NPR

epwc wrote: Wed Sep 04, 2024 4:15 pm World leading English teams? When was the last time we had club teams performing well in Europe?

epwc wrote: Wed Sep 04, 2024 4:35 pm Actually had forgotten already!

Would be nice to be regular contenders though

epwc wrote: Wed Sep 04, 2024 4:15 pm World leading English teams? When was the last time we had club teams performing well in Europe?

duke wrote: Thu Sep 05, 2024 9:01 am Sitiveni Sivivatu headed to Marlborough Rugby Club


https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union ... rl4dng1l2o

Marlborough used to be a classic Dorset & Wiltshire town club - plenty of locals from all backgrounds together with a few passing squaddies based locally for a couple of years. They appear to have transformed themselves into a much tougher proposition with a lot of Fijian, Tongan and now NZ connections which have lead to them climbing the leagues at a fair rate. Not sure if they have a financial backer and it will be interesting to see how far they climb.

Bullet wrote: Thu Sep 05, 2024 11:55 am

duke wrote: Thu Sep 05, 2024 9:01 am Sitiveni Sivivatu headed to Marlborough Rugby Club


https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union ... rl4dng1l2o

Marlborough used to be a classic Dorset & Wiltshire town club - plenty of locals from all backgrounds together with a few passing squaddies based locally for a couple of years. They appear to have transformed themselves into a much tougher proposition with a lot of Fijian, Tongan and now NZ connections which have lead to them climbing the leagues at a fair rate. Not sure if they have a financial backer and it will be interesting to see how far they climb.

Used to run Marlborough close each year in Dorset and Wilts cup before lockdown, pretty sure they had been automatically relegated (couple of times?) for unregistered players.
Last big name played against there was Chris Budgen after he left Exeter

sockwithaticket wrote: Wed Sep 04, 2024 6:22 pm

epwc wrote: Wed Sep 04, 2024 4:35 pm Actually had forgotten already!

Would be nice to be regular contenders though

I think we are tbh. In recent seasons the Prem record is:

23/24 - 2 semi-finalists, 4 quarter-finalists
22/23 - 1 semi, 3 quarter
21/22 - 0 semi, 2 quarter (this year Leinster were the only non-French semi-finalist
20/21 - 0 semi, 2 quarter
19/20 - 1 finalist, 2 semi, 3 quarter (and one of the quarters was contested between two English teams so one had to go out)

That compares pretty favourably with other nations. Without Leinster, Ireland's representation in the knock outs drops like a stone.

petej wrote: Thu Sep 05, 2024 2:22 pm

sockwithaticket wrote: Wed Sep 04, 2024 6:22 pm

epwc wrote: Wed Sep 04, 2024 4:35 pm Actually had forgotten already!

Would be nice to be regular contenders though

I think we are tbh. In recent seasons the Prem record is:

23/24 - 2 semi-finalists, 4 quarter-finalists
22/23 - 1 semi, 3 quarter
21/22 - 0 semi, 2 quarter (this year Leinster were the only non-French semi-finalist
20/21 - 0 semi, 2 quarter
19/20 - 1 finalist, 2 semi, 3 quarter (and one of the quarters was contested between two English teams so one had to go out)

That compares pretty favourably with other nations. Without Leinster, Ireland's representation in the knock outs drops like a stone.

We are also trying to achieve a different end point in our domestic competition that is more towards the NFL model (unpredictable) than the premiership football (predictable and dull despite the hype).

duke wrote: Thu Sep 05, 2024 12:26 pm

Bullet wrote: Thu Sep 05, 2024 11:55 am

duke wrote: Thu Sep 05, 2024 9:01 am Sitiveni Sivivatu headed to Marlborough Rugby Club


https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union ... rl4dng1l2o

Marlborough used to be a classic Dorset & Wiltshire town club - plenty of locals from all backgrounds together with a few passing squaddies based locally for a couple of years. They appear to have transformed themselves into a much tougher proposition with a lot of Fijian, Tongan and now NZ connections which have lead to them climbing the leagues at a fair rate. Not sure if they have a financial backer and it will be interesting to see how far they climb.

Used to run Marlborough close each year in Dorset and Wilts cup before lockdown, pretty sure they had been automatically relegated (couple of times?) for unregistered players.
Last big name played against there was Chris Budgen after he left Exeter

Who were you playing for? I used to be at Blandford a long time ago (retired in '96)

Bullet wrote: Thu Sep 05, 2024 4:36 pm

duke wrote: Thu Sep 05, 2024 12:26 pm

Bullet wrote: Thu Sep 05, 2024 11:55 am

Used to run Marlborough close each year in Dorset and Wilts cup before lockdown, pretty sure they had been automatically relegated (couple of times?) for unregistered players.
Last big name played against there was Chris Budgen after he left Exeter

Who were you playing for? I used to be at Blandford a long time ago (retired in '96)

Many games against Blandford but never an easy day.
Lytchett Minster 1987-2020

inactionman wrote: Fri Sep 06, 2024 4:16 pm England have recruited Dan Tobin from Gloucester as fitness coach

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union ... dgkwe380jo

I'm not up to speed on the qualities of various fitness coaches, but I'm sincerely hoping Gloucester's dire form of last season wasn't down to lack of conditioning.

SaintK wrote: Fri Sep 06, 2024 4:50 pm

inactionman wrote: Fri Sep 06, 2024 4:16 pm England have recruited Dan Tobin from Gloucester as fitness coach

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union ... dgkwe380jo

I'm not up to speed on the qualities of various fitness coaches, but I'm sincerely hoping Gloucester's dire form of last season wasn't down to lack of conditioning.

He had already been lined up to replace Tom Tombleson at the end of last season. Looks like it is an instant promotion for him unless O'Shea has found anyone else as good as Aled Walters!

inactionman wrote: Tue Sep 10, 2024 9:29 am

SaintK wrote: Fri Sep 06, 2024 4:50 pm

inactionman wrote: Fri Sep 06, 2024 4:16 pm England have recruited Dan Tobin from Gloucester as fitness coach

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union ... dgkwe380jo

I'm not up to speed on the qualities of various fitness coaches, but I'm sincerely hoping Gloucester's dire form of last season wasn't down to lack of conditioning.

He had already been lined up to replace Tom Tombleson at the end of last season. Looks like it is an instant promotion for him unless O'Shea has found anyone else as good as Aled Walters!

That's reassuring, was worried England would go a bit knee-jerk.

Out of interest, and I ask only as it's near your neck of the woods - rugby league is kicking off an expansion team in Bedford, any views on whether this is good, bad, indifferent for union teams in the area?

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/no-he ... -expansion

As the article states, many other teams have tried this and failed, but thought it was noteworthy nonetheless as it;s in an area where union is very strong.

SaintK wrote: Tue Sep 10, 2024 9:47 am

inactionman wrote: Tue Sep 10, 2024 9:29 am

SaintK wrote: Fri Sep 06, 2024 4:50 pm
He had already been lined up to replace Tom Tombleson at the end of last season. Looks like it is an instant promotion for him unless O'Shea has found anyone else as good as Aled Walters!

That's reassuring, was worried England would go a bit knee-jerk.

Out of interest, and I ask only as it's near your neck of the woods - rugby league is kicking off an expansion team in Bedford, any views on whether this is good, bad, indifferent for union teams in the area?

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/no-he ... -expansion

As the article states, many other teams have tried this and failed, but thought it was noteworthy nonetheless as it;s in an area where union is very strong.

As it says, the Bedfordshire region is a strong RU area with teams like Ampthill at level 2 down to numerous smaller teams down as far as level 9 Most of those clubs are well established, traditional clubs. Top be honest unless they are going to "buy" their way in and attract players that way I can't see many crossing codes. It will probably go the same way as previous efforts

inactionman wrote: Tue Sep 10, 2024 9:57 am

SaintK wrote: Tue Sep 10, 2024 9:47 am

inactionman wrote: Tue Sep 10, 2024 9:29 am


That's reassuring, was worried England would go a bit knee-jerk.

Out of interest, and I ask only as it's near your neck of the woods - rugby league is kicking off an expansion team in Bedford, any views on whether this is good, bad, indifferent for union teams in the area?

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/no-he ... -expansion

As the article states, many other teams have tried this and failed, but thought it was noteworthy nonetheless as it;s in an area where union is very strong.

As it says, the Bedfordshire region is a strong RU area with teams like Ampthill at level 2 down to numerous smaller teams down as far as level 9 Most of those clubs are well established, traditional clubs. Top be honest unless they are going to "buy" their way in and attract players that way I can't see many crossing codes. It will probably go the same way as previous efforts

It seems a weird place to try to establish a RL presence

Torquemada 1420 wrote: Sat Sep 14, 2024 3:08 pm Stuart Lancaster doing a job at Racing Farrell costs them the game last week and is in the bin this.

And the nepotism move to pick his deeply ordinary son is going well.

petej wrote: Sat Sep 14, 2024 5:31 pm

Torquemada 1420 wrote: Sat Sep 14, 2024 3:08 pm Stuart Lancaster doing a job at Racing Farrell costs them the game last week and is in the bin this.

And the nepotism move to pick his deeply ordinary son is going well.

Farrell on form then?

petej wrote: Sat Sep 14, 2024 5:31 pm

Torquemada 1420 wrote: Sat Sep 14, 2024 3:08 pm Stuart Lancaster doing a job at Racing Farrell costs them the game last week and is in the bin this.

And the nepotism move to pick his deeply ordinary son is going well.

Farrell on form then?

Premiership coaches believe existing red-card protocols should be changed in an effort to keep “15 v 15” on the field and avoid “destroying the game” after three major finals last season were marred by sendings-off.

inactionman wrote: Tue Sep 17, 2024 3:17 pm Looking forward to Friday's game, re-match of the 2024 final (Bath vs Northampton at the Rec)

Hoping for some clear weather to encourage some running rugby, although the rec surface is much less prone to waterlogging and bogging thanks to some improvements to the grass.

I'm going for a Bath win but within a converted try.

SaintK wrote: Wed Sep 18, 2024 9:46 am

inactionman wrote: Tue Sep 17, 2024 3:17 pm Looking forward to Friday's game, re-match of the 2024 final (Bath vs Northampton at the Rec)

Hoping for some clear weather to encourage some running rugby, although the rec surface is much less prone to waterlogging and bogging thanks to some improvements to the grass.

I'm going for a Bath win but within a converted try.

Not sure what to expect from Saints this season. Lot of experience has left but hopefully the attacking game will continue where it left off and the new found confident defence system will hold up.
Looking at Sarries, Bath, Sale as potential top four. Bristol have to step up this season and need to start where they left off at the end of last season. Quins also likely to be there or thereabouts.

inactionman wrote: Wed Sep 18, 2024 8:26 am I haven't missed this debate though - it's just never-bloody-ending.

Premiership coaches believe existing red-card protocols should be changed in an effort to keep “15 v 15” on the field and avoid “destroying the game” after three major finals last season were marred by sendings-off.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/ ... g-the-game

JM2K6 wrote: Wed Sep 18, 2024 3:42 pm

inactionman wrote: Wed Sep 18, 2024 8:26 am I haven't missed this debate though - it's just never-bloody-ending.

Premiership coaches believe existing red-card protocols should be changed in an effort to keep “15 v 15” on the field and avoid “destroying the game” after three major finals last season were marred by sendings-off.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/ ... g-the-game

Meagher is the fucking worst for this stuff and it's the same handful of coaches every time. Tedious whining about matches being ruined while referring to brilliant contests. Pricks, the lot of them.

inactionman wrote: Wed Sep 18, 2024 4:03 pmit needs to be a mantra that we can't have people suffering brain injuries and life-long disability just because big hits are fun. Everything else should be secondary to that.

Maro Itoje aims to prove former England coach Eddie Jones wrong as he takes on the Saracens captaincy.
Jones questioned whether Itoje was suited to captaincy in a 2021 book, claiming the second row was "very inward-looking" and did not "usually influence people off the field".
"I felt that was a wrong diagnosis of who I am," said Itoje.
"Most people who know me, most people who read those comments who knew me, would say that was an inaccurate conclusion to who I am as a person.
"I guess it was unfortunate that your coach would say something like that about you, but in life not everyone is going to see the things that way you see it."
The 29-year-old also denied Jones' claim that he had taken "acting lessons" to improve his leadership.

inactionman wrote: Wed Sep 18, 2024 4:03 pm

JM2K6 wrote: Wed Sep 18, 2024 3:42 pm

inactionman wrote: Wed Sep 18, 2024 8:26 am I haven't missed this debate though - it's just never-bloody-ending.




https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/ ... g-the-game

Meagher is the fucking worst for this stuff and it's the same handful of coaches every time. Tedious whining about matches being ruined while referring to brilliant contests. Pricks, the lot of them.

They may have been exciting, but as a Bath fan I'd really rather Obano wasn't sent off.

But, yes, the whole ongoing back-and-forth is tedious, and it needs to be a mantra that we can't have people suffering brain injuries and life-long disability just because big hits are fun. Everything else should be secondary to that.

Saints: Furbank (c); Ramm, Dingwall, Hutchinson, Sleightholme; F Smith, James; Iyogun, C Langdon, Davison; Scott-Young, Munga; Kemeny, Pearson, Graham.
Replacements: R Smith, West, Green, Hunter-Hill, Augustus, McParland, Thame, Freeman.