It's them Russians stealing them Abkhazians.Quote:
Originally Posted by Schumi
Seriously though as an excercise for say Scotland or Italy to play the best ENC team we would see the true value. The glass ceiling isn't gonna work.
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It's them Russians stealing them Abkhazians.Quote:
Originally Posted by Schumi
Seriously though as an excercise for say Scotland or Italy to play the best ENC team we would see the true value. The glass ceiling isn't gonna work.
Will never happen until the quality of the ENC improves. It's getting a more competitive competition in itself though. The game is really growing in Belgium for instance.
It wouldn't kill one of six nations to send an A team to Georgia or Romania every once in a while at the same time or play a proper test match in the heart of these countries every so often. If you want to expand the game you have to give them the chance to test themselves against the best more often than once every 4 years.
Presactly.Quote:
Originally Posted by Real ale Madrid
No chance of a test match, not while national unions are still in charge of their own test schedule. Sure New Zealand have never played a game in Samoa - it's all about money and nobody wants to visit a second-tier nation, let alone a third-tier nation.Quote:
Originally Posted by Real ale Madrid
Did anybody notice that after Steve Walsh referred that Earls vs Debaty moment to the TMO, looking for a decision on both 'try or no try' and 'taken out without the ball', and as Nigel Owens was looking it it, Walsh, who was watching it on the big screen as well, said 'Nige, I've got no problem with that shoulder to shoulder contact' (which was the potential infringement he had asked to be looked at). Owens eventually decided there was no try (obviously) and no tackle without the ball.
Is Walsh allowed to make that kind of comment?
I suppose he's allowed change the question he asked?
So Joe is gonna talk with the IRFU...
http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/rabo-d...r-ireland-job/
He is the obvious choice. Hope he gets it.
Yip and yip.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr A
Meant to post this earlier - but it seems we will be sending an "A" squad to Tbilisi this summer. How bad.Quote:
Originally Posted by Real ale Madrid
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_IRB_Nations_Cup
Aren't the Wolfhounds playing in the US too? Surprised they will be playing in two tournaments over the summer.Quote:
Originally Posted by Real ale Madrid
On Schimdt, it will be interesting to see how he goes with the IRFU suits. Some have talked about the end of the golden era, but hopefully he follows Wales and looks to the future which is exciting. McGrath, the Farrells, Byrnes, Brewer plus the likes of Madigan. Gilroy, Zebo and Marshall should excite us ove the coming years!
No, the summer games in Nth America are full internationals. Although in reality it will essentially be an "A" team there and academy / u-23 players that will head to Tbilisi I'd imagine.Quote:
Originally Posted by gastric
On the Six Nations performance, there won't be many unavailable for the USA tour.
That Nations Cup thing, is that just two different tournaments under one banner, or do the winners of each play each other or something?
Two separate tournaments afaik.
Kirchner signs for Leinster. Rated downunder, but has received mixed reviews from Leinster supporters. Will be interesting to see how he performs.
Lions squad for the tour to Australia:
I'd have though Rory Best was ahead of the likes of Hartley, who can be a total liability.Quote:
Backs: Leigh Halfpenny (Wales), Stuart Hogg (Scotland), Rob Kearney (Ireland), Tommy Bowe (Ireland), Alex Cuthbert (Wales), Sean Maitland (Scotland), George North (Wales), Jonathan Davies (Wales), Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland), Jamie Roberts (Wales), Manu Tuilagi (England), Owen Farrell (England), Jonathan Sexton (Ireland), Conor Murray (Ireland), Mike Phillips (Wales), Ben Youngs (England).
Forwards: Dan Cole (England), Cian Healy (Ireland), Gethin Jenkins (Wales), Adam Jones (Wales), Matt Stevens (England), Mako Vunipola (England), Dylan Hartley (England), Richard Hibbard (Wales), Tom Youngs (England), Ian Evans (Wales), Richie Gray (Scotland), Alun-Wyn Jones (Wales), Paul O'Connell (Ireland), Geoff Parling (England), Tom Croft (England), Toby Faletau (Wales), Jamie Heaslip (Ireland), Dan Lydiate (Wales), Sean O'Brien (Ireland), Justin Tipuric (Wales), Sam Warburton (Wales, captain)
Hartley shouldn't be anywhere near the squad. Matt Stevens is such a bizarre selection all you can do is laugh. He's gone back on his plan to bring a utility player who can cover 10, meaning no Laidlaw. No bolters in the squad. Underwhelming.
Still, you'd think injuries will take their toll on this squad.
Fair point Charlie, disappointed for Best, he deserved to go ahead of Hartley. Great to see O'Driscoll going, he should finally be a winner on a Lions Tour! Surprised Robshaw isn't going, at one point he was favourite to be captain.Quote:
Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin
Hartley must be due a suspension so Best may well still have a shot at going.