Rugby

This page of the Wasps website gives the contact details of the clubs officials. Wasps has a large focus towards their fans and the rugby community it may be worth a shot giving someone in the club a call and explaining the situation.

Alternatively I happen to know that Wasps train here so if you fancy a cheeky secret squirrel mission you could buy a ball or one of the away shirts (home shirts are mostly black so it would be difficult to get signed) and head down there to see if you can strike up a conversation with some of the players. Most of them are really nice guys and I don't think would mind.

Sadly that is the best that I can do for you as the last person I know who played for the Wasps pro team retired last year.

Let me know how you get on.

2 days to late. Not Wasps related, but I just gave a work colleague some brand new 2011 Rugby World Cup polo's and a scarf for his kids. People kept sending different ones from home for gifts and I ended up with the merchandise of an outlet shop.

#CSB

cheers both, helpful...

I have (wanted or not)an HBRFU shirt you can have. 2 current All Blacks play for my team and one gave me this. Anyway, it's an option....

Right, the international season kicks off this weekend. I can't be the only rugby fan left on the forum although wibble seems to have been awol for a while.

Should be a couple of cracking games this weekend my predictions:

England v Fiji - Hopefully a good, hard hitting game with plenty of running and passing but England will win by at least 15 points.

France v Australia - I reckon that this will be bruising and tight, assuming that France turn up ready to play. Australia to sneek it by 3.

Ireland v SA - Tough, Ireland have some key players missing. South Africa will be looking for solid wins after the Championship. I think SA by a converted try.

Wales v Argentina - Big game for both teams. Argentina to sneak it by maybe a penalty.

Scotland v New Zealand - Our boys are talking this one up. This is a bad sign and I am worried. New Zealand by at least 30.

Where in central london can we watch these?

there is a serious lack of decent pubs that will play the games esp if theres a choice with that other crap game.

*i hate this: but the best i have been to has been the Temple

You could come and play rugby at Chiswick and then watch the games in the clubhouse after. Justsayin'

It's the end of the international season for the big boys and some teams will be knackered.

England - Fiji: tight first half and England to win by at least a 2 try margin
France - Australia: agree with Bobbo tight scoreline probably decided by a punt.
Ireland - SA: one try margin in the Boks favour.
Wales - Argentina: tight first half but Wales to dominate at the breakdown and scoring penalties for fun
Scotland - NZ: 3 Try margin, minimum . In favour of the AB, of course.

Where in central london can we watch these?

there is a serious lack of decent pubs that will play the games esp if theres a choice with that other crap game.

*i hate this: but the best i have been to has been the Temple

Kind of depends on what you're after, Thornbury Castle in Marylebone is ok and the Corrib Rest in Queens Park is good when Ireland play.

I can see Scots-NZ being a try fest (for NZ) really..

Good predictions Bobbo. I think the main bone of contention would be Wales vs. Arge's. I think Wales will take it by less then 7. Argintina will be looking to move the ball a bit more then normal though as was seen in the new rugby Championship.

And yes, the Scot's have no chance against the the AB's, but i think 30 points is unlikely. 14 points and change me thinks.

CB - not too many options I'm afraid unless you head south. I went to the last AB's vs. SA game at the Temple walky and it wasn't too bad, but just too busy and the queue at the bar seriously impacted my drinking. There's a Canadian pub in Convent Garden that sometimes plays rugby, so that maybe worth a punt.

You could come and play rugby at Chiswick and then watch the games in the clubhouse after. Justsayin'
I thought practice was week nights and games were weekend?

Why you in chiswick?!?! Grrr...

Been thinking about it and it might as well be in scotland for me as im deep south east.

All games live on the BBC (except for England matches) BTW

good point.

but where is the fun in that?

Good predictions Bobbo. I think the main bone of contention would be Wales vs. Arge's. I think Wales will take it by less then 7. Argintina will be looking to move the ball a bit more then normal though as was seen in the new rugby Championship.

And yes, the Scot's have no chance against the the AB's, but i think 30 points is unlikely. 14 points and change me thinks.

The Argies have a good big game mentality, for them all of their tour games are big, they drew with SA in the championship and came close to upsetting the Aussies. If they can secure a win on the road then it will go a long way to justifying their inclusion to the championship.

If it is fourteen points and change I will be fairly happy. We aren't going to win I know that but last time we talked ourselves up before playing the ABs was two years ago and it was humiliating. On the plus side big Richie Gray has passed his fitness test, can't help but think that it would be better to rest him for SA though.

I thought practice was week nights and games were weekend?

Why you in chiswick?!?! Grrr...

Been thinking about it and it might as well be in scotland for me as im deep south east.

How deep south east? We are a five - ten minute walk from Barnes Bridge station if that helps.

Im down in Catford which is passed Lewisham.
Week night train is out as its more than 1.5 hours/15miles to get home

Fair enough. You don't have to train though, you can play socially, ie turn up on Saturday play rugby for a bit and then drink!

what sport lets you play without training?!

what sport lets you play without training?!

the 3rds/farmers side

I suspect there are clubs closer to you, I keep thinking about starting to play again, but it just takes so much time

I've been thinking about it again as well. I don't recover very quickly anymore though.

Old Alleynians - Dulwich. We have 5 teams as of this season. I have not been playing but no training required for 3rds and below.

O'Connell out of the SA game, Ireland's injury list is going from bad to worse!

Looks like my £5 flutter on the Argies paid off!

Any place in angel that will play the game?!? Totally lost track of time.

Argentina were very, very impressive in the second half and it looks like joining the championship is paying off already. Fernandez Lobbe was virtually unplayable.