Filed under: Rugby | Tags: Gloucester, Leicester, London Irish, Northampton, Saints, Sale
With all due respect to Sale, the only difference between their Heineken Cup hopes and Gloucester and Harlequins is 24 hours.
Harlequins never really recovered from the Dean Richards departure and the associated nonsense. With Easter, Care and Evans in the spine the team had potential. But uncertainty and injury has ravaged this team and they were never in this competition.
Sale have also had their upheavals witht the departure of Saint-Andre. They just don’t seem to have the personnel to make a credible challenge in this competitio.
What happened to Gloucester. So much money spent, such little silverware! A team going backwards, challenging Newcastle’s position of kings of mediocrity.
London Irish really have it all to do. The win in Dublin was admirable but this was only the second competitive match for Leinster’s Lions. They’ve looked very sharp since. The Irish defeat to the Welsh surely leaves them with too much to do. But whoever wins can claim the mantle as the best non French side.
Northampton Saints have been impressive on their H Cup return. The defeat to Munster was a question of experience. A sharp lesson in European rugby for Northampton but a lesson learned. A rematch is possible and the boys from Limerick will not welcome it.
Leicester have been their usual dogged self. Always greater than the sum of their parts, they’ve had a tough campaign but a win is expected today, which should see them through at best runners up at least. But having only drawn, one wonders if this won’t be a very tight game, a score either way!
Filed under: England, Rugby | Tags: Dylan Hartley, England, Rugby, six nations, wales
Well the Sunday Times started it…. So I’m sticking my oar in!
Mullan, Hartley (capt), Cole
Shaw, Lawes
Croft, Moody, Easter
Hodgson, Geraghty
Wilkinson, Clarke
Cueto, Armitage, Ashton
–
Payne, Webber, Wilson
Borthwick, Haskell
Simpson, Flood, Foden
Yes the front five is young. But the first choices (Sheridan, Vickery and Golding) are injured, the next choices clearly not good enough – witness the autumn internationals. Hartley captain is an easy decision. Deserves his place, plays in one of my favourite capt positions (2, 4, 5, 8), capt experience (albeit recent).
The second row is a perfect blend of experience/youth. Any talk of the lineout is stunted by having Croft as well. Plus if if you watch these guys regularly, you’ll see that they claim their fair share of ball at the set piece.
Back row combination was only tough because I haven’t seen much of Haskell recently. Crane is unlucky but Easter has a presence.
Half back choice easy. In form, and quality. Wilko is still a good player and Flutey’s only recent return makes Wilko the go to guy at 2nd five eighth. Outside is such a tough choice but Clarke has been doing it for two seasons now. Not spectacular but efficient at everything. Thought seriously about Tait here.
Back three has to find a place for Ashton. Have liked him since last year but then we had a deep pool of talented in form wingers. Only Cueto fits that description now.
Filed under: Rugby | Tags: Heineken Cup, Ian Humpreys, Julian Dupuy, Stade francais, Stephen Ferris, Ulster
Rugby has many issues to contend with, but as I watched the Ulster vs Stade Francais match, another came to the fore. In a scene clearly noted by television. Julian Dupuy of Stade Francais could be clearly seen gouging the eyes of Stephen Ferris. This is a sickening and cowardly act and it merits a punishment measured in months more easily than weeks. This dirty act has been in rugby since William Webb Ellis but the light sentences are encouraging its proliferation. It is high time that the ERC disciplinary body lays down a marker for all of rugby’s governing bodies to follow.
In the aftermath of this act, it is hard to remember that Ulster beat Stade 23-10 depriving them of the bonus point and leaving them with a chance of topping the group. Ian Humphreys played a blinder, the first half was the best 40 minute cameo I’ve seen by an Irish fly half since another Humphreys (brother David, now in the stands as one of the coaches). His performance was closely followed by the entire Ulster pack, chief amongst them was Ferris, possibly explaining his treatment at the hands of Dupuy.
Filed under: England, Rugby | Tags: argentina, Australia, Autumn internationals, Courtney Lawes, danny hipkiss, Joe Simpson, Joe Ward, Johnny Wilkinson, new zealand, Premiership, Shane Geraghty, Warren Gatland
Am I the only one who has to agree to an extent with Warren Gatland’s comments http://bit.ly/4e9qX1 that the Premiership has not been of the highest quality. Granted he referred to that tepid performance by Gloucester against Wasps but there has been a quality issue. Is it the ennui of a mid World Cup cycle point? Have we failed to adapt to the new ruck laws? Whatever the reason there is little excitement in the games. Premiership Rugby were quick to refer to increased attendances, but there is a serious flaw in this argument. Attendances have a response lag and when they fall, it will be too late to respond, indeed if we can.
Some individual performances have arisen from the mire however. Simpson, Ward and Lawes spring to mind reflecting attitudes without fear of contracts, the EPS, or image rights. Obviously a lot has been spoken about Saint Johnny’s performances across the sleeve. But from reading the reports, not many reporters have watched more than one game. He was solid rather than impressive against Saracens and not much could be gleaned. Or are we so short of quality fly halves that if JW can get out of bed pain free, the nation rejoices?
If there are two certainties in this country, it is that there will be a general election on May 6th and that England are looking at JW at 10 and Shane Geraghty at 12. Now I was led to believe that the edict was that you were eligible for the position you played at club level and only that one. SG hasn’t played at #12 in any big games this season and with sizeable opposite numbers, our Antipodean visitors will look to exploit any frailties in our midfield defence. If we squeeze midfield with the back row and Hipkiss, then this could crowd the area sufficiently but not at lineouts where Australia are the kings of attack.
I look forward to the autumn internationals although with a sense of fear. We must rise from being a side that can harry opposition to close defeats to one that can squeeze out tight victories against the big sides. Injuries cannot be an excuse. None of our visitors are at full strength and on can never count a full side in the big games. Argentina are facing a predictable dip from their 2007 heroics, and New Zealand are suffering a serious crisis in coaching personnel. Both teams are there for the taking. It is unfortunate to start with Australia, a team unpredictable in performances lately but who has, in my 30 (nearly) years of watching rugby, never failed to rise to the occasion of playing England.
Filed under: Rugby | Tags: Bryan Habana, Chris Jack, Graham Henry, Hamilton, John Smit, new zealand, Nonu, South Africa, Tri Nations, Victor Matfield
Don’t allow the scoreline to deceive you. South Africa thoroughly deserved their victory and were never behind on the scoreboard. The host’s lineout totally failed in the 1st half and despite having the better of the breakdown, this left Henry’s selection chasing the game. Steyn and Steyne were lethal with the boot, Francois kicking three from his own half (considering the Hamilton venue, this was exceptional).
New Zealand’s issue (besides the lineout) was in their midfield. Nonu had a bad day at the office, knocking on or being stripped of the ball at least five times. They also could not come up with a solution to the Bok’s defence strategy. It’s a variation on the rush as one midfielder will push up quickly leaving the opposition’s back three starved of possession. In the occurrence of a long pass, they backed their cover defence which did not let them down.
New Zealand have more questions than answers with two years to the RWC. Chris Jack has not been properly replaced and will probably be replaced by Chris Jack; Read does not yet look the part at the base; #9 is not dynamic enough; and of course the midfield. That’s a lot of questions for one of the favourites.
South Africa, can bask in the glow of victory for only a little while. Smit, Matfield and Habana may need replacing over the next two years and #15 is a constant worry. But they have a very good spine in the 2/8/9/10 positions so look best placed of the top 5 (Tri Nations + Eng & Fra)
Filed under: England, Rugby | Tags: Bloodgate, Dean Richards, Heineken Cup, Leinster, nick Evans, Steph Brennan, Tom Williams, Wendy Chapman
After the full transcripts, it reads like an Ealing comedy except that rugby is the landlady for the Lavender Hill aka Stoop Memorial Mob.
No one comes out of this looking even remotely clean. Tom Williams’ statement looks like a ream of stupid naive actions and/or pure lies. Unfortunately it reads like a healthy mix. In fact the only victim appears to be Doctor Wendy Chapman who was coerced into making an incision in Tom William’s mouth and may pay for this lapse with her career.
Williams lays the blame firmly at the seat of Dean Richards. But does anyone, even Deano have this much influence over players? Why are the RFU not investigating the other four incidences of bloodgate stated by Steph Brennan the physio? Another cover up?
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Bloodgate, Brian Moore, Daily Telegraph, Dean Richards, Harlequins, Heineken Cup, Leinster, Williams
The interview in the Daily Telegraph was very brief and of course leaves the traditional ‘more questions than answers’. The most notable point was how long Dean Richards has been aware of blood and ir’s tactical use being an issue. This clearly leads to the need for an independent medical officer present at all top flight matches. or verification by the opposition’s physio/medic. We should not be too quick to condemn Harlequins since it is clear that this wasn’t a novel idea.
I think that Williams has been lucky to get such a short sentence, clearly a reflection of his ‘co-operation’. One hopes that a similar degree of clemency will be afforded to Richards upon the production of a full account, not solely of this incident, but of all incidents with Harlequins and Leicester and indeed any suspicions regarding other teams. Now that an episode has been categorically proven, the RFU and IRB must do everything in their power to remove this stigma from the game.
Filed under: Rugby | Tags: Damian Hopley, Dean Richards, fabricating injury, Harlequins, Heineken Cup, Leinster, nick Evans, Tom Williams
I have waited some tim ebefore posting hoping that there would be an outbreak of commonsense but nothing so far.
The 12-month ban handed to Tom Williams for fabricating an injury is an absolute disgrace or “entirely disproportionate”, as stated by the Professional Rugby Players’ Association chief, Damian Hopley. How is it that deliberately trying to affect the sight of a player is worthy of a twelve week ban whilst feigning injury is a fifty two week ban? Both ‘crimes’ are despicable and place the game of rugby union in disrepute, but only one of these seeks to permanently disable a fellow human being. I could understand a substantial fine for the club, or points deduction or removal from Heineken Cup participation when they next qualified, but this censure seems almost vindictive. Where is the consistency?
- Trying to gouge someone’s eye out – 12 week ban
- Drug abuse – 35 week ban
- Fabricating Injury – 52 week ban
What was the Disciplinary Committee thinking?
The other factor is, does anyone think this was a case of ‘the lone gunman’? Tom Williams did not act alone and the investigation should be constructing a case against the officials involved, not the whitewash which was achieved.
Filed under: Rugby | Tags: Al Baxter, all blacks, Australia, new zealand, Tri Nations
It’s very hard to get excited about the TriNations, a parochial gathering of inbreds playing each other far too much for the filthy lucre offered by the Fox/Sky Faustian devil.
And the Eden Park hoodoo continues. Australia’s poor discipline told as a New Zealand side in transition just edged a tight encounter, but not what to ever get the dispassionate observer out of his seat. The home side still have a lot to work on: their lineouts were shaky in the first half, more a question of comms than individuals; the scrum was turned against the tight head at will, Baxter is not the player who was shafted by England’s Andrew Sheridan in RWC2007; and decision making was flawed. There is 26 months to go to the next world cup and despite this loss, I feel that Australia appear ahead in their development than New Zealand.
I did note one amazing moment, an Australian was pinged for taking a tap penalty without the ball leaving his hands. Now all we need is correct refereeing of the feed.
Filed under: England, Rugby | Tags: Danny Cipriani, England Saxons, England team, Rugby
No surprises there then. Why are we sticking with Julian White? He adds nothing around the park! Moyne’s gain is Sackey’s loss. I feel that Banaham should be the casualty but wing is one of our few strong positions. Most importantly, we’re looking competitive in the back row in both squads. I’m not sure what Kennedy can do to regain his place. His lineout action is key. Partnering Shaw would make a cracking combination!
In the Saxons, this could be Simpson’s year. Ben Foden should stick to FB/wing
England elite player squad:
Forwards:
G Chuter (Leicester), D Hartley (Northampton), L Mears (Bath), T Payne (Wasps), A Sheridan (Sale), P Vickery (Wasps), J White (Leicester), D Wilson (Bath),
S Borthwick (Saracens), L Deacon (Leicester), B Kay (Leicester), S Shaw (Wasps),
S Armitage (London Irish), J Crane (Leicester), T Croft (Leicester), N Easter (Harlequins), T Rees (Wasps), J Worsley (Wasps).
Backs:
D Care (Harlequins), H Ellis (Leicester), T Flood (Leicester), P Hodgson (London Irish), J Wilkinson (Toulon).
R Flutey (Brive), D Hipkiss (Leicester), M Tait (Sale), M Tindall (Gloucester)
D Armitage (London Irish), M Banahan (Bath), M Cueto (Sale), U Monye (Harlequins), O Morgan (Gloucester)
England Saxons squad:
Forwards: R Blaze (Leicester), D Cole (Leicester), A Corbisiero (London Irish), N Kennedy (London Irish), C Lawes (Northampton), M Mullan(Worcester), T Mercey (Saracens), L Moody (Leicester), L Narraway (Gloucester), D Paice (London Irish), C Robshaw (Harlequins), W Skinner (Harlequins), G Skivington (Wasps), D Ward-Smith (Wasps), R Webber (Wasps), N Wood (Gloucester), B Woods (Leicester).
Backs: N Abendanon (Bath), B Barritt (Saracens), D Cipriani (Wasps), B Foden (Northampton), S Geraghty (Northampton), T Ojo (London Irish), S Myler, (Northampton), P Sackey (Wasps), J Simpson (Wasps), D Strettle (Harlequins), J Turner-Hall (Harlequins), S Vesty (Leicester), D Waldouck (Wasps), R Wigglesworth (Sale), M Young (Newcastle).
