Rugby - Laissez la balle, Bleus!

[Havak]

A win is a win and 1-4 does look better than 0-5. The 2006 fixture margin is more my idea of comfortable however.

Those three late penalties did us - I could credit Wales for the pressure that brought them but instead I'll credit the Franco-Celtic referee as he p***** me off mightily when he penalised our catch and drive that would have won the match (heh it's my head - I'll have whatever delusions suit my world view!)

The EDF Cup has a lot to answer for - it gave Wasps a trophy last season when they deserved none.

That said should we get past Sale I think Tigers have an excellent chance against either Ospreys or Blues. When they have clicked this season Tigers have taken apart some very good sides. Then again they lost at home to Saints so who knows?

[finbar]

Originally posted by Joe Kick Ass
As for the coverage over there, how is it? Is it just big relative to normal, or is breaking into the mainstream?

As the whistle was blowing in the Italy-Wales match, aside from my incredulity at White's ****ery, and my hope that the defeat would further condemn our man Gyppo, I was also thinking it'd probably be a good thing for European rugby...

I think this year's performance has definitely lifted the profile. Italians only really think in terms of Italy - as in the national bond - in terms of sport. Otherwise, all the old regional jealousies, distrust and, often, hatred, still exist. And they like a winner. If the improvement continues, the game will become more popular. But it will never, ever, ever compete on a par with the dreaded s***** - il calcio. Here, it's a religion. No, it's the religion. The Pope comes a poor second.

[finbar]

Richard Hill is now being talked up for the World Cup. What next? Exhume Tuppy Owen-Smith?

[Havak]

Martin Johnson out of retirement?

That said Hilly looked pretty good during Saracens demolition of Bristol - perhaps his old head can nurture the young talent Ashton has placed in the back row?

We know we aren't going to win the RWC - but we cannot afford another disaster such as losing to Wales. If Hilly can help avert that then by all means play him.

[Joe Kick Ass]

The teams are in for Saturday then. Gethin Jenkins out for the Blues, and Mr. Tangerine Man still missing for the Os of course. Leaves a nice midfield from the Blues point of view imo; one of the few areas they look stronger...

Should be some good matchups though.

Looking forward to Saturday, though I won't be going. Some of those with tickets are pretty pissed though, having to wait around for an hour before the match...even worse, they have to watch two English sides before that.

Originally posted by Havak
(heh it's my head - I'll have whatever delusions suit my world view!)

We'll see you at the WC final then.

@finbar,
Ah, well, guess it's always gonna be hard up against football. Good to hear that there's some good coming out of our loss though.

Still a bit ticked off about some of the stuff that's come out of the Italian camp since then mind. Troncon's (stupid) comments, and now Bergamasco's appeal.


Also, I tried to link to a story on BBC about code switches worrying that other code...website's messing up, but still...


About time...

[Havak]

Yes but look on the bright side - if those Welsh fans only saw the second semi then all they would have seen is the eventual losers.

Then again a flutter on a Wales-England RWC final must get pretty good odds (does the draw actually allow them to meet there - and more crucially are we planning to get the ABs arrested for drug smuggling to facilitate it?).

So Finbar - tis murder they are dealing with. I think this has the potential to blow the cricket world apart n'est pas?

[finbar]

Indeed. All very odd. Wonder if it relates to the loss to Ireland.

[Havak]

Well the whole thing does feed the fires of conspiracy theorists I think - particularly for Islamophobes?

The fact there was no forced entry is highly curious as it might suggest he knew the murderer.

All very bizarre indeed.

[finbar]

Richie Benaud is saying that he wrote the foreword to the book. Said there's no mention of match fixing in the book.

[Havak]

And the news outlets have been happily bringing that up as a possible motive.

[finbar]

Given his Bok connection at the time of H. Cronje's deeds, and various question marks about several Paki players, I suppose it's an obvious one.

Oh, and I just noticed that I'll be able to watch Sale break their losing run on Sky Italy on the weekend.

[finbar]

Oh well.

[ravagon]

Further tragedy for England!

http://www.planetrugby.com/Story/0,18259,3823_2019895,00.html

Havak must be most distraught?

[finbar]

Dearie dearie dearie me. The Queensland Reds are going to sack A. Jones. Yes, they're propping up the S14 table, but their injury list is horrendous. They're starting fourth and fifth choice props, C. Latham is missing the entire season, two weeks ago their 9, 10 and 12 had an average age of 19. All prodigiously talented, but babies. And the team has come much closer to winning a couple more games than have the Waratahs, one place above them. Queensland is a peculiar place. In fact, Queensland makes the English midlands look like the cradle of civilisation.

EDIT. Sorry to see the retirement of M. Perry. Better full back than any of those who have worn the England #15 in recent years.

[Havak]

Finbar you must stop feeding me those straight man lines about teams beating Tigers.

Not to mention that the English (East) Midlands IS the cradle of civilisation.

A fond farewell to Matt Perry – a Bath player but all right never the less.

And I believe Queensland Rugby are denying the sacking rumour?

Havak must be most distraught?

Devastated.

Knowing when to walk away is the hardest thing for any player – and Dayglo has got it wrong. A season too far for him.

As for the other stuff about players not getting European cup games I don’t really follow him – Wilko has chosen to remain at Falcons – a club that will not regularly challenge for a European Cup spot. Players with ambition to play in the European Cup should be looking to get in the top six English club sides.

Tigers face Ospreys in the EDF final. Ospreys and their predecessors Neath and Swansea are clubs that Tigers have a very good record against. And the final is at twickers. Almost the perfect script for Tigers to mess it all up then.

And the Orange media tart may make the final I see. If he does he lines up against Gibson so it will certainly help Gavin learn where he really lies in world rugby.