NPR

The Atlas Group (not the Steve Diamond consortium) have completed the purchase of Worcester.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/ ... ugby-union

Not sure what is part of the sale, and what facilities are included. The bit the two spivs couldn't turn a quick buck from, presumably.

I also recall that the breakup of the club under the previous owners was being investigated, under the possibly that some asset stripping sales could be reversed if it was to hide cash from creditors, I assume that's gone cold.

Interesting how vitriolic Andy Goode is about Jim O’Toole’s takeover at Worcester. Goode regularly mentions hanging out at Beaconsfield RFC and having mates there, O’Toole just happens to be an ex-chairman…

inactionman wrote: Tue May 02, 2023 3:51 pm

SaintK wrote: Tue May 02, 2023 3:43 pm

inactionman wrote: Tue May 02, 2023 3:13 pm Lee Blackett appointed at Bath - presumably to fill back and attack coach role recently vacated by Mad Dog Joe Maddock.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/65456597

Not entirely sure what led to Maddock's sudden departure, and the statement from the club was notably perfunctory, so this may explain a bit - that Maddock was being pushed outwards or downwards by the appointment of Blackett.

I reckon that's a pretty shrewd appointmentr. Blackett is a good coach.

Maddock was a very decent player and well-liked, but not sure the backs quite got going - although he's not had the benefit of a settled team or of Finn Russell.

Sorry to see him go, but Blackett is indeed a welcome addition.

Just to finish this off - Stuart Hooper is leaving Bath.

https://www.bathrugby.com/news/stuart-h ... edication/

From what I can see, he's done some pretty good work behind the scenes in his role in player development, but not that surprised at his departure given the shake-ups and JvG presumably wanting to set his own team up free of the baggage of previous years.

Counterpoint: His promotion within the club as a player and a coach directly correlates to them being useless. Hooper the Spoofer leaving is a huge benefit to the club IMO.

JM2K6 wrote: Thu May 04, 2023 10:37 am Counterpoint: His promotion within the club as a player and a coach directly correlates to them being useless. Hooper the Spoofer leaving is a huge benefit to the club IMO.

From as head coach role, indisputably yes. Whether it was too early for him or he's just not the right material, I don't know, but it was dreadful for a number of seasons on his watch.

I'm not so sure he isn't worth a Backoffice role as he seems to be quietly getting on with things - in saying that, although the club have upped game a bit on some of the academy and pathways I'm not sure what is directly attributable to him.

Ultimately, I just think there's too much hangover and baggage and it's probably best for all concerned to wipe a clean slate.

John Mitchell taking over as head coach of the Red Roses.

Paddington Bear wrote: Wed May 03, 2023 11:33 am

Kawazaki wrote: Tue May 02, 2023 4:18 pm

Happyhooker wrote: Tue May 02, 2023 11:40 am The only upside is that JMK has offered to buy me a Saracens season ticket for next year.

You need to read the sacred Saracens book of plausible deniability and pledge allegiance to uphold the tenets of the club - honesty, integrity and sincerity - before you are allowed to buy a season ticket.

Once you show enough honesty, integrity, humility and workrate you get taught the secret handshake and Nigel Wray buys you an investment property in St Albans.

Actually, to get that you have to get "Wolf Pack" tattooed in gothic script across your back, down three pints and sing the club's fight song, "Stand Up For The Saracens".

JM2K6 wrote: Thu May 04, 2023 10:37 am Counterpoint: His promotion within the club as a player and a coach directly correlates to them being useless. Hooper the Spoofer leaving is a huge benefit to the club IMO.

It's bizarre he was still there. There's no shortage of very good proven rugby coaches in the job market and Bath pay top dollar so how on earth he hung on for so long turning in the shite Bath were is a mystery.

Cash flow? Maybe Bath didn't have enough money to pay him off sooner if he was on a fixed term contract, but now it's run down enough that they do.

Although given their owner's wealth, that may not be an issue.

Hal Jordan wrote: Thu May 04, 2023 3:35 pm Cash flow? Maybe Bath didn't have enough money to pay him off sooner if he was on a fixed term contract, but now it's run down enough that they do.

Although given their owner's wealth, that may not be an issue.

My take is that he's well thought-of by the Bath hierarchy, although clearly not currently a good head coach, so they wanted to retain him elsewhere once they removed him from front-line coaching duties.

He was thrown a bit into the deep end, it was a strange appointment in the first instance. Little coaching experience, where you'd think leading a team under transition after Mike Ford and Todd Blackadder would require more experience.

Declan Kidney update on L Irish
https://www.rugbypass.com/news/the-de ... update/

Being reported the owner has paid the wages owed for April.

Feels a bit like he was hoping to get the sale done before payday, so he wouldn't get hit for last months wages.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/65483856

fishfoodie wrote: Thu May 04, 2023 7:58 pm Being reported the owner has paid the wages owed for April.

Feels a bit like he was hoping to get the sale done before payday, so he wouldn't get hit for last months wages.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/65483856

What do you reckon they monthly payroll would be for London Irish? Got to be £4-500k per month?

Kawazaki wrote: Thu May 04, 2023 8:13 pm

fishfoodie wrote: Thu May 04, 2023 7:58 pm Being reported the owner has paid the wages owed for April.

Feels a bit like he was hoping to get the sale done before payday, so he wouldn't get hit for last months wages.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/65483856

What do you reckon they monthly payroll would be for London Irish? Got to be £4-500k per month?

Probably not an unreasonable number, I mean it's 130 people, but that's everyone from the lowest paid janitorial staff to the best paid players

Kawazaki wrote: Thu May 04, 2023 8:13 pm

fishfoodie wrote: Thu May 04, 2023 7:58 pm Being reported the owner has paid the wages owed for April.

Feels a bit like he was hoping to get the sale done before payday, so he wouldn't get hit for last months wages.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/65483856

What do you reckon they monthly payroll would be for London Irish? Got to be £4-500k per month?

By the time you've factored staff and players into account probably a fair bit north of that. £600k perhaps

Anyway told you it would all blow over. See you all again for next month's instalment.

Margin__Walker wrote: Thu May 04, 2023 8:25 pm Anyway told you it would all blow over. See you all again for next month's instalment.

I'll second you to join the Wolfpack when the inevitable happens don't you worry.

Kawazaki wrote: Thu May 04, 2023 8:28 pm

Margin__Walker wrote: Thu May 04, 2023 8:25 pm Anyway told you it would all blow over. See you all again for next month's instalment.

I'll second you to join the Wolfpack when the inevitable happens don't you worry.

No chance. I'll be Sale bound. Been brushing up on my afrikaans this week.

Margin__Walker wrote: Thu May 04, 2023 8:30 pm

Kawazaki wrote: Thu May 04, 2023 8:28 pm

Margin__Walker wrote: Thu May 04, 2023 8:25 pm Anyway told you it would all blow over. See you all again for next month's instalment.

I'll second you to join the Wolfpack when the inevitable happens don't you worry.

No chance. I'll be Sale bound. Been brushing up on my afrikaans this week.

They're just Sarries wannabes.

Kawazaki wrote: Thu May 04, 2023 8:37 pm

Margin__Walker wrote: Thu May 04, 2023 8:30 pm

Kawazaki wrote: Thu May 04, 2023 8:28 pm



I'll second you to join the Wolfpack when the inevitable happens don't you worry.

No chance. I'll be Sale bound. Been brushing up on my afrikaans this week.

They're just Sarries wannabes.

Meh, perhaps. No shit hats though. Got to count for something.

Daly makes his injury return in a Saracens team with literally no other 1st XV players. Looking forward to seeing Adejimi again, he's an incredibly powerful and fast hooker who probably could/should have been groomed to play 12 if England and the clubs got on better. Came through at the junior club just up the road from my old club.

Margin__Walker wrote: Thu May 04, 2023 8:30 pm

Kawazaki wrote: Thu May 04, 2023 8:28 pm

Margin__Walker wrote: Thu May 04, 2023 8:25 pm Anyway told you it would all blow over. See you all again for next month's instalment.

I'll second you to join the Wolfpack when the inevitable happens don't you worry.

No chance. I'll be Sale bound. Been brushing up on my afrikaans this week.

I am so fucking sick of these lazy stereotypes about us. Out of this weekend's squad fourteen are academy products and 18 are EQP we have one of the best academies in the country and consistently will our starting team with predominantly English talent, most of it from the North.









So flat caps, whippets, Eccles cakes and past members of The Fall rather than Afirkaans, thank you.

Brazil wrote: Fri May 05, 2023 2:35 pm

I am so fucking sick of these lazy stereotypes about us. Out of this weekend's squad fourteen are academy products and 18 are EQP we have one of the best academies in the country and consistently will our starting team with predominantly English talent, most of it from the North.


So flat caps, whippets, Eccles cakes and past members of The Fall rather than Afirkaans, thank you.

Lazy stereotypes are fun though Braz. Embrace it.

fwiw, I'm more than aware that Sanderson has moved past the Saffa phase. Almost added an asterix to acknowledge it, but thought fuck it, I may hook something.

Margin__Walker wrote: Fri May 05, 2023 2:40 pm

Brazil wrote: Fri May 05, 2023 2:35 pm

I am so fucking sick of these lazy stereotypes about us. Out of this weekend's squad fourteen are academy products and 18 are EQP we have one of the best academies in the country and consistently will our starting team with predominantly English talent, most of it from the North.


So flat caps, whippets, Eccles cakes and past members of The Fall rather than Afirkaans, thank you.

Lazy stereotypes are fun though Braz. Embrace it.

fwiw, I'm more than aware that Sanderson has moved past the Saffa phase. Almost added an asterix to acknowledge it, but thought fuck it, I may hook something.

Au contraire, he's morphed into Rassie Erasmus

Sarries youngsters doing ok
24 21 up at Bath after 40 minutes
Like the look of Hartley the Sarries 12 big strong and quick

SaintK wrote: Sat May 06, 2023 3:57 pm Sarries youngsters doing ok
24 21 up at Bath after 40 minutes
Like the look of Hartley the Sarries 12 big strong and quick

Ref's been told to make sure Bath make it into the top-8. Absolute homer.

Bath 42 29 after 58 minutes 11 tries so far

Brazil wrote: Fri May 05, 2023 2:35 pm
I am so fucking sick of these lazy stereotypes about us. Out of this weekend's squad fourteen are academy products and 18 are EQP we have one of the best academies in the country and consistently will our starting team with predominantly English talent, most of it from the North.


So flat caps, whippets, Eccles cakes and past members of The Fall rather than Afirkaans, thank you.

@ Braz. If you had Brix, I might watch more often.

@ All. Talking of stereotypical, thick Northern Monkeys, what did Ashton get redded for?

Bath 56 29 at 73 minutes
Currently qualifying for Champions Cup

SaintK wrote: Sat May 06, 2023 4:44 pm Bath 56 29 at 73 minutes
Currently qualifying for Champions Cup

Stewards' enquiry for the team that Sarries put out. I had Bath by 15+ based on that joke team sheet.

Bath 61 29 at full time and qualify for the Champions Cup

Torquemada 1420 wrote: Sat May 06, 2023 4:50 pm

SaintK wrote: Sat May 06, 2023 4:44 pm Bath 56 29 at 73 minutes
Currently qualifying for Champions Cup

Stewards' enquiry for the team that Sarries put out. I had Bath by 15+ based on that joke team sheet.

I had them +17
Sensible selection by Sarries given play off semi next weekend

SaintK wrote: Sat May 06, 2023 5:02 pm

Torquemada 1420 wrote: Sat May 06, 2023 4:50 pm

SaintK wrote: Sat May 06, 2023 4:44 pm Bath 56 29 at 73 minutes
Currently qualifying for Champions Cup

Stewards' enquiry for the team that Sarries put out. I had Bath by 15+ based on that joke team sheet.

I had them +17
Sensible selection by Sarries given play off semi next weekend

Of course. It's a loophole that it's hard to see anything being done about (bar when Agen threw their Parker Pen game away at Ebbw Vale).

Torquemada 1420 wrote: Sat May 06, 2023 4:26 pm

Brazil wrote: Fri May 05, 2023 2:35 pm
I am so fucking sick of these lazy stereotypes about us. Out of this weekend's squad fourteen are academy products and 18 are EQP we have one of the best academies in the country and consistently will our starting team with predominantly English talent, most of it from the North.


So flat caps, whippets, Eccles cakes and past members of The Fall rather than Afirkaans, thank you.

@ Braz. If you had Brix, I might watch more often.

@ All. Talking of stereotypical, thick Northern Monkeys, what did Ashton get redded for?

A clean front-on headshot on Murley with the shoulder.

Quins were ahead and outplaying Tigers when the card happened, was largely more of the game in the second half. Sadly they bombed a few tries and when Gjaltema came on for care he very nearly threw the game away. Fun ending featuring a yellow carded Marler sharing high fives with tigers fans and having a chat with them before Quins turn over a tigers maul 5m from the line to win.

Not a traditional Quins approach in the second half but it barely gave tigers a sniff and won by 3 in the end. Smith had a good game.

JM2K6 wrote: Sat May 06, 2023 5:12 pm

Torquemada 1420 wrote: Sat May 06, 2023 4:26 pm

Brazil wrote: Fri May 05, 2023 2:35 pm
I am so fucking sick of these lazy stereotypes about us. Out of this weekend's squad fourteen are academy products and 18 are EQP we have one of the best academies in the country and consistently will our starting team with predominantly English talent, most of it from the North.


So flat caps, whippets, Eccles cakes and past members of The Fall rather than Afirkaans, thank you.

@ Braz. If you had Brix, I might watch more often.

@ All. Talking of stereotypical, thick Northern Monkeys, what did Ashton get redded for?

A clean front-on headshot on Murley with the shoulder.

Quins were ahead and outplaying Tigers when the card happened, was largely more of the game in the second half. Sadly they bombed a few tries and when Gjaltema came on for care he very nearly threw the game away. Fun ending featuring a yellow carded Marler sharing high fives with tigers fans and having a chat with them before Quins turn over a tigers maul 5m from the line to win.

Not a traditional Quins approach in the second half but it barely gave tigers a sniff and won by 3 in the end. Smith had a good game.

Bloody hell, Ashton red card in his last match
Oh dear

JM2K6 wrote: Sat May 06, 2023 5:12 pm

Torquemada 1420 wrote: Sat May 06, 2023 4:26 pm

Brazil wrote: Fri May 05, 2023 2:35 pm
I am so fucking sick of these lazy stereotypes about us. Out of this weekend's squad fourteen are academy products and 18 are EQP we have one of the best academies in the country and consistently will our starting team with predominantly English talent, most of it from the North.


So flat caps, whippets, Eccles cakes and past members of The Fall rather than Afirkaans, thank you.

@ Braz. If you had Brix, I might watch more often.

@ All. Talking of stereotypical, thick Northern Monkeys, what did Ashton get redded for?

A clean front-on headshot on Murley with the shoulder.

Quins were ahead and outplaying Tigers when the card happened, was largely more of the game in the second half. Sadly they bombed a few tries and when Gjaltema came on for care he very nearly threw the game away. Fun ending featuring a yellow carded Marler sharing high fives with tigers fans and having a chat with them before Quins turn over a tigers maul 5m from the line to win.

Not a traditional Quins approach in the second half but it barely gave tigers a sniff and won by 3 in the end. Smith had a good game.

Well you would have loved the reffing in LOU v USAP. 72 mins and Allen (NZ lock) with a clear, no arms head hit on USAP FH ( Rodor). Rodor was falling under a tackle but it was a bare min yellow. Rodor off for HIA and.......... ref awards a scrum to LOU for a knock on.

Meantime Vaahaa has been forced to retire stating he is ashamed of his club Clermont for their treatment of him. A raft of concussions plus an op to prevent fluid leaking into the brain. Clermont have just let his contract expire. Meantime they are being sued by Thugmore for concussion damage and Alex Lapandry looking to do the same whilst also stating that Clermont did the same to him as Vaahaa i.e. as soon as he could not carry on due to too many concussions, they closed the club's doors to him without so much as tatty-bye.

Too many Tiger's coaches? Shame Ian Peel chose to stay at Sarries.

Steve Borthwick has named Tom Harrison as England’s new scrum coach after finalising his coaching staff for the upcoming World Cup.

Harrison will follow Richard Wigglesworth and Aled Walters in joining the England set-up from Leicester, and is due to start work on 1 June.

Wigglesworth will lead the attack coaching and kicking strategy with Walters head of strength and conditioning. Tony Roques, the England men’s sevens head coach, will work as contact and skills coach, and Kevin Sinfield will continue as defence coach.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/202 ... ld-cup

My old club are in the final of the Papa John's Community Cup. Playing now.

Kawazaki wrote: Sun May 07, 2023 2:21 pm My old club are in the final of the Papa John's Community Cup. Playing now.

Harlow have had an excellent unbeaten league season. Heard they’d picked up a good number of Hertford players from the clear out there season before?
The Papa John cup has been an absolute farce with more walkovers than actual matches played!! Another RFU fuck up

Harlow have played 4 matches to reach the final, two of them away. Played Cockermouth from Cumbria in the SF at home though.