The Rugby Union Thread 2008/2009
Discussion
Thought we may as have one big thread, instead of lots of little ones!
The EDF fixtures have been announced, for some reason, the pools are exactly the same as last year, not quite sure about the logic in that?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/749378...
Looks like Andy Goode isn't interested in the competition with Flood, apparently he is expected to sign for Brive.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/my_clu...
The EDF fixtures have been announced, for some reason, the pools are exactly the same as last year, not quite sure about the logic in that?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/749378...
Looks like Andy Goode isn't interested in the competition with Flood, apparently he is expected to sign for Brive.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/my_clu...
Don't rate Flood very highly at all, especially at 10 so i hope Meyer has a new 10 in mind. Obviously Hernandez is now a non starter.
Tigers have got another 7 in in Ben Woods, which was needed, we need another prop and sorely miss a class 2nd row.
Other than that, i tink Tigers have a high quality squad and hopefully the new coaching team can give them the confidence and game plans to show this on the pitch.
I think Wasps will struggle this season, not enough players in the Squad. Glouc, Tigers and Bath will be the front runners and i think LI could well end up in the top 4.
Tigers have got another 7 in in Ben Woods, which was needed, we need another prop and sorely miss a class 2nd row.
Other than that, i tink Tigers have a high quality squad and hopefully the new coaching team can give them the confidence and game plans to show this on the pitch.
I think Wasps will struggle this season, not enough players in the Squad. Glouc, Tigers and Bath will be the front runners and i think LI could well end up in the top 4.
Yeah fly-half might be a weak area for the Tigers. Stick a world-class fly half in their back-line and thats one hell of a team. In some matches last season, Leicester just seemed to lack direction at times.
Hadn't really thought about who the top teams might be next year. I'd still put wasps in the top four, although, like you say they may lack depth, especially in Flutey becomes a key part of England's plans. Hopefully the league will be just as competitive as last year. Would like to see a firm coaching set-up in place before I assess Irish's chances!
Hadn't really thought about who the top teams might be next year. I'd still put wasps in the top four, although, like you say they may lack depth, especially in Flutey becomes a key part of England's plans. Hopefully the league will be just as competitive as last year. Would like to see a firm coaching set-up in place before I assess Irish's chances!
Didn't see this - http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12321_36119...
With regards to Wasps, the Squad looks realy bare, especally when you take out the International players. Friend of mine, who is a big Wasps fan, sent me the below;
Squad
Props: Barnard, Beech, French, Holford, Lindsay, Payne, Porter, Vickery
Hookers: Ibanez, Ward, Webber
Second Row: Birkett, Corker, Leo, Palmer, Shaw, Skivington
Back Row: Betsen, Chamberlain, Ellis, Hart, Haskell, Rees, Worsley
Scrum-halfs: Honeyben, Reddan, Robinson, Simpson
Fly-halfs: Cipriani, Walder
Centres: Flutey, Hoadley, Waldouck
Back 3: Bishay, Lewsey, Odejobi, Sackey, Van Gisbergen, Voyce
Coming in...
Serge Betsen: Mixed feelings about this signing. Clearly a fantastic player but this is the same player who injured Abbott. We also have an array of riches in his position already.
Mark Robinson We clearly needed a new scrum-half with McMillan and Amor leaving. Robinson was one of Northampton's best players when they were relegated from the Premiership, unaware of how he performed in Division 1 though.
Kevin Harman: Appointed 1XV Team Manager. Previously full time Director of Rugby at National Division 2 side, Southend RFC.
Going out...
Nick Adams: Joining a French side I think, can't remember which one though. Should allow some of the younger props an opportunity.
Simon Amor: Taking up a role as performance advisor for UK Sport and player coach at London Scottish.
James Buckland: Didn't get much of an opportunity, now joining Irish. Should enable Webber more game time at hooker.
Laurence Dallaglio: Retiring on a playing level but no doubt he'll still be involved with the club.
David Doherty: It's a shame Doherty is leaving as he had great potential. Strange decision to join Sale, surely with the size of their squad he'll get less game-time than he would've done at Wasps.
Mark McMillan: Leaving Wasps to join Glasgow Warriors. A decent player but I'm excited about Joe Simpson playing.
Fraser Waters: A fantastic servant and should be a great signing for Treviso.
Nolan Miller: Leaving the club after six years service, first as Media Manager and subsequently as 1XV Team Manager.
Academy players
Chris Bishay: Unless Wasps sign another winger, Bishay will only be behind Lewsey, Sackey and Voyce.
Matt Corker: At 26 surely it's now or never for the second row.
Hugo Ellis: Captain of England U20s and should get his chance in the backrow during the international periods.
Mark Odejobi: With Wasps having so few backs he should get an opportunity.
Joe Simpson: An extremely talented scrum-half who will no doubt challenge for the England jersey in years to come.
Can't really see any others breaking into the team unless we have a major injury crisis.
With regards to Wasps, the Squad looks realy bare, especally when you take out the International players. Friend of mine, who is a big Wasps fan, sent me the below;
Squad
Props: Barnard, Beech, French, Holford, Lindsay, Payne, Porter, Vickery
Hookers: Ibanez, Ward, Webber
Second Row: Birkett, Corker, Leo, Palmer, Shaw, Skivington
Back Row: Betsen, Chamberlain, Ellis, Hart, Haskell, Rees, Worsley
Scrum-halfs: Honeyben, Reddan, Robinson, Simpson
Fly-halfs: Cipriani, Walder
Centres: Flutey, Hoadley, Waldouck
Back 3: Bishay, Lewsey, Odejobi, Sackey, Van Gisbergen, Voyce
Coming in...
Serge Betsen: Mixed feelings about this signing. Clearly a fantastic player but this is the same player who injured Abbott. We also have an array of riches in his position already.
Mark Robinson We clearly needed a new scrum-half with McMillan and Amor leaving. Robinson was one of Northampton's best players when they were relegated from the Premiership, unaware of how he performed in Division 1 though.
Kevin Harman: Appointed 1XV Team Manager. Previously full time Director of Rugby at National Division 2 side, Southend RFC.
Going out...
Nick Adams: Joining a French side I think, can't remember which one though. Should allow some of the younger props an opportunity.
Simon Amor: Taking up a role as performance advisor for UK Sport and player coach at London Scottish.
James Buckland: Didn't get much of an opportunity, now joining Irish. Should enable Webber more game time at hooker.
Laurence Dallaglio: Retiring on a playing level but no doubt he'll still be involved with the club.
David Doherty: It's a shame Doherty is leaving as he had great potential. Strange decision to join Sale, surely with the size of their squad he'll get less game-time than he would've done at Wasps.
Mark McMillan: Leaving Wasps to join Glasgow Warriors. A decent player but I'm excited about Joe Simpson playing.
Fraser Waters: A fantastic servant and should be a great signing for Treviso.
Nolan Miller: Leaving the club after six years service, first as Media Manager and subsequently as 1XV Team Manager.
Academy players
Chris Bishay: Unless Wasps sign another winger, Bishay will only be behind Lewsey, Sackey and Voyce.
Matt Corker: At 26 surely it's now or never for the second row.
Hugo Ellis: Captain of England U20s and should get his chance in the backrow during the international periods.
Mark Odejobi: With Wasps having so few backs he should get an opportunity.
Joe Simpson: An extremely talented scrum-half who will no doubt challenge for the England jersey in years to come.
Can't really see any others breaking into the team unless we have a major injury crisis.
R18 TJN said:
Any similar break down for Tigers squad Stimmers??
Off the top of my headIn
Heyneke Meyer as Head Coach from the Bulls
Ben Woods From Newcastle 7
Toby Flood From Newcastle 10/12
Tom Biggs from Leeds wing
Out
Matt Cornwall to Exeter
Dave Young to Glouc
Frank Murphy to Connaucht
Ollie Smith to Montpellier
Neil Back to Leeds as coach
Andy Key to Leeds as Coach
Christophe Laussucq as skills coach to aclub in France that i cannot remember
Good Academy Players or young players to watch
Gregor Gillanders - 2nd row
Ben Youngs - Scrum Half
Dan Cole - Prop
Richard Blaze - 2nd row
Rumours
Goode to Brive
Pierre Correia the loose head coming in
Hernandez coming to Tigers still possible according to quite a few soruces (god i hope so)
Yet to hear about the many South Africans who are no doubt on the way in
Looks like the world cup could be coming to England in 2015. England and Wales will put forward a joint bid.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/749625...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/749625...
BigMansZetec said:
Looks like the world cup could be coming to England in 2015. England and Wales will put forward a joint bid.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/749625...
It MUST go to Japan. They were robbed by NZ for 2011 and we need to grow the sport and giving the WC to an established rugby nation won't do that.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/749625...
Give it to the likes of Japan, Argentina, Canada, joint European bid etc
stimmers said:
BigMansZetec said:
Looks like the world cup could be coming to England in 2015. England and Wales will put forward a joint bid.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/749625...
It MUST go to Japan. They were robbed by NZ for 2011 and we need to grow the sport and giving the WC to an established rugby nation won't do that.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/749625...
Give it to the likes of Japan, Argentina, Canada, joint European bid etc
And furthur to the 'ins and outs' topic, here is breakdown on the current movements:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/s...
Like the way Irish have one of the smallest squads as it is and 6 players have gone, and only 2 have been signed. I really hope this club management/coaching situation is sorted very soon.
Edited by BigMansZetec on Wednesday 9th July 13:32
stimmers said:
Welshbeef said:
Does anyone know when the Magners league ties will be posted?
Thinking about scheduling my stag do in Cardiff around the weekend of a home blues game late Sept or Oct.
Maybe wait till the HC fixtures are out. Cardiff vs Gloucester or Biarritz would be well worth seeingThinking about scheduling my stag do in Cardiff around the weekend of a home blues game late Sept or Oct.
I was hoping that I could watch Blues vs Osprays - but its ever so close to the Autumn tests.
Stimmers did you try "F3K" in Fulham in the end? I never seem to be able to find it sobor but end up there after a few beers...lol.
Welshbeef said:
stimmers said:
Welshbeef said:
Does anyone know when the Magners league ties will be posted?
Thinking about scheduling my stag do in Cardiff around the weekend of a home blues game late Sept or Oct.
Maybe wait till the HC fixtures are out. Cardiff vs Gloucester or Biarritz would be well worth seeingThinking about scheduling my stag do in Cardiff around the weekend of a home blues game late Sept or Oct.
I was hoping that I could watch Blues vs Osprays - but its ever so close to the Autumn tests.
Stimmers did you try "F3K" in Fulham in the end? I never seem to be able to find it sobor but end up there after a few beers...lol.
I didn't end up watching the Eng vs Nz games there, but have been there in the past. Its a good place to watch rugby though in a city that revolves around football. As long as you can get on with the Aussies, Kiwis and South Africans that mostly fill the place !!!!!
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