The Rugby Thread

[Cormack74]

Thanks bud. I've been rotating between Joburg, Sydney, London and Auckland for over 20 years - not sure why I do it to myself. Hence me thinking that I have a unique insight in comparing Southern Hem rugby/cricket stadiums.

And there was me thinking you're just an opinionated cunt

In fairness your travels probably do give you a bit of perspective.

[Buzzo]

What a move!!! Then Vakatawa

[ame]https://twitter.com/jaredwright17/status/1350903567855611907[/ame]

[Cormack74]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/55878751

Rugby Australia has offered to host this summer's British and Irish Lions series against South Africa.

The Lions are due to visit South Africa in July and August with a three-Test series against the world champions.

But issues around Covid-19, including the emergence of a new variant in South Africa, has led to uncertainty over the viability of the tour.

"We're here to help," Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan told the Sydney Morning Herald

"What we learnt from the Tri Nations last year and the tennis that's happening now is that Australia can successfully stage global tournaments in a Covid world.

"It's particularly tough in the UK and South Africa at the moment and I believe the more international rugby that gets played here, the better."

McLennan says profits from the tour would be split between the Lions and South Africa, with Rugby Australia covering their costs.

The Lions board have been discussing contingency plans in the event the trip has to be abandoned, including the possibility of hosting games in the UK and Ireland.

Crowds have returned to watch live sport in Australia, with up to 30,000 fans allowed to watch next month's Australian Open in Melbourne.

[Buzzo]

Could be a decent solution. There can’t be many that generate revenue.

[Cormack74]

Yeah I think it would work - much better than having a series here. Although Rugby Australia are pretty skint so 'covering their costs' might get expensive for the Lions

Not sure who the B&IL would play though? Would the SA provinces and franchises be sending teams over for the mid week games or would Aussie teams fill in or would it be Tests only.

Tests only, would make sense but it would also mean a load of B&IL players who would have made the tour as second stringers under normal circumstances wouldn't be involved at all.

So no Scots basically Buzzo

[Buzzo]

No Scots is a given anyway!

Hadn’t thought about the build up and the games against the Provinces. I guess any tour is better than no tour, and as you say perhaps the Aussie teams would allow both the SA and Lions to warm up giving more of a localised interest to get crowds along?

Could be an interesting 6Ns - no idea what to expect from England with Eddie in quarantine and the Saracens player having not played any meaningful Rugby since the summer.

I see we secured Cameron Redpath, I’ve not seen much of him play but according to the pundits he is a real talent. What with his dad playing so many games for us I’m glad he made the right decision!

[Cormack74]

Just yanking your chain mate. And if they win this w/e we both know you'll be shouting for the whole squad to be included

I think the Saffers have already questioned whether the Aussies will be taking the midweek games and don't sound like they are enthralled by this being a workable solution.

Redpath has looked good every time I've seen him this season and I'm pretty sure he was picked for England U20's. Ugo Monye was eulogising about him big time and reckons Scotland have got one over the Auld enemy there.

Not sure about England's 6N prospects. As you say Saracens players are short of rugby and Eddie seems to think he wants 'distributors' but plays a game (or has done recently) where he just needs chasers. I don't want to sound like Nev writing off my team before they start even though they have good players, but they seem to be a bit thin on identity ( - or did in the autumn) even though that's something EJ had been big on previously.

[Buzzo]

Just yanking your chain mate. And if they win this w/e we both know you'll be shouting for the whole squad to be included

I think the Saffers have already questioned whether the Aussies will be taking the midweek games and don't sound like they are enthralled by this being a workable solution.

Redpath has looked good every time I've seen him this season and I'm pretty sure he was picked for England U20's. Ugo Monye was eulogising about him big time and reckons Scotland have got one over the Auld enemy there.

Not sure about England's 6N prospects. As you say Saracens players are short of rugby and Eddie seems to think he wants 'distributors' but plays a game (or has done recently) where he just needs chasers. I don't want to sound like Nev writing off my team before they start even though they have good players, but they seem to be a bit thin on identity ( - or did in the autumn) even though that's something EJ had been big on previously.

I can still see a scenario where loads of Scots miss out on what ever touring party is put together, and therefor it is a big ^Ns for most of our guys. I think Finn and Hoggy are the only ones giaranteed, along with maybe Jonny Gray?

It doesnt feel like the lead in to a 6Ns and a Calcutta Cup at all in any way shape or form. That and the no crowd at Twickenham might play into our hands.

but...

Im not so sure.

As ever we dont lack motivation and I heard Ellis Genge giving it some big talk today so we shall see.

[Cormack74]

I do like Ellis Genge.

He says whatever's in his head. Sometimes I agree sometimes I don't, but I don't think it's any sort of arrogance it's just the way he is.

Maybe it's a product of being from the 'school of hard knocks'; inner city, single parent, trouble with the Rozzers etc rather than being the more typical middle class and (often privately) educated type frequently seen playing rugby for England.

[Buzzo]

I love all the rivalry tbh. And the players from both sides do also.

It just doesnt feel like a proper Calcutta Cup

[Cormack74]

I've just realized that England have 5 forwards missing who would almost certainly have been starters or 'finishers' on Saturday.

I know we are lucky that we have quite a lot of players to call on but that's a worry.

[RichC]

We've certainly got a few players out but we do have a large pool of players to call upon.

Let's hope Eddie is right and the "weight of expectation" get's to Scotland

[Buzzo]

We've certainly got a few players out but we do have a large pool of players to call upon.

Let's hope Eddie is right and the "weight of expectation" get's to Scotland

He’s so obvious

I actually don’t think we obsess about the England match at all. When it comes round it’s huge obviously, but that’s the same for all the nations with England. Our record isn’t too bad over the last 3-4 years but normally we get well beaten so it’s not one I look forward to.

I like the look of our team tbh, we are a bit light at Hooker but other than that it’s a strong team. Looking forward to seeing Redpath.

[Cormack74]

My youngest got an Ancestry DNA kit for Xmas and the results are now in.

It turns out he's fairly evenly divided between England, Scotland and Ireland (with a bit of Sweden and the low countries thrown in) which follows what my mum thought was the approximate family tree.

So as long as France don't win this year's tournament (Wales and Italy won't) then I can be happy!

[Buzzo]

Strangely I have had loads of my English friends get in touch to see what I think will happen today which is unusual.

I think England will win.

I hope Scotland will win.

Same as pretty much every year!