Rugby

hey guys, new to the forum, and to london. I played some rugby back in canada (and a lot of american football), long story short i'm looking for a rugby team in NW, any suggestions?

Speak to bobbo. He's your man!

hey guys, new to the forum, and to london. I played some rugby back in canada (and a lot of american football), long story short i'm looking for a rugby team in NW, any suggestions?

My club Chiswick RUFC is located just the other side of the river from Barnes Bridge Rail station, it's more west than north west but it is a good social club, with a decent range of levels and we currently have 4 teams. You would be more than welcome to come down for a run out, there will be friendly games between now and the end of the season although our 4s may have made the playlets in their league. We also have a tour coming up and I think that places are still available. What position do you play?

i'm a winger/outside centre

Okay, new recruits are always welcome with us. I think that there is a friendly next weekend I won't be there as I am in Vienna, and fractured a tendon in my foot today, but can let someone know if you want to come down. Also we have training Tuesday / Thursday again I cannot make this but would at least be able to come down and introduce you if you want to train (it is not compulsory for the social teams) let me know.

If Chiswick is too far away for you I can also ask around the club and see if there are recommendations closer to you.

sounds good, i've got some time on tuesday, what time is training?

7.30 - 9 pm. Let me know the best place for you to meet me alternatively I can meet you at the club. I'll send you my details by pm.

sounds good

red baron, let me know if you are still on for tonight and where you want to meet.

Scotland team announced for the Wales match.

15 Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors) 13 caps, 3 tries, 15 points

14 Sean Maitland (Glasgow Warriors) 3 caps, 1 try, 5 points
13 Sean Lamont (Glasgow Warriors) 74 caps, 9 tries, 45 points
12 Matt Scott (Edinburgh Rugby) 10 caps, 1 try, 5 points
11 Tim Visser (Edinburgh Rugby) 8 caps, 5 tries, 25 points

10 Duncan Weir (Glasgow Warriors) 3 caps, 1 conversion, 2 points
9 Greig Laidlaw (Edinburgh Rugby) vice-captain, 16 caps, 2 tries, 16 conversions and 30 penalties, 132 points

1 Ryan Grant (Glasgow Warriors) vice-captain, 8 caps
2 Ross Ford (Edinburgh Rugby) 66 caps, 2 tries, 10 points
3 Euan Murray (Worcester Warriors) 51 caps, 2 tries, 10 points
4 Richie Gray (Sale Sharks) 30 caps, 1 try, 5 points
5 Jim Hamilton (Gloucester) 44 caps, 1 try, 5 points

6 Robert Harley (Glasgow Warriors) 3 caps, 1 try, 5 points
7 Kelly Brown (Saracens) captain, 55 caps, 4 tries, 20 points
8 Johnnie Beattie (Montpellier) 19 caps, 3 tries, 15 points

Substitutes

16 Dougie Hall (Glasgow Warriors) 41 caps, 1 try, 5 points
17 Moray Low (Glasgow Warriors) 17 caps
18 Geoff Cross (Edinburgh Rugby) 19 caps, 1 try, 5points
19 Alastair Kellock (Glasgow Warriors) 50 caps, 1 try, 5 points
20 Ryan Wilson (Glasgow Warriors) uncapped
21 Henry Pyrgos (Glasgow Warriors) 5 caps, 1 try, 5 points
22 Ruaridh Jackson (Glasgow Warriors) 18 caps, 2 conversions, 2 penalties, 2 drop-goals, 16 points
23 Max Evans (Castres) 34 caps, 3 tries, 15 points

Starting to think that John Barclay has taken Scott Johnson's daughter out for a date and not called her Back as he should be in the team. We need an openside specialist, especially against Wales, mind you the only thing that Harley has done wrong is not being an openside flanker. Its also good to see Weir get his first start, he really made an impact when he came on against Ireland.

has anyone noticed that some of the teams, like Ireland, have a small pocket/pouch on the outside of their jersey's -

it doesn't look like it's anything to do with padding, was wondering if it's a small pouch to hold a gps strip for something like 'prozone' data capture

any ideas?

Some players have a small bump between their shoulder blades, I would imagine that what you are talking about is a similar thing. It is a gps unit that provides the coaches with data about the players positioning, speed etc. Normally they are worn by the backs and a couple of guys in the pack, although the front row do not wear them outside of training for safety reasons.

You can get similar devices to go into boots such as the Adidas mi coach but these systems are basically flashy pedometers and do not provide GPS data.

training for the first time in 5 years at 7:30. STOKED!

^Best of luck. Having started playing rugby again last year after an 11 year break I can thoroughly recommend it.

it was so good. The mix of team abilities helped me feel better, although throwing and catching the ball felt overwhelmingly natural which knocked me back a bit. Certainly wasn't as rusty as i thought id be. Definitely need to gain upper body strength though. I feel i was probably lacking there, when going into the pads and using them. Proper fun and will definitely be going back

Jones is out of Wales v England.. Jones to replace him

Looking forward to an entertaining evening of rugby tommorrow.

Cant believe how much I want Italy to win.

I also have a horrible feeling that England will drop the the ball somewhat. Losing a match they should have won. But still sneaking the 6N win. Not sure why.

Weekend after I'm flying to Oslo for my 7s tournament. Now playing in 2 teams, one in each group. So I should get plenty of running around in a panic time.

Loads of rugby = :D

I'm conflicted.

On one hand I get the feeling they'll choke it with Wales.

On the other (stronger) I feel they'll have a supreme, flowing, clinical game.

Stands to reason any team will have a form blip and England may have had theirs with Italy..

But Like Smallfurry so looking forward to back to back 6 nations games tomorrow.

Any thoughts on how a team of rugby league players should approach a union 7s tournament?

I dont know the team, other than the guy thats contacted me to help out. But I assume they are mainly Norwegian. So would have seen little Rugby union in their time.

I'm planning on taking them through a three man ruck practice, and showing them the scrum. But other than that I reckon they'll be well versed for 7s.

Matches for tomorrow according to Bobbo:

Italy v Ireland.

This could well be the most interesting match of the day. Ireland will do everything they can to get the ball to Marshall and BOD, Italy (well Parisse mostly will put in a superhuman effort to close down the Irish at 10). This game will go one of two ways:

1. Marshall and BOD get fast, reliable ball and we will see an exhibition of champagne rugby as BOD passes the torch to Luke Marshall and bows out on a high.
   
2. Italy succeed in stifling the Irish attack, turning the match into a front five slugfest. Ireland will lose their cool and Italy will win.
   
   

Wales v England

This I'm afraid will be a bit boring, both teams are set up for defence and we will probably see a display of aerial pingpong. England will take it but it won't exactly be great rugby as lets face it the pitch at the Millenium Stadium rules this out.

France v Scotland

Another front five slugfest. Both teams are fielding the biggest packs that they can Scotland could win but equally France could bring their A game, irrespective the conditions will not be conducive to exiting flowing rugby as the pitch will have only just thawed. Scotland to sneak it by three.

Any thoughts on how a team of rugby league players should approach a union 7s tournament?

I dont know the team, other than the guy thats contacted me to help out. But I assume they are mainly Norwegian. So would have seen little Rugby union in their time.

I'm planning on taking them through a three man ruck practice, and showing them the scrum. But other than that I reckon they'll be well versed for 7s.

Drawing in the ball carriers opposite number and running good support lines should be your number one priority, they will be used to this with league but the dynamics of it are different in 7s.

After that rucking but you should only ever commit one man to clear out in 7s IMO if you need to commit more guys than this forget it and get set to defend.

Lastly I would show them how to bind so that the hooker can disengage quickly and leave it at that just tell them not to go backwards and get the ball out ASAP.

Heading to the game tomorrow in Cardiff, anyone got any recommendations re pubs for lunch/the early game and/or anywhere to park that avoids the inevitable traffic carnage? We're heading over early so shouldn't be too bad. Planning to sleep in the cab of my mate's truck...

If I'm driving to Cardiff for the rugby I normally go to Bristol and get the train from Bristol Parkway to Cardiff.

That would make sleeping in the truck much trickier! Definitely want to get to Cardiff if possible...

Drawing in the ball carriers opposite number and running good support lines should be your number one priority, they will be used to this with league but the dynamics of it are different in 7s.

Been trying to teach this so much of late.

Hasnt been going well.

After that rucking but you should only ever commit one man to clear out in 7s IMO if you need to commit more guys than this forget it and get set to defend.

By 3 man I mean, tackled, rucking, and 9ing.

Although at this level getting up quickly and nicking the ball works well against the 15s players, if you're the tacking player.

Lastly I would show them how to bind so that the hooker can disengage quickly and leave it at that just tell them not to go backwards and get the ball out ASAP.

I should be playing hooker. So I can run things in the scrum. The refs dont seem to play that harsh 7s 'pushing early' rule. So you can do a bit of a smash and grab. I got away with all sorts of shite last year, and won the ball in nearly every scrum.

I think they'll be fine. The scrums a joke, and rucking isnt a big deal if you're covering things.

Roof will be closed for the Wales England game.

I hope the turf is OK..