General rugby thread
Discussion
df76 said:
JonChalk said:
df76 said:
The Mad Monk said:
Watched the game between Ospreys and Saracens on t'elly yesterday. Despite losing a prop in the first five minutes - red card - and a yellow card later, Saracens beat Ospreys 22-15.
Why were there so few people there? The Telegraph says 7,000, but it looked even less than that.
It meant nothing to Ospreys, so little local interest. That sort of attendance isn't too bad for welsh regional rugby, which is in big financial trouble.Why were there so few people there? The Telegraph says 7,000, but it looked even less than that.
Newport had one match shifted to Cardiff FC due to freezing pitch (and fines for not playing) and around 2-3000 went. Absolutely deserted look to the place.
Zirconia said:
It is a large stadium, not sure they have ever pulled in large crowds and sometimes I think the Heineken stuff pulls in less. Cardiff Blues used to play at the Cardiff FC footy ground and it looked deserted, they moved back to the city centre and a smaller stand but better atmosphere (beer was cheaper as well.....). Llanelli can have a good turn out, but yeah, go to Kingshome, Bath or Leicester Exeter etc. and the crowd sizes are greater. I think there has been an issue in Wales since the top tier was put in.
Newport had one match shifted to Cardiff FC due to freezing pitch (and fines for not playing) and around 2-3000 went. Absolutely deserted look to the place.
Wanted to go and see Ampthill vs Bedford a few weeks ago - sold out (v. local derby!) = 5,000.Newport had one match shifted to Cardiff FC due to freezing pitch (and fines for not playing) and around 2-3000 went. Absolutely deserted look to the place.
JonChalk said:
Zirconia said:
It is a large stadium, not sure they have ever pulled in large crowds and sometimes I think the Heineken stuff pulls in less. Cardiff Blues used to play at the Cardiff FC footy ground and it looked deserted, they moved back to the city centre and a smaller stand but better atmosphere (beer was cheaper as well.....). Llanelli can have a good turn out, but yeah, go to Kingshome, Bath or Leicester Exeter etc. and the crowd sizes are greater. I think there has been an issue in Wales since the top tier was put in.
Newport had one match shifted to Cardiff FC due to freezing pitch (and fines for not playing) and around 2-3000 went. Absolutely deserted look to the place.
Wanted to go and see Ampthill vs Bedford a few weeks ago - sold out (v. local derby!) = 5,000.Newport had one match shifted to Cardiff FC due to freezing pitch (and fines for not playing) and around 2-3000 went. Absolutely deserted look to the place.
Newport RFC (FC play there as well I think still) had (still have, not sure) issues with the pitch. Newport does have a good crowd and it is a nicer stadium since the re build. Llanelli old stadium was small but also well attended and the new stadium can have its off moments but often well attended but they are smaller. Swansea was build large with room for expansion, ongoing issues at the moment I heard but Cardiff FC was also built with room to expand and it was. Milton Keynes another built with expansion in mind etc. But stick 5,000 in a 25,000 seater stadium and it looks small no matter what.
Cardiff RFC in the centre looks and sounds good on a good match night. Far better than the Blues playing at the Footy ground.
I remember when Wales footy drew small crowds and they plated the Principality stadium and it was deserted. They then started to "take it to the regions" and played at llanelli etc. until Wales started to look good and draw the crowds and moved back to the Principality.
And Ospreys, played 10 league games, won one. Current league points difference -155.
How many times this season have the loyal Ospreys supporters seen their star players Alun Jones, Justin Tipuric, Dan Lydiate, Gareth Anscombe and George North run out at the Liberty Stadium? A change in fortune will no doubt mean a change in attendance.
How many times this season have the loyal Ospreys supporters seen their star players Alun Jones, Justin Tipuric, Dan Lydiate, Gareth Anscombe and George North run out at the Liberty Stadium? A change in fortune will no doubt mean a change in attendance.
Along with 2 mates I've been a season ticket holder with the Ospreys since the Liberty stadium opened. To be honest there's never been a great atmosphere down there even when they had a great team and played top sides, the best is over the Xmas period especially the Scarlets matches. IMHO they have over the years had many truly great players but, and I think Alun Wyn eluded to this in a recent press conference, this quality has never been matched at coaching level or at board level. Eighth in Europe is the best they've managed and that was with virtually a full international team/match squad, massive under achievers.
As a result of their impressive RWC performance, and subsequent pitch-perfect handling of the effects of the typhoon, Scottish Rugby directors have awarded themselves a healthy payrise, in recognition of their impressive services to rugby in Scotland:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/51109389
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/51109389
JonChalk said:
As a result of their impressive RWC performance, and subsequent pitch-perfect handling of the effects of the typhoon, Scottish Rugby directors have awarded themselves a healthy payrise, in recognition of their impressive services to rugby in Scotland:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/51109389
what a bunch of useless twuntshttps://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/51109389
On a happier note (for Glos fans, anyway!), Louis R-Z has signed with us for a multi-year contract.
Having watched him first hand against Montpellier, the only negative is that he has committed to playing for Wales. England ( and the rest) will need a very sharp defence, once he’s selected. The kid is lightning and he thinks as well.
Having watched him first hand against Montpellier, the only negative is that he has committed to playing for Wales. England ( and the rest) will need a very sharp defence, once he’s selected. The kid is lightning and he thinks as well.
jned2 said:
Along with 2 mates I've been a season ticket holder with the Ospreys since the Liberty stadium opened. To be honest there's never been a great atmosphere down there even when they had a great team and played top sides, the best is over the Xmas period especially the Scarlets matches. IMHO they have over the years had many truly great players but, and I think Alun Wyn eluded to this in a recent press conference, this quality has never been matched at coaching level or at board level. Eighth in Europe is the best they've managed and that was with virtually a full international team/match squad, massive under achievers.
Also reflects how well the Welsh national team have been coached. Always getting the best out of the players available.df76 said:
Not good news for Saracens. Considering that they’ve been paying the staff since July, and they’re all still there now, how are they going to meet the 2019/20 season requirements?
If things don't go their way in Europe this weekend, could we see changes very soon after? Are they just hanging on to see where focus needs to be for rest of season?If they've been breaking the cap last season, and make no changes, then it's pretty stupid of them not to have a plan to get under it this year.
Looks to me like stupidity is winning.
Personally I think it'll be completely wrong if they get relegated now for not complying with the call this season.
Yes, they're cheating gits. Yes, they deserved the fine and points deduction, and yes, if they don't comply next season, they should be relegated, but I don't think it's fair to relegate them in season when they're so heavily hamstrung but employment law regarding how they can fix the situation.
I think I'd be inclined to say that whatever happens, the highest they can finish in this season's table is seventh, so no chance of winning the title and no Champions Cup next season.
Yes, they're cheating gits. Yes, they deserved the fine and points deduction, and yes, if they don't comply next season, they should be relegated, but I don't think it's fair to relegate them in season when they're so heavily hamstrung but employment law regarding how they can fix the situation.
I think I'd be inclined to say that whatever happens, the highest they can finish in this season's table is seventh, so no chance of winning the title and no Champions Cup next season.
What does concern me about this isn't the relegation per se. Quins (my team) & Saints both went down, bounced back & made it all the way to the top within a few years. (OK, yes, easy for me to say as I'm not a supporter but some of my best friends etc). If the current Sarries (Eng) internationals want to contend for RWC places next time around, they'll need to stay in English T1 clubs & not chase the money to France. Where does that leave (eg) quins? I'd love for us to get a Vunipola or Itoje (just as examples), but all of us T1 teams must be headbutting the cap. What happens to all our A/B/Academy squads to squeeze in Maro's (alleged) £1m pa? "Hi Maro, great to have you on board. Mike Brown would just like a quick word about eh £50k he says you owe him".
Or, is it just a case of waving goodbye to Lam Williams & that'll square the books...?
CF
Or, is it just a case of waving goodbye to Lam Williams & that'll square the books...?
CF
JonChalk said:
If things don't go their way in Europe this weekend, could we see changes very soon after? Are they just hanging on to see where focus needs to be for rest of season?
If they've been breaking the cap last season, and make no changes, then it's pretty stupid of them not to have a plan to get under it this year.
Looks to me like stupidity is winning.
the problem as I see it is that any redundancy payment or severance payment to players/staff (which they HAVE to pay under employment law) is still counted against the cap - in effect this means that there's no point in getting rid of players as they'll still be busting the capIf they've been breaking the cap last season, and make no changes, then it's pretty stupid of them not to have a plan to get under it this year.
Looks to me like stupidity is winning.
irocfan said:
JonChalk said:
If things don't go their way in Europe this weekend, could we see changes very soon after? Are they just hanging on to see where focus needs to be for rest of season?
If they've been breaking the cap last season, and make no changes, then it's pretty stupid of them not to have a plan to get under it this year.
Looks to me like stupidity is winning.
the problem as I see it is that any redundancy payment or severance payment to players/staff (which they HAVE to pay under employment law) is still counted against the cap - in effect this means that there's no point in getting rid of players as they'll still be busting the capIf they've been breaking the cap last season, and make no changes, then it's pretty stupid of them not to have a plan to get under it this year.
Looks to me like stupidity is winning.
What is the plan for this year then? (not directed at irocfan, obvs)
CardinalFang said:
What does concern me about this isn't the relegation per se. Quins (my team) & Saints both went down, bounced back & made it all the way to the top within a few years. (OK, yes, easy for me to say as I'm not a supporter but some of my best friends etc). If the current Sarries (Eng) internationals want to contend for RWC places next time around, they'll need to stay in English T1 clubs & not chase the money to France. Where does that leave (eg) quins? I'd love for us to get a Vunipola or Itoje (just as examples), but all of us T1 teams must be headbutting the cap. What happens to all our A/B/Academy squads to squeeze in Maro's (alleged) £1m pa? "Hi Maro, great to have you on board. Mike Brown would just like a quick word about eh £50k he says you owe him".
Or, is it just a case of waving goodbye to Lam Williams & that'll square the books...?
CF
I suspect it could actually be a very, very good thing for England, although arguably it's a shame it's not going to happen in 2022/3 leading up to the next RWC!Or, is it just a case of waving goodbye to Lam Williams & that'll square the books...?
CF
There is nothing that says that England can't pick players from the Championship, and as the Irish and Welsh seem to do pretty well as national teams by only occasionally allowing their star players to play for their regions, why not England? It's only a year, but what a year it could be with much fresher players come the Six Nations?
Depending on when contracts end, I suspect as well that much pressure will be placed by the RFU on Sarries to consider offloading the likes of Maitland, Figallo, Skelton and Tompkins before they go anywhere near their England stars.
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