Rugby Union

[johnnytodd]

Just found this thread, my nephew is playing at Worcester ground this Sunday he is apparently a rising star ( i know nothing about union ) the JT crew will be down there this weekend

 

[RavenBish]

I hate that law, it should be about the tackle itself not how the player lands after it.

 

[kieran_vale]

Feel a wee bit sorry for Daly there. It was clumsy and the red did the right thing according to interpreting the rules etc but he had his eye on the ball to almost the last second and I'd defy anyone to stop dead in there tracks there.

Big challenge for England defensively as if there has been a question mark this autumn it is in that area. Argentina been somewhat sloppy in their play so far.

 

[kieran_vale]

And here in lies the problem, same thing in the air but because May landed differently one is a red card and the other is just a penalty. Could do with looking at.

On another note it would be great if Mike Brown was taught how to pass at some stage in his career. Great break by him but that pass was substandard to say the least.

 

[RavenBish]

Argentina are utter fucking rammel, don't look anything like they did in the Rugby Championship and they'd be getting an absolute pumping if this was 15 v 15.

 

[kieran_vale]

Terrific job by the England pack in this second half. Just helped to kill the momentum Argentina had threatened to build up.

 

[RavenBish]

I'm going to need it explaining to me how that's a yellow for Marler. It's another where Marler gets nothing if he doesn't get stamped on so is he basically getting penalised for the other player's actions?

 

[kieran_vale]

Argentina were distinctly ordinary but got to feel really thrilled with that win by England. 13 point margin when down to 14 after 4 minutes and having 13 men at a couple of points. Really loved the work of the back row especially Tom Wood. Really hope Billy Vunipola is good enough to go against the Aussies next week.

 

[RavenBish]

Superb. No idea what Barnes has spent the entire second half going on about - Argentina were not good at all, nowhere near it and the idea that winning fairly comfortably with 14 men for 78 minutes and missing a number of players is a bit of a blip in Jones' reign is ludicrous. By far the most disciplined they've been this Autumn too, they made hardly any, if any at all, errors in their own half.

Hopefully Hughes is back for next week (not a doctor but Billy's injury looked significant) because Harrison was a weak link at 8 (not entirely his fault as with Billy, Hughes & Clifford he's never really going to be expected to be an 8 for England).

 

[kieran_vale]

Fantastic 30 minutes from Ireland, absolutely dominated the Aussies.

Did briefly flick over to the Wales v SA game but it looked so pedestrian by comparison. Whoever wins that it's only papering over the cracks.

 

[Super_horns]

South Africa look so poor - Wales winning pretty comfortably without getting into gear.

Good win for England with the 14 men.

Aussies coming back into their game against the Irish.

 

[kieran_vale]

Turning into a classic this Ireland game. The Aussies have played some stunning rugby in the second half. The skills they've displayed have been incredible. Thankfully Ireland come back right at them and lead again. Great viewing.

 

[RavenBish]

Billy V out for 4 months

Daly expecting a ban

Eddie's at the Quins/Bath game currently watching Rokodoguni, Yarde and Clifford you would suspect with those 2 vacancies.

 

[kieran_vale]

Horrible news on Billy, no two ways about that. I'd be surprised if it was anyone other than Ben Morgan brought in as the number 8, may well be wrong but that's my hot take on it anyway.

Would like to see Rokodoguni come back into the side also, he's earned the right after his performance against Fiji.

Englands considerable strength in depth is really being tested.

 

[hodge]

Real shame for Billy and a massive blow for England in the 6 nations, at least Billy's place on the plane for the Lions should be secure.

 

[Super_horns]

Bonus points in the 6 Nations..

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/38157831

Good or bad idea?

 

[hodge]

Designed to encourage attacking rugby so good in that regard, however I feel the 6 nations generates enough buzz and excitement in its current state.

 

[kieran_vale]

Once again another masterclass from Ben Youngs at scrumhalf. Joy to watch at present.

 

[Super_horns]

After a slow start an excellent England win.

Really strong 2nd half full of intent and took our chances.

 

[RavenBish]

thought we were in for a clubbing with the way the Aussies started, especially the speed of Pocock and Hooper at the breakdown but 2nd half they were superb. Youngs in particular.

With the options on the wings, I would be interested to see Nowell or Watson tested there when they're back.

 

[RavenBish]

Might be questions about Mallinder soon. Hartley's just been sent off for trying to decapitate Sean O'Brien and is looking at the same old headlines, Eddie Jones pictured laughing at them compounding the issue by then subbing off captain and their best player tonight Tom Wood.

Team just doesn't look right despite how good that front 8 should be.

In other news, Kurtley Beale making his debut at 12 for Wasps against Connacht on Sunday! Heck of a gamble after so long out.

 

[Super_horns]

Northampton have lost their way a bit.

Doubt the saga over George North has helped..

 

[RavenBish]

In other news, Kurtley Beale making his debut at 12 for Wasps against Connacht on Sunday! Heck of a gamble after so long out.

...and he's been absolutely superb.

 

[RavenBish]

one of those good because it's bad games between Bordeaux and Exeter here - so many handling errors and turnovers. Only positives are that Jack Nowell and Cowan-Dickie (Hartley won't last much longer in the England set-up with him and George around) look back and in good shape and Henry Slade continues to look like a bloke destined to take the number 10 shirt off Ford.

Bordeaux's fullback Geoff Cros looks a hell of a talent too, only 19.

 

[kieran_vale]

Nothing pretty about it at all but credit to the Tigers for a very gutsy effort beating Munster after last weeks shambles. Got maybe a bit lucky with Munster getting penalised and Zebo getting sinbinned for a late tackle. I genuinely don't know what the TMO was looking at there especially for a card.

About as clutch a kick as you could get though from Williams from inside his own half to win it though.

 

[RavenBish]

no idea how Wasps lost that, they were the better team. The turnover/penalty at the end looked very dodgy too as the Connacht player looked off his feet.

 

[kieran_vale]

That was a bit of a melo-drama over that Northampton try there. Don't know why, he was clearly onside on the interception.

 

[Super_horns]

Bit of a fight back from the English sides today - few groups pretty tight atm.

 

[kieran_vale]

Leinster turning the screw now, already got the bonus point. Think they're going to stick 50 on Northampton at least.

Pisi has been particularly bad for the Saints. Bottled it a bit on that knock-on that was returned for the try.

 

[RavenBish]

When you go to the effort to build a back 3 of Charnley, Haley and Solomona - what's the point when you supplement it with a half back pair as uninspiring as Phillips and MacGinty? Phillips in particular is abysmal.

Sale are a weird side.