Rugby - 6 Nations, Heineken Cup, You Can't Beat A Northern Hemisphere Winter!

[LDiCesare]

Did I mention I hate that I can't see the semifinals of the French championship? Reading the news as the game unfolds, it looks like Clermont Toulon is a very good match. Anc I'm not unhappy at Clermont's victory either.

[finbar]

You mean you were at home and weren't allowed to watch it by the missus or weren't at home and therefore couldn't watch it or were at home and it was on some obscure cable channel you don't have access to?

Clermont-Toulon reads like it was a good match. I agree that I would always prefer a French team to beat a squad of mercenaries. I see that Perpignan beat Toulouse. Mmmm.

[LDiCesare]

at home and it was on some obscure cable channel you don't have access to

This one. Although to be honest, it's not obscure, but still, I don't have access to it. I stupidly thought they'd show at least the semifinals on a public channel. The H Cup and some championship matches are shown on France 2 and France 4 respectively, but this one was only on Canal+...

[finbar]

Such occasions are your opportunity to get to know people in your suburb. Keep knocking on doors until you find someone who subscribes, invite yourself in - introduce yourself first only if you feel the need - ask for a beer, and make yourself comfortable on their couch. Guaranteed to foster good neighbourhood relations.

[Havak]

Or Foster a trip to Accident and Emergency.

So Tigers through to their sixth consecutive final to face Sarries. Should be a good one.

[kittenOFchaos]

Or Foster a trip to Accident and Emergency.

So Tigers through to their sixth consecutive final to face Sarries. Should be a good one.

Didn't get to see the game, though I'll watch highlights on rugbydump as soon as possible.

A big congratulations to Saracens and Leicester.

I heard Moody tackled Banahan at a crucial point in the game, I find it incredible he is being allowed to leave Leicester.

[finbar]

Who knows whether they will regret it? He's injury-prone, Leicester have to manage their salary cap, and they assumed he would be away on England duty over the next season or so. They want a back row not disrupted by England duty. A calculated decision.

Yes, Leicester meet Sarries, but hardly a great day for GP rugby yesterday, I thought. Saints should have beaten Sarries comfortably. Same old Saints problem - tons of skill, strong forwards, but lack the professionalism and hard-headedness to take the next step. One day, perhaps. As soon as Leicester took control in the set pieces, Bath were never going to win.

Oh, and anyone touting Alex Goode for international honours should take note of his non-tackle on Tonga'uiha.

[Havak]

Tigers wanted to retain Moody - the decision was made on the basis Finbar surmises as Lewis was asking more than the club could comfortably justify for a man who plays perhaps ten club games a year.

As Cockerill says these lads don't come into the office at contract renewal time asking for less money.

Sorry to see him go, particularly sorry to see him go where he is going - but it was a pragmatic decision, we need young flankers to come through and at 32 Lewis deserves his retirement nest egg.

Ben Youngs will have grown as a player yesterday - the Bath forwards got to him more than he is used to behing Tigers pack but he came through it.

[finbar]

Ben Youngs should be first-choice for England, regardless.

[Havak]

That would require Jonno to first admit that Care is not the first choice - and that may not be too likely given his stubborn track record.

[finbar]

Don't you ever get tired of being right!?

[Havak]

My word no, I still relish the delicious rarity of it.

[finbar]

Has the RFU always structured its touring payments to allow some players to earn more than others? What a short road to disharmony.

[Havak]

I honestly don't know but it wouldn't surprise me in the sligthest. It is still a public school boys club in many ways - with all the inequalities that entails.

[finbar]

Apparently it's a flat 7,800 pounds tour fee payment, with an additional 5,000 pounds for Test selection with the possibility of bonuses for winning Tests. The Australians have a similar system in principle except the extras are pooled and divvied up equally between the squad. Presumably the England players will do the same.