Search found 382 matches

by Calendar Blue
Mon Jun 16, 2025 12:26 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: Premiership rebrands to become the 'Prem' from next season
Replies: 43
Views: 1868

Re: Premiership rebrands to become the 'Prem' from next season

What have the RFU got against 'ships'?? First "the Champ" and now this. What utter nonsense.
by Calendar Blue
Mon Jun 16, 2025 10:46 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: Retirement - WTF ?
Replies: 222
Views: 7555

Re: Retirement - WTF ?

Following this thread with some interest. I'm 54, and have just added the cost of a home extension to my mortgage, so retirement is no nearer than the horizon for the time being. But I watched my Dad's wellbeing deteriorate rapidly on retirement. Having run his own successful business for years, on ...
by Calendar Blue
Tue May 20, 2025 12:19 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: 2026 6N -wtaf
Replies: 46
Views: 6503

Re: 2026 6N -wtaf

Supposedly for french tv where rugby matches on thursdays are very common? Whatever the reason, it’s silly. People have lives, kids, and work outside of rugby, and for the vast majority of people Thursday just isn’t as easy to give a few hours and ££££ over to rugby. Attendance , sponsorship, adver...
by Calendar Blue
Mon May 19, 2025 3:56 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: 2026 6N -wtaf
Replies: 46
Views: 6503

Re: 2026 6N -wtaf

The Thursday thing is an oddity, but as a one-off because of the Olympics, I can live with it. And I'm not sad to see the 2nd fallow weekend go. Always feels weird having all the surrounding hype and excitement and then a random hiatus. World Cup games are usually played only (approx) a week apart, ...
by Calendar Blue
Mon May 19, 2025 9:34 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 119147
Views: 8994871

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

I last watched Tier 2 rugby in 2007/8 when Saints were relegated. They had a glorious seasons, winning immediate promotion back to the Premiership with 30 wins from 30 matches. They also won the EDF Energy Trophy that year. Trying to remember the teams from that season Pirates, Launceston, Exeter, ...
by Calendar Blue
Fri May 16, 2025 12:39 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 119147
Views: 8994871

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

It's this season's 12 clubs plus Richmond (promoted from Nat 1) and Worcester (the only one of the three that went bust that the RFU said met the minimum required criteria for a return) Today's news isn't all that much news. We already knew it was going to be 14 clubs; we already knew which 14 club...
by Calendar Blue
Mon Apr 07, 2025 9:52 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: Has Anyone Ever Been Attracted To Their Boss At Work? Is It A Recipe For Disaster?
Replies: 52
Views: 6229

Re: Has Anyone Ever Been Attracted To Their Boss At Work? Is It A Recipe For Disaster?

Not something I've experienced, but we've got lots of couples who met at work in our organisation. General view seems to be keep it very quiet to start with, have your eyes open to the risks, and if it turns into something serious / ongoing, be prepared that one of you is going to have to change rol...
by Calendar Blue
Fri Apr 04, 2025 9:10 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: Worcester Warriors back for next season!!!
Replies: 20
Views: 967

Re: Worcester Warriors back for next season!!!

Terrible news , send a message of old boys club and not professional sport. I take it you are predicting this will end in tears. No idea what he is thinking. Surely good for English rugby to have a thriving Championships that can be sold as a package with the GP, like the French set up. Not exactly...
by Calendar Blue
Mon Mar 17, 2025 10:15 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: The best new and returning TV series of 2025?
Replies: 12480
Views: 1526198

Re: The best new and returning TV series of 2025?

Adolescence on Netflix? Just started but looks decent to far, Steven graham says it'll be good, Ashley Walters says not so sure... wanted to get into it next, it's been getting great reviews anyone finished it ? Yep, binged it over the weekend. I'm not a parent, so can only imagine how they'll feel...
by Calendar Blue
Wed Feb 19, 2025 3:06 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: ‘Clubs are going to disappear’: grassroots rugby crying for help in Six Nations’ shadow
Replies: 99
Views: 19656

Re: ‘Clubs are going to disappear’: grassroots rugby crying for help in Six Nations’ shadow

Not sure if there's some personal politics going on here, but I'm with Mog on this; I'm a bit stunned by the idea that people might think the amateur game provides nothing for the pro game. I may be a lifelong supporter of what is now a Championship club, but Bedford have been an amateur club for th...
by Calendar Blue
Wed Feb 19, 2025 11:00 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: ‘Clubs are going to disappear’: grassroots rugby crying for help in Six Nations’ shadow
Replies: 99
Views: 19656

Re: ‘Clubs are going to disappear’: grassroots rugby crying for help in Six Nations’ shadow

I don't claim to understand the finer details of how grassroots rugby operates, or funds itself, as a lifelong supporter of a Championship club, but from a purely logical (and possibly very niave) perspective, surely it's clear to see why grassroots/community rugby is so important? Without those clu...
by Calendar Blue
Fri Jan 10, 2025 2:23 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 119147
Views: 8994871

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

In other news...
This isn't going away. :nod: I'm beginning to feel like there's no way for the RFU to avoid this now.
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/ ... is-blocked
by Calendar Blue
Wed Jan 01, 2025 9:13 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: How many decades have you lived in?
Replies: 85
Views: 3497

Re: How many decades have you lived in?

70s 80s 90s 00s 10s 20s Have to say the 90s was the best decade Same decades, but honestly feel like I'm living my best life right now! 70s and 80s I was still just a kid really, stumbling along & not really knowing / appreciating much. Made some poor life choices in the 90s and 00s, and finally st...
by Calendar Blue
Tue Dec 24, 2024 2:03 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: That's Amazing
Replies: 115
Views: 8373

Re: That's Amazing

Duff Paddy wrote: Tue Dec 24, 2024 1:42 pm
fatcat wrote: Mon Dec 23, 2024 9:55 pm Women can orgasm.
Only before you marry them
Again, not sure what to make of this either! Never been married so can't comment, but if it's true, which I find hard to believe, that's desperately sad, and a poor reflection on, well...someone, or something. :(
by Calendar Blue
Tue Dec 24, 2024 1:29 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: That's Amazing
Replies: 115
Views: 8373

Re: That's Amazing

fatcat wrote: Tue Dec 24, 2024 1:21 pm
Calendar Blue wrote: Tue Dec 24, 2024 1:10 pm
fatcat wrote: Mon Dec 23, 2024 9:55 pm Women can orgasm.
I genuinely don't know what to make of this.
Not the statement, but the fact that it's in this thread...
:?
Hey, it started an interesting discussion on bananas.
Fair point!! :lol:
by Calendar Blue
Tue Dec 24, 2024 1:23 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: The Training Thread - all aspects of fitness and health
Replies: 27659
Views: 2350188

Re: The Training Thread - all aspects of fitness and health

Having never been in a gym until 18 months ago, I'm now addicted! Cardio was what got the weight off for me, 2 stone in about 6 months without really trying, other than doing lots of sessions. Not sure if that works the same for you guys as us girls? I've now changed gyms and am doing more weight & ...
by Calendar Blue
Tue Dec 24, 2024 1:10 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: That's Amazing
Replies: 115
Views: 8373

Re: That's Amazing

fatcat wrote: Mon Dec 23, 2024 9:55 pm Women can orgasm.
I genuinely don't know what to make of this.
Not the statement, but the fact that it's in this thread...
:?
by Calendar Blue
Fri Dec 20, 2024 2:00 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 119147
Views: 8994871

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union ... 9g5zdq514o

Well, things seem to be moving at some pace...Sweeney gone by the new year??!!
by Calendar Blue
Wed Dec 18, 2024 10:55 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 119147
Views: 8994871

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

National League 1 now joining the bunfight... https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/c62z6v80188o Feels like a head of steam building up, with an emergency meeting of the RFU Council today, but will it be enough? Yeah i did hear they were definitely going for it. More power to their colle...
by Calendar Blue
Wed Dec 18, 2024 10:01 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 119147
Views: 8994871

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

National League 1 now joining the bunfight...
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union ... 2z6v80188o

Feels like a head of steam building up, with an emergency meeting of the RFU Council today, but will it be enough?
by Calendar Blue
Mon Dec 16, 2024 10:10 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: How is your local club getting on?
Replies: 47
Views: 14279

Re: How is your local club getting on?

Got Smoked- although Cambridge getting dicked 95-7 at Ealing softens the blow nicely 😂 Are you a Caldy supporter DD? Bedford committed yet another daylight robbery at London Scottish yesterday; according to our own Twitterfeed, we were poor throughout, and yet somehow managed to find a couple of pe...
by Calendar Blue
Tue Dec 10, 2024 10:00 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 119147
Views: 8994871

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/c3vrp790ekyo Exactly as per a discussion I had with our (Bedford) Chairman on Saturday afternoon. He's always very measured & diplomatic when talking to us supporters but was more fired up on this subject than I've ever seen him. Doubt it'll deliver t...
by Calendar Blue
Thu Nov 28, 2024 10:30 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 119147
Views: 8994871

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

The £1.3 million paid in LTIP bonuses to the five executive directors and Sweeney is more than the £1 million that the RFU pays to Championship clubs.
And there it is... :roll: Busy filling their pockets while the game below (and some would argue, at) international / Prem-level slowly crumbles.
by Calendar Blue
Mon Nov 18, 2024 11:17 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: The best new and returning TV series of 2025?
Replies: 12480
Views: 1526198

Re: The best new and returning TV series of 2024?

Good thing about this time of year is we usually get some decent tele. I'm enjoying Lioness, the Lincoln Lawyer's back, just started the Jackal, 2nd season of the Diplomat is pending, and I know everyone else seems to hate it, but I love Yellowstone! Other than Wolf Hall on a Sunday night, I'm watch...
by Calendar Blue
Mon Nov 18, 2024 10:38 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: Official Les Bleus v All Blacks NH Tour Match thread,
Replies: 1015
Views: 24058

Re: Official Les Bleus v All Blacks NH Tour Match thread,

Just wanted to drop in here and say that this was the best test match I've watched this year. The intensity and physical commitment from both sides was leagues ahead of everything else we saw this weekend. A really enjoyable 80 minutes as a neutral. Agreed. This was the World Cup final that I wishe...
by Calendar Blue
Thu Oct 31, 2024 10:13 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: Haka is absurd
Replies: 427
Views: 17260

Re: Haka is absurd

Why does the haka upset the English so much? Doesn't upset me. I love it. On a recent corporate 'away day', y'know, the God-awful team-building guff, we had some Kiwi guys come & do demo's and explanations of the haka. Best part of the day; really fascinating understanding all the cultural referenc...
by Calendar Blue
Wed Oct 30, 2024 10:04 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: How is your local club getting on?
Replies: 47
Views: 14279

Re: How is your local club getting on?

Finally started to play at kick-off, rather than waiting til 60 mins, and pulled off a good win against Donny, on Ladies Day at Bedford. Sitting reasonably comfortably in third, although mudbath pitches for the next few months rarely suits us. Loads of money raised for Breast Cancer, mostly by piss...
by Calendar Blue
Tue Oct 29, 2024 10:47 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: How is your local club getting on?
Replies: 47
Views: 14279

Re: How is your local club getting on?

Finally started to play at kick-off, rather than waiting til 60 mins, and pulled off a good win against Donny, on Ladies Day at Bedford. Sitting reasonably comfortably in third, although mudbath pitches for the next few months rarely suits us. Loads of money raised for Breast Cancer, mostly by pisse...
by Calendar Blue
Mon Oct 28, 2024 10:55 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: Globus RIP
Replies: 333
Views: 19421

Re: Globus RIP

What sad news.
I had the pleasure of meeting him, and 'the management' on a glorious sunny afternoon when they came to join a few of us watching Bedford play. Mad as a box of frogs, but joyfully hilarious company, and very generous.

A loss to the bored, as well as his family.
by Calendar Blue
Thu Oct 17, 2024 4:14 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: London Irish back in the Championship from 2025?
Replies: 122
Views: 40194

Re: London Irish back in the Championship from 2025?

I know I'm starting to sound like bleating, and there are for sure things that Championship clubs could & should've done off their own bat, but perhaps if the RFU hadn't slashed the Championship clubs funding from £633K to £133k per season, a serious punt at the Prem might not seem such an unachieva...
by Calendar Blue
Thu Oct 17, 2024 2:25 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: London Irish back in the Championship from 2025?
Replies: 122
Views: 40194

Re: London Irish back in the Championship from 2025?

The Championship Clubs podcast (via Spotify in my case) makes for a good listen. And gives some good insight as to how the clubs would like the new agreements to work out. Particularly re relationships with Prem clubs. Personally I still think even allowing LI, Wasps & Worcs to tender is all wrong. ...
by Calendar Blue
Thu Oct 17, 2024 9:45 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: How is your local club getting on?
Replies: 47
Views: 14279

Re: How is your local club getting on?

Bedford are being their usual unpredictable extreme selves. Got completely hammered by Coventry, but have since pulled off two bonkers 'snatched victory from the jaws of defeat' wins against Hartbury and Pirates. Regular supporters are campaigning for multiple defibs around the ground... We're strug...
by Calendar Blue
Wed Oct 09, 2024 9:28 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: Storms from Hell
Replies: 124
Views: 7400

Re: Storms from Hell

I used to work for the UK's atmospheric research aircraft, and as such we got to meet some of the team from NOAA (the 'hurricane hunters') and have a look round their Hercules. Some pretty cool guys, with some very cool tech, and frankly balls of steel, who do something you couldn't pay me enough to...
by Calendar Blue
Fri Oct 04, 2024 10:09 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: and the winner is... SYDNEY!
Replies: 90
Views: 4735

Re: and the winner is... SYDNEY!

Watching the Sydney debate with interest, as I'm due to arrive mid-January to spend 3 weeks with my brother & his kids. He's based in St Ives, so late night eating in the city isn't a big thing for us, but I'm always interested to hear the locals' views on Sydney for days out / nice areas to visit. ...
by Calendar Blue
Thu Oct 03, 2024 10:21 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 119147
Views: 8994871

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

Worcester have a premiership standard stadium, a proven supporter base - if they can bring some investment into the game as well, then let them join. And pray tell, what sort of "investment" do you think is going to come to the club that gets parachuted back into the Champ? It will be exactly the s...
by Calendar Blue
Wed Oct 02, 2024 1:05 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 119147
Views: 8994871

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

And it would appear that what does interest the RFU is how much more important 'brands' are, than clubs that have managed to survive the swingeing cuts to funding, that are consistently delivering future England players and supporting the community game. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/arti...
by Calendar Blue
Wed Oct 02, 2024 9:33 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 119147
Views: 8994871

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

And it would appear that what does interest the RFU is how much more important 'brands' are, than clubs that have managed to survive the swingeing cuts to funding, that are consistently delivering future England players and supporting the community game. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/artic...
by Calendar Blue
Wed Oct 02, 2024 9:20 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 119147
Views: 8994871

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

Does anyone know where the RFU publish stats on attendance down the pyramid? I found this which points at Championship attendance but no source https://sportsgazette.co.uk/english-rugbys-capacity-crisis-delving-into-the-data/ I doubt the RFU publishes any stats for the Championship (or below) as it...
by Calendar Blue
Wed Sep 25, 2024 9:04 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: Everyday Things That Annoy You
Replies: 3532
Views: 358268

Re: Everyday Things That Annoy You

People playing their social media out loud on public transport. Tik tok, Instagram etc. Too many people have no manners. Aligned with this, over 40's vs under 40's are immediately distinguishable. Over 40's hold their phone to their ear as they're talking. At least then the rest of us are only forc...
by Calendar Blue
Mon Sep 16, 2024 12:18 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: How is your local club getting on?
Replies: 47
Views: 14279

Re: How is your local club getting on?

Our season at Bedford has yet to kick off (1st league game on Sat) but the 3 pre-season friendlies went ok. Bit of a battering by Sarries, who surprisingly fielded a number of their internationals, as did Saints last weekend, but generally I think we're in a pretty good place. Large % of last season...