The Dew Drop Inn Virtual Rugby Pub

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?



Hen dafarn/Old pub: https://www.606v2.com/t15642p1000-the-dew-drop-inn-virtual-rugby-pub#576037

lucky –harking back to your comment about ‘no return fixture’ in the LV cup. This is now one seriously weird and flawed competition under the current sponsors.

All the teams from one pool of four play all the teams from another pool of four once – let’s say pool A team play pool D teams. The winner of each pool goes through to the semi finals.

Now pool D could be very strong and all the teams win all their games against the pool A teams. However, someone from pool A must go through, so that could be a team with no points, but they have a better losing record than the other three teams in the pool. Meanwhile every team in pool D could be on 20 points but three of them miss out.

See what I mean about weird and flawed?

Low Value indeed, Hound!

I hadn't realised that Hound, it's bonkers!

Hound similar system to be used in this year's B&I Cup. I hadn't given it much thought until you provided that insight.

Luckless, I have always found Munsters HEC quarter finals to be more enjoyable than the semi finals.

I want my team to win a quarter final. I don't want them to lose a semi. Theres a small but vital difference.

Just finished tidying,turning over the veg garden in 20C sunshine,with a light breeze-my sort of weather.
Now going to have a bottle of Pullman, by Hepworth&Co,horsham, which I found in a supermarket this morning. Mmmmmmmmmmmmm,lovely

The Missoup affair continues;60,000 people have signed a petition to get B Lawrence banned from all international rugby reffing,and Yach is fit.

It's a big difference Stag. On Saturday morning neither France nor Wales want to lose. The deciding factor is going to be who is prepared to go out there and try to win more.

I always try to find the good in a referee. However its has always looked to me that Bryce Lawrence is only refereeing these games cos his Daddy makes the call.

It really will Ozzy - I have to say I'd expect France to claim this but I fear they would give a poor account of themselves in a final.

The new LV format was arrived at to squeeze an extra game in, plus lob in a couple of extra Welsh derbies to the season.

Stag, as perverse as it seems I was more desperate for us not to lose last week than I am this week.

Pete - I think both teams are actually going to go out to win this game, I don't think playing not to lose suits either team at all.

Lucky - same here

Dreamer - I think Hook coming into the team will help that attitude.

Stag - true, still reckon I'm going to need a valium or something to help my nerves at the sight of him starting against France. I know it's a tad irrational but I can't help how I feel!

Nallet was in my dream last night talking to me about how much he was looking forward to the match, and hoped he could improve on the brace of tries he got against us in the 6N's. I realise that makes me sound a bit mental, but I guess this is what OD'ing on rugby is doing to me

I find your prematch routine of tearing the hair out and being terrified really funny Dreamer. I don't know why but it always makes me smile - your the same in every Wales game. I've friends who are the same but about soccer not rugby.

The thought of people like you watch games in the foetal position with clumps of hair torn out and no fingernails is what I love about sport.

Just back from a really good meeting with my lecturer. Talked about a potential subject for my dissertation and he seemed to really like the idea and that if it didn't work, there are many more avenues to head down.

Hope you're all well by the by!

glad my anguish can be a source of amusement for you!

Ah to be fair, I don't think I'd feel right if I wasn't nervous before a match/any sporting event. It would just seem highly unnatural to me.

Not so long back Hook (along with Gav) was going to be the next big thing. What happened to make Welsh fans not entirely happy with him starting?

Hound_of_Harrow wrote:Not so long back Hook (along with Gav) was going to be the next big thing. What happened to make Welsh fans not entirely happy with him starting?

I wonder the same. I think he's a super player still very young.

Dreamer, I’m the very same. Gibbo knows that before a match he can hardly get a word out of me.
I’m the same for rugby and big GAA matches, I’d feel wrong about not being doubled over with nerves before it.

Mick - glad it's not just me!

Hound - Hook has had some great performances in a Welsh shirt, he's also had pretty average if not bad performances. He often seems to play for himself as apposed to the team, a lot of that might be the fault of people viewing him as a "game changer" and he feels like he's got to take things more on by himself.

Personally I don't like how he crabs across the pitch a bit as he's making up his mind what to do. It just ends up cutting down that little space there is in international rugby and it causes our back line to stutter. This seems to happen whether he plays at 10 or in the centre.

He's pretty good at tactical kicking though and is an excellent place kicker, so many positives and negatives to take from him really. Superb talent though, no question.

Hook has been pushed from pillar to post a lot with the O's and with Wales. Maybe some people don't feel as confident with him at ten for this reason - unlike Priestland and Jones who've always played at ten.

I was reading the DM (always good for a silly story)...and well, I do wonder about the mentality of some people...
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2048676/Tescos-Terrys-Chocolate-Oranges-sold-just-29p-glitch.html

I remember Hook's debut v Aus in about 2006. He did make a good start to rest rugby. Crackibg game that one.

I'll take your word for it Hound, I don't remember that match at all!

Hook needs a full season at 10 before we're all completely trusting of him starting there I think

Willy, 4-1-2-1-2 can give you width it's all about who you deploy in your midfield two and how you deploy them.

19 or 20 aside?

Bound to be an advantage!

12 up front? Surely that's cheating?

Changed it ye bollixes.

G'day T, sorry for the bitchy post early this morn. I blame that As. He got me drunk on Belgian beer. I bow to yer superior knowledge of Irish football these days. I barely know half the bleedin team, but I just rate McGeady more than most. Maybe he is not utilised in the right way. Highly rate your man Doyle too. He will be a huge loss in the playoffs.

When's the draw mate?

Ireland have Estonia, away leg first. http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2011/1013/euro2012_republicofireland.html

Thomond wrote:Ireland have Estonia, away leg first. http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2011/1013/euro2012_republicofireland.html

Heard that on the wireless earlier. Estonia weakest team in the play offs no?

Hound_of_Harrow wrote:I remember Hook's debut v Aus in about 2006. He did make a good start to rest rugby. Crackibg game that one.

Hound, was that at the Millennium Stadium? If it's the game I'm thinking of, Wales got off to a poor start and were a couple of tries down, things looking bleak, the crowd subdued. Stephen Jones (I think) taken off and Hook brought on, still in the first half, Hook's first act is to kick from his own 22 into Australia's, we win the lineout and excellent handling (especially by Gavin Henson, who gets the ball away just as he's about to get smashed) leads to a try for Shane Williams in the corner. The crowd come alive.

We lost the match, as I recall it - we were leading with not long left, Kevin Morgan's clearing kick doesn't find touch, Chris Latham runs it back and scores the decisive try.

Rankings they are Pete. Probably the best draw Ireland could have got. Watch them F it up though.

Ozzy3213 wrote:

Thomond wrote:Ireland have Estonia, away leg first. http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2011/1013/euro2012_republicofireland.html

Heard that on the wireless earlier. Estonia weakest team in the play offs no?

No that would be Ireland

Trap should be confident of reaching his goals. A draw away from home and at home and take them on in penalties.

Ozzy3213 wrote:

Thomond wrote:Ireland have Estonia, away leg first. http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2011/1013/euro2012_republicofireland.html

Heard that on the wireless earlier. Estonia weakest team in the play offs no?

On man that's a great draw. Brian Kerr's Faroe Isles beat them 2-0 in the group. We should be too good for em.

Having the 2nd leg at home is a huge advantage.
Id love to see them there. It would give the country a great lift.

Believe.

I'm considering going to the Palindrome for the first time for it.

Ah yeah, go T. Good karma. The atmosphere, if we are level or ahead, starting it, should be fantastic. Need a result out there. 1-1, would be grand. 0-1 would be even better. 0-0 is dangerous.

Ireland have conceded most of their goals in the group stages at home.

Thomond wrote:I'm considering going to the Palindrome for the first time for it.

Is that Sarah's brothel in Alaska?

No, tis the Aviva.

Is that near Lansdowne?

Only a few metres away.

I have to say I find myself saying Aviva Stadium a lot more than I expected to.

I'm starting to say it now. I keep forgetting to call it Landowne.

Away to York for a long weekend tomorrow

Mick(TEFC) wrote:

Thomond wrote:I'm considering going to the Palindrome for the first time for it.

Is that Sarah's brothel in Alaska?

Thomond wrote:I'm starting to say it now. I keep forgetting to call it Landowne.

It happens

I vowed to never call Lancaster Park "Jade Stadium", but a couple of years later ...

Netball tonight, and one of my team-nates has sent me an email that got tied up in work's spam filter - I've "released" it but the message hasn't come through. I bet she's bailing on the game tonight too . Stupid Sophos (the software co that makes the filter)

I personally don't see the big deal. A rose by any other words smells as sweet.

Nobody gives out about saying the Heineken Cup instead of the European Cup.

Ah sure it doesn't really matter in the Grand Scheme of things. Aviva will take over as time goes by. Its just boring ol farts like me that stay traditionalist. I remember being there in the 70's/80's watching Irish rugby and soccer teams playing in front of 50,000 plus baying fans - every time. So I spose it will always be Lansdowne to me.

Id love to hear the Aviva(Lansdowne) Roar come back. Its lacking of late. Used be a terrifying thing for the opposition to deal with. Even if we were krap.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpEctXsTDQg&feature=player_detailpage

Found this on Moss Keane. Man, he was a true Legend. Loved that guy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=dP7Sha1Zzoc

luckless_pedestrian wrote:

Hound_of_Harrow wrote:I remember Hook's debut v Aus in about 2006. He did make a good start to rest rugby. Crackibg game that one.

Hound, was that at the Millennium Stadium? If it's the game I'm thinking of, Wales got off to a poor start and were a couple of tries down, things looking bleak, the crowd subdued. Stephen Jones (I think) taken off and Hook brought on, still in the first half, Hook's first act is to kick from his own 22 into Australia's, we win the lineout and excellent handling (especially by Gavin Henson, who gets the ball away just as he's about to get smashed) leads to a try for Shane Williams in the corner. The crowd come alive.

We lost the match, as I recall it - we were leading with not long left, Kevin Morgan's clearing kick doesn't find touch, Chris Latham runs it back and scores the decisive try.

Nope - try this one...Hook rescued the game. I watched it in a pub in Brighton on a birthday bash.

http://www.wru.co.uk/eng/matchcentre/3634.php

Check the action in this clip - you'll enjoy Gough's tackle.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIFSbpPwZS0