Rugby

^^^ repped

Tuilagi ban reduced by 50% "because he's young".

Piss off.

You do that sort of thing in public and you go to prison.

Dylan Hartley was younger when he gouged (admittedly a worse offence) but his ban received no such mitigation.

Absolute gash, clearly just a ploy to make him available for the world cup.

And frankly, what the hell is the point in being banned over the summer? The Churchill Cup is pointless and there is no recompense for Northampton, who lost their way into the final because of it.

The bans should start at the beginning of next season.

End of rant.

I believe Hartley was 21 when he got banned, Tuilagi was 20 yesterday. Correct me if I'm wrong. Hartley also has form and gauging is about as bad as it gets...

There are plenty of things that happen on a rugby pitch that would be illegal on the street. What's your point? It's irrelevant in this context.

Will has answered your point about the Churchill Cup - it puts him out of contention for the World Cup squad.

Northampton fans need to quit whining. They were never in the game and got outplayed and out thought. Shit happens, deal with it.

The Manu verdict is sickening. There was a time when Leicester, or any club, would impose their own hefty ban for such behaviour but Richard Cockerill is entirely bereft of honour. Nasty piece of work.

Sickening? Don't be silly. Get things in perspective, rugby went professional years ago, too much at stake. Honour, what the fuck are you on about? It's all about winning. Don't like it, follow another sport.

Who's a nasty piece of work? Cockerill, Tuilagi? Do you know them personally?

Someone has sand in their vagina.

dibs

Someone has sand in their vagina.

Ha! You can get rid of that, unlike shit tats...

My 2p

Punches get thrown a lot. Shit happens etc. Deserves punishment, but lets not form a witch hunt.

Stuff like studding players on the floor, eye gauging etc. is more dangerous and calculated, and in my mind a different level of offence.

Who's a nasty piece of work? Cockerill, Tuilagi? Do you know them personally?

You can see it in his eyes I tell you

That and his RFU misconduct record.

Cockerill is a thug. Fact.
Punches. Shoeing. Gentleman thuggery.. All why I love playing and watching rugby. That and the communal bath.

My 2p

Punches get thrown a lot. Shit happens etc. Deserves punishment, but lets not form a witch hunt.

Stuff like studding players on the floor, eye gauging etc. is more dangerous and calculated, and in my mind a different level of offence.

+1 The only injustice is that it wasn't picked up during the game but not everything will. IMHO a punch to the face, whatever the degree of provocation isn't as bad as an elbow/gouge/shoeing.

Cockerill is a thug. Fact.
Punches. Shoeing. Gentleman thuggery.. All why I love playing and watching rugby. That and the communal bath.

Communal baths are a thing of the past these days.. Health and safety means most amateur clubs have switched to showers.

I said gouging was worse in my original post.

I do think there are usual fisticuffs in rugby and then there's a three punch combo, unopposed, the third of which is an off the feet haymaker.

That surely deserves more than a 5 match ban?

MarkyMark, are you capable of discussion or are you just a "what I says goes" type of person?

The other point I raised was that bans should be carried over until the season starts, so that the wronged team can benefit.

I don't see what is wrong with that suggestion.

Maybe they could make bans in terms of games and not weeks.

Ha! You can get rid of that, unlike shit tats...

I think the cunty look on your face will be harder to shift than either of those.

And for someone who has made so many posts on this forum, you'd think you'd bother to make a donation.

^ perhaps he has donated in the past? Are you aware that they run out? Or perhaps he's given more to the forum than simply money? I couldn't care less who has and who hasn't donated, that's their decision.

As for the three punch combo: the first two barely touched Ashton, the third was a big one but in the laws, that is deserving of a red card if spotted by the official.

10 games (perhaps with 5 suspended) would have been a better ban. Would you prefer that Manu Tuilagi were banned for the next 5 matches that Leicester have against Saints? I'm not sure it should necessarily help the team against whom the offence was carried out. It's supposed to be a punishment to the offender.

That last point was the debate I was hoping to provoke. If the infringement (or lack of immediate punishment) clearly disadvantages a side, should the punishment of the player not also be designed to aid the wronged team?

I mean after all, what is a red card if not a punishment to the team and a massive help to the other side?

Yeah I did know that about donations. Mine ran out last week and I just renewed it. I just took exception to an unnecessary aggravation and immaturity.

Then again, this is LFGSS, so I don't know what I was expecting.

I wasn't having a go at you. I was challenging your opinion about donations.

In response to your debate, I don't think that an infringement without immediate punishment should give the 'wronged team' a foot up.

Northampton (along with every other team) have played against teams who have gotten away with cheating. Sometimes, when people get caught and punished (or punished retrospectively with a ban) they will end up missing subsequent games. In the grand scheme of things, Northampton (along with every other team) will benefit from someone's transgression against another team.

Much like refereeing decisions on the whole, these things even out. At some point a referee will miss and infringement from a Saints player during a game.

Communal baths are a thing of the past these days.. Health and safety means most amateur clubs have switched to showers.

Show's how long since I played

Thanks. Of course that it happened to a Saints player has brought this into focus, but I've always thought of the summer bans as quite silly.

If Tuilagi hadn't been going to the C Cup, then it would have been interesting to see what the decision was.

Anyway, I realise this is getting boring for everyone.

Another Saints question though:

having signed Ryan Lamb. Do we think Geraghty will leave or will Saints try and keep him sweet and start with Myler with Lamb on the bench.

Or will Myler go?

Also, will Matt Stevens ever play for England again?

Geraghty is out, his contract was not renewed.

MarkyMark, are you capable of discussion or are you just a "what I says goes" type of person?

The other point I raised was that bans should be carried over until the season starts, so that the wronged team can benefit.

I don't see what is wrong with that suggestion.

Maybe they could make bans in terms of games and not weeks.

I'm quite happy to have a discussion, you all seemed to get very worked up over the verdict and I added fuel to the fire. Mea culpa.

I think the cunty look on your face will be harder to shift than either of those.

You might be right, but have we met? You do seem to take things very personally, just like the criticism your tat got. It's a forum, relax and take it in the spirit it's intended.

And for someone who has made so many posts on this forum, you'd think you'd bother to make a donation.

Why? Not that I should have to justify myself to you, but..I've donated plenty to this forum, I've given stuff away for free, I've given people jobs and work experience off here, I've done fundraisers...

So stop being so fucking sensitive and come and have a beer.

Show's how long since I played

Only happened over the last few years.. When I started university there were plenty of baths. When I finished there were none :(

As for Mat Stevens - Yes I think he will play for England.

If he doesn't get injured he's a shoe-in for the Churchill cup and may possibly snatch a spot to NZ based on his utility (both sides of the scrum) and current form. He hasn't lost a match since his return and has been a key player for Sarries.

I'm quite happy to have a discussion, you all seemed to get very worked up over the verdict and I added fuel to the fire. Mea culpa.

You might be right, but have we met? You do seem to take things very personally, just like the criticism your tat got. It's a forum, relax and take it in the spirit it's intended.

Why? Not that I should have to justify myself to you, but..I've donated plenty to this forum, I've given stuff away for free, I've given people jobs and work experience off here, I've done fundraisers...

So stop being so fucking sensitive and come and have a beer.

Fair. I am oversensitive.

Still think your tattoo remark was a bit mean though. I will come and have some beers.

Sorry for the spikiness.

Geraghty is out, his contract was not renewed.

Must have missed that, shame cos I don't think he's been used enough.

That and the communal bath.

Get down to next 'tough guy' event.

After the finish its into a massive muddy sheep dip, then onto a barn with a ceiling full of shower heads and perforated pipes.

Almost made the nettle stings worth it.

Must have missed that, shame cos I don't think he's been used enough.

He had a good start and it was a toss-up between him and Myler, but for every moment of magic from Geraghty there was at least one of incompetence, you never knew if he was going to make or ruin the game. As time went on Myler proved to be rock steady, if unexciting, and kept Geraghty on the bench. Don't know where he's going but hopefully somewhere where he'll get a start.