General rugby thread

[iwantagta]

Just caught up with both the finals;
Feel a bit sorry for Glos - they didnt get the rub of the green with the ref. A few strange decisions. The prop "subbing" was shameful from Stade.

The intensity of the Sarries game was amazing. Deserved winners, CA couldnt get the field position, their defense was solid though! Great fitness to keep getting round and on their feet.

[jonny996]

Anyone know when 6 nation dates get announced

[Painter38]

Are Sarries the second best team in the world at the moment after the ABs? Are they better than England?

[JonChalk]

iwantagta said:

Just caught up with both the finals;
Feel a bit sorry for Glos - they didnt get the rub of the green with the ref. A few strange decisions.

We'd rather have had JP Doyle reffing than John Lacey - that's how poor he was.

[Kermit power]

Painter38 said:

Are Sarries the second best team in the world at the moment after the ABs? Are they better than England?

I think for them to be able to make that claim, they're going to have to win the Premiership, given that they finished the regular season in third place, 7 points behind Wasps & Exeter and got stuffed on the last day of the season by a Wasps side who were in turn stuffed by Quins the week before.

[hornetrider]

And beat everyone in the Super 14!

[London424]

Kermit power said:

Painter38 said:

Are Sarries the second best team in the world at the moment after the ABs? Are they better than England?

I think for them to be able to make that claim, they're going to have to win the Premiership, given that they finished the regular season in third place, 7 points behind Wasps & Exeter and got stuffed on the last day of the season by a Wasps side who were in turn stuffed by Quins the week before.

Well they lose a massive chunk of the team during internationals and the last game of the season they rested everyone.

[Painter38]

hornetrider said:

And beat everyone in the Super 14!

Good point!

[Kermit power]

London424 said:

Kermit power said:

Painter38 said:

Are Sarries the second best team in the world at the moment after the ABs? Are they better than England?

I think for them to be able to make that claim, they're going to have to win the Premiership, given that they finished the regular season in third place, 7 points behind Wasps & Exeter and got stuffed on the last day of the season by a Wasps side who were in turn stuffed by Quins the week before.

Well they lose a massive chunk of the team during internationals and the last game of the season they rested everyone.

Fair enough on the last game, but they're not exactly the only team to lose players in the internationals!

[irocfan]

It is an interesting question TBH - would a full Sarries side WITH their England stars beat an England side without their Sarries stars? I suspect that would be an interesting match.

[London424]

Kermit power said:

London424 said:

Kermit power said:

Painter38 said:

Are Sarries the second best team in the world at the moment after the ABs? Are they better than England?

I think for them to be able to make that claim, they're going to have to win the Premiership, given that they finished the regular season in third place, 7 points behind Wasps & Exeter and got stuffed on the last day of the season by a Wasps side who were in turn stuffed by Quins the week before.

Well they lose a massive chunk of the team during internationals and the last game of the season they rested everyone.

Fair enough on the last game, but they're not exactly the only team to lose players in the internationals!

Agreed, but not many teams lose 5 Lions from the pack, and the European player of the year from the backs.

[Matt172]

London424 said:

Kermit power said:

London424 said:

Kermit power said:

Painter38 said:

Are Sarries the second best team in the world at the moment after the ABs? Are they better than England?

I think for them to be able to make that claim, they're going to have to win the Premiership, given that they finished the regular season in third place, 7 points behind Wasps & Exeter and got stuffed on the last day of the season by a Wasps side who were in turn stuffed by Quins the week before.

Well they lose a massive chunk of the team during internationals and the last game of the season they rested everyone.

Fair enough on the last game, but they're not exactly the only team to lose players in the internationals!

Agreed, but not many teams lose 5 Lions from the pack, and the European player of the year from the backs.

they haven't lost any lions from their team yet, certainly not the first team to lose multiple players over the international periods. Although saying that when you look at the quality of the players on the bench and in their 2nd string team it's easy to see how they win so many games

[tight5]

jonny996 said:

Anyone know when 6 nation dates get announced

Today -

http://www.rbs6nations.com/en/news/31682.php#ES4AI...

[hornetrider]

Missed it last night but just watched Leinster Scarlets. What a fantastic game and result, playing away with 14 men for the entire second half.

Sexton made a fair few errors and didn't do much, bit of a worry for the lions. Foxy coming into form though with some beautiful offloads.

[Phud]

Am very biased, but what a match Chief v's Sarries.

And better result in my eyes.

[Kermit power]

Phud said:

Am very biased, but what a match Chief v's Sarries.

And better result in my eyes.

I was neutral in this match, and therefore like most neutrals, I suspect, I was jumping up and down on the sofa cheering the Chiefs on!

Outstanding result, and what a way to do it!

[Derek Smith]

Painter38 said:

Are Sarries the second best team in the world at the moment after the ABs? Are they better than England?

Stating the obvious but rugby is a team game and as such a 15 that plays together week in, week out (injuries and national side call ups excluded) is going to have a distinct advantage over a team that is made up for a match or a short series of them. I'd bet on any top four team beating England. It would not happen every match of course, but the balance would be in favour of the club teams.

You see it in lots of club matches; a player runs at just the right speed to take a pass, knowing how the chap in front will take the tackle. The blind pass is not something you see much of in internationals, certainly in an England match where strength in depth means that if a player is slightly injured he is rested and someone of equal ability steps in, but is a useful tactic in club matches.

England, or Scotland/Wales/Ireland/France, would find it difficult against the Sarries.

But it would be well worth watching.

[Antony Moxey]

Painter38 said:

Are Sarries the second best team in the world at the moment after the ABs? Are they better than England?

Since when were Exeter Chiefs known as the ABs?

[irocfan]

Another breathless match in the other semi... talk about nail biting!!

[MEVILAZY]

After the cracking play-offs I'm completely gutted but unfortunately can't go to the final at Twickers this Saturday (K.O. 15.00).

Anyone interested in taking my 2 tickets face value of £25 each?

Thanks!