The Rugby Thread

[pharvey]

^ Absolute classic - proper Welsh rugby for the festive season!!

Mother not happy, LHG not happy, sister not happy...... but then again, myself, my father and Brother-in-law enjoyed the match!!

[dtaai-maai]

Haven't seen the Welsh game, but having just watched Quins v Gloucester I'll need a few days to recover before I watch anything else...

[PeteC]

^ I noticed the 39-39 on my Yahoo page an hour ago, so it's on the list for later today. Setanta usually rebroadcasts at least twice during the following 3-5 days. Pete

[pharvey]

Didn't get to see the Quins game unfortunately, but read the write-up and it certainly sounds like one hell of a game - it's being reported as one of the games of the year.

[PeteC]

The Six Nations injury list for Wales has started already.

..."Wales lock Jake Ball will miss most of the 2016 Six Nations Championship because of a knee injury that will sideline him for 10 weeks."......

http://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/35200164

[pharvey]

^ Unfortunately Pete, Jake Ball is (with respect to him) the least of our worries..... JB has had an indifferent time with form of late and we (should) have decent cover for the 6N.

I thought however things would look a lot brighter after the huge injury list we had in the RWC, but we still aren't great on that front, Leigh Halfpenny, Samson Lee, Faletau, Liam Williams, Rhys Webb...... and the list goes on. This will hit Wales hard, but other 6N teams will be in a similar (if not as harsh) situation - as much as I love the sport, the players are simply asked to play far too many matches IMHO. It's an incredibly physical game these days with bl**dy big and supremely fit players. Injury will of course be an issue without suitable rest and rehabilitation.

Then of course, we have our latest Muppet in WRU Chief Executive Martyn Phillips putting the Cat Amongst the Pigeons" with his comments over "Gatland's Law"........

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugb ... y-10667712

Still, GOD's OWN SHALL PREVAIL!!!

[PeteC]

I'll have to put some thought into what other country is approximately the size and population of Wales with their own national rugby team, and if they have something similar to Gatland's Law? Is/was Wales really bleeding so many players to foreign clubs that it threatens the existence and future of Welsh rugby? Pete

[dtaai-maai]

I'll have to put some thought into what other country is approximately the size and population of Wales with their own national rugby team...

New Zealand!!

[PeteC]

^ I think you're right, but in NZ every male child and many female are born with a rugby ball attached at the hip! Pete

[pharvey]

Put quite simply, we don't have the strength in depth we like to think we have. Obviously only our top players are "pouched" by overseas clubs and as such will be a massive loss to the national side under the supposed "Gatland's Law".... a tried and flawed format with other nations including Beelzibub's.

Both the Crims and the Blackness relaxed their laws on foreign based players just prior to the last RWC.... how convenient!

Ho hum....

[PeteC]

Should I go out on a limb and predict Racing 92 vs Toulon in the Champions Cup final....with Racing 92 winning? Why not. Pete

[pharvey]

Should I go out on a limb and predict Racing 92 vs Toulon in the Champions Cup final....with Racing 92 winning? Why not. Pete

Brave man to bet against Toulon....... Wasps match as an example.

As an aside, if there ever was a game of two halves.......: -

Caerdydd - "The Blues" for others against the Ponces from Twickers, "Harlequins" for others....

'Quins took a massive first half lead of 28 - 0 only for Caerdydd to storm back and narrowly miss defeat... final score being 34 - 26. Huge game and very exciting.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/35294659

[PeteC]

You have to give this nut grabber an appropriate nickname Pharvey. Pete

Six Nations 2016: Ryan Wilson not in Scotland squad

http://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/35350643

[pharvey]

You have to give this nut grabber an appropriate nickname Pharvey. Pete

Six Nations 2016: Ryan Wilson not in Scotland squad

http://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/35350643

Yes, Buster Gonad certainly raised a few smiles down the club.....

[JimmyGreaves]

Mind Games:

Six Nations 2016: Ireland are favourites - Wales' Gatland

http://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/35357707