England Rugby Union Captain

[subaqua]

I thought it was de rigeur to give out a few clumps in rugger. Are they all going soft these days?

There's a few clumps and then there's dangerous play .

 

[rich p]

There's a few clumps and then there's dangerous play .

When it was the preserve of public school chappies, they never whinged about a little bit of GBH. It was probably no worse than matron used to dish out after prep.

 

[subaqua]

When it was the preserve of public school chappies, they never whinged about a little bit of GBH. It was probably no worse than matron used to dish out after prep.

I was a rather dirty player when I played cough cough cough years ago . But never dangerous even based on new laws .

 

[rich p]

Ah, the best years of my life

Thank God it didn't warp you Rocky....

 

[Dayvo]

When it was the preserve of public school chappies, they never whinged about a little bit of GBH. It was probably no worse than matron used to dish out after prep.

As a tighthead prop, I was often in this kind of position: lovely way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

 

[Dayvo]

I had you down as a fly half. You've just shattered my illusions.

I did play outside centre a few times for the 3rd XV.

Played everywhere in the scrum except hooker.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I did play outside centre a few times for the 3rd XV.

Played everywhere in the scrum except hooker.

played all eight. And 12 and 13 and 15. And 9 at sevens. And 10 in the IIIs.

we'd never get away with playing front row these days, you have to have been specifically trained.

 

[nickyboy]

Son#2 plays for the schools 1sts. It is unbelievably clean rugby

I've watched this season and there have been no yellow cards and, as an ex forward, I watch for dodgy stuff in rucks etc closely. Nothing. No fights, barely a confrontation. I always ask him afterwards if there was anything going on and there never is.

I suspect the dirty stuff is dished out by the grizzled old boys in club rugby. Certainly doesn't happen at schoolboy level according to my experience

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Son#2 plays for the schools 1sts. It is unbelievably clean rugby

I've watched this season and there have been no yellow cards and, as an ex forward, I watch for dodgy stuff in rucks etc closely. Nothing. No fights, barely a confrontation. I always ask him afterwards if there was anything going on and there never is.

I suspect the dirty stuff is dished out by the grizzled old boys in club rugby. Certainly doesn't happen at schoolboy level according to my experience

iirc I only ever had to YC school team players for silly inadvertent stuff. Don't recall seeing any deliberate nastiness.

However, the same players on a Sunday morning in a club game and it would not always be the same story.

I put it down to the sanctions schools probably apply to players who get carded.

 

[nickyboy]

iirc I only ever had to YC school team players for silly inadvertent stuff. Don't recall seeing any deliberate nastiness.

However, the same players on a Sunday morning in a club game and it would not always be the same story.

I put it down to the sanctions schools probably apply to players who get carded.

Actually there are no sanctions at my son's school for yellow cards as far as I know. I think it boils down to the culture determined by the coaches. At school level all the Heads of Rugby know each other on the circuit (certainly in Cheshire they do) and they want to keep friendly relations. The school also doesn't want to get a reputation for "win at all costs" as that goes against their ethos of participation being the thing

My recollection of club U19 (many years ago) was total different. It was all about the win and the coaches didn't mind at all if we intimidated an opponent into losing. In fact they encouraged it

 

[GrumpyGregry]

My recollection of club U19 (many years ago) was total different. It was all about the win and the coaches didn't mind at all if we intimidated an opponent into losing. In fact they encouraged it

If the intimidation is done within the Laws, and too often it isn't, then it is within the ethos of the game, aligned with the charter, and an integral part of a physically violent game.

 

[nickyboy]

If the intimidation is done within the Laws, and too often it isn't, then it is within the ethos of the game, aligned with the charter, and an integral part of a physically violent game.

My recollection when playing Fylde U19 was being told by our team's manager to "take that Fylde prop's scrum cap and shove it up his arse"

I suspect this instruction may have fallen outside both the ethos and charter

 

[Cubist]

I was a forwards coach for a local club. Our lads were very good at ensuring the opposing pack was under no illusions as to who was in charge. It helped that ours were mainly early developers. By u 14 they were hooked on the notion that the first breakdown was crucial for setting the tone of the game. Our instructions were to use physicality but to stay within the laws. Aggressive in contact, but most importantly knowing how to take it as well as dish it out, some of ours were also expert sledgers, which particularly entertained one ref who had to ask me at half time to have a word about the language in the rucks, barely able to contain a wide grin. We won handsomely against any team that thought they had it up front, and this was always gratifying if any touchline parents were shouting to their lads to stick it up 'em. Cubester was an absolute horror on the pitch, but I only ever remember him getting reprimanded once.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I was a forwards coach for a local club. Our lads were very good at ensuring the opposing pack was under no illusions as to who was in charge. It helped that ours were mainly early developers. By u 14 they were hooked on the notion that the first breakdown was crucial for setting the tone of the game. Our instructions were to use physicality but to stay within the laws. Aggressive in contact, but most importantly knowing how to take it as well as dish it out, some of ours were also expert sledgers, which particularly entertained one ref who had to ask me at half time to have a word about the language in the rucks, barely able to contain a wide grin. We won handsomely against any team that thought they had it up front, and this was always gratifying if any touchline parents were shouting to their lads to stick it up 'em. Cubester was an absolute horror on the pitch, but I only ever remember him getting reprimanded once.

Sledging, whilst amusing, is, like appealing, strictly for the cricket pitch and thus has no place in our game. We were given a directive to clamp down on it in my last season with a whistle in hand.

 

[Dayvo]

Bet you he gets 5-6 weeks ban so he can be back for the 6 nations.

8 weeks minimum.

£50 to the charity of the winners choice?

A six week ban: http://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/38298026

So, GG, where's your cash going?