The Rugby Thread

[RichC]

Really unlucky for Ireland, that pretty simple kick near the end they missed was crucial.

Didn't deserve to lose that but that's the All Blacks for you

[Vermilion]

Draw would have been a fairer result, Ireland deserved that, and NZ would have had their unbeaten Calendar year.

[Liverpel]

Leinster destroying Northampton. 0-26 at half time.

[Liverpel]

O'Driscoll

[Liverpel]

Check out Leinster's second try here (from 2:00). Pure genius from O'Driscoll.

http://www.leinsterrugby.ie/matchdaytv

[Liverpel]

Ireland international hooker Richardt Strauss has been diagnosed with a heart condition and he will not play again this season.

Strauss, 27, is set to undergo surgery this week, his provincial team Leinster announced.

The South Africa-born player made his Ireland debut against the Springboks last year. He has won four caps, but missed the whole of last season's RBS 6 Nations Championship because of an ankle ligament injury.

"Following the result of extensive medical tests, it has emerged that Ireland hooker Richardt Strauss has been diagnosed with a heart condition and will be unavailable for selection for the remainder of the season," Leinster said, in a statement.

"The management are confident that the 27-year-old, who is set to undergo surgery this week, will make a full recovery and will provide him with the best care in his recovery."

Strauss joined Leinster in 2009 and he has been an integral part of their squad since then, playing key roles in the 2010 and 2012 Heineken Cup final victories over Northampton and Ulster, respectively.

Leinster, meanwhile, rate star centre Brian O'Driscoll as having a 50-50 chance of being fit for next Saturday's Heineken opener against the Ospreys in Swansea.

O'Driscoll is nursing a calf muscle strain, and Leinster say at this stage he has not been ruled out of the selection mix.

South Africa international back Zane Kirchner could also be in the frame for next weekend after linking up with his new team-mates following commitments in the Rugby Championship.

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugb...-29640683.html

Strauss has come off the bench tonight.

[G]

What a hit!

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPk44ykjw0s"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPk44ykjw0s[/ame]

[RichC]

Blimey!!

France trio suffer machete attack


Rougerie, pictured, and Pierre played in the 2011 Rugby World Cup final defeat by New Zealand
Three France internationals have been taken to hospital after an attack by a gang armed with machetes and swords.

Clermont Auvergne's Aurelien Rougerie, Julien Pierre and Benjamin Kayser were assaulted in Millau, southern France, at around 03:00 local time on Sunday.

Pierre - along with Rougerie part of the France team that lost the 2011 Rugby World Cup final - will have surgery on "deep cuts" to his hip.

A club statement said none of the injuries was life-threatening.

Clermont's 33-year-old captain Rougerie, capped 77 times by his country, and Kayser have injuries to their arms from the attack in Millau, where the players were staying before heading to a club training camp.

Police said the trio had been to a nightclub. No-one was detained at the scene.

"A group of players were assaulted by a dozen people carrying weapons including machetes, knives, swords," Clermont said in a statement.

"We are deeply shocked and outraged by these acts and will bring all the necessary support to local authorities who have launched a probe."

Kayser, 29, has played 24 times for France and Pierre, 33, has 27 caps.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/28393792

[ChesterDave]

Madness.

[Chazza]

That's a bit odd.

[RichC]

Yeah, seriously strange that one.

[ChesterDave]

Quinns v Sarries score was.... unexpected!

[Chazza]

Anyone watching the Grand Final?

[RichC]

Home alone so will probably whack it on.

[Chazza]

That's the spirit.

Best way to get over your wife seeing sense and going out for the evening after your recent antics