Euro Rugby Match Thread, Dec 11th

[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.

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.

Definitely not the case in his tenure at Racing. His errors that contribute harm heavily outweigh his moments of genius. Note
- I am ignoring when he does routine things right that you'd expect any competent FH to do
- the fact that Racing is relatively successful is down to the quality of their squad

Maybe in a poor side like Sco, his impact is the way you see it but I think he's an expensive luxury in any decent side.

His single handedly gifting a Euro final is just the pinnacle of his flake.

[JM2K6]

Exeter are remarkable. They have a team with quite a few players you'd be surprised to see progress to international level / be anything more than bit-part international players, but they're an absolute machine as a collective. Played some wonderful rugby today.

[Torquemada 1420]

Exeter are remarkable. They have a team with quite a few players you'd be surprised to see progress to international level / be anything more than bit-part international players, but they're an absolute machine as a collective. Played some wonderful rugby today.

The epitome of what it means to be a team. Baxter is one smart cookie. He and Richards. Nothing but respect for them.

[SaintK]

Exeter are remarkable. They have a team with quite a few players you'd be surprised to see progress to international level / be anything more than bit-part international players, but they're an absolute machine as a collective. Played some wonderful rugby today.

Outstanding given the conditions

[sorCrer]

Watched 2 cracking games this weekend.

Ulster - Toulouse
Edinburgh - La Rochelle

Looking forward to Munster - Quins shortly

[sockwithaticket]

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.

Definitely not the case in his tenure at Racing. His errors that contribute harm heavily outweigh his moments of genius. Note
- I am ignoring when he does routine things right that you'd expect any competent FH to do
- the fact that Racing is relatively successful is down to the quality of their squad

Maybe in a poor side like Sco, his impact is the way you see it but I think he's an expensive luxury in any decent side.

His single handedly gifting a Euro final is just the pinnacle of his flake.

Fair enough, you probably see a lot more him than I do. I would absolutely not dispute that he's a massive flake and I don't think Racing will win any trophies with him around.

[Torquemada 1420]

Fair enough, you probably see a lot more him than I do. I would absolutely not dispute that he's a massive flake and I don't think Racing will win any trophies with him around.

It grates with me personally because the game needs its entertainers: just not this type in any team I have an interest in!

[Ovals]

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.

TBF to Glasgow - they stuck at it and defended fairly well despite the near impossible task - but Exeter are just relentless.

Both Simmonds were excellent and Gray went well.


And now for the Quins - not expecting too much from them - Munster will be far too strong at home.

[ASMO]

I suspect Quins are gonna get bummed badly.

[Ovals]

I suspect Quins are gonna get bummed badly.

That 1st scrum was impressive though.

[SaintK]

I suspect Quins are gonna get bummed badly.

Smith has missed 2 penalties and they had a try correctly chalked off so could have been closer at half time

[Torquemada 1420]

Dumbrand trying to make it a hat trick of yellow for Quins backrow.

{EDIT} And succeeds. Thick as sh*t

[Torquemada 1420]

Marler adding to the rap sheet. Are these clowns paid for this behaviour?

{EDIT} Smith determined not to let the fwds contest Thickie Of The Year unchallenged.

[Uncle fester]

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?

Still need to enter the tackle through the gate, tackler included.

[Uncle fester]

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

Connacht are an exceptionally dogged team and no easy beats. Second in their conference in pro 14. It's not like they are zebre.

[Torquemada 1420]

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

Connacht are an exceptionally dogged team and no easy beats. Second in their conference in pro 14. It's not like they are zebre.

Racing could have won by 50 but instead, won by 5 and might have lost had Thomas not been the quickest player on the park to cover a kick through. If Racing had 1/2 Connacht's attitude, they'd be lethal.

[fishfoodie]

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

Connacht are an exceptionally dogged team and no easy beats. Second in their conference in pro 14. It's not like they are zebre.

Racing could have won by 50 but instead, won by 5 and might have lost had Thomas not been the quickest player on the park to cover a kick through. If Racing had 1/2 Connacht's attitude, they'd be lethal.

They should have just asked Toulouse, what Connacht were like away from home.....

[Torquemada 1420]

They should have just asked Toulouse, what Connacht were like away from home.....

It's more about respect for the opposition. That defeat was full throttle complacency by ST who long had a habit of trying to coast some of the easier games in Europe (ASM too). I found a quote from Noves at the time which is roughly "we expected to beat a side who are bottom of their own league".

[Torquemada 1420]

I see Quins simply can't help themselves
https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/ ... -1.4438849

Think Murray handled it well. Authorities should look into Care's accusation of diving against Munster and ask him to elaborate. If he's right, sanction Munster. If not, Danny should take a few weeks out.