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Rugby Union

Rugby Union

Rugby Union

Jezybee said:
Madness from Etzebeth, 73 points up and reacting to a push in the last minute by burying your thumb in some bloke’s eye. Also allows the Welsh to talk about something other than the crass decision by the WRU to play an out of window international, with half a squad missing & guaranteed drubbing, to earn a few quid.

View: https://x.com/tightfive_rugby/status/1994816413715107999?s=46&t=oDZc8VeN5AVWWnuI4Fn5IA
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Why on earth would someone do that? How on earth would it even occur to them as a possible thing you might do? When does a sporting offence cross the line to criminality?
 

Rugby Union

Lionel Bart-At said:
Why on earth would someone do that? How on earth would it even occur to them as a possible thing you might do? When does a sporting offence cross the line to criminality?
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Re: criminality. Some spectators (as rugby crowds generally are) claim to have reported the incident to South Wales Police. However, the lawyers on here will know better whether there’s any chance of it being pursued should Mann (the victim) not wish to take things further.

Meanwhile, the hearing was yesterday with the panel unable to reach consensus on the length of ban Etzebeth should serve. The egregious nature of the incident acting against him, with the fact it was his first red card in 141 Tests as mitigation.
 

Rugby Union

Jezybee said:
Meanwhile, the hearing was yesterday with the panel unable to reach consensus on the length of ban Etzebeth should serve. The egregious nature of the incident acting against him, with the fact it was his first red card in 141 Tests as mitigation.
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Banned for 12 weeks but misses no South Africa internationals, if ever picked again.
www.skysports.com

Eben Etzebeth: South Africa lock handed 12-week ban for 'intentional' eye gouge on Alex Mann vs Wales

South Africa and Sharks lock Eben Etzebeth suspended for 12 weeks for what independent disciplinary committee deem intentional eye gouge of Wales Alex Mann; Committee deemed act worthy of 18-week ban, but reduced by six weeks owing to players previous good record
www.skysports.com www.skysports.com
 

Rugby Union

Rugby Union

Judio1999 said:
The coverage from Premier Sports complements that of the BBC, with the same fixtures still available to UK fans, via free to air coverage offered by the BBC

So what is the point ???
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I agree short term but might eventually take over the BBCs contract ?
 

Rugby Union

Thursday 5th February
France v Ireland, 20:10


I think the excuse is something to do with the Winter Olympics ???
 

Rugby Union

BBC Games
Round 1
France v Ireland - Thu 5 Feb 20:10
Italy v Scotland - Sat 7 Feb 14:10
England v Wales - Sat 7 Feb 16:40

Round 2
Ireland v Italy - Sat 14 Feby 14:10
Scotland v England - Sat 14 Feb 16:40
Wales v France - Sun 15 Feb 15:10

Round 3
England v Ireland - Sat 21 Feb 14:10
Wales v Scotland - Sat 21 Feb 16:40
France v Italy - Sun 22 Feb 15:10

Round 4
Ireland v Wales - Fri 6 Mar 20:10
Scotland v France - Sat 7 Mar 14:10
Italy v England - Sat 7 Mar 16:40

Round 5
Ireland v Scotland - Sat 14 Mar 14:10
Wales v Italy - Sat 14 Mar 16:40
France v England - Sat 14 Mar -20:10
 

Rugby Union

Judio1999 said:
The coverage from Premier Sports complements that of the BBC, with the same fixtures still available to UK fans, via free to air coverage offered by the BBC

So what is the point ???
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They are streaming it to Asia, they already have the channel in the UK too. Makes no difference to them to also show in the UK. Maybe people who watch Rugby already on Premier might like the existing presenters.
 

Rugby Union

Banana said:
What help does a club owned by one of the richest men in the country need?
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A bit of space to build some stands to meet standards or a new ground to play in…

my last memory of playing Ealing Trailfinders ground was getting knocked out trying to charge a kick down… I thought I would score a try but ball smacked me right on the head and lights out for me.
 

Rugby Union

No relegation from the Prem starting in 2027.

Mind you been a bit hit and miss in that regard anyway due to clubs folding or clubs not being ready enough to get promoted.
 

Rugby Union

Super_horns said:
No relegation from the Prem starting in 2027.

Mind you been a bit hit and miss in that regard anyway due to clubs folding or clubs not being ready enough to get promoted.
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The minimum standards criteria was stupid a while back.
I remember to Exeter chairman telling me they had so many hoops to jump through that powers that be even measured the distance between the urinals.
The clubs that were already in the top divsion didn't have pass the criteria even groundsharing with a football club wasn't allowed if you wanted to be promoted.
 

Rugby Union

A lot of changes for England at the weekend .

Obviously hoping for a massive improvement in performance and results.
 

Rugby Union

looneytunes said:
The minimum standards criteria was stupid a while back.
I remember to Exeter chairman telling me they had so many hoops to jump through that powers that be even measured the distance between the urinals.
The clubs that were already in the top divsion didn't have pass the criteria even groundsharing with a football club wasn't allowed if you wanted to be promoted.
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Ealing Trailfinders would adapt quite well to the Premiership but Vallis Way is not up to standard. Maybe play at the Gtech ......:sneakoff:
 

Rugby Union

TW1Bee said:
Ealing Trailfinders would adapt quite well to the Premiership but Vallis Way is not up to standard. Maybe play at the Gtech ......:sneakoff:
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More likely to share with quins i think than us
It's got to be cheaper
 

Rugby Union

Jersey promoted back into the national league having gone bust a few years ago
 

Rugby Union

Rugby Union down under taking another hit with the Moana Pacifica franchise being canned after this season. Now the league is down to 10 from the orginal 12 six years ago.

Just to expensive to run travel etc
 

Rugby Union

You can shorten the name to Prem, further remove the vowels and do as many marketing / private equity deals as you want but, rather than growing, Rugby Union is heading down a similar path to cricket 30 years ago.

A few loss making professional club / regional teams will exist to underpin what is effectively a national team competition, that is the focus of spectators. See the new “Nations Championship” that has put additional international competition structure around the Summer tours and Autumn Internationals.
 

Rugby Union

As Brian Glanville put it ‘a minor sport pretending to be a major one’ . I used to play and enjoy rugby but it has become a highly structured , lacking fluency and just a contest focused on set pieces - how many times do you get kick to the corner followed by 8/9 very big people trying to push 8/9 very big people towards the line, no one can see the ball then someone falls down and everyone cheers. Similarly one team defending under its post with the other team simply giving the short pass to a great big bloke to attempt to burrow over line, finally the multiple scrum resets , the rules have changed it from a true open contest where the hooker had to hook to a weird front row grapple (not with each other but with the rules that no one understands). They now even feed the ball in!!!
I am not saying it was perfect in the past but sadly all the rule changes make it a poorer sports event. It’s really just a marketing / drinking fest with few people actually watching the game. Even the ‘passion’ feels manufactured, especially at club games.
 

Rugby Union

TorbayBee said:
As Brian Glanville put it ‘a minor sport pretending to be a major one’ . I used to play and enjoy rugby but it has become a highly structured , lacking fluency and just a contest focused on set pieces - how many times do you get kick to the corner followed by 8/9 very big people trying to push 8/9 very big people towards the line, no one can see the ball then someone falls down and everyone cheers. Similarly one team defending under its post with the other team simply giving the short pass to a great big bloke to attempt to burrow over line, finally the multiple scrum resets , the rules have changed it from a true open contest where the hooker had to hook to a weird front row grapple (not with each other but with the rules that no one understands). They now even feed the ball in!!!
I am not saying it was perfect in the past but sadly all the rule changes make it a poorer sports event. It’s really just a marketing / drinking fest with few people actually watching the game. Even the ‘passion’ feels manufactured, especially at club games.
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Yes but a lot of things have changed. You can't compare the PL today to the 1970s Division One.
 

Rugby Union

TorbayBee said:
As Brian Glanville put it ‘a minor sport pretending to be a major one’ . I used to play and enjoy rugby but it has become a highly structured , lacking fluency and just a contest focused on set pieces - how many times do you get kick to the corner followed by 8/9 very big people trying to push 8/9 very big people towards the line, no one can see the ball then someone falls down and everyone cheers. Similarly one team defending under its post with the other team simply giving the short pass to a great big bloke to attempt to burrow over line, finally the multiple scrum resets , the rules have changed it from a true open contest where the hooker had to hook to a weird front row grapple (not with each other but with the rules that no one understands). They now even feed the ball in!!!
I am not saying it was perfect in the past but sadly all the rule changes make it a poorer sports event. It’s really just a marketing / drinking fest with few people actually watching the game. Even the ‘passion’ feels manufactured, especially at club games.
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A lot of games are now like a game of chess. Thinking moves ahead all the time with not free thinking. More worried about losing the support of your team mate and the ball, than creating a enjoyable, taking risks, entertaining spectical.
 

Rugby Union

Apparently crowds for the (European) Champions Cup and Challenge Cup are falling back as well.
Not helped by a change to the scheduling format whereby the Quarter Finals are played the week after the Last 16 games, so that eg the Leinster vs Sale Sharks Champions Quarter Final at the weekend only drew 19k to the 50k Aviva Stadium.
 

Rugby Union

jimmybrad said:
Ealing Trailfinders average home attendance is under 800 this season - can't see us or Harlequins getting too excited about that?
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If quins get extra money I don't think they'll care.
I'm just giving it as the only place I can think of off top of head that'll be suitable for premiership rugby with their ridiculous criteria rules.
 

Rugby Union

Club rugby in Europe should organise itself into an NFL style structure and have just one competition. This would have divisions split into Celtic / English / French conferences so the local rivalries are still played once a season, leading to playoffs and a RuggerBowl.

If something radical is not tried club rugby will continue to decline in interest. I remember when the Heineken Cup was a big deal, now it barely gets a mention. Unfortunately for rugby football has taken more shelf space in TV schedules and newspapers as the game has been well marketed over the last 20/30 years (also an easier watch).
 

Rugby Union

w6bee said:
Club rugby in Europe should organise itself into an NFL style structure and have just one competition. This would have divisions split into Celtic / English / French conferences so the local rivalries are still played once a season, leading to playoffs and a RuggerBowl.

If something radical is not tried club rugby will continue to decline in interest. I remember when the Heineken Cup was a big deal, now it barely gets a mention. Unfortunately for rugby football has taken more shelf space in TV schedules and newspapers as the game has been well marketed over the last 20/30 years (also an easier watch).
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Yes it’s sad to see the decline in club rugby, especially in Wales. We went from having clubs built on amateur players (London Welsh/Irish/Scottish, Wasps at Sudbury, Moseley, Coventry Rosalyn Park etc etc) to a new shiny pro league and the disappearance of clubs to the current very small Premier League and a hitch pitch league for Wales. Bit if a shambles really
 

Rugby Union

w6bee said:
Club rugby in Europe should organise itself into an NFL style structure and have just one competition. This would have divisions split into Celtic / English / French conferences so the local rivalries are still played once a season, leading to playoffs and a RuggerBowl.
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I'm not sure that the French clubs would buy into something like that, since their league seems to be doing ok as it is just now?

But Stephen Jones in the S.Times recently proposed that the Welsh clubs, who are in an absolutely dire situation, should combine with English clubs - many of whom are not that much better off - in an Anglo-Welsh league, to recreate the old, traditional rivalries from the past.
w6bee said:
If something radical is not tried club rugby will continue to decline in interest.
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Very true. And not least due to the leading Unions concentrating on the international game (i.e. where the money is), directly at the expense of the club game.

I know it's Southern hemisphere etc, but the other evening I heard Sean Fitzpatrick extolling the merit and success etc of the current Test Series between New Zealand and South Africa, a kind of Lions tour by the All Blacks to SA, and promoted as "The Greatest Rivalry".

What he conveniently failed to mention is how this has shafted both Australia and Argentina (esp), since it is at the direct expense of their normal involvement in the 2026 and 2030 SANZAAR (4 team) Rugby Championship, which have had to be scrapped to accommodate this new (2 team) Test Series.

While in the Northern Hemisphere, the leading Unions, incl the RFU, are no better when it comes to helping the smaller nations, or the domestic club scene in their own countries for that matter.
 

Rugby Union

Gawain said:
I'm not sure that the French clubs would buy into something like that, since their league seems to be doing ok as it is just now?

But Stephen Jones in the S.Times recently proposed that the Welsh clubs, who are in an absolutely dire situation, should combine with English clubs - many of whom are not that much better off - in an Anglo-Welsh league, to recreate the old, traditional rivalries from the past.

Very true. And not least due to the leading Unions concentrating on the international game (i.e. where the money is), directly at the expense of the club game.

I know it's Southern hemisphere etc, but the other evening I heard Sean Fitzpatrick extolling the merit and success etc of the current Test Series between New Zealand and South Africa, a kind of Lions tour by the All Blacks to SA, and promoted as "The Greatest Rivalry".

What he conveniently failed to mention is how this has shafted both Australia and Argentina (esp), since it is at the direct expense of their normal involvement in the 2026 and 2030 SANZAAR (4 team) Rugby Championship, which have had to be scrapped to accommodate this new (2 team) Test Series.

While in the Northern Hemisphere, the leading Unions, incl the RFU, are no better when it comes to helping the smaller nations, or the domestic club scene in their own countries for that matter.
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They need to change the rules as rugby is to damaging to the body with massive blokes and massive hits it’s unsustainable at grassroots level and the head injury dementia stuff is now a concern for many parents. Reduce to 13 aside or reduce number of subs to 3-4 to ensure leaner bodies on the pitch than these 40 minute beasts we currently see rampaging around. Scums should be uncontested or at the very least the clock stops after the first attempt at a scrum has proved unsuccessful
 

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Hullbee said:
They need to change the rules as rugby is to damaging to the body with massive blokes and massive hits it’s unsustainable at grassroots level and the head injury dementia stuff is now a concern for many parents. Reduce to 13 aside or reduce number of subs to 3-4 to ensure leaner bodies on the pitch than these 40 minute beasts we currently see rampaging around. Scums should be uncontested or at the very least the clock stops after the first attempt at a scrum has proved unsuccessful
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Hmmm, With a bit of work, I think I see where your cunning plan might lead, Baldrick:
Rugby league - Wikipedia

But to be serious, that is a drawback with the very game itself, in addition to the structural, governance and financial problems which the game is also struggling with.

I believe it is similar in the USA, where in addition to the cost of equipment etc, some parents are concerned at the damage which can be done when their kids play American Football, and are steering them towards other sports, including soccer.
 

Rugby Union

Gawain said:
Hmmm, With a bit of work, I think I see where your cunning plan might lead, Baldrick:
Rugby league - Wikipedia

But to be serious, that is a drawback with the very game itself, in addition to the structural, governance and financial problems which the game is also struggling with.

I believe it is similar in the USA, where in addition to the cost of equipment etc, some parents are concerned at the damage which can be done when their kids play American Football, and are steering them towards other sports, including soccer.
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Rugby league down under at club level is a fantastic watch… unfortunately between the two codes there are far to many life changing injuries and death
 

Rugby Union

Gawain said:
I'm not sure that the French clubs would buy into something like that, since their league seems to be doing ok as it is just now?

But Stephen Jones in the S.Times recently proposed that the Welsh clubs, who are in an absolutely dire situation, should combine with English clubs - many of whom are not that much better off - in an Anglo-Welsh league, to recreate the old, traditional rivalries from the past.

Very true. And not least due to the leading Unions concentrating on the international game (i.e. where the money is), directly at the expense of the club game.

I know it's Southern hemisphere etc, but the other evening I heard Sean Fitzpatrick extolling the merit and success etc of the current Test Series between New Zealand and South Africa, a kind of Lions tour by the All Blacks to SA, and promoted as "The Greatest Rivalry".

What he conveniently failed to mention is how this has shafted both Australia and Argentina (esp), since it is at the direct expense of their normal involvement in the 2026 and 2030 SANZAAR (4 team) Rugby Championship, which have had to be scrapped to accommodate this new (2 team) Test Series.

While in the Northern Hemisphere, the leading Unions, incl the RFU, are no better when it comes to helping the smaller nations, or the domestic club scene in their own countries for that matter.
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I have mixed views on this. I made the effort to watch the first test between SA and NZ on TV at the weekend. So more eyeballs on the sport. But I wouldn't have bothered if it was the regular southern hemisphere championship.

But if the northern unions focused on an England v France v (maybe) Ireland championship at the expense of Scotland, I'd be up in arms!
 

Rugby Union

The Joker said:
I have mixed views on this. I made the effort to watch the first test between SA and NZ on TV at the weekend. So more eyeballs on the sport. But I wouldn't have bothered if it was the regular southern hemisphere championship.

But if the northern unions focused on an England v France v (maybe) Ireland championship at the expense of Scotland, I'd be up in arms!
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The southern rugby nations are really hurt by the fact the other nations cannot compete with SA and NZ really. The 6 Nations is such a good competition, but the viewership and quality teams aren't there to make a southern hemisphere equivalent I think
 

Rugby Union

JollyOllie said:
The southern rugby nations are really hurt by the fact the other nations cannot compete with SA and NZ really. The 6 Nations is such a good competition, but the viewership and quality teams aren't there to make a southern hemisphere equivalent I think
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The issue is travel time in the southern hemi quite tricky to sort out for weekly games and people ain’t paying anywhere close to what is being paid for tickets for 6 nations.
 
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