The Dew Drop Inn Virtual Rugby Pub

by Adam D Tue Jun 07, 2011 2:44 pm

First topic message reminder :

Cari wrote: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 Tommy Bowe photo on the bar. That's a banning offence

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

by KiaRose Tue Jun 07, 2011 11:01 pm

red_stag wrote:What about Umm, Gibbo!!

Aren't you missing an "m" in there Stag - Ummm,

he'll never come and join us if we can't get his name right

by KiaRose Tue Jun 07, 2011 11:02 pm

Does anyone know which weekends the games are being played?
And
Secondly
When will the fixtures be announced?

by Glas a du Tue Jun 07, 2011 11:02 pm

Right, nos da pawb.

Ummm would appreciate the finer points of Welsh rugby from the 80's.

by **Notch** Tue Jun 07, 2011 11:06 pm

Two weekends in the middle of November, the two weekends before Christmas, and the normal two weekends in January. Fixtures not yet announced; Sky Sports must have their input.

The first two rounds are when the November internationals normally are, due to the differences in the international calendar due to the RWC. Moved back quite a bit.

by Gibson Tue Jun 07, 2011 11:08 pm

red_stag wrote:What about Umm, Gibbo!!

I had texts with him today Stag. He said Toulouse were "goin down" at the SG. I will meet him for pints. Dont know what he looks like. Dont know what to expect, but I miss his intelligence, wit and repartee.

Just really like that guy. Everyone needs a token Connacht fan, to make them feel good. Dont they?

by **Notch** Tue Jun 07, 2011 11:09 pm

This site is still sadly lacking in Connacht fans. Which is a shame, we've lost our Connacht fans the season they actually have something big on the radar.

by red_stag Tue Jun 07, 2011 11:10 pm

Gibson wrote:
red_stag wrote:What about Umm, Gibbo!!
I had texts with him today Stag. He said Toulouse were "goin down" at the SG. I will meet him for pints. Dont know what he looks like. Dont know what to expect, but I miss his intelligence, wit and repartee.

Just really like that guy. Everyone needs a token Connacht fan, to make them feel good. Dont they?

I agree. He provided more than rugby chat and is missed.

by KiaRose Tue Jun 07, 2011 11:10 pm

Thanks, Notch. So really it is justthe first two rounds which are being moved around.

Are the fixtures drawn? Or how does that work out? Does Sky have an input into the order in which matches are played? e.g. I think someone said it would be advantageous for Ulster to play Aironi in the back-to-back weekend. If such an advantage can be perceived, it would be fair to have the actual fixtures drawn.

by **Notch** Tue Jun 07, 2011 11:12 pm

No, I don't think the fixtures are drawn. I think it's something which is worked out with TV. I said that and if I'm right about how they are worked out, and I might not be, I hope they'll stick the Leicester-ASM double header in the middle and we can blindside 'em.

by The_Hound_of_Harrow Tue Jun 07, 2011 11:18 pm

Bad luck kiwi. It sounds like a 'so nearly' season for you.

As for the HC - as before, basing things on the season just gone, my analysis of the English teams is...

Leicester - if their players (and a lot of the 1st team squad will feature) get through the RWC they will go well.

Saints - I can only see them getting stronger as a team, esp. if they get better bench cover. Again, a fair few RWC combatants.

Irish - they have lost some very good players, and unless players are found or can step up, I can't see them progressing. Sorry LDCPete.

Gloucester - need to 'man up' away from home to have a chance. Deal with what it's like playing against the oppo's Shed and relish it.

Saracens - too many South Africans to really appreciate what this tournament is about. In a way, as English champions, I hope they prove me wrong. Need to cut out the 'brain farts' that wrecked last season's campaign.

Quins - don't underestimate what that win in Thomond will do for them next season. Always struggling for a 'reference point' after Bloodgate I felt. They have it now. Will run Toulouse close in that pool. My dark horses.

by Standulstermen Tue Jun 07, 2011 11:19 pm

I would like to see Ulster get Aironi on the Christmas double header from a qualifying perspective although i feel that the home christmas HEC game is usually my favourite of the season (Stade two seasons ago!); aironi may not provide the same atmosphere. I think we are likely to get Leicester in the double header if Sky have their way. Either way it will be Leicester involved in the double header imo. As Notch says if we had Clermon at home first and then the double with Aironi then Clermont may not be interested come January.

by Pete C (Kiwireddevil) Tue Jun 07, 2011 11:21 pm

Cheers Hound.

Mark Hammett

by **Notch** Tue Jun 07, 2011 11:22 pm

Yeah, the ideal draw is to get Clermont away last- we'll go there knowing what we need and they may have lost interest if they've lost out to Tigers.

Kiwi- what on earth are Hammett and the NZRU doing to the 'Canes? Is it some kind of insidious Cantabrian plot?

by Standulstermen Tue Jun 07, 2011 11:26 pm

Nonu to Munster would be the best move for all parties (except NZ) next season Wink

. My brother has just moved to Wellington and i fear he will be one of very few with a season ticket. Over on Planetrugby they are going nuts about the Nonu thing.

If i were Graham Henry i would be worried about my 1st choice 12.

by **Notch** Tue Jun 07, 2011 11:27 pm

Meh, they're always going nuts over there. No, they ARE nuts over there.

Isn't he rumoured to be going to the Chiefs?

by Standulstermen Tue Jun 07, 2011 11:31 pm

Yep Notch

A Nonu, Kahui centre partnership is mooted. Personally i would have liked to see him at the Blues given that Payne, McAllister and potentially Toeava and Stanley may be moving.

by Gibson Tue Jun 07, 2011 11:32 pm

The_Hound_of_Harrow wrote:Bad luck kiwi. It sounds like a 'so nearly' season for you.

As for the HC - as before, basing things on the season just gone, my analysis of the English teams is...

Leicester - if their players (and a lot of the 1st team squad will feature) get through the RWC they will go well.

Saints - I can only see them getting stronger as a team, esp. if they get better bench cover. Again, a fair few RWC combatants.

Irish - they have lost some very good players, and unless players are found or can step up, I can't see them progressing. Sorry LDCPete.

Gloucester - need to 'man up' away from home to have a chance. Deal with what it's like playing against the oppo's Shed and relish it.

Saracens - too many South Africans to really appreciate what this tournament is about. In a way, as English champions, I hope they prove me wrong. Need to cut out the 'brain farts' that wrecked last season's campaign.

Quins - don't underestimate what that win in Thomond will do for them next season. Always struggling for a 'reference point' after Bloodgate I felt. They have it now. Will run Toulouse close in that pool. My dark horses.

Hound, wise and experienced input, a chara. Beware Quins under O' Shea. Not many teams "do" a hurt Munster at home, in Europe

For all our individual teams' hopes - and I include mine in this, it can tend to get blown away, in the reality that is the HC. It just gets harder to even make the knockouts.

Im putting outside-money on Saints to win it all. Their hurt is priceless. It is well-earned.

by Pete C (Kiwireddevil) Tue Jun 07, 2011 11:35 pm

I really have no idea what's up with the Canes. Though Hammett has clearly persuaded the powers that be to back him. The Canes' relative underachievement over the years may have contributed?

Another news story from downunder, the Crusaders are planning to use Carisbrook for any home playoff matches.

by The_Hound_of_Harrow Tue Jun 07, 2011 11:40 pm

Kiwi

indeed. But the throwaway comment about Andrew Hore at the bottom is equally gobsmacking.

Text you tomorrow re a poss. beer after work for the JWC on Friday if you can make it.

by Gibson Tue Jun 07, 2011 11:45 pm

Notch wrote:Yeah, the ideal draw is to get Clermont away last- we'll go there knowing what we need and they may have lost interest if they've lost out to Tigers.

Kiwi- what on earth are Hammett and the NZRU doing to the 'Canes? Is it some kind of insidious Cantabrian plot?

Errm, Clermont losing interest? No matter what happens in Ravenhill, no matter what happens at Welford Road - travel there to see their home "dis-interest". It wont be pretty. They take every game personal - at home. And away.

I think you know what I am trying to say Notch. Ulster wont qualify this year. But they can learn a lot for next year. Not being a downer. Its just a touch of realism pal. Ye drew the short straw.

by **Notch** Tue Jun 07, 2011 11:49 pm

The odds are against us. I expect us to win all our home games and hopefully secure an Amlin spot.

by The_Hound_of_Harrow Tue Jun 07, 2011 11:51 pm

Gibbo - my comments are based on last season and what the teams may take from it.

And I missed out Bath. But then again they don't seem to get going as a team until their HC chances have slipped away, and they realise that they need to concentrate on the Prem. Don't see that changing next season.

by **Notch** Tue Jun 07, 2011 11:52 pm

Put it this way- it's a difficult group. But no-one is going to be happy about coming to Ravenhill.

by Standulstermen Wed Jun 08, 2011 12:11 am

Yeah i agree and disagree with you Gibson. Logic would dictate that you are right and we wont qualify but i dont think Clermont or Leicester will get anything from Ravenhill.

A lot will depend on how our young guys go. If Marshall, Spence and Gilroy can kick on from this season with the like of Pienaar and Payne around them i am quite hopeful. It is a tough draw but part of me says its exactly what Ulster need. If we qualify from that group then by God we have arrived. If we can field our first XV i fancy our chances against the bigger teams, that being said it is all if and buts.

by **Notch** Wed Jun 08, 2011 12:14 am

There's nothing to gain by being negative about our chances. This group of players isn't anywhere near it's potential. Genuinely think next year could be very interesting for Ulster.

I expect us to run the two top teams in this group very, very close.

by The_Hound_of_Harrow Wed Jun 08, 2011 12:28 am

Notch, I agree that it's a big year for Ulster. A big step taken last year, and momentum taken on from there to the next level. That's how to approach it. Don't rest on what you have done, as pleasing at it may feel sometimes.

Kip time folks.

by **Notch** Wed Jun 08, 2011 12:35 am

It doesn't feel pleasing- we haven't won anything yet!

I think our target this year must be to reach the Celtic League final, and to win our home games in Europe. I think we are in with a shot at the CL, why not? The World Cup is our opportunity.

I know my optimism may seem misplaced, but... why not?

by Gibson Wed Jun 08, 2011 12:41 am

Standulstermen wrote:Yeah i agree and disagree with you Gibson. Logic would dictate that you are right and we wont qualify but i dont think Clermont or Leicester will get anything from Ravenhill.

A lot will depend on how our young guys go. If Marshall, Spence and Gilroy can kick on from this season with the like of Pienaar and Payne around them i am quite hopeful. It is a tough draw but part of me says its exactly what Ulster need. If we qualify from that group then by God we have arrived. If we can field our first XV i fancy our chances against the bigger teams, that being said it is all if and buts.

Stand.
That is the very essence of it all. You believe against all the odds.
I'll be totally honest here. I thought, with lots of "logical" backup, that we would not get out of a group with ASM, Racing and Sarracens in it, last season. They were all kicking bum at the time of the draw. I thought it was a bad joke actually. But we did. Then Tigers, then Toulouse. It was a sick joke and I still cant believe we did it, to be honest.

But we felt the pain in Toulose last year. Felt the pain vs Munster in 2006 - which marked us. We won that pain back in 2009 - when we finished old Munster as a European power. It has to be earned the hard way. That's where Im coming from.

I really hope ye shove my words up my arrse and take a short-cut (there are NO short-cuts long-term). Ive just got to be totally honest and not patronising.

You needed a handier group, to build on last year. And it has not happened. You are up against an English and French team, with massive resources and nous. Leinster would dread that group, but we earned the right to avoid it. It will steel you for next season. But, you know that already.

Respect.

by Suspicious lurker Wed Jun 08, 2011 5:42 am

Up on the crack of dawn, and she's loving it

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/
http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/rugby/
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport?mobile-redirect=false
http://sport.scotsman.com/rugby
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/rugby/
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbynation/
http://www.thisisexeter.co.uk/rugby

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/headlines.cfm?c_id=80
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union

And as requested on a Wednesday by rava

http://www.ballymoneytimes.co.uk/

Three more days of earlys and I'm off for four days, I need it

by **Ozzy3213** Wed Jun 08, 2011 7:03 am

Morning Hughie, stick kettle on mate, I'm gagging for a cuppa

here.

Morning all

Day 3 in my new job role today. Days 1 and 2 were pretty good and am enjoying it so far, but today could be a defining day as I am the duty DC for the busiest area on the division, meaning I have to pick up and review every crime for that area that comes in today and decide if and how we are going to investigate it. If we mess anything up as a team, it's my bum on the line as the team leader.

No pressure then! Whistle

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Wed Jun 08, 2011 7:05 am

Dirty dog

by red_stag Wed Jun 08, 2011 7:25 am

Hughie, thanks for papers as per usual.
Asbo good to see you.
Gibbo, some good forthright views last night

Thought it was all very interesting.

One group who may be forgotten about is the Welsh. Is this a good chance for both Blues and Ospreys to be in quarter finals? Any Dragons in the Amlin.

by Suspicious lurker Wed Jun 08, 2011 7:41 am

Good start to work today, passenger arrested for attempted murder

by The_Hound_of_Harrow Wed Jun 08, 2011 7:53 am

Not good hughie. I'm on my travels again, to Stonehouse in Gloucs today. Another long day Sad

by Cari Wed Jun 08, 2011 8:03 am

hughie1986 wrote:Good start to work today, passenger arrested for attempted murder

Well as long as it didn't involve you!

Morning mug

It's probably a bit heavy going first thing in the morning, but I was asking myself is it easier to forgive yourself or someone else?

by red_stag Wed Jun 08, 2011 8:07 am

Cari, all ok? With regards to your question I'd probably say its easier to forgive yourself as you know your motivations and your mentality. For example if I've done something bad and I know I didn't mean to do it or if I know I'm truly sorry then it gets a lot easier to forgive myself and trust myself to learn from it, not to do it again.

With others though things can niggle away a bit as there is a bit more of guessing involved.

by Adam D Wed Jun 08, 2011 8:09 am

As someone who has made a lot of bad choices in my life, I will say its a lot easier to forgive others.

Hope all is well zen

by **Ozzy3213** Wed Jun 08, 2011 8:10 am

And first big job of the morning, an indecent assault on an 80 year old lady!!! furious

There are some seriously not right people out there in the world!!!

by Cari Wed Jun 08, 2011 8:13 am

I was just reading about it forgiveness last night is all.

Pete - can't say I envy your job there. I hope that the person who did it is apprehended. One consolation is that it has at least come to the attention of the police.

by Adam D Wed Jun 08, 2011 8:14 am

LDCPete wrote:And first big job of the morning, an indecent assault on an 80 year old lady!!!

There are some seriously not right people out there in the world!!!

Is it wrong that I misread that and thought the job was to indecently assault the 80 year old Shocked

by red_stag Wed Jun 08, 2011 8:16 am

Thats awful Pete there are some people just gone in the head. A lad I was in school with has just gone to prison for the second time. He got released this year after kidnap and Cuddle. As he was only a teenager he didn't serve a full sentence. Released this year and back inside for theft and assault.

I don't get some people.

by Suspicious lurker Wed Jun 08, 2011 8:16 am

Update,

Passengers were fighting on the platform and one man pushed another out in front of an on coming train, he managed to get himself up missed the train by about three foot, ran across the tracks missed both juice rails and climbed up onto another platform. Messy stuff

by Cari Wed Jun 08, 2011 8:19 am

hughie1986 wrote:Update,

Passengers were fighting on the platform and one man pushed another out in front of an on coming train, he managed to get himself up missed the train by about three foot, ran across the tracks missed both juice rails and climbed up onto another platform. Messy stuff

Good grief. You're not having a good start this morning either are you?

Hobo - I noticed in Stag's post the swear filter exchanged the word ra pe for cuddle. Is that appropriate?

by Luckless Pedestrian Wed Jun 08, 2011 8:20 am

Bore da pawb / good morning all.

Cari, I don't know if there's anything I've done that I can't forgive myself for doing, but there are loads of things I wish I hadn't done.

I'd say it's definitely easier to forgive than it is to forget.

by red_stag Wed Jun 08, 2011 8:24 am

hughie1986 wrote:Update,

Passengers were fighting on the platform and one man pushed another out in front of an on coming train, he managed to get himself up missed the train by about three foot, ran across the tracks missed both juice rails and climbed up onto another platform. Messy stuff

WOW! Never a dull moment.

by Glas a du Wed Jun 08, 2011 8:27 am

Bore da.

Welsh chances:

Blues: the group of mediocrity. Anybody could qualify. If a team gets on a roll as per Northampton last year they could do well and secure home draws right up to the final. I just can't see that side being Cardiff. Rugby is a simple game. Simply send Parks packing, he is not an outside half for you as you don't have a good enough pack for 10 man rugby. (ps sorry if that steps on anybody else's toes)

Ospreys: 2 years ago you would see them walking out of this group. Their young players can do it at this level. They still have their generals in the pack and Biggar. But I think there is something wrong at the Liberty. Should qualify but may well fall short.

Scarlets: usually pull rabbits from hats in this competition, and I expect this year to be no different. Even if they win their home games, I can't see them winning more than one on the road. Bomb out I'm afraid.

by Adam D Wed Jun 08, 2011 8:29 am

Cari - I agree in a report of an actual incident like this, the filter makes it seem inapropriate. However (and unfortunately) some posters use it in a more general term on here, which is why we have tried to filter the word to something less offensive.

I havent explained myself well there but I am sure you get the kind of nonsense instances that some posters will use the word.

Sorry for its replacement in proper stories but hopefully these proper stories arent going to be reported often on here and we are unlikely to change it for the time being. We dont mean to make light of the situation - far from it.

by Cari Wed Jun 08, 2011 8:32 am

Hobo - I see what you mean. If I quoted the line from Blazing Saddles for example that would make it funny:

"What about the women?"
"Oh we'll Cuddle the sheet outta them!"

by red_stag Wed Jun 08, 2011 8:33 am

Thats ok Hobo. At first my reaction was that it made light of the situation but to be honest its a necessary evil and only the mildest of irritants. Worth having the filter on a forum like this.

by Luckless Pedestrian Wed Jun 08, 2011 8:34 am

In fairness, the word concerned describes such a horrible act that any appropriate replacement would need to be replaced itself.

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