Rugby

[firehazard]

... and tickets for all three Twickenham autumn internationals arrived today! My balloting skills are obviously strong at the moment. I should buy a lottery ticket...

East enclosure pitchside for the Oz game.

[Niall]

Another win for leinster and ulster this weekend. Munster and Connaught too. Good to see

[firehazard]

Didn't see much of this weekend's H.Cup (apart from the fine match between Saracens and Toulouse on Friday), as we were out and about. But looking at the results, great win for Cardiff Pinks, and for Ulster in France. Glawse look to have sent out a weak team against Munster, tsk.

English clubs struggling a bit once again in Europe.

[Welshie]

Cardif Pinks, i like it! Yes good win for them, there does seem to be a bit of an edge around the H Cup this year, which is good. Wales announce their squad by sadly the Blues Hooker Mathew Rees has to have surgery for testicular cancer. He's played some great rugby this season i hope he comes back fitting fit. There's a pretty good chance of this, lets not forget the contribution Chris Horsman made afte his cancer treatment. Get well soon Mathew.
Cheers
Aled

[firehazard]

... the Blues Hooker Mathew Rees has to have surgery for testicular cancer. He's played some great rugby this season i hope he comes back fitting fit. There's a pretty good chance of this, lets not forget the contribution Chris Horsman made afte his cancer treatment. Get well soon Mathew.

Yes, wish him well too.

Developments on the European club rugby front: looks as if the Welsh regions are basically wanting to opt in to the English and French proposals?

And Robshaw confirmed as England captain for the AI. Not sure about this. He's a good player and a decent bloke, but I'm not at all certain that he'd be in my first XV.

[Welshie]

Strong competition around the back row for all the home nations but a shortage of class front row players!
Anyway not long to go now, we'll soon find out whether are the home nations (not the Lions) anywhere near the SH. Personally i believe Australia may be takeable by all 4 of us (but lets not forget they will be livid after last summers results so beware), but S Africa & NZ, probably not. However Argentina are also over, and they will be smarting over a disappointing 4 nations, and will have a new coach in place.
Oh its exciting!
Cheers
Aled

[firehazard]

Australia, having looked poor all summer, seem to have picked themselves up in the last couple of matches. I reckon they'll be a real threat, as always, at Twickenham on Saturday. Parling out injured, England will miss him.

Off on a road trip out west for the next couple of days. Should just about be back in time to head off to Twickenham...

[Welshie]

Nice one go and enjoy yourself.
Aled

[Niall]

Ireland got absolutely pumped at the RLWC by England. Still cant see anything other than an Aus NZ final

[Welshie]

Yep and Wales lost to Australia "A" (otherwise known as Italy) and USA thats us out!

Anyway well done England RU on a good win against Australia, although people were very disappointed that the victory was not more convincing! Big weekend of Rugby coming up this weekend.
Cheers
Aled

[firehazard]

...
Anyway well done England RU on a good win against Australia, although people were very disappointed that the victory was not more convincing! Big weekend of Rugby coming up this weekend.
...

Yes, it wasn't the greatest of games on Saturday, too many mistakes, ball spent too much time up in the air, though a win's a win...

From our viewpoint, the match seemed to turn on Cooper missing a penalty, which would've put Australia 10 points ahead, and then two Australian injuries at the same time early in the second half - the flanker Scott Fardy was flat on his back right in front of our seats for ages, looked nasty. After that England more or less took control. Be interesting to see what changes Lancaster makes for Argentina, I'm guessing Ben Youngs and Hartley may start.

Anyway, much to look forward to. A few pics from Saturday:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/15437467@N07/sets/72157637298215036/

[Welshie]

Fantastic Pics FH, looks like it was a great day out.
Article in the Telegraph yesterday mentions how "Wales want to be more like England", it was smack on Wales can win and win well in Europe but unlike England we struggle, alebit by small margins to bea the SH big three. Its time for that to change. I do not expect a win against SA on Saturday, but i do expect once again, a honurable loss, but against Argentina, Tonga & Australia, (if we have our strongest 15 out) i do expect some wins. Time for us to man up! Roll on Saturday!
Cheers
Aled

[firehazard]

...I do not expect a win against SA on Saturday, but i do expect once again, a honurable loss, but against Argentina, Tonga & Australia, (if we have our strongest 15 out) i do expect some wins. Time for us to man up! Roll on Saturday!

None of the NH teams have a great record against the SH nations, to be honest. I'd tend to agree that Wales probably won't win against SA (though it's a strong XV you're putting out, and good to see Eli Walker getting a start), but think you should have a decent shout of beating the next three. Australia looked like they picked up a couple of injuries on Saturday, so they'll need some changes.

On form England should beat Argentina, but I can't imagine them repeating last year's win against NZ (can't see any of the NH teams beating NZ currently).

Ireland ought to be able to beat Samoa, and probably Australia too, but will struggle against NZ.

[Niall]

...I do not expect a win against SA on Saturday, but i do expect once again, a honurable loss, but against Argentina, Tonga & Australia, (if we have our strongest 15 out) i do expect some wins. Time for us to man up! Roll on Saturday!

None of the NH teams have a great record against the SH nations, to be honest. I'd tend to agree that Wales probably won't win against SA (though it's a strong XV you're putting out, and good to see Eli Walker getting a start), but think you should have a decent shout of beating the next three. Australia looked like they picked up a couple of injuries on Saturday, so they'll need some changes.

On form England should beat Argentina, but I can't imagine them repeating last year's win against NZ (can't see any of the NH teams beating NZ currently).

Ireland ought to be able to beat Samoa, and probably Australia too, but will struggle against NZ.

what is up with the Aussie RU side these days? They appear as weak as I can ever remember

[Welshie]

Seems that way at the moment Niall, a weak scrum aint helping much. However they do have a pretty good record against most NH teams, and have 2 World Cups (91 & 99) in their locker!
Cheers
Aled