What's new

The Rugby Thread

talkshowhost86

Mod-Moose
Staff
Oct 2, 2004
48,105
47,061
I don’t think we dealt with England’s kicking game that badly. A couple of dropped high balls and a few loose kicks here and there but other than that we coped pretty well. Stopping England scoring any points for over an hour is quite an achievement really but ultimately personnel let us down. Biggar, Williams and Halfpenny will be much better equipped to deal with that, I hope.

Yes, having the Welsh Fijian aka Nathan Hughes back is a big plus for you. I don’t think a bonus point win is a lot to ask, their defence is dodgy but you’re right, it’s not easy and certainly not a given. It’s their cup final and the crowd should be good and we all know how much better they perform at home. You’d take 4 points though, I’m sure.

Very dodgy ground having a pop on that front E17 :LOL:

We'd definitely take four points. If both England and Ireland win this weekend it's quite probably not going to come down to bonus points anyway.
 

E17yid

Well-Known Member
Jan 21, 2013
16,985
30,495
Very dodgy ground having a pop on that front E17 :LOL:

We'd definitely take four points. If both England and Ireland win this weekend it's quite probably not going to come down to bonus points anyway.

Ha ha. I know. With a name like Hughes, though, he must have a great great great grandfather who had a welsh collie once.
 

E17yid

Well-Known Member
Jan 21, 2013
16,985
30,495
Who's this bloke @E17yid?

http://www.quins.co.uk/news/wales-u20-forward-signs-for-harlequins/

As Quins are signing him I'm assuming he's an absolute no-hope loser, but I'm prepared to take your more considered opinion.

Dunno mate. I’ve watched the under 20s a bit but this name is not ringing any bells and it’s an unusual name.

Grew up in South London so could potentially play for England. And I’m guessing that his parentage might not be Welsh with that surname but could be wrong on that. Be interested to see how he does so keep me in the loop but I guess he’s a ways off your starting 15. Then again you are pretty shit. ;)
 

talkshowhost86

Mod-Moose
Staff
Oct 2, 2004
48,105
47,061
Dunno mate. I’ve watched the under 20s a bit but this name is not ringing any bells and it’s an unusual name.

Grew up in South London so could potentially play for England. And I’m guessing that his parentage might not be Welsh with that surname but could be wrong on that. Be untested to see how he does so keep me in the loop but I guess he’s a ways off your starting 15. Then again you are pretty shit. ;)

Yeah there's a fair chance he'll be our captain by next week.
 

talkshowhost86

Mod-Moose
Staff
Oct 2, 2004
48,105
47,061
Scotland have named an unchanged first XV which is perhaps not surprising.

I assume we'll have to wait until tomorrow to see what England are doing.

It's a very interesting selection for Eddie because if he brings Hughes straight back in, then who does he drop? Do you simply replace Simmonds? Do you put Simmonds at 7 and drop Robshaw? Do you drop Lawes, or move him into 4 and drop Launchbury or Itoje?

I'd be tempted to leave it as it is and just have Hughes on the bench for this one. We should be able to match Scotland's pack in any case, and a hungry hungry Hughes off the bench after 60 minutes is a dangerous prospect.

Will also be interesting to see if the naughty boys (Marler and Haskell) are put straight back in the squad. I suspect yes for Marler, but not sure about the Hask.
 

tototoner

Staying Alert
Mar 21, 2004
29,387
34,059
I'm off to Dublin Friday morning, cannot wait. Fly back Sunday.

Will be good drinking practice ahead of Cheltenham
 

Japhet

Well-Known Member
Aug 30, 2010
19,232
57,392
Scotland have named an unchanged first XV which is perhaps not surprising.

I assume we'll have to wait until tomorrow to see what England are doing.

It's a very interesting selection for Eddie because if he brings Hughes straight back in, then who does he drop? Do you simply replace Simmonds? Do you put Simmonds at 7 and drop Robshaw? Do you drop Lawes, or move him into 4 and drop Launchbury or Itoje?

I'd be tempted to leave it as it is and just have Hughes on the bench for this one. We should be able to match Scotland's pack in any case, and a hungry hungry Hughes off the bench after 60 minutes is a dangerous prospect.

Will also be interesting to see if the naughty boys (Marler and Haskell) are put straight back in the squad. I suspect yes for Marler, but not sure about the Hask.


If Simmonds is fit I think the starting XV will be unchanged. If Scotland had a front row I'd probably bring Marler in, but they don't. Hughes off the bench is a great option. Can't see much point in Haskell these days tbh.
 

Arnoldtoo

The thinking ape's ape
May 18, 2006
35,338
54,974
Scotland have named an unchanged first XV which is perhaps not surprising.

I assume we'll have to wait until tomorrow to see what England are doing.

It's a very interesting selection for Eddie because if he brings Hughes straight back in, then who does he drop? Do you simply replace Simmonds? Do you put Simmonds at 7 and drop Robshaw? Do you drop Lawes, or move him into 4 and drop Launchbury or Itoje?

I'd be tempted to leave it as it is and just have Hughes on the bench for this one. We should be able to match Scotland's pack in any case, and a hungry hungry Hughes off the bench after 60 minutes is a dangerous prospect.

Will also be interesting to see if the naughty boys (Marler and Haskell) are put straight back in the squad. I suspect yes for Marler, but not sure about the Hask.

Oi.

Since I don't have mod capabilities, would you please award yourself the 'Watch It' rating that you so richly deserve.

Thank you.
 

talkshowhost86

Mod-Moose
Staff
Oct 2, 2004
48,105
47,061
If Simmonds is fit I think the starting XV will be unchanged. If Scotland had a front row I'd probably bring Marler in, but they don't. Hughes off the bench is a great option. Can't see much point in Haskell these days tbh.

Actually I forgot that Simmonds was injured, so that question probably answers itself.
 

mpickard2087

Patient Zero
Jun 13, 2008
21,886
32,513
Two interesting games this weekend. I think Ireland should probably get the job done against Wales but it will be a close one. What I will say is that England dominated the rucks and got quick ball for large spells of the game the other week, if the Welsh haven't sorted that and it happens again then they will be in trouble against an Ireland team that is happy to let big ball carriers trundle the ball up phase after phase.

As for England v Scotland, I'd be disappointed if England didn't win this but I'm expecting Scotland to come out all guns blazing here and be improved on the first two games. For England I want to see a more 80 minute performance rather than just playing here and there, if we keep the pressure/control then the leaky Scottish defence rarely holds out.
 

E17yid

Well-Known Member
Jan 21, 2013
16,985
30,495
Glen Jackson is the ref in the Ireland v Wales game. I remember him being quite generous to us a few years ago in our game against Scotland.

Hopefully Nigel Owens will give Scotland those 50-50 calls in the Scotland v England game.
 

E17yid

Well-Known Member
Jan 21, 2013
16,985
30,495
Why would he do that?

He’s obviously a professional but there’s always instances, in any sport, where decisions aren’t clear cut and home advantage (crowd) can, subconsciously, influence a refs decion.

I’ll settle for a dodgy TMO call or 2, though ;)
 

talkshowhost86

Mod-Moose
Staff
Oct 2, 2004
48,105
47,061
Come on @E17yid ...it's been almost two weeks now.

Surely that bitterness must be draining away by now?

I look forward to Wales getting a really dodgy try (again) and Wales Online deciding that it's 'justice'.
 

Japhet

Well-Known Member
Aug 30, 2010
19,232
57,392
Come on @E17yid ...it's been almost two weeks now.

Surely that bitterness must be draining away by now?

I look forward to Wales getting a really dodgy try (again) and Wales Online deciding that it's 'justice'.


That would only be 2% of the justice they deserve. It will take 200 dodgy decisions against England to shut the fuckers up.
 

E17yid

Well-Known Member
Jan 21, 2013
16,985
30,495
Come on @E17yid ...it's been almost two weeks now.

Surely that bitterness must be draining away by now?

I look forward to Wales getting a really dodgy try (again) and Wales Online deciding that it's 'justice'.

Hey, I put a winkey smiley face there.

Anyway, I’m not bitter. I’m vindictive.
 
Top