Euro Rugby 2020-2021 from the gloom of Covid to a brave new world

by doctor_grey Thu 10 Dec 2020, 6:23 pm

First topic message reminder :

I have nothing bright or insightful with which to start the thread. Outside of Exeter's continued excellence and Leinster's annoying way of simply beating everyone, not sure how this will go.

My point for starting this is simply: Why do Saints have to play on Friday and therefore ruin my weekend?

Good luck to all.........

by mikey_dragon Fri 18 Dec 2020, 10:54 pm

Gooseberry wrote:
thebandwagonsociety wrote:Toulon just scared to play in Wales?

Scared of getting stuck there for Christmas.

You saying most would opt for the Côte d'Azur over Newport? Can’t see it myself....

by sensisball Sat 19 Dec 2020, 12:02 pm

Clermont back 5 forwards - injury update:

Sitalekia Timani,122 kg and Sebastian Vahaamahina,126 kg are both unavailable with shoulder and knee injures respectively for today's match with Munster.

The starting locks of Paul Jedrasiak and Peceli Yato weigh in at around 118 kg each, meaning a significant reduction in ballast in the second. This should give Munster more of an opportunity to gain the upper hand in the scrum.

In the back row Lapandry and Fischer are both still recovering from concussion and remain unavailable.

In their stead the captain of the Espoirs Clement Lanen will start in the back row at 7 alongside Cancoriet (6 ) and Lee (8).

Clement's identical twin Thibault moves onto the bench as back row cover. They are around 6 ft 5 and both weigh less than 110 kg. During the short game time they had in last season's Champions cup both looked technically assured in the lineout and won a couple of turnovers. Having played for France U20's they clearly have potential.

In addition another espoirs squad member the 19 year old NZ player, Edward Annandale, 6 ft 7 and around 110 kg, provides lock cover.

A daunting task for Munster has become slightly less so with the reduced power and experience of 3 of their match day back 5 forwards. Plus with Yato playing at lock he will find it harder to get involved in loose play.

by doctor_grey Sat 19 Dec 2020, 1:02 pm

Saints lineup against Leinster looks like putting up the white flag. I wonder if Leinster will put up 50, 75, or 100 points. I like George Furbank, but have never seen in playing 10. He is a fullback. Thank goodness Rugby matches last only 2 hours......

by doctor_grey Sat 19 Dec 2020, 2:55 pm

Well Saints played somewhat better to lose only by 35-19. But still Saints were very inaccurate in many aspects of the game. Clearly the personnel is better than the record, but how can a team so consistently find ways to lose? Play bad teams close and lose and play good teams close (like today) and lose. Even when starting players out of position? The players were certainly breaking their stones and working like dogs. aaarrrgh.

by **profitius** Sat 19 Dec 2020, 3:25 pm

sensisball wrote:Clermont back 5 forwards - injury update:

Sitalekia Timani,122 kg and Sebastian Vahaamahina,126 kg are both unavailable with shoulder and knee injures respectively for today's match with Munster.

The starting locks of Paul Jedrasiak and Peceli Yato weigh in at around 118 kg each, meaning a significant reduction in ballast in the second. This should give Munster more of an opportunity to gain the upper hand in the scrum.

In the back row Lapandry and Fischer are both still recovering from concussion and remain unavailable.

In their stead the captain of the Espoirs Clement Lanen will start in the back row at 7 alongside Cancoriet (6 ) and Lee (8).

Clement's identical twin Thibault moves onto the bench as back row cover. They are around 6 ft 5 and both weigh less than 110 kg. During the short game time they had in last season's Champions cup both looked technically assured in the lineout and won a couple of turnovers. Having played for France U20's they clearly have potential.

In addition another espoirs squad member the 19 year old NZ player, Edward Annandale, 6 ft 7 and around 110 kg, provides lock cover.

A daunting task for Munster has become slightly less so with the reduced power and experience of 3 of their match day back 5 forwards. Plus with Yato playing at lock he will find it harder to get involved in loose play.

Munster are missing RG Snyman which balances things out.

Cronin and Kilcoyne are the loosehead props that are injured meaning 21 year old Josh Wycherley makes his first start for Munster.

If Clermonts lineout is weak then there's no better man than POM to take advantage.

by mikey_dragon Sat 19 Dec 2020, 5:34 pm

Scarlets 28 - 0 Toulon...

I’m sure both will be annoyed at that. Toulon will be throwing the kitchen sink in the return fixture.

by doctor_grey Sat 19 Dec 2020, 5:54 pm

mikey_dragon wrote:Scarlets 28 - 0 Toulon...

I’m sure both will be annoyed at that. Toulon will be throwing the kitchen sink in the return fixture.

I agree. This is Covid world. Teams should not be punished if there is a valid concern. A 0-0 scoreline would be more appropriate. Who makes these decisions?

by TightHEAD Sat 19 Dec 2020, 6:01 pm

Munster getting smashed lol

by Gooseberry Sat 19 Dec 2020, 6:05 pm

doctor_grey wrote:
mikey_dragon wrote:Scarlets 28 - 0 Toulon...

I’m sure both will be annoyed at that. Toulon will be throwing the kitchen sink in the return fixture.
I agree. This is Covid world. Teams should not be punished if there is a valid concern. A 0-0 scoreline would be more appropriate. Who makes these decisions?

The competition board which is made up by equal representation of of all the unions. Presumably they have the rule in to put onus on teams to try to make the game happen rather than just refuse to go if all they need a draw,.Theres no magic line between what is and isnt a valid concern. Worth remembering these rules were decided when it was assumed there would be crowds at the games and the hosts stood to loose out financially (and fans) if games were cancelled, even more so at short notice.

The whole competition is a farce anyway with understrength sides being fielded. It was a brave attempt to get something in decided at a time when the outlook was a lot rosier. But the reality now is that the London and South Wales based teams really shouldn't be playing at all.

by formerly known as Sam Sat 19 Dec 2020, 6:07 pm

Munster look quite neat in attack but give Clermont half an inch and they are scoring. Just frightening amounts of pace and power.unster just need some control the game is far too end to end and that suits Clermont far more than Munster.

by mikey_dragon Sat 19 Dec 2020, 6:20 pm

Clermont look like winners this year. It’s the best I’ve ever seen them.

by asoreleftshoulder Sat 19 Dec 2020, 6:44 pm

Clermont always look like winners in the early stages,I'd love to see them do it as they're a great club but they've fallen flat too many times. I don't have faith in them.

by doctor_grey Sat 19 Dec 2020, 6:48 pm

Still a long way to go

by mikey_dragon Sat 19 Dec 2020, 6:50 pm

They’re perennial chokers for sure, but I’ve never seen them just destroy good teams like they’ve been doing lately.

by sensisball Sat 19 Dec 2020, 7:11 pm

Clermont really missing their big locks this second half. Game is there for Munster now. If they win then no way Clermont win at Thomond and they will miss out on the quarters.

by sensisball Sat 19 Dec 2020, 7:13 pm

One point game and down to 14 for the final 10, looks like Clermont are about to completely implode.

by sensisball Sat 19 Dec 2020, 7:15 pm

Starting Clermont pack was over 30 kg lighter than Munster's

by Gicater Sat 19 Dec 2020, 7:28 pm

Looked like a clear knock on by Munster there - I have to say that, this weekend, if I was a French rugby fan with a chip on my shoulder about UK refs .....the chip would be bigger

by mikey_dragon Sat 19 Dec 2020, 7:36 pm

Well I say that and then Clermont choke one off sooner than later. Munster went back to basics and did the basics very well.

by **RiscaGame** Sat 19 Dec 2020, 7:41 pm

Bet POM was good Mikey.

by Guest Sat 19 Dec 2020, 7:50 pm

RiscaGame wrote:Bet POM was good Mikey.

by Gicater Sat 19 Dec 2020, 8:17 pm

A massively forward pass by Sale completely ignored - astonishing!

by mikey_dragon Sat 19 Dec 2020, 8:19 pm

POM was crap.

by Guest Sat 19 Dec 2020, 8:44 pm

Two nice rolling maul tries for the Ospreys In the last 10 mins v Worcester. First one blatantly stopped illegally so a penalty try awarded and yellow card, and I think Wuss thought twice about stopping it the 2nd time! Don’t often see the Welsh regions getting it on up front, so nice to see.

Edit: It’s on S4C by the way. I haven’t got any of the other channels as far as I know, hence I’m watching this and not my side the Dragons!

by mikey_dragon Sat 19 Dec 2020, 8:50 pm

Speaking of regions, another 28 nil win for Cardiff!

by Guest Sat 19 Dec 2020, 8:57 pm

I guess it could be technically possible to win the whole thing this year without actually playing anyone! Very Happy

by **RiscaGame** Sat 19 Dec 2020, 9:05 pm

Dragons were the victim of a shocking missed knock on for the first try. Local TMO even looked at it and it happened in right in front of the ref. So bad. You’d especially hope a Frenchman would pick it up, after their bellyaching from the ANC.

The referee is way out of his depth. He’s got in the way of Dragons trying to play too, with no scrum awarded to us. This is supposed to be the Elite European club competition mun laughing

That said, Dragons need to do a bit more than defend.

by **RiscaGame** Sat 19 Dec 2020, 9:06 pm

When you’re lumbered with Scott Hastings trying to mispronounce every Dragons players’ name and Holley too, there’s really no positive to take from it.

by Guest Sat 19 Dec 2020, 9:15 pm

We’re getting a bit of a tuning, looking at the scores on BBC Shocked

by **RiscaGame** Sat 19 Dec 2020, 9:27 pm

I’m a bit out on my feet now, to actually watch it. Can’t expect to do 40 minutes of defending and it not to take it out of our predominantly second team, short of match fitness.

I’m sure it’s good for the players to have a hit out, but I wish we had taken the 28-0.

by asoreleftshoulder Sat 19 Dec 2020, 9:41 pm

TightHEAD wrote:Munster getting smashed lol

Yep lol

by Gicater Sat 19 Dec 2020, 9:55 pm

Contrary to what the silly wee interviewer asked, Edinburgh did not 'steal' that game - you could see Hamish was a bit surprised by the tone of the question.

by Gicater Sat 19 Dec 2020, 10:05 pm

And now she tells McInally they he 'just' won the game - FFS Edinburgh dominated the second half - they would have been massively pissed off to have lost that.

by **BigGee** Sat 19 Dec 2020, 10:13 pm

Gicater wrote:And now she tells McInally they he 'just' won the game - FFS Edinburgh dominated the second half - they would have been massively pissed off to have lost that.

That's a very fair assessment, Sale faded away very badly once Edinburgh stopped gifting them tries

by doctor_grey Sat 19 Dec 2020, 10:28 pm

BigGee wrote:
Gicater wrote:And now she tells McInally they he 'just' won the game - FFS Edinburgh dominated the second half - they would have been massively pissed off to have lost that.

That's a very fair assessment, Sale faded away very badly once Edinburgh stopped gifting them tries

Was a great series of answers by Hamish Watson in the post-match. Said they all recognised the two tries to Sale were 'defensive slip-ups', most of the halftime discussion was positive, and they felt they simply needed to continue to do what they were doing. Must have worked, eh?

by mikey_dragon Sat 19 Dec 2020, 11:22 pm

The Oracle wrote:I guess it could be technically possible to win the whole thing this year without actually playing anyone!

Definitely works in three of the four teams’ favour.

by mikey_dragon Sat 19 Dec 2020, 11:42 pm

Interestingly, the introduction of Morgan Morris coincided with the turning point for Ospreys. He’s a good breakdown player and won some vital turnovers. Tipuric wasn’t up to much at the breakdown, and I remember that being brought up a few times here too.

by TightHEAD Sun 20 Dec 2020, 3:39 pm

Mike Brown needs to retire, looks like an old man trying to keep up with these Racing players.

by formerly known as Sam Sun 20 Dec 2020, 4:30 pm

TightHEAD wrote:Mike Brown needs to retire, looks like an old man trying to keep up with these Racing players.

The ease with which he got stepped for the first try was ridiculous.

by doctor_grey Sun 20 Dec 2020, 4:33 pm

Quins being slowly bludgeoned to a pulp. Racing have made some nice plays but do not seem to be playing in 5th or 6th gear.

by **BigGee** Sun 20 Dec 2020, 6:48 pm

Racing put 50 points on quins without really getting out of third gear. They just look so causal at times. Teddy Thomas ran through the whole team without ever looking like he was going fast, nor even trying that hard!

by mikey_dragon Sun 20 Dec 2020, 7:07 pm

Munster don't play Racing in the group stages right? Just getting a little confused by the format again...

by doctor_grey Sun 20 Dec 2020, 7:11 pm

Watching the Connacht-Bristol match reminds me of a few things:
The Sportsground is a great place to watch a match - closer to the action than anywhere else.
The pitch is terrible. After all, it is in the middle of a dog track.
There are usually lot of people with warm wine or warm spirits to share - just watch out for the old ladies, they are like piranhas looking for young'uns.

by **RiscaGame** Sun 20 Dec 2020, 7:59 pm

I love The Sportsground aye. Galway was a great city too. Have to look harder for those women though Wink

by No 7&1/2 Mon 21 Dec 2020, 8:43 am

Still so many away wins. Surely fans dont make that much of a difference? Or is it just that players are so glad to see some different countryside these days?!

by Collapse2005 Mon 21 Dec 2020, 9:20 am

TightHEAD wrote:Munster getting smashed lol

Lol, great comeback from Munster.

by Collapse2005 Mon 21 Dec 2020, 9:24 am

No 7&1/2 wrote:Still so many away wins. Surely fans dont make that much of a difference? Or is it just that players are so glad to see some different countryside these days?!

I think they do, they also put a lot of pressure on the ref to lean towards the home team.

Imagine you were reffing a home Clermont game with all their fans barking at you!

by No 7&1/2 Mon 21 Dec 2020, 10:22 am

Yeah may have something to do with the ref being a bit fairer I suppose. Havent really noticed any differences from my pov but if it's a small change over 80 min it'll make an impact.

by No 7&1/2 Mon 21 Dec 2020, 10:23 am

Dont know where to post this as I'm not sure a thread on scrums will be that popular but just seen this by Alex Corbisiero:

https://twitter.com/AlexCorbs/status/1340691186068168706?s=19

Lovely piece of analysis and bot something I've considered as that important before.

by formerly known as Sam Mon 21 Dec 2020, 10:34 am

No 7&1/2 wrote:Dont know where to post this as I'm not sure a thread on scrums will be that popular but just seen this by Alex Corbisiero:

https://twitter.com/AlexCorbs/status/1340691186068168706?s=19

Lovely piece of analysis and bot something I've considered as that important before.

Corbs might have a couple of interviews from that analysis. Some clubs could do with a scrum coach. Nice analysis and simple delivery.

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