Search found 980 matches

by Balls Out!
Tue Mar 26, 2024 2:57 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: Jeremy Guscott v Manu Tuilagi - who was better?
Replies: 85
Views: 1617

Re: Jeremy Guscott v Manu Tuilagi - who was better?

Both are eh Tuilagi had one game vs the All Blacks where he was unstoppable. Never seemed to regain it. less well known a game was when, as an uncapped teenager, he gaped the Springboks when they played Leicester Tigers in 2009. He used Wynand Olivier as a doormat on a couple of occasions https://y...
by Balls Out!
Sun Mar 17, 2024 4:23 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 112284
Views: 7526351

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

I wouldn't be aghast to see Rodd return, but equally I've not seen anything yet which makes me concerned we might not see him back. And one needn't be swayed by experts, Eddie Jones or otherwise. Frankly there's very little point posting on the internet if you're going to let yourself be distracted...
by Balls Out!
Sun Mar 17, 2024 2:52 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 112284
Views: 7526351

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

Has everyone forgotten Bevan Rodd? Or is never coming back? I'm not sure he's a test level player. Hopefully he both comes back and proves he is, but he looks a nice club option that's just a bit off the pace physically thus far at the very top of the game. That could easily be he's only just start...
by Balls Out!
Wed Mar 13, 2024 8:36 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 112284
Views: 7526351

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

forrester wrote: Wed Mar 13, 2024 8:19 pm Christian Wade has signed for Gloucester from next season.
needs 20 tries to beat Ashton's record.

Most scored in a season is 20 (Sam Simmonds) so not likely to be in '24/'25
by Balls Out!
Tue Mar 12, 2024 6:01 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: The best new and returning TV series of 2024?
Replies: 11406
Views: 1230700

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

Binged on Guy Ritchie’s Gentlemen over the last few days . Excellent work watched the first episode today and absolutely loved it, about the most I've enjoyed a new show in years - the last thing I've really enjoyed maybe since Fargo (which I only got around to watching in maybe 2022). Perfect timi...
by Balls Out!
Sun Mar 10, 2024 3:54 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 112284
Views: 7526351

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

Guess who? They started well. I honestly believe that Borthwick's players had read my pre-match column because they were so quickly out of the blocks. :lol: that was amazing. He also started with "I wrote before the match that England had next to no chance" and almost 2 paragraphs later "They prove...
by Balls Out!
Sat Mar 09, 2024 7:43 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: The Official and ONLY England v Ireland Match Thread
Replies: 1639
Views: 45658

Re: The Official and ONLY England v Ireland Match Thread

We believe in Steve*


*/Felix
by Balls Out!
Sun Mar 03, 2024 3:12 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: The Official and ONLY England v Ireland Match Thread
Replies: 1639
Views: 45658

Re: The Official and ONLY England v Ireland Match Thread

That performance against Argentina was a real cup performance. I expect England to put in a cup performance again next Saturday. I'm also expecting we'll deal with it Stephen Jones is going for the "they don't like it up 'em" approach. He seems to think that Billy V and Manu will make Ireland quail...
by Balls Out!
Tue Feb 27, 2024 3:24 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 112284
Views: 7526351

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

The calls for player changes are definitely valid. I don't think it changes the performance materially though - there is clearly do game plan that makes sense, a significant lack of structure ( Genge stood in front of Ford how many times at 1st receiver, players taking the ball behind the gain line...
by Balls Out!
Mon Feb 26, 2024 9:13 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: Borthwick OUT!!!
Replies: 107
Views: 2699

Re: Borthwick OUT!!!

So .. let's go through what we're looking for: - Looking to add power in the front 5 of the pack. - Backrows good - Tell the halfies to add real pace and use heads up rugby - Get a brand new pair of centres.. Ojomoh come on down. - Just play attacking rugby and see space and run at it. What coach w...
by Balls Out!
Sun Feb 25, 2024 7:22 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: Borthwick OUT!!!
Replies: 107
Views: 2699

Re: Borthwick OUT!!!

Nah, if they’re fired then they’re takin their entourage with them. Has anyone from EJ’s regime survived? All those rugby league coaches cutting their teeth in Union :lol: I posted this on the main England thread but it probably fits better here: Kitson pretty much nails the root causes, in a round...
by Balls Out!
Sun Feb 25, 2024 7:12 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 112284
Views: 7526351

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

Kitson pretty much nails the root causes, in a roundabout sort of way: "there is no point ignoring the obvious. England’s pack are not terrifying anyone... and more that the basics of their attacking game... are now inferior to the majority of their competitors". https://www.theguardian.com/sport/20...
by Balls Out!
Sat Feb 24, 2024 8:39 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 112284
Views: 7526351

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

I just laughed when I saw this picture on BBC of scabnose looking like a frozen fücking plank.

Image
"REACTION? ANY REACTION? SOMETHING? ANYTHING?PLEASE?"
by Balls Out!
Fri Feb 23, 2024 12:25 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: The best new and returning TV series of 2024?
Replies: 11406
Views: 1230700

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

The True Detective finale is dire. Not sure I can finish it. Season was otherwise OK. my apologies to Grandpa, with whom I argued about this. After a week Episode 1, E2 I thought was great but then it started to slide back downhill and the finale was indeed fall-off-a-cliff flaming garbage. I laugh...
by Balls Out!
Wed Feb 21, 2024 8:39 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: The best new and returning TV series of 2024?
Replies: 11406
Views: 1230700

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

The True Detective finale is dire. Not sure I can finish it. Season was otherwise OK. my apologies to Grandpa, with whom I argued about this. After a week Episode 1, E2 I thought was great but then it started to slide back downhill and the finale was indeed fall-off-a-cliff flaming garbage. I laugh...
by Balls Out!
Wed Feb 21, 2024 3:29 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: The best new and returning TV series of 2024?
Replies: 11406
Views: 1230700

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

The True Detective finale is dire. Not sure I can finish it. Season was otherwise OK. my apologies to Grandpa, with whom I argued about this. After a weak Episode 1, E2 I thought was great but then it started to slide back downhill and the finale was indeed fall-off-a-cliff flaming garbage. I laugh...
by Balls Out!
Sun Feb 18, 2024 5:54 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 112284
Views: 7526351

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

He's simply a better 8 than earl. And with Willis unavailable England would Benefit from Earl at 7. If you're talking about Jack Willis, he's another whose reputation is inversely proportional to the amount of time he plays for England. 20 caps and bored wisdom (I canvassed opinion on here before) ...
by Balls Out!
Sun Feb 18, 2024 12:10 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 112284
Views: 7526351

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

Hang on. We haven't even got a proper 8 in the squad other than Dombrandt who I think was called up. He was the T14 player of the year and then shortlisted again last year. Deserves to at least be in the squad just on that basis alone. I've watched him a couple of times this season and he's been ex...
by Balls Out!
Sat Feb 17, 2024 8:56 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 112284
Views: 7526351

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

Mercer is a shocking omission. No justification for him not being in the full 6n squad never mind the development one. It's amazing how shit our selection actually is. Hang on, Mercer has been bang average most of the season. His performance in Europe after not getting in the England squad was unbe...
by Balls Out!
Sat Feb 17, 2024 8:30 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 112284
Views: 7526351

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

Didn't they have a panel of selectors in the old days? It's not a slight on Earl who's done a bang up job at no8, but he would do the team better at 7. honestly wouldn't surprise me if they still did and it consists of a bunch of people wildly unqualified to be administering the national senior tea...
by Balls Out!
Sat Feb 17, 2024 7:43 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 112284
Views: 7526351

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

The only negative I can see is that he needs to work a bit harder in defence. But thats fixable easily. I think he might have burnt his bridges with Borewick with his comments in the press a couple of weeks back when he didn't get selected. Contrast that with the likes of Earl who kept his head dow...
by Balls Out!
Sat Feb 17, 2024 6:33 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 112284
Views: 7526351

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

Not even making England A for Mercer is comedy. He beats men with footwork. The only negative I can see is that he needs to work a bit harder in defence. But thats fixable easily. I think he might have burnt his bridges with Borewick with his comments in the press a couple of weeks back when he did...
by Balls Out!
Fri Feb 16, 2024 7:02 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 112284
Views: 7526351

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

England A Squad for Portugal. Let's see how Vesty can get them playing in attack. https://scontent.flhr3-3.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/424705814_936594138136287_5247726594149838243_n.jpg?_nc_cat=111&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=3635dc&_nc_ohc=M5PAQ5dYvOIAX_nvjEU&_nc_ht=scontent.flhr3-3.fna&oh=00_AfAHlqHhyWQ-9lu...
by Balls Out!
Thu Feb 15, 2024 1:31 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 112284
Views: 7526351

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

I know. I’m just saying I don’t see where this big pack thing comes from And I disagree with a comment earlier that said SB picks players based on weight. If that were true, Pearson would be in over Roots. CSS or Dombrandt over Earl. He’d pick big locks. Etc etc There are no bigger locks in England...
by Balls Out!
Thu Feb 15, 2024 5:25 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 112284
Views: 7526351

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

Borthwick selects forwards based on weight rather than speed or fitness. They just are not fit enough to play a quick game with intensity. Preference is to slow it right down to a staccato of one set piece at a time with a rest in between for the fatties. Basic fitness isn’t there. Gym work needs t...
by Balls Out!
Sat Feb 10, 2024 8:39 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 112284
Views: 7526351

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

Chandler and Dan look athletic enough for test rugby. It's hard to believe people pay good money and endure the transport to twickenham for this shite. a friend of mine goes to practically every game, texting me from the match today about how shit it was. Says he hates going now, only does it becau...
by Balls Out!
Sat Feb 10, 2024 8:13 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 112284
Views: 7526351

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

Chandler and Dan look athletic enough for test rugby. It's hard to believe people pay good money and endure the transport to twickenham for this shite. a friend of mine goes to practically every game, texting me from the match today about how shit it was. Says he hates going now, only does it becau...
by Balls Out!
Wed Feb 07, 2024 7:26 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 112284
Views: 7526351

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

6N 2025, England to lose to Italy for the first time ever thanks to tries from Lynagh and Odogwu. Here, first.
by Balls Out!
Wed Jan 31, 2024 1:57 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 112284
Views: 7526351

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

I don't think any of the squads are at full strength, are they ? It's been a long season, given that it started with a RWC not long after the previous one ended. Ford, for example, has already played the kind of minutes this season that a mid-career Sexton would have turned his nose up at. It's not...
by Balls Out!
Wed Jan 31, 2024 1:00 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 112284
Views: 7526351

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

Bizarre decision to go to France just for one year. Perhaps he's not having a great time? Sort of makes sense if he decided to leave around the time Eddie was stinking out the place, he wasn't really getting a look-in. Maybe he had a get-out just in case. But that also suggests that he'd either onl...
by Balls Out!
Tue Jan 30, 2024 2:04 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: The best new and returning TV series of 2024?
Replies: 11406
Views: 1230700

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

He's definitely front and centre more than usual at the moment but nearly all due to Saltburn. ackshully I don't know anything about Saltburn, he came to my attention in his cameo as the Joker in the RPatz Batman. He just seems to be in all the kinds of things I enjoy watching, so lucky him. To be ...
by Balls Out!
Tue Jan 30, 2024 12:35 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: The best new and returning TV series of 2024?
Replies: 11406
Views: 1230700

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

"Masters of the Air" is being hyped enormously. Apparently huge money has been spent on it, not to mention direction by Spielberg, no less. I was vaguely interested in it till I learned it starred that squinty eyed Irish twat who's in f**king everything for some inexplicable reason (Barry Keoghan) ...
by Balls Out!
Fri Jan 26, 2024 8:50 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 112284
Views: 7526351

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

Plastic Sarrie wrote: Fri Jan 26, 2024 8:41 pm
So let's maybe wait and see what he *actually* does in the 6N before we start writing him off?
That's boring. Stop being boring.
I'm Keyser Soze/ Steve Borthwick
by Balls Out!
Fri Jan 26, 2024 8:29 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 112284
Views: 7526351

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

Didn’t he pick two players that he’d originally omitted from the squad for the first World Cup games? Doesn’t feel like you can make rational predictions for what Borthers might do. Johnny May and who? Bringing back in one of England's most-capped wings is hardly what I'd call a gamble, no matter h...
by Balls Out!
Fri Jan 26, 2024 4:15 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: The best new and returning TV series of 2024?
Replies: 11406
Views: 1230700

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

Yep. Episode 2 confirmed it was dross for me. I'll keep watching as it's watchable... just. But Most Scandi Crimes shows are better. And Seasons 1,2 and 3 were all better for me. I just feel disappointed after all the build-up. Read the article I posted earlier. Sums it up well. This one. https://w...
by Balls Out!
Fri Jan 26, 2024 4:02 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: The best new and returning TV series of 2024?
Replies: 11406
Views: 1230700

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

Really? Not as good as most things on TV for me. Acting poor, production poor, no tension, cringe scenes all over the place. It's more Ricky Gervais in The Office than a thriller. Just feels b-grade. And I can't see how it can improve. If I didn't know it was part of the TD franchise I would have a...
by Balls Out!
Fri Jan 26, 2024 1:00 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: The best new and returning TV series of 2024?
Replies: 11406
Views: 1230700

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

yeah I'm going to keep watching but does feel like a bunch of other shows selotaped together - Fortitude for sure, Dexter: New Blood, shades of Twin Peaks (the cop, Hank, has the same hair as Andy Brennan in The Return), and of course The Thing (see the DVD easter egg when Foster is walking through...
by Balls Out!
Fri Jan 26, 2024 4:49 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: The best new and returning TV series of 2024?
Replies: 11406
Views: 1230700

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

Yeah promising , if a bit wacky . So far it reminds me of Fortitude... But not as good. Still watchable... yeah I'm going to keep watching but does feel like a bunch of other shows selotaped together - Fortitude for sure, Dexter: New Blood, shades of Twin Peaks (the cop, Hank, has the same hair as ...
by Balls Out!
Wed Jan 24, 2024 2:30 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 112284
Views: 7526351

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

Gives Dingwall a decent run of games I guess if he can resist bringing Manu back in asap. exactly right, it just gives a promising newcomer the chance to shine. I cannot bloody stand the histrionic, clickbaity language used by the rugby press. Both the Times and Telegraph describe it as a midfield ...
by Balls Out!
Wed Jan 24, 2024 12:05 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: The best new and returning TV series of 2024?
Replies: 11406
Views: 1230700

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

We’ve just hammered (again) TD1-3, in prep for TD4. 3 things: 1. The mrs is convinced the spiral is in EVERY season - but I’ve yet to buy it, 2. TD2 is nowhere near as shite as I recall. The weakest, fo sho, but we enjoyed the recent re-binge, and 3. Does anyone know if there is anything occulty (a...