Euro Rugby Match Thread, Dec 11th

[Torquemada 1420]

I for one am very surprised the 2nds/3rds weren't up to it.

Not looking forward to the Quins game - gutted we're missing our captain Lewies, and the absence of both Lasike (injury) and Esterhuizen (moron) will kill us against de Allende and Farrell. Oh well.

After your recent outings, I pondered picking Quins as an upset to run Munster off the park. But the missing players and the forecast of heavy rain changed my mind!

[Torquemada 1420]

So. Which version of flake Russell? Game winner or "hand the European Cup to the oppos"?

[Torquemada 1420]

OK. Law explanation please. Barnes just pinged Chat for coming in the side of the ruck. Chat the tackler. Gets to feet with clean release (Barnes did not ping for that) although not parallel to touch. No other Connacht player there other than the tackled one on the floor. No ruck surely?

[sockwithaticket]

Andy Nichol is absolutely right, that should've been a pen try to Exeter.

[sockwithaticket]

And now we see why Glasgow were infringing at the maul. There may as well have not been any Weegie players in the way with how quickly Exeter were motoring forward.

[Torquemada 1420]

And now we see why Glasgow were infringing at the maul. There may as well have not been any Weegie players in the way with how quickly Exeter were motoring forward.

I know easier said than done, but Exeter score so many from that, you'd think oppos would pay special attention to disrupting it.

[sockwithaticket]

And now we see why Glasgow were infringing at the maul. There may as well have not been any Weegie players in the way with how quickly Exeter were motoring forward.

I know easier said than done, but Exeter score so many from that, you'd think oppos would pay special attention to disrupting it.

I would love someone who knows what they're talking about to do an in depth analysis on why Exeter's maul seems to be so much better than anyone elses, particularly focusing on why it seems so difficult to halt or spoil it.

Tbf Glasgow have just managed it, but with about 4 players swimming right round to the Exeter position in the maul which instinctively looks wrong.

[Torquemada 1420]

That's one hell of a finish by Taofifenua!

[Torquemada 1420]

I would love someone who knows what they're talking about to do an in depth analysis on why Exeter's maul seems to be so much better than anyone elses, particularly focusing on why it seems so difficult to halt or spoil it.

Tbf Glasgow have just managed it, but with about 4 players swimming right round to the Exeter position in the maul which instinctively looks wrong.

So much this. Other sides seem more capable of screwing it up by their own hand than via any oppo action!

[sockwithaticket]

Love to see it. Glasgow commit 3 separate offside offences in the build up to conceding a try and actually get the yellow card they deserve despite the try being scored.

Wish more refs would do that. Merci beaucoup, monsieur Reynaud.

[Torquemada 1420]

Love to see it. Glasgow commit 3 separate offside offences in the build up to scoring a try and actually get the yellow card they deserve despite the try being scored.

Wish more refs would do that. Merci beaucoup, monsieur Reynaud.

Yeah. Why refs think that somehow a try evens up the offences. All that does is give defensive sides a free roll of the di to cheat.

[Raggs]

OK. Law explanation please. Barnes just pinged Chat for coming in the side of the ruck. Chat the tackler. Gets to feet with clean release (Barnes did not ping for that) although not parallel to touch. No other Connacht player there other than the tackled one on the floor. No ruck surely?

You have to enter through the gate, even after the tackle. There's no tacklers rights anymore, they have to come back around and enter through the gate before being allowed to compete for the ball.

[Torquemada 1420]

OK. Law explanation please. Barnes just pinged Chat for coming in the side of the ruck. Chat the tackler. Gets to feet with clean release (Barnes did not ping for that) although not parallel to touch. No other Connacht player there other than the tackled one on the floor. No ruck surely?

You have to enter through the gate, even after the tackle. There's no tacklers rights anymore, they have to come back around and enter through the gate before being allowed to compete for the ball.

Thanks. I still had it in mind that it was open play i.e. no gate until ruck formed.

[sockwithaticket]

Love to see it. Glasgow commit 3 separate offside offences in the build up to scoring a try and actually get the yellow card they deserve despite the try being scored.

Wish more refs would do that. Merci beaucoup, monsieur Reynaud.

Yeah. Why refs think that somehow a try evens up the offences. All that does is give defensive sides a free roll of the di to cheat.

At some point it became the convention and I've no idea why. When it's multiple offences and advantages in the same sequence that's worse than the gradual build up often over 10 + minutes and different sequences that will typically yield a yellow.

[Raggs]

OK. Law explanation please. Barnes just pinged Chat for coming in the side of the ruck. Chat the tackler. Gets to feet with clean release (Barnes did not ping for that) although not parallel to touch. No other Connacht player there other than the tackled one on the floor. No ruck surely?

You have to enter through the gate, even after the tackle. There's no tacklers rights anymore, they have to come back around and enter through the gate before being allowed to compete for the ball.

Thanks. I still had it in mind that it was open play i.e. no gate until ruck formed.

That rule changed ages ago. Around the same time as the Fox I believe (would make sense).

[Torquemada 1420]

That rule changed ages ago. Around the same time as the Fox I believe (would make sense).

Flip side is no way are tackled players being required to immediately release the ball/place the ball.

[Torquemada 1420]

Irabiren makes try saving tackle where Serin would have waved the lock to the tryline.

[Paddington Bear]

Exeter utterly dominant up front, was expecting more of a contest

[Raggs]

That rule changed ages ago. Around the same time as the Fox I believe (would make sense).

Flip side is no way are tackled players being required to immediately release the ball/place the ball.

No, but it's improving with these latest law interpretations, seeing more pinged for rolling, and moving the ball around trying to dodge the jackallers hands etc.

[sockwithaticket]

Exeter utterly dominant up front, was expecting more of a contest

For all that dominance, they're not that far ahead (he types as they start another maul...).

[Ovals]

Exeter utterly dominant up front, was expecting more of a contest

For all that dominance, they're not that far ahead (he types as they start another maul...).

That's a strong wind they've been playing into - I think Glasgow will really struggle to contain them in the 2nd half.

[sockwithaticket]

Exeter utterly dominant up front, was expecting more of a contest

For all that dominance, they're not that far ahead (he types as they start another maul...).

That's a strong wind they've been playing into - I think Glasgow will really struggle to contain them in the 2nd half.

True and Exeter have had the majority of the ball which will take its toll.

Cracking try for Hogg to open the second half.

[Torquemada 1420]

Cracking try for Hogg to open the second half.

For a moment, I forgot which side the dislikable Sweatie played for.

[sockwithaticket]

Cracking try for Hogg to open the second half.

For a moment, I forgot which side the dislikable Sweatie played for.

There's actually quite a Scottish streak in this Exter side: Hogg, Gray and Skinner.

[Torquemada 1420]

Easy to see why Racing rarely live up to expectation despite their player riches: for all his vaunted "x-factor", Russell has zero game management. He just does what he does with no feel for what is going on around him.

[Torquemada 1420]

Cracking try for Hogg to open the second half.

For a moment, I forgot which side the dislikable Sweatie played for.

There's actually quite a Scottish streak in this Exter side: Hogg, Gray and Skinner.

Explains why they are so mean.

[Ovals]

For all that dominance, they're not that far ahead (he types as they start another maul...).

That's a strong wind they've been playing into - I think Glasgow will really struggle to contain them in the 2nd half.

True and Exeter have had the majority of the ball which will take its toll.

Cracking try for Hogg to open the second half.

25 mins into the 2nd half and Glasgow haven't been into the Exeter half yet !!

[ASMO]

Racing blowing chance after chance, they should be miles out of sight by now

[Torquemada 1420]

Racing blowing chance after chance, they should be miles out of sight by now

Russell is such a flake. Although, for once, someone else threw the obligatory "one intercept try per game".

[sockwithaticket]

That's a strong wind they've been playing into - I think Glasgow will really struggle to contain them in the 2nd half.

True and Exeter have had the majority of the ball which will take its toll.

Cracking try for Hogg to open the second half.

25 mins into the 2nd half and Glasgow haven't been into the Exeter half yet !!

Don't look like they've any hope of doing so either.

Magic fro Sam Simmonds there. Not only did he turn the ball over, but he made a break with the ball to put them on the front foot and ultimately see Woodburn go over for a fairly simple finish.

[ASMO]

Teddy having a fucking mare

[Torquemada 1420]

Blatant fwd pass although Beale and Flake at fault for over running the play.

@ASMO. Don't really think that one was his fault. Also, normally he'd have just run that in himself.

[ASMO]

This game highlights why Racing will not win this competition not with this team. They dont know how to win ugly, to occasionally play pragmatic rugby. They are so much better than Connaught, by miles, yet they cant put them away, their own worst enemy.

[Torquemada 1420]

Pitiful stuff now by Racing. They really need to look at their attitude against sides like this.

[Torquemada 1420]

This game highlights why Racing will not win this competition not with this team. They dont know how to win ugly, to occasionally play pragmatic rugby. They are so much better than Connaught, by miles, yet they cant put them away, their own worst enemy.

100%. See my post agreeing with you. To sound like a broken record, it comes largely down to game management and Flake provides none. That ridiculous attempt at a pass to Chouzenoux earlier when a bit of patience was all that was needed. He's the sort of player I'm happier to see on the opposing team sheet: I figure he'll lose you more than he wins.

[Torquemada 1420]

Would be funny if Connacht stole this now. Might teach Racing a lesson.

[sockwithaticket]

This game highlights why Racing will not win this competition not with this team. They dont know how to win ugly, to occasionally play pragmatic rugby. They are so much better than Connaught, by miles, yet they cant put them away, their own worst enemy.

100%. See my post agreeing with you. To sound like a broken record, it comes largely down to game management and Flake provides none. That ridiculous attempt at a pass to Chouzenoux earlier when a bit of patience was all that was needed. He's the sort of player I'm happier to see on the opposing team sheet: I figure he'll lose you more than he wins.

I actually think the opposite, he'll win you more than you lose. However, few of those will be crucial games at the business end of the season.

[fishfoodie]

Pitiful stuff now by Racing. They really need to look at their attitude against sides like this.

Here; watch yourself ... <shakes fist at screen>

[ASMO]

Racing got out of jail there, Connaught, the whole is greater than the sum of their parts, Racing the exact opposite.

[sockwithaticket]

Exeter post 40 with the last play of the game. Glasgow nilled and sustain a shit load of injuries in the process of being soundly beaten. Not a happy trip to Devon for them.