Rugby

Diolch yn fawr ... ! ( I think ).

RWC draw for 2023...

https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/2023/pool-draw

...if we're not all still locked down then.

France vs NZ - tasty
SA/Ireland/Scotland has upset written all over it
Wales/Aus/Fiji was written in the stars...
England get Japan and Argentina + one of Samoa/Tonga - ouch

in case you were wondering about whether to start watching rugby league, you might be excited to hear that Super League admitted Leigh as its 12th team for next year (replacing toronto).

Missed this post. Was interesting to seen Toulouse on that shortlist and I have old teammates in/near York who were disappointed that Knights missed out.

With it all being on Sk* Sp*rts (apart from the Challenge Cup Final - hums Abide with Me in myhead...), I miss RL. :(

There used to be a RL show on Free Sports channel (with Jamie Jones Buchanan, if I recall) - but that was a bit of a mixed bag!

There used to be a RL show on Free Sports channel (with Jamie Jones Buchanan, if I recall) - but that was a bit of a mixed bag!

Soccer AM - yeah they just cancelled it due to lack of funding, apparently. It was indeed a mixed bag, with some slightly dodgy moments, but it was a grassroots type production

. I still really enjoy RL and follow it quite closely despite not having sky. Have gone a got myself a tonne of tickets for the RLWC2021 as well

https://fantasy.sixnationsrugby.com/

Get your teams ready for this years tournament.

Gutted to not be going to a game this year, had vague plans to hit all the stadiums, but only managed Stadio Olimpico in 2019 and Principality in 2020.

Registered...

I agree - would love to do a Six Nations tour of the stadiums. (kids and bank balance say no)

Shame Italy don't still play at the Flaminio. Being in the middle of town was ace. Mind you, the Olympic stadium saved my bacon once, being completely lost during a university tour in Rome with no wallet and no idea where we 'home' was, I had to retrace my steps back to where we were staying and the Stadio Olympico was one the landmark on my way back that let me work out where I was - arrived back just in time for breakfast and didn't get fined... (also thank god for Italian public transport not checking tickets!)

Been weird over the past couple of weekends with no games (Edit- that I can watch - can't get Pro14).

Any predictions for the 6 nations this year?

Based on nothing, I reckon France will have a good run and Scotland will finish higher than Wales.

Ireland have a strong squad (I always say that) with some key folks back in the running (like Furlong) but with some missing (like Stockdale). As always, I live in hope. Lookng forward to seeing more of James Lowe wearing green.

But France is a safer bet. Some unbelievably talented and young players in there.

England to be incredibly boring, and grind out wins, and then not have a plan B when that doesn't work.

France win with no Grand Slam.

England and a resurgent Scotland to battle out for second.

Ireland fourth with some good showings, just falling short of form (hooker a problem position?).

Pivac's Wales to still be a work in progress - I'd love to see them playing like his Scarlets side(s) from a couple of years ago. But something just seems to be amiss.

Italy to take a win off someone unexpected, but finish 6th.

Pivac's Wales to still be a work in progress - I'd love to see them playing like his Scarlets side(s) from a couple of years ago

If I were a Welsh fan I'd be a little worried. Pivac was at Scarlett's for 3 seasons where they were a work in progress, they had one amazing season - during which time he was told the top job was his. After that they went off the boil fairly quickly. Add into that the number of stars that play outside Wales and the disastrous relationship between the regions and the WRU and I'd say that there is a lot to be pessimistic about.

disastrous relationship between the regions and the WRU

Definitely. It does seem to be even more of a shambles than the RFU. I still think they could upset the form book for a game or two. I just wouldn't predict it.

England are a little exposed in a couple of areas. Props aren't that experienced and at international level back row has been disrupted a bit with Underhill out (mind you Ben Earl into that mix is quite an exciting prospect, if he can keep his head - Willis for all his Prem form appears to be a reluctant selection from Jones).

Scotland look an excellent side (even better when they get #1 and #2 choice hookers back). That back row can match anyone in the championship (and I bet Gatland takes none on the next Lions tour, wherever and whenever it may be).

Ireland are a funny one. Should be fantastic when you read the names. But, meh. Of course I will have written them off and they will go and win it.

France look like they could be scarily good. There are gamebreakers everywhere.

France look like they could be scarily good. There are gamebreakers everywhere.

Agreed. It confirms what I said for a long time Gatland looked good spouting philosophy and team building ethos because Shaun Edwards is soooo good at putting teams together built on a simple rock solid defense and a team spirit that has players willing to die before they let each other down. He did it with Wales and is doing it with France the difference is the French back line is made up largely of players capable of making Shane Williams look like a 20 fags a day social player.

Bris looked a bit tasty last night (and Baaaaarth were awful, it has to be said). About time proper order in the West Country was restored...

(waits for someone to come and whisk away Pat Lam for international duties)

keen for another Fantasy...

6 Nations?

well; here you are.
@DethBeard @c00ps @owl @Bobbo and everyone else

Join me in the league now no.9770 : Betty Stoggs' Pasty Munchers
Password : IKRBD
By clicking on the following link : https://fantasy.sixnationsrugby.com/#welcome/register/?parrain=ct8r9sb&ligue=9770&mdp=IKRBD

Will edit my team once the actual teams have been announced. Hopefully I'm not the only one who realises that the only players they can afford as substitutes are Italian

and by someone, you mean the WRU?

reckon every team will lose one and it could even be mental enough, with Covid mind-fuck and no crowds, for the top 3 to have won 3 lost 2.
I'll go France, England, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, Wales

Shhhh. They’ll hear you. One interview comment six months ago and it’s still going...

I bet Lansdown has his contract sown up pretty tight though, just in case.

Join me in the league now no.9770 : Betty Stoggs' Pasty Munchers

Does this auto-enroll for last year's mob?

Edit: Yes - having a slow moment

nice one, and good luck - slight change of approach for me this year - including checking the team-sheet closer to KO

Had a complete change up today, all based on Josh Adams being kicked.
Not 100% set on current squad, but relatively happy with it.

It has gone from having 1 Englishman, to 4.
Which I am not too keen on (as it means I will be wanting them to play well, and that isn't something I like)