European Rugby Thread

[Jim Lahey]

This competition is so weird. The matches I caught were either outstanding or terrible. Nothing in between.

Ulster looking very good. Lowry must be close to an Ireland call up.

He'll be capped and rightly so but his size means a sustained international career will probably be beyond him.

Unfortunately this will likely be the case. Which is a shame as he's a tough little fecker.

I'd love to see him given a run-out on the wing for Ireland (again massively unlikely to happen). He's got a great kicking game, can tackle, is electric ball in hand and wins his fair share of high balls somehow despite being a midget.

Failing that he'd be a great bench option to have given his skillset, versatility and ability to change the game.

[iarmhí]

That loss for Toulouse means they could be looking at an away 1/4 . Such a stupid performance. They're unbeatable in France and very beatable outside it .

[Torquemada 1420]

That loss for Toulouse means they could be looking at an away 1/4 . Such a stupid performance. They're unbeatable in France and very beatable outside it .

T14 has been weird this season when you consider how the intl side has been doing. I said a few months back that if the clubs played the way they were at start of season, they'd get bummed in Europe. Only UBB has really got its act together. Toulon and Paris (despite the largest budget) are in a relegation battle. Racing has lost 4 of its last 5. MH has won 5 in a row but that is misleading because most of them were against bottom clubs. So, on paper, Toulouse looks good but that really has been misleading too with Dupont papering over cracks. Some of those cracks are injuries with the likes of Marchand and Guitoune being near perma sicknotes but they really haven't put in much by the way of convincing performances this season.

FWIW, UBB really is the only realistic Fre contender. Racing are unlikely because the likes of Leicester, Exeter and Ulster would just beat them up.

[Uncle fester]

This competition is so weird. The matches I caught were either outstanding or terrible. Nothing in between.

Ulster looking very good. Lowry must be close to an Ireland call up.

He'll be capped and rightly so but his size means a sustained international career will probably be beyond him.

I'm genuinely intrigued to see how he'd get on against Freddie Steward in a high ball contest.

Ulster need to start picking him at 10. There's very little chance he'll be worse than Burns.

[Torquemada 1420]

Ulster need to start picking him at 10. There's very little chance he'll be worse than Burns.

Amazes me that Ulster continue to win games with him at the helm.

[Uncle fester]

Got a contract extension and all but across the board, Irish rugby teams can be very slow to let underperforming players go.

[TheFrog]

No. I can imagine the crying PSA with that terrible tone we have been accustomed to during his years at the helm of the French team.

One guy who impresses me as a coach is Urios. He has been successful with a "small" team, he is now quite successful with stars. Looks like he knows his rugby and how to manage players.

It's worth it for the laugh at his whining. Even worse given his hypocrisy over the position when the roles were reversed and Leinster were affected by covid.

Yes. Urios clearly has a plan and, critically, his players are following it. Their style does leave them vulnerable to sides who can kick in behind them tactically and physically hustle them out of the game (which is exactly what Leicester did in a mirror of Fra v Eng in RWC03) which is why they need to do a bit of work on their tactical kicking. That said, you look at Jalibert's game management versus Ntamack's at the weekend. The latter was really poor against a side playing with 14 men.

I thought Bordeaux lacked efficiency for a long time until they scored that amazing try through an inspiration, out of a move initially fumbled.

I haven't been able to watch Toulouse, so can't compare both fly-halves but will take your word for it. I remember that Jalibert came within a tenth of an inch to be intercepted and giving the first try to the Scarlets.

The young full back running lines were amazing, although I think his first try was generously granted by the ref.

Vergnes, in the backrow, impressed me. Surprised he is not on Galthie's radar.

I read that there is a young lock at La Rochelle who is slowly rising to the forefront, Picquette. Did you watch him? Is he close to challenge the likes of Willemse or Tao as a powerful lock? We lack quality in the second row, and a bit of competition would be welcome.

[fishfoodie]

Ulster need to start picking him at 10. There's very little chance he'll be worse than Burns.

Amazes me that Ulster continue to win games with him at the helm.

They seem to have created a game plan; where the OH isn't critical; & with Cooney, (& from the look if it Doak), as a 9.5; it works for them !

I think Leinster should do something similar; to offset the drop in standard when Sexton hangs up his boots.

[Jim Lahey]

He'll be capped and rightly so but his size means a sustained international career will probably be beyond him.

I'm genuinely intrigued to see how he'd get on against Freddie Steward in a high ball contest.

Ulster need to start picking him at 10. There's very little chance he'll be worse than Burns.

I agree and disagree.

I agree that he'd probably do a better job at 10 than Burns, although to be fair Billy Boy had a reasonable game yesterday.

I disagree that Lowry should play 10. He's playing great rugby at 15 and offers a threat running from deep that we would struggle to replace with our current squad.

Burns when he is playing with confidence is a good URC/competent ERC-level player. The best use of resources is keeping him as our starting 10 imo, and giving him a boot up the arse/arm around the shoulder to keep the brainfarts away.

[Torquemada 1420]

I thought Bordeaux lacked efficiency for a long time until they scored that amazing try through an inspiration, out of a move initially fumbled.

I haven't been able to watch Toulouse, so can't compare both fly-halves but will take your word for it. I remember that Jalibert came within a tenth of an inch to be intercepted and giving the first try to the Scarlets.

The young full back running lines were amazing, although I think his first try was generously granted by the ref.

Vergnes, in the backrow, impressed me. Surprised he is not on Galthie's radar.

I read that there is a young lock at La Rochelle who is slowly rising to the forefront, Picquette. Did you watch him? Is he close to challenge the likes of Willemse or Tao as a powerful lock? We lack quality in the second row, and a bit of competition would be welcome.

Yes. That is true. Until they started their running game, it was all pretty aimless. Which kinda is my point about Jalibert growing up with his game management.

I had not seen Picquette before but he had an excellent game. Definitely one to watch because lock still concerns me that the best option is still 2 safas.

[Uncle fester]

I'm genuinely intrigued to see how he'd get on against Freddie Steward in a high ball contest.

Ulster need to start picking him at 10. There's very little chance he'll be worse than Burns.

I agree and disagree.

I agree that he'd probably do a better job at 10 than Burns, although to be fair Billy Boy had a reasonable game yesterday.

I disagree that Lowry should play 10. He's playing great rugby at 15 and offers a threat running from deep that we would struggle to replace with our current squad.

Burns when he is playing with confidence is a good URC/competent ERC-level player. The best use of resources is keeping him as our starting 10 imo, and giving him a boot up the arse/arm around the shoulder to keep the brainfarts away.

Do you not have other options at 15? McIlroy will probably do a job for you there until Addison comes back to full fitness (and stays there for 15 mins before breaking again).
If he has international ambitions, he's going to need to play 10 a bit more.

[Jim Lahey]

Ulster need to start picking him at 10. There's very little chance he'll be worse than Burns.

I agree and disagree.

I agree that he'd probably do a better job at 10 than Burns, although to be fair Billy Boy had a reasonable game yesterday.

I disagree that Lowry should play 10. He's playing great rugby at 15 and offers a threat running from deep that we would struggle to replace with our current squad.

Burns when he is playing with confidence is a good URC/competent ERC-level player. The best use of resources is keeping him as our starting 10 imo, and giving him a boot up the arse/arm around the shoulder to keep the brainfarts away.

Do you not have other options at 15? McIlroy will probably do a job for you there until Addison comes back to full fitness (and stays there for 15 mins before breaking again).
If he has international ambitions, he's going to need to play 10 a bit more.

McIlroy is a very decent player and could do a job at 15 but in my eyes he's very servicable rather than game changing from FB. He'd be a good backup option.

I've written Addison off at this point which is a shame. I know his current injury was a freak one but given his lack of game time I can't view him as an option until he strings 6 or 7 games together without breaking.

There are other options like Gilroy or Stockdale at 15 but neither would fill me with confidence, especially Stockdale.

I just think the combination of McIlroy's stability/composure, the power and pace of Baloucoune and Lowry's creativity and ability to cause chaos for defences is our best back 3.

[paddyor]

Got a contract extension and all but across the board, Irish rugby teams can be very slow to let underperforming players go.

McCloskey makes it work for Burns and to a lesser extent Hume

[Uncle fester]

Got a contract extension and all but across the board, Irish rugby teams can be very slow to let underperforming players go.

McCloskey makes it work for Burns and to a lesser extent Hume

Yeah, those lads are guaranteed front foot ball against most teams.

[Torquemada 1420]

FFLOSE's hilarious take on the Montpellier game:
https://fflose.com/champions-cup-leinst ... tres-cher/

We can imagine that Montpellier's team talk at the break must have been very intense. And we weren't wrong. As soon as the game resumed, the Irish planted 3 more tries in the space of just 7 minutes. You have to view as the glass half full; the weather conditions are perfect for playing rugby this afternoon............. Between the missed tackles, the accordion alignments of the Hérault's defence, the spaces left as wide as the Champs-Élysées and the kicks directly into touch, the performance of MHR is just phenomenal.

[SaintK]

I thought Umaga might have crouched enough for mitigation, but he ran the risk and paid the price.

We're going to need a hell of a game to overcome this.

What happened?

Didn't get low enough in a tackle and smacked heads with Page Relo.

Umaga out for 4 weeks

[sockwithaticket]

What happened?

Didn't get low enough in a tackle and smacked heads with Page Relo.

Umaga out for 4 weeks

That's double the previous ban, which makes sense. Thought it might be a bit more actually considering he literally just came back from a ban for the same offence and he got a week off the previous tariff to take some sot of course on tackling(which clearly didn't stick).

[fishfoodie]

So what's the spread for Bath v Leinster, this weekend ?

I don't usually bet on Rugby; but this one might be free money

[Edit] Just checked; ... Leinster +25 Pile on folks !!!

[ASMO]

So what's the spread for Bath v Leinster, this weekend ?

I don't usually bet on Rugby; but this one might be free money

[Edit] Just checked; ... Leinster +25 Pile on folks !!!

Thats free money

[Torquemada 1420]

Toulon v Falcons pp'd which effectively means cancelled since Toulon already have a backlog in T14 and are in the relegation zone and so will want out of Europe asap.

Toulouse v Blues looks like it's going ahead at the moment despite covid all over the red camp including Dupont.
probably still too good for the Blues.

[ASMO]

Toulon v Falcons pp'd which effectively means cancelled since Toulon already have a backlog in T14 and are in the relegation zone and so will want out of Europe asap.

Toulouse v Blues looks like it's going ahead at the moment despite covid all over the red camp including Dupont.
probably still too good for the Blues.

Ohhhh i see your fav is playing at 15 Torq

[Torquemada 1420]

Toulon v Falcons pp'd which effectively means cancelled since Toulon already have a backlog in T14 and are in the relegation zone and so will want out of Europe asap.

Toulouse v Blues looks like it's going ahead at the moment despite covid all over the red camp including Dupont.
probably still too good for the Blues.

Ohhhh i see your fav is playing at 15 Torq

"playing" is a reach.

[JM2K6]

Quins have rested a bunch against Castres, probably wisely. Very few chances for a rest at the moment. Still not a complete 2nd team with some big names taking the field.

Marler, Musk, Kerrod, Lamb, Tizard, Vailani, Wallace, Dombrandt, Steele, Allen, Murley, Esterhuizen, Jones, Lynagh, David

Smith and Marchant on the bench for a rescue act if needed...

[Torquemada 1420]

Quins have rested a bunch against Castres, probably wisely. Very few chances for a rest at the moment. Still not a complete 2nd team with some big names taking the field.

Marler, Musk, Kerrod, Lamb, Tizard, Vailani, Wallace, Dombrandt, Steele, Allen, Murley, Esterhuizen, Jones, Lynagh, David

Smith and Marchant on the bench for a rescue act if needed...

Saw that. Which makes the pick tough because Castres have partially done the same. Looks like a lot tighter game now than would have expected because CO will still be cussed.

[The sun god]

So what's the spread for Bath v Leinster, this weekend ?

I don't usually bet on Rugby; but this one might be free money

[Edit] Just checked; ... Leinster +25 Pile on folks !!!

Thats free money

Shirley Bath will mount some sort of a challenge at home in the Rec, no ????

[duke]

So what's the spread for Bath v Leinster, this weekend ?

I don't usually bet on Rugby; but this one might be free money

[Edit] Just checked; ... Leinster +25 Pile on folks !!!

Thats free money

Shirley Bath will mount some sort of a challenge at home in the Rec, no ????

Given the results we’ve had at home this year, take the money! Only one game one against a 14 man Worcester where we scraped over the line. For the rest, we’ve been roundly stuffed pretty much every week!

[The sun god]

Thats free money

Shirley Bath will mount some sort of a challenge at home in the Rec, no ????

Given the results we’ve had at home this year, take the money! Only one game one against a 14 man Worcester where we scraped over the line. For the rest, we’ve been roundly stuffed pretty much every week!

No idea what sort of team Leinster are putting out tomorrow but still I never underestimate a top club like Bath regardless of how shit they have been.

[sockwithaticket]

Shirley Bath will mount some sort of a challenge at home in the Rec, no ????

Given the results we’ve had at home this year, take the money! Only one game one against a 14 man Worcester where we scraped over the line. For the rest, we’ve been roundly stuffed pretty much every week!

No idea what sort of team Leinster are putting out tomorrow but still I never underestimate a top club like Bath regardless of how shit they have been.

[Lobby]

So what's the spread for Bath v Leinster, this weekend ?

I don't usually bet on Rugby; but this one might be free money

[Edit] Just checked; ... Leinster +25 Pile on folks !!!

Thats free money

Shirley Bath will mount some sort of a challenge at home in the Rec, no ????

Saracens scored 71 points against them at the Rec in October, so the main question this weekend should be whether Leinster can beat that score.

[The sun god]

Thats free money

Shirley Bath will mount some sort of a challenge at home in the Rec, no ????

Saracens scored 71 points against them at the Rec in October, so the main question this weekend should be whether Leinster can beat that score.

I would be more than happy with a BP win. Their points diff is off the charts as it is.

[ASMO]

Shirley Bath will mount some sort of a challenge at home in the Rec, no ????

Saracens scored 71 points against them at the Rec in October, so the main question this weekend should be whether Leinster can beat that score.

I would be more than happy with a BP win. Their points diff is off the charts as it is.

I am pretty sure the BP will be achieved before half time

[The sun god]

Saracens scored 71 points against them at the Rec in October, so the main question this weekend should be whether Leinster can beat that score.

I would be more than happy with a BP win. Their points diff is off the charts as it is.

I am pretty sure the BP will be achieved before half time

Poor Bath.....WTF has happened to them ?.
As an aside, always a great weekend away when we would get them in the Heineken 10/15 years ago. good Rugby blokes.

[ASMO]

I would be more than happy with a BP win. Their points diff is off the charts as it is.

I am pretty sure the BP will be achieved before half time

Poor Bath.....WTF has happened to them ?.
As an aside, always a great weekend away when we would get them in the Heineken 10/15 years ago. good Rugby blokes.

2 words, Stuart Hooper

[sockwithaticket]

I would be more than happy with a BP win. Their points diff is off the charts as it is.

I am pretty sure the BP will be achieved before half time

Poor Bath.....WTF has happened to them ?.
As an aside, always a great weekend away when we would get them in the Heineken 10/15 years ago. good Rugby blokes.

Years of un-arrested mediocrity taking a nose dive under the inexperienced stewardship of Stuart Hooper

[The sun god]

I am pretty sure the BP will be achieved before half time

Poor Bath.....WTF has happened to them ?.
As an aside, always a great weekend away when we would get them in the Heineken 10/15 years ago. good Rugby blokes.

Years of un-arrested mediocrity taking a nose dive under the inexperienced stewardship of Stuart Hooper

It remains to be seen but I doubt think Van Graan will be the answer to anyone's question !!!!

[sockwithaticket]

Wasps team to go tackle Munster


Returns from injury or illness for West, Millar-Mills, Stooke, Robson, Watson, Morris and Spink.

The unavailable list this week:
Biyi Alo, Alfie Barbeary, Malakai Fekitoa, Vaea Fifita, Dan Frost, Jimmy Gopperth, Ben Harris, Robin Hislop, Francois Hougaard, Zach Kibirige, Joe Launchbury, Matteo Minozzi, Will Simonds, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Jacob Umaga, Jack Willis, Tom Willis.

Bolded players were involved in the Toulouse win last week. Seems like a lot to lose and every time we get some guys coming back from injury, more fall over. Notable exception for Umaga starting his ban.

Probably going to get beat, very few teams rock up at Thomond and win in Europe.

[sockwithaticket]

Poor Bath.....WTF has happened to them ?.
As an aside, always a great weekend away when we would get them in the Heineken 10/15 years ago. good Rugby blokes.

Years of un-arrested mediocrity taking a nose dive under the inexperienced stewardship of Stuart Hooper

It remains to be seen but I doubt think Van Graan will be the answer to anyone's question !!!!

If he could just arrest the decline and maye get them back to lower mid-table, that'd be an improvement.

[ASMO]

Years of un-arrested mediocrity taking a nose dive under the inexperienced stewardship of Stuart Hooper

It remains to be seen but I doubt think Van Graan will be the answer to anyone's question !!!!

If he could just arrest the decline and maye get them back to lower mid-table, that'd be an improvement.

depends on the question being asked, if the question is "name someone who would be an improvement on the pile of shit coaching Bath currently have?" then he would be one of probably 1000+ answers

[The sun god]

Cardiff/Toulouse game off with Cardiff getting the win.......!!! Makes it interesting for Wasps on Sunday.

[ASMO]

Cardiff/Toulouse game off with Cardiff getting the win.......!!! Makes it interesting for Wasps on Sunday.

Toulouse fail to qualify then?