The Dew Drop Inn Virtual Rugby Pub

First topic message reminder :

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?

Just popped on to share a funny Mike Phillips insight I saw on Twitter:

I have just been told what actually happened to cause the ruckus at McDonalds.....

Slow service.

Oh the irony!

Only caught the last 15 minutes or so of this USA Vs Russia match, USA have just taken a 32-25 lead with a class try, and have just turned over Russia to clear their lines. 5 minutes to go.

Bit of a shame to hear that the Churchill CUp is going, but with 3 match tours in the summer from 2012, I would imagine extended squads will be taken to the Tri-Nations and the younger players will be tested in the midweek side. Not sure if there will be a need to have a Saxons tour if there is no Churchill Cup (just have Saxons matches during the Six Nations). The teams who will miss it will be USA and Canada.

Would have been a great match to watch...Australia have both those teams in their World Cup Group.

Did the US hold on to win?

Linebreaker - yeah they did. Was a really good match actually, end to end stuff. Both sides need to work at their play at the breakdown, both conceded far too many turnovers! The Russian wings looked dangerous every time they had the ball. I really enjoyed it

Yeah, 32-25 final score. In the bit I saw both teams showed some nice touches, but there were errors. They'll probably be stronger in the World Cup, when they get longer together. The USA man of the match said they got together 2 weeks ago for the first time since November!

Linebreaker wrote:Did the US hold on to win?

Yes, 32-25

Got back to London to be welcomed by an absolute minsoon. It's been a wet weekend so far; outside and inside

Thanks for the scores guys.

I really like those match-ups, I also like it when Japan plays either US/Russia, or any of those three teams play a PI nation.

Clash of superpowers/ex-superpowers/tribal warriors...great stuff!

They're wonderful contests but handling can be sloppy as you say.

Just on my way back from touch, it was the finals day, llayed out in Syon Lane. Got caught in that rain as well hound, only it was hail stones when it hit us.

Was playing our last game against a team, now you have to understand we play in the social league, just a bit if a laugj and an excuse for some beers, but this team turn around and say "ah we've got another lad who want a run out", that's grand sure its all fun and games, Flip only tried to bring Josh Lewsey on

hughie

Something like that happened to my friend before. He went up to a 7s tournament expecting to have a bit of fun and spots Ayoola Erinle warming up. It was in June 2010 as well, so about 9 months after he'd played for England in the AIs!

Just done my shopping. My money is dwindling. Going to spend most of my time in the house premises so that I spend as little money as possible.

Are you going back to Limerick at all over the summer Munsty?

Two good tries fron Tonga in that second half, which was much better than the first half.

Disappointing Churchill Cup all round this year though.

Yeah, I'd have to agree with all of that Harrow. Hope Canada put in a big performance to make it an interesting final.

Notch,

Going back in September.


I wonder how long Cudmore will stay on the field for.

Sharks 9-3 up against the Bulls with 10 minutes gone.

Got the Final on Sky+, going to meet my dad for a couple of pints as he's just got back from holidaying in Spain. Hope it's a good one!

MBTGOG wrote:Notch,

Going back in September.

Just in time to see some Munster games and watch the RWC in yer old stomping grounds

Watching the Bulls v Sharks game at the moment but will probably switch to the final later.

Notch,
I'm making sure I'll be back for the Australia game. I really want to watch that one with my dad and brother.

Hah, yeah I can understand that. Great memories of jumping round the living room in my dressing room with the auld fella when Quinlan scored against Argentina in 2003.

Can't beat early morning World Cup rugby with the family and the dog.

Yeah I actually think it makes it that bit more exciting. I really hope we do well.

Poite blows for a crooked feed. I'll be surprised if he gives another one all game even though there will be at least 7-8 more.

Refreshingly tight and competitive game so far! 3-3.

Sharks 16-6 up now approaching half time

Pete,

Who scored the try?

Canada doing well here but I don't know how long they can hold out for.

Pete,

I know you're an Irish fan but Hodgson is just not good enough for international level.

Bulls strike straight back, van den Heever over in the corner.

Afternoon all. Bulls score in the corner to end the half, they trail 13-16

Terblanche with the try for the Sharks of a set move from a lineout.

Hodgson has his good games and bad ones, I would have it as a toss up between him, Dickson and Simpson as 3rd scrum half Munsty behind Youngs and Care. They all have their good points but also a fair few weaknesses.

Canada very well organised and committed defence are making England work exceptionally hard to get points up on the board.

But Gaskell combines superbly with Mike Brown to manufacture a score for himself in the corner. England 8-3 Canada after 22 minutes.

Difference between Canada and USA's efforts against the Saxons could not be more pronounced.

Really hope the Sharks come out strong second half and keep in front of the Bulls.

Fantastic try for Gaskell.

Canada couldn't hold out for any longer.

And Benjamin scores off an interception to make it 15-3.

I'd have Dickson at scrum half as he actually does the core skills of a scrum half to a high level unlike the other two whose strengths lie elsewhere.

This is actually the first game I've watched in the U20's WC. Come on Wales and particularly Jon Evans.

I note the guy we're supposed to be signing isn't in the matchday squad today.

That should have been a yellow against the guy who pulled back Matt Evans for Canada. Cynical play.

Alright Rev. Did you watch the game last night?

How is Matt Evans doing coincidentally? Pity things didn't work out for him at Dave Parade.

No Munster, no Sky or internet or anything at where I'm at (bar crabby non 3g mobile net). I've popped home for the night though, so online for a bit and my folks have sky.

Hasn't had much chance to do anything Rev as they've been under pressure most of the time.

Still keeping in this though.

Kaplan is having a real 'mare refereeing the scrums in this game, which is a shame as the rest of his game has been very good.

52 minutes on the clock and it's 16 all.

Lambie has left 9 points out there, none were easy kicks, but he's been an 80% kicker this year and I would have expected him to get at least 2 of them. Those misses could prove costly as the Bulls look like they are getting stronger as the game goes on!

Wales U20 scored a try but I've no idea who as I missed it completely.

19-16 to the Sharks now, this could go to the wire, and annoyingly I have to go out in 10 minutes!!!

MBTGOG wrote:Wales U20 scored a try but I've no idea who as I missed it completely.

Dai Young's lad, Thomas (7)

Afternoon All.

Just switched on the U20s match so i missed the try too.

Cheers Rev.

Going back to the Churchill Cup final. Can't get into the Bulls-Sharks game.

Enjoying the Churchill Cup final. Canada are giving a really good account of themselves, save for the coq* up for the interception. Like their scrum half, who is having a good game.

* the swear filter puts in chicken for c o c k when I previewed the post. Made for a giggle here.

Oh dear Italy fluffed a chance to score there. They're really slow at getting the ball out too which isn't helping them. They've got a scrum now anyway, so they might be able to push over for a try.

Does anyone know who Canada have in their warm up games for the World Cup?

Tonga and Japan, who are in their group, are better served with the Pacific Nations Cup being next month so they will have a more extended time with each other in preparation to the World Cup with probably tougher competition.

Not really into this game to be honest.

Nice DG though. Lineout before it didn't look the straightest to me.

Rev,

I think the two JWC games later will be much better spectacles.