The Rugby Thread

[Cormack74]

Wasps are in the **** as well.

It's all theoretical until the money literally runs out, and that seems to be where Worcester are right now. Massive debt. Massive commitments. Unlikely to be viewed as attractive to any potential investors or buyers.

Unless I've misjudged them and they are as questionable as their Worcester counterparts, I have a lot of sympathy for the Wasps owners who seemed to have done the right thing moving the club to Coventry to try and safeguard its' future making money from the Ricoh's facilities as Exeter do at Sandy Park.

I'm guessing here, but I should imagine that the business model took a proportionately bigger hit through Covid because they've not been at the Ricoh as long as Exeter have at SP, plus the Exeter Chairman has a separate company that probably pays a disproportionate amount to sponsor his team etc.

[Buzzo]

It does seem as though the mis-management at Worcester goes beyond bad luck and COVID

Wasps must be in massive peril also. It also makes a mockery of the League.

I have heard that Sutherland and Van Der Merwe could be heading back to Edinburgh which would be amazing

[Buzzo]

In other Rugby news this is another amazing challenge from Kevin Sinfield.

[ame]https://twitter.com/andygoode10/status/1574720623103844352[/ame]

[Cormack74]

I have heard that Sutherland and Van Der Merwe could be heading back to Edinburgh which would be amazing

It's entirely possible because presumably no english teams have room left in their salary cap to make big (bigger) money signings at this point.

[Buzzo]

It's entirely possible because presumably no english teams have room left in their salary cap to make big (bigger) money signings at this point.

Sutherland to Bath VDM back to Edi I’m hearing. We’ve already got really good loose head props.

[Cormack74]

Maybe Bath kept something back for a rainy day. So appropriate for today

[Buzzo]

Worcester falling deeper into the mire. All player contracts now cancelled.

[ame]https://twitter.com/Steve_Dimes/status/1577627953579626496[/ame]

[Buzzo]

Sobering stats.

[ame]https://twitter.com/TEnglishSport/status/1577571956517474305[/ame]

[Buzzo]

This was heartbreaking. Have any doubts about the reality of early onset dementia in your 40's then this is where to look. It is on iplayer, it includes actual scenes of him discovering that this is degenerative and about as up close a look at his Mental health through this as you could care to see. he is very brave in allowing this sort of access.

Too many games and lax return to play protocols (Boxing has more stringent return protocols and far, far less impacts).

Too late for Steve, but his work will rescue the lives of others.

[ame]https://twitter.com/Tommo33s/status/1577316030665428997[/ame]

[Irishnev]

Sobering stats.

https://twitter.com/TEnglishSport/st...71956517474305

I read that earlier - I love rugby but it’s a ****ing mad man’s game. In years gone by stamping in the rucks was “just raking”, regular punch ups and hard men killing each other. “Kick ahead, any ****ing head”!

Once professionalism came the physicality went up levels - we lauded guys like Jerry Collins (RIP) for the big hits but much of that would be red cards now. It’s hard to know where to go as the physicality is part of the game but clearly there are adverse effects. Even in the modern way of stamping things out people still get smashed - some of the tackles could result in whiplash ffs!

When you go down levels it’s almost worse because you have big lads vs guys nowhere near their size and the risk if real damage is there. I wonder if we were still in Ireland would I encourage my son to play…… he used to play hurling so I guess that’s as bad

[Buzzo]

I think Rugby has some big calls to make.

The Thomson doc is well worth a watch, the evidence of his decline is really stark. He has three kids, and at times totally forgets names and has to refer to them as... "ask the big one what she wants".

He has no memory of winning the World Cup, so doesnt associate with it at all, nor does he have any memory of the entire time in Australia.

He mentions that he played at the onset of the pro era, where clubs suddenly had players at the front door every day of the week. They made training programs up on the hoof. He used to do 100 live scrums per session, and was told to use his head pretty much as a weapon.

What the future holds for him at 42 with absolutely zero recognition or financial support and a young family is totally sobering.

They have to shorten the calendar for one thing. It is Rugby for 52 weeks right now.

[Buzzo]

Young fella looks a prospect Zap. Not seen many people do this to Watson at international level let alaone club.

[ame]https://twitter.com/SARugbymag/status/1578611142594686977[/ame]

[Buzzo]

Wasps about to go also. Gallagher Prem is becoming a farce this season.

[ame]https://twitter.com/WaspsRugby/status/1580184415639986176[/ame]

[Cormack74]

Yes, not looking good.

There was a rumour of an American interested in buying the company, (so taking on both Wasps and Coventry City) but I have no idea if it actually has 'legs'.

I feel sorry for Worcester but especially sorry for Wasps. As I mentioned above somewhere, the point of them moving to the Ricoh etc was an attempt to boost off field income and make them more sustainable. So an actual business model rather than the play thing of a couple of con men.

Well unless there is something going on that hasn't come out yet

[ChesterDave]

Gone