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talkshowhost86

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Oct 2, 2004
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Nah mate it’s just that we’ve written off the league and putting all our eggs into the champions cup. Remember, we only narrowly lost to saracens away by 1 point and I when I watched that I was like where the fuck has that performance come from. Same with Northampton.

Old AWJ bossed Itoje and now has bossed Lawes. I joke, Lawes was decent.

I think we’re just as inconsistent as your lot, if not more, this year.

We’ve got half a chance of QF but have to beat Sarries.

See this is why I have very little respect for the pro-14 because whereas the Premiership teams do put the effort in to their league, it's clear that everyone in the pro-14 doesn't do that (because they don't really need to to qualify).

Certainly seems to be helping the pro-14 teams, so you can see why they do it, but it would be nice if the teams were on a bit more of a level playing field in terms of qualifying for the competition.
 

talkshowhost86

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As a Saints supporter I'm a bit sad to see Mallinder go. However, we have been awful for quite some time now and have made some dreadful recruitment gaffs. Don't seem to be playing with any heart at the moment. We've never really got past losing Manoa in my opinion and haven't had a solid, first choice 10 for ages. Don't think Dan Biggar is the answer either. No idea who will be coming in - just hope it isn't Grayson.

Was Mallinder actually in charge of recruitment?

Quins desperately need a new DOR and I'd be very interested in whether Mallinder would be a good fit. He did brilliant things with Saints not that long ago, so I wonder whether a fresh start for him might be what both he and Quins need.
 

Japhet

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Aug 30, 2010
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Was Mallinder actually in charge of recruitment?

Quins desperately need a new DOR and I'd be very interested in whether Mallinder would be a good fit. He did brilliant things with Saints not that long ago, so I wonder whether a fresh start for him might be what both he and Quins need.


He wasn't 'in charge' but would have had quite a say in recruitment would be my guess. He'd be a very good acquisition for any club in my opinion but just seemed to run out of steam at Saints, particularly when some very influential players moved on. I think he probably saw his boy as a fix at 10 and I think he's over-rated him. Picamoles papered over the cracks temporarily as well and Corbisiero was a big loss a bit further back. Players weren't replaced with equal quality for a number of seasons. Fotualii was another one who needed to be hung onto. I hope Mallinder's exit doesn't lead to a mass exodus though.
 

E17yid

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Jan 21, 2013
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See this is why I have very little respect for the pro-14 because whereas the Premiership teams do put the effort in to their league, it's clear that everyone in the pro-14 doesn't do that (because they don't really need to to qualify).

Certainly seems to be helping the pro-14 teams, so you can see why they do it, but it would be nice if the teams were on a bit more of a level playing field in terms of qualifying for the competition.

We’re only doing that this year, though, coz we’ve been so bad in the league. Normally, we’re near the top, focussing on the league and our European form is shit. Likewise with Scarlets this year, doing well domestically and not so great in Europe. I can kind of see where you’re coming from but I think it’s harsh to give so little respect to a league that is clearly up there with the best leagues.
 

E17yid

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@talkshowhost86 i just had to google what the QF status now is since the format change and it’s only 1 extra from the English prem. before it was top 6, like England. Now it’s the top 3 from each conference who auto QF with 1 more team going into a play off to make 7 in total from the pro 14. Still top 6 from the prem, obviously
 

talkshowhost86

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@talkshowhost86 i just had to google what the QF status now is since the format change and it’s only 1 extra from the English prem. before it was top 6, like England. Now it’s the top 3 from each conference who auto QF with 1 more team going into a play off to make 7 in total from the pro 14. Still top 6 from the prem, obviously

Presumably that excludes the Saffer teams (at the moment) so if I'm right, you're getting 7 out of 12 teams qualifying, and with the Italian teams unlikely to ever bother the top 3, that's 7 out of 10 teams. I think that's fairly close to before with the obvious benefit being that Italian teams now won't clog up the European Championship unless they get there on merit. Actually it's now easier for the Celtish teams to qualify for Europe as there's effectively an extra place up for grabs with the Italians out.

Did they used to ringfence by nationality, other than with Italy, before (i.e. there had to be at least 1 Welsh team, 1 Scottish team and 1 Irish team)? And if so have they done away with that now?

Either way it's a better system now, but ultimately the prestige of winning the Pro 14 isn't the same for most clubs as winning the Premiership, and the national unions have a lot of control to ensure that stays the way it is (meaning you get plenty of weeks where teams play absolute C teams). Yes when it gets to the playoffs teams take an interest, but it almost feels they'll only do that if they chance upon being there rather than striving to get there all season.

It's not the club's faults as the system effectively makes them training grounds for the national teams, I just personally don't really like it. And I think it makes for an uneven playing field when it comes to Europe, which I again think is a shame as I'd love to see someone like Ospreys playing that competitively every week.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. I'd love to see a UK and Ireland club league. Pretty sure it would just mean more teams to beat Quins, but I think it would make for a great competition.
 

talkshowhost86

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Blimey. Now Faletau is out until March.

Wales really being hit by an injury curse at the moment. A huge shame for the tournament really as before the World Cup it would be great to see where a full strength Wales would be.
 

E17yid

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Blimey. Now Faletau is out until March.

Wales really being hit by an injury curse at the moment. A huge shame for the tournament really as before the World Cup it would be great to see where a full strength Wales would be.

Fucks sake. Fucking fuck.
 

E17yid

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Can’t believe this shit. Really think with a fully fit squad we’d be right up there and it’s not like we’re talking 1 or 2.

Sam I can deal with as I prefer Tipuric as a player anyway. I would normally be ok with Ball being out but we’re so weak in the 2nd row that Jake is a big loss. J davies and now Faletau is literally the worst case scenario as they are 2 genuine world class players who we can’t afford to lose.

I guess Moriarty will be our 8 but he’ll probably break his arm or something tomorrow
 

E17yid

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I would give serious thought to playing Shingler in the 2nd row. Don’t think he’s ever played there before but fuck it. Mind you, Bradley Davies (who really lost his way after some injuries) is starting to find some form but I’d experiment and play Shingler there, see how he gets on. Then we can have Lydiate at 6 with Moriarty and Navidi as emergency cover.
 

E17yid

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Is Moriarty actually getting any games for Gloucester? I saw his first game back in the Anglo Welsh cup but I know he’s had a bit of a falling out with the manager there. Any Gloucester fans here?
 

talkshowhost86

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Is Moriarty actually getting any games for Gloucester? I saw his first game back in the Anglo Welsh cup but I know he’s had a bit of a falling out with the manager there. Any Gloucester fans here?

Literally played once for them this season by the looks of things.

Played 19 times last season but not sure if that drop off is purely down to injury or whether he doesn't get on with Ackerman. It's certainly not as if Gloucester are missing him so far, and I could understand if they don't pick him considering they know he's off at the end of the season.

It's why I wish Quins had some other fit centres so that we could stop playing Roberts who clearly has no interest in playing club rugby at the moment (or at any point whilst he's been at Quins really).
 

E17yid

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Literally played once for them this season by the looks of things.

Played 19 times last season but not sure if that drop off is purely down to injury or whether he doesn't get on with Ackerman. It's certainly not as if Gloucester are missing him so far, and I could understand if they don't pick him considering they know he's off at the end of the season.

It's why I wish Quins had some other fit centres so that we could stop playing Roberts who clearly has no interest in playing club rugby at the moment (or at any point whilst he's been at Quins really).

It’s strange as Roberts ain’t in the Wales set up really so you’d think he’d be putting the effort in for Quinn’s either coz he’s got nothing else to do or to try and impress and get his place in the squad back. Is he playing poorly then?
 

talkshowhost86

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It’s strange as Roberts ain’t in the Wales set up really so you’d think he’d be putting the effort in for Quinn’s either coz he’s got nothing else to do or to try and impress and get his place in the squad back. Is he playing poorly then?

To be fair it’s a bad fit all round.

He has always been a one trick pony and he isn’t that good at the trick anymore, plus Quins have always been an expansive team so having a centre who can’t pass is a bit of an issue.
 

E17yid

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To be fair it’s a bad fit all round.

He has always been a one trick pony and he isn’t that good at the trick anymore, plus Quins have always been an expansive team so having a centre who can’t pass is a bit of an issue.

Always handy to have another Dr at the club, though.
 

E17yid

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I see Itoje will be back in time for England’s 6N opener.

We best wrap AWJ up in cotton wool. If we lose him we are proper fucked.
 

talkshowhost86

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I see Itoje will be back in time for England’s 6N opener.

We best wrap AWJ up in cotton wool. If we lose him we are proper fucked.

He’ll need to prove he’s worthy of a place in the side so not sure he’s going to have the games to do that.

Lawes and Launchbury are in such good form so it’s certainly not a given that Maro gets back in.
 

E17yid

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He’ll need to prove he’s worthy of a place in the side so not sure he’s going to have the games to do that.

Lawes and Launchbury are in such good form so it’s certainly not a given that Maro gets back in.

Surely he will. I think he’s back in 3/4 weeks which will mean he’ll have the opportunity to get a few games under his belt before your first game.

If Itoje isn’t picked then Eddie will be receiving a stern letter from @Arnoldtoo , id imagine.
 

talkshowhost86

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Surely he will. I think he’s back in 3/4 weeks which will mean he’ll have the opportunity to get a few games under his belt before your first game.

If Itoje isn’t picked then Eddie will be receiving a stern letter from @Arnoldtoo , id imagine.

Yeah it depends on when he gets back for Sarries, and there's no doubt he'll be in the squad, but his form since the Lions tour hasn't been fantastic, and to be honest I think this injury may have been the best thing for him as he's played a hell of a lot of rugby in the last two years.

He'll be back firing on full cylinders soon though, and when he's on his game there are few better in the world.

I think it shows the strength of depth that England have though that someone like Itoje isn't even a nailed on starter when he gets back.

The player we really miss is still Big Billy V. Not sure what his current prognosis is but would love to see him back in an England shirt.
 

E17yid

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Yeah it depends on when he gets back for Sarries, and there's no doubt he'll be in the squad, but his form since the Lions tour hasn't been fantastic, and to be honest I think this injury may have been the best thing for him as he's played a hell of a lot of rugby in the last two years.

He'll be back firing on full cylinders soon though, and when he's on his game there are few better in the world.

I think it shows the strength of depth that England have though that someone like Itoje isn't even a nailed on starter when he gets back.

The player we really miss is still Big Billy V. Not sure what his current prognosis is but would love to see him back in an England shirt.

While I won’t lose any sleep if BV misses the Wales game (though I’m sure I heard he would be back in the next month but I could be wrong) I was looking forward to seeing him up against Tobi but that isn’t happening now, obviously. Moriarty is a monster though and is probably
a better ball carrier than Faletau but as we touched on yesterday he needs games and it doesn’t look like he’s going to get any.

Yeah, you could get 2 long term injuries in the second row and still put in 2 very good players. Mind you, you’re no different to any other side (bar NZ) in that you have certain areas (not many tbf) that you’re weak in. I don’t even think you’re current, starting 9 or 15 is good enough let alone 2nd/3rd choices. I also think you lack top quality depth in the back row (probably the only area we trump you in) but you have some good up and comers. It would be interesting to see how you’d fair if you suffered the kind of injuries we have in the areas where you can’t really afford to lose them (like us in the 2nd row and center).

Having said all that there’s still a lot of rugby to play until the 6N kicks off and I’m sure they’ll be more injuries. Like I said earlier, though, we’re in big shit if AWJ gets injured. He’s played a lot of rugby and in that Northampton game he was really putting it about. I’d love to see him rested for the league (seeing as we’ve completely fucked that up this year) and just play champions cup games from now on but that won’t happen.

We all want to see the best players playing against each other but I think we’ll be sitting this one out in that regard. We’ve still got A lot of quality in the backs, though, even without Davies. Fingers crossed Liam Williams comes back ok.
 
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