The Rugby Thread

[Irishnev]

Another superb win for us vs Argentina (53-7) and we rotated heavily. The 6 Nations is going to be super competitive

[Buzzo]

Another superb win for us vs Argentina (53-7) and we rotated heavily. The 6 Nations is going to be super competitive

You just pulled back from saying a piece of cake

I watched the France NZ highlights (on Prime) France looked excellent. Agreed though, as ever, the 6Ns is one of the toughest competitions to win in sport.

Italy must be dreading it. They don’t even get near us these days.

[Irishnev]

You just pulled back from saying a piece of cake

I watched the France NZ highlights (on Prime) France looked excellent. Agreed though, as ever, the 6Ns is one of the toughest competitions to win in sport.

Italy must be dreading it. They don’t even get near us these days.

France are favs

[Zapater]

Ah mate, at least you got to watch your country beat them in a WC Final!!!

I agree though, watching your country play England is always....... emotional. England have some cracking players right now, so dont need any favours, though the ref was punishing them the accumulation of yellows was getting ridiculous.

Was another stodgy performance from us today. Solid in the scrum and maul which won us the game, but we couldn't get any front foot ball which didn't make for much of a spectacle. Hogg now our record try scorer and he has been immense all autumn. 3 wins and a defeat to SA and it doesn't feel like an amazing series of games, which is testament to how far we have come, but I think we expect more.

Japan are amazing to watch. They run everything. They need proper games though and I think should be included into the Rugby Championship to enable them to develop.

We've got England next up in Feb. Interestingly poised. New England, running the ball a bit more with a sensational squad of players so we will have to be at our very, very best.

I haven't even responded to your Scotland v SA response yet Zap!

Twice

Couldn't bare to look at any rugby media until mid-week, was furious about it. Have to take it on the chin, wouldn't have cared if it was any other team but it's so ****ing typical. Play England, get robbed and then suddenly we're the bitter and twisted ones, they're the biggest ****ing moaners in the world in any sport and if half of that happened to them it would be the apocalypse. I see a lot of Bok fans made a lot of content circulating on Youtube about reffing inconsistencies but it's not going to change and we might as well accept it.

The south vs north officiating is different too and something needs to be done about it. We want to preserve the spectacle as much as possible where up there it's all about petty bull****. I honestly get so frustrated by it but it's set in stone now. I think sometimes common sense should prevail.

Agree about Japan, they play a unique style and will be successful with it if they persevere. It won't happen over night but they've made huge strides already. They do however need to find a way of navigating the physical side better so they don't get beaten up and end up losing purely because of that.

I don't think they should join the Rugby Championship because they'll get beaten (and beaten up) every week. They're not ready. I do think something with the Pacific Island nations could work well. Obviously the physical disparity would still exist, but the skills on offer would possibly be the best in the world. I think they could learn form each other and possibly put on build something for both to be more competitive against better teams.

[Buzzo]

Edinburgh beat Saracens



Away!

[Irishnev]

Edinburgh beat Saracens



Away!

Stuck in quarantine and isolated from the rest of the family means I have more time on my hands

I saw some of the Leinster game - had it on while watching Liverpool. When they were at it they were formidable - that front row is ridiculous. I also watched Ulster’s win away to Clermont and will obviously watch Munster today - they are missing half a side due to Covid from their tour to ZA but I’m excited to see some of the new breed get a chance. I also saw a Finn Russell masterclass highlights from Friday evening.

I noticed the Edinburgh result and will probably watch plenty of highlights today

[Buzzo]

Same, I will catch up on the highlights today. I was out last night and am absolutely hanging today.

Was good to see Leinster lose to Ulster the other week…! I also watched Harlequins Leicester and it was the first bad game I’ve seen from Marcus Smith. He got carded and was far less influential than usual will be interesting to see if he can bounce back

I also watched Racing v Northampton and Finn Russell was at his best as you say, when they play well (and they haven’t been) that Racing team is sensational.

I’ve no idea what the format is for the European competitions this year? Mini leagues and then play offs?

[Irishnev]

Same, I will catch up on the highlights today. I was out last night and am absolutely hanging today.

Was good to see Leinster lose to Ulster the other week…! I also watched Harlequins Leicester and it was the first bad game I’ve seen from Marcus Smith. He got carded and was far less influential than usual will be interesting to see if he can bounce back

I also watched Racing v Northampton and Finn Russell was at his best as you say, when they play well (and they haven’t been) that Racing team is sensational.

I’ve no idea what the format is for the European competitions this year? Mini leagues and then play offs?

I think it’s 4 ‘group’ games and only one comes out? I know people were saying there was zero margin for error. I don’t get the big table but though where they are all lumped together - I’m sure it will make sense as I get into it

Re your hangover

[Buzzo]

I think it’s 4 ‘group’ games and only one comes out? I know people were saying there was zero margin for error. I don’t get the big table but though where they are all lumped together - I’m sure it will make sense as I get into it

Re your hangover

Beer, wine and stupidly a whisky for the road.

How is your COVID going? Have you been badly affected by it?

[Irishnev]

Beer, wine and stupidly a whisky for the road.

How is your COVID going? Have you been badly affected by it?

Thursday and Friday were like a bad flu - in and out of bed, high temp but not too high (max 38) and aches + the usual coughing/sneezing. Yesterday temp was almost normal and I was more mobile. Today temp is good but am super congested. Losing taste is the weirdest bit.

My wife isn’t vaccinated, her choice and she had actually come round to going to get it and this happened. The kids aren’t either as they are 8 and 10 so I am worried for them. I am fully isolated - in our bedroom which thankfully is en suite. If I leave here they move away and I wear a mask - separate cup/plate/cutlery etc.

We have a good support structure so are getting food brought and other stuff we need. The kids will be online schooling from tomorrow and I’ll go back to work in a reduced capacity to overcome boredom. The police call here every day and we have to present ourselves - they mix it up with timing also

The timing is **** this close to Christmas and their quarantine is longer than mine so it means a big dash the last few days to get final bits and pieces done. What can you do but suck it up and get on with it.

[Irishnev]

Unbelievable win from Munster with 30+ players missing due to Covid issues from touring ZA. A bonus point with a load of academy lads away from home - wow. Shockingly harsh red for Wasps was a huge factor

[Buzzo]

Thursday and Friday were like a bad flu - in and out of bed, high temp but not too high (max 38) and aches + the usual coughing/sneezing. Yesterday temp was almost normal and I was more mobile. Today temp is good but am super congested. Losing taste is the weirdest bit.

My wife isn’t vaccinated, her choice and she had actually come round to going to get it and this happened. The kids aren’t either as they are 8 and 10 so I am worried for them. I am fully isolated - in our bedroom which thankfully is en suite. If I leave here they move away and I wear a mask - separate cup/plate/cutlery etc.

We have a good support structure so are getting food brought and other stuff we need. The kids will be online schooling from tomorrow and I’ll go back to work in a reduced capacity to overcome boredom. The police call here every day and we have to present ourselves - they mix it up with timing also

The timing is **** this close to Christmas and their quarantine is longer than mine so it means a big dash the last few days to get final bits and pieces done. What can you do but suck it up and get on with it.

Yeah the timing is pretty ****, though at least you should be free for Christmas, there are so many people coming dow with it now.

I wouldnt know what to say if my wife didnt take the vaccine it is so obviously important.

Loads of the elements of your isolation sound amazing tbf, just locked away and watching sport uninterupted just the virus ruining it.

I watched the Glasgow game and the Harlequins game and saw the Munster trys. It was a great weekend to show the strength of the much maligned URC. Wins for Munster, Leinster, Connacht, Ulster and Edinburgh.

[Buzzo]

Full box of tricks from Finn on Friday.

[ame]https://twitter.com/ChampionsCup/status/1469592792997380098[/ame]

[Irishnev]

Munster and Wasps has almost 60 players between them missing but played. Leinster picked 12 internationals and it’s forfeited - bizarre

[ame="https://twitter.com/irishtimessport/status/1471786200256163842"]https://twitter.com/irishtimessport/status/1471786200256163842[/ame]

[Irishnev]

Not sure if anyone seen this - kid getting shamed on FB and the rugby world has rallied in support

[ame="https://twitter.com/allblacks/status/1485875068731555840"]https://twitter.com/allblacks/status/1485875068731555840[/ame]