The Official English Rugby Thread

[epwc]

World leading English teams? When was the last time we had club teams performing well in Europe?

[SaintK]

World leading English teams? When was the last time we had club teams performing well in Europe?

Cough!
Saints made the semi final last season and only narrowly lost to a Leinster team stuffed full of Irish squad players
Quins gave Toulouse a run for their money in the other semi as well
But I take your point.

[epwc]

Actually had forgotten already!

Would be nice to be regular contenders though

[sockwithaticket]

Actually had forgotten already!

Would be nice to be regular contenders though

I think we are tbh. In recent seasons the Prem record is:

23/24 - 2 semi-finalists, 4 quarter-finalists
22/23 - 1 semi, 3 quarter
21/22 - 0 semi, 2 quarter (this year Leinster were the only non-French semi-finalist
20/21 - 0 semi, 2 quarter
19/20 - 1 finalist, 2 semi, 3 quarter (and one of the quarters was contested between two English teams so one had to go out)

That compares pretty favourably with other nations. Without Leinster, Ireland's representation in the knock outs drops like a stone.

[Rhubarb & Custard]

World leading English teams? When was the last time we had club teams performing well in Europe?

Sarries and Exeter, back when the clubs were pushing player salaries to the points clubs would end up folding. Better to acknowledge where we are, and that really means the big payers in France and Ireland (really just Leinster) are likely to have the edge, but so be it for now

[epwc]

Yeah sustainability definitely better

[duke]

Sitiveni Sivivatu headed to Marlborough Rugby Club


https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union ... rl4dng1l2o

Marlborough used to be a classic Dorset & Wiltshire town club - plenty of locals from all backgrounds together with a few passing squaddies based locally for a couple of years. They appear to have transformed themselves into a much tougher proposition with a lot of Fijian, Tongan and now NZ connections which have lead to them climbing the leagues at a fair rate. Not sure if they have a financial backer and it will be interesting to see how far they climb.

[Bullet]

Sitiveni Sivivatu headed to Marlborough Rugby Club


https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union ... rl4dng1l2o

Marlborough used to be a classic Dorset & Wiltshire town club - plenty of locals from all backgrounds together with a few passing squaddies based locally for a couple of years. They appear to have transformed themselves into a much tougher proposition with a lot of Fijian, Tongan and now NZ connections which have lead to them climbing the leagues at a fair rate. Not sure if they have a financial backer and it will be interesting to see how far they climb.

Used to run Marlborough close each year in Dorset and Wilts cup before lockdown, pretty sure they had been automatically relegated (couple of times?) for unregistered players.
Last big name played against there was Chris Budgen after he left Exeter

[duke]

Sitiveni Sivivatu headed to Marlborough Rugby Club


https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union ... rl4dng1l2o

Marlborough used to be a classic Dorset & Wiltshire town club - plenty of locals from all backgrounds together with a few passing squaddies based locally for a couple of years. They appear to have transformed themselves into a much tougher proposition with a lot of Fijian, Tongan and now NZ connections which have lead to them climbing the leagues at a fair rate. Not sure if they have a financial backer and it will be interesting to see how far they climb.

Used to run Marlborough close each year in Dorset and Wilts cup before lockdown, pretty sure they had been automatically relegated (couple of times?) for unregistered players.
Last big name played against there was Chris Budgen after he left Exeter

Who were you playing for? I used to be at Blandford a long time ago (retired in '96)

[petej]

Actually had forgotten already!

Would be nice to be regular contenders though

I think we are tbh. In recent seasons the Prem record is:

23/24 - 2 semi-finalists, 4 quarter-finalists
22/23 - 1 semi, 3 quarter
21/22 - 0 semi, 2 quarter (this year Leinster were the only non-French semi-finalist
20/21 - 0 semi, 2 quarter
19/20 - 1 finalist, 2 semi, 3 quarter (and one of the quarters was contested between two English teams so one had to go out)

That compares pretty favourably with other nations. Without Leinster, Ireland's representation in the knock outs drops like a stone.

We are also trying to achieve a different end point in our domestic competition that is more towards the NFL model (unpredictable) than the premiership football (predictable and dull despite the hype).

[Rhubarb & Custard]

Actually had forgotten already!

Would be nice to be regular contenders though

I think we are tbh. In recent seasons the Prem record is:

23/24 - 2 semi-finalists, 4 quarter-finalists
22/23 - 1 semi, 3 quarter
21/22 - 0 semi, 2 quarter (this year Leinster were the only non-French semi-finalist
20/21 - 0 semi, 2 quarter
19/20 - 1 finalist, 2 semi, 3 quarter (and one of the quarters was contested between two English teams so one had to go out)

That compares pretty favourably with other nations. Without Leinster, Ireland's representation in the knock outs drops like a stone.

We are also trying to achieve a different end point in our domestic competition that is more towards the NFL model (unpredictable) than the premiership football (predictable and dull despite the hype).

Maybe of recent times. So far it feels more like Leicester win followed by Sarries win with sporadic interest shown by Saints, Exeter and Quins

[Bullet]

Sitiveni Sivivatu headed to Marlborough Rugby Club


https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union ... rl4dng1l2o

Marlborough used to be a classic Dorset & Wiltshire town club - plenty of locals from all backgrounds together with a few passing squaddies based locally for a couple of years. They appear to have transformed themselves into a much tougher proposition with a lot of Fijian, Tongan and now NZ connections which have lead to them climbing the leagues at a fair rate. Not sure if they have a financial backer and it will be interesting to see how far they climb.

Used to run Marlborough close each year in Dorset and Wilts cup before lockdown, pretty sure they had been automatically relegated (couple of times?) for unregistered players.
Last big name played against there was Chris Budgen after he left Exeter

Who were you playing for? I used to be at Blandford a long time ago (retired in '96)

Many games against Blandford but never an easy day.
Lytchett Minster 1987-2020

[duke]

Used to run Marlborough close each year in Dorset and Wilts cup before lockdown, pretty sure they had been automatically relegated (couple of times?) for unregistered players.
Last big name played against there was Chris Budgen after he left Exeter

Who were you playing for? I used to be at Blandford a long time ago (retired in '96)

Many games against Blandford but never an easy day.
Lytchett Minster 1987-2020

Usually first game of the season and then the 7s at the end of it, proper local rivalry

[inactionman]

England have recruited Dan Tobin from Gloucester as fitness coach

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union ... dgkwe380jo

I'm not up to speed on the qualities of various fitness coaches, but I'm sincerely hoping Gloucester's dire form of last season wasn't down to lack of conditioning.

[SaintK]

England have recruited Dan Tobin from Gloucester as fitness coach

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union ... dgkwe380jo

I'm not up to speed on the qualities of various fitness coaches, but I'm sincerely hoping Gloucester's dire form of last season wasn't down to lack of conditioning.

He had already been lined up to replace Tom Tombleson at the end of last season. Looks like it is an instant promotion for him unless O'Shea has found anyone else as good as Aled Walters!

[inactionman]

England have recruited Dan Tobin from Gloucester as fitness coach

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union ... dgkwe380jo

I'm not up to speed on the qualities of various fitness coaches, but I'm sincerely hoping Gloucester's dire form of last season wasn't down to lack of conditioning.

He had already been lined up to replace Tom Tombleson at the end of last season. Looks like it is an instant promotion for him unless O'Shea has found anyone else as good as Aled Walters!

That's reassuring, was worried England would go a bit knee-jerk.

Out of interest, and I ask only as it's near your neck of the woods - rugby league is kicking off an expansion team in Bedford, any views on whether this is good, bad, indifferent for union teams in the area?

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/no-he ... -expansion

As the article states, many other teams have tried this and failed, but thought it was noteworthy nonetheless as it;s in an area where union is very strong.

[SaintK]

England have recruited Dan Tobin from Gloucester as fitness coach

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union ... dgkwe380jo

I'm not up to speed on the qualities of various fitness coaches, but I'm sincerely hoping Gloucester's dire form of last season wasn't down to lack of conditioning.

He had already been lined up to replace Tom Tombleson at the end of last season. Looks like it is an instant promotion for him unless O'Shea has found anyone else as good as Aled Walters!

That's reassuring, was worried England would go a bit knee-jerk.

Out of interest, and I ask only as it's near your neck of the woods - rugby league is kicking off an expansion team in Bedford, any views on whether this is good, bad, indifferent for union teams in the area?

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/no-he ... -expansion

As the article states, many other teams have tried this and failed, but thought it was noteworthy nonetheless as it;s in an area where union is very strong.

As it says, the Bedfordshire region is a strong RU area with teams like Ampthill at level 2 down to numerous smaller teams down as far as level 9 Most of those clubs are well established, traditional clubs. Top be honest unless they are going to "buy" their way in and attract players that way I can't see many crossing codes. It will probably go the same way as previous efforts

[inactionman]

He had already been lined up to replace Tom Tombleson at the end of last season. Looks like it is an instant promotion for him unless O'Shea has found anyone else as good as Aled Walters!

That's reassuring, was worried England would go a bit knee-jerk.

Out of interest, and I ask only as it's near your neck of the woods - rugby league is kicking off an expansion team in Bedford, any views on whether this is good, bad, indifferent for union teams in the area?

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/no-he ... -expansion

As the article states, many other teams have tried this and failed, but thought it was noteworthy nonetheless as it;s in an area where union is very strong.

As it says, the Bedfordshire region is a strong RU area with teams like Ampthill at level 2 down to numerous smaller teams down as far as level 9 Most of those clubs are well established, traditional clubs. Top be honest unless they are going to "buy" their way in and attract players that way I can't see many crossing codes. It will probably go the same way as previous efforts

It seems a weird place to try to establish a RL presence

[petej]

That's reassuring, was worried England would go a bit knee-jerk.

Out of interest, and I ask only as it's near your neck of the woods - rugby league is kicking off an expansion team in Bedford, any views on whether this is good, bad, indifferent for union teams in the area?

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/no-he ... -expansion

As the article states, many other teams have tried this and failed, but thought it was noteworthy nonetheless as it;s in an area where union is very strong.

As it says, the Bedfordshire region is a strong RU area with teams like Ampthill at level 2 down to numerous smaller teams down as far as level 9 Most of those clubs are well established, traditional clubs. Top be honest unless they are going to "buy" their way in and attract players that way I can't see many crossing codes. It will probably go the same way as previous efforts

It seems a weird place to try to establish a RL presence

Very weird. You have saints not too far away and the bedford blues.

[SaintK]

Sinfield offered 3 year contract from RFU

[sockwithaticket]

Mixed feelings about that. Defence didn't look too sharp when he was in charge of it and the unclear situation about his coming and going over the last couple of years has been pretty unsatisfactory. That said, a bit of continuity in the national coaching set up wouldn't go amiss.

[fishfoodie]

More Competition merger rumors

viewtopic.php?p=371240#p371240

[sockwithaticket]

URC have already put out a statement slapping it down.

[Torquemada 1420]

Stuart Lancaster doing a job at Racing Farrell costs them the game last week and is in the bin this.

And the nepotism move to pick his deeply ordinary son is going well.

[petej]

Stuart Lancaster doing a job at Racing Farrell costs them the game last week and is in the bin this.

And the nepotism move to pick his deeply ordinary son is going well.

Farrell on form then?

[SaintK]

Stuart Lancaster doing a job at Racing Farrell costs them the game last week and is in the bin this.

And the nepotism move to pick his deeply ordinary son is going well.

Farrell on form then?

Though Racing managed a win

[Torquemada 1420]

Stuart Lancaster doing a job at Racing Farrell costs them the game last week and is in the bin this.

And the nepotism move to pick his deeply ordinary son is going well.

Farrell on form then?

He was poor again yesterday with Midol giving him 5/10.

[inactionman]

Looking forward to Friday's game, re-match of the 2024 final (Bath vs Northampton at the Rec)

Hoping for some clear weather to encourage some running rugby, although the rec surface is much less prone to waterlogging and bogging thanks to some improvements to the grass.

I'm going for a Bath win but within a converted try.

[inactionman]

I haven't missed this debate though - it's just never-bloody-ending.

Premiership coaches believe existing red-card protocols should be changed in an effort to keep “15 v 15” on the field and avoid “destroying the game” after three major finals last season were marred by sendings-off.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/ ... g-the-game

[SaintK]

Looking forward to Friday's game, re-match of the 2024 final (Bath vs Northampton at the Rec)

Hoping for some clear weather to encourage some running rugby, although the rec surface is much less prone to waterlogging and bogging thanks to some improvements to the grass.

I'm going for a Bath win but within a converted try.

Not sure what to expect from Saints this season. Lot of experience has left but hopefully the attacking game will continue where it left off and the new found confident defence system will hold up.
Looking at Sarries, Bath, Sale as potential top four. Bristol have to step up this season and need to start where they left off at the end of last season. Quins also likely to be there or thereabouts.

[inactionman]

Looking forward to Friday's game, re-match of the 2024 final (Bath vs Northampton at the Rec)

Hoping for some clear weather to encourage some running rugby, although the rec surface is much less prone to waterlogging and bogging thanks to some improvements to the grass.

I'm going for a Bath win but within a converted try.

Not sure what to expect from Saints this season. Lot of experience has left but hopefully the attacking game will continue where it left off and the new found confident defence system will hold up.
Looking at Sarries, Bath, Sale as potential top four. Bristol have to step up this season and need to start where they left off at the end of last season. Quins also likely to be there or thereabouts.

Aye, Losing the likes of Ludlum and Lawes in particular is going to hurt, but I think it's an entire front row as well? I missed Paul Hill has moved up to Edinburgh, never quite kicked on the way I hoped he might.

Still, hoping Saints keep the same approach as last season - the backs still look very, very handy.

Bath have let a few go and a few have retired, but they tended to be squad players and it looks like a general belt-tightening that most teams are going through. Guy Pepper has signed from Newcastle, interested to see how he goes although back row is pretty competitive at Bath at the minute.

[JM2K6]

I haven't missed this debate though - it's just never-bloody-ending.

Premiership coaches believe existing red-card protocols should be changed in an effort to keep “15 v 15” on the field and avoid “destroying the game” after three major finals last season were marred by sendings-off.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/ ... g-the-game

Meagher is the fucking worst for this stuff and it's the same handful of coaches every time. Tedious whining about matches being ruined while referring to brilliant contests. Pricks, the lot of them.

[inactionman]

I haven't missed this debate though - it's just never-bloody-ending.

Premiership coaches believe existing red-card protocols should be changed in an effort to keep “15 v 15” on the field and avoid “destroying the game” after three major finals last season were marred by sendings-off.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/ ... g-the-game

Meagher is the fucking worst for this stuff and it's the same handful of coaches every time. Tedious whining about matches being ruined while referring to brilliant contests. Pricks, the lot of them.

They may have been exciting, but as a Bath fan I'd really rather Obano wasn't sent off.

But, yes, the whole ongoing back-and-forth is tedious, and it needs to be a mantra that we can't have people suffering brain injuries and life-long disability just because big hits are fun. Everything else should be secondary to that.

[epwc]

it needs to be a mantra that we can't have people suffering brain injuries and life-long disability just because big hits are fun. Everything else should be secondary to that.

Agree, too many players have suffered already

[SaintK]

Eddie was talking bollocks! Will be intresting to see how he leads Sarries now that Farrell has moved on.

Maro Itoje aims to prove former England coach Eddie Jones wrong as he takes on the Saracens captaincy.
Jones questioned whether Itoje was suited to captaincy in a 2021 book, claiming the second row was "very inward-looking" and did not "usually influence people off the field".
"I felt that was a wrong diagnosis of who I am," said Itoje.
"Most people who know me, most people who read those comments who knew me, would say that was an inaccurate conclusion to who I am as a person.
"I guess it was unfortunate that your coach would say something like that about you, but in life not everyone is going to see the things that way you see it."
The 29-year-old also denied Jones' claim that he had taken "acting lessons" to improve his leadership.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-uni ... 0m38y77yo

[JM2K6]

I haven't missed this debate though - it's just never-bloody-ending.




https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/ ... g-the-game

Meagher is the fucking worst for this stuff and it's the same handful of coaches every time. Tedious whining about matches being ruined while referring to brilliant contests. Pricks, the lot of them.

They may have been exciting, but as a Bath fan I'd really rather Obano wasn't sent off.

But, yes, the whole ongoing back-and-forth is tedious, and it needs to be a mantra that we can't have people suffering brain injuries and life-long disability just because big hits are fun. Everything else should be secondary to that.

Sure, no fan is going to be happy when their player is sent off. But that was a gripping and tense final not at all ruined by the card as a spectacle or a contest. Did it change the result? Yeah, probably. Is that a bad thing? Well, most major events can have a big impact on the final result. What it didn't do was rob the spectators or the players of an excellent contest.

[inactionman]

No wonderhill or Du Toit, but Guy Pepper on the bench - keen to see how he goes.

[SaintK]

Saints team for Bath tomorrow night Mitchell out with a hip issue, Odendahl out with long term knee injury and the Fijian second row still with Fiji in their championship final at the weekend. Otherwise all present and correct.

Saints: Furbank (c); Ramm, Dingwall, Hutchinson, Sleightholme; F Smith, James; Iyogun, C Langdon, Davison; Scott-Young, Munga; Kemeny, Pearson, Graham.
Replacements: R Smith, West, Green, Hunter-Hill, Augustus, McParland, Thame, Freeman.

My mate was in at Saints yeaterday doing some work with Scottish hooker Smith. He had a chat and a coffee with Sam Vesty who said he thought Saints were a little undercooked and about a week away from where they should be!!!
If that's the case then Bath by 9

[Oxbow]

Having to play a backrow at lock isn't ideal, not sure why Hunter-Hill isn't starting he's looked quite impressive in the warm ups. Saints by 40 (or likely a narrowish win for Bath).

[Paddington Bear]

Bath are looking pretty serious here, bit of a statement