Search found 15103 matches

by ovalball
Thu Feb 20, 2025 4:50 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: England Vs Scotland • Guinness 6 Nations • Official Match Thread 2025
Replies: 480
Views: 51101

Re: England Vs Scotland • Guinness 6 Nations • Official Match Thread 2025

forrester wrote: Thu Feb 20, 2025 3:41 pm Martin out, Ted Hill to the bench.
Good to see Hill get an opportunity but still a bit risky having no specialist lock on the bench.
by ovalball
Wed Feb 19, 2025 10:12 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 119120
Views: 8987945

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

That’s awesome. Thanks - she seems to be having the time of her life (aside from the broken digit). She hopes to go to Gloucester Hartbury Uni when she finishes at Worthing (2026) - She's had a look around there and says their Rugby facilities are terrific. Not bad considering she didn't take up ru...
by ovalball
Wed Feb 19, 2025 1:30 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 119120
Views: 8987945

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

I don’t really pay attention to the college game to be honest. I hear a lot of different stuff from the kids I know in different programs. Some schools have massive numbers and others regularly cancel b side games. Non of them play enough rugby though, 10-12 games of 15’s a season isn’t much. My Gr...
by ovalball
Tue Feb 18, 2025 9:46 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 119120
Views: 8987945

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

I don’t think men’s college rugby is governed by the NCAA. Ah- seems to me the colleges are pretty keen on rugby, must be on the up? I don’t really pay attention to the college game to be honest. I hear a lot of different stuff from the kids I know in different programs. Some schools have massive n...
by ovalball
Tue Feb 18, 2025 6:26 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 119120
Views: 8987945

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

Keith wrote: Tue Feb 18, 2025 4:35 pm The team is out. Just one change this week with Martin dropping to the bench and Chessum starting.
Is Chessum a better line out target/jumper than Martin ? If so could be a selection to assist LCD's throwing. However, Itoje seems to play better with a guy like Martin alongside him.
by ovalball
Tue Feb 18, 2025 12:11 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 119120
Views: 8987945

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

On the telegraph latest podcast… Morgan and Richardson think Pollock is very very close to being in the 23, and he might get games against Wales and Italy. When they were discussing how well the scrum has been going and then suggested dropping LCD for Dan was insane. LCD is a superb scrummager. Qui...
by ovalball
Mon Feb 17, 2025 8:58 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 119120
Views: 8987945

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

I hope Waghorn and Kerr get a run out on the summer tour. Both have been excellent so far. Waghorn is a lump. Fitting him and Lawrence into the centres together would be a nice problem to have. Waghorn looks very promising but he only made his prem debut last month - can't see him being ready for t...
by ovalball
Sun Feb 16, 2025 8:53 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 119120
Views: 8987945

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

DragsterDriver wrote: Sun Feb 16, 2025 8:26 pm
ManInTheBar wrote: Sun Feb 16, 2025 8:10 pm Farrell was a great player.

Coaches, opposition, contemporary players all testified to it.
.
Ben Youngs is often eulogised.

For many years Faz was an anchor not a sail for England.
:thumbup:
by ovalball
Sat Feb 15, 2025 5:55 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 119120
Views: 8987945

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

Very dumb from Herbst - probably cost Quins the game with a really stupid penalty.
by ovalball
Sat Feb 15, 2025 5:49 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 119120
Views: 8987945

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

Dommers tearing it up in the Prem Cup. Fired up by non-selection, or found his level. Either was he has been too good for Sarries first half Some enjoyably random refereeing too. Particularly liked yellow carding a player who shoulder charged him Quins should have been out of sight by now - just no...
by ovalball
Fri Feb 14, 2025 1:02 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 119120
Views: 8987945

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

Oh yeah for sure- if it's him or Slade it's him. I don't know if the stats support my assertion that games pass Slade by- he just seems to massively lack involvements. I don’t get this hate for Henry Slade. He is the glue in the team and the classiest player. He has won lots and has proven himself ...
by ovalball
Fri Feb 14, 2025 1:15 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 119120
Views: 8987945

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

Oh yeah for sure- if it's him or Slade it's him. I don't know if the stats support my assertion that games pass Slade by- he just seems to massively lack involvements. I don’t get this hate for Henry Slade. He is the glue in the team and the classiest player. He has won lots and has proven himself ...
by ovalball
Thu Feb 13, 2025 7:12 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 119120
Views: 8987945

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

fatcat wrote: Thu Feb 13, 2025 6:33 pm Bordeaux's Guido Petti signed by Quins for next season according to the Telegraph. The name's familiar to me but can't say I've noticed him before.
30 yr old with 75 caps for Argentina at Lock ! Should be a decent signing
by ovalball
Thu Feb 13, 2025 5:49 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 119120
Views: 8987945

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

Deffo Langdon, i don't think Dingwall is an international- he's a Fraser Waters. He’s no worse than Slade and having him there would help Finn. Oh yeah for sure- if it's him or Slade it's him. I don't know if the stats support my assertion that games pass Slade by- he just seems to massively lack i...
by ovalball
Sun Feb 09, 2025 9:45 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 119120
Views: 8987945

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

I see Daly’s a class act again. Apart from Care I reckon Daly’s had more stick from England fans than any regular selection in the last ten years. Not a criticism of anyone - players can be in and out of form of right or wrong for a game plan - but I love how sports fans change their minds given a ...
by ovalball
Sun Feb 09, 2025 7:47 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 119120
Views: 8987945

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

RodneyRegis wrote: Sun Feb 09, 2025 6:13 pm Oh and earl 6/5
That's an odd one - really didn't notice him missing tackles.

Willis made 16, missed none. I think they could really have used him more for carrying.
by ovalball
Sun Feb 09, 2025 5:40 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 119120
Views: 8987945

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

Watching the Scotland game - our loss in Ireland not looking quite as bad now !
by ovalball
Sun Feb 09, 2025 4:52 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: The Scotland V Their New Bogey Team Match Thread
Replies: 818
Views: 29738

Re: The Scotland V Their New Bogey Team Match Thread

Ireland's defence looking very tight - but appear off-side at almost every ruck !
by ovalball
Sun Feb 09, 2025 4:11 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 119120
Views: 8987945

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

Agreed with the exception I don't believe Slade has been as bad as England fans make out in these first two games According to ESPN he made 3 tackles, missed 3, carried twice and was turned over once. He’s an empty shirt at the moment. Jesus. That’s grim. Yep - no one will be picking him for their ...
by ovalball
Sun Feb 09, 2025 3:51 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: Should Wales just give up rugby?
Replies: 95
Views: 32909

Re: Should Wales just give up rugby?

Agreed OB. Not only did they win the championship, Wales secured the triple crown too in 2021. I've no doubt Wales will be back. Past performance is not a predictor of future results. Rugby is phenomenally different now to even 20 years ago. It needs the injection of (unsustainable) amounts of mone...
by ovalball
Sun Feb 09, 2025 2:15 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: Should Wales just give up rugby?
Replies: 95
Views: 32909

Re: Should Wales just give up rugby?

Wales won the 6N as recently as 2021 - at a low ebb atm, but will surely become competitive again in the not too distant future.
by ovalball
Sat Feb 08, 2025 11:49 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: Official England vs France - 6N 2025
Replies: 721
Views: 74005

Re: Official England vs France - 6N 2025

I can't think of who England was missing today but France definitely missed Flament and Ntamack. Roumat is better used in the back row in their big boy set up. Does Taofifenua still get a half when he is fit? England were definitely missing Feyi Wabosi and Furbank - both 1st choice players - and Wa...
by ovalball
Sat Feb 08, 2025 11:20 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: Official England vs France - 6N 2025
Replies: 721
Views: 74005

Re: Official England vs France - 6N 2025

France did butcher some good opportunities - we also butchered one and squandered some line outs in very attacking positions - no side wins if the other doesn't make any mistakes. And we definitely finished the stronger side (for a change). France are showing a similar issue with their bench changes...
by ovalball
Sat Feb 08, 2025 9:14 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: Official England vs France - 6N 2025
Replies: 721
Views: 74005

Re: Official England vs France - 6N 2025

TheBouncer wrote: Sat Feb 08, 2025 9:10 pm Fun game, Curry is a super player.
Proper test match animal. Oddly, he was getting a fair bit of stick from England supporters, on here, prior to the tournament.
by ovalball
Sat Feb 08, 2025 8:57 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: Official England vs France - 6N 2025
Replies: 721
Views: 74005

Re: Official England vs France - 6N 2025

Our bench looked much more effective this week. I was certainly very happy that George was on to take that last line out throw !
by ovalball
Sat Feb 08, 2025 8:55 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: Official England vs France - 6N 2025
Replies: 721
Views: 74005

Re: Official England vs France - 6N 2025

Defeatism, we lost by 2 pts in Paris last year We're due a win - might need the rub of the green and an off-colour French performance for us to squeak home by less than a score. On the other hand, it's the hope that kills you. Well that played out nicely :lol: I also had England by 3 in the predict...
by ovalball
Sat Feb 08, 2025 5:16 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: Official U20 6N
Replies: 435
Views: 96873

Re: Official U20 6N

I think the irish are trying to do what the welsh used to do,that is when they not winning at u20 level, say the results are not important,its all about development,we have better skillsets,englands success is just down to size etc. Even though of course when the irish are winning at u20 level they...
by ovalball
Sat Feb 08, 2025 1:21 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: Official England vs France - 6N 2025
Replies: 721
Views: 74005

Re: Official England vs France - 6N 2025

I think we need reign in this kind of defeatism. Defeatism or realism? Anyways , always been a pessimist - so that everything’s a bonus if the worst doesn’t happen. Defeatism, we lost by 2 pts in Paris last year We're due a win - might need the rub of the green and an off-colour French performance ...
by ovalball
Fri Feb 07, 2025 12:52 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: Official England vs France - 6N 2025
Replies: 721
Views: 74005

Re: Official England vs France - 6N 2025

ManInTheBar wrote: Thu Feb 06, 2025 10:36 pm
Gavroche wrote: Thu Feb 06, 2025 10:32 pm
DragsterDriver wrote: Thu Feb 06, 2025 7:38 pm

Daly is covering 11-15.
Indeed, he is a utility back. But cannot believe that FS will play at 10 for the entire game. So I can see Dali coming in at 15…
That would just be surreal
:lol: :lol:
Very Good :thumbup:
by ovalball
Thu Feb 06, 2025 4:27 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 119120
Views: 8987945

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

It could have been worse. At least we don’t have Steward in the back, and we get a chance to see Tom Willis at 8 with a better balanced backrow. Daly is a bit of a conservative option but he’s been in decent form and will add some experience to the bench. There’s, at least, some pace in our back thr...
by ovalball
Thu Feb 06, 2025 12:28 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: Should Wales and England (rugby) just merge?
Replies: 108
Views: 11148

Re: Should Wales and England (rugby) just merge?

CanNZ2000 wrote: Wed Feb 05, 2025 6:46 pm
True Blue wrote: Wed Feb 05, 2025 5:28 pm England, Scotland, Wales should all be one team. Probably throw in Ireland also. :thumbup:
Hey I said that on the first page of this thread.
Maybe we should do it, say, once every 4 years and send the team out on tour to the SH to help them out with their finances.
by ovalball
Thu Feb 06, 2025 12:20 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 119120
Views: 8987945

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

Size and power can be fairly irrelevant if you can't use it effectively. Some players seemingly have an attitude that they will not be stopped, and they contort their body, adjust their centre of gravity, wriggle, struggle, spin to avoid being tackled - see Kolbe, Tom Willis, that shortarse English...
by ovalball
Tue Feb 04, 2025 11:33 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 119120
Views: 8987945

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

Scaramouche wrote: Tue Feb 04, 2025 11:24 pm Charlie Morgan reporting back row for France as:

6. T. Curry
7. Earl
8. T. Willis
I'd prefer Earl on the bench and Ben Curry at 6 with Tom Curry 7. Ben didn't miss 1 of his 18 tackles !
by ovalball
Tue Feb 04, 2025 1:43 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 119120
Views: 8987945

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

Heads gone, not foot. As for Smith being the problem- that's hilarious pup talk. Have a word with yourselves- if you think he's running the tactics of hoofing the ball up in the air i have a bridge to sell you. He's our only genuine world class player. When has he ever shown it?... Against one of t...
by ovalball
Tue Feb 04, 2025 12:22 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 119120
Views: 8987945

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

Lozowski called up - Murley has a foot injury. Slightly odd, not like for like replacement. Heads gone, not foot. As for Smith being the problem- that's hilarious pup talk. Have a word with yourselves- if you think he's running the tactics of hoofing the ball up in the air i have a bridge to sell y...
by ovalball
Tue Feb 04, 2025 11:38 am
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 119120
Views: 8987945

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

Lozowski called up - Murley has a foot injury. Slightly odd, not like for like replacement.
by ovalball
Mon Feb 03, 2025 3:07 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: Should Wales and England (rugby) just merge?
Replies: 108
Views: 11148

Re: Should Wales and England (rugby) just merge?

So not objecting to England A and B merging then? It would likely guarantee the county of Wales has a team at T1 level. Playing the 6n. The fans already support the respective teams No we don't. I can't imagine an England team with Welsh in it, it would be like having an Irish side with British pla...
by ovalball
Sun Feb 02, 2025 8:44 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 119120
Views: 8987945

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

45jumper wrote: Sun Feb 02, 2025 8:29 pm During the 6N build-up, Borthwick was prattling about Stewards 'super power' (taking high balls) and that they'd asked him to get quicker: and he has! He's seeing out the whole campaign bar a meteorite strike.
I suspect you're right - unless he gets an injury - then it'll be Daly or Smith :?
by ovalball
Sun Feb 02, 2025 7:32 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 119120
Views: 8987945

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

Jamie George added back to the squad, Arthur Clark drops out. Not sure why we need 4 hookers and only 3 locks! Steward still the only fullback :x It really is astonishing that the coaches can't see what everyone else sees. Borthwick will suffer for loyalty- think of the stick he used to get as a pl...
by ovalball
Sun Feb 02, 2025 7:25 pm
Forum: Rugby Forum
Topic: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread
Replies: 119120
Views: 8987945

Re: **OFFICIAL** English Rugby Thread

forrester wrote: Sun Feb 02, 2025 7:21 pm Jamie George added back to the squad, Arthur Clark drops out. Not sure why we need 4 hookers and only 3 locks!
Steward still the only fullback :x
It really is astonishing that the coaches can't see what everyone else sees.