Rugby - Hands Off Black!

[Havak]

Henson is banned, Shanklin injured long term and now one of Wales imports, Sonny Parker (really a Kiwi), has announced his international retirement at just 28 years old - and on the day the Welsh squad was due to be named (with him in it!).

CoT really nicked off at the right time - this leaves Wales with the following Centres - Hal Luscombe, Ceri Sweeney and Matthew Watkins. It's not a line up that strikes terror into the 6N opposition.

[Havak]

The Celts all named their squads yesterday. Turnip names the England squad later today. The burning question is will he bring the old man Dallaglio back into the picture?

[finbar]

To play where? You already have a reasonable #8.

We've just moved into our friends' olive farm to mind it - and their dog - for them while they're away on hols for four to six weeks. I have access to British SKY, Italian SKY, and all sorts of other television! I might actually get to watch some rugby! On a giant plasma screen!



BTW, Havak, I caught an ep of Celebrity Big Brother last night. Why on earth aren't you in the house?

[Havak]

Looking at the current crop I would suggest it is because I am too famous to qualify for the program.

Nice result on the Sky front. ALL UK based games will be on BCC1 or BBC2 for info. Sky should let you pick up pretty much every game - including the start of S14 in that time frame?

Dayglo - well he has made the 36 training squad. But Cozza kept the captaincy so Nose's chances must be slim. Personally I would pick his young Wasps mate Rees who looks to have a huge future.

I assume the skipper gets to choose where he plays and Cozza prefers Eight. The only space for Dayglo would be at blindside therefore. I really have no idea what turnip will do now selection wise.

[finbar]

He has to have been picked for back up at either 8 or on the side. Speaks volumes for the depth of emerging talent in those spots.

Yes, I'll be here for the start of S14. And if the owners are back sooner, I'll change the locks!

Oh, and I'm going to SMS the Celebrity BB people to vote for your inclusion in the house. (Not on my phone, of course!)

[Havak]

Thanks. I think.

Your opening point is one that baffles me too (in the respect that I don't understand Robinson) as we have a lot of young talent coming through at 6 and a few at 8. It's 7 where our problems lie - and where he avoids playing the few youngsters we do have.

Moody is an out and out 6 - he is better at 6 - and playing him at 7 makes little to no sense to me. We should give someone like the young Sale flanker (Lund) a go at openside.

It is after all only Wales (now there is a comment that can come back to haunt one!)

[finbar]

I just checked the TV guide. It seems I have 7 hours of HC rugby to watch tomorrow. Mrs finbar is, of course, thrilled.



EDIT. Just found this:

London Irish centre Mike Catt is the latest name to be linked with the job of backs coach at Leicester next season, report BBC Radio Leicester.

Presumably for his defensive expertise.

[Havak]

Well it cannot be for his attacking prowess - he was a kicking centre all right.

Tigers play tonight in Clermont - surely you will tune in?

What do you make of the Calvisano-Leeds debacle? My gut instinct is that whilst the Eye-eye minnows messed up on the pitch Leeds have got away with murder here. if they win the group now I think the repercussions might be quite extreme!

[finbar]

Mmm. I overlooked tonight's match. I wish I could say deliberately so! I might have to tune in ... just to ... um ... irritate Mrs finbar.



I didn't read the detail of the Leeds thing. Just saw the headline. I'll have a look.

EDIT. Mmmm. The ref passed the pitch fit for play? Leeds refused to play? They get the points and the oppo cop it for presenting an unplayable pitch? Presumable this is all based on the second attempt to play the match? (The first attempt aborted because the pitch was frozen) Did or did not the ref pass the pitch as fit to play? Are the authorities saying the ref's judgement was wrong? That's the only way I can see Leeds getting the points. All up, very very odd. I'd be p*ssed off if I were the Blues, too.

[Havak]

Thats right - the ERC are saying after the event, and without access to the prevalent conditions, that the referee got it wrong on the second attempt to play the game. They are undermining their own official in effect - and saying it was fine for Leeds to take their ball and go home.

I agree that Blues have every right to be narked. I feel obliged to support Blues in the last round of pool games as Leeds going through would leave a bad taste indeed.

[finbar]

They had someone at the ground to form an opinion? Or just took Leeds' word?

[finbar]

Well, I watched the Leicester match. Presumably Leicester do occasionally play a team who have at least a basic grasp of the art of tackling? Leicester were obviously better but the scoreline was flattering. And I very much hope that the 4-try winger drops one of his one-handed touchdowns and suffers the ignominy. It might cure him of showboating. He's lightning fast and talented. He doesn't need to showboat.

Just turned on the TV to see Biarritz slaughtering Saracens. Any more yellow cards and Biarritz will have to tackle themselves.

EDIT. Munster were v. impressive in the first half against Sale. They seem to enjoy a home ground advantage of some proportions. Missed most of the second half cooking dinner, got back in time to see their final try. Sale must be, um, p*ssed off.

[Havak]

As far as I know with the Leeds situation ERC ltd simply listened to the submission of both clubs and then made a judgment – at no time had their own officials (excepting match officials of course) seen the pitch. It could have got messy as Leeds hammered Cardiff and only failed to get through due to other results not going their way.

Interestingly we have drawn Bath at home – and as we play them at their place in the League the weekend before the QF it should be a cracker.

The QFs are:

Munster v Perpignan
Leicester v Bath
Biarritz v Sale
Toulouse v Leinster

It’s going to be very hard for the teams visiting France – but I fancy Munster and Tigers to win our QFs.

Presumably Leicester do occasionally play a team who have at least a basic grasp of the art of tackling?

Clermont look a side in trouble – some of that tackling was pathetic indeed. I suspect Harry Ellis will enjoy watching himself drag his opposite number along for 20 metres for the rest of his life.

We put 97 points on Clermont in two pool games – one would have to surmise they are not the best of the French sides in the cup.

I agree that the scoreline was flattering – they should never have been within 20 points of us. That is what you meant?

Reportedly Paulse is very unhappy at Clermont – I would say it showed on the field?

He's lightning fast and talented. He doesn't need to showboat.

Yes the show boating is starting to worry me too. As is the fact we will certainly lose him for the 6N now.

Biarritz were very impressive against Saracens (who once again resorted to the biff too much). Sale have their work cut out – but they are capable of doing it.
They blew it themselves – you need to be far more focused than they were when you visit Ireland.

Perpignan have no real chance at Thomond Park – Munster have never lost there in Europe. If Munster could take that form on the road they would have a real chance of winning the cup.

[finbar]

I thought it was a very entertaining weekend of rugby. Munster were scarily good, though the home advantage is obviously a factor. B. O'Driscoll had a blinder for the other Irish mob, who should never have let Bath back into the game. If O'Driscoll turns it on again, the Toulouse match should be a corker.

Bit of a shame to see J. Marshall running around with players nowhere near as good as he is. He engineered Leeds superbly against zero opposition. Gee, Cardiff were crap. At least Jonah tried hard. He's completely wasting his time with his ABs fantasy. Quite understandably, age has reduced his potency. It's grossly unfair to him, but he's now, effectively, another Wendall - barging runs, drawing defenders.

Yes, the commentators said Paulse is probably nicking off to Paris. He didn't look happy on the field.

And, yes, given the non-existent French defence, Leicester should have won by much more. Still, a win is a win.

[Havak]

BOD will need to turn it on. Toulouse are very formidable with 37000 home fans screaming them on.

I never in my life thought I would see Jonah compared to Wendall. Not that the comparison is wrong mind.

A win is indeed a win. I would have to say I am very happy to see the youngsters Luke Abraham and Danny Hipkiss stepping up to the plate well. Murphy is finding fantastic form again and if Ellis can improve his decision making somewhat he could do a grand job for England.

I hope Munster knocked Sale's confidence for six - Sale visit Welford Road on Saturday.

*edit* Saturday is one of the rare days where the City police are allowing Tigers and the footy side to both play at home (and kick off at the same time). Such days are not enjoyable - the tribal mentatlity of the footy mob coupled with the huge police presence and security on every Bar that they necessitate makes for a far less enjoyable day out.