European Champions Cup [Most Improved]
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- Dave Cahill
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Re: European Champions Cup [Most Improved]
I didn't see the Scarlets - Racing game, but going away to a really good team and dogging out a one point win is not something we would associate with French teams apart from Toulon a couple of years ago and Toulouse every further back in the past. It confirms their pre-tournament position as one of the teams, along with Leinster, Saracens and Exeter, that will be in the mix at the business end of the season. Conversely, Exeter showed a real lack of nous in their sister-kisser against Munster. Conditions played a part and Munster are almost as hateful to play against as Saracens in those conditions, but if Rory Best were Exeter captain they'd have won. They're on the back foot now for the rest of the group stage and still have to go to Thomond which gives English clubs the heebie-jeebies. Saracens looked like Saracens always look - an absolute shower of ignorant bollixes who are also very, very, good at rugby. Having said that Glasgow also looked like Glasgow always look in Europe - windy. If Itoje acted like that against Leinster he'd be going home in a Dublin ambulance - but the weegies just took it.
There were some good games from the also-rans too. Cardiff were excellent against Lyons, Anscombe's dummy for his try was a thing of beauty. Ulster having come off two defeats that would have had them questioning themselves found some answers in a much improved performance against a fairly mediocre Leicester team. I missed the post-match interviews, but I presume Geordan Murphy found someone to blame for the loss that wasn't Geordan Murphy or anyone connected to Geordan Murphy. Newcastle will be similarly delighted with a win in Toulon considering they're propping up the premiership. Bath versus Toulouse provided the great talking point/meme of the weekend, but even without Freddie's great f%~k-up it was a really entertaining game between two teams at a similar level.
There were some good games from the also-rans too. Cardiff were excellent against Lyons, Anscombe's dummy for his try was a thing of beauty. Ulster having come off two defeats that would have had them questioning themselves found some answers in a much improved performance against a fairly mediocre Leicester team. I missed the post-match interviews, but I presume Geordan Murphy found someone to blame for the loss that wasn't Geordan Murphy or anyone connected to Geordan Murphy. Newcastle will be similarly delighted with a win in Toulon considering they're propping up the premiership. Bath versus Toulouse provided the great talking point/meme of the weekend, but even without Freddie's great f%~k-up it was a really entertaining game between two teams at a similar level.
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Re: European Champions Cup [Most Improved]
The usual, cant rest players in the prem blah de blah de blah. He mentioned that Youngs had played 8 straight games while Rory only played 2 or so in the last 18 weeks, of course Simply the Best has been injured.Dave Cahill wrote:I didn't see the Scarlets - Racing game, but going away to a really good team and dogging out a one point win is not something we would associate with French teams apart from Toulon a couple of years ago and Toulouse every further back in the past. It confirms their pre-tournament position as one of the teams, along with Leinster, Saracens and Exeter, that will be in the mix at the business end of the season. Conversely, Exeter showed a real lack of nous in their sister-kisser against Munster. Conditions played a part and Munster are almost as hateful to play against as Saracens in those conditions, but if Rory Best were Exeter captain they'd have won. They're on the back foot now for the rest of the group stage and still have to go to Thomond which gives English clubs the heebie-jeebies. Saracens looked like Saracens always look - an absolute shower of ignorant bollixes who are also very, very, good at rugby. Having said that Glasgow also looked like Glasgow always look in Europe - windy. If Itoje acted like that against Leinster he'd be going home in a Dublin ambulance - but the weegies just took it.
There were some good games from the also-rans too. Cardiff were excellent against Lyons, Anscombe's dummy for his try was a thing of beauty. Ulster having come off two defeats that would have had them questioning themselves found some answers in a much improved performance against a fairly mediocre Leicester team. I missed the post-match interviews, but I presume Geordan Murphy found someone to blame for the loss that wasn't Geordan Murphy or anyone connected to Geordan Murphy. Newcastle will be similarly delighted with a win in Toulon considering they're propping up the premiership. Bath versus Toulouse provided the great talking point/meme of the weekend, but even without Freddie's great f%~k-up it was a really entertaining game between two teams at a similar level.
Workload, after 6/7 games into the season the Prem players are already boll!xed.
You know I'm going to lose,
And gambling's for fools,
But that's the way I like it baby, I don't want to live FOREVER!
And gambling's for fools,
But that's the way I like it baby, I don't want to live FOREVER!
Re: European Champions Cup [Most Improved]
blockhead wrote:The usual, cant rest players in the prem blah de blah de blah. He mentioned that Youngs had played 8 straight games while Rory only played 2 or so in the last 18 weeks, of course Simply the Best has been injured.Dave Cahill wrote:I didn't see the Scarlets - Racing game, but going away to a really good team and dogging out a one point win is not something we would associate with French teams apart from Toulon a couple of years ago and Toulouse every further back in the past. It confirms their pre-tournament position as one of the teams, along with Leinster, Saracens and Exeter, that will be in the mix at the business end of the season. Conversely, Exeter showed a real lack of nous in their sister-kisser against Munster. Conditions played a part and Munster are almost as hateful to play against as Saracens in those conditions, but if Rory Best were Exeter captain they'd have won. They're on the back foot now for the rest of the group stage and still have to go to Thomond which gives English clubs the heebie-jeebies. Saracens looked like Saracens always look - an absolute shower of ignorant bollixes who are also very, very, good at rugby. Having said that Glasgow also looked like Glasgow always look in Europe - windy. If Itoje acted like that against Leinster he'd be going home in a Dublin ambulance - but the weegies just took it.
There were some good games from the also-rans too. Cardiff were excellent against Lyons, Anscombe's dummy for his try was a thing of beauty. Ulster having come off two defeats that would have had them questioning themselves found some answers in a much improved performance against a fairly mediocre Leicester team. I missed the post-match interviews, but I presume Geordan Murphy found someone to blame for the loss that wasn't Geordan Murphy or anyone connected to Geordan Murphy. Newcastle will be similarly delighted with a win in Toulon considering they're propping up the premiership. Bath versus Toulouse provided the great talking point/meme of the weekend, but even without Freddie's great f%~k-up it was a really entertaining game between two teams at a similar level.
Workload, after 6/7 games into the season the Prem players are already boll!xed.
Not to mention they are paying big money for an Australian international to sit on their bench.
"Horrocks went one way, Taylor the other and I was left holding the bloody hyphen!"
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~The Late Great Mick English
Re: European Champions Cup [Most Improved]
3.5 wins for Pro14, 17pts
3.5 wins for Prem, 15 pts
3 wins for Top14, 14 pts
Fairly even start.
3.5 wins for Prem, 15 pts
3 wins for Top14, 14 pts
Fairly even start.
You know I'm going to lose,
And gambling's for fools,
But that's the way I like it baby, I don't want to live FOREVER!
And gambling's for fools,
But that's the way I like it baby, I don't want to live FOREVER!
- LeRouxIsPHat
- Jamie Heaslip
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Re: European Champions Cup [Most Improved]
I thought Saracens, Racing, and Munster were all impressive in the way they toughed out their games, but I have to say that as much as I was impressed by them it was hard not to think that Glasgow, Scarlets, and Exeter couldn't cope under the pressure of needing to win their first home games. I can't really remember what was expected of Glasgow when they won the Pro12 a few years ago but certainly with the latter two there have been big expectations since they won their leagues and have failed to kick on. As good as they both were when they won those titles, they were very much underdogs and it suited them. Different kettle of fish altogether when they try to step up in Europe and when you look through their squads it makes sense, they just don't have that top end quality throughout. Glasgow might not have had realistic ambitions of winning the competition, but their decision making and indiscipline were unbelievably poor yesterday, just lost their heads completely. Side note, but for all the talk of Sarries being dicks yesterday I thought Glasgow were just as bad. When you've Ryan Wilson being Ryan Wilson then I don't blame them for reacting.
The big thing I noticed was how tight the vast majority of games were. It's already easy to imagine how tough all of the QFs will be.
The big thing I noticed was how tight the vast majority of games were. It's already easy to imagine how tough all of the QFs will be.
- kermischocolate
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Re: European Champions Cup [Most Improved]
Couldn't agree more with this.Dave Cahill wrote: Saracens looked like Saracens always look - an absolute shower of ignorant bollixes who are also very, very, good at rugby. Having said that Glasgow also looked like Glasgow always look in Europe - windy. If Itoje acted like that against Leinster he'd be going home in a Dublin ambulance - but the weegies just took it.
Apart from George Horne I'm struggling to think of any Glasgow player that is better now than they were 18months ago. Our lack of recruitment is a serious worry. We have one rookie specialist 10, lack serious grunt upfront but more importantly have very few effective leaders. Not taking points on offer yesterday was stupidly naive.
The Dave Rennie experiment remains decidedly experimental imo.
And as someone who has previously defended Sarries, mea culpa, I've seen the light and won't be making that mistake again.
Re: European Champions Cup [Most Improved]
LeRouxIsPHat wrote:. Side note, but for all the talk of Sarries being dicks yesterday I thought Glasgow were just as bad. When you've Ryan Wilson being Ryan Wilson then I don't blame them for reacting.
In terms of teams being dicks, Glasgow are always near the top of that league.
- kermischocolate
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Re: European Champions Cup [Most Improved]
Oh? How so?dropkick wrote:LeRouxIsPHat wrote:. Side note, but for all the talk of Sarries being dicks yesterday I thought Glasgow were just as bad. When you've Ryan Wilson being Ryan Wilson then I don't blame them for reacting.
In terms of teams being dicks, Glasgow are always near the top of that league.
Re: European Champions Cup [Most Improved]
They usually give Munster a good batin!kermischocolate wrote:Oh? How so?dropkick wrote:LeRouxIsPHat wrote:. Side note, but for all the talk of Sarries being dicks yesterday I thought Glasgow were just as bad. When you've Ryan Wilson being Ryan Wilson then I don't blame them for reacting.
In terms of teams being dicks, Glasgow are always near the top of that league.
You know I'm going to lose,
And gambling's for fools,
But that's the way I like it baby, I don't want to live FOREVER!
And gambling's for fools,
But that's the way I like it baby, I don't want to live FOREVER!
Re: European Champions Cup [Most Improved]
Billy Vunipola with a broken arm, jaysus his body has taken some beating the past 18 months.
Ruddock's tackle stats consistently too low for me to be taken seriously as a Six Nations blindside..... Ruddock's defensive stats don't stack up. - All Blacks Nil, Jan 15th, 2014
England A 8 - 14 Ireland A, 25th Jan 2014
Ruddock(c) 19/2 Tackles
England A 8 - 14 Ireland A, 25th Jan 2014
Ruddock(c) 19/2 Tackles
Re: European Champions Cup [Most Improved]
Opportunity knocks for the other teams in the group.paddyor wrote:Billy Vunipola with a broken arm, jaysus his body has taken some beating the past 18 months.
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall who's the greatest player of them all? It is Drico your majesty.
Re: European Champions Cup [Most Improved]
Brother Mako and Nick Isiekwe are out for a bit too. Saracens struggled without big billy last season, so did Engerland too for that matter.Oldschool wrote:Opportunity knocks for the other teams in the group.paddyor wrote:Billy Vunipola with a broken arm, jaysus his body has taken some beating the past 18 months.
You know I'm going to lose,
And gambling's for fools,
But that's the way I like it baby, I don't want to live FOREVER!
And gambling's for fools,
But that's the way I like it baby, I don't want to live FOREVER!
Re: European Champions Cup [Most Improved]
Ryan Wilson would win that league all on his own.kermischocolate wrote:Oh? How so?dropkick wrote:LeRouxIsPHat wrote:. Side note, but for all the talk of Sarries being dicks yesterday I thought Glasgow were just as bad. When you've Ryan Wilson being Ryan Wilson then I don't blame them for reacting.
In terms of teams being dicks, Glasgow are always near the top of that league.
Re: European Champions Cup [Most Improved]
Nick Isiekwe out for 8 weeks, Mako out for 6. Billy out already with a broken arm.
You know I'm going to lose,
And gambling's for fools,
But that's the way I like it baby, I don't want to live FOREVER!
And gambling's for fools,
But that's the way I like it baby, I don't want to live FOREVER!
Re: European Champions Cup [Most Improved]
kermischocolate wrote:Oh? How so?dropkick wrote:LeRouxIsPHat wrote:. Side note, but for all the talk of Sarries being dicks yesterday I thought Glasgow were just as bad. When you've Ryan Wilson being Ryan Wilson then I don't blame them for reacting.
In terms of teams being dicks, Glasgow are always near the top of that league.
Mouthing off, shirt grabbing, pushing etc. I think they try to make up for their lack of physicality by winding up the opposition. Maybe it works for them but it wasn't a surprise to see that kind of controversy at the weekend.
I bet they were trying to get under Itoje's skin and he reacted to it.
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Re: European Champions Cup [Most Improved]
Interesting view point.dropkick wrote: Mouthing off, shirt grabbing, pushing etc. I think they try to make up for their lack of physicality by winding up the opposition. Maybe it works for them but it wasn't a surprise to see that kind of controversy at the weekend.
I bet they were trying to get under Itoje's skin and he reacted to it.
Also very annoying that Sarries had Lozowski cited for two things from Sunday (how often does that happen??) One was dismissed, the other should have been a red and he's been banned for 2 weeks.
Re: European Champions Cup [Most Improved]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7p23mA2VV0Adropkick wrote:Mouthing off, shirt grabbing, pushing etc.kermischocolate wrote:Oh? How so?dropkick wrote:
In terms of teams being dicks, Glasgow are always near the top of that league.
Re: European Champions Cup [Most Improved]
hugonaut wrote:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7p23mA2VV0Adropkick wrote:Mouthing off, shirt grabbing, pushing etc.kermischocolate wrote:
Oh? How so?
The only irony there is your misuse of the word.
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Re: European Champions Cup [Most Improved]
Omg what is the average age of the Leicester fanbase?
"It was Mrs O'Leary's cow"
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Re: European Champions Cup [Most Improved]
Bath owner Bruce Craig wants the Toulouse match replayed. He's even sent a letter to Switzerland!
Turn the machines back on, turn the machines back on!
Can you guess the movie?
Turn the machines back on, turn the machines back on!
Can you guess the movie?
You know I'm going to lose,
And gambling's for fools,
But that's the way I like it baby, I don't want to live FOREVER!
And gambling's for fools,
But that's the way I like it baby, I don't want to live FOREVER!