 UK time, 17.30 GMT)
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy)
Assistant referees: Benoit Rousselet (France), Filippo Russo (Italy)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (France)

OomStruisbaai wrote: Fri Dec 08, 2023 2:29 pm
Bulls: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 David Kriel, 11 Canan Moodie, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Embrose Papier,

That's a try-scoring machine right there!

Sharks vs Poes
Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Marnus Potgieter, 13 Lukhanyo Am (captain), 12 Francois Venter, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe, 7 Phepsi Buthelezi, 6 James Venter, 5 Corne Rahl, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Ox Nche
Replacements: 16 Daniel Jooste, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Hanro Jacobs, 19 Le Roux Roets, 20 Lappies Labuschagne, 21 Jaden Hendrikse, 22 Lionel Cronje, 23 Ethan Hooker

Date: Saturday, December 9
Venue: Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 17.15 (15.15 GMT)
Referee: Gianluca Gnecchi (Ita)
Assistant referees: Christophe Ridley, Simon Harding (Eng)
TMO: Ian Tempest (Eng)

Cheetahs vs Zebre

Cheetahs: 15 Tapiwa Mafura, 14 Siba Xamlashe, 13 Evardi Boshoff, 12 Reinhardt Fortuin, 11 Cohen Jasper, 10 George Lourens, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Jeandrè Rudolph, 7 Friedle Olivier, 6 Gideon van der Merwe, 5 Victor Sekekete, 4 Rynier Bernardo, 3 Laurence Victor, 2 Marnus van der Merwe, 1 Schalk Ferreira
Replacements: 16 Louis van der Westhuizen, 17 Alulutho Tshakweni, 18 Hencus van Wyk, 19 Carl Wegner, 20 Daniel Maartens, 21 Sibabalo Qoma, 22 Rewan Kruger, 23 Ali Mgijima

Date: Saturday, December 0
Venue: Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi
Kick-off: 15.00 (13.00 GMT)
Referee: Jack Makepeace
Assistant referees: Sara Cox, Gareth Holsgrove
TMO: Dean Richards.

OomStruisbaai wrote: Fri Dec 08, 2023 2:29 pm Bulls vs Saracens
Bulls: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 David Kriel, 11 Canan Moodie, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Elrigh Louw (captain), 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Reinhardt Ludwig, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.
Replacements: 16 Simphiwe Matanzima, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Janko Swanepoel, 20 Marcell Coetzee, 21 Zak Burger, 22 Jaco van der Walt, 23 Sergeal Petersen.

Date: Saturday, December 9
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 19.30; 17.30 UK time, 17.30 GMT)
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy)
Assistant referees: Benoit Rousselet (France), Filippo Russo (Italy)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (France)

Saracens: Alex Goode, Alex Lewington, Elliot Daly, Nick Tompkins, Sean Maitland, Owen Farrell (capt), Ivan van Zyl, Billy Vunipola, Andy Christie, Juan Martin Gonzalez, Hugh Tizard, Maro Itoje, Alec Clarey, Jamie George, Mako Vunipola. Bench: Theo Dan, Tom West, Christian Judge, Theo McFarland, Toby Knight, Aled Davies, Olly Hartley, Lucio Cinti

OomStruisbaai wrote: Fri Dec 08, 2023 12:26 pm DHL Stormers vs Leicester Tigers: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Courtnall Skosan, 13 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 12 Jean-Luc du Plessis, 11 Ben Loader, 10 Jurie Matthee, 9 Paul de Wet, 8 Keke Morabe, 7 Willie Engelbrecht, 6 Nama Xaba, 5 Connor Evans, 4 Hendre Stassen, 3 Brok Harris (captain), 2 Scarra Ntubeni, 1 Sti Sithole.
Replacements: 16: JJ Kotze, 17 Kwenzo Blose, 18 Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, 19 Dylan Sjoblom, 20 Junior Pokomela, 21 Marcel Theunissen, 22 Stefan Ungerer, 23 Cornel Smit.

Leicester Tigers
15 Freddie Steward [75] 14 Josh Bassett [9] 13 Matt Scott [69] 12 Solomone Kata [5] 11 Ollie Hassell-Collins [10] 10 Handré Pollard [19] 9 Ben Youngs [306] 1 Francois Van Wyk [40] 2 Julián Montoya (c) [46] 3 Dan Cole [314] 4 Ollie Chessum [47] 5 Cameron Henderson [46] 6 Hanro Liebenberg [95] 7 Tommy Reffell [105] 8 Jasper Wiese [65]

REPLACEMENTS
16 Archie Vanes [10] 17 James Cronin [21] 18 Joe Heyes [130] 19 Harry Wells [183] 20 Kyle Hatherell [6] 21 Tom Whiteley [15] 22 Jamie Shillcock [11] 23 Dan Kelly [66]

OomStruisbaai wrote: Fri Dec 08, 2023 3:02 pm

OomStruisbaai wrote: Fri Dec 08, 2023 2:29 pm Bulls vs Saracens
Bulls: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 David Kriel, 11 Canan Moodie, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Elrigh Louw (captain), 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Reinhardt Ludwig, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.
Replacements: 16 Simphiwe Matanzima, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Janko Swanepoel, 20 Marcell Coetzee, 21 Zak Burger, 22 Jaco van der Walt, 23 Sergeal Petersen.

Date: Saturday, December 9
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 19.30; 17.30 UK time, 17.30 GMT)
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy)
Assistant referees: Benoit Rousselet (France), Filippo Russo (Italy)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (France)

Saracens: Alex Goode, Alex Lewington, Elliot Daly, Nick Tompkins, Sean Maitland, Owen Farrell (capt), Ivan van Zyl, Billy Vunipola, Andy Christie, Juan Martin Gonzalez, Hugh Tizard, Maro Itoje, Alec Clarey, Jamie George, Mako Vunipola. Bench: Theo Dan, Tom West, Christian Judge, Theo McFarland, Toby Knight, Aled Davies, Olly Hartley, Lucio Cinti

That's just about a full strength Saracens squad at the moment.
How strong are the Bulls?

SaintK wrote: Fri Dec 08, 2023 3:10 pm

OomStruisbaai wrote: Fri Dec 08, 2023 3:02 pm

OomStruisbaai wrote: Fri Dec 08, 2023 2:29 pm Bulls vs Saracens
Bulls: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 David Kriel, 11 Canan Moodie, 10 Johan Goosen, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Elrigh Louw (captain), 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Reinhardt Ludwig, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Akker van der Merwe, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.
Replacements: 16 Simphiwe Matanzima, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Mornay Smith, 19 Janko Swanepoel, 20 Marcell Coetzee, 21 Zak Burger, 22 Jaco van der Walt, 23 Sergeal Petersen.

Date: Saturday, December 9
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 19.30; 17.30 UK time, 17.30 GMT)
Referee: Andrea Piardi (Italy)
Assistant referees: Benoit Rousselet (France), Filippo Russo (Italy)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (France)

Saracens: Alex Goode, Alex Lewington, Elliot Daly, Nick Tompkins, Sean Maitland, Owen Farrell (capt), Ivan van Zyl, Billy Vunipola, Andy Christie, Juan Martin Gonzalez, Hugh Tizard, Maro Itoje, Alec Clarey, Jamie George, Mako Vunipola. Bench: Theo Dan, Tom West, Christian Judge, Theo McFarland, Toby Knight, Aled Davies, Olly Hartley, Lucio Cinti

That's just about a full strength Saracens squad at the moment.
How strong are the Bulls?

Strong. And in form. Very good match-up!

Sandstorm wrote: Fri Dec 08, 2023 3:39 pm

SaintK wrote: Fri Dec 08, 2023 3:10 pm

OomStruisbaai wrote: Fri Dec 08, 2023 3:02 pm
Saracens: Alex Goode, Alex Lewington, Elliot Daly, Nick Tompkins, Sean Maitland, Owen Farrell (capt), Ivan van Zyl, Billy Vunipola, Andy Christie, Juan Martin Gonzalez, Hugh Tizard, Maro Itoje, Alec Clarey, Jamie George, Mako Vunipola. Bench: Theo Dan, Tom West, Christian Judge, Theo McFarland, Toby Knight, Aled Davies, Olly Hartley, Lucio Cinti

That's just about a full strength Saracens squad at the moment.
How strong are the Bulls?

Strong. And in form. Very good match-up!

I'll make sure I watch it then

SaintK wrote: Fri Dec 08, 2023 4:39 pm

Sandstorm wrote: Fri Dec 08, 2023 3:39 pm

SaintK wrote: Fri Dec 08, 2023 3:10 pm
That's just about a full strength Saracens squad at the moment.
How strong are the Bulls?

Strong. And in form. Very good match-up!

I'll make sure I watch it then

Yep Bulls are in top form.

OomStruisbaai wrote: Fri Dec 08, 2023 6:22 pm

SaintK wrote: Fri Dec 08, 2023 4:39 pm

Sandstorm wrote: Fri Dec 08, 2023 3:39 pm

Strong. And in form. Very good match-up!

I'll make sure I watch it then

Yep Bulls are in top form.

I am looking forward to this game. nice to see 2 full strength teams going at each other. Last home game until the the middle of January. So I will be at the game again. Looks like there will be a decent crowd in as well, might be around the 24k number again. To bad most of the crowd is behind the cameras. The weather seemed to have swung in the bulls favor as well, In the beginning of the week the forecast was that the temperature would have dropped to around 18 degrees with rain at kickoff, now it looks like it will be around 26 degrees and dry. That would definitely suit the way they have been playing this season.

URC teams struggling.

The presenting team for the Saints game is horrible. I get that Wilson's English really, but it'd be nice to have someone actually talking on Northampton's behalf since Hogg's there too. The Irish bint TNT have brought in this season has caused me to scrabble for the mute button all season so far.

SaintK wrote: Fri Dec 08, 2023 10:35 am Have to say I'm thoroughly underwhelmed about this years competition.
Can't see Saints qualifying, in fact Bayonne at home looks like their only potential win.

I think you might have been a bit too pessimistic. Superb win in Glasgow - Saints are playing really well atm. And also a decent side to watch.

Both sides should be disappointed not to pick up bonus points, for different reasons

sockwithaticket wrote: Fri Dec 08, 2023 9:06 pm The presenting team for the Saints game is horrible. I get that Wilson's English really, but it'd be nice to have someone actually talking on Northampton's behalf since Hogg's there too. The Irish bint TNT have brought in this season has caused me to scrabble for the mute button all season so far.

Ease up on the misogyny there, sunshine.

Paddington Bear wrote: Fri Dec 08, 2023 9:55 pm Both sides should be disappointed not to pick up bonus points, for different reasons

Saints should be pretty happy getting a win at a tough place like Glasgow and denying them any spoils. A BP would have been nice but I'm sure they'd have bitten your arm off for that result.

Not a good night for the Scots with Burgh getting well beaten by Clemont.

Ovals wrote: Fri Dec 08, 2023 10:03 pm

Paddington Bear wrote: Fri Dec 08, 2023 9:55 pm Both sides should be disappointed not to pick up bonus points, for different reasons

Saints should be pretty happy getting a win at a tough place like Glasgow and denying them any spoils. A BP would have been nice but I'm sure they'd have bitten your arm off for that result.

Not a good night for the Scots with Burgh getting well beaten by Clemont.

Edinburgh missing 10 starters away to Clermont and losing 31 - 18 doesn't actually feel that bad to be honest. I didn't really expect anything else, in fact I thought it might be worse.

The Glasgow score was very disappointing from a Scottish perspective.

SaintK wrote: Fri Dec 08, 2023 10:35 am Have to say I'm thoroughly underwhelmed about this years competition.
Can't see Saints qualifying, in fact Bayonne at home looks like their only potential win.

Top Mockerage sir!

As for the comp, still a dog's dinner but most of us will still watch it. Missing weekend really screws things though, sooner go 8 pools of 3 if we got the head to heads back.

Tichtheid wrote: Fri Dec 08, 2023 10:01 pm

sockwithaticket wrote: Fri Dec 08, 2023 9:06 pm The presenting team for the Saints game is horrible. I get that Wilson's English really, but it'd be nice to have someone actually talking on Northampton's behalf since Hogg's there too. The Irish bint TNT have brought in this season has caused me to scrabble for the mute button all season so far.

Ease up on the misogyny there, sunshine.

Negative gendered terms aren't misogynistic (or misandrist). I have issue with a particular female presenter, not all female presenters. Sara Elgan and Jill Douglas are always welcome as part of BT/TNT's coverage.

sockwithaticket wrote: Fri Dec 08, 2023 11:43 pm

Tichtheid wrote: Fri Dec 08, 2023 10:01 pm

sockwithaticket wrote: Fri Dec 08, 2023 9:06 pm The presenting team for the Saints game is horrible. I get that Wilson's English really, but it'd be nice to have someone actually talking on Northampton's behalf since Hogg's there too. The Irish bint TNT have brought in this season has caused me to scrabble for the mute button all season so far.

Ease up on the misogyny there, sunshine.

Negative gendered terms aren't misogynistic (or misandrist). I have issue with a particular female presenter, not all female presenters. Sara Elgan and Jill Douglas are always welcome as part of BT/TNT's coverage.

If you'd used a negative epithet targeted at someone's skin colour or race you'd have been rightly dragged over the coals for it.

You could have said something about not liking that presenter, but you didn't. You chose to use an epithet that is derogatory towards women, there is no connotation of that word which is positive.

The doubling down and attempt at excusing your use of language is not a good look at all. It would reflect better on you to just admit the use of the term was poor judgement and move on from there.

It's one of the issues I still have with the rugby world, it been getting better and better over the near fifty years I've been involved with rugby, but this sexism is still not acceptable.

We have threads on this board which are just pictures of women's breasts and another one for arses, ffs

Sheesh

Tichtheid wrote: Sat Dec 09, 2023 12:55 am

sockwithaticket wrote: Fri Dec 08, 2023 11:43 pm

Tichtheid wrote: Fri Dec 08, 2023 10:01 pm


Ease up on the misogyny there, sunshine.

Negative gendered terms aren't misogynistic (or misandrist). I have issue with a particular female presenter, not all female presenters. Sara Elgan and Jill Douglas are always welcome as part of BT/TNT's coverage.

If you'd used a negative epithet targeted at someone's skin colour or race you'd have been rightly dragged over the coals for it.

You could have said something about not liking that presenter, but you didn't. You chose to use an epithet that is derogatory towards women, there is no connotation of that word which is positive.

The doubling down and attempt at excusing your use of language is not a good look at all. It would reflect better on you to just admit the use of the term was poor judgement and move on from there.

It's one of the issues I still have with the rugby world, it been getting better and better over the near fifty years I've been involved with rugby, but this sexism is still not acceptable.

We have threads on this board which are just pictures of women's breasts and another one for arses, ffs

Paragraph 1-3. With you.

After that.