The Rugby Union Thread

lloyd

kjdowd said:

To move the conversation to a slightly different and more technical point - was Cole's sin binning technically correct? No doubt that he deserved it, but the penalty was reversed for Francis' offense. If the penalty is reversed does the binning stand? I genuinely have no idea in this. Does it depend on the chronological order of the offenses? Has a binning ever been reversed?

From what I understand the penalty is reversed but the original offence still happened so the sanction still stands (red/yellow/talking to) he's still done it so he gets penalised it's just that the penalty doesn't happen.

eSully

Fretwired said:

England team to face France .. Marler on the bench.

http://www.englandrugby.com/news/rbs-nations-two-changes-england-target-grand-slam/G

Given how poorly the French have performed this 6 nations, even when winning, I can't see past a comfortable win and grand slam for England.

Gassage

Re the above, I asked David Rose the former prem ref about it on Monday- see below.

If a yellow is issued, but then the pen for which the yellow was issued is overturned, why is the yellowed player not re-instated?

Is this the Dan Cole eye ? Not seen it yet was Cole done for retaliation

No, pinged for collapsing a maul (or entering at side) at which point Evans was making contact, I say reckless, not deliberate, which was then truned over for Evans' eye contact

Then they're two separate incidents and judged that way. Which is why you won't see the card over turned unless it's foul play which is reviews and proved wrong. Bit like DRS really

crunchman

What should have happened is that Francis should have been off the pitch as well.  I don't think the ref had a great view of it.  I heard the ref talking to the Wales captain saying something to the effect that he wasn't sure who it was but that there might be people looking at it later.

eSully

crunchman said:

What should have happened is that Francis should have been off the pitch as well.  I don't think the ref had a great view of it.  I heard the ref talking to the Wales captain saying something to the effect that he wasn't sure who it was but that there might be people looking at it later.

The TMO was whining about only having one angle and not being sure about it hence the reversal but no card. The ref warning Francis at the time that it probably would be reviewed and further sanctions may be applied after the match.

scrumhalf

Fretwired said:

England team to face France .. Marler on the bench.

http://www.englandrugby.com/news/rbs-nations-two-changes-england-target-grand-slam/

Hopefully that means we get Matt Mullan back. Maybe Eliot Daly will get a decent run-out, but I wouldn't bank on it.

koneguitarist

I think it's Englands GS to lose tomorrow. I thought they played very well against Wales for that first hour, but could quite easily have lost the game due to Wales deciding to play at last!

However they hung on, and to be truthful, if Wales had won, it would not have been deserved. But from an English point of view, I think I would be very nervous of how undone they came in that last 15mins, they just unraveled, and if France get a decent try and get their tails up, they could win quite easily. 

lloyd

England will smash this French team, they're fucking awful and England have some talent.

scrumhalf

The problem with the French is that they're, you know, French. In rugby terms they're unpredictable, however crap they've been so far.

But we should beat them.

lloyd

scrumhalf said:

The problem with the French is that they're, you know, French. In rugby terms they're unpredictable, however crap they've been so far.

But we should beat them.

This French side have been predictably shit for 8 years, if they got in a decent coach like England have, they'd be very good, as it is, they are not. I used to fear playing France, can't remember the last time they've given me that feeling if I'm honest. If Englnad blow this I'd be extremely shocked.

koneguitarist

I wouldn't be shocked, France have the talent!

lloyd

koneguitarist said:

I wouldn't be shocked, France have the talent!

When was the last time you saw them play well or beat a half decent team? They were a poor Parisse drop goal away from losing to this Italy team, who are bloody awful....

koneguitarist

We will see this weekend. Let's see if Italy are truly awful, and England truly great?

lloyd

England aren't great, they're pretty good, I can see them going on to be a very good side over the next 2 years or so. Italy are a poor side right now, the pack isn't great these days. They have two good players and the rest are average. Like I say this French team haven't beaten anybody in the last 4 years? Not that I can remember anyway. Scotland have ran them close a few times in recent years too and Scotland have been terrible.

lloyd

There's talent running through this French team but that's not enough these days, they have no discernible game plan and lack leaders. Throwing it about for 15 minutes doesn't cut it these days.

fretmeister

https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/fr/cp0/e15/q65/1625796_10153901540968726_6876020255156033797_n.jpg?efg=eyJpIjoibCJ9&oh=3e23f495146d1748589fb9338285a02a&oe=57994216

lloyd

Nothing like magnanimous victors, but worth a lol.

lloyd

The REAL grand slam game has started (u20's) again enjoying it more than the seniors competition this year, not just because we keep winning either!

koneguitarist

Wales under 20 grand slam champions. Better handling and ability than the senior team. Winger Giles looks a real prospect

lloyd

Nervous game by Wales tonight which is understandable, pulled away and won it 37-6 in the end.

First grand slam for a Welsh u20's so some achievement.

One or two decent prospects in there, which I think they say you need two from every u20 to make the grade.

Keelan Giles the winger will play for Wales many, many times I'm sure, he has something special.

Dillon Lewis Cardiff Blues prop looks handy but early to tell with a prop.

The rest look ok, but I'm no judge at this age to be honest and the step up in quality is huge.