The Dew Drop Inn Virtual Rugby Pub, Oxford

First topic message reminder :

Hello and 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 Pub has made it's way to Oxford - the new location for newly promoted London Welsh.

The only rule in this pub is one of mutual respect for everyone in it, oh and no tampering with the montage of pictures of Lyn Jones above the bar.




Old Pub: https://www.606v2.com/t31486-the-dew-drop-inn-virtual-rugby-pub-beal-feirste

We were chatting about this the other night. It is hard to reconcile football and the Olympics. But then the amateur ethos of the Olympics is a thing of the past in many ways. It's a strange compromise the Olympic football tournament. The same thing is sort of true of Tennis, Golf etc. It's a bizarre thing now the Olympics.

Rava wrote:

Cari wrote:
Anyway, my second team (do we have to have one?) is pretty obvious next season...

I hope we don't buckle under the extra weight of expectation

No expectations from me...other than to see You Know Who

My 2nd team, if I had to pick, will be London Welsh this year (for crazy Lyn Jones alone)

rugbydreamer wrote:My 2nd team, if I had to pick, will be London Welsh this year (for crazy Lyn Jones alone)

The Exiled Ospreys will be my English Premiership team if I have to have one as before I never had one in that competition

ah nooo don't call them that! (Lyn is an ex- Llanelli player anyways )

Yeah I've never supported a team in that comp either, be good to probably pay more attention to it next season I guess.

Fair enough, will enjoy watching it, there's always one or two who became quite famous after it (Angel Di Maria in 08), My shout is Lucas Moura (Brazil) the kid is great. Leandro Damiao and Iker Muinian (big enough already) are other guys who could be well known after.

rugbydreamer wrote:ah nooo don't call them that! (Lyn is an ex- Llanelli player anyways )

Yeah I've never supported a team in that comp either, be good to probably pay more attention to it next season I guess.

I really don't see much of the EP since it's all on Sky. Perhaps I'll make more of an effort to pay attention to it.

Just watching Most Haunted...what a load of sh*t. Just people freaking each other out in the dark.

I agree Notch about the Olympic ethos. I think it has been diluted with the addition of major professional sports and sportsmen.

I agree with that a bit Rav, but I do like seeing some of the best young talent in sports like soccer play each other in another tournament. Like seeing the US basketball team too. There's some sports that could be done away with though, I'd say BMX could probably be shot. I think the main draw in that sport is the X Games, I might be completely wrong on that though!

What events will you guys be most looking forward to in the Olympics? If you are into any at all.

ah no way the BMX is really exciting in the Olympics!

There's something brilliant about the array of events at the Olympics, I love it. I'm telling you in 3 weeks time I'm going to want to take up archery/badminton/pinpong/judo/swimming/running....just whatever really, that's what the Olympics does to me. It just brings all these different sports right into your living room, I think it's fab.

All of them Rory, I love all the events, I'm probably going to find the tennis and soccer the most boring I imagine.

I will actually be looking forward to the Judo Rory. I have a new-found interest in that sport. But dreamers pretty much right about the Olympics. For three weeks you find yourself getting into sports you'd never cared about before.

I become an expert on cycling, rowing and sailing every 4 years.

And ooo the triathalon! My mam always said I should have taken that up (my extreme laziness put paid to that )

Rory_Gallagher wrote:What events will you guys be most looking forward to in the Olympics? If you are into any at all.

1. Girlie Beach-Volleyball Final
2. Girlie Beach-Volleyball Semi-Finals
3. Girlie Beach-Volleyball group games

Seriously...

1. Mens 100 metres
2. Mens 4 x 100 metres
3. Mens 1500 metres

I didn't even know there was Judo at the Olympics, just the Wrestling. There really is such a diverse selection of sports, and it caters to anyone really. The highlight for me will be the Weightlifting for sure, are any of you guys into it? I am yet to find anyone really who even knows the name of any weightlifters.

Also, any guesses who will be first to say the beach volleyball?

Gibson - you win.

I have always loved the athletics in the games. I think it's seeing people competing who have no chance of winning but to get a PB or break your countries record is such an achievement.
I am also a fan of the rowing and cycling events.

Miachela Breeze used to be great for Wales in the Commonwealth's Rory, I know of her (although she retired a fair few years ago now)

The German winning the Olympic gold last time round made me cry as he dedicated it to his wife who'd recently passed away? something like that anyways. I do remember it made me blub quite a lot.

Gibson wrote:

Rory_Gallagher wrote:What events will you guys be most looking forward to in the Olympics? If you are into any at all.

1. Girlie Beach-Volleyball Final
2. Girlie Beach-Volleyball Semi-Finals
3. Girlie Beach-Volleyball group games

Seriously...

1. Mens 100 metres
2. Mens 4 x 100 metres
3. Mens 1500 metres

I was going to, honest Miss.......

I prefer watching it at X Games, RD. X games in itself is a great event, I like those kind of extreme sports. Motocross is interestign to watch at times, watching them do crazy stunts and flip though is insane, great tv show about them (soon to be movie) calle Nitro Circus. Follows a load of people who compete in extreme sports going around down insane stuff .Interesting.

Spoiler:

I'm looking forward to Women's boxing mainly as it's Ireland's best shot at a gold. Ireland have a few medal contenders in men's boxing too. I will take a look at what ever's on really, mightn't look at weightlifting Swiminng might be a slim chance for an Irish medal. I'm an expert in the field of archery like



I was thinking this earlier, imagine you went to get a coke or a pint just before the 100m final, due to long queue you're waiting for ages and you miss it! Imagine how pished you'd be. I know Gibbo's only there for the eye candy but it's not that bad to watch!

Rory_Gallagher wrote:I didn't even know there was Judo at the Olympics, just the Wrestling. There really is such a diverse selection of sports, and it caters to anyone really. The highlight for me will be the Weightlifting for sure, are any of you guys into it? I am yet to find anyone really who even knows the name of any weightlifters.

Also, any guesses who will be first to say the beach volleyball?

The most famous British Weightlifter was Precious McKenzie. A bit before your time Rory

I like the Weightlifting too Rory. Id probably put that in the top 10 in fact. Love the way they up the ante and give it everything to beat the heaviest weight in their class.

But, as Dreamer says, there are so many sports you get into once every 4 years. That's what makes it magic. Love fencing also. Pole-vaulting as well. Bubka was fantastic to watch.

RD I see Scarlets have signed Gareth Owen from Ospreys.

Evening pub. Mental day at work = brain fried.

Good on yer Cari, nice to hear some good news re work.

On the (ever ongoing ) debate about Irish rugby, has DK got the gig through to 2015? Ireland's biggest problem is pulling their A game out of the locker for more than just England in the 6N*. Plus the occasional game against the SH.

* Even then, it seems to be POC providing the motivation. Could you see POC taking over the reigns in the future?

Some might point to Martin Johnson's experience with England and say "No." Jonno's only real problem was that he allowed (trusted) the players too much licence at the RWC. It was more like an extension of Tindall's stag do when I think about it.

I can't see POC making that kind of mistake, but I can see him being a superb motivator.

So there are a few people in the know. Well I hope you guys are planning to watch the Weightlifting this year!

This year I am actually deciding whether or not to make a return to rugby, participate in weightlifting competitions or do both.

Hound_of_Harrow wrote:Evening pub. Mental day at work = brain fried.

Good on yer Cari, nice to hear some good news re work.

On the (ever ongoing ) debate about Irish rugby, has DK got the gig through to 2015? Ireland's biggest problem is pulling their A game out of the locker for more than just England in the 6N*. Plus the occasional game against the SH.

* Even then, it seems to be POC providing the motivation. Could you see POC taking over the reigns in the future?

Some might point to Martin Johnson's experience with England and say "No." Jonno's only real problem was that he allowed (trusted) the players too much licence at the RWC. It was more like an extension of Tindall's stag do when I think about it.

I can't see POC making that kind of mistake, but I can see him being a superb motivator.

DK only has another http://kidneyclock.net/ to go (TF)

The events I'm looking forward to are both Bolt sprints and Dai Greene's race (400m hurdles). I will generally watch track up to 400m definitely and sometimes up to 1500m depending on my mood. This year I'll definitely watch the male's 800m for Gareth Warburton (no relation).

I know it's a bit of a cliché to go for two sprints, but I flipping love Usain Bolt and am always intrigued as to what he will do. That said I could probably watch a lot more if I had a tv of my own in my room. If I'm in Wales I'll be laughing.

Bolt will have his work cut out for him this year!

While I appreciate the sheer effort and strength the weightlifters have, I didn't take a huge interest in it in Beijing, who knows this time around. Possibly because I was never a huge fan of it for training anyway!


I'd say Bolt will win easily, I think he is going in under the radar with Blake winning, he is struggling for fitness though, will be interesting. Are the Chicken Nuggets in the sratfrod McDonald's as good as the ones you find in Beijing?

Hound_of_Harrow wrote:On the (ever ongoing ) debate about Irish rugby, has DK got the gig through to 2015? Ireland's biggest problem is pulling their A game out of the locker for more than just England in the 6N*. Plus the occasional game against the SH.

Ever ongoing is right... I'm jaded from talking about it. But in answer to your question, Kidneys contract is up next summer, but I think the last test match he will preside over in his current contract is our final Six Nations game. It doesn't extend onto the Irish Summer Tour to North America which will happen at the same time as the Lions.

There's a website called the Kidney Clock, which can be found easily, counting down the days to the end of his contract. I feel very sympathetic to him about that. At the end of the day, he's a human being. I want a fresh start for Irish Rugby but to have a website devoted entirely to counting the days until you (in all likelihood) lose your job must feel incredibly cruel. Especially with it being written about in the media and online. I would say thats a pretty horrible experience.

I feel as sorry for him now as I did Eddie O'Sullivan in 2008 when he resigned and plaintively asked the press to respect him and his families privacy. He knew those words wouldn't change much. Poor feicer.

Thomond wrote:While I appreciate the sheer effort and strength the weightlifters have, I didn't take a huge interest in it in Beijing, who knows this time around. Possibly because I was never a huge fan of it for training anyway!


I'd say Bolt will win easily, I think he is going in under the radar with Blake winning, he is struggling for fitness though, will be interesting. Are the Chicken Nuggets in the sratfrod McDonald's as good as the ones you find in Beijing?

Everyone I know just finds it completely boring too - I don't know why I like it so much.

EDIT: Do you not think Tyson Gay has a real chance of beating Bolt too?

I do like weightlifting, but can't follow it too well. I know the strongmen, but that's something else.

I can see how you could do both rugby and weightlifting, but if you have niggles after rugby, won't it be quite detrimental to your lifting? I would love to take weightlifting more seriously, but I can't live very cleanly due to my laziness and can't really commit to it like you'd have to for seeing gains.

Without a doubt. I bet he'll be bricking it about his start too, after the Worlds and his DQ. He will need a good start though. I hope London's track is fast anyway, as there'll be a very fast field in that final.

I think it would depend on the season if I did both. Weightlifting would have to be cut down for the season, because both sports would probably suffer otherwise. In the off season though I could totally focus on the weightlifting, just making sure to do sprinting as well. Many weightlifters such as the Russians and Chinese would do sprints and gymnastics as part of their training anyway.

I think I would have to do both, because I would end up missing one or the other. The cost to have my own weightlifting setup is huge though. A proper olympic bar and bumper plates cost a few grand..

Risca Rev wrote:I do like weightlifting, but can't follow it too well. I know the strongmen, but that's something else.

I can see how you could do both rugby and weightlifting, but if you have niggles after rugby, won't it be quite detrimental to your lifting? I would love to take weightlifting more seriously, but I can't live very cleanly due to my laziness and can't really commit to it like you'd have to for seeing gains.

Without a doubt. I bet he'll be bricking it about his start too, after the Worlds and his DQ. He will need a good start though. I hope London's track is fast anyway, as there'll be a very fast field in that final.

I just didn't like doing it, found it a bit boring and I was never the strongest guy on the field anyway, there are ways to overcome it though, it's not about how big you are it's how big you play.


Good news, a girl who went missing from the concert in Phoenix Park on Saturday has been found safely.

Tyson Gay's start is too poor I think, his pick up is fantastic but I think he just leaves himself too much to do.

forgot about the fencing Gibbo! I love that too. I also like, just because it makes me giggle so much, is the dressage. Horses dancing to music. Seriously, who ever thought to invent that!?

He beat Bolt in their last race though, no?

not sure, I know he beat Gatlan the other day though.

Bolt is struggling with injury I think RG. He mightn't be fully fit in time for the Olympics I think. You could still see him winning it like.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:What events will you guys be most looking forward to in the Olympics? If you are into any at all.

Hmm not sure, what's the one Jes Ennis does..... .....

Mens 100m could be awesome: Bolt, Gay, Gatlin, Powel and Blake... or there could just be a load of false starts...

I'm getting bored of the sprints now in athletics, it's always over hyped so much and usually it's just such a let down (exceptions obvs being the last Olympics, all tournaments since then it's just been a bit pants).

I much prefer the middle distance races, the tactics that goes along with it just makes it far more interesting for me.

Notch - Rava posted a link to the 'clock'.

That is in poor taste for sure (the countdown itself) and people can be so cruel. I can't believe the guy isn't giving his best for the team. Whether that is good enough is the question.

Rava wrote:RD I see Scarlets have signed Gareth Owen from Ospreys.

Yep! Happy with that, he's got bags of talent, and we shouldn't mess him around like the O's did. Good to have more squad cover in the backs when they get destroyed by Welsh call ups each season. He's a tidy prospect

Faster, Higher, Stronger on BEEB 2 regs. Carl Lewis. He was unreal.

Its all about the 100 metre being the marque event of the Olympics.

Ben Johnson... naughty nuaghty boy...

Already watching it Gibbo

Bollix its nearly over!

aaawww Linford

Hound_of_Harrow wrote:Notch - Rava posted a link to the 'clock'.

That is in poor taste for sure (the countdown itself) and people can be so cruel. I can't believe the guy isn't giving his best for the team. Whether that is good enough is the question.

I don't think anyone has ever said Kidney isn't trying his best to make things work for Irleand. The problem is the way he is playing is outdated an only worked for a season (Munster played a far better and superior style to the dross Irleand churn out). We play a game plan suited to Wales, we don't have a team full of big punishing runners and never will. The Irish people are by and large similar build and size to the Leinster side and our best play is made around a gameplan akin to that.