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Rugby Union 2017-18

which i suppose means we should be doing predictions.

I predict the same top 4 teams as last year, though wouldn't like to say what order.

Teams who I think may do better than predicted - Worcester + Sale

Relegated - London Irish
 
Too hard to predict the Pro 14 top 6 because of the conference format.

Still Ulster will be there or there abouts but as Les Kiss is piss it won't surprise me if we do nothing all season.
 
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The Turks have recruited decently and if they are capable of replicating anything like their end of season form will be in the mix. Glasgow under Rennie will be real contenders, also. Munster and Leinster, obviously. The Saffas will be the real wildcards,no idea what to expect.

At the other end the Ospreys, Blues and Drags will be battling it out for ignominy.
 
gawkrodger said:
which i suppose means we should be doing predictions.

I predict the same top 4 teams as last year, though wouldn't like to say what order.

Teams who I think may do better than predicted - Worcester + Sale

Relegated - London Irish
Click to expand...
I predict that Dai Young will continue to redefine mediocrity.
 
I only saw the highlights, but that looked like a mental opening weekend. How many teams got the try bonus point in the end?

I had had the opportunity to be at the double-header at Twickenham, but didn't pull my finger out in getting organised. That was a shame, because Irish looked fantastic, and Sarries frankly frightening.
 
I was a bit gutted for Worcester today, as they Wasps a real go. They deserved a losing bonus at least. Jonny Arr was fantastic, and there was one stunning tackle from Christian Scotland-Williamson.

The undoubted highlight though was Ugo Monye catching the ball in the commentary box, waiting a minute and then throwing it down to pitchside, where it hit one of the hookers on the head as he was taking a line-out.
 
stavros said:
The undoubted highlight though was Ugo Monye catching the ball in the commentary box, waiting a minute and then throwing it down to pitchside, where it hit one of the hookers on the head as he was taking a line-out.
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That will remain the best comedy moment of the season. Was hilarious. Not sure why it hasn't gone viral yet!
 
Flats was giving his overview of the game on the highlights, and said he was going to save his weekend's highlight for the end. I can't remember what it was in the end, but I thought it was going to be this, especially as he was co-commentating. I can't find a recording of it, unfortunately.
 
ditto. The highlight was Genge smashing Hartley

Not even the likes of ruck.co.uk have picked it up, and it's right up their clickbait alley
 
Am off to London Scottish tomorrow to watch them play Nottingham. My FiL is over from Montreal and wants to see a real game, all of the prem teams are out of London this weekend so it's the Scots that are taking my cash. Hopefully see some of Neil Best in action if he's still there.
 
Well 57-0 to the All Blacks! Looks like the Bok's recovery has been derailed somewhat. Also I guess shows how the ABs regroup after a shaky start to their season.

Equal'd the score last time they net, but the boks scored 15 points then, this time zilch.

Well we, the Wallabies, have another game against them later this year, chance for us to keep improving and maybe win this one. Gutted last time we just not good enough to hold on for that win, losing it in the final coupl eof minutes. Same as against the Boks, we just learnneed to learn to close out the game last 15 minutes or so if we'r eleading.
 
I couldn't get a link until about 20 minutes in, but from what I saw of the first half Gloucester were abysmal. Whilst they improved in the second half, we can now say Leicester have started their season.

Is it wrong to chuckle every time the commentators mention (Jeremy) Thrush?
 
OzT said:
Well 57-0 to the All Blacks! Looks like the Bok's recovery has been derailed somewhat. Also I guess shows how the ABs regroup after a shaky start to their season.

Equal'd the score last time they net, but the boks scored 15 points then, this time zilch.

Well we, the Wallabies, have another game against them later this year, chance for us to keep improving and maybe win this one. Gutted last time we just not good enough to hold on for that win, losing it in the final coupl eof minutes. Same as against the Boks, we just learnneed to learn to close out the game last 15 minutes or so if we'r eleading.
Click to expand...

This was pretty special. I know the boks were terrible but the all blacks were ruthless. They only had 48% of the possession too.

 
A lovely bit of handbags between Haskell and Marler this afternoon.

"But Mum, he squirted water in my face!"
 
So thoughts so far on the season everyone?

That Lions result down in NZ is looking better and better. I've not seen any Pro 14 matches but I've seen the results, the Saffa teams look well off the pace and getting drummed every week doesn't bode well for the continuity of that experiment. The AP looks strong this year with lots of very competitive teams, Sarries will probably win but it looks like a cracking season in store.
 
It's no surprise the Saffas aren't doing too well in the Pro14 - they've had no off or pre-season and also have the Currie cup. We can't really say much about them until next season.

Cipriani out for 3 months. I really hope the rumours about a potential Lozowski return to Wasps is true
 
gawkrodger said:
It's no surprise the Saffas aren't doing too well in the Pro14 - they've had no off or pre-season and also have the Currie cup. We can't really say much about them until next season.

Cipriani out for 3 months. I really hope the rumours about a potential Lozowski return to Wasps is true
Click to expand...

It's also their style of play isn't suited to the more defensive Pro14. I agree that once the Curry Cup is over we'll see much more competitive teams. Still the Italians are looking much more up to the task, which is a good thing.

Last Saturday at London Scottish, I witnessed one of the best games of rugby I've ever seen. Excellent standard, willingness to go through the hands, attack space, and even a few tackle only calls from the ref. Seemingly similar to the French second division where flair and the desire to be seen by big clubs helps the open game. The game went down to the wire with Scottish going for an 'in extra time' maul that was held up. Score ended 31 - 33 to Nottingham. I will be going back.
 
flypanam said:
It's also their style of play isn't suited to the more defensive Pro14. I agree that once the Curry Cup is over we'll see much more competitive teams. Still the Italians are looking much more up to the task, which is a good thing.

Last Saturday at London Scottish, I witnessed one of the best games of rugby I've ever seen. Excellent standard, willingness to go through the hands, attack space, and even a few tackle only calls from the ref. Seemingly similar to the French second division where flair and the desire to be seen by big clubs helps the open game. The game went down to the wire with Scottish going for an 'in extra time' maul that was held up. Score ended 31 - 33 to Nottingham. I will be going back.
Click to expand...

Heh, that's my local ground. T'is a great day out isn't it? I tend to watch Richmond more but not averse to watching Scottish either. You're right about the attacking, ball-in-hand rugby that's played and tries aplenty. Players actually try and run around tacklers as opposed to into them.
 
What do people think of rugby's attempts to "crack America"? I can't see it carving out much more than a very small following, given that there's already four established team ball sports there, plus football. Doesn't rugby have too much similarity, to the untrained eye, to American football for it to establish more than a British Isles ex-pat niche?
 
flypanam said:
It's also their style of play isn't suited to the more defensive Pro14. I agree that once the Curry Cup is over we'll see much more competitive teams. Still the Italians are looking much more up to the task, which is a good thing.

Last Saturday at London Scottish, I witnessed one of the best games of rugby I've ever seen. Excellent standard, willingness to go through the hands, attack space, and even a few tackle only calls from the ref. Seemingly similar to the French second division where flair and the desire to be seen by big clubs helps the open game. The game went down to the wire with Scottish going for an 'in extra time' maul that was held up. Score ended 31 - 33 to Nottingham. I will be going back.
Click to expand...
More defensive? When was the last time you saw the Dragons, Blues or Ospreys play? They're phenomenally charitable.
 
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