The Official English Rugby Thread

[JM2K6]

Don't think an idiot winger getting himself binned and then Saracens scoring down his wing two minutes later was the idea from Exeter, but it's not a surprise.

Elliott is a very exciting talent.

It’s possible to get overexcited about a young winger, but it’s hands like that that give you confidence in his future, as much as his pace/step

He seems to be an excellent all rounder - the athleticism is the cherry on top rather than the sum total of his game.

[JM2K6]

For all the deep throating by the commentary team, Saracens will probably be very unhappy with the second half and how their subs performed. That should have been a full on thrashing.

[SaintK]

Isiekwe and Ewels called up for England camp replacing Martin and Coles who were both injured over the weekend
Not very inspsiring!

[Biffer]

Chieka trying to play the victim card for his own bad behaviour. Prick.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union ... dvmgj41eeo

[inactionman]

Isiekwe and Ewels called up for England camp replacing Martin and Coles who were both injured over the weekend
Not very inspsiring!

Ewels is a very lucky chap - regardless of whether you view him a good player (I do, others don't) he's had two very poor red cards.

[inactionman]

Chieka trying to play the victim card for his own bad behaviour. Prick.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union ... dvmgj41eeo

He's got no need to have any contact with the matchday doctor. Leave them alone to do their job.

[petej]

Chieka trying to play the victim card for his own bad behaviour. Prick.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union ... dvmgj41eeo

I was surprised when chessum briefly came back on.
Chieka seems to be like the Australian Cockerill. I expect the rugby to be pretty uninspiring.

[Lobby]

Chieka trying to play the victim card for his own bad behaviour. Prick.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union ... dvmgj41eeo

I was surprised when chessum briefly came back on.
Chieka seems to be like the Australian Cockerill. I expect the rugby to be pretty uninspiring.

Should fit right in with Leicester then.

[sockwithaticket]

Chieka trying to play the victim card for his own bad behaviour. Prick.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union ... dvmgj41eeo

He's not entirely wrong tbh - many of us don't want him in the league. Saw more than enough of his whinging and official blaming during his international career. He's like a more nasal, less inventive Rassie.

And you've gotta love professional sport managing to keep losers in top jobs. He ran Australia into the ground and achieved a 50% win rate with the Pumas in his brief stint with them. It's not a recent CV that screams I can get one of the most decorated clubs in the English game back to consistently contesting finals.

[Sandstorm]

And you've gotta love professional sport managing to keep losers in top jobs. He ran Australia into the ground and achieved a 50% win rate with the Pumas in his brief stint with them. It's not a recent CV that screams I can get one of the most decorated clubs in the English game back to consistently contesting finals.

Baffles me too!

[epwc]

I was frankly amazed that they gave him the job, no surprise that he’s confirming what a knob he is

[JM2K6]

Always nice to have people on the board who are unfamiliar with Leicester Tigers.

[Rhubarb & Custard]

Cheika, actually like Eddie, is clearly a good coach. The query is whether emotionally he's going to be the right fit, but I can see why one might take a punt.

The latest around Chessum isn't good however, were there a fit and proper person test that was ongoing someone showing so little regard for player safety shouldn't be welcomed at any club, and Leicester should be on warning they may need to dismiss for cause

[Stranger]

Cheika, actually like Eddie, is clearly a good coach. The query is whether emotionally he's going to be the right fit, but I can see why one might take a punt.

The latest around Chessum isn't good however, were there a fit and proper person test that was ongoing someone showing so little regard for player safety shouldn't be welcomed at any club

It was the IMDD who cleared Chessum to return. He then changed his mind later which caused the "discussion"

[inactionman]

Wasps apply for place in expanded Championship

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union ... 2yrxdn3r0o

[Lobby]

Cheika, actually like Eddie, is clearly a good coach. The query is whether emotionally he's going to be the right fit, but I can see why one might take a punt.

The latest around Chessum isn't good however, were there a fit and proper person test that was ongoing someone showing so little regard for player safety shouldn't be welcomed at any club, and Leicester should be on warning they may need to dismiss for cause

Is he really a good coach though?

He had mixed results with Leinster; was sacked by Stade Francais after just 2 years; was rather lucky to lead Australia to the World Cup final in 2015 (just ask Scotland about that Quarter Final) on the back of which he was awarded Coach of the Year, but then endured a dreadful time with the Aussie national team (England's first series win and whitewash in Aus in 2016, heavy losses to NZ, Ireland, England and Scotland etc.). Australia got steadily worse under him in 2018 and 2019 and were dumped out of the 2019 RWC with a heavy loss to England.

His results with Argentina were also pretty poor, especially in comparison with their performances since Felipe Contepomi has been in charge.

Like Eddie, his best results were a long time ago (2015 in his case), and nothing he's done since suggests that he's a good coach in 2024.

[Rhubarb & Custard]

I'd say yes he'd still be a good coach, clearly even one of the world's leading coaches, grated there are a few dozen others. Maybe you could make a counter argument he's lost some drive, or perhaps current interpretations don't suit some aspects of what he's trying to get his team to do, yesterday's new somewhat as it were, but I doubt he's slipped back that much when it comes to his thinking on the game.

[Rhubarb & Custard]

Cheika, actually like Eddie, is clearly a good coach. The query is whether emotionally he's going to be the right fit, but I can see why one might take a punt.

The latest around Chessum isn't good however, were there a fit and proper person test that was ongoing someone showing so little regard for player safety shouldn't be welcomed at any club

It was the IMDD who cleared Chessum to return. He then changed his mind later which caused the "discussion"

Whatever Cheika on hearing the update didn't have as first principles player safety. And one can reasonably query from that is he a fit and proper person?

Sadly the game doesn't take player safety especially seriously, or maybe luckily if you're Cheika, who amazingly had the gall to whine about it

[SaintK]

Local derby weekend in the Premiership. Though not sure quite how local Sale v Falcons is tonight

[duke]

Local derby weekend in the Premiership. Though not sure quite how local Sale v Falcons is tonight

It’s the frozen North so must be local per the Blazerati. Similar to Exeter v Bristol/Bath being a derby despite there being 100 miles between the cities

[ASMO]

Newcastle regressing every game they played this season. Their confidence is completely shot, i am not sure they are redeemable, i think relegation would be their best bet to be honest

[SaintK]

Newcastle regressing every game they played this season. Their confidence is completely shot, i am not sure they are redeemable, i think relegation would be their best bet to be honest

Yep probably for the best though you’d have to hope they actually survive

[fishfoodie]

Watched a podcast about the financials of the clubs, & hoooo-leeee crap but Newcastle & Sale are hanging on by their fingernails

Can the League survive them both going pop ?, because having >80-90% of your revenue going to just wages isn't sustainable.

Would the RFU have to copy the WRU, & prop up Wasps Mk II, or promote one/two of the championship teams to at least keep 10 teams in the top flight ?

[petej]

Awful unfortunate injury to saints player but reffell has been binned for a low tackle which he has wrapped. Seems reactive decision from the ref.

[Oxbow]

The ref said it was because he was off his feet when he made the tackle.

[Oxbow]

About the only positive I can take from that is Henry Pollock.

[petej]

About the only positive I can take from that is Henry Pollock.

Missing lawes and Ludlum.

Really good performance from chessum. Thought Woodward was decent for Tigers and unlike perese wasn't a card magnet.

[Stranger]

Chessum was my MOTM

[petej]

Chessum was my MOTM

Martin and chessum is a decent pair of locks to bully teams with. Cracknell was good at 8 as well.

[JM2K6]

The ref said it was because he was off his feet when he made the tackle.

Yup. He was on his knees, and frankly he's lucky that was considered a wrap anyway - he just flung himself head first at the legs with a half arsed wrap coming much later.

Austin is insufferable in commentary these days, sadly. Flatman not much better - arguing against every bit of foul play like it's all a bit of a laugh

[SaintK]

About the only positive I can take from that is Henry Pollock.

He is going to be some player.
The problem yesterday was the inability to compete with Tigers power up front.
Also if you get the ball over the line 5 times you need to come away with points!!!

[JM2K6]

I reckon you see Fin Smith's class in games like that. He made an error or two, but otherwise he was always trying to do the right thing and in rugby it only takes one good decision allied to one defensive error and you're back in it. His ability to pick the pass and get involved at the right time, when when everything else is a clown show, bodes really well for his international future.

I don't think there was much wrong with the game plan and his tactical approach, some days all you can do is feed your players and hope they don't fuck it up.

[Paddington Bear]

Looks like Christie has had an absolutely horrific injury here

[Stranger]

It looks pretty bad going by the reaction of the other players.

[Paddington Bear]

I rewinded and strongly wish I hadn’t - his foot is basically 180 degrees round from where it should be. No foul play at all, just horrific bad luck. Likely done for the season and has clearly shaken up the lads around him

[Paddington Bear]

Quins deserved that for an excellent defensive effort and how they took their chances when they arose.

Ridley’s ruck refereeing remains an absolute clown car. It largely but not exclusively benefited Quins.

Willis and Earl gave that absolutely everything, Sarries spent most of the first half understandably shaken up but no real excuse for Burke being anonymous all afternoon. Should have taken three regularly in the first half, albeit when we did switch to doing so in the second half Loz missed from bang in front. Oh well. His kicking I don’t think is good enough to mount a proper charge.

Proper game of rugby.

[JM2K6]

Quins deserved that for an excellent defensive effort and how they took their chances when they arose.

Ridley’s ruck refereeing remains an absolute clown car. It largely but not exclusively benefited Quins.

Willis and Earl gave that absolutely everything, Sarries spent most of the first half understandably shaken up but no real excuse for Burke being anonymous all afternoon. Should have taken three regularly in the first half, albeit when we did switch to doing so in the second half Loz missed from bang in front. Oh well. His kicking I don’t think is good enough to mount a proper charge.

Proper game of rugby.

Agreed about Ridley but I can assure you I have a truck load of examples of his absolute incompetence at ruck time costing us - which is pretty much what you will get from someone who clearly thinks defences should simply not compete

Mad stuff, and both teams will be absolutely baffled by him today. Silly Ben Earl thinking you can just turn the ball over like that!

Huge defensive showing, and for once that's just built on earlier performances. Not sure how Kenningham wasn't POTM.

Superbly competitive league these days.

[SaintK]

Very poor by Ridley today
Quins will be delighted with their new defence coach

[Choc]

Bunnies (c) JM2k

Leg break was right in front on me. Horrendous. Poor fucker. Hope he recovers ok.

Quins defence outstanding. Look forward to Stephen Jones telling everyone how shit Smith was in the morning.

[Hal Jordan]

England squad culled for Autumn AIs.

Forwards

Fin Baxter (Harlequins, 2 caps)
Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, 23 caps)
Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 115 caps)
Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks, 41 caps)
Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins, 7 caps)
Ben Curry (Sale Sharks, 5 caps)
Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 53 caps)
Theo Dan (Saracens, 14 caps)
Trevor Davison (Northampton Saints, 2 caps)
Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins, 17 caps)
Ben Earl (Saracens, 33 caps)
Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, 31 caps)
Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 62 caps)
Jamie George (Saracens, 93 caps)
Nick Isiekwe (Saracens, 11 caps)
Maro Itoje (Saracens, 84 caps)
Joe Marler (Harlequins, 95 caps)
George Martin (Leicester Tigers, 15 caps)
Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 41 caps)
Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 38 caps)

Backs

Elliot Daly (Saracens, 69 caps)
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs, 6 caps)
Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints, 11 caps)
George Furbank (Northampton Saints, 11 caps)
Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby, 27 caps)
Alex Lozowski (Saracens, 5 caps)
Luke Northmore (Harlequins, 2 caps)
Harry Randall (Bristol Bears, 7 caps)
Tom Roebuck (Sale Sharks, 1 cap)
Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 65 caps)
Ollie Sleightholme (Northampton Saints, 2 caps)
Fin Smith (Northampton Saints, 5 caps)
Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 35 caps)
Ben Spencer (Bath Rugby, 6 caps)
Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 34 caps)
Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers, 14 caps)