The Rugby Thread

[Irishnev]

Spencer's a freak, even in his old age was doing some incredible stuff. I was thinking it's a pity in a way that he didn't play more, but wikied him to see he managed 44 tests which isn't bad when you consider the calibre of player he was competing with. Check the Blues team in that clip, I always consider them rather **** but that's a serious team.

My favourite entertainment player is Freddie Michalak, perhaps not quite as outrageous as Cooper, but not far off. His kicking from the hand was second to none.

He was as flaky as **** - v unreliable

[Irishnev]

[ame="https://twitter.com/rugbypass/status/1278789821012598795"]https://twitter.com/rugbypass/status/1278789821012598795[/ame]

[Chazza]

Tuilagi and Eastmond both leaving Leicester after refusing to take pay cuts.

Wonder if they will follow suit.

[Buzzo]

Lots of English Prem clubs have totally ****ed up its response to the pandemic and lock down. There just seems to be mass confusion.

Northampton Saints managed to get the majority of their squad on deferred 10% paycuts. That surely isnt unreasonable.

Interesting that a lot of transfers have happened. Jonny Gray now a Chiefs player. Must be a bit weird to leave your club with games you expected to play not having happened and find yourself in a season end chasing titles you didnt expect to be part of.

[Cormack74]

Can't be ANOTHER Scotsman can it??

On another note, great to see the Premiership are gearing up for a restart

Hoping I can still get to the final whenever that is - my tickets were never cancelled.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/53356156

Premiership leaders Exeter will bring in a player who will have "everyone licking their lips" later this month, says director of rugby Rob Baxter.

The news comes as the Chiefs announced the signing of 20-year-old Australian fly-half Jack Walsh.

English-qualified Walsh had been playing for Manly Marlins and had an offer from Super Rugby's Waratahs.

He will provide cover for Joe Simmonds and Gareth Steenson as Exeter aim to stay at the top of the table.

The season was suspended in March because of the coronavirus pandemic and Premiership Rugby hopes to resume the league on the weekend of 15 August. Clubs were allowed to begin close-contact training on Monday.

"Jack isn't the only newcomer coming in. Interestingly, we have another name who we will be announcing in a week or two's time whose name will have everyone licking their lips," Baxter told the club website.

On Walsh, whose offer from the Waratahs fell through because of the pandemic, Baxter said he was looking forward to seeing what he can do.

"In some ways it's almost like an extended trial period for him," Baxter added.

"I think it's a fantastic opportunity for him and a fantastic opportunity for us. To get a young EQP player over here, one with bags of talent, is great. Now, let's see what kind of rugby he can play."

[Buzzo]

Looks like it was the young Argie winger.

Quite a squad they have at Exeter (I see they are debating abandoning ‘chiefs’).

[Cormack74]

Yeah I wasn't sure whether Baxter was referring to him or another signing and trying to be cryptic.

On the Chiefs thing from what I've read the fans are split 50 - 50 although a possible compromise suggested would be to get rid of the Indian (sorry, native American in modern parlance) emblem and use a Celtic Chief instead.

[Buzzo]

Yeah that’s a decent compromise.

The Native American symbolism is just random anyway. At least Celtic is slightly closer to home.

[ChesterDave]

[ame]https://twitter.com/PKendrickWIG/status/1289947518990553089[/ame]

Rugby League Journo calls Folau 'a ****' for not kneeling before game.

Typically responses littered with 'BLM is murderous Marxist oranisation'

[Buzzo]

Gonna sit down and watch the Exeter v Leicester game this PM

[Cormack74]

Yeah brilliant to see Premiership rugby back

But unfortunately unless the schedule of matches is interrupted by a return to lockdown I'm going to miss the final - that's if spectators are allowed to attend by then.

[Buzzo]

It feels optimistic to imagine supporters back in stadia this year. But who knows?

2 Scots in the starting XV and 2 on the bench for the Chiefs

I think Sam Hidalgo-Clyne is an astute signing. He’s a solid scrum half who could be top level. Jonny Gray will fit Exeter perfectly. He is a machine a beast of a tackler.

[Cormack74]

Yeah very - but it's such a good day out (whoever you support) that I'm getting slight separation anxiety

It's a while since I've seen S H-C play but I'm sure he'll be an able replacement for Nic White.

I've read articles questioning how Chiefs sorry Exeter Caledonian, will do without White, big loss, blah blah blah, but whilst his all round game was fair, his kicking was supremely average and I'm doubtful S H-C will do any worse.

My biggest fear is that all your boys are going to improve as players Buzzo and therefore improve the national team. We obviously don't want that happening

[Buzzo]

Your biggest fear my greatest hope . I think it is what will happen.

Hogg adds some real xfactor to the Chiefs backs. Some try he scored today.
Jonny Gray fit’s in perfectly to the Chiefs forward play. A very solid debut from him. I think Nic White was given an arm chair ride by the pack and agree his kicking game was ordinary.

Chiefs other than the first ten minutes have been very impressive.

[Cormack74]

Yup the Chiefs looked a bit rusty early on (unsurprisingly) but I thought all the Exiles showed up well and Hogg's try was classy.

Even though S H-C wasn't on the pitch long he played with a degree of authority and clearly wasn't lacking in confidence despite having an unsettled past couple of years.

Very early days, but he might well turn out to be a really astute signing.