General Rugby Discussion 3

Aren't some rugby rights up for grabs soon?

The Premiership and also there are doubts about Viaplay and the URC. Personally I'd love to see Sky back into rugby, but it doesn't seem to be a priority for them.

Maybe a coincidence but the downfall of the Premiership seemed to begin when the rights went to BT. There's probably no connection but it just seemed better during the Sky days, as did Europe. Probably just nostalgia on my part.

Surely the PRL should put the rights out for tender. If they just look to renew with TNT then are they not denying themselves a bidding process that might see the rights pushed a bit higher?

We (Ireland) should go back to having "A" games during the international window

Irish Times reporting that there's talk of a club 'world cup' beginning in 2028. My initial reaction is that it would be pretty cool to see European sides come up against the NZ franchises.

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/2023/11/08/club-world-cup-in-rugby-could-take-place-in-2028/

Always thought stuart hogg was a full back, turns out he really belongs on the middle of the front row !!!

I see there are rumours around the TV coverage of the 6 nations and this new World league. The Times are reporting coverage 'might' be going behind a pay wall. Obviously depending on how much it is valued in cash terms to the broadcasters.

I would have thought the same about GAA but I didn't happen, afaik.

I see Owen Farrell has stepped down from International Rugby. He mentions prioritising his and his family's mental health.

Some things are much more important than sport. Good luck to the guy.

During the Eng SA semi they showed a replay of Farrells reaction to a grubber he put through, if memory serves it hit a SA player before going into touch in the SA 22. He roared intensely like they had scored the match winning try with the clock in the red. I remember thinking that this "celebrating the small wins" thing that England have going on can't be good for your mental health. It seems to be thing with that English squad, commentators mentioned it at least once during the WC. Ben Earl is obviously a big exponent of it.

A game is already a rollcoaster of emotions without getting carried away with luckily winning a line out in the opposition 22. It must be extremely difficult getting so excited about small wins only to ultimately lose the game. I thought sports psychology was all about staying as calm and emotionally stable as possible, not expending emotional energy on something which has already happened, etc. With getting a line out with good field position, the focus should immediately but on the next play, selecting your play and then executing that.

Also, there's the whole troughs being as low as your peaks are high idea, so if you get overly excited about something going your way, do you get crushed when something goes against you? I wondered to myself at the time about the psychological prep they were getting and if "celebrating the small wins" was a tactic for them.

Not saying this is why Farrell is "stepping away" from International Rugby, just some thoughts I had at the time which seem a little more relevant now. He might just be a bit jaded after giving so much to rugby for so long and want to spend more time with his young family and less in international camp.

Excellent post.

Also interesting that he'll continue with Sarries as normal. So it's a break from the England camp & all it's involvements that he prefers.