The Rugby Thread

[pharvey]

Plenty more rugby coming up this weekend: - https://www.wheresthematch.com/live-rugby-union-on-tv/

Though Sunday's games will be the highlight for me with Toulon hosting Toulouse in the Quarter Finals of the European Champions Cup Quarter Final and Bath taking on local rivals Gloucester in the European Challenge Cup Quarter Finals.

[pharvey]

Premiership, URC & Top 14 Rugby returns this weekend after the break for European competitions - and some decent matches on the cards.

For me, it's "Judgement Day" in Cardiff, with all four Welsh Regional sides playing at the Principality Stadium in a "Double Header" - Cardiff take on the Ospreys in the opener, followed by the Newport Dragons vs Scarlets, but the recorder will have to be out for Exeter vs Bath and Sarries vs Gloucester or vice-versa!!

Bristol Bears vs Leicester is on the Sunday, which could also be quite the match...

Anywho, take your pick @ https://www.wheresthematch.com/live-rugby-union-on-tv/

[pharvey]

"Judgment Day" had depressingly low crowds yesterday - goes to show the state of Welsh Rugby... An Anglo-Welsh League would help both sides of the border IMHO.

Cardiff well outplayed the Ospreys and Faletau was outstanding - despite his age (and liability for injury), he needs to be in the forthcoming Lions Squad.

Bath did their best to lose their match at Exeter - dire refereeing aside, Exeter had a good 2nd Half (Bath looked like putting 40 points on their opponents early on). The Bath defence simply didn't click and their Lineout again caused far too many issues.... That said, despite the display, they took the full 5 points from the visit!

Today's matches could be interesting - and fits in superbly with the Saudi GP!!
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[pharvey]

Loads of Rugby on again this weekend - I'm obviously biased towards the Bath game on Saturday, but it's likely to be pretty much one-sided dependant on what team Bath put out. Sharks vs Sarries on Friday night should be a hell of a lot closer and potentially a very good game....

There's also several in the French To 14 which could be cracking encounters.... I'll keep my eye on the Welsh Regions in the URC, but I truly am losing heart

Details of the weekend's matches here - https://www.wheresthematch.com/live-rugby-union-on-tv/

[pharvey]

Well, it's European Cup Rugby this weekend

The European Champions Cup sees Leinster play host to Northampton and Toulouse with a tricky away day in Bordeaux...

Meanwhile, The European Challenge Cup sees Bath travel north of the border to face Edinburgh and Lyon play host to Racing 92

Some good rugby on the cards indeed!!

Further details (and other fixtures) @ https://www.wheresthematch.com/live-rugby-union-on-tv/

Unfortunately we're away for the weekend with a visitation from one of the LHG's friends - how to work in the odd pint with a mate and rugby viewing is another issue

[PeteC]

The Leinster - Northampton match was a true classic, although deflating for me. Will leave the details to Pharvey.

[pharvey]

The Leinster - Northampton match was a true classic, although deflating for me. Will leave the details to Pharvey.

A little late on parade unfortunately - my sporting viewing was curtailed during the day(s) of the weekend and had to catch up during the "Witching Hours"....

Leinster 34 vs 37 Northampton

This was indeed outstanding and several players will have made a big case for British Lions selection (announcement this Thursday 08.05 2pm UK). Leinster have been a dominant force in recent years with their ridiculously large (and talented) squad - the last 6N for example, the Ireland squad had 20+ Leinster players in it!! Add to that the odd foreign player and it makes you wonder how they avoid the "Salary Cap"!! Scarlets inflicted only a 2nd defeat of the season for Leinster just a couple of weeks back and now the Saints take the Paddies at home!! Thoughts must be towards their Head Coach is it Leo Cullen or Jacques Nienaber and what is going on??!!

Anywho, crazy, exciting match - Pollock again absolutely superb in the Backrow, BUT I don't think he'll be selected for the Lions (unfortunately) - simply far too much talent AND experience within the Home Nations. . I think the Leinster and Irish Flyhalf was odds on to go with the B&IL along with Finn Russell of Bath, but Finn Smith (Saints, Lillywhites) may well have edged things. Also for Saints, Freeman was outstanding - though he's an outsider for selection IMHO.

[EDIT]: Leinster's Doris and Irish Captain is a doubt for the Lions Tour as he needs "Shoulder Surgery" after an injury suffered against the Saints.

As for the match, take a look at a few highlights!!



Edinburgh 24 vs Bath 39 : -

Nowhere near the excitement of the above - simply frustration if you are a Bath (or Edinburgh) fan! Russell was hit and miss (more miss when it came to "Goal Kicks"), though in typical fashion spots of utter brilliance more than outweighed his errors. Bath at the moment seem to have the strongest squad in the Premiership (at least) and bringing on their bench in the second half was very telling (Bath 12 vs 10 up at HT). Certain Forum members will shake their heads, but once again the refereeing was so inconsistent - admittedly to both sides, but Edinburgh got away with murder with the amount of penalties they shifted in the "Red Zone"..... One or two further Yellow Cards deserved (Bath having two of their own)!

Bordeaux 35 vs Toulouse 18: -

I've only managed to catch bits and bobs of this game, but seems like classic French Rugby on a sunny day!! A friend was watching live and as was his wont kept me updated!! Anywho, have enjoyed what I've seen



Looking forward to the Finals!!

[dtaai-maai]

Certain Forum members will shake their heads, but once again the refereeing was so inconsistent ...

Name names, sirrah! Who are these infernal cads and bounders?

[pharvey]

Lots to choose from again this weekend with League Rugby getting towards the closing stages.

Many heading to Cardiff and the Principality Stadium for Saturday afternoon where Bristol will be taking on Bath - a bit of a money making exercise for Bristol (it's a home game for them). Not so sure about this one as Bath will heavily rotate their squad as they've already earned a home semi-final in the Premiership and after all they have a European Cup Final coming up in 2 weeks time Bristol on the other hand need to guarantee their place in the Top 4 and the Play-offs'

As for the play-offs, Gloucester and Sarries are also in with a chance and will need results to go their way, so Leicester Tigers vs Sale (Friday night UK) and Quins vs Gloucester (Saturday evening UK) are ones to keep an eye on.

More details and matches @ https://www.wheresthematch.com/live-rugby-union-on-tv/

[pharvey]

British and Irish Lions Squad Announcement LIVE (2pm UK)

[pharvey]

Well, the Captain and Squad have been announced..... With Irish and Scottish selection policies, we have a few "Foreign Nationals" in the line-up!

Hardly surprising to see a dire lack of Welsh players , but very happy to see Jac Morgan and Tomos Williams there. The latter may have not been at his best for country, but has been superb in the Premiership this season - the former has simply been outstanding. Both certainly there on merit!

No real "Huge Surprises" for me, but Marcus "Girly-Boy" Smith ahead of Sam Prendergast and Tom Curry's twin brother Ben (injury? ) losing out.... That said, Saints win over Leinster did all the good for Finn Smith and nothing good for Prendergast. Whilst Pollock has been incredible in the Backrow for Saints, I must admit to being a little surprised - although the recent injury to Caelan Doris (making him unavailable) certainly bumped him up.

Anywho: -

"Head Coach Andy Farrell has named Maro Itoje as captain of the Qatar Airways British & Irish Lions Men’s Tour to Australia, 2025.

Itoje will skipper the 38-man squad in his third Tour. For the very first time, The Lions squad was unveiled in front of more than 2,000 fans at indigo at The O2 in London."

https://www.lionsrugby.com/en/news/lion ... -australia
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[pharvey]

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[pharvey]

OK, it's a while to go and we have a few "Pools" on the go that maybe certain members are getting a little bored with, BUT come on - this tour comes around once every 4 years and is a massive part of Rugby..... Give it some support - hell, the likes of DM and lost should be there as well as devout "Wendyballers" - support the nation!

Invites sent out to all who have taken part previously, but for those who haven't: -

https://www.superbru.com/lions_tour_pre ... p=12978507

or by downloading the Superbru Rugby app from https://www.superbru.com/get-superbru-rugby and searching for the league with code:

hemscoax

[pharvey]

It's a mix and match this weekend methinks... Could have been absolute cracking matches - "Saints vs Sarries" and "Bath vs Leicester", but as both Bath and Saints are playing in European Cup finals in Cardiff over the 24th and 25th, you'll not likely see many first team players on display!! Whilst the Bath vs Leicester game won't effect things, Saints may well hand a victory (and Top 4 finish) to Sarries....

With 2 games left to play, Bath already guaranteed a Home Semi-Final, Leicester guaranteed a Top 4, there are still places to play for and 'Queens in P7 could yet make a case!

Current Table: -
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"Friday Night Matches" are the one's to watch - though hell, there's a few more!!
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Of course I'll watch Bath on Saturday, along with the Scarlets vs the Sharks..... Note of course the LHG is working Friday night and I'm allowed my Saturday match!! ....

Much more on though - https://www.wheresthematch.com/live-rugby-union-on-tv/

[pharvey]

Come on DM - they only want 10 Million and I know how much you love Welsh Rugby..... Break open the Piggy Bank!! We could always save a few quid if we come on as part of the Playing Squad!!

WRU Name Price For Cardiff Rugby

"The Welsh Rugby Union have put a £10m price tag on Cardiff Rugby and have given potential new owners three weeks to declare an interest.

An investment pack has been produced by WRU bosses which outlines the key financial requirements investors would have to take on."

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rug ... y-31630589