The Rugby Thread

[Irishnev]

Forwards: Tadhg Beirne, Ollie Chessum, Jack Conan, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Scott Cummings, Tom Curry, Ben Earl, Zander Fagerson, Tadhg Furlong, Ellis Genge, Maro Itoje, Rónan Kelleher, Joe McCarthy, Jac Morgan, Henry Pollock, Andrew Porter, James Ryan, Pierre Schoeman, Dan Sheehan, Will Stuart, Josh van der Flier

Backs: Bundee Aki, Elliot Daly, Tommy Freeman, Jamison Gibson-Park, Mack Hansen, Huw Jones, Hugo Keenan, Blair Kinghorn, James Lowe, Alex Mitchell, Garry Ringrose, Finn Russell, Fin Smith, Marcus Smith, Sione Tuipulotu, Duhan van der Merwe, Tomos Williams

[Buzzo]

Quite happy with that squad. Seems a decent split based on current teams and performances.

Wonder if Pendergast played himself out of contention?

[Irishnev]

Itoje to be named captain according to Irish media- good pick IMO

[Sus]

Lions tours are so epic, I can't wait for this one. Though I'm a bit sad I'll be watching from Europe instead of at home in Oz

It's a carnival for the whole time, as there are so many games, and every player and fan down under will want to be part of it

That, combined with 40,000 permanently drunk fans following their team around the country, makes it such a brilliant occasion

[Irishnev]

…in terms of same old same old.

Doris needs a shoulder Op, Lions tour in doubt…. let’s see

[Buzzo]

…in terms of same old same old.

[Buzzo]

I think they will find it pretty hard to lose that ‘arrogance’ tag until some of that is ironed out. They are an absolute behemoth in the URC and up there with the big boys in the Champions cup.

The good thing of the weekend is no one predicted an Northampton v Bordeaux final. Leinster v Toulouse would have been boring AF.

[Irishnev]

Isn’t flag in play if it is touched by player but not if it’s the ball???

Also cannot believe Leinster twice turned down pretty straight forwards three points to take game into ET. With a 2 man advantage they’d surely have won.

Ya - take the points in knock out rugby, slightly arrogant I guess. Massive inquest on the Irish media again now, always happens when they lose

It’s like McIlroy and the Masters….. until this year

[Buzzo]

I think flag is still in play - my avid Munster mate (hates Leinster) who is my go to said this “But Byrne was off his feet when he played the ball…can’t do that”

Right call but penalty try became a possibility due to preventing VDF from scoring, anyway it’s moot now.

Isn’t flag in play if it is touched by player but not if it’s the ball???

Also cannot believe Leinster twice turned down pretty straight forwards three points to take game into ET. With a 2 man advantage they’d surely have won.

[Buzzo]

Bordeaux V Northampton wasn’t the expected final this season. Good to see the

[Buzzo]

LBB with a worldie try for Bordeaux. Toulouse with a ton of injuries under pressure.

[Irishnev]

Apparently not given as ball hit flag therefor dead.

I think flag is still in play - my avid Munster mate (hates Leinster) who is my go to said this “But Byrne was off his feet when he played the ball…can’t do that”

Right call but penalty try became a possibility due to preventing VDF from scoring, anyway it’s moot now.

[Buzzo]

Apparently not given as ball hit flag therefor dead.

[Buzzo]

I couldn’t figure out what they were looking for at the breakdown, though the breakdown was an absolute shambles last 20 with players flying in off their feet both sides.

[Irishnev]

Wow.

Northampton hold on. That was a mess at the end. **** refereeing that.

Ya - Leinster have only themselves to blame, they had the chances and the extra man. I thought it was a try tbh but there ya go