General Rugby Discussion II

Clegg

Wales Online says Shaun Edwards will join France as their defence coach. They're a terrible side, but this appointment shows they might be getting their act together.

Dog Botherer

Clegg wrote: »

Wales Online says Shaun Edwards will join France as their defence coach. They're a terrible side, but this appointment shows they might be getting their act together.

If France can get the disciplined defence running, they have enough raw natural attacking talent to make them a problem for a lot of sides.

troyzer

Dog Botherer wrote: »

If France can get the disciplined defence running, they have enough raw natural attacking talent to make them a problem for a lot of sides.

Defense wasn't their problem in 2018. They conceded the least amount of tries in the 6 Nations and were still dreadful. They were even worse afterwards when they inexplicably sacked the defense coach but they were still bad.

They need a new head coach who can build a new coaching team.

deezell

deezell wrote: »

Shouldn't be a big deal to pick up a ticket for Newcastle so.

Seems like there's plenty of tickets available from NUFC website still. Had a quick look and the flights are mad money, though. It'd be cheaper to buy a 60inch telly and watch it on that.

Bazzo

Is Austin Healy the worst commentator in rugby? He's been commentating in the Bath Wasps game here and the number of times he says something that is just plain incorrect or moronic and there's an awkward silence as his co commentators don't want to correct him and make him look like an idiot on live TV. How on earth is he still in a job??

troyzer

Bazzo wrote: »

Is Austin Healy the worst commentator in rugby? He's been commentating in the Bath Wasps game here and the number of times he says something that is just plain incorrect or moronic and there's an awkward silence as his co commentators don't want to correct him and make him look like an idiot on live TV. How on earth is he still in a job??

Any particularly juicy examples?

Bazzo

troyzer wrote: »

Any particularly juicy examples?

Well when Bath went for the corner with 79' on the clock and 3 tries scored instead of posts to secure the win he was screaming "what are they doing? What are they doing???" Someone pointed out they were trying to climb the table (for a shot at Heineken cup) and he started going on about how they couldn't make top 4. Cue awkward silence.

Squidgy Black

Bazzo wrote: »

Is Austin Healy the worst commentator in rugby? He's been commentating in the Bath Wasps game here and the number of times he says something that is just plain incorrect or moronic and there's an awkward silence as his co commentators don't want to correct him and make him look like an idiot on live TV. How on earth is he still in a job??

That's his thing, or his selling point. A bit like what Luke Fitzgerald is trying to do now. Be controversial, stir up the viewers and cause a storm on social media that'll draw attraction to the official BT accounts and get people listening to see what he says next.

Bazzo

Squidgy Black wrote: »

That's his thing, or his selling point. A bit like what Luke Fitzgerald is trying to do now. Be controversial, stir up the viewers and cause a storm on social media that'll draw attraction to the official BT accounts and get people listening to see what he says next.

But it's not controversy, he just doesn't know what he's talking about at least half the time

Bazzo

Hadn't realised some of the quality London Irish were bringing in for next year. As well as O'Brien they've signed Allan Dell, Nick Phipps and Sekope Kepu

sydthebeat

Bazzo wrote: »

Hadn't realised some of the quality London Irish were bringing in for next year. As well as O'Brien they've signed Allan Dell, Nick Phipps and Sekope Kepu

Curtis rona and strong rumours of waisake naholo

Tigerandahalf

Bazzo wrote: »

Hadn't realised some of the quality London Irish were bringing in for next year. As well as O'Brien they've signed Allan Dell, Nick Phipps and Sekope Kepu

All of the players are well past their best.
That is the price for having relegation.

They should really be signing young promising players but the fear of relegation will force their hand. A real problem for English rugby. All these type of signings are forcing up the wage bill.

Bazzo

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

All of the players are well past their best.
That is the price for having relegation.

They should really be signing young promising players but the fear of relegation will force their hand. A real problem for English rugby. All these type of signings are forcing up the wage bill.

I think that's an exaggeration... Allan Dell and Naholo are 27 and 28. Kepu is still a very good tighthead and at 33 probably has another 2-3 years in him. O'Brien may be past his best but if he stays injury free maybe not. All very high quality signings.

troyzer

Bazzo wrote: »

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

All of the players are well past their best.
That is the price for having relegation.

They should really be signing young promising players but the fear of relegation will force their hand. A real problem for English rugby. All these type of signings are forcing up the wage bill.

I think that's an exaggeration... Allan Dell and Naholo are 27 and 28. Kepu is still a very good tighthead and at 33 probably has another 2-3 years in him. O'Brien may be past his best but if he stays injury free maybe not. All very high quality signings.

I have a weird feeling that Seán O'Brien is going to have a monster season for them.

Tigerandahalf

troyzer wrote: »

I have a weird feeling that Seán O'Brien is going to have a monster season for them.

He may but with all these new signings the team is going to need time to settle and blend. If they don't get the balance right with signings they will be down at the bottom.

I don't think it helps the England team either. A lot of young talented players won't get the opportunity to develop.

sydthebeat

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

He may but with all these new signings the team is going to need time to settle and blend. If they don't get the balance right with signings they will be down at the bottom.

I don't think it helps the England team either. A lot of young talented players won't get the opportunity to develop.

I dont think London Irish are worried about contributing to the English team.

That Newcastle squad that is going down is filled with young up and coming English players.

irishbucsfan

sydthebeat wrote: »

I dont think London Irish are worried about contributing to the English team.

That Newcastle squad that is going down is filled with young up and coming English players.

You need to provide players to the EPS in order to ensure you receive full RFU funding

Squidgy Black

irishbucsfan wrote: »

You need to provide players to the EPS in order to ensure you receive full RFU funding

Also has salary cap implications as there's credits given for home grown players.

sydthebeat

irishbucsfan wrote: »

You need to provide players to the EPS in order to ensure you receive full RFU funding

Surely you mean "make available" rather than provide?
The head coaches decides who he wants in the EPS rather than clubs deciding who goes.

irishbucsfan

sydthebeat wrote: »

Surely you mean "make available" rather than provide?
The head coaches decides who he wants in the EPS rather than clubs deciding who goes.

Yeah, although the moment you tie such a huge amount of funding to the makeup of a squad, it inevitably becomes political

Exclamation Marc

https://twitter.com/BBCSport/status/1125680957200244736?s=19

ScrubsfanChris

Paddy Jackson to London Irish.

Don't think Keatley is a happy bunny this morning

LuckyGent88

ScrubsfanChris wrote: »

Paddy Jackson to London Irish.

Don't think Keatley is a happy bunny this morning

Keatley is off to Treviso for next season. Only on loan to London Irish.

Good move for Jackson.

ScrubsfanChris

LuckyGent88 wrote: »

Keatley is off to Treviso for next season. Only on loan to London Irish.

Good move for Jackson.

Sh*t, you're right. Slipped my mind completely :rolleyes:

awec

Some signing for them.

LuckyGent88

LuckyGent88 wrote: »

Good move for Jackson.

And great move for L.Irish

If he gets his head in the game and can get back on form, he's a phenomenal player.

ScrubsfanChris

No Irish refs selected for the world cup.....

sydthebeat

ScrubsfanChris wrote: »

No Irish refs selected for the world cup.....

Andrew brace

sydthebeat

sydthebeat wrote: »

Andrew brace

Well as an AR

KBurke85

Well Lacey is retiring and we can all be thankful Clancy was't picked. Dosen't say much for the Pro 14 that Nigel is the only Ref going