The Rugby Thread

[Zapater]

You forgot to mention Scotland mate

No one cares about Scotland, you're **** at every sport


In all seriousness, that's madness about Huw Jones. Don't know much about Scottish rugby, but not even in the squad! Would have loved to have seen him play for the Boks and apparently there were talks about converting him like the Beast. Wonder if he'd have reconsidered in hindsight. Just Googled and I'm a bit relieved to see Kyle Steyn didn't take his place, that would have been a travesty.

[Buzzo]

His form had been sensational until this season and he’s done nothing of note at Glasgow and has been plagued by injury. His international form has plateaued since 2018 also.

Though a dynamic runner and off-loader he is suspect defensively and teams had been successfully targeting that. I’m still surprised that Chris Harris got in ahead of him though I’d imagine that is down to the two games against France. We got ripped open in Paris when Huw played and kept it tight at Murrayfield with Harris.

[Buzzo]

Just back from the Scotland match to hear the news about Chester Williams. The 4th member of the 95 team to pass after Roben Kruger, Van der Westhuizen and James Small.

Jeez, 49 FFS....

RIP

[ame]https://twitter.com/worldrugby/status/1170027459535888384[/ame]

[Irishnev]

Another comfortable (ish) win over Wales.....decent momentum heading into the WC. Assuming no injuries then my order is:

England
New Zealand


ZA, Australia
Ireland, Wales, Arg
France, Scotland


The rest although Japan will be dangerous

[Buzzo]

Another comfortable (ish) win over Wales.....decent momentum heading into the WC. Assuming no injuries then my order is:

England
New Zealand


ZA, Australia
Ireland, Wales, Arg
France, Scotland


The rest although Japan will be dangerous

You’d have the Argies ahead of us? We beat their first XV in Argentina with our second string last summer. We always beat them at home, they give away too many pens and tire last 20.

NZ clear favourites for me.

Then SA and England.

Then Ireland/Wales/Aus

Then Scotland/France

Then Argies

Then rest.

[Zapater]

I would definitely put Argentina ahead of Scotland. When they're good, they're good and have decent world cup pedigree. From memory they've been semis (3rd), quarters and semis in the last 3 tournaments. I always believe them and the French have a good chance in World Cups.

As I said though, I truly believe it's the All Blacks to lose. No one else is that good. Huge flaws and the difference between the 2nd best team and the 8th or 9th is minimal.

Just back from the Scotland match to hear the news about Chester Williams. The 4th member of the 95 team to pass after Roben Kruger, Van der Westhuizen and James Small.

Jeez, 49 FFS....

RIP

https://twitter.com/worldrugby/statu...27459535888384

Sad news, apparently he as a great guy. My aunt, who I often stay with when I'm in Cape Town lives in the same suburb as he did. I saw him running a couple of times when I was walking outside.

Unlike Joost and Small who had pretty checkered pasts, Williams reputation has been intact. MND actually repaired van der Westhuizen's reputation after his affairs and cat use. Naka Drotske is also fortunate not to be on that list having been shot last year.

I know Percy Montgomery only came along a couple of years later but wouldn't be surprised if he goes sooner or later too given the way he parties and trains. Must be on a staple diet of steroids, booze and coke.

Not sure if it was discussed internationally, but Small experienced his heart attack whilst we was in a brothel, so not a great look. I've been there before, it's basically a nice house in an affluent suburb. Unless you know about it, you wouldn't be there, the closest pub is probably at least 1km away.

[Irishnev]

You’d have the Argies ahead of us? We beat their first XV in Argentina with our second string last summer. We always beat them at home, they give away too many pens and tire last 20.

NZ clear favourites for me.

Then SA and England.

Then Ireland/Wales/Aus

Then Scotland/France

Then Argies

Then rest.

The Argies are geared for tournament rugby and I think their pack is better than yours. World cups are won up front

I would definitely put Argentina ahead of Scotland. When they're good, they're good and have decent world cup pedigree. From memory they've been semis (3rd), quarters and semis in the last 3 tournaments. I always believe them and the French have a good chance in World Cups.

As I said though, I truly believe it's the All Blacks to lose. No one else is that good. .

Englands pack is the best in the world and they have massive men in the backs also. I don’t rate the NZ as pack as highly as before and if Retallick isn’t fit then they’ll struggle

[Buzzo]

Nah, we’d take the Argies. Not sure when we last lost to them.

Think the only way we play them is on the final though

[Irishnev]

One thing the ABs have is ridiculous depth and man can they put poor sides to the sword

[ame="https://youtu.be/oSVPgaXxtls"]https://youtu.be/oSVPgaXxtls[/ame]

[Irishnev]

Cricket is over so the count down to the WC begins. Looks like Henshaw is a big doubt for the Scotland game but Richie is also out.

Not sure what to expect from Samoa and Japan......they’ll fancy a cut off us and Scotland

[Buzzo]

Yeah Jamie Ritchie definitely out, but we have strong options on the back row. I expect to see 6,7,8 Barclay-Watson-Thomson, with Ryan Wilson on the bench. Real shame Sam Skinner is injured he offered a lot with ability on the second row and back row.

Just read that David Denton has been forced to retire due to concussion (has been out for about a year), he was a big part of our 2015 World Cup campaign and at his best the dynamic, ball carrying number 8 we had been looking for.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/49712831

[Irishnev]

Rob Kearney a doubt also, same as Earls....might be a rookie full back - Conway or Larmour.

[Cormack74]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/49733089

Wales backs coach Rob Howley has been sent home from the World Cup for an alleged breach of World Rugby's laws covering betting and anti-corruption.

The 48-year-old's departure is a huge blow just six days before Wales' opening game in Japan against Pool D opponents Georgia.

A Welsh Rugby Union statement said Howley had "returned to Wales to assist with an investigation".

The WRU confirmed it was in relation to a potential breach of betting on rugby.

World Rugby's regulation 6.3.1 reads: "No connected person shall, directly or indirectly, bet and/or attempt to bet on the outcome or any aspect of any connected event and/or receive and/or attempt to receive part or all of the proceeds of any such bet and/or any other benefit in relation to a bet."

Wales have sent for Stephen Jones to fill the gap left by Howley's sudden departure and Jones is expected to arrive "imminently" at the squad's Kitakyushu base.

Former Wales and British and Irish Lions fly-half Jones has already been confirmed as the next Wales backs coach under Wayne Pivac, who will take the reins from Gatland after the tournament.

The WRU statement said: "Rob Howley has returned to Wales to assist with an investigation in relation to a potential breach of World Rugby Regulation 6, specifically betting on rugby union.

"The decision was taken to act immediately in light of recent information passed to the WRU. No further details can be provided at this stage as this would prejudice the investigation.

"If required an independent panel will be appointed to hear the case. Rob has co-operated fully with our initial discussions.

"Warren Gatland has consulted with senior players and Stephen Jones will be arriving in Japan imminently to link up with the squad as attack coach.

Howley has been an integral part of boss Warren Gatland's backroom team since the New Zealander took charge.

The ex-Wales and Lions scrum-half was already set to leave his role after the World Cup.

Howley had been linked with the Italy head coach job with current incumbent Conor O'Shea expected to depart next year, but that now looks unlikely.

The former Wales scrum-half has been part of Gatland's backroom staff since being appointed in January 2008 and was one of the first backroom recruits, and also played under him at Wasps.

Since he became part of the coaching set-up, Wales have won four Six Nations titles, including three Grand Slams.

Howley was in charge of Wales' 2013 Six Nations success when Gatland was away on a British and Irish Lions head coach sabbatical.

He was also part of Gatland's winning Lions coaching team in Australia in 2013 and the drawn series in New Zealand four years lat

[Irishnev]

[ame="https://twitter.com/guardian_sport/status/1174292847115296768"]https://twitter.com/guardian_sport/status/1174292847115296768[/ame]

[Exiled_red]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-49739345

Apologies if this has been posted elsewhere, but this is horrendous, the press in this country are scum. The stuff with Ben Stokes and this with Gareth Thomas in the same week