The Dew Drop Inn Virtual Rugby Pub, Ballycastle Bar, Hong Kong.

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 its way to Hong Kong, host city for the British & Irish Lions first Tour match before their arrival in Australia - land of the Giant Budgie Smuggler.

So grab a beer, cider, whiskey or wine.... or a warm beverage and sit back and enjoy the rugby.

                     

The only rule in this pub is one of mutual respect for everyone in it, oh and no tampering with the pictures of Rory Best, Sam Warburton, the Limavady Luge Team, Papa Rodders, Mrs Rodders and our newest & sweetest member, Katelyn.    

last Pawb: https://www.606v2.com/t43001p1000-the-dew-drop-inn-virtual-rugby-pub-pyongyang

Munster should be aiming to top that, and if they don't then there is a problem.

I see we are playing Gloucester in Thomond Park this August as well.

Ouch, that's a stinker of a group for the Scarlets.

You Dragons have got Bath. That should be a good match. Easy enough for fans to get to the away games too. Its probably less than an hour drive.

Have we really got Bath? Excellent. We've got them in a pre-season friendly already.

Yes its Dragons, Bath, Bordeaux and Mogliano.

I see Asbo is in for an interesting HEC!

Ulster's group is looking tricky enough.

Munster get a by again!!!

Oi you lot!!!! Munster have to tackle the shed!! And with our kids having a season under their belt I think we'll qualify as best runner up at least

Prop, please! Thats old news.

Musnter have been there, done that and tackled the shed. We turned up away in the knockouts in 2008, got a few injuries on match day and found a guy in the stand eating a burger to play loosehead. No probs. Shed Silenced. Munster marched on their merry way.



We've given Glaws a free bite at the cherry. Just announced Munster v Gloucester to play a friendly in Thomond Park this August.

I really wouldn't take us lightly if I were you....if we get hard ground we'll run all round your old men.

Playing friendlies in Thomond now? What the feic is the point of Musgrave Park at this stage..l...

Hard ground?? Old men??

Lets not joke here. We'll bring you lot to Thomond Park in the depths of winter, with rain pisssing down on you as it only can in Limerick (real working class rain). Bring back a few unpleasant memories for the Cherry and Whites from 2003 and 2004.

As for old men we're actually cherub faced angels these days. No Horan, Flannery, Hayes, Leamy, Wallace, Quinlan, Foley, Stringer, O'Gara, Howlett.

Those days are long behind us. The new kids on the block are Kilcoyne, Sherry, Ryan, O'Mahony, O'Donnell, Stander, Murray, Hanrahan, Zebo, Earls.

Not to worry. You'll learn yet!



I loves the Heino I do!

Thomond wrote:Playing friendlies in Thomond now? What the feic is the point of Musgrave Park at this stage..l...

I know. We play London Irish in Musgrave.

To be honest I don't think I'd mind too much if they stopped playing games in Musgrave, the quality of games we get is shoite anyway, would be nice if Munster just came out and said they wouldn't be playing in Cork for the forseeable future or something like that.

Thomond, I'd actually prefer the other way.

I think we would benefit in the long run by playing a big game like Munster v Leinster.

Musgrave season ticket holders could then get to see Leinster but also Zebre, Scarlets and Edinburgh.

It would be a short term loss in terms of the money in Thomond. But if we foster the Cork v Limerick rivalry we can progress.

Who has the best support for the team. Which stadium shouts/sings loudest. Who has got more red visible when they play. More flags.

Have it so the Limerick lads want to prove it to the Cork langers when Glasgow or Cardiff come to Thomond Park.

Improve the whole match day experience which has become very generic. I think a schoolboy terrace would be a great incentive too.

I wouldn't mind seeing what you propose but we have no evidence that Munster are willing to commit big games to Musgrave (and why should they, they make more money in Limerick). The whole idea behind having 2 stadia is very Celtic Tiger-y, and at this point, Munster have shown they lack interest in Cork, same teams always come here. Fans are getting tired of it I think, there's a decline in Munster in general due to poorer performances, not caring about the Rabo at all really. It's a cycle, do we get poor crowds because we get low quality games or do we get poor games because we have shown we can't get crowds?


What should happen in future years, is that when Munster get a home QF, they play it in the Gaelic grounds or Páirc Ui Chaoimh (when it gets redeveloped, a 60k seater stadium).


I don't see Munster going for what you propose, the last time Munster played Leinster in Cork was the year Thomond was being developed (no option) and before that, I believe it was 2003 or 2004, with the growth of rugby in this country, there is no way they would sacrifice the money from an inter provincial clash in Limerick for a much smaller affair in Cork. Munster are in a dodgy financial state too so no way will it happen soon.

Sadly Munster are not blessed with visionaries like me.

I worry about Munster in the long run. What Munster has become (both on and off the field) is about 10 games a year that are ear marked as "must win".

Outside of that it isn't there.

We don't have the desire that other teams do to win every week. It was a strenght of ours for years but as the Celtic league improves in quality we need to change.

Evening All Hope you're all well.

Well done to Dr UlstermaninGlasgow. That's some achievement. Hope you can relax a bit now and enjoy the rest of the summer rugby.

I was in work today so I didn't get to watch the game (bar the try highlights shown on the BBC Wales lunchtime news) but one of the managers was following it on his mobile keeping me informed, and the Rugby World wall chart is up on the office wall. My woop did get some odd looks when Tommy scored though! Was gutted to hear about Healy. I really hope he's all right and the injury is not as scary as it looked. I was disappointed to hear about someone getting injured so early on. Hope the boys can battle on and have a fab tour anyway.

Ospreys have Leinster, Castres and Saints then. Defo a trip to Swansea and Dublin for me there. I can see the O's bombing out again mind.

red_stag wrote:Sadly Munster are not blessed with visionaries like me.

I worry about Munster in the long run. What Munster has become (both on and off the field) is about 10 games a year that are ear marked as "must win".

Outside of that it isn't there.

We don't have the desire that other teams do to win every week. It was a strenght of ours for years but as the Celtic league improves in quality we need to change.

In terms of player development, going up from the clubs, I think the standard has improved, (although certain aspects need to be looked at) but I'm not sure about the coaching, Munster don't tend to do well at underage, although that has always been a concern. I'm hoping Penney changes our attitude to the Rabo, but I'm not too optimistic, I think that will take a long time to change.


How are we doing Cari?

Hey Thomond - long time no "see" I'm good thanks. Hope all's well over there. Some top sport coming up this Saturday that makes the weekend worth looking forward to. The Dubs are hurling against Wexford and another Lions match. Tidy!

The footballers won on Saturday too, the media were quick to note how they set a mark, forgetting it was Westmeath, but a win is a win.

I have a good idea for the GAA to adopt but they seem quite technologically illiterate at times. A service where you pay a sum of say £30/€40 or $50 and you get to watch all of RTE's GAA coverage for the year (you could make it county specific or do it for all games. Be available to those who live outside Ireland, American sports have a similar idea for Europe, I actually think it's something that would work, especially for pubs and bars.

That's a good idea Thomond. You'd think they would adopt something like that considering RTÉ have cut online content available for free. I think they've ditched the International iPlayer now so I wont even get to see TSG. I'm going to have start drinking in O'Neills regularly...

I would imagine the only issue to that would be broadcasting right, but they could take a similar policy to the NFL and their American football service (if games are broadcast on Sky Sports; you have to wait a day before accessing the game), it would definitely be workable if they wanted it to be.

red_stag wrote:Horrible group for Scarlets Glas lumped in with Racing Metro, Clermont Auvergne and Harlequins.

Munster get a favourable group: Gloucester, Edinburgh, Perpignan.

I think our days as Euro contenders are over for now, so bring on the big boys!

Glas a du wrote:

red_stag wrote:Horrible group for Scarlets Glas lumped in with Racing Metro, Clermont Auvergne and Harlequins.

Munster get a favourable group: Gloucester, Edinburgh, Perpignan.

I think our days as Euro contenders are over for now, so bring on the big boys!

Over? When did they start? I'm going to get in trouble for that amn't I?

For 10 years between 97-07. Next question

1997 - 2003 was a great period for regional rugby.

The Scarlets are not a region. The Scarlets is just a marketing name for the first XV.

Absolutely roasted.

We had our Primary School Sports Day this afternoon.

Can't remember the last time we were able to have it on the day it was supposed to be. Usually we end up looking at the sky about 2 days before the end of term and saying,

"Okay! It's not raining too heavily just now. Let's do it!"

3 x very close 2nd and a 1st!

And the prize for the wettest tee shirt! (If such a competition had been held, which it wasn't as that would be inappropriate for a primary school sports day!)

Better explain.

The youngest was in the Novelty race where they had to carry a tray with a jug of water on it while in fancy dress! You might be able to guess the rest!

On an unrelated note I've just had an excellent idea for an alternative to the mothers egg and spoon race...

WillyGilly wrote:On an unrelated note I've just had an excellent idea for an alternative to the mothers egg and spoon race...

Evening all. A brief comment from me on the absolute trash being posted on virtually all the Lions' articles.

I am so pee'd off with some of the stuff I've read, that I'll just maybe give the main forum a miss for a while.

You folks are fine, and can be relied on for a balanced view.

I'm looking forward to chatting to the various people on tour.

Hound of Harrow wrote:Evening all. A brief comment from me on the absolute trash being posted on virtually all the Lions' articles.

I am so pee'd off with some of the stuff I've read, that I'll just maybe give the main forum a miss for a while.

You folks are fine, and can be relied on for a balanced view.

I'm looking forward to chatting to the various people on tour.

Story Hound? You are the Voice of Reason in a mad virtual rugby World mate. You always have been.

So good to see you in Dublin.

Hope you have the trip of a Lifetime in Oz. No other rugby man I know deserves to smile more on Tour. Dreamer is going too I hear. She will have a ball.

Seeing as the man they call Stag is organising it, it will be a blast. No better man.

WWW.MADPHHOKINJEALOUS.COM.

P.S. Could ye lot please set up a blog in the FB Pub? Love to see and hear your comments. Not to mention the dodgy pictures. And tales...

Gibbo - cheers but, but I'm no rugby guru. I just love the game and the camaraderie amongst most of us.

Dublin/Ireland was a gas.

Hound of Harrow wrote:Evening all. A brief comment from me on the absolute trash being posted on virtually all the Lions' articles.

I am so pee'd off with some of the stuff I've read, that I'll just maybe give the main forum a miss for a while.

You folks are fine, and can be relied on for a balanced view.

I'm looking forward to chatting to the various people on tour.

Here here

Hound of Harrow wrote:Evening all. A brief comment from me on the absolute trash being posted on virtually all the Lions' articles.

I am so pee'd off with some of the stuff I've read, that I'll just maybe give the main forum a miss for a while.

You folks are fine, and can be relied on for a balanced view.

I'm looking forward to chatting to the various people on tour.

I decided on that before starting to read. You can't even escape it on twitter. The Irish fans lambast Welshmen vying for places with their favourites and vice versa, the Scott's play the victims and the English try to be balanced and "British" and get tonked by the rest!

I think if you should spoke for England, Asbo for Scotland, Stag for Ireland and Lucky for Wales and we would have subjective but considered views. Balance is impossible, objectivity is impossible, but why then should we park up our brains and manners? Is that not the principle Gibbo came up with on setting up the first pub? I know he doesn't always live up to it...

I haven't quite got into the tour yet. It doesn't feel like it's started properly. That's probably because the first game didn't really count as it wasn't in Australia and I didn't get to watch the Force game live. I'm sure I'll feel differently when we kick off against the Reds. Tuilagi and JD2 in midfield could be great or a bit of a mess and I'm looking forward to finding out which. I'm looking forward to seeing how Geoff Parling goes too, he could be a bolter for the Test side.

I keep forgetting it's New Zealand v France tomorrow. Could be a cracker, regardless of how France performed in the Six Nations.

Ah yea I mean we all have some bias or opinion.

Personally I think Lydiate is the only selection on tour that I could actually label truly truly wrong. I also think that Warburton's selection as captain was moronic.

Others will disagree and think that Maitland or Murray or somebody shouldn't be there.

Here's a question: Has the role of the Lions captain become diluted?

Warburton needs a big game tomorrow.

What do you mean by diluted?

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:What do you mean by diluted?

Watered down...

Has the role of the Lions captain become diluted?

Maybe so... but there's still no shortage of leaders in any of the combinations thus far. We've already seen a few of the other more senior players step up and the teams/squad are starting to play the classic Lions style. It's been a delight to watch. A few areas to be ironed out but I'd say it's all going to plan and it's great to see the combos and individuals shine in various facets of these matches.

I'll say it to you guys on here. It really does give me goosebumps considering what this Tour is all about. Sure, a couple of matches against weaker teams to start with... building up to crescendo for the 1st Test.

It is such major task ahead for the Lions and such a gutsy proposition (we Aussies really understand this part of it) and when you think of the few days recovery in between the games from now on and then the physicality of the Tests... even with the extended squad... it's an even more impressive feat. It's a tricky minefield for them but they are all class internationals (mostly... no names).

I wish your guys all the best.

I'd have loved to seen more games between the 1st and 2nd Test. To me a better and more logical schedule would have been:

01 - Barbarians, Hong Kong
02 - Western Force, Perth
03 - Waratahs, Sydney
04 - Brumbies, Canberra
05 - First Test, Melbourne
06 - Rebels, Melbourne
07 - Australia A, Newcastle or Coffs Harbour
08 - Queensland Reds, Brisbane
09 - Second Test, Brisbane
10 - Third Test, Sydney

Yeah Stag, the Australia A game worked well last tour I felt.

Nic White has now injured his shoulder in the Rebels match.
So Nick Phipps (with the 'k') will get the Wallabies call up as Genia's back up.

10-3 Brumbies just before HT.

On the issue of the captaincy, it's not ideal that the captain is only making an appearance third match in, but he was carrying an injury, otherwise he'd have started sooner. If what you're getting at is the presence of other leaders in the squad, I can't see that as anything but a positive. Would you rather the rest of the squad were mutes?

No Luckless Im talking more about whether some of the captains responsibility has been shouldered by coaching teams.

The Lions captain was always a big thing. He would have a hand in selections, in tactics, in the activities that the tour group would do in their free time, decide when was boozing time and when was training time. He'd set the tone for the tour and the likes of Beaumont, Calder, McBridge, Johnson etc were never guys to shy away from this type of thing.

I'm not saying its Warburton but more in general are those types of captains becoming a rarity as rugby changes. Its more a symbolic thing than anything. You could even see it doesn't matter that much now.

Ah, I've got you now. In Warburton's case, I understand he has quite a say on squad behaviour / curfews for Wales, so I imagine he's doing the same for the Lions. In terms of tactics and philosophy, then I think you're right that captains probably don't have that much input these days - even if they wanted to, they might not be allowed.

Prop's the man we need to speak to about that!

Hound of Harrow wrote:Evening all. A brief comment from me on the absolute trash being posted on virtually all the Lions' articles.

I am so pee'd off with some of the stuff I've read, that I'll just maybe give the main forum a miss for a while.

You folks are fine, and can be relied on for a balanced view.

I'm looking forward to chatting to the various people on tour.

Welcome to what it's like being an Ireland fan all year

Gutted for Cian Healy- he was going to be one of our key men this series.

You have to feel for him, Notch. Knowing he has another four years to wait for the next Lions tour must make it worse. At the same time, Alex Corbisiero and Ryan Grant have a real chance now to make their mark and push for a Test spot that they must have thought had gone from them. That's how fortune works, the b!tch.