The Official English Rugby Thread

[sockwithaticket]

Northampton their own worst enemies in the second half. Had ample opportunities to secure a win, but errors and profligacy cost them.

Wonder what might have happened if Finn Smith had been allowed to return to the field. He passed an HIA, but because the process took more than 10 minutes he had to stay off. Is that a new rule? Don't remember hearing it before.

[Stranger]

I am from 0 from 3 on superbru so far this weekend

[SaintK]

I am from 0 from 3 on superbru so far this weekend

Me too

[Oxbow]

Northampton their own worst enemies in the second half. Had ample opportunities to secure a win, but errors and profligacy cost them.

Wonder what might have happened if Finn Smith had been allowed to return to the field. He passed an HIA, but because the process took more than 10 minutes he had to stay off. Is that a new rule? Don't remember hearing it before.

In my current grumpy state I'd say they were shit. The only shining light was the return of Alex Mitchell who showed just what England has been missing.

Edit: Update on this, apparently Smith passed his HIA but couldn't see out of one of his eyes after getting a knee in it.

[sockwithaticket]

I genuinely thought Anthony Watson had had to retire, was surprised to see him run out for Leicester today.

[SaintK]

Pretty poor fare so far
Penalties and mistakes left right and centre centre

[sockwithaticket]

Pretty poor fare so far
Penalties and mistakes left right and centre centre

Must admit, I had my suspicions that these two would deliver the dullest game of the weekend.

[SaintK]

Sale have sorted themselves out second half
Though Tigers still in it

[SaintK]

Deserved win for Sale in the end 39 25

[SaintK]

I am from 0 from 3 on superbru so far this weekend

Me too

Called the last 2 matches ok and ended up gaining 6 places on the leaderboard

[inactionman]

Well, the Bath match won't last long in the memory.

I'm not really sure where Exeter are going with their backline, Slade was put at 10 but just spent the game kicking. To be fair, he did kick very well, but it's hard to see what they're aiming at.

I'll assume losing Joe Simmonds wasn't in their control, but it's not helped.

Also, Barbeary sparked out again - twice now he's been off for concussion after hitting the back of his head on the ground.

[Oxbow]

Surprised more hasn't been made on here of the Hugh Tizard cleanout on Sammy Arnold, horrible stuff. Should get proper lengthy ban for that.

[Stranger]

I am from 0 from 3 on superbru so far this weekend

Me too

Called the last 2 matches ok and ended up gaining 6 places on the leaderboard

I called tigers so ended up 1/5 dropped 20 places

[Biffer]

RFU have cancelled the staff Christmas party at Twickenham according to the Times.

[JM2K6]

Cool

[SaintK]

Surprised more hasn't been made on here of the Hugh Tizard cleanout on Sammy Arnold, horrible stuff. Should get proper lengthy ban for that.

Arnold out for up to 5 months according to Diamond

[inactionman]

Surprised more hasn't been made on here of the Hugh Tizard cleanout on Sammy Arnold, horrible stuff. Should get proper lengthy ban for that.

Only just seen it. Oof. That's not good, not good at all.

[Sandstorm]

https://www.ruck.co.uk/six-month-ban-in ... ou-cringe/

Arsehole

[fishfoodie]

RFU have cancelled the staff Christmas party at Twickenham according to the Times.

The Torygraph said that while the big bash is cancelled, it'll be replaced with every dept having their own party, so it'll probably save nothing.

[laurent]

https://www.ruck.co.uk/six-month-ban-in ... ou-cringe/

Arsehole

Way too mild, deserves an IRA treatment

[sockwithaticket]

Highlights only show one angle. It's at best reckless with zero regard for the health of a fellow player.

https://www.ruck.co.uk/six-month-ban-in ... ou-cringe/

Arsehole

Ruck Clickbait shite.

Stretching 'England star' to breaking point with a player whose highest international honour is an A team cap.

And they'll know as well as anyone that there's zero chance he'll see anything close to 6 months no matter how bad the clearout was. Once all reaductions have been applied I'll be astonished if it's more than 2.

[JM2K6]

Think he loses his footing a bit on the plastic turf, but fuck him anyway, Judas

[Rhubarb & Custard]

RFU have cancelled the staff Christmas party at Twickenham according to the Times.

The Torygraph said that while the big bash is cancelled, it'll be replaced with every dept having their own party, so it'll probably save nothing.

I'd assumed they'd cancelled it for bad optics, and they think that's the issue,, not having spent millions on bonuses for the select few that it was a money saving measure

[SaintK]

Surprised more hasn't been made on here of the Hugh Tizard cleanout on Sammy Arnold, horrible stuff. Should get proper lengthy ban for that.

Still nothing! Thought disciplinary panel was usually on the Tuesday/Wednesday following the red card?

[JM2K6]

It can't have escaped your notice that post match citings have almost entirely disappeared

[epwc]

It can't have escaped your notice that post match citings have almost entirely disappeared

Why is that? (I have noticed)

[SaintK]

It can't have escaped your notice that post match citings have almost entirely disappeared

Now you mention it.

[JM2K6]

It can't have escaped your notice that post match citings have almost entirely disappeared

Why is that? (I have noticed)

Can only hazard a guess that the increased number of red cards made them more gun-shy about trying to ban people for incidents not caught, and/or confusing new laws leading to really inconsistent off field rulings is worse than on-field ones. Given they've already walked back the clamping down on headshots, dramatically diminished the red card, and made a joke of themselves with decisions during the AIs, I can only assume that the money men have demanded the product be sacrosanct

Or players are just a lot cleaner now, which is genuinely possible I guess

[fishfoodie]

It can't have escaped your notice that post match citings have almost entirely disappeared

Why is that? (I have noticed)

Can only hazard a guess that the increased number of red cards made them more gun-shy about trying to ban people for incidents not caught, and/or confusing new laws leading to really inconsistent off field rulings is worse than on-field ones. Given they've already walked back the clamping down on headshots, dramatically diminished the red card, and made a joke of themselves with decisions during the AIs, I can only assume that the money men have demanded the product be sacrosanct

Or players are just a lot cleaner now, which is genuinely possible I guess

Have you been at the Turps ?

It is rather at odds with the efforts to cut out dangerous play, that is otherwise being clamped down on, that the citings have apparently stopped.

Is there an assumption the the TMO is now catching everything, so there's no later run thru of the tape, or teams raising serious fouls that they feel weren't caught at the time ?

[Torquemada 1420]

All 12 Championship clubs join revolt over RFU bonus scandal

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2024/ ... rfu-bonus/

[inactionman]

All 12 Championship clubs join revolt over RFU bonus scandal

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2024/ ... rfu-bonus/

I have the sorriest feeling that they'll just be roundly ignored.

Although there surely must be a tipping point - it feels like everyone under the sun has said that the current leadership is not right, I'm half-expecting the tea lady and the bus driver to chip in with some criticism of Sweeney.

[Slick]

Think he loses his footing a bit on the plastic turf, but fuck him anyway, Judas

First time I saw it I thought it looked like he must have slipped then saw he did on a 2nd viewing

[SaintK]

All 12 Championship clubs join revolt over RFU bonus scandal

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2024/ ... rfu-bonus/

Hardly surprising as they nhave been repeatedly lied to and had their funding slashed to a pittance whilst the RFU are throwing £250M at the Professional Game Board over the next few years.
Investing in growing the game my arse!

[JM2K6]

Does growing the game mean throwing more money at professional clubs with no fans?

[epwc]

Does growing the game mean throwing more money at professional clubs with no fans?

Getting the games back on FTA would be great

[JM2K6]

Does growing the game mean throwing more money at professional clubs with no fans?

Getting the games back on FTA would be great

Yup. Even just one a week would make a huge difference.

[Sandstorm]

Does growing the game mean throwing more money at professional clubs with no fans?

Getting the games back on FTA would be great

Yup. Even just one a week would make a huge difference.

Sarries no doubt

[Torquemada 1420]

All 12 Championship clubs join revolt over RFU bonus scandal

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2024/ ... rfu-bonus/

Hardly surprising as they nhave been repeatedly lied to and had their funding slashed to a pittance whilst the RFU are throwing £250M at the Professional Game Board over the next few years.
Investing in growing the game my arse!

It's depressing to see rugby follow the well trodden paths of football, the Olympics, F1 etc.

[Paddington Bear]

Reports that Tom Voyce has drowned fording a river near Alnwick. A fine player in his time, RIP

[Big D]

Reports that Tom Voyce has drowned fording a river near Alnwick. A fine player in his time, RIP

Such a shame. 43 with most of his adult life ahead of him