The rugby

[Blazing Saddles]

Henry Pillock do you mean?

Quite.
That’s some ego he has.
The crowd booed him every time he got the ball.

 

[Rusty Nails]

He did go full Pollock after beating Penaud to the ball for his first try and he was screamed at. However, it was little Louis who stripped him of the ball who got in his face in celebration.

Ollie Sleightholme got even worse treatment from Penaud, which resulted in a penalty.

There is no harm in celebration on scoring a try, but when that celebration involves getting in the faces of opponents it encourages more of the same in return and becomes a race to the bottom with sportsmanship.

 

[rualexander]

Scott Robertson sacked as All Blacks head coach amid rumours of player dissatisfaction.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/cgrd9wgpzkyo
Who's next?
Joe Schmidt?
Jamie Joseph?

 

[Dogtrousers]

Scott Robertson sacked as All Blacks head coach amid rumours of player dissatisfaction.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/cgrd9wgpzkyo
Who's next?
Joe Schmidt?
Jamie Joseph?

The link says Robertson has "failed to stamp his mark on the team"

Jamie Joseph sounds like a good bet as he's known for stamping and leaving his mark. Just ask Kyran Bracken

 

[Blazing Saddles]

Starting to get very ugly at the Rec, this evening….

 

[Dorset Boy]

See the Dragons resurgence continues with a win against Newcastle.

Sounded like Bath won it in the first half with the pack and then let the backs have some fun in the second.

 

[Blazing Saddles]

Leinster just got out of jail, as for much of the game an under strength Bayonne team gave as good as they got.
The bench seemed to tip the scales.
It was a poor, error strewn spectacle.

 

[Dorset Boy]

Leinster just got out of jail, as for much of the game an under strength Bayonne team gave as good as they got.
The bench seemed to tip the scales.
It was a poor, error strewn spectacle.

Such a shame Bayonne couldn't down Ireland

 

[geocycle]

As I can’t watch the European comps I’ve lost interest. It seems a real shame how many teams are fielding depleted squads, is there a problem with the format?

 

[Blazing Saddles]

Case in point right now with Sale, not that Toulouse have a full side out.

Anyhow, one thing about watching several back to back matches is that it serves to highlight how inconsistent referees are at interpreting foul play.
Clermont were given the most ridiculous red card I have ever seen. Even the SA commentators said penalty at most.
Sale had a clear upright head to chin with force and got off with a yellow.

Not that it mattered as Toulouse took the young Sale team apart. It finished 77-7.

 

[Dorset Boy]

As I can’t watch the European comps I’ve lost interest. It seems a real shame how many teams are fielding depleted squads, is there a problem with the format?

Yes, the format is crap.
6 teams in a pool, you don't play the team from your own league. No home & away.
As usual, sports administrators take a great tournament and ruin it because they think the Champions Cup should include teams that came 8th in their league.
The old format made it the best international club competition in the world.
Now it includes that well known European country, Saffaland - what club wants to fly 14 hours each way for a match?

Adminsitrators need to learn you are FAR better off creating 2 strong tournaments, or even three.

 

[Blazing Saddles]

Bordeaux currently handing out a rugby lesson to a very sloppy Bristol.

 

[Dorset Boy]

Sounds like Bristol typically trying to force things from everywhere even when it isn't on.
That said they do seem to have been a lot more pragmatic this season and have decided defending is part of the game

 

[Blazing Saddles]

Sounds like Bristol typically trying to force things from everywhere even when it isn't on.
That said they do seem to have been a lot more pragmatic this season and have decided defending is part of the game

It was a dreary game to watch.
Maybe I set my expectations too high.

Quins putting up a good fight in La Rochelle.
Points at a premium.

 

[Blazing Saddles]

Well done Quins. Thoroughly deserved to win that.
A lot of miserable looking French supporters at the end.
Ronan o’Gara will be getting his P45.