NPR

Quality game management here against 14 men by ASM.....

Kerrist. Can this game get any worse?

Skills levels on show here would make an amateur team ashamed

Raka couldn't catch covid.

WTF is this? Barraque is a FH so bring him on.

A draw is all either set of spackas deserve from this maquerade of a professional rugby match.

I think we can safely say the winner of the Tournament won't come from there two teams.

Appalling lack of skills to butcher a try chance.

I am struggling to recall a game with 2 teams who are so so poor

fishfoodie wrote: Sun Jan 16, 2022 7:00 pm I think we can safely say the winner of the Tournament won't come from there two teams.

30 odd covid postponements and 28-0 awards to either of them is their best shot.

ASMO wrote: Sun Jan 16, 2022 7:01 pm I am struggling to recall a game with 2 teams who are so so poor

You asked what was wrong with ASM. Think of Fritz Lee. I cannot recall a game in 2 years now where he's had any meaningful influence. Just going through the paces and drawing his pension. And complaining at refs a lot.

Honestly I just woke up from an unplanned nap. From the comments and scoreline it doesn't seem that I missed much.

sockwithaticket wrote: Sun Jan 16, 2022 7:06 pm Honestly I just woke up from an unplanned nap. From the comments and scoreline it doesn't seem that I missed much.

If the blonde bumblecunts premiership was a rugby game, this would be it.

sockwithaticket wrote: Sun Jan 16, 2022 7:06 pm Honestly I just woke up from an unplanned nap. From the comments and scoreline it doesn't seem that I missed much.

Rusty needles in your eyes would have been preferable to this as a spectacle. Can't wait for Bernol's evisceration of this performance.

Ulster will arse ream these clowns next week.

TTFT. 100 mins of my life I'm not getting back.

Just had a look at the Connaught v Leicester ending, Aki really should get hit with a strong sanction for that.

ASMO wrote: Sun Jan 16, 2022 7:32 pm Just had a look at the Connaught v Leicester ending, Aki really should get hit with a strong sanction for that.

Is it online or had you recorded it?

ASMO wrote: Sun Jan 16, 2022 7:32 pm Just had a look at the Connaught v Leicester ending, Aki really should get hit with a strong sanction for that.

Yeah, he’s apologised but it was pretty disgraceful imo.

Looks like Clermont, despite stuttering their rugby as usual, made it.

Watching UBB-Scarlets at the moment.

Impressed with the young kids at UBB.

Bielle-Biarrey (18!) didn't pale in comparison with a Liam Williams who had a poor game. Young Cros pretty efficient. Moefana clean.

Quite liked Vergne at 7 who also had a good game.

TheFrog wrote: Sun Jan 16, 2022 11:45 pm Watching UBB-Scarlets at the moment.

Impressed with the young kids at UBB.

Bielle-Biarrey (18!) didn't pale in comparison with a Liam Williams who had a poor game. Young Cros pretty efficient. Moefana clean.

Quite liked Vergne at 7 who also had a good game.

Should add that Cordero had an amazing game in a position that is not his. And a conversion!

(And almost a try).

I see that Saint-Andre, after recording the worst loss for a French team in a world cup (and the first in a quarter final) is now the holder of the worst loss of a French club in the Champions Cup.

Not bad for a manager.

This competition is so weird. The matches I caught were either outstanding or terrible. Nothing in between.

Ulster looking very good. Lowry must be close to an Ireland call up.

TheFrog wrote: Sun Jan 16, 2022 10:17 pm Looks like Clermont, despite stuttering their rugby as usual, made it.

Gibbes needs to quit. That was one of the most clueless "performances" I've ever seen from a Fre club in Europe. Utterly embarrassing lack of basic skills, tactical nous and discipline. The English commentators were practically laughing at how dim Clermont were during Sale's yellow card. Truth is, were it not for Penaud and then Parra adding some pragmatism in taking points the only way his side looked like scoring in the 2nd half, they would be out of Europe already. As it is, they'll lose by plenty next week.

I said at back end of last season that the rot had set in at Michelin and it's become a sea of mould now.

TheFrog wrote: Mon Jan 17, 2022 1:34 am I see that Saint-Andre, after recording the worst loss for a French team in a world cup (and the first in a quarter final) is now the holder of the worst loss of a French club in the Champions Cup.

Not bad for a manager.

Did you see his interview with L'Equipe?

TheFrog wrote: Sun Jan 16, 2022 11:45 pm Watching UBB-Scarlets at the moment.

Impressed with the young kids at UBB.

Bielle-Biarrey (18!) didn't pale in comparison with a Liam Williams who had a poor game. Young Cros pretty efficient. Moefana clean.

Quite liked Vergne at 7 who also had a good game.

They are not the perfect item yet (but compare them with Clermont...): they waste a lot of ball with poor kicking options which is something Jalibert needs to sort out. Especially when they are so good with ball in hand. Reminded me of Toulouse circa 2004. They recycle quickly. All players looks to stay on their feet and keep the ball alive (including the front row). All players look to accelerate into contact and into space BETWEEN defenders. Support play is excellent. Their fitness is good which means when they don't have ball, their line speed is good.

Agree with the FB. He looked really composed.

I noticed that even Brive has started to try and play this sort of rugby in the last few weeks. The only sides clinging to the turgid sh*t are Montpellier and Pau and, to a lesser extent, USAP and BO.

TheFrog wrote: Mon Jan 17, 2022 12:31 am Should add that Cordero had an amazing game in a position that is not his. And a conversion!

(And almost a try).

That made me laugh because Maryladorian pointed out that he was starting as 3rd choice SH and I pointed out that he was a better player than Lesgourgues anyway!

Montpellier threw that match.

Reminded me of Bourgogne all those years ago.

I'll tell you who I feel sorry for : Exeter

They will now face the good Montpellier next week who will be angry.

iarmhí wrote: Mon Jan 17, 2022 11:24 am Montpellier threw that match.

Reminded me of Bourgogne all those years ago.

I'll tell you who I feel sorry for : Exeter

They will now face the good Montpellier next week who will be angry.

No sh*t. But as has been pointed out with Cardiff's effort against Toulouse, PSA's excuses over player availability is no defence for not playing with some pride. Only Guirado made any effort in that farce. I was at the biggest throw of all time: Ebbw Vale v Agen in 2002 but at least then Agen were penalised for it. MH should be thrown out of next year's competition. ERC should be made to note that Agen "only" lost 59-10 and copped a 2 year ban.

Exeter will murder them. MH play the same game style as the Chiefs but a 4th rate version. It will show.

iarmhí wrote: Mon Jan 17, 2022 11:24 am Montpellier threw that match.

Reminded me of Bourgogne all those years ago.

I'll tell you who I feel sorry for : Exeter

They will now face the good Montpellier next week who will be angry.

Will they, though? I get the sense Montpellier just couldn't give a fuck about Europe. Might not be able to do much about the squad selection either given Saint-Andre's claims that the team was the result of covid cases (of course he'd never admit to overtly throwing the game...)

Exeter have duffed up a better Montpellier side in their own backyard before and they'll be riding a high after gutting Glasgow like they did. First proper performance in a while and keen to follow it up.

assfly wrote: Mon Jan 17, 2022 5:57 am This competition is so weird. The matches I caught were either outstanding or terrible. Nothing in between.

Ulster looking very good. Lowry must be close to an Ireland call up.

He'll be capped and rightly so but his size means a sustained international career will probably be beyond him.

Uncle fester wrote: Mon Jan 17, 2022 11:35 am

assfly wrote: Mon Jan 17, 2022 5:57 am This competition is so weird. The matches I caught were either outstanding or terrible. Nothing in between.

Ulster looking very good. Lowry must be close to an Ireland call up.

He'll be capped and rightly so but his size means a sustained international career will probably be beyond him.

I'm genuinely intrigued to see how he'd get on against Freddie Steward in a high ball contest.

Bullet wrote: Sun Jan 16, 2022 10:03 pm

Can a referee card after a game has ended?

GogLais wrote: Mon Jan 17, 2022 11:47 am

Bullet wrote: Sun Jan 16, 2022 10:03 pm

Can a referee card after a game has ended?

Yes, I'm sure they can. He can certainly report Aki in his match report.

GogLais wrote: Mon Jan 17, 2022 11:47 am

Bullet wrote: Sun Jan 16, 2022 10:03 pm

Can a referee card after a game has ended?

Yes. I've seen a player red carded and reported for abusing a referee in the clubhouse

Torquemada 1420 wrote: Mon Jan 17, 2022 10:37 am

TheFrog wrote: Mon Jan 17, 2022 1:34 am I see that Saint-Andre, after recording the worst loss for a French team in a world cup (and the first in a quarter final) is now the holder of the worst loss of a French club in the Champions Cup.

Not bad for a manager.

Did you see his interview with L'Equipe?

No. I can imagine the crying PSA with that terrible tone we have been accustomed to during his years at the helm of the French team.

One guy who impresses me as a coach is Urios. He has been successful with a "small" team, he is now quite successful with stars. Looks like he knows his rugby and how to manage players.

Interesting. I had not heard the exchange until video above was posted. Raynal says "It is not on the line. You will apologise".

sockwithaticket wrote: Mon Jan 17, 2022 11:33 am

iarmhí wrote: Mon Jan 17, 2022 11:24 am Montpellier threw that match.

Reminded me of Bourgogne all those years ago.

I'll tell you who I feel sorry for : Exeter

They will now face the good Montpellier next week who will be angry.

Will they, though? I get the sense Montpellier just couldn't give a fuck about Europe. Might not be able to do much about the squad selection either given Saint-Andre's claims that the team was the result of covid cases (of course he'd never admit to overtly throwing the game...)

Exeter have duffed up a better Montpellier side in their own backyard before and they'll be riding a high after gutting Glasgow like they did. First proper performance in a while and keen to follow it up.

Indeed I have the feeling Montpellier will give up the Champions Cup... what a farce.

TheFrog wrote: Mon Jan 17, 2022 12:32 pm

Torquemada 1420 wrote: Mon Jan 17, 2022 10:37 am

No. I can imagine the crying PSA with that terrible tone we have been accustomed to during his years at the helm of the French team.

One guy who impresses me as a coach is Urios. He has been successful with a "small" team, he is now quite successful with stars. Looks like he knows his rugby and how to manage players.

It's worth it for the laugh at his whining. Even worse given his hypocrisy over the position when the roles were reversed and Leinster were affected by covid.

Yes. Urios clearly has a plan and, critically, his players are following it. Their style does leave them vulnerable to sides who can kick in behind them tactically and physically hustle them out of the game (which is exactly what Leicester did in a mirror of Fra v Eng in RWC03) which is why they need to do a bit of work on their tactical kicking. That said, you look at Jalibert's game management versus Ntamack's at the weekend. The latter was really poor against a side playing with 14 men.