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**Cormack74** · 03-10-20, 02:47 PM

Tuilagi out for another sustained period - at least 6 months this time.

A big loss to England (again) for the 8 and 6 nations and possibly the Lions tour

**Irishnev** · 03-10-20, 06:46 PM

Originally posted by Cormack74 View Post

Tuilagi out for another sustained period - at least 6 months this time.

A big loss to England (again) for the 8 and 6 nations and possibly the Lions tour

Achilles injury as well so will impact his speed - he will be fit for some Irish game no doubt......, we can’t live with him. Farrell centre and Russell 10

**Zapater** · 03-10-20, 06:52 PM

Originally posted by Cormack74 View Post

Tuilagi out for another sustained period - at least 6 months this time.

A big loss to England (again) for the 8 and 6 nations and possibly the Lions tour

Huge loss.

**Buzzo** · 05-10-20, 12:09 PM

Just listened to the Rugby Union Weekly pod from last week.

Ashton (who is amazingly really sound, hated him as a player, but seems a great lad), Care and Monye.

Really good interview with Finn just after the Saracens game. The lads all clearly love him, and his approach to Rugby.

They would all have Finn around the Lions team particularly with his ability to create against stubborn defence. But then at the end they all began to piss themselves laughing when contemplating the difference in mindsets between Farrell and Russell and how the two might get on.

You don't see a lot of Farrell practicing his kicking with a set of Beats over-ears on pumping his favourite tunes.

**Cormack74** · 07-10-20, 08:35 PM

Sale miss out on the play off due to Covid forcing the abandonment of their final game (which they would have won).

So Bath get in instead.

In theory, having finished fifth they would normally have no chance going away to the Chiefs in the semi, but they've been the form team since rugby re-started and with no crowd at Sandy Park it's not quite such a tough place to go currently.

And a Bath v Wasps or Bristol final could go any way. So I'm just wondering whether to lump some money on them in a rugby parallel to 'Denmark 92'

**Cormack74** · 11-10-20, 10:38 AM

Originally posted by Cormack74 View Post

Sale miss out on the play off due to Covid forcing the abandonment of their final game (which they would have won).

So Bath get in instead.

In theory, having finished fifth they would normally have no chance going away to the Chiefs in the semi, but they've been the form team since rugby re-started and with no crowd at Sandy Park it's not quite such a tough place to go currently.

And a Bath v Wasps or Bristol final could go any way. So I'm just wondering whether to lump some money on them in a rugby parallel to 'Denmark 92'

So much for that prediction - good thing I didn't use up any cash

Wasps were fantastically entertaining (again) in the other game and if Jack Willis plays International rugby and is even 1/4 as good as he is for his club then he's going to play about 100 test matches.

**Buzzo** · 11-10-20, 02:10 PM

I watched the Chiefs game. Bath started brightly but the chiefs are just too good.

**Cormack74** · 11-10-20, 02:55 PM

Yeah amazing how they soak up waves of pressure then go up the other end and score for fun.

**Cormack74** · 12-10-20, 08:10 PM

Russell back in the Scotland squad and not a peep out of Buzzo.

*Maybe he's gone down with Covid*

**Buzzo** · 12-10-20, 08:19 PM

Really strong squad for us, maybe one of the strogest I've seeen. Richie Gray back in it. Duhan Van Der Merwe making his first squad. Options for every position on the pitch.

Seems as though Rusell and Townsend have spent the last 6 months talking, which if it had been happening in the first place may have stopped a fair bit of trouble.

Lots of our boys are going to be full of confidence

Except the Edinburgh lads whose form has fallen off a cliff since going out of Europe and the Pro 14 last season (Effectively two weeks ago)

**Cormack74** · 12-10-20, 10:38 PM

Presumably the first 5 picks will be FR plus the 4 lads at Exeter Caledonian.

If the latter win the HC and / or the Premiership then they'll be absolutely buzzing Buzzo

And I can't see FR's confidence being dented even if R92 do lose the HC final. He doesn't seem the sort TBH.

**Buzzo** · 13-10-20, 11:15 AM

Originally posted by Cormack74 View Post

Presumably the first 5 picks will be FR plus the 4 lads at Exeter Caledonian.

If the latter win the HC and / or the Premiership then they'll be absolutely buzzing Buzzo

And I can't see FR's confidence being dented even if R92 do lose the HC final. He doesn't seem the sort TBH.

Actually, Sam Hidalgo-Clyne didn't get picked. Which seems amazing really.

Yeah, I agree, I don't think much stops Finn Russell mentally, he is about as laid back as they come!

**Cormack74** · 13-10-20, 08:57 PM

Originally posted by Buzzo View Post

Actually, Sam Hidalgo-Clyne didn't get picked. Which seems amazing really.

Yeah, I agree, I don't think much stops Finn Russell mentally, he is about as laid back as they come!

Well I can't say I've seen much of the others recently but SHC has been very solid for Caledonian. I've barely noticed a false pass or kick.

Maybe they think he's been spoilt playing behind such a good set of forwards and they want to pick a Scrum Half who's used to having it tougher

**Buzzo** · 13-10-20, 10:30 PM

Originally posted by Cormack74 View Post

Well I can't say I've seen much of the others recently but SHC has been very solid for Caledonian. I've barely noticed a false pass or kick.

Maybe they think he's been spoilt playing behind such a good set of forwards and they want to pick a Scrum Half who's used to having it tougher

I think something must have happened with him and the SRU when he left Edinburgh. His face hasn’t seemed to fit since. No question he should be in the squad.

I appreciate you talking Scottish Rugby with me Cormack

I must admit having watched the ‘Caledonians’ a lot recently I’m really impressed with Sam Simmonds, he must be deserving of an England cap soon? Worth Jones looking at something other than Ford-Farrell.

**Cormack74** · 14-10-20, 10:17 PM

Originally posted by Buzzo View Post

I think something must have happened with him and the SRU when he left Edinburgh. His face hasn’t seemed to fit since. No question he should be in the squad.

I appreciate you talking Scottish Rugby with me Cormack

I must admit having watched the ‘Caledonians’ a lot recently I’m really impressed with Sam Simmonds, he must be deserving of an England cap soon? Worth Jones looking at something other than Ford-Farrell.

Well I don't often manage to catch up with the Pro league these days although most of the main protagonists are still familiar. But it's really helpful that there are a good number plying their trade in the premiership especially when there are 4 at one club

Maybe with SHC they are still taking stock of the fact that he's flitted around for a couple of years and want to see a settled period or maybe there are some politics involved as you say.

But if he carries on the way he's started at Exeter and isn't in the mix for the 2021 6N (if it happens) then something is amiss.

On Simmonds the younger who I'm guessing you're referring to (

) I agree he looks a really solid player with an almost exemplary kicking record. He definitely looks like he's worth a shot for England but you never quite know with Eddie Jones.

Top quality players like Alex Goode and Danny Cipriani have been rejected and really odd picks like George Furbank have been capped.

JS doesn't kick goals from quite as far out as the others and he doesn't take the ball to the line as often if Eddie is looking to nitpick. And Joe's brother has struggled to get caps because Eddie doesn't think he's big enough - weird when Rob Baxter does

Anyway I hope he gets a chance because he's obviously got some talent and seems like a decent young bloke.

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