Rugby Union

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Premiership Rugby Cup...Semi-Final

London Irish 59 ... Leicester Tigers 20

With Leicester having such a strong season in the league, I was quite surprised to see the opportunity to qualify for the final being so easily thwarted by London Irish, who established a 31-6 lead at half-time. London Irish won the try count by 9 to 2.

 

[JamesT]

Premiership Rugby Cup...Semi-Final

London Irish 59 ... Leicester Tigers 20

With Leicester having such a strong season in the league, I was quite surprised to see the opportunity to qualify for the final being so easily thwarted by London Irish, who established a 31-6 lead at half-time. London Irish won the try count by 9 to 2.

Though this is the cup competition, which many teams use to give their reserves/academy players a run out.
I imagine Leicester will have been relatively happy to rest most of their first team with the possibility of going for the league title and Europe still on.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Though this is the cup competition, which many teams use to give their reserves/academy players a run out.
I imagine Leicester will have been relatively happy to rest most of their first team with the possibility of going for the league title and Europe still on.

I would agree with what you say in the early stages of the cup competition, but at the semi-final stage where a win would see an appearance in the final with a chance of silverware, I feel that club pride should be more to the fore.

 

[JamesT]

I would agree with what you say in the early stages of the cup competition, but at the semi-final stage where a win would see an appearance in the final with a chance of silverware, I feel that club pride should be more to the fore.

That is one way to look at it and the comments I’ve seen from the Leicester coach about London Irish playing a ‘premiership forward pack’ certainly suggest that London Irish considered it of that importance.
The other view is that if a group of players have got you to a certain point in a competition then it shows loyalty to those players to keep playing them and seeing how far they can go rather than parachuting in the first team.

 

[AlterEgo]

Premiership Rugby Cup...Semi-Final

London Irish 59 ... Leicester Tigers 20

With Leicester having such a strong season in the league, I was quite surprised to see the opportunity to qualify for the final being so easily thwarted by London Irish, who established a 31-6 lead at half-time. London Irish won the try count by 9 to 2.

I was at the game, as a guest of a friend much more into their rugby than I!

Tigers were clearly outclassed, especially before the raft of subs in the second half.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Gallagher Premiership

Sale Sharks 35 ... Newcastle Falcons 27

The Friday night match was going to be a test of Sale's ability to try to make a top-six place by the end of the season and Newcastle held a slender 15-14 half time lead. However, Sale upped their game in the second half and finished winning the try count 5 to 4. This win sees Sale in seventh place.

 

[Noddy]

The English, Welsh and Scottish Unions have agreed to merge their 7s programmes as Team GB. Probably a sensible decision from a financial perspective as sponsorship can be sold on the basis of their performance in the Olympics which is easily the most important event in Sevens.

England, Scotland and Wales will once again combine to form Great Britain men's and women's teams for the 2023 World Sevens Series.

Amid funding cuts, the sides previously competed as GB in 2021 in preparation for the Tokyo Olympic Games.
A statement from the three unions described a "new era" and explained teams would separate for Commonwealth Games and Sevens World Cups.

Coaches and playing squads have not yet been confirmed.

The GB men's side will begin their campaign in Hong Kong on 4 November 2022, while the women start in Dubai on 2 December.

England players lost their central contracts because of the financial impact of Covid-19 in August 2020, throwing their Olympic preparations into chaos.

After a fourth-place finish in Tokyo, player Dan Bibby described future plans for the programme as "a joke".

Conor O'Shea, performance director for England's Rugby Football Union, said the GB team "enables us all to give certainty to staff and players as to the future of the programme".

The three unions and World Rugby are discussing "further playing opportunities" for the England, Scotland and Wales teams.

Scottish Rugby's director of high performance Jim Mallinder said the GB team is an "exciting development", adding: "We remain fully committed to a Scotland 7s programme to develop our players and coaches."

Welsh Rugby Union performance director Nigel Walker said: "We will maintain male and female sevens programmes in Wales to develop players and coaches and make sure there is a pipeline of talent."

Great Britain's men secured silver at Rio 2016, while the women were fourth in both Rio and Tokyo.

Great Britain sevens: Nations combine for 2023 World Sevens Series

England, Scotland and Wales will once again combine to form Great Britain men's and women's teams for the 2023 World Sevens Series.

www.bbc.co.uk

Also (and possibly related) Rugby Europe and the European Olympic Committee have agreed to have sevens at the European Games from 2023. I guess all the big European nations (inc GB) will be sending teams as a bit of a warm up/qualification for Paris 2024.

Historic agreement sees Rugby 7s included in the European Games Krakow Malopolska 2023 for the first time ever. The event will serve as the Paris 2024 Olympic Qualifier for Europe.

The European Olympic Committees (EOC) and Rugby Europe have announced the signature of an agreement for the organisation of the European Qualification tournament for the Olympic Games Paris 2024 as part of the European Games Krakow Malopolska 2023.

For the first time ever, Rugby Sevens will be included in the European Games, the continent’s premier multi-sport event developed and organised by the EOC.

The third edition of the European Games will take place in Krakow and the regions of Malopolska and Śląsk from June 21st to July 2nd2023.

The stand-alone tournament will take place at the Henryk Reyman Stadium in Krakow, the host of this weekend’s Rugby Europe Men’s Championship Series Krakow 2022.

The tournament will deliver a single European ticket (one per gender) to the Olympic Games Paris 2024, with 24 teams (12 Men and 12 Women’s sides) battling it out for the chance to qualify.

The participants will be selected after the 2022 Rugby Europe Sevens Trophy and Championship Series and 2022/2023 World Rugby World Series in accordance with the Olympic Qualification System designed and approved by World Rugby and the IOC for the Olympic Games Paris 2024.

EOC AND RUGBY EUROPE ANNOUNCE THE INTRODUCTION OF RUGBY 7s IN THE EUROPEAN GAMES 2023

Historic agreement sees Rugby 7s included in the European Games Krakow Malopolska 2023 for the first time ever. The event will serve as the Paris 2024 Olympic Qualifier for Europe. The European Olympic Committees (EOC...

www.eurolympic.org

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Gallagher English Premiership

Bath 20 ... Sale Sharks 37

Always look forward to Sale travelling to Bath for well-fought matches and this was Sale's first match of the new season.. Sale pressure told in the first half and were 23-6 ahead by half-time. More of a consolidation by Sale in the second half with both sides adding 14 points. Sale scored four tries, which was good to see.

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

I heard that Wasps Rugby, may be going into Administration, seems a great shame. Hope they will be ok.

 

[SargeNpton]

I heard that Wasps Rugby, may be going into Administration, seems a great shame. Hope they will be ok.

How Wasps' owners financed the move to Coventry was always seen as a risky way of doing things. The estimates of the non-Rugby income that would be used to pay the bond did seem very optimistic at the time.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Worcester Warriors today were suspended from all competitions as a result of not meeting the required financial requirements.

 

[HLE]

How Wasps' owners financed the move to Coventry was always seen as a risky way of doing things. The estimates of the non-Rugby income that would be used to pay the bond did seem very optimistic at the time.

Hit the nail on the head.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 26 Sep 2022 ==

Worcester Warriors today were suspended from all competitions as a result of not meeting the required financial requirements.

A sad day for Rugby Union. The CVC deal was the start of the downward spiral.

 

[EbbwJunction1]

The CVC deal was the start of the downward spiral.

No, the decision to make the whole game open was the start. I accept that at the very top level (internationals) it was necessary, but to throw the whole game open was ridiculous and has led to the demise of a lot of top clubs - and there'll be more!

 

[HLE]

No, the decision to make the whole game open was the start. I accept that at the very top level (internationals) it was necessary, but to throw the whole game open was ridiculous and has led to the demise of a lot of top clubs - and there'll be more!

I'm talking about the commercial reality of most top level clubs. CVC deal whilst lauded at the time carried with it some wild assumptions which many at the top seemingly were oblivious to or ignored. They saw the £12.4m cash on offer there and then and took it. Premiership clubs were already starting to slide into a black hole before this, this was a sticking plaster. What it's done is seriously reduce the clubs income from PRL commercial arm and its got lower since 2019.

The lump sum created what some term investor fatigue, cue when the CVC cash ran out (very quickly I might add) the owners had got bored. This isn't 1 or 2 either, Irish's owner has recently said he'll give it away to someone who can plug the cashflow for a couple of years.

Fast forward a few months and covid hit with Furlough supporting the majority of non playing wages. Then Sport England started handing out cash and coupled with HMRC deferrals here we are not even 12 months down the line and 1 club has been suspended. Another 3 are rumoured to be on the brink too.

It's a shame. And avoidable. A rich man's play thing. Keep one eye on the RFU because they will have their best year this season and also then start to decline.

 

[EbbwJunction1]

I'm talking about the commercial reality of most top level clubs. CVC deal whilst lauded at the time carried with it some wild assumptions which many at the top seemingly were oblivious to or ignored. They saw the £12.4m cash on offer there and then and took it. Premiership clubs were already starting to slide into a black hole before this, this was a sticking plaster. What it's done is seriously reduce the clubs income from PRL commercial arm and its got lower since 2019.

The lump sum created what some term investor fatigue, cue when the CVC cash ran out (very quickly I might add) the owners had got bored. This isn't 1 or 2 either, Irish's owner has recently said he'll give it away to someone who can plug the cashflow for a couple of years.

Fast forward a few months and covid hit with Furlough supporting the majority of non playing wages. Then Sport England started handing out cash and coupled with HMRC deferrals here we are not even 12 months down the line and 1 club has been suspended. Another 3 are rumoured to be on the brink too.

It's a shame. And avoidable. A rich man's play thing. Keep one eye on the RFU because they will have their best year this season and also then start to decline.

Although I think that it started off wrongly, I wouldn't disagree with what you've said at all as a description of the past few years.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Gallagher English Premiership

Sale Sharks 28 ... Exeter Chiefs 20

This was an early season real test for Sale and whilst Exeter dominated the early stages of the first half, Sale came more into the play and the score was 10-10 at half time. Sale fared better in the second half and took their changes well, deserving the win for their efforts. Sale have now won their first three matches this season.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 8 Oct 2022 ==

Gallagher English Premiership

Leicester Tigers 16 ... Sale Sharks 26

Leicester held sway in the first half and led 16-12 at half time, but Sale were more dominant after the break winning by 10 points. Sale won the try count 4 to 1 and go back to the top of the table. They have won all the four league matches they have played this season.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Gallagher English Premiership

Sale Sharks 37 ... London Irish 14

In the Friday night fixture, Sale looked to consolidate matters early on and led 15-7 at half time, but moved up a gear in the second half and were deserving winners by the end, winning the try count 5 to 2. They have now won all the five league matches played and sit at the top of the league table.

 

[158756]

To update this thread, Wasps have now joined Worcester in being suspended from the Premiership.

The RFU now seen to be waking up a bit, reports say reforms including a 10 team Premiership in 2024 could be the future, along with a stronger, maybe fully professional second tier. But it all seems to be built on the illusion that there is more money in the game, that Wasps and Worcester are isolated cases, everyone else can carry on as they are, spending beyond their means. If the rumours are true and more clubs will fold this season the whole league could be in an existential crisis. How can you make plans for two professional divisions when it's not even certain enough teams will survive for one?

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

To update this thread, Wasps have now joined Worcester in being suspended from the Premiership.

The RFU now seen to be waking up a bit, reports say reforms including a 10 team Premiership in 2024 could be the future, along with a stronger, maybe fully professional second tier. But it all seems to be built on the illusion that there is more money in the game, that Wasps and Worcester are isolated cases, everyone else can carry on as they are, spending beyond their means. If the rumours are true and more clubs will fold this season the whole league could be in an existential crisis. How can you make plans for two professional divisions when it's not even certain enough teams will survive for one?

I am very sorry to hear this news too.

 

[JamesT]

Both of this morning’s semi-finals in the women’s rugby World Cup were excellent. Close games unlike most of the competition so far. Well worth catching up on and bodes well for the final.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

New Zealand won the women's rugby World Cup 34-31 against England, which brought an end to the Red Roses long unbeaten run. England had a penalty opportunity to level the scores at the end, but decided on a glory or nothing play instead.

 

[JamesT]

New Zealand won the women's rugby World Cup 34-31 against England, which brought an end to the Red Roses long unbeaten run. England had a penalty opportunity to level the scores at the end, but decided on a glory or nothing play instead.

They had been playing with 14 since the 18th minute after a red card for a head on head tackle. Given how knackered they were by the end of the match, I’m not sure they would have coped with extra time. Also their line out and driving maul has been a strength all tournament, if anything it was the safer option. Just the worst time to mess it up and the Kiwis to work out how to defend one.

 

[Noddy]

Yeah it was a great tense game, although both sides made silly unforced errors which showed the nerves. I have to say the red card made all the difference and I think England would have dominated, but it was a clear red and probably made it a better game for the neutral. Ruby Tui is an absolute legend-for those who didn’t stick around watching the end of the coverage she had the entire crowd singing!

There does seem to be a mental issue in both the men’s and women’s game with northern hemisphere teams consistently loosing to the southern teams, who aren’t necessarily better but just seem to know how to play better in finals. France should have beaten NZ in the semi as well but messed it up.

 

[Cheshire Scot]

Sad news that Doddie Weir OBE has passed away six years after diagnosis with motor neurone disease, a hugely popular figure at Murrayfield and around the Rugby Union community and beyond.

R.I.P. Doddie.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/63768331

 

[Edsmith]

Sad news that Doddie Weir OBE has passed away six years after diagnosis with motor neurone disease, a hugely popular figure at Murrayfield and around the Rugby Union community and beyond.

R.I.P. Doddie.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/63768331

Very sad news, a gentleman and a really lovely guy RIP

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Heineken Champions Cup

Sale Sharks 39 ... Ulster 0

Sale were strengthened by the return of their four players in the England squad and carried on their recent league form in this cup match and were 15-0 at half time and went up a gear in the second half, adding a further 24 points. Sale scored a total of six tries in the match.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Gallagher English Premiership

Sale Sharks 40 ... Leicester Tigers 5

After the recent form upsets when the top three teams in the league suffered defeats, this match was interesting as Leicester had a very good season last year and may have expected to close the gap to the top three places, but Sale led 16-0 at half time then upped their game in the second half, winning try count 5 to 1. Sale consolidated their second position in the league by this result.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Gallagher English Premiership

Sale Sharks 30 ... Bath 27

Sale brought in replacements for their four players currently with the international squad and were leading 22-10 at half-time, but credit goes to Bath for a tremendous second half comeback giving them a small lead until the very end of the game, when the Sale substitute Arron Reed crossed over for a last-minute try.
Sale won the try-count 5 to 3 and this win consolidates their second place in the league table.

 

[JamesT]

Simon Middleton: England head coach to step down after Women's Six Nations

England head coach Simon Middleton is to step down from his role after the 2023 Women's Six Nations.

www.bbc.co.uk

England head coach Simon Middleton will step down after the 2023 Women's Six Nations.

Middleton, who became head coach in 2015, led England to five Six Nations titles and four Grand Slams.

Under his guidance the Red Roses also reached two World Cup finals, in which they were beaten on both occasions by New Zealand.

Shame, but I think he'd run his course. Last year's final was unfortunate, being a player down for 60 minutes is going to be a struggle for most teams. But at times England under him seemed very one-dimensional, relying on physical strength to overpower the opposition and not necessarily having a Plan B if that's not working. England have a head start with professionalisation, but that doesn't seem like something to rely on.

 

[59CosG95]

Well, an excellent weekend to be a Six Nations fan if your home country has "-land" in its name!

That single-handed pass by Russell to Steyn was a thing of beauty. Welsh fans at Murrayfield now know how Scottish fans at Cardiff have felt for years!