[Clunk]

Anyone keen on one? There doesn't seem to be much rugby posting on here, except the 6 Nations thread and the Lions squad thread. So I thought maybe I'd see if an "all in" thread would take.


Updated as it's probably better here in the first post...

Here's an awesome link listing all the upcoming UK televised games: Live Rugby Union on TV

It's invaluable - bookmark it!

[Clunk]

So - a few observations to get the oval ball rolling...

The Guinness Premiership and Magners League are now underway. I see Harlequins managed a whole 46 seconds of the new season before Dean Richards introduced some red... Fair play though to go 80 minutes against Wasps with only 14 men and come away with only a 26-15 loss is no mean feat.
Gloucester's new signing Nicky Robinson seems to be sparking the team into life against Bath (although the dark cloud of Dean Ryan lifting could be just as much to thank for the smiles).

Meanwhile in the cider celtic league, my team Cardiff are already showing how much we'll miss Robinson, as replacement Ozzie Sam-Norton-Knight looked not only poor, but worryingly anonymous. Despite no control at half-back they almost won against Edinburgh thanks to a great Gareth Thomas score, and a rather embarrassing Chris Czekaj one - report and video here - Czekaj's try starts at 1:30 in (what the hell was that touch judge looking at?).

The French Top 14 has been going a couple of weeks. After avoiding relegation last year and splashing even more silly amounts of cash, Toulon look capable of really challenging this year, thanks in no small part to the signing of a certain Mr Wilkinson, who from the games I've seen has most certainly still got it. His workrate and ability has always been superb.

A couple of his highlights worth watching:
here
and
here.

(I really did try to keep those as external links rather than embedded, but I failed miserably).

I imagine the Tri Nations is still going on. I used to enjoy watching these games over a full breakfast on a Saturday morning, but it's just hard work now. I really, really lose interest by the time the eigth or ninth South Australand v New Afrizealia game rolls around - is it just me? Still - as long as they pummel each other enough to make the Autumn Internationals more fun, then I shouldn't complain.


Feel free to agree, criticise or better yet add more reports or info to this thread - any rugby discussion from the new season is most welcome.

[Idioteque]

I was at Twickenham on Saturday for the London double header. An excellent day of rugby, although all teams were slightly rusty. Saracens played well, but if Irish could have finished all their chances they would have one easily. Some shocking kicks as well.

Harlequins v Wasps, had an interesting start to say the least. Definitely deserved a red for the headbutt. However beyond that Harlequins played immensely well for a side down a man since the first minute. To me wasps never really took off.

I think quins will come good this season, after all the controversy over the summer, from Saturdays performance they seemed to be a hard working bunch of lads, who were solely focused on rugby.

Really looking forward to the season

[JC74]

I went to Twickenham on Saturday too

My lad did a training session in the morning then we moved to the East stand and got toasted by the September sun!

I agree Sarries were lucky to come away with that win... you should have seen the state of the ground after that last scrum It looked like London Irish had been used to plow the field! The grounds men spent the best part of 20-30 minutes trying to put the grass back together

The Wasps v Quins game started a bit slow (half the stadium was more interested in getting a Mexican wave going) It also seemed like the whole stadium booed when Quins took to the park!!

[JC74]

Tri Nations! I thought this weeks game (SA vs Aus) was a cracker

Australia had a fair few tries dismissed but the (relatively) young team kept their heads and got a deserved win. I was really pleased that James O'Connor finally got a tri in this tournament, I think he is a great talent and definitely one to watch in the future.

SA seem to have finally gone of the boil... they looked very ordinary.
LOL, Schalk Burger came on in the second half and got promptly tipped on his head

At least this will keep the tournament alive and give the AB's a chance to rejoin the party.

[BAN5HEE]

Originally Posted by JC74

Tri Nations! I thought this weeks game (SA vs Aus) was a cracker

Australia had a fair few tries dismissed but the (relatively) young team kept their heads and got a deserved win. I was really pleased that James O'Connor finally got a tri in this tournament, I think he is a great talent and definitely one to watch in the future.

SA seem to have finally gone of the boil... they looked very ordinary.
LOL, Schalk Burger came on in the second half and got promptly tipped on his head

At least this will keep the tournament alive and give the AB's a chance to rejoin the party.

Yup well our streak had to come to an end sometime. Hats of to the Aussies they really wanted it. However we just need to smash the already decimated All Blacks next saturday to win the Tri nations. Really good game though and some amazing try saving tackles.

[Clunk]

I guess I should have clarified in my original post that I didn't watch the Oz v SA game for the reasons I stated (bored with the idea of repetitive fixtures). Sounds like a shame, because I have heard several people say it was a cracker.

[ste v p]

It's probably a good idea to have one running thread for all things rugby, it seems there isn't a large enough AVF rugby following population to support multiple threads. I'm looking forward to the new season, just ordered a Rugby Times subscription and look forward to reading it.

I went to the Leeds v Newcastle game on Sunday which was quite a stodgy affair. Perhaps it was early-season continuity issues, but both sides lacked cohesion and imagination. 9-9 was a fair result on both sides I thought and Leeds pressed quite hard at the end. After watching some of the Worcester v Northampton I thought that they displayed more quality than Leeds and Newcastle. Leeds actually looked better towards the end and some of their bench players made a positive impact.

After that one game, I'd say the team to go down is probably going to be one of these two, with Newcastle looking more likely. Of course it's very early to be making predictions like this but hey, what are discussion threads for.

P.S. Am I the only one who is astonished at the lack of "Bloodgate" discussion thus far. I thought it would have been mentioned somewhere...

[mrtbag]

Does anybody know where there is a video of George Robsons head butt?

[Clunk]

Originally Posted by mrtbag

Does anybody know where there is a video of George Robsons head butt?

The highlights video on SkySports' site is here: Sky Sports | Video | Clips & Catchup | Rugby Union

...but they don't show a replay (possibly not allowed to until the citing is finished?), and it's difficult to see clearly in realtime at that distance and resolution.

[Clunk]

Here's an awesome link listing all the upcoming UK televised games: Live Rugby Union on TV

I've just added this to the first post, as it's probably the best place for it.

Enjoy

[Clunk]

I should have added an important health warning to that: skip tonight's Munster vs Cardiff Blues extravaganza.

Aint gonna be pretty.

[la gran siete]

First of all congrats for starting a dedicated RU thread. Lets keep alive!
Next George Robson is an idiot wahetevr posessed to do such a stupid thing?Not only did he cost Quins the match, but he has landed a substantial ban as well.Judging by the match , tho I fancy them to do well this season.They got some quality players in that side.They are also the team i support

[Steven]

For what it is worth, despite the red card I thought the Quins gave a real gutsy spirited performance

[la gran siete]

Originally Posted by Clunk

Anyone keen on one? There doesn't seem to be much rugby posting on here, except the 6 Nations thread and the Lions squad thread. So I thought maybe I'd see if an "all in" thread would take.


Updated as it's probably better here in the first post...

Here's an awesome link showing all the upcoming UK televised games: Live Rugby Union on TV

It's invaluable - bookmark it!

not sure whether i am undertsanding it but but that site just looks like a fixture list of upcoming sporting events.Is there a link to a particular match ie Saracens v Northants?

[Clunk]

Originally Posted by la gran siete

not sure whether i am undertsanding it but but that site just looks like a fixture list of upcoming sporting events.Is there a link to a particular match ie Saracens v Northants?

Ah no sorry for any confusion - it shows TV listings for rugby, it doesn't stream any actual games. Those sites are about, but I'm sure it's frowned upon to link to them. Sky in particular take it quite seriously when anyone else broadcasts their stuff.

I like to watch any rugby if it's likely to be a tidy game - I just find it a great guide so I can find out what's on and when - particularly for the leagues I don't follow avidly so don't know what fixtures are coming up (in my case the GP and the Top 14).

[la gran siete]

Second weekend of the Guiness Premiership and although Quines lsot yet again,I do feel they'll come good soon.Apart from that I think this year its going to be tight call as to which teams reach the playoffs altho my money is on Leeds going down.

[Idioteque]

Originally Posted by la gran siete

Second weekend of the Guiness Premiership and although Quines lsot yet again,I do feel they'll come good soon.Apart from that I think this year its going to be tight call as to which teams reach the playoffs altho my money is on Leeds going down.

I hope Quinns come good soon. They gave such a good showing at the London double header, being a man down so soon. I think it must be a mental thing they are trying to get over.

[la gran siete]

Originally Posted by Idioteque

I hope Quinns come good soon. They gave such a good showing at the London double header, being a man down so soon. I think it must be a mental thing they are trying to get over.

another bad loss this weekend.

[Mullet94]

It's good to see a thread for a proper sport and not Wendyball.

Me and my wife are both season ticket holders at Wasps and are very pleased with the start we have made, makes a nice change to our usual slow start. The new signings have settled in well, we are playing some good rugby both going forward and defensively but there still seems like a lot more to come from the side when some more of the early season rustyness wears off.

The game on Sunday was the usual tough battle that Worcester give you, we should probably have had a try or two more with the start we made but Worcester toughed it out camped in their own 22 for what seemed like first 15 minutes. We never really pulled away but except for a 10 minute period in the 2nd half we seemed pretty comfortable and the game was nicely rounded off with a last minute try by Tom Varndell.

Big test on Sunday away at London Irish, would be peased with getting a bonus point from them given their start to the season but hopefully we might nick a win.

Allez Wasps!!!

[la gran siete]

have the4 RFU gone barking mad?
England target two World Cups and four Six Nations titles - Telegraph
talk about arrogant unrealistic expectations.I'd be happy with one slam and a WC

[Mullet94]

Blimey no pressure on Johno then! I guess no one at the RFU has watched any England over the last few years.

[Clunk]

Well Cardiff Blues have been very poor this season for me so far - as fully expected with the no control at half back.

So... Heineken Cup time then folks - any Quins supporters about? How are you looking so far?

[Clunk]

I see.

Well a win's a win and we toughed it out well, but that wasn't a first choice Quins side. Halfpenny's try at the end made it look far more convincing for us than it was.

Our injury list is scary now though. Props and particularly second rows are a real worry, whilst our back row is paper thin until Molitika and Martyn Williams are fit again.

[ste v p]

Originally Posted by Clunk

Well Cardiff Blues have been very poor this season for me so far - as fully expected with the no control at half back.

Interesting you say that, probably in reference to the fact that Nicky Robinson has moved to Gloucester. I saw him at Headingley last GP game and he was terrible! So negative and kick-happy, on that showing Gloucester will struggle again this year.

[Charlts]

Looks like the Tiggers have learned to cross the white wash again, although it was expected it's still happy days! And Wasps have had a blinding result against Roma!

Ryan

[Mullet94]

Been to the Rugby Roma vs Wasps game today, great day and me and wife's first adventure abroad watching Wasps. Comprehensive win as expected though Roma did get into a couple of scoring positions but couldn't convert them. Dan Ward-Smith and Dan Leo scored two tries a piece and Dan Leo got man of the match.

Small ground in the outskirts of Rome that reminded you of the amateur days and a good turnout of Wasps fans in a fantastic city, highly recommend a visit if anyone get's the chance.

[la gran siete]

Disappointing weekend for the English clubs,How many to qualify for the Qfs? I make it one at the most -Tigers.Quins really should have won IMO and I am really gutted they didnt.Still here's to the upcoming AI .I shall be going to Twickers for the Argie match.

[la gran siete]

Is rugby becoming too brutal and physical?With England being reduced to three top prop( Vickery and Sheridan out for months) and several front line players such as Delon Armitige, Tom Rees , Tindall Shaw and Cipriani out, the list just gets longer as each week goes by. Knees necks and shoulders seem to the brunt of appalling collisions

[Toon-man]

I wonder if Martin Johnson has had a look at Chris Aston??
Could play any where in the backs...a good RL convert...