Rugby Union

[SuspectUsual]

16 teams is too many for a women’s World Cup, the depth of quality just isn’t there yet. There are going to be some horribly one sided pool games

 

[JamesT]

16 teams is too many for a women’s World Cup, the depth of quality just isn’t there yet. There are going to be some horribly one sided pool games

There were some horribly one sided matches with 12 teams. Hong Kong shipped 258 points across 3 pool stage matches in 2017. England scored 75 and 84 in pool matches last time.

At least with 16 teams it’s a straightforward progression to the knockouts, no comparison between pools of who is the ‘best’ third place which ended up being did you have a team you could rack up a cricket score against.

 

[UP13]

It was a fun game and is there anything Ellie Kildunne can't do? A shame that we didn't see more of Ilona Maher running with the ball.

 

[Harpo]

A shame that we didn't see more of Ilona Maher running with the ball.

Weighed down by all that lipstick?

(I’ll confess that quip to my daughters later.)

 

[UP13]

Weighed down by all that lipstick?

(I’ll confess that quip to my daughters later.)

Ha!

The annoying thing was that most of the time she stood at first receiver and just passed it on. Would love to see run on to the ball more and do some real damage.

 

[JamesT]

In amongst the mismatches in the second round of pool matches at the World Cup a couple of truly competitive matches occurred. Both in York, is there something in the water there?
First, Australia and USA fought out a 31-31 draw. It went back and forth which team was in the lead and the Australians will be cursing missing their final conversion shortly before the end. Both teams can still make it through to the quarter finals, it will likely come down to points difference unless the Australians can run England close or get four tries against them.
Today, the first ‘surprise’ of the tournament with South Africa beating Italy 29-24. The Saffers started well and were forcing mistakes from Italy. Similar to last week against Brazil, they made good use of their physicality and usually made gains every time they went into contact. They’ve qualified for the quarterfinals and somewhat improbably will be playing France next week to decide who wins the pool.

 

[Harpo]

My high spot of the weekend’s games was Samoa’s 3 points against England and the sight of members of both teams dancing together after the game. Fabulous uplifting stuff full of the spirit of the game and more.

 

[Hadders]

In amongst the mismatches in the second round of pool matches at the World Cup a couple of truly competitive matches occurred. Both in York, is there something in the water there?
First, Australia and USA fought out a 31-31 draw. It went back and forth which team was in the lead and the Australians will be cursing missing their final conversion shortly before the end. Both teams can still make it through to the quarter finals, it will likely come down to points difference unless the Australians can run England close or get four tries against them.
Today, the first ‘surprise’ of the tournament with South Africa beating Italy 29-24. The Saffers started well and were forcing mistakes from Italy. Similar to last week against Brazil, they made good use of their physicality and usually made gains every time they went into contact. They’ve qualified for the quarterfinals and somewhat improbably will be playing France next week to decide who wins the pool.

I was at the Ireland V Spain match at Franklin's Gardens and I'd say it was a competitive match. Final score 43-27 with a try count of 7-5 in Ireland's favour, Spain gave it everything and certainly had Ireland rattled.

 

[JamesT]

I was at the Ireland V Spain match at Franklin's Gardens and I'd say it was a competitive match. Final score 43-27 with a try count of 7-5 in Ireland's favour, Spain gave it everything and certainly had Ireland rattled.

Yes, that wasn’t a mismatch, but I didn’t feel it was quite as close as the two games I highlighted. Ireland had their bonus point by halftime and at least on the TV it didn’t feel like the result was in doubt.
I’d count Scotland vs. Fiji in a similar vein, the Fijians can pull out some stunning play, but the mistakes and ill-discipline ultimately cost them.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Gallagher English Prem

Sale Sharks 27 ... Gloucester 10

In the opening game of the season, an evenly contested first-half saw Gloucester leading 10-5 at half-time, but a George Ford-inspired Sale put in an improved second-half performance that saw them score 22 unanswered points, Sale winning the try count 4 to 1.

 

[75A]

Gallagher English Prem

Sale Sharks 27 ... Gloucester 10

In the opening game of the season, an evenly contested first-half saw Gloucester leading 10-5 at half-time, but a George Ford-inspired Sale put in an improved second-half performance that saw them score 22 unanswered points, Sale winning the try count 4 to 1.

Rugby on a Thursday night, that's good for supporters isn't it?

 

[JamesT]

Rugby on a Thursday night, that's good for supporters isn't it?

I assume they’ve decided to shift all the Prem fixtures out of the way of the World Cup finals on Saturday. I wouldn’t be surprised to find that the TV contract then requires a certain number on at different times so they couldn’t fit them all into Friday and Sunday.

 

[Hadders]

I assume they’ve decided to shift all the Prem fixtures out of the way of the World Cup finals on Saturday. I wouldn’t be surprised to find that the TV contract then requires a certain number on at different times so they couldn’t fit them all into Friday and Sunday.

This!

The Women’s Rugby World Cup final on Saturday needs to be avoided, and TNT Sport won’t want more than two matches on Friday night or Sunday, hence moving a match to Thursday.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I thought that "Prem" was a brand-name for pork luncheon meat.

 

[JamesT]

I thought that "Prem" was a brand-name for pork luncheon meat.

There has been some rebranding so the top two leagues in England are PREM and Champ.

I forgot to post regarding the quarter and semi finals of the women's world cup. I saw all the matches in Bristol and they were excellent. The semi finals especially had some very competitive rugby. Good to see an almost full stadium of enthusiastic fans.

I'm looking forward to the finals at Twickenham.

 

[Harpo]

I forgot to post regarding the quarter and semi finals of the women's world cup. I saw all the matches in Bristol and they were excellent. The semi finals especially had some very competitive rugby. Good to see an almost full stadium of enthusiastic fans.

I'm looking forward to the finals at Twickenham.

France ran England perilously close in the first half last week with the game arguably sealed by the replacements and Kildunne’s outrageous runs.

Without improvement by England I can see the first half being Canada’s, and maybe more. It’ll be tough.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Gallagher English Prem

Sale Sharks 57 ... Newcastle Falcons 5

A not-unexpected result from this Friday fixture, with Sale leading 31-0 at half time and winning the try count 9-1.

 

[75A]

I've just watched the England / All Blacks game and couldn't believe the disrespect shown by the England supporters as the visitors did their traditional 'haka' after the National Anthems.

Rather than watching in respectful silence they started singing a black slavery song from America, unbelievable.

 

[alex397]

Speaking as someone who is completely ignorant about sport, I thought rugby generally had more civilised crowds than football? That’s the impression I have anyway.

Incredibly depressing they were singing a black slavery song. Surely there needs to be consequences for acting in clearly a racist or xenophobic manner?

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Are we talking about "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" which seems to be England Rugby Union supporters' adopted anthem, and as such, has been sung for the best part of the past four decades? It has been argued that it should, perhaps, now no longer be sung.

 

[Darandio]

Are we talking about "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" which seems to be England Rugby Union supporters' adopted anthem, and as such, has been sung for the best part of the past four decades?

Correct

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Autumn International

Wales 0 ... South Africa 73

Oh dear ...

 

[4COR]

Autumn International

Wales 0 ... South Africa 73

Oh dear ...

It's a bizarre decision by the WRU (short of wringing Welsh fans for cash) to stage the match outside of the International fixture window meaning Wales were effectively 12 short. If we had bought tickets to watch it (my wife is Welsh...), we would have been a bit miffed by it.

"What was the best bit about the match?"
"Well, the City Arms before, and Chip Alley afterwards..."

 

[JamesT]

It's a bizarre decision by the WRU (short of wringing Welsh fans for cash) to stage the match outside of the International fixture window meaning Wales were effectively 12 short. If we had bought tickets to watch it (my wife is Welsh...), we would have been a bit miffed by it.

"What was the best bit about the match?"
"Well, the City Arms before, and Chip Alley afterwards..."

Haven’t the WRU had a match outside of the window for many years? Presumably for financial reasons as you say.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

The Prem

Sale Sharks 43 .. Harlequins 17

This Boxing Day fixture was a game of two halves with Harlequins ahead 17-12 at half-time, but Sale then scored five second-half unanswered tries to win by 26 points.

 

[59CosG95]

Well, I have to say, what a weekend of Six Nations action that was!

IRE 27-17 WAL,
SCO 50-40 FRA
and...perhaps most seismic of all,
ITA 23-18 ENG.

Is it time to rethink England's place in the tournament?

In all seriousness, that Murrayfield match was without parallel the best I've ever seen Scotland play, against a French side who, despite the hordes of away supporters, were adequate at best for a team of their level. What was Dupont thinking with that forward pass?
Even with the final quarter of the match letting France come within 15 points (and racking up that BP of their own), I have very high hopes for Scotland on Saturday.
Yes, we have't beaten Ireland since 2017 (and at all under Toonie), but if we can beat an otherwise unstoppable French side, I think we have a very favourable chance at the Aviva to claim that Triple Crown (and maybe more!)

 

[Harpo]

Well, I have to say, what a weekend of Six Nations action that was!

Well done Scotland & Italy, unlucky Wales.

Will Greenwood’s interview at 0840-something on R4’s Today programme (Mon 9/3) was the most brutally honest and entertaining dissection of England’s issues that I have ever heard. Totally recommended listening.

Meanwhile the RFU’s continued support of the team’s leadership defies logic. Prawn sandwich sales at Twickenham beating all expectations then?

 

[JamesT]

Well done Scotland & Italy, unlucky Wales.

Will Greenwood’s interview at 0840-something on R4’s Today programme (Mon 9/3) was the most brutally honest and entertaining dissection of England’s issues that I have ever heard. Totally recommended listening.

Meanwhile the RFU’s continued support of the team’s leadership defies logic. Prawn sandwich sales at Twickenham beating all expectations then?

Before the tournament started, England had won their last 11 games in a row and the talk was whether they would be extending that run and competing for the title, rather than the wooden spoon.

But the problem will be, where's the world class coach to replace him? Ditching your coach less than two years out from the world cup is how we got Borthwick to start with. All the good coaches will be tied up until after 2027. He's probably got a contract that will be expensive to break early.

 

[dcsprior]

But the problem will be, where's the world class coach to replace him?

I saw a comment on reddit suggesting Johann van Graan.

That doesn't actually seem like a totally daft idea.

But then again, I'm Scottish - so maybe I'm just too used to calling for the replacement of a national team coach with a South African currently managing the country's most successful club side.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

World U-20 Championship

In the third-place play off, the final result was .....

New Zealand U-20 41 ... England U-20 26