Say what you mean sir.JM2K6 wrote: Tue Jan 25, 2022 4:55 pm Ah, I see we're at the stage where fans are angrily demanding I justify an opinion. Fair enough - on the basis that I don't keep a spreadsheet of these things, make it "meltdown [singular] and subsequent dickheadedness in the press, allied to a general sense that he was an occasional twat on the field and an unlikeable member of an unlikeable team".
European Rugby Thread
- Torquemada 1420
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Must say I’ve always liked Earls a lot, just seemed a quiet guy who got on with it- must have missed all the Brown stuff.
Of the others mentioned, I also like POM (probably the only person in Scotland) Farrell and Lawes (what the hell is there to dislike about him?)
Brown is also a dick off the field in my experience and Marler I’m undecided about. Sexton seems a prick and I haven’t heard any stories to change my mind. I loath Biggar on the pitch but have heard loads of stories about him being a top lad off it.
Like fishfoodie, I was a bit of a cock on the pitch for some reason, just couldn’t help myself, but always the first shaking hands and going for a beer with the opposition after.
Of the others mentioned, I also like POM (probably the only person in Scotland) Farrell and Lawes (what the hell is there to dislike about him?)
Brown is also a dick off the field in my experience and Marler I’m undecided about. Sexton seems a prick and I haven’t heard any stories to change my mind. I loath Biggar on the pitch but have heard loads of stories about him being a top lad off it.
Like fishfoodie, I was a bit of a cock on the pitch for some reason, just couldn’t help myself, but always the first shaking hands and going for a beer with the opposition after.
All the money you made will never buy back your soul
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... if they were paying.Slick wrote: Tue Jan 25, 2022 9:46 pm but always the first shaking hands and going for a beer with the opposition after.
- Uncle fester
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JM2K6 wrote: Tue Jan 25, 2022 4:55 pm Ah, I see we're at the stage where fans are angrily demanding I justify an opinion. Fair enough - on the basis that I don't keep a spreadsheet of these things, make it "meltdown [singular] and subsequent dickheadedness in the press, allied to a general sense that he was an occasional twat on the field and an unlikeable member of an unlikeable team".

I beg to differ. I hated Brian Moore.fishfoodie wrote: Tue Jan 25, 2022 6:46 pm I think the, hate, of opposition players, is a product of Professionalism.
While club supporters might get to see them in the clubhouse after games, & when they're coaching the minis, or around with their own families; & generally see them off the pitch; the rest of us just get the 80mins when their being wankers, to the best of their ability.
I know the difference between my, On Pitch persona; & Off; were very much Jekyll, & Hyde. Mates of mine couldn't believe what a bastard I was, when I happened to be on the opposite side; & it was probably just as well we were mates, before I met them on the pitch![]()
Keets Biography was a hot topic before Christmas in Ireland; because they published it to get it in those Christmas stockings. It caused the same response in Ireland, at the time; & it was nice to see such support for him; & gratitude, for him opening up about such a difficult topic, & show young men, in particular; that it's okay to talk about their mental health; & there is help available.
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Which is why he was so successful. He was able, time and again, to get under the skin of French irrationality and emotion.TheFrog wrote: Wed Jan 26, 2022 12:34 amI beg to differ. I hated Brian Moore.fishfoodie wrote: Tue Jan 25, 2022 6:46 pm I think the, hate, of opposition players, is a product of Professionalism.
While club supporters might get to see them in the clubhouse after games, & when they're coaching the minis, or around with their own families; & generally see them off the pitch; the rest of us just get the 80mins when their being wankers, to the best of their ability.
I know the difference between my, On Pitch persona; & Off; were very much Jekyll, & Hyde. Mates of mine couldn't believe what a bastard I was, when I happened to be on the opposite side; & it was probably just as well we were mates, before I met them on the pitch![]()
Keets Biography was a hot topic before Christmas in Ireland; because they published it to get it in those Christmas stockings. It caused the same response in Ireland, at the time; & it was nice to see such support for him; & gratitude, for him opening up about such a difficult topic, & show young men, in particular; that it's okay to talk about their mental health; & there is help available.
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Dunno. Kockott seems quite popular in Castres and also when he was in the French team. Unlike another overseas SH: Byron Kelleher had a reputation for being a tw*t. IIRC,Jim Lahey wrote: Wed Jan 26, 2022 3:31 pm Can someone verify that Delon Armitage and Rory Kockett are both cocks off the pitch as well as on it?
even his team mate (Marshall) disliked him and Gregan aimed the infamous "4 more years" sledge specifically at him.
He was arrested when at Toulouse when he crashed his car whilst drink driving and then tried to pick a fight with the victim driver..... who turned out to be one of France's cage fighters who
proceeded to beat the sh*t out of the AB.
Always enjoyed that story. I think it was one of the passers-by that stopped to help, not the driver, that did for him. Kelleher was having a pop at everyoneTorquemada 1420 wrote: Wed Jan 26, 2022 4:42 pmDunno. Kockott seems quite popular in Castres and also when he was in the French team. Unlike another overseas SH: Byron Kelleher had a reputation for being a tw*t. IIRC,Jim Lahey wrote: Wed Jan 26, 2022 3:31 pm Can someone verify that Delon Armitage and Rory Kockett are both cocks off the pitch as well as on it?
even his team mate (Marshall) disliked him and Gregan aimed the infamous "4 more years" sledge specifically at him.
He was arrested when at Toulouse when he crashed his car whilst drink driving and then tried to pick a fight with the victim driver..... who turned out to be one of France's cage fighters who
proceeded to beat the sh*t out of the AB.

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Did he do the dirty on one of Guy Noves' daughters as well?
Might be mixing him up with somebody else though.
Might be mixing him up with somebody else though.
It’s France. Could be anyoneUncle fester wrote: Wed Jan 26, 2022 6:44 pm Did he do the dirty on one of Guy Noves' daughters as well?
Might be mixing him up with somebody else though.
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Wasn't kelleher the lad who was fucking a porn star for quite a while
Do you guys know the French Rugby Podcast with Kayser and Beattie? Beattie in one of the podcast talks about Kockott. Apparently he is the type of guys who would pick up fights even in training.Torquemada 1420 wrote: Wed Jan 26, 2022 4:42 pmDunno. Kockott seems quite popular in Castres and also when he was in the French team. Unlike another overseas SH: Byron Kelleher had a reputation for being a tw*t. IIRC,Jim Lahey wrote: Wed Jan 26, 2022 3:31 pm Can someone verify that Delon Armitage and Rory Kockett are both cocks off the pitch as well as on it?
even his team mate (Marshall) disliked him and Gregan aimed the infamous "4 more years" sledge specifically at him.
He was arrested when at Toulouse when he crashed his car whilst drink driving and then tried to pick a fight with the victim driver..... who turned out to be one of France's cage fighters who
proceeded to beat the sh*t out of the AB.
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Even better. Thanks for the clarification. Just realised that was 12 years ago!!!!JM2K6 wrote: Wed Jan 26, 2022 6:36 pmAlways enjoyed that story. I think it was one of the passers-by that stopped to help, not the driver, that did for him. Kelleher was having a pop at everyoneTorquemada 1420 wrote: Wed Jan 26, 2022 4:42 pmDunno. Kockott seems quite popular in Castres and also when he was in the French team. Unlike another overseas SH: Byron Kelleher had a reputation for being a tw*t. IIRC,Jim Lahey wrote: Wed Jan 26, 2022 3:31 pm Can someone verify that Delon Armitage and Rory Kockett are both cocks off the pitch as well as on it?
even his team mate (Marshall) disliked him and Gregan aimed the infamous "4 more years" sledge specifically at him.
He was arrested when at Toulouse when he crashed his car whilst drink driving and then tried to pick a fight with the victim driver..... who turned out to be one of France's cage fighters who
proceeded to beat the sh*t out of the AB.![]()
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Yes. That was Kelleher too. It was rumoured that was why he left the club.Uncle fester wrote: Wed Jan 26, 2022 6:44 pm Did he do the dirty on one of Guy Noves' daughters as well?
Might be mixing him up with somebody else though.
As an aside, IIRC, both of Noves daughters were lookers. One married Clerc. Presumably not the same one Kelleher had been entertaining.
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He is very knowledgeable on Fre rugby and has a nice balance with his humour. I also like his frankness when players do something dim.ASMO wrote: Thu Jan 27, 2022 8:38 am I am growing to really like Kayser, great pundit, enjoyed his appearance on The Good, the Bad and the Rugby, had some good stories to tell.
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Fights in training aren't necessarily a bad thing.TheFrog wrote: Thu Jan 27, 2022 3:07 amDo you guys know the French Rugby Podcast with Kayser and Beattie? Beattie in one of the podcast talks about Kockott. Apparently he is the type of guys who would pick up fights even in training.Torquemada 1420 wrote: Wed Jan 26, 2022 4:42 pmDunno. Kockott seems quite popular in Castres and also when he was in the French team. Unlike another overseas SH: Byron Kelleher had a reputation for being a tw*t. IIRC,Jim Lahey wrote: Wed Jan 26, 2022 3:31 pm Can someone verify that Delon Armitage and Rory Kockett are both cocks off the pitch as well as on it?
even his team mate (Marshall) disliked him and Gregan aimed the infamous "4 more years" sledge specifically at him.
He was arrested when at Toulouse when he crashed his car whilst drink driving and then tried to pick a fight with the victim driver..... who turned out to be one of France's cage fighters who
proceeded to beat the sh*t out of the AB.
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Was watching the most recent one this morning, he's great value as always. Meanwhile Haskell seems to be offering ever less that's worth listening to and developing a bit of a persecution complex while acting the prick. I really debate whether to bother with the ones he's involved in these days.ASMO wrote: Thu Jan 27, 2022 8:38 am I am growing to really like Kayser, great pundit, enjoyed his appearance on The Good, the Bad and the Rugby, had some good stories to tell.
More Ben, less Haskell please.
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FIXEDsockwithaticket wrote: Thu Jan 27, 2022 9:51 amWas watching the most recent one this morning, he's great value as always. Meanwhile Haskell seems to be offering ever less that's worth listening to and developing a bit of a persecution complex while acting the prick. I really debate whether to bother with the ones he's involved in these days.ASMO wrote: Thu Jan 27, 2022 8:38 am I am growing to really like Kayser, great pundit, enjoyed his appearance on The Good, the Bad and the Rugby, had some good stories to tell.
More Ben, less Brand Haskell please.
Haskell has just become a parody of himself, he is what, 3 years retired now? what has he done since then, a bit of DJ work, the whole MMA thing never materialised so basically he is desperately trying to remain relevant.Torquemada 1420 wrote: Thu Jan 27, 2022 10:41 amFIXEDsockwithaticket wrote: Thu Jan 27, 2022 9:51 amWas watching the most recent one this morning, he's great value as always. Meanwhile Haskell seems to be offering ever less that's worth listening to and developing a bit of a persecution complex while acting the prick. I really debate whether to bother with the ones he's involved in these days.ASMO wrote: Thu Jan 27, 2022 8:38 am I am growing to really like Kayser, great pundit, enjoyed his appearance on The Good, the Bad and the Rugby, had some good stories to tell.
More Ben, less Brand Haskell please.
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He has another podcast and his bargain bin books too, but, yeah, not much. Payne, Tindall and Kayser is the best version of GBR.ASMO wrote: Thu Jan 27, 2022 10:44 amHaskell has just become a parody of himself, he is what, 3 years retired now? what has he done since then, a bit of DJ work, the whole MMA thing never materialised so basically he is desperately trying to remain relevant.Torquemada 1420 wrote: Thu Jan 27, 2022 10:41 amFIXEDsockwithaticket wrote: Thu Jan 27, 2022 9:51 am
Was watching the most recent one this morning, he's great value as always. Meanwhile Haskell seems to be offering ever less that's worth listening to and developing a bit of a persecution complex while acting the prick. I really debate whether to bother with the ones he's involved in these days.
More Ben, less Brand Haskell please.
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ThanksDinsdale Piranha wrote: Fri Jan 28, 2022 4:51 amPodcast.
https://goodbadrugby.com/
https://youtube.com/c/TheGoodTheBadTheRugby