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The Rugby Thread

E17yid

Well-Known Member
Jan 21, 2013
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For anyone who likes to have a flutter:

Wales are 15/8
England are 8/15

So no value on England, as expected. Not great value for Wales either really but I might stick a tenner on us.

France are odds on which might surprise some given how poor they’ve been but Scotland are missing half their squad and are shit away so a Scotland win at 9/4 sounds about right.

I expect England and France to win but might have a cheeky double on Wales and Scotland. Actually a treble and throw a Spurs win in there too
 

E17yid

Well-Known Member
Jan 21, 2013
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Re Italy you’ve got to give Conor O Shea another 2-3 years. Benetton and to a lesser extent Zebre are actually performing well in the pro 14.
 

teok

Well-Known Member
Aug 11, 2011
10,836
33,607
Italy have never been good enough for the 6N. Without Parisse and Bergemasco before him they would have been even worse.

That is true but for some reason I always gave them more of a chance of an upset previously.
 
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midoNdefoe

the member formerly and technically still known as
Mar 9, 2005
3,107
3,166
I really thought O'shea was going to be able to make them a bit more competetive. But, despite that one interesting uncontested ruck tactic against england a few years ago, they've continued the status quo of being wooden spoon collectors
 

mpickard2087

Patient Zero
Jun 13, 2008
21,886
32,513
Italy in previous years at least had a grizzled forward pack and so would invariably play a very tight game and on good days could be very competitive. I think they've been trying to get away from that and play a more expansive game, but it hasn't worked as of yet. Whatever they try to do, the player pool and overall talent just isn't there, how many years that continues to take who knows.

I've always thought their biggest problem has been the lack of half backs to any reasonable standard. Since Troncon at 9, and especially Dominguez at 10, they've just had a revolving door of players who sorry to say aren't good enough for international rugby. You will always struggle if that's the case.
 

talkshowhost86

Mod-Moose
Staff
Oct 2, 2004
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I'm genuinely not a nationalist. I hate the UK and England in many ways. The way people will get behind whatever their nation does in the name of nationalist sport fandom is largely pathetic.

That said...I hate Wales. Hope we smash them.
 

SugarRay

Well-Known Member
Jul 6, 2011
7,984
11,110
England being spoil sports yet again with the roof. Boooooo

It’s Wales’ own fault imo.

Maybe, just maybe, one year say ‘do you know what, let’s keep the roof open’

Watch England take the roof closed option immediately!
 

E17yid

Well-Known Member
Jan 21, 2013
16,985
30,495
It’s Wales’ own fault imo.

Maybe, just maybe, one year say ‘do you know what, let’s keep the roof open’

Watch England take the roof closed option immediately!

I’m not sure how you’re reaching that conclusion. If we said we want the roof open England would see past the bullshit and say we agree. You don’t think they’re that stupid do you?

It’s logical for them to want to keep the roof open and to minimise the atmosphere which you would hope would put less pressure on not only yourselves but, more importantly, the ref.

In your current form a closed roof suits you more but you’ve still opted for the roof to be open. Us lying and saying we want to open would never work.

It was closed in 2013 I think and that wasn’t a great day for you.
 

talkshowhost86

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Oct 2, 2004
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For what it's worth I don't think England should have a say on whether the roof is closed or not.

Should be a question of conditions, and if it works the home team should get that call.

For me it's always telling that Welsh fans think it will make such a big difference. Clearly they don't actually trust the talent of the team.
 

E17yid

Well-Known Member
Jan 21, 2013
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For what it's worth I don't think England should have a say on whether the roof is closed or not.

Should be a question of conditions, and if it works the home team should get that call.

For me it's always telling that Welsh fans think it will make such a big difference. Clearly they don't actually trust the talent of the team.

The talent of the teams change over time and your preference as a fan changes with it.

If you were a vastly superior side with ball in hand and chucking it around like the All Blacks we would probably keep the roof open and pray for rain.

Just had a look to see when the last time we had the roof closed was and it was 2013. Apparently heavy rain was forecast and both sides agreed.

At the moment we’re 2 evenly matched teams so it’s natural as a fan or coach to try and get any little advantage you can. Not got anything to do with not having trust in the talent of your team.
 

talkshowhost86

Mod-Moose
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Oct 2, 2004
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The talent of the teams change over time and your preference as a fan changes with it.

If you were a vastly superior side with ball in hand and chucking it around like the All Blacks we would probably keep the roof open and pray for rain.

Just had a look to see when the last time we had the roof closed was and it was 2013. Apparently heavy rain was forecast and both sides agreed.

At the moment we’re 2 evenly matched teams so it’s natural as a fan or coach to try and get any little advantage you can. Not got anything to do with not having trust in the talent of your team.

Disagree to be honest.

Wales are always whinging about the roof and I think it makes them look very small time.

They obviously think it gives them an advantage otherwise why would they care?

Nobody else tries the same thing. As I said I personally don't think it's a big deal.

But the fact Wales do says a lot in my opinion.
 

E17yid

Well-Known Member
Jan 21, 2013
16,985
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Disagree to be honest.

Wales are always whinging about the roof and I think it makes them look very small time.

They obviously think it gives them an advantage otherwise why would they care?

Nobody else tries the same thing. As I said I personally don't think it's a big deal.

But the fact Wales do says a lot in my opinion.

Do you mean Wales as fans or Wales the players and coaching staff? Or both?
 

stonecolddeanaustin

Well-Known Member
Aug 27, 2011
1,623
2,598
For anyone who likes to have a flutter:

Wales are 15/8
England are 8/15

So no value on England, as expected. Not great value for Wales either really but I might stick a tenner on us.

France are odds on which might surprise some given how poor they’ve been but Scotland are missing half their squad and are shit away so a Scotland win at 9/4 sounds about right.

I expect England and France to win but might have a cheeky double on Wales and Scotland. Actually a treble and throw a Spurs win in there too

If you do have a bet on it then bet with bet365. If the team you back goes ten points up they pay out as a winner. Worthwhile sometimes backing the outsiders for that reason alone. Definitely Scotland in this case I reckon.
 

talkshowhost86

Mod-Moose
Staff
Oct 2, 2004
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Do you mean Wales as fans or Wales the players and coaching staff? Or both?

Well obviously the WRFU make the call.

But the Welsh rugby fans generally seem to genuinely think it would help and think it's a conspiracy that they can't close the roof.

The whole thing seems very petty really
 

E17yid

Well-Known Member
Jan 21, 2013
16,985
30,495
Well obviously the WRFU make the call.

But the Welsh rugby fans generally seem to genuinely think it would help and think it's a conspiracy that they can't close the roof.

The whole thing seems very petty really

It wouldn’t be a decisive factor in winning or losing but it would help. Making a home stadium as loud and hostile as possible can influence refs more as well as giving your players an extra lift even if it’s 0.1%. You look for any edge you can get at the end of the day.

I dunno about conspiracy as I have no idea what the process was for having that rule or what discussions took place. I do think it’s a strange rule but that’s a long way from conspiracy. I’m sure there’s fans who think it is, though.
 
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