Euro Rugby Match Thread, Dec 18th

[Torquemada 1420]

How were these groups decided. Pool A is something of a joke whereas B is very much a death pool. Only just noticed with Wasps getting 2 of the weakest (maybe THE weakest bar Stains) in the comp.

[stemoc]

Brive are taking the piss with an internet name generator, surely

Mesake Doge was the real giveaway



(I see ex Quin Stan South is getting a game. Lucky boy.)

Doge was the fijian prop that destroyed Georgia's scrum for Fiji in the ANC

[fishfoodie]

Saturdays runners & riders; all still showing as going ahead, so fingers crossed

European Champions Cup
Pool 1
Leinster 13:00 Northampton Saints
Bordeaux Bègles 20:00 Dragons
Sale 20:00 Edinburgh

Pool 2
Gloucester 15:15 Ulster
ASM Clermont Auvergne 17:30 Munster

European Challenge Cup
Benetton 13:00 Agen
Bayonne 20:00 Leicester Tigers
Worcester Warriors 20:00 Ospreys

[fishfoodie]

Saints could be in for a very long day.

7-0

[sturginho]

Benetton - Agen cancelled due to Rona

[Openside]

It would be terrible if a Quins substitute coughed at the wrong time and the impending slaughter at the hands of Racing92 was called off

[Raggs]

Waller should never be captain again. Why on earth wouldn't you kick a free kick from there instead of taking on that Leinster scrum for what?

[stemoc]

Benetton - Agen cancelled due to Rona

let me guess, benetton player had covid?

[sockwithaticket]

I will never understand asking smaller wingers to run into heavy traffic like Olowofela just had to. It so rarely results in a positive outcome.

[stemoc]

not sure why they are using a n00b wing for this game

[stemoc]

naitaravoro still can't handle a ball :/ what a wasye of talent,

[sockwithaticket]

Giving Leinster more of a game than I expected.

not sure why they are using a n00b wing for this game

For the same reason they're playing a fullback at 10, it just doesn't matter to Northampton. There's no way they're going anywhere in this competition and their Prem form has been dire for ages, so they're conserving some frontline players for the league.

[fishfoodie]

Giving Leinster more of a game than I expected.

not sure why they are using a n00b wing for this game

For the same reason they're playing a fullback at 10, it just doesn't matter to Northampton. There's no way they're going anywhere in this competition and their Prem form has been dire for ages, so they're conserving some frontline players for the league.

Championship minutes try that one.

Saints putting up more of a scrap than it looked like they would in the first 10

[Torquemada 1420]

All too often Saints have schoolboy error holes in their defensive line.

[fishfoodie]

All too often Saints have schoolboy error holes in their defensive line.

Not just them; the defense if all very; "last day of term".

[fishfoodie]

that's a red isn't it ?

[fishfoodie]

that's shocking; a shoulder to the face is play on ???

[GogLais]

that's a red isn't it ?

Apparently not.

[sockwithaticket]

I'm astonished that's not a red.

[GogLais]

that's shocking; a shoulder to the face is play on ???

It seems that that the “victim” had his head in the wrong place.

[fishfoodie]

well the guy on the TMO was no help to the ref; he'd seen numerous replays, & decided there was something worth seeing, & then he just let the ref proceed

[Paddington Bear]

Saints have done very well here

[fishfoodie]

Saints have done very well here

Definately !

If they can cut down on the errors, they'll be in a much better place.

[sockwithaticket]

The whole 'What else is he supposed to do there?' discussion is bullshit.

If you, as the arriving defensive player, can't clear the jackaller without hitting him in the head, then don't. If trying to lever his arms off is ineffective, tough. If the coach gives you a bollocking, tough. As pros there needs to be collective buy in to keeping each other safe at the expense of gaining/retaining possession sometimes. Otherwise everyone's just paying lip service and actually don't give a flying fuck.

[Paddington Bear]

Absolutely. These rules aren’t new anymore, adapt your game

[Torquemada 1420]

For 2nd match running, a Saints player goes straight to the head, no arms on an opponent and officials ignore it. Have they stolen Farrell's invisibility cloak?

[SaintK]

For 2nd match running, a Saints player goes straight to the head, no arms on an opponent and officials ignore it. Have they stolen Farrell's invisibility cloak?

Missed the 2nd half
What were the ref and TMO doing?

[Paddington Bear]

I saw the first replay, felt it was a clear red and went and made a cup of tea, so came back a little surprised

[Torquemada 1420]

For 2nd match running, a Saints player goes straight to the head, no arms on an opponent and officials ignore it. Have they stolen Farrell's invisibility cloak?

Missed the 2nd half
What were the ref and TMO doing?

TMO seemed as surprised as anyone when the ref talked it around as a fair challenge. Madness.

[JM2K6]

Yes, I could see them downgrading it to yellow for whatever bullshit reasons, but that was clearly a red. The idea that "well if he didn't clear him out there the player would get the ball" is arse-about-tit. Yeah, tough shit, you were too late - we don't accept late tackles on that basis, so why late cleanouts?

[Raggs]

I saw the first replay, felt it was a clear red and went and made a cup of tea, so came back a little surprised

I was only half watching, saw a replay, looked away for a few minutes, saw them playing on and glanced at the scoreboard, to my shock there was no red card symbol... no symbol at all!

[SaintK]

For 2nd match running, a Saints player goes straight to the head, no arms on an opponent and officials ignore it. Have they stolen Farrell's invisibility cloak?

Missed the 2nd half
What were the ref and TMO doing?

TMO seemed as surprised as anyone when the ref talked it around as a fair challenge. Madness.

Ahh I see, thanks

[GogLais]

The whole 'What else is he supposed to do there?' discussion is bullshit.

If you, as the arriving defensive player, can't clear the jackaller without hitting him in the head, then don't. If trying to lever his arms off is ineffective, tough. If the coach gives you a bollocking, tough. As pros there needs to be collective buy in to keeping each other safe at the expense of gaining/retaining possession sometimes. Otherwise everyone's just paying lip service and actually don't give a flying fuck.

I guess it's too much to expect players to think it could be them losing a handful of brain cells next time.

[Hal Jordan]

Richmond are holding their own against Ulster, I see.

[fishfoodie]

The whole 'What else is he supposed to do there?' discussion is bullshit.

If you, as the arriving defensive player, can't clear the jackaller without hitting him in the head, then don't. If trying to lever his arms off is ineffective, tough. If the coach gives you a bollocking, tough. As pros there needs to be collective buy in to keeping each other safe at the expense of gaining/retaining possession sometimes. Otherwise everyone's just paying lip service and actually don't give a flying fuck.

I guess it's too much to expect players to think it could be them losing a handful of brain cells next time.

What Wood should have done was noted how VDF had snookered him; made a mental note; & used it himself at the next ruck where he was in that position.

[fishfoodie]

Feck, Ulster now down to 13, with two consecutive YCs & a PT

17 - 7

[sockwithaticket]

Getting a heady sense of deja vu watching Glaws mis-manage a two man advantage.

[SaintK]

Getting a heady sense of deja vu watching Glaws mis-manage a two man advantage.

Very poor

[Torquemada 1420]

Cooney in "retard of the year" award. Let's see if he's still laughing at the end if they lose by < 2.

[ASMO]

Glaws just dumb rugby, they are their own worst enemy