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

Indeed. I'm sure they will look to give Vunipola a rest in midweek which means those two will be straight into it- arrive on Sunday, play on Wednesday.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote: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!

Last season I was told what to do quite a bit, after a while I tended to ignore/change certain plans and tactics and play it to my own game and what the boys on the pitch wanted....we won the league....nuff said. Vice Captain next year so means I get to go back to being a wind up merchant on the pitch a bit more!

See, I think a captain should have licence to do that. If he can see that the gameplan's getting them nowhere and there's a really obvious weakness in the opposition that's begging to be exploited, then surely he has to be allowed to change things.

Afternoon folks. It's blydi raining here, but the Beebs teletext forecast is bright sunshine.

I agree Stag. There is no point in taking Lydiate unless Warburton is fit. They work well as a pair. Lydiate puts them down for Warburton to go over the top. Since putting Ireland out of the World Cup they haven't really had much of a chance to do it again. Like the fabled Henson/Roberts midfield, we haven't really seen the potential fulfilled. Even if we had not everybody is going to keep throwing O'Brien and Heaslip straight at them even though it was entirelly obvious it wasn't working. Australia are cuter than that.

Hey guys guess who goes starts his journey to breakers country tomorrow?

http://instagram.com/p/aRbiS1kcgS/

WillyGilly wrote:Hey guys guess who goes starts his journey to breakers country tomorrow?

http://instagram.com/p/aRbiS1kcgS/

Don't forget to pack something warm, Willy. Safe travels and enjoy your trip to Mars.

(it'll actually be the Great Western or Simpson Desert... it goes on for ages... then you'll see a few trees right at the end.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZ4NuX0qWuY

MORNING!!!!

Well I'm up, although I'm not sure I can watch rugby ALL day - especially the Ireland game in the small hours!

Have a safe journey Willy and enjoy your adventure...although I'm surprised thats all you're taking...it's a long way to come back if you forget something.

Morning Cari.

You're like me. I got up so early this morning... I couldn't sleep. Then went back to bed, woke up at 8. I then went into the city (Little Italy) for a coffee & brekkie with a mate who's putting together a boxing documentary. A funny Welsh lad there (from Anglesea?) who asked me to come along to a Comedy Night on the 15th. Apparently there will be lots of Pommie/Ocker/Welsh/Scots/Irish/Kiwi jokes.

Watching a little footy now (NSW Cup) but might have a short nap before the All Blacks - France match.

Hey Breaker - well I wake up at this hour for work every day anyway, so it's like doing overtime for me.

There's 18'000 at the Japan/Wales game which is good news. There were concerns that Japan wouldn't be able to pull in the crowds for RWC. Unfortunately for the players, it's just over 30 degrees on the pitch. Phew!

That's decent size crowd. Maybe they should have played in the evening (like the WCQ match we had last Tuesday) to avoid the heat... a little later on Saturday morning for you... but would that clash with work?

Match not being televised here...

No I don't work Saturdays thankfully.

It's 6-6 at the moment (ten minutes to go in the first half).

Oh phew.

I misunderstood your last post. I thought you might be one of those 6 days-a-weekers.

Flip me! lions are dropping like flies, I wonder should I pack my boots?

Have a lovely day folks!

And, have a great trip Willig!!!

Off to fry at an athletics meet!

Don't forget to "slip (on proper clothing), slop (on the sunscreen), slap (on a hat)", Mrs P.

Tommy off with a hand/wrist injury. I really hope he's OK. No more injuries please!

Aww shucks serious cari? In Dublin airport, free wifi but no lions match. Raging...

WillyGilly wrote:Aww shucks serious cari? In Dublin airport, free wifi but no lions match. Raging...

Lions won 22-12.

Brutal and very fast paced game. Some awesome tries from both sides.

Right just about to board. See you all in oz!

Enjoy the flight to the Dreamtime!

Cari wrote:Tommy off with a hand/wrist injury. I really hope he's OK. No more injuries please!

Bad news Cari, his tour is over apparently. I'm absolutely gutted for the guy.

Terrible news. Both sides are being severely reduced by injury.
Not what anyone would like to see.

I'm so sad for him because he worked so hard to overcome his knee injury and op in December to get into contention for the Lions. He's had a terrible run of poor health/injury lately too. My poor boy. I am gutted. I got the new ladies Lions shirt for my birthday with Bowe 14 on it too.

WillyGilly wrote:Right just about to board. See you all in oz!

Safe journey Willy. We don't need anymore casualties!

Linebreaker wrote:Terrible news. Both sides are being severely reduced by injury.
Not what anyone would like to see.

To be honest, it is becoming a real issue for the game. Injury after injury. Irish players especially are dropping like flies, we have to question why that is. Alan Quinlan did an article recently on certain players building more muscle to prevent injury. I also think certain players are being allowed back into the game far too quickly. Luke Marshall in particular was handled shockingly. 3 consecutive concussions, cleared to play after each one. That isn't acceptable.

I think it's a combination of those things Rory. There was a good article in Rugby World a while back about Italian rugby. There is a culture over there which seems to be about bulking up and size rather than skill. I think that's becoming more common elsewhere now too. It's very worrying. Players careers aren't going to last very long at this rate.

this pic made me go awww...

Spoiler:

Just round to my parents house after work- Sky+ on, three test matches and a Lions game lined up. SORTED

Though I managed to sneak away to see the second half of the Reds-Lions game in work. Gutted about Tommy Bowe.

Fellliiipeeeeeeeee!

Thought it was over for him. Great to see him lead Argentina's future.

Young England should well beat this Argentinian side. Specially up-front.

Ya never know tho...

Great learning-curve for both sides really.

Nice rugby by Argentina. Good defending by England.

Is he kicking off a traffic cone?!

Evening all

Evening All. I'm half watching the England match...I feel a little deflated after today's events.

Nice try from Strettle.

Evenin Cari darling. Evenin Prop. Captain! My Sarries, league-winning - Captain!



Young England growing here.

Gibson wrote:Fellliiipeeeeeeeee!

I started the job I'm in now just after the 2011 RWC, and there's a guy who works with me called Phil. Ever since I started I keep calling him Felliipeeee. It's just stuck since then. He doesn't mind

Gibson wrote:

Young England growing here.

Nice pun for 36 there Gibbo

You all right? Been glued to the rugby all day? No neither have I...

Morgan playing well as the main link player and play-maker

36 in with the try. Nice creation work there Morgs.

This'll be a rout I think.....Gloucester running the show!!

Cari wrote:

Gibson wrote:Fellliiipeeeeeeeee!

I started the job I'm in now just after the 2011 RWC, and there's a guy who works with me called Phil. Ever since I started I keep calling him Felliipeeee. It's just stuck since then. He doesn't mind

Nice one pal. We have a Geordie mate called Phil Heron. We have a heron, who hangs outside our window, who only eats cheese. Loves Oud Amsterdamse kaas. Loves it more than anything less than 4 years old.

Must offer him a drop of Medoc sometime.

We call him Phil. But he is fussier than our mate, who'd eat the hand off ya. Only eats cheese. Turns his beak up at bread.

Anyway... carry on.

Yes I saw Phil when I was there...

Poor Argentina are being humiliated here. What was the point of this game? Something to make England feel good about themselves?
Its a massive miss-match.

I'll say nowt. Ireland will probably be humbled by the Yanks later tonight.

I don't think I could quite take that.

I'm not racist or anything like that, but I phhoking hate Yanks.

Yes, this is a bit one-sided isn't it? I won't be able to stay up for the Ireland game. I've been awake since half four this morning.

I worked out today I've: listened to Wales game online, watched 2nd half of France game, watched Lions game, watched highlights of Scotland, watched Italy and now watching England.....................wish I could get up to complete it with the Ireland game!!

Cari wrote:Yes I saw Phil when I was there...

Girl. What can I say? I'm old. I'm infirm. I forget sometimes.

Bewitched, Bothered And Bewildered. Great name for a Nursing Home ja?

Or a band even?

Love you.

prop_lyd wrote:I worked out today I've: listened to Wales game online, watched 2nd half of France game, watched Lions game, watched highlights of Scotland, watched Italy and now watching England.....................wish I could get up to complete it with the Ireland game!!

Set your alarm Prop and watch about five minutes of the Ireland game I've been crap. Did the Wales game and the Lions. Then cried into my lunch.

Gibbo

Tsk! How frustrating...the Dubs drew in the hurling so they have to have a rematch.

prop_lyd wrote:I worked out today I've: listened to Wales game online, watched 2nd half of France game, watched Lions game, watched highlights of Scotland, watched Italy and now watching England.....................wish I could get up to complete it with the Ireland game!!

Prop dahlink, most impressed. I say lets get razzed together and stay up late and get mischeeeevus.
Believe.

P.S. TG for amphetamines.

I would gibbo but i'm on lift duty so off to pick up mrsprop in a bit!!

Should have done it yesterday....she went to bed about 10.30...couldn't drink anymore....i went on till 1

prop_lyd wrote:I would gibbo but i'm on lift duty so off to pick up mrsprop in a bit!!

Lovely stuff man. She's gorgeous. And possibly smarter than you. This works I find.

Ye two hang well together. A younger version of Swanny & Sharpey perhaps? Cant get much better than that.

Enjoy the night mo chara. Love you.