Rugby 2013

**BonnieShels** · 08/03/2013, 2:49 PM

Originally Posted by Schumi

Georgia lost at home to Japan and Fiji (whom our reserves beat 53-0) in November and only beat Belgium by 5 or 6 points in the last few weeks. They seem to have regressed since that world cup.

It's them Russians stealing them Abkhazians.

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.

**Real ale Madrid** · 08/03/2013, 2:50 PM

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.

**BonnieShels** · 08/03/2013, 2:53 PM

Originally Posted by Real ale Madrid

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.

**Charlie Darwin** · 08/03/2013, 3:33 PM

Originally Posted by Real ale Madrid

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.

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.

**osarusan** · 10/03/2013, 12:16 AM

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?

**Charlie Darwin** · 10/03/2013, 12:25 AM

I suppose he's allowed change the question he asked?

**BonnieShels** · 16/04/2013, 3:26 PM

So Joe is gonna talk with the IRFU...

http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/rabo-d...r-ireland-job/

**Mr A** · 16/04/2013, 3:33 PM

He is the obvious choice. Hope he gets it.

**BonnieShels** · 16/04/2013, 4:51 PM

Originally Posted by Mr A

He is the obvious choice. Hope he gets it.

Yip and yip.

**Real ale Madrid** · 17/04/2013, 8:10 AM

Originally Posted by Real ale Madrid

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.

Meant to post this earlier - but it seems we will be sending an "A" squad to Tbilisi this summer. How bad.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_IRB_Nations_Cup

**gastric** · 17/04/2013, 9:06 AM

Originally Posted by Real ale Madrid

Meant to post this earlier - but it seems we will be sending an "A" squad to Tbilisi this summer. How bad.

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.
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!

**Real ale Madrid** · 17/04/2013, 9:48 AM

Originally Posted by gastric

Aren't the Wolfhounds playing in the US too? Surprised they will be playing in two tournaments over the summer.

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.

**Schumi** · 17/04/2013, 10:59 AM

On the Six Nations performance, there won't be many unavailable for the USA tour.

**NeverFeltBetter** · 17/04/2013, 12:38 PM

That Nations Cup thing, is that just two different tournaments under one banner, or do the winners of each play each other or something?

**Schumi** · 17/04/2013, 1:50 PM

Two separate tournaments afaik.

**gastric** · 22/04/2013, 11:02 AM

Kirchner signs for Leinster. Rated downunder, but has received mixed reviews from Leinster supporters. Will be interesting to see how he performs.

**Mr A** · 30/04/2013, 10:20 AM

Lions squad for the tour to Australia:

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)

I'd have though Rory Best was ahead of the likes of Hartley, who can be a total liability.

**Charlie Darwin** · 30/04/2013, 10:31 AM

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.

**gastric** · 30/04/2013, 10:58 AM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

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.