The Dew Drop Inn Virtual Rugby Pub

by Pete C (Kiwireddevil) Sat 08 Oct 2011, 9:48 am

First topic message reminder :

Welcome to the virtual rugby pub - a place where you can come in for a sly beverage and discuss whatever's on your mind, or just eavesdrop on the regulars if you fancy a break from all the rugby chat.

The only rule in this pub is one of mutual respect for everyone in it, oh and no defacing the collage of pub regulars. We've got the big group pic from the HEC final in Cardiff, plus insets of ll those who couldn't make it

So pull up a chair....what'll it be?

Ale

Last Pub: https://www.606v2.com/t15430p950-the-dew-drop-inn-virtual-rugby-pub#560300

by Rava Wed 12 Oct 2011, 12:06 pm

I'm not 100% sure Asbo but I think there has been an increase from 16.5k. I would assume the proposals I am looking at are right up to date.

Plan is to commence the two new stands at either end by December next year and have them completed by the start of 2013/14 season. The replacement of the existing main stand is to commence immediately after the 12/13 season ends.

by MrsP Wed 12 Oct 2011, 1:03 pm

I found this charming beastie in our family room today. Managed to get a photo of it with a 50p piece as a reference.

Arachnophobes look away now.

Spoiler:

by Luckless Pedestrian Wed 12 Oct 2011, 1:04 pm

Yep, that's a house spider. I do not like them.

by MrsP Wed 12 Oct 2011, 1:08 pm

I think that might be the biggest spider I have seen in the house.

I know Linebreaker will undoubtable have encountered much more impressive specimens but that one is quite big enough for me thank you very much.

by Luckless Pedestrian Wed 12 Oct 2011, 1:09 pm

Here's a question: there's no way of telling, of course, but would the spirit in the Welsh squad, and the results that some argue have come as a result of that spirit, have been the same if Matthew Rees had been captain at the World Cup? The young players would still have been involved, but would their influence have been as great?

by prop_lyd Wed 12 Oct 2011, 1:16 pm

Rava wrote:I am looking at the proposals for Ravenhill redevelopment. Ground capacity will be 18,000 and the target is to be fully complete by May 2014. Out for Consultant tendering at the minute. Would be great to be involved from a business and sporting perspective.

My old man was in the shortlist for the aviva stadium to be its consultant, didn't get it unfortunately otherwise I'd have got a lot of free trips to Dublin!!

by Glas a du Wed 12 Oct 2011, 1:18 pm

by **Pal Joey** Wed 12 Oct 2011, 1:18 pm

Hi MrsP, yes I most certainly have encountered some impressive specimens.

For years we lived with successive generations of blue-tongued lizards. They are like miniature dinosaurs with stripy colouring. Gorgeous things.

The weather is cool here though - so there is not much activity at present. Smile

by Guest Wed 12 Oct 2011, 1:27 pm

luckless_pedestrian wrote:Here's a question: there's no way of telling, of course, but would the spirit in the Welsh squad, and the results that some argue have come as a result of that spirit, have been the same if Matthew Rees had been captain at the World Cup? The young players would still have been involved, but would their influence have been as great?

Yes. There was an interview with Warburton the other day where he said how much Matthew Rees has taught him and what he'd told him about how special this team was, and for Sam to carry it on etc etc. Perhaps you could argue the influence of the younger players wouldn't have been quite as great, but I still think the same spirit of the squad would have been found.

by Luckless Pedestrian Wed 12 Oct 2011, 2:06 pm

Dolly Parton has a great voice, in fairness to her.

by Glas a du Wed 12 Oct 2011, 2:13 pm

Yeeees.

by Glas a du Wed 12 Oct 2011, 2:14 pm

by Luckless Pedestrian Wed 12 Oct 2011, 2:16 pm

She was on the radio just then, Glas.

I don't own any of her records, I swear! Run

by Guest Wed 12 Oct 2011, 2:56 pm

too late Lucky, your secrets out now! Wink

Is anyone else finding it pretty much impossible to concentrate this week?

by **Ozzy3213** Wed 12 Oct 2011, 3:29 pm

Afternoon all

The wife loves Dolly Parton, very nearly had to call one of the little ones Dolly but I managed to talk her out of it. Can't wait for the weekend, am tempted to head to The Stoop in the afternoon to watch The Mighty Exiles take on the Hairy Queens in the Low Value Cup, might have to sweeten the wife up somehow though as I think she has an afternoon in town going around every shop imaginable planned.

Anyone know for sure if Priestland is in or out for Saturday morning yet?

by Guest Wed 12 Oct 2011, 3:39 pm

no one knows for sure yet Pete. He hasn't partaken in any training this week (but then neither have Roberts, Charteris or Warbs - who is apparently nursing a niggling injury and has been for a few weeks Shocked

) and no one is overly concerened about the other 3.

I would say it's v much touch and go, but I wouldn't be surprised either way if he's playing or not.

by Glas a du Wed 12 Oct 2011, 3:41 pm

Low Value Cup,

by red_stag Wed 12 Oct 2011, 3:41 pm

The boss just got back from NZ!!

by Cymroglan Wed 12 Oct 2011, 3:42 pm

rugbydreamer wrote:too late Lucky, your secrets out now!

Is anyone else finding it pretty much impossible to concentrate this week?

I have delegated all my work I would only mess it up.

by Guest Wed 12 Oct 2011, 3:44 pm

Stag - is that the first time you've met him now??

by Hound_of_Harrow Wed 12 Oct 2011, 3:49 pm

Yes, but only because I'm 'kin knackered Sad

I had to call my bank about something earlier and the lass I spoke to was very pleasant and helpful. The call centre I was through to is based in S. Wales and I wished Wales all the best in their s/f.

She said 'Thanks, everyone here is so excited.' It was just a nice moment; and I was so pleased for her, because she was very helpful.

by Guest Wed 12 Oct 2011, 3:52 pm

Awh that's a lovely Hound Smile

I'm still really tired too, have even had to break my no caffeine rule to get through the day!

Still, almost home time Smile

by red_stag Wed 12 Oct 2011, 3:55 pm

No Dreamer - I arrived before RWC he was still here then.

Thats nice Hound - I had something similar dealing with a Welsh company today. I congratulated him and this was his reply:

"Thanks so much for your kind words on the rugby. It means a lot and I think therein lies the beauty of our game. We did play well but really I think it was just our day. Yours will come again - Respect for a fine Irish team"

by red_stag Wed 12 Oct 2011, 4:01 pm

Hound - has Andrew Burke featured much for Wasps? I've saw that he played for the Wasps A team once or twice last season. Is he kicking onwards?

by Hound_of_Harrow Wed 12 Oct 2011, 4:07 pm

Ah bless her, she was like a 5 year old on Christmas Eve Smile

And it is stuff like this, where you can be happy for the opposition, that does make rugby 'different'. OK, not everyone is like that,but the vast majority are.

thumbsup

by Rava Wed 12 Oct 2011, 4:08 pm

Mrs P were you able to get the 50p back or was that sacrificed in the name of art?

by Guest Wed 12 Oct 2011, 4:19 pm

Stag - ah I wasn't sure when exactly it was you started, since the rwc has been on, time seems to have blurred a bit for me.

And I think if one thing has definitely come out of the game between Ireland and Wales, then that is most definitely respect.

by red_stag Wed 12 Oct 2011, 4:25 pm

Yes I said it on Facebook but I think that Wales v Ireland, could be the first intense 6 Nations rivarly that doesn't owe its origins to some war in the distant past.

2009 Grand Slam decider, Ospreys successes in the Celtic League and their failure in Europe at the hands of Musnter twice, the Mike Phillips lineout incident, the Rugby World Cup quarter final, Warren Gatland saying that the Welsh want to beat the Irish more than any other team. There have all contributed massively.

I also think that there is a deep down feeling on both sides that they have had the better 6 Nations achievements - i.e. Ireland have been more consistent overall. However Wales have won the competition more times.

What I like about it is that it is heavily steeped in respect.

by Guest Wed 12 Oct 2011, 4:34 pm

We had our 2005 grandslam deciding game against you as well (although I don't think Ireland were in with a chance of winning the tournament if they won like we did in 2009, or did they??)

Aye and always respect. I think it helps because our provincial/regional teams play against each other so much.

And I honestly think Gatland has a point about us wanting to beat the Irish, perhaps maybe not so much as we like to beat England Wink

but Ireland are certainly in my top two anyway.

by red_stag Wed 12 Oct 2011, 4:41 pm

Its a different sort of rivalry to England. Lots of Irish people really want to beat Wales when we play them. However I think when we play the English, lots of Irish people take more pleasure in seeing them lose.

Its not like that with the Welsh v Irish. I think 2011 laid a great foundation for a Top 2012 Six Nations. The teams played each other so many times with some key victories and defeats.

by Guest Wed 12 Oct 2011, 4:48 pm

As long as teams don't get decimated through injury, I think the 6N's next year could be a cracker. Might show up the difference in terms of quality though in how little time teams have to prepare, compared with what they have had leading up to this rwc.

Matches against Ireland are usually always my fave in that though, if only for going out celebrating with both sets of fans afterwards Smile

by **Ozzy3213** Wed 12 Oct 2011, 4:56 pm

I don't expect much from England in the 6 Nations next year to be honest. It will go either one of two ways for me.

1. We stick with what we have and fail to address the issues on the playing and management sides and grind out a couple of wins but lose to the better sides. = ozzy3213 NOT HAPPY

2. A new broom sweeps clean and we select a young, hungry side with a few of the experienced guys in there, and they play good rugby but lose against teams further on in their development, all the while learning how to play at the top level and gaining experience. = ozzy3213 HAPPY

Sadly, I suspect that it will be option 1! Sad

by red_stag Wed 12 Oct 2011, 4:57 pm

Interestingly (well not really but whatever) Dreamer, the game that the French fans like the most is Wales v France.

by red_stag Wed 12 Oct 2011, 4:59 pm

You do have quite a young, hungry team already though Pete. I'd have thought about 2-3 players would fix that.

Cobisiero, Hartley, Cole

Attwood, Lawes

Croft, Haskell, Wood

Youngs, Flood

Twelvetrees, Tuilagi

Sharples, Foden, Ashton

To me thats a forward looking England team with minimal change.

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Wed 12 Oct 2011, 5:00 pm

Ah, what a relief - heavy drinking is not behind my anti-social behaviour: Wrong alcohol message - carry on Ale

by Guest Wed 12 Oct 2011, 5:00 pm

ah Wales v France games are amazing, the fans that travel over to Cardiff are brilliant. Games against them and Ireland are always my fave's in the 6N's.

by red_stag Wed 12 Oct 2011, 5:01 pm

Pete - here's a question for you. Do you think that the English Prem 'A' teams or the Nat Div 1 teams who aren't in the British & Irish Cup would be interested in playing a friendy against Connacht when the B & I Cup is on?

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Wed 12 Oct 2011, 5:02 pm

red_stag wrote:You do have quite a young, hungry team already though Pete. I'd have thought about 2-3 players would fix that.

Cobisiero, Hartley, Cole

Attwood, Lawes

Croft, Haskell, Wood

Youngs, Flood

Twelvetrees, Tuilagi

Sharples, Foden, Ashton

To me thats a forward looking England team with minimal change.

Don't think the Brand is available for selection next year, Staggy? But you're right, there's plenty of young promise in that side, with a fair bit of experience too

by **Ozzy3213** Wed 12 Oct 2011, 5:04 pm

Stag, the problem with that team is it will not be selected with the current manager/coaches in charge, hence my point about a new broom sweeping clean.

In relation to the the Prem 'A' teams, not a chance, as we often have to borrow players from London Welsh to fulfil the fixtures that they have anyway.

by red_stag Wed 12 Oct 2011, 5:07 pm

Oh I forgot about that Asbo - he's off to Japan or somewhere?

Here's a question. How well would Samoa have done with Manu Tuilagi in the team?

by Luckless Pedestrian Wed 12 Oct 2011, 5:08 pm

red_stag wrote:Interestingly (well not really but whatever) Dreamer, the game that the French fans like the most is Wales v France.

Well France usually win, which might have something to do with it!

No, I imagine it's because both sides (traditionally, at least) will look to run the ball if it's on. That's great for spectators and for the players as well, the backs anyway. I've seen Vincent Clerc quoted as saying he loves playing Wales.

by red_stag Wed 12 Oct 2011, 5:11 pm

They travel in droves for it. We're an Irish touring company and we've got large groups of French fans headed to Cardiff for the 6 Nations.

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Wed 12 Oct 2011, 5:16 pm

red_stag wrote:How well would Samoa have done with Manu Tuilagi in the team?

Not much differently, I would argue, Staggy - given a choice of Seilala Mapusua, Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu, or Tuilagi, I'd probably stick with the first two

by red_stag Wed 12 Oct 2011, 5:19 pm

I'd agree with you Asbo. My friend who was bleating on about England poaching players asked me what I thought. I reckoned minimal difference.

by **Ozzy3213** Wed 12 Oct 2011, 5:21 pm

One that may interest the Welsh regs (or maybe not)....

http://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/rugby/london_irish/s/2101361_ansbro_set_to_make_london_irish_debut

Looks as if Jonathon Spratt is now fit and likely to make his London Irish debut this weekend. Looking forward to seeing what he can do.

by Cymroglan Wed 12 Oct 2011, 5:29 pm

Jonathan Spratt is a big strong lad is the game televised ?

by Gibson Wed 12 Oct 2011, 5:31 pm

[quote="Thomond"]When McGeady finally puts in a good cross, Ireland score. It's about time. McGeady is really awful.[/quote]

Can I be polite here T? Bollox! He is the only man playing for Ireland, who actually has a clue how to play football. He is the best technical player we have. The rest - are plodders. Trap knows this and knows he needs him bad to make any differ. zen

by Gibson Wed 12 Oct 2011, 5:35 pm

prop_lyd wrote:Off for training all day today!! And I think I can now make the meet down in Exe and Bath for me today please barkeep.

Oh yes. We get to meet the Welsh, Page 3, prop pin-up once more.

Hows yer garden fixed for a tent? Mickado gave me lessons on how to set one up. We'll be grand. Ale

by **Ozzy3213** Wed 12 Oct 2011, 5:39 pm

Sadly not Cymro, might be some highlights on ITV 4 somewhere along the line, but it's certainly not live.

by Gibson Wed 12 Oct 2011, 5:40 pm

luckless_pedestrian wrote:Good news, Prop - it looks like a load of us are going to make that weekend!

It just gets better. Lucky... Dylan, I like a quip... Thomas, is coming too.

Not to be missed. guinness

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