Aviva Premiership: something exciting happens

[Peg Leg]

Didn't want to start a new thread so throwing this in here because of the talk about league structures etc.

It looks like PRO Rugby USA has collapsed. Lots of people haven't been paid, some teams don't have anywhere to play next year, and the guy who was behind it all appears to have withdrawn his support. The CEO left in October, sounds like he was given false promises by the guy behind it all but I may have taken that up wrong. Thought they were making a good go of it, hope it can be salvaged.

Blame Canada

[Xanthippe]

Blame Canada

[simonokeeffe]

fundamental problem is there is no tv audience for rugby in America and thus no money

Super Rugby will probably float some BS about a team in San Francisco as part of their plan to return to their original desire of Kerry Packer's rugby circus

[nc6000]

I see Bristol beat Worcester yesterday which leaves Bristol only two points behind Worcester at the foot of the table. Pat Lam mightn't be moving to a Championship team just yet.

[simonokeeffe]

I see Bristol beat Worcester yesterday which leaves Bristol only two points behind Worcester at the foot of the table. Pat Lam mightn't be moving to a Championship team just yet.

ben te'o is complaining he didnt sign up for a relegation battle, he really needs to start doing due diligence on his transfers with this on top of not knowing he couldnt play for England whilst at Leinster

[Oldschool]

I see Bristol beat Worcester yesterday which leaves Bristol only two points behind Worcester at the foot of the table. Pat Lam mightn't be moving to a Championship team just yet.

ben te'o is complaining he didnt sign up for a relegation battle, he really needs to start doing due diligence on his transfers with this on top of not knowing he couldnt play for England whilst at Leinster

I didn't know that but fair f^cks to whomsoever wrote that little clause into his contract.
TBH it's good enough for him and will hopefully be a lesson to other mercenaries coming to our shores to further their international careers elsewhere.

[simonokeeffe]

Which clause?

[Ruckedtobits]

What's a Clause?

[domhnallj]

Any chance we can start at the start? Where/When was he complaining he didn't sign up for a relegation battle?

[Oldschool]

What's a Clause?

https://www.google.ie/search?q=clause+d ... e&ie=UTF-8

[Oldschool]

Which clause?

That he couldn't play for Englabd whilst at Leinster.

[johng]

That is England selection policy not his contract.

[simonokeeffe]

Any chance we can start at the start? Where/When was he complaining he didn't sign up for a relegation battle?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyu ... ay-up.html

[domhnallj]

Any chance we can start at the start? Where/When was he complaining he didn't sign up for a relegation battle?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyu ... ay-up.html

Didn't quite a few people here call this? No idea why he couldn't see it.

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[fourthirtythree]

As with everything to do with English rugby right now: people seem to find it hard to see past the zeros.

I mean they are awfully big cheques so I guess they do block your view a bit.

[simonokeeffe]

Any chance we can start at the start? Where/When was he complaining he didn't sign up for a relegation battle?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyu ... ay-up.html

Didn't quite a few people here call this? No idea why he couldn't see it.

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

Yup, nobody paying attention thought Worcester would be doing any better than avoiding relegation

[Peg Leg]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyu ... ay-up.html

Didn't quite a few people here call this? No idea why he couldn't see it.

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

Yup, nobody paying attention thought Worcester would be doing any better than avoiding relegation

I would suggest that everyone here at the negotiating table told him the same. I told him the same as he made his way to the tunnel at HT at some match.... Warned him at the top of my voice so I did.....

[dropkick]

It might be better for Lam if Bristol did get relegated.


It took Lam 3 seasons to get Connacht playing the way he wants them playing. In his first season they only won 6 matches, finishing 5 and 6 points about the Italian teams.
In his second season they won 10 matches and drew 1, ending up in 7th spot which I think was their highest place ever.
In his third season they won the pro12.


So the way Lam wants the team playing might take some time to adjust to. If Bristol do stay up next seasons relegation battle could be between themselves and London Irish. If Lam gets relegated in his first season it would be a disaster and set Bristol back a good bit. They'd spend his second season getting back up and then the next season adjusting to the top flight.


Thats a worst case scenario but I know if I was Lam I'd prefer a season in the second division to organise things and then hit the ground running in his second season. It should be noted too that Bristol do have some advantages over Connacht, like being able to sign more expensive players.

[Fan with smartphone]

Aviva premiership, something exciting happened.

Mario Itoje just made a full length, studs up, sliding tackle block with his foot. Clean as a whistle and legal. Never seen it done ever before. Feels highly dangerous but it worked out for him.

[Fan with smartphone]

Now blocked one with his hands. if he can kick her out he could do goals for England.