Search found 14625 matches

by ovalball
Sun Mar 24, 2024 7:32 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: Women's 6 Nations 2024 thread
Replies: 120
Views: 2310

Re: Women's 6 Nations 2024 thread

We'll definitely need to play better than against France, Wales and the Scots (not that France were any great shakes yesterday). Looked very clunky in the 1st half - could just be a bit rusty or expecting Italy to just roll over. Much slicker later on. Can't be giving away so much free lineout ball ...
by ovalball
Sun Mar 24, 2024 5:54 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: Women's 6 Nations 2024 thread
Replies: 120
Views: 2310

Re: Women's 6 Nations 2024 thread

nardol wrote: Sun Mar 24, 2024 5:49 pm Seems about right

13 England players better than 15 Italian
We've been much better in this half - lineout still pretty crap though. Packer wasn't up to her normal standard.
by ovalball
Sun Mar 24, 2024 12:32 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 112282
Views: 7524282

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

polyallstar wrote: Sat Mar 23, 2024 11:28 pm
ovalball wrote: Sat Mar 23, 2024 11:27 pm
polyallstar wrote: Sat Mar 23, 2024 8:50 pm

Based on six nations it’s Dombrandt…
CCS made more appearances than him.
At number 8…
Well, Dombrandt was selected for the final matchday squad to replace CCS who was injured !!!!
by ovalball
Sat Mar 23, 2024 11:27 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 112282
Views: 7524282

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

Mercer may, or may not, thrive at international level - but he's certainly done enough at Domestic level that you'd really want to find out - and do it fairly soon. At the moment we're just an injury away from not knowing who our number 8 will be. Based on six nations it’s Dombrandt… CCS made more ...
by ovalball
Sat Mar 23, 2024 7:44 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: Women's 6 Nations 2024 thread
Replies: 120
Views: 2310

Re: Women's 6 Nations 2024 thread

You need any score to win, so you kick it away. Professional players stupidity in a nutshell. But Scotland deserved that. Fair play. Wales were turgid shite mostly. No attacking play besides hoping to kick penalties for lineout mauls. What on earth were they thinking - I assume they weren't just pr...
by ovalball
Sat Mar 23, 2024 2:48 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 112282
Views: 7524282

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

Mercer may, or may not, thrive at international level - but he's certainly done enough at Domestic level that you'd really want to find out - and do it fairly soon. At the moment we're just an injury away from not knowing who our number 8 will be.
by ovalball
Sat Mar 23, 2024 10:42 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 112282
Views: 7524282

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

The backrow of Underhill/Curry, Chessum and Earl looks pretty tasty - but, given we're bound to get injuries - we need to have a really good back up for Earl, who is the key player - CCS looks promising but is still a rookie - so it'd certainly be handy to see what the likes of Mercer and Barbeary c...
by ovalball
Thu Mar 21, 2024 9:37 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 112282
Views: 7524282

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

Who are our undroppable players? Or players that we should build the team around and we’d suffer a massive drop off with out them, if any? I used to think it was only Itoje and Curry. Now we may have more. I feel like Martin and Earl would be on that list Itoje Martin Earl Lawrence (arguable but he...
by ovalball
Thu Mar 21, 2024 3:38 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 112282
Views: 7524282

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

England side for the W6N opener v Italy

England: Kildunne; Dow, Rowland, Scarratt, Breach; Harrison, Packer; Botterman, Atkin-Davies, Clifford, Aldcroft, Ward, Kabeya, Packer, Beckett.

Replacements: Powell, Carson, Muir, Feaunati, Matthews, Hunt, Aitchison, Jones.
by ovalball
Tue Mar 19, 2024 7:20 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: The Obscure Awesome Song Fred
Replies: 96
Views: 6450

Re: The Obscure Awesome Song Fred

Not sure how obscure this is really but it doesn't get played much these days - my band did a cover of it at our recent concert - great riffs. Our vocalist found the timing really hard to get right.

John Kongos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4N2Ul7ll-FM
by ovalball
Tue Mar 19, 2024 3:55 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 112282
Views: 7524282

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

Barnes still plugging Earl as a centre in the Times. Interesting thought but I think he does more damage in the back row, not necessarily at 8. I haven’t jumped on the Pollock hype train yet. Suspect size will ultimately be his issue. I don’t understand why people do this. We seem to be the only na...
by ovalball
Tue Mar 19, 2024 1:44 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 112282
Views: 7524282

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

mr flaps wrote: Tue Mar 19, 2024 1:33 pm
Da iawn diolch wrote: Tue Mar 19, 2024 11:02 am
mr flaps wrote: Mon Mar 18, 2024 2:13 pm

He’s awesome. Not a proper 8 apparently……..
Tell me your 'analysis' of his game ended with the number on his shirt without telling me. :lol:
Look who’s crawled out from under his rock. Do tell us more about how you’d rather be in Gatlands position than Borthwicks.
:lol:
by ovalball
Mon Mar 18, 2024 9:34 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 112282
Views: 7524282

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

DragsterDriver wrote: Mon Mar 18, 2024 9:16 pm Is Barbeary that good? When I've seen him he looks like a fat penalty machine, prone to injury.
24 tries in 45 appearances for Wasps and Bath - not all of them starts !!
by ovalball
Mon Mar 18, 2024 2:58 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 112282
Views: 7524282

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

Hawk97 wrote: Mon Mar 18, 2024 2:38 pm He’s the type of backrower where it doesn’t matter which of the three numbers he has on his back. He will do the same job - tons of tackles, meters made, and general work rate. He’s also getting turnovers
I'd like to see him @ 7 with Barbeary @ 8 and Chessum @ 6 - CCS coming on from the Bench
by ovalball
Sun Mar 17, 2024 6:47 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 112282
Views: 7524282

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

We need to build some depth in quite a few positions though. The drop off from, say, Lawrence, is huge - even losing a rookie like Wabosi was hurtful. And the bench needs to have bigger impact. It'll be tough to bring in fresh faces with the schedule we have for the rest of this year - but needs to...
by ovalball
Sun Mar 17, 2024 6:08 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 112282
Views: 7524282

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

Feels like we have some key players now. Martin has started the games against SA, Ireland and France. We’ve won one and the other two have been within a point or two. He adds real grunt that you need. Earl is a menace, does everything. Lawrence genuine 12 finally Free-Bank is dangerous returning. W...
by ovalball
Sun Mar 17, 2024 5:33 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 112282
Views: 7524282

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

Feels like we have some key players now. Martin has started the games against SA, Ireland and France. We’ve won one and the other two have been within a point or two. He adds real grunt that you need. Earl is a menace, does everything. Lawrence genuine 12 finally Free-Bank is dangerous returning. W...
by ovalball
Sun Mar 17, 2024 12:55 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: France vs England - Official 6 Nations Thread - 16 March 24
Replies: 705
Views: 9586

Re: France vs England - Official 6 Nations Thread - 16 March 24

Just caught up with the game. What a great match. Really impressed with how England played - could have easily gone our way with a kinder bounce of the ball. Both sides put on a real show. England have made a huge improvement over the course of this tournament - and I think there's more to come - ha...
by ovalball
Sat Mar 16, 2024 2:55 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: U20 6 Nations 2024
Replies: 1172
Views: 18161

Re: U20 6 Nations 2024

Tbf the French did score one of the very best tries you will ever see. Yeah - couple of really brilliant tries. Their discipline was awful though - 10 penalties in the 1st half alone - quite lucky to not get anyone binned until the 63rd minute. I wasn’t convinced about all those penalties. Even so,...
by ovalball
Sat Mar 16, 2024 2:51 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: France vs England - Official 6 Nations Thread - 16 March 24
Replies: 705
Views: 9586

Re: France vs England - Official 6 Nations Thread - 16 March 24

message #2527204 wrote: Sat Mar 16, 2024 2:48 pm I think France will be out of sight by halftime. This England team isn't built for chasing a game.
Weren't we 9 points adrift against Ireland - and came from behind against both Wales and Italy ?
by ovalball
Sat Mar 16, 2024 2:49 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: U20 6 Nations 2024
Replies: 1172
Views: 18161

Re: U20 6 Nations 2024

Monk Zombie wrote: Sat Mar 16, 2024 2:41 pm Tbf the French did score one of the very best tries you will ever see.
Yeah - couple of really brilliant tries. Their discipline was awful though - 10 penalties in the 1st half alone - quite lucky to not get anyone binned until the 63rd minute.
by ovalball
Sat Mar 16, 2024 2:18 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: U20 6 Nations 2024
Replies: 1172
Views: 18161

Re: U20 6 Nations 2024

New Zealand Spain Wales Finishing best second could be manageable. Winning it depends on the quality of the Baby Blacks. You should be favourites to win your group. England have a tough ask with the Baby Boks on home soil. Only the best placed 2nd team gets through to the semi final - so much could...
by ovalball
Sat Mar 16, 2024 2:05 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: U20 6 Nations 2024
Replies: 1172
Views: 18161

Re: U20 6 Nations 2024

Good summation, thanks TheFrog. I think that team still has plenty of potential. The intercept was a killer but they created so many chances only to blow them by lack of cohesion. You'd think if they navigate the pool, they'd still be favourites again. Who are you in with? New Zealand Spain Wales F...
by ovalball
Sat Mar 16, 2024 10:45 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 112282
Views: 7524282

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

U20 front five were fantastic. Opoku, Kpoku and Sudoku (!) all excellent. Billy Sela fabulous at 18yrs weighing in at 116kg. Big Jimmy Halliwell at 19 yrs already 129kg. And if Fasogbon gets fit again, another 19 yr old already at 132kg. With CCS, Pearson, Fisilau, Tuima, Pepper, Bamber, Baxter, Ha...
by ovalball
Sat Mar 16, 2024 10:36 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: U20 6 Nations 2024
Replies: 1172
Views: 18161

Re: U20 6 Nations 2024

CM11 wrote: Sat Mar 16, 2024 9:50 am
DragsterDriver wrote: Sat Mar 16, 2024 9:48 am Apart from it's a cobbled together side and not their best team. Sure.
Ffs.

If you want to remain negative, whatever.
I get what you're saying CM - but I'm sure France put out what they believed was their strongest side with the best chance of achieving a win.
by ovalball
Fri Mar 15, 2024 10:55 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: U20 6 Nations 2024
Replies: 1172
Views: 18161

Re: U20 6 Nations 2024

Terrific win by the orclings. :D :D
by ovalball
Thu Mar 14, 2024 10:40 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 112282
Views: 7524282

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

message #2527204 wrote: Thu Mar 14, 2024 8:57 pm The hotstepper can cover the back three .... though of course he'd have to tackle people.... On second thoughts, scrub that.
According to the stats on the Fantasy league, Furbank has made a total of 1 tackle in 2 games at FB :shock:
by ovalball
Thu Mar 14, 2024 6:29 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 112282
Views: 7524282

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

Luckily he didn't have to beat his man as Freeman had obliterated him already. He handed off his man as he went on his outside. Which has absolutely nothing to do with his lack of pace True - but he had the pace to keep up with the others and be in the right position. He's obviously not blistering ...
by ovalball
Thu Mar 14, 2024 6:16 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 112282
Views: 7524282

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

Keith wrote: Thu Mar 14, 2024 6:15 pm
DragsterDriver wrote: Thu Mar 14, 2024 5:21 pm
ovalball wrote: Thu Mar 14, 2024 5:18 pm

Our quickest player is probably Mitchell - he'd probably do OK on the wing, at a push.
This the Lawrence that scored down the wing this week?
Luckily he didn't have to beat his man as Freeman had obliterated him already.
He handed off his man as he went on his outside.
by ovalball
Thu Mar 14, 2024 5:31 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 112282
Views: 7524282

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

I had assumed Daly to 15 if we lost Furbank. I suppose it depends at what stage it happened though as I doubt Ford can go the 80 against France so a fresh Smith coming on at 10 might be a more strategic replacement than using him at 15 if Furbank goes down. Losing a wing would be a disaster. I thin...
by ovalball
Thu Mar 14, 2024 5:18 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 112282
Views: 7524282

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

We've picked a 23 without anyone who I would class as an out and out winger. If Freeman or Furbank get injured that means Tuilagi on the wing against one of the super quick frog wingers. Mental. Not following your logic there. If Furbank gets injured - we'd probably have Smith at FB - And Lawrence ...
by ovalball
Thu Mar 14, 2024 4:00 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 112282
Views: 7524282

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

We've picked a 23 without anyone who I would class as an out and out winger. If Freeman or Furbank get injured that means Tuilagi on the wing against one of the super quick frog wingers. Mental. Not following your logic there. If Furbank gets injured - we'd probably have Smith at FB - And Lawrence ...
by ovalball
Thu Mar 14, 2024 3:16 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 112282
Views: 7524282

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

DragsterDriver wrote: Thu Mar 14, 2024 3:10 pm Teams up!

Who has roots replaced on the bench?
CCS
by ovalball
Thu Mar 14, 2024 3:15 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 112282
Views: 7524282

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

England: Furbank; Freeman, Slade, Lawrence, Daly; Ford, Mitchell; Genge, George (capt), Cole, Itoje, Martin, Chessum, Underhill, Earl.

Replacements: Dan, Marler, Stuart, Roots, Dombrandt, Care, M Smith, Tuilagi.
by ovalball
Thu Mar 14, 2024 1:39 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 112282
Views: 7524282

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

DragsterDriver wrote: Thu Mar 14, 2024 1:31 pm Isn't Barbeary a bit of a unit?
Yep - pretty mobile though - started as a centre, then Hooker now Backrow. 24 tries in 35 senior appearances !!
by ovalball
Thu Mar 14, 2024 1:03 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 112282
Views: 7524282

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

Dobbin wrote: Thu Mar 14, 2024 12:51 pm How's Barbeary doing at Bath?
He was going well - but got suspended just before the 6N squad was chosen.
by ovalball
Thu Mar 14, 2024 12:48 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 112282
Views: 7524282

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

Another statto I'm nabbing from the RugbyPod on analysis today, tackles made after 4 games by each of the teams: 1. Italy 754 tackles (Av of. 188.5 per game) 2. Wales 626 tackles (Av of. 156.5 per game) 3. Scotland 559 tackles (Av of. 139.75 per game) 4. Ireland 543 tackles (Av of. 135.75 per game)...
by ovalball
Thu Mar 14, 2024 9:58 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: France vs England - Official 6 Nations Thread - 16 March 24
Replies: 705
Views: 9586

Re: France vs England - Official 6 Nations Thread - 16 March 24

Nah. You can tweak a couple of things and employ tactics to counter certain strengths, but good teams play their game regardless of the opposition. Horses for courses works against crap teams, but then of course you beat them anyway. No good team changes up their gameplan completely week by week de...
by ovalball
Tue Mar 12, 2024 7:32 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: France vs England - Official 6 Nations Thread - 16 March 24
Replies: 705
Views: 9586

Re: France vs England - Official 6 Nations Thread - 16 March 24

Because of Ireland's massive points difference, England could win with a try bonus point, Ireland could lose by 7 and still win the championship Fortunately, that isn't going to happen. Ireland will win - there's no way they won't bounce back and put away a pretty disappointing Scots team, at home....