Rugby World Cup: And the Winner is...

[finbar]

Who indeed? I just skimmed through their teams for the pool matches and they only ever started their three front liners and Reuben Thorn.

[Joe Kick Ass]

15 Ben Blair
14 Tom James
13 Tom Shanklin
12 Gareth Thomas
11 Jamie Roberts
10 Nicky Robinson
9 Richie Rees
8 Xavier Rush (c)
7 Martyn Williams
6 Maama Molitka
5 Paul Tito
4 Bradley Davies
3 Taufa’ao Filise
2 Gareth Williams
1 John Yapp

[Havak]

That tight five are going to be asked huge questions at Welford Road. Nigel Owens will be their best bet perhaps.

My apologies Finbar - neither young nor a lock as it happens. I'd seen Lauaki in the line outs v Scotland and made an incorrect assumption.

[Andydog]

I'm glad that the RFU are giving Dayglow and Catt a decent public bollocking. Selling books by slagging off your own coach is disgraceful. Ashton isn't the one to coach England imho, but I can't help but feel sorry for him and slightly nauseous at the me! me! me! coming out of Catt and Dallaglio's mouths.

Another thing - the way in which both players have rushed out their versions of history to promote their books in time for the Christmas market is just so grubby. Producing an autobiography doesn't take a few days; these books would have been in the pipeline for quite some time. The idea that Dallaglio was keen to get in the England squad so it could be used as an incendiary chapter in his book smacks of distaste. The thought of him and Catt noting what the other players said and did (Barkley), and then heading off to their rooms to record it for their ghost writers also smacks of distaste.

Dallaglio has always been a tosser in my book, but now Catt’s name has earned itself a special entry.

[finbar]

Couldn't agree more. And the way M. Catt is now so rapidly backpedalling is equally sick-making. With his further ambitions in the game, he's now realising he has tainted himself.

[Havak]

I agree entirely. But I think it's a good thing - both men have effectively put themselves out the entire England picture on any level for an extended period.

However I must point out that whoever forced the selection of the old cart horse has played a hand in this - Daylgo has a long history of b****** when things go wrong and claiming (nearly all the) credit for himself when they go right.

So who selected this poison pill? Rob Andrew says Ashton made the final calls - so Brian put the viper in his own bed!

*edit* RIP Ray Gravell. A fine gentleman that I had the good fortune to meet and talk to several times down in bandit country in 2001.

[Andydog]

I often wonder what it is that Rob Andrew actually does. The only thing i've ever seen him do is order a review of the World Cup. He talks a lot about resolving the clubs vs country issues, but that's about it. He strikes me as being one of those 'seagull managers' - swoops on in, flaps his arms, makes a lot of noise, ****s on everything and then leaves.

As for Ashton, he strikes me as being a good coach, but not a particularly good manager. Something was badly wrong in the English camp if the coaches were essentially coaching different things and not talking to each other. Ashton's desire for the players to think for themselves worked in so far as it got the team playing and thru to the final, forcing them to look at themselves and their approach rather than being spoon-fed systems and game plans, but this appears to have lead to Dayglow and 'senior players' claiming all the credit for the team's turnaround. Poor Brian, he's been shat on big time.

[kittenOFchaos]

Originally posted by Andydog
I often wonder what it is that Rob Andrew actually does.

Kick for touch and kick drop goals.


Havak, wanting Hernadez at Tigers and you can't even take on Cohen properly without going beyond the pay limit, tut tut tut.

I have to say, I'm surprised Tigers took on Cohen given he hasn't a good attitude towards rugby as far as I'm any judge.

[finbar]

Just as well Leicester can't fit B. Cohen into their salary cap. They don't need a winger with hands like feet.

[Havak]

I have no idea why Cockerill was even looking at him. We do not ned him in any way, shape or form. Hopefully the new coach nixed the idea.

The problem Ben brings with him is that any other club would have to fit the liability of his testimonial year into the salary cap. He won't play this year in England. I wonder if he will end up in Wales?

[finbar]

Don't they have salary caps there?

[Havak]

Do they? I thought they just didn't have any money because of the very small potential audience for the Celtic league.

Seriously even if they do the transfer of liability that applies to the PRL clubs under the RFUs wings doesn't transfer to WRU provincial sides.

His testimonial income is being earned from activities at Franklins Gardens as far as I know - thats right he is getting a season long loyalty reward from a club he has now left. The problem as I understand it is that under PRL wage cap regulations that income has to be assigned to his current club.

Then again perhaps I am wrong and Ben asked Tigers to foot the 300K he would have earnt had he stayed at Saints.

[finbar]

I'm not sure why or how the testimonial income should figure in the salary cap. After all, it's money earned from Northampton. Money in the bank, as it were. I wouldn't have thought Leicester were in any way involved. Not that you'd want him anyway, as you said.

[kittenOFchaos]

So annoying how little rugby is getting on the TV with this EDF Cup, would have loved to have seen Charlie booting us our win against Bath. One curse at having moved down to Eastbourne is the opportunity to go to any live games (of Sale) is pretty much curtailed unless I dedicate alot of time and money. Hopefully be a chance to see Sale at Wasps some time later in the year.

[finbar]

Scarlets -v- Leeds made it onto Sky Italy. Leeds were crap.