Aviva Premiership: something exciting happens

[Ruckedtobits]

Well I'm gutted he's gone, scapegoat is a phrase that comes to mind. Rumours abound that a certain Leinster stalwart has been in Leicester, god not MOC again surely.

The only Coach who fits this description is Leo and he has not been in Leicester for more than a year. On the other hand Geordie Murphy sort of fits the description but never left Leicester. The chances of MO'C being described as a "Leinster Stalward" is against the Trarde Descriptions Act.

[leinsterforever]

Well I'm gutted he's gone, scapegoat is a phrase that comes to mind. Rumours abound that a certain Leinster stalwart has been in Leicester, god not MOC again surely.

The only Coach who fits this description is Leo and he has not been in Leicester for more than a year. On the other hand Geordie Murphy sort of fits the description but never left Leicester. The chances of MO'C being described as a "Leinster Stalward" is against the Trarde Descriptions Act.

What about Gibbes?

[Peg Leg]

Williams and Mauger dream team

[dropkick]

I'm surprised Leicester were the ones to sack their coach midseason. That probably comes as a result of pressure to get results and pressure from fans who want to see the Tigers win things again. It can be a slippery slope for clubs. At the moment English rugby is in a good place but there are problems arising. Some of the top clubs like Tigers, Quins, Gloucester and Northampton are underperforming and their fans are starting to get restless.


Once fans get restless and start voting with their feet, the pressure for results start to intensify. Long term player development is sacrificed for short term, big name signings. Pressure is put on coaches for immediate results so they would be less likely to adopt a southern hemisphere style expansive gameplan. It would be a safety first, grind out the wins approach like we see in France.

[simonokeeffe]

if anyone wants to google it as Im not bothered right now theres a very interesting chart of all the current top level rugby coaches playing their trade right now who came through Canterbury and/or were coached by Robbie Deans

[Flash Gordon]

Reports are that they're going to build a coaching team around Murphy.

Not sure that the Irish experience of bringing through the "bootroom boys" has been very successful - McCall, Humphreys, Foley, Cullen. Murphy is a very intelligent and articulate individual but I think it was Graham Henry who suggested that you need 10-15 years experience before you can coach at elite European/international level. I have to say that I wouldn't back him going up against coaches of the standard and experience of Joe Schmidt, Vern Cotter, Franck Azéma, Bernard Laporte, Mark McCall etc which is the standard required to be a top European coach which is, in turn, the Leicester standard.

[blockhead]

Tualagi out for 9months. And he's only just back from a long term injury.

[blockhead]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9mIOt2vHcQ

Brad Barrit lucky not to see a card for this one. Parling was out cold before he hit the ground, could be out for a while.

[ronk]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9mIOt2vHcQ

Brad Barrit lucky not to see a card for this one. Parling was out cold before he hit the ground, could be out for a while.

Tough on Barrington to get a red for that. Barritt caused Parling to fall into his shoulder and as it was a high tackle by Barritt initially, he was responsible for the later freak collision.

[simonokeeffe]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9mIOt2vHcQ

Brad Barrit lucky not to see a card for this one. Parling was out cold before he hit the ground, could be out for a while.

Tough on Barrington to get a red for that. Barritt caused Parling to fall into his shoulder and as it was a high tackle by Barritt initially, he was responsible for the later freak collision.

under new rules its arguably a red for both players, Barritt with swinging arm to the head and the other guy with a no arms hit to the head

Liam Willaims move to sarries has been confirmed (replaces Ashton) but for less money than wales were offering

Just noticed too Sarries academy contains a Brian Tuilagi

[FLIP]

Barritt was extremely lucky to escape there, he's at cause for the entire incident. Barrington unfortunately ending up in the position he's in but he did need to be lower. Ref bottled the double red.

[offshorerules]

One assumes he'll be cited?

[FLIP]

One assumes he'll be cited?

Barritt banned, Barrington cleared.

http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/38578791

[ronk]

Didn't think he was already knocked out but felt Barrett was the responsible party alright

[domhnallj]

Not sure what to make of this story, seems like a case of misplaced loyalty.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/38645622

[offshorerules]

A bit more detail here.

http://www.the42.ie/sale-bristol-team-i ... 4-Jan2017/

Oh dear.

[simonokeeffe]

Clark (Saracens) and Waller (Worcester) leaving Saints, could be a bit of a merry go round there this summer but theyre two academy products and squad regulars theyre losing

[Munsterboy]

Clark (Saracens) and Waller (Worcester) leaving Saints, could be a bit of a merry go round there this summer but theyre two academy products and squad regulars theyre losing

Would be interested to see an analysis of the player turnover in AP and T14 clubs versus our provinces. Have a feeling they have more comings and goings than we do and it hurts them. Rugby is a game that really requires a team to be built and developed over time. Too many/frequent changes to personnel, even if they're designed to strengthen the side on paper, are counter-productive on the pitch.

[simonokeeffe]

Clark (Saracens) and Waller (Worcester) leaving Saints, could be a bit of a merry go round there this summer but theyre two academy products and squad regulars theyre losing

Would be interested to see an analysis of the player turnover in AP and T14 clubs versus our provinces. Have a feeling they have more comings and goings than we do and it hurts them. Rugby is a game that really requires a team to be built and developed over time. Too many/frequent changes to personnel, even if they're designed to strengthen the side on paper, are counter-productive on the pitch.

quite possibly, also the PRL sides have far smaller academies, generally half the size of the Irish provinces if not smaller

[Morf]

Clark (Saracens) and Waller (Worcester) leaving Saints, could be a bit of a merry go round there this summer but theyre two academy products and squad regulars theyre losing

Would be interested to see an analysis of the player turnover in AP and T14 clubs versus our provinces. Have a feeling they have more comings and goings than we do and it hurts them. Rugby is a game that really requires a team to be built and developed over time. Too many/frequent changes to personnel, even if they're designed to strengthen the side on paper, are counter-productive on the pitch.

quite possibly, also the PRL sides have far smaller academies, generally half the size of the Irish provinces if not smaller

Less financial imperative for them really.

More of a luxury/necessity depending on the financial state of the particular clubs.

Is getting Clark away from Hartley not a necessary dilution of long-term suspensions>