The Rugby Thread

[Cormack74]

I didn't see that coming. Nev must have cried a good few tears into his Guinness last night.

Did you watch the Aviva final? A 3 point margin after two semi's of 1 and 2 points; talk about close. To be honest the Chiefs had enough possession to win by more but I think that's the best I've seen Wasps defend for a while. Nathan Hughes was immense, Lord knows what Gatland was thinking picking Haskell instead.

[RichC]

Was there yesterday, Haskell had a shocker can't for the life of me understand how he's got in ahead of Hughes. Chiefs certainly deserved it yesterday but Wasps did defend pretty well

[Buzzo]

I didn't see he Aviva final sounded tense though. Munsters lions didn't cover themselves in glory yesterday either.

[Irishnev]

I didn't see that coming. Nev must have cried a good few tears into his Guinness last night.

Did you watch the Aviva final? A 3 point margin after two semi's of 1 and 2 points; talk about close. To be honest the Chiefs had enough possession to win by more but I think that's the best I've seen Wasps defend for a while. Nathan Hughes was immense, Lord knows what Gatland was thinking picking Haskell instead.

Watched it but didn't go - genuinely thought they'd win it handy but as you said the games was over after 30 mins. V unMunster like performance with none of the star players doing well.

V strange season for Munster - had low expectations but they got to the final in one comp and the semi in another so they over performed in one sense but still disappointing!

All about the Lions now.

[Buzzo]

Good article on Woodwards disastrous Lions tour to NZ.

http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/40069682

[Cormack74]

I have 2 abiding memories of 2005.

The spear tackle on O'Driscoll and Campbell appointed as press officer.

They sum up the tour really.

[paulg]

Woodward comes across as very bitter in that article, very defensive. He won the World Cup and is rightly lauded, but he cannot see any negatives in anything he does. Publicly, at least.

[Vermilion]

Can't wait for this to start, a game every few days ffs. I realise the warm up games are squaddies and people playing for a start, but the regional sides in NZ are vicious and sly, and that always makes it eventful, added to that they can play a bit too.

Then you have the main Test matches. Awesome.

[Buzzo]

Lions team to play Barbarians. I suspect this is based on the guys who have been with the squad the longest due to the season ending later for others. A good team though..!

Hogg; Watson, Joseph, Te'o, Seymour, Sexton, Laidlaw; Marler, Best, Sinckler, Wyn Jones, Henderson, Moriarty, Warburton, Faletau.

Replacements: George, Vunipola, Furlong, Kruis, Tipuric, Webb, Farrell, Payne.

[Irishnev]

Lions team to play Barbarians. I suspect this is based on the guys who have been with the squad the longest due to the season ending later for others. A good team though..!

Hogg; Watson, Joseph, Te'o, Seymour, Sexton, Laidlaw; Marler, Best, Sinckler, Wyn Jones, Henderson, Moriarty, Warburton, Faletau.

Replacements: George, Vunipola, Furlong, Kruis, Tipuric, Webb, Farrell, Payne.

Ya - team picked on who has been there the longest

[Cormack74]

Nev will disagree on principle but I think there's a reasonable chance that might be the test back row (or one of them).

Be interesting to see how T'eo does. I've got a strong feeling that Gatland also sees him as a TM starter (although he's not just a Warren-baller and has far more to his game than the likes of Roberts).

[Irishnev]

Nev will disagree on principle but I think there's a reasonable chance that might be the test back row (or one of them).

Be interesting to see how T'eo does. I've got a strong feeling that Gatland also sees him as a TM starter (although he's not just a Warren-baller and has far more to his game than the likes of Roberts).

They have plenty of options and no 'dirt-trackers' - I just hope he picks on form rather than reputation. I would genuinely be surprised if there isn't an Irishman at 6 - four genuine options to play there.

[Cormack74]

That's what makes it interesting - loads of competition. If the casualty list is up to standard they'll all get on against the Blacks at some stage.

[Vermilion]

That's what makes it interesting - loads of competition. If the casualty list is up to standard they'll all get on against the Blacks at some stage.

I reckon that's a good bet.

[RichC]

Hogg has probably played himself out of a starting berth alongside Sexton