2022/23 Champions/Challenge Cup

[sockwithaticket]

Gloucester is a nice team to watch, too bad they don’t have a good FH now.

Teddy might score tries every other games, but he’s such a reliability in defense.

Do you perhaps mean liability, Mandy? Reliable in defense would mean you can trust him there.

[JM2K6]

Impressive control and power meets impressive defence and determination. Winger nearly blew it though. Shame, think Glaws have deserved this, but that's what you get for having the temerity to turn up with a normal sized team.

[Torquemada 1420]

Finally someone gives Thomas the ball

[_Os_]

Racing92 were the worst team I've seen today, no clue if that was their best side (surely it cannot be?), but there were some test capped players in their side. They were a man up for 62 minutes, but the Lions still easily won and put over 50 points on them. On that performance Racing 92 are a bottom half of the log CC team.

[Torquemada 1420]

Impressive control and power meets impressive defence and determination. Winger nearly blew it though. Shame, think Glaws have deserved this, but that's what you get for having the temerity to turn up with a normal sized team.

One wonders why Glaws play with 1/10th that commitment the rest of the time.

[ASMO]

Fantastic game for the neutral

[sockwithaticket]

Impressive control and power meets impressive defence and determination. Winger nearly blew it though. Shame, think Glaws have deserved this, but that's what you get for having the temerity to turn up with a normal sized team.

One wonders why Glaws play with 1/10th that commitment the rest of the time.

I was just thinking that Skivington must be looking at this performance and wondering where the hell it's come from given their usual level.

[JM2K6]

I miss the days of referees deciding to pay attention to off your feet calls in the last minute. Comical final ruck - but consistent with the rest of the match. Ah well. Not much more glaws could've done here. Outplayed LaR but the sheer weight of, erm, weight finally told. Great contest.

[Torquemada 1420]

Racing92 were the worst team I've seen today, no clue if that was their best side (surely it cannot be?), but there were some test capped players in their side. They were a man up for 62 minutes, but the Lions still easily won and put over 50 points on them. On that performance Racing 92 are a bottom half of the log CC team.

It was a 2nd-3rd string team. Whenever you see Vol-au-vent selected, you know they aren't even interested. There can't ever been a greater spoofer who has cadged a living as a pro rugby player than him. But they've been garbage for quite some time even with a 1st team. The place has become a joke, playboy club.

[Torquemada 1420]

I miss the days of referees deciding to pay attention to off your feet calls in the last minute. Comical final ruck - but consistent with the rest of the match. Ah well. Not much more glaws could've done here. Outplayed LaR but the sheer weight of, erm, weight finally told. Great contest.

Better side on the day lost. Adamson remains a sh*t stain on any rugby pitch. I suspect ROG will be tearing strips off his side for getting sucked into the harem scarem. TKB is another in the production line of SHs worldwide who does more to aid opposition defences than anything opponents do by permanently slowing the ball down. Actually outdid Christie's eggtimer show this morning.

[Slick]

I miss the days of referees deciding to pay attention to off your feet calls in the last minute. Comical final ruck - but consistent with the rest of the match. Ah well. Not much more glaws could've done here. Outplayed LaR but the sheer weight of, erm, weight finally told. Great contest.

Watching bits of a few games today, including the Scottish women, it seems as if refs have been told not to bother with attacking players cleaning out rucks from the side. Was apparent in much of the 6N (Ireland, followed by everyone) and now all teams have realised it’s not being reffed. We have such a weird sport

[Sandstorm]

I miss the days of referees deciding to pay attention to off your feet calls in the last minute. Comical final ruck - but consistent with the rest of the match. Ah well. Not much more glaws could've done here. Outplayed LaR but the sheer weight of, erm, weight finally told. Great contest.

Watching bits of a few games today, including the Scottish women, it seems as if refs have been told not to bother with attacking players cleaning out rucks from the side. Was apparent in much of the 6N (Ireland, followed by everyone) and now all teams have realised it’s not being reffed. We have such a weird sport

Can’t agree more.

[Torquemada 1420]

I miss the days of referees deciding to pay attention to off your feet calls in the last minute. Comical final ruck - but consistent with the rest of the match. Ah well. Not much more glaws could've done here. Outplayed LaR but the sheer weight of, erm, weight finally told. Great contest.

Watching bits of a few games today, including the Scottish women, it seems as if refs have been told not to bother with attacking players cleaning out rucks from the side. Was apparent in much of the 6N (Ireland, followed by everyone) and now all teams have realised it’s not being reffed. We have such a weird sport

And not just clearing from the side but dangerously so i.e. lifting players in the air which would be carded in a tackle situation.

[GogLais]

I miss the days of referees deciding to pay attention to off your feet calls in the last minute. Comical final ruck - but consistent with the rest of the match. Ah well. Not much more glaws could've done here. Outplayed LaR but the sheer weight of, erm, weight finally told. Great contest.

Watching bits of a few games today, including the Scottish women, it seems as if refs have been told not to bother with attacking players cleaning out rucks from the side. Was apparent in much of the 6N (Ireland, followed by everyone) and now all teams have realised it’s not being reffed. We have such a weird sport

Ah, I’m glad somebody else has said that. I’ve muttered “In from the side” any number of times recently without anything happening.

[OomStruisbaai]

I miss the days of referees deciding to pay attention to off your feet calls in the last minute. Comical final ruck - but consistent with the rest of the match. Ah well. Not much more glaws could've done here. Outplayed LaR but the sheer weight of, erm, weight finally told. Great contest.

Better side on the day lost. Adamson remains a sh*t stain on any rugby pitch. I suspect ROG will be tearing strips off his side for getting sucked into the harem scarem. TKB is another in the production line of SHs worldwide who does more to aid opposition defences than anything opponents do by permanently slowing the ball down. Actually outdid Christie's eggtimer show this morning.

Adamson is a shite ref. Rassie will make a long video.

[GogLais]

Cardiff 28 Sale 27

[Sards]

Reporting in from a chilly Newlands. Its bloody going off here. Covered in beer.

Our local senior club Milnerton had a T20 final for the region at the Newlands cricket ground in the morning. 2 of my boys coaches were playing as well as a friends son , so we spent the morning there supporting. Was a cracker of a morning with lovely weather. Was tempted to go to the rugby, but 4 hours with a 9 year old was enough for the day.

[TheNatalShark]

Today will be one of the very very few days I hope the Bulls win

Gaan Bulle joy lekker ding!

Any ideas what time the final on 20th May might be? Will be on a flight on 18:35 CET and have a feeling I will miss the Sharks winning

[Torquemada 1420]

Leicester the only Prem side through so far although Sarasins and Chiefs should both follow.

[dpedin]

Leicester the only Prem side through so far although Sarasins and Chiefs should both follow.

Leicester were awful though and beat an even more awful Edinburgh who haven't won on the road for a long time and sit 14 out of 16 in the league. Edinburgh practically gave them the win on Friday night. Mid table Cardiff beat Sale, 2nd top of the Premiership. Quins and Gloucester a bit unlucky?

Interesting games today!

[Paddington Bear]

Leicester the only Prem side through so far although Sarasins and Chiefs should both follow.

Leicester were awful though and beat an even more awful Edinburgh who haven't won on the road for a long time and sit 14 out of 16 in the league. Edinburgh practically gave them the win on Friday night. Mid table Cardiff beat Sale, 2nd top of the Premiership. Quins and Gloucester a bit unlucky?

Interesting games today!

I assumed Sale had put out a scratch side but no.

Exeter aren’t going anywhere, Sarries probably ought to win and then have the joy of La Rochelle away I believe, as Leicester travel to Dublin.
Gloucester unlucky, Quins were very much second best even if the ref didn’t help. Not a great year for us.

[Torquemada 1420]

Predictably ROG not at all impressed and gives an honest appraisal
https://www.rugbyrama.fr/2023/04/02/cha ... 106337.php

Again, he has to pick up on Fre mentality when it comes to playing oppos that, on paper, they expect to beat.

[Torquemada 1420]

Leicester the only Prem side through so far although Sarasins and Chiefs should both follow.

Leicester were awful though and beat an even more awful Edinburgh who haven't won on the road for a long time and sit 14 out of 16 in the league. Edinburgh practically gave them the win on Friday night. Mid table Cardiff beat Sale, 2nd top of the Premiership. Quins and Gloucester a bit unlucky?

Interesting games today!

I assumed Sale had put out a scratch side but no.

Exeter aren’t going anywhere, Sarries probably ought to win and then have the joy of La Rochelle away I believe, as Leicester travel to Dublin.
Gloucester unlucky, Quins were very much second best even if the ref didn’t help. Not a great year for us.

The Sale result pretty much sums up for me why England is struggling. English title challengers field full strength side against URC oppos lying at the bottom end of its comp and lose. Second season running where English representation is going to be negligible. Last season I thought it was just one of those things but after the "Celts" comp. being a joke pretty much forever (propped up solely by the Irish), it really looks like it's England that has the sick man now.

[C69]

Predictably ROG not at all impressed and gives an honest appraisal
https://www.rugbyrama.fr/2023/04/02/cha ... 106337.php

Again, he has to pick up on Fre mentality when it comes to playing oppos that, on paper, they expect to beat.

Tbh but for a very sympathetic Francophile official Glaws would have won easily.
Shameful really

[GogLais]

Leicester were awful though and beat an even more awful Edinburgh who haven't won on the road for a long time and sit 14 out of 16 in the league. Edinburgh practically gave them the win on Friday night. Mid table Cardiff beat Sale, 2nd top of the Premiership. Quins and Gloucester a bit unlucky?

Interesting games today!

I assumed Sale had put out a scratch side but no.

Exeter aren’t going anywhere, Sarries probably ought to win and then have the joy of La Rochelle away I believe, as Leicester travel to Dublin.
Gloucester unlucky, Quins were very much second best even if the ref didn’t help. Not a great year for us.

The Sale result pretty much sums up for me why England is struggling. English title challengers field full strength side against URC oppos lying at the bottom end of its comp and lose. Second season running where English representation is going to be negligible. Last season I thought it was just one of those things but after the "Celts" comp. being a joke pretty much forever (propped up solely by the Irish), it really looks like it's England that has the sick man now.

Great game, well I would say that. So that was Sale’s regular scrum that was taken to the cleaner’s? I finally saw what the fuss is about with Mason Grady and Priestland had a blinder. Tuilagi did less damage than I feared.

[C69]

I assumed Sale had put out a scratch side but no.

Exeter aren’t going anywhere, Sarries probably ought to win and then have the joy of La Rochelle away I believe, as Leicester travel to Dublin.
Gloucester unlucky, Quins were very much second best even if the ref didn’t help. Not a great year for us.

The Sale result pretty much sums up for me why England is struggling. English title challengers field full strength side against URC oppos lying at the bottom end of its comp and lose. Second season running where English representation is going to be negligible. Last season I thought it was just one of those things but after the "Celts" comp. being a joke pretty much forever (propped up solely by the Irish), it really looks like it's England that has the sick man now.

Great game, well I would say that. So that was Sale’s regular scrum that was taken to the cleaner’s? I finally saw what the fuss is about with Mason Grady and Priestland had a blinder. Tuilagi did less damage than I feared.

Grady seemed to come of age today, a nice turn off pace and looked assured and pacey was the best Centre on the pitch.

[Simian]

The Sale result pretty much sums up for me why England is struggling. English title challengers field full strength side against URC oppos lying at the bottom end of its comp and lose. Second season running where English representation is going to be negligible. Last season I thought it was just one of those things but after the "Celts" comp. being a joke pretty much forever (propped up solely by the Irish), it really looks like it's England that has the sick man now.

Great game, well I would say that. So that was Sale’s regular scrum that was taken to the cleaner’s? I finally saw what the fuss is about with Mason Grady and Priestland had a blinder. Tuilagi did less damage than I feared.

Grady seemed to come of age today, a nice turn off pace and looked assured and pacey was the best Centre on the pitch.

By a fair distance too, I thought

[SaintK]

Leicester the only Prem side through so far although Sarasins and Chiefs should both follow.

Leicester were awful though and beat an even more awful Edinburgh who haven't won on the road for a long time and sit 14 out of 16 in the league. Edinburgh practically gave them the win on Friday night. Mid table Cardiff beat Sale, 2nd top of the Premiership. Quins and Gloucester a bit unlucky?

Interesting games today!

I wouldn't bet against Ospreys turning over Saracens and if Exeter play as badly as the have been recently they'll also get beaten

[C69]

Leicester the only Prem side through so far although Sarasins and Chiefs should both follow.

Leicester were awful though and beat an even more awful Edinburgh who haven't won on the road for a long time and sit 14 out of 16 in the league. Edinburgh practically gave them the win on Friday night. Mid table Cardiff beat Sale, 2nd top of the Premiership. Quins and Gloucester a bit unlucky?

Interesting games today!

I wouldn't bet against Ospreys turning over Saracens and if Exeter play as badly as the have been recently they'll also get beaten

Can't see the Ospreys doing anything tbh, just want to see Anscombe back on the field.

However knowing Welsh rugby and a RWC on the horizon, now is the time they will find form and surprise me.

[Paddington Bear]

Leicester the only Prem side through so far although Sarasins and Chiefs should both follow.

Leicester were awful though and beat an even more awful Edinburgh who haven't won on the road for a long time and sit 14 out of 16 in the league. Edinburgh practically gave them the win on Friday night. Mid table Cardiff beat Sale, 2nd top of the Premiership. Quins and Gloucester a bit unlucky?

Interesting games today!

I wouldn't bet against Ospreys turning over Saracens and if Exeter play as badly as the have been recently they'll also get beaten

Sarries are definite favourites but it is no foregone conclusion. I reckon Exeter will lose by 20 points, they have been dismal the last couple of times I’ve seen them.

In amongst ‘x English team can’t beat/scraped by y average URC side’ we have to also account for Gloucester, a non-entity of an English side, nearly turning over the reigning champions and probably deserving to. Knock out sport is a funny beast.

[SaintK]

Leicester were awful though and beat an even more awful Edinburgh who haven't won on the road for a long time and sit 14 out of 16 in the league. Edinburgh practically gave them the win on Friday night. Mid table Cardiff beat Sale, 2nd top of the Premiership. Quins and Gloucester a bit unlucky?

Interesting games today!

I wouldn't bet against Ospreys turning over Saracens and if Exeter play as badly as the have been recently they'll also get beaten

Sarries are definite favourites but it is no foregone conclusion. I reckon Exeter will lose by 20 points, they have been dismal the last couple of times I’ve seen them.

In amongst ‘x English team can’t beat/scraped by y average URC side’ we have to also account for Gloucester, a non-entity of an English side, nearly turning over the reigning champions and probably deserving to. Knock out sport is a funny beast.

Stop it, you're spoiling Torque's narrative!

[Oxbow]

That makes me happy Langdon is coming to Saints next season.

[ASMO]

Pathetic attempt at a tackle from the Exeter wing

[ASMO]

Too easy, Exeter an absolute shambles

[OomStruisbaai]

Montpellier will have to play much better to win this one.

[ASMO]

That was cretinous by Stooke

[ASMO]

Fuck off is that a red card

[sockwithaticket]

Fuck off is that a red card

Why not?

[OomStruisbaai]

That's the game. Stormers can pack their bags

[fishfoodie]

That's the game. Stormers can pack their bags

Plenty of time for Exeter to fuck this up, & get their own RC