Rugby

[Welshie]

Watched a bit of amateur club rugby recently. Not much to write home about, seems the spark has gone out of my local team....at the moment. Relegation this year sadly! Another sad bit of news is that one of the local teams has folded as there are not enough players locally to keep the team going.
Well with seasons coming to an end, playoffs everywhere, and this being a world cup year there's lots to look forward to on the top club and international scene!
You all Ok out there, I'm not able to call in as often as I used to.
Cheers
Aled

[firehazard]

Always sad news when a local team folds, Aled. A friend and I have already decided that we need to join our local club next season. Haven't been a member of a local club for years, but it's about time, and they need the support.

Meanwhile, at international level, Manu Tuilagi's been told he won't be picked for the RWC after being convicted of assault. Though whether he'd've been fit to last a tournament anyway is another matter.

[Welshie]

And Hartley has gone the same way sadly! Anyway yes join a local club, they really need support we join as a family for £20 and the angling club (of which I am chair) sponsor one game a year. I am quite concerned for the future of club rugby all clubs locally had 2 teams, now many struggle to maintain 1! It used to break my heart not to be chosen to play on Saturday. Now guys are being phoned to play, and don't want to!
This World Cup promises to be very interesting. New Zealand are favourites of course, but take your pick from, England, Australia, France, Ireland, Wales & SA as who will be in the semi finals! I'm going to the Wales v Australia game.
Cheers
Aled

[firehazard]

Hartley's a good player, but sadly a bit of an idiot. I think Lancaster's finally lost patience with him this time.

Yes, currently need to sort out joining our local club as a social member. You're right, they all need support.

Still seems bizarre that England, Oz and Wales have ended up in the same pool, so one of them won't even make the QFs. Wales v Australia could be crucial. We have tickets for four games, can't wait for it.

[Welshie]

O no FH, it was entirely Wales fault. We lost to Samoa in November 2012 (deservedly so by the way!) so we went in as a 3rd tier nation instead of second! Should of picked a full strength side rather than a 2nd xv!
Nobody to blame but ourselves.
Cheers
Aled

[firehazard]

It was partly down to England too, and the early cut-off date for the seeding. They had a disappointing autumn series in 2012. The cut-off date for when the seedings were calculated was end of November. They then went and beat NZ on 1 December. If they'd showed that form through all the autumn internationals, they'd've been one of the top seeds rather than in the second rank.

[Welshie]

Well we always blame England for something here in in Wales.....LOL
Ashes tomorrow!
Cheers
Aled

[Welshie]

Cannot believe how quickly time is flying at the moment. The World Cup warm up matches start next week! Weeks away from final squads being announced.
Cheers
Aled

[firehazard]

Can't wait. Though I'll sleep easier once my tickets have arrived.

Finally got around to joining Cambridge Rugby Club too. Roll on the new season.

[Welshie]

Good man FH, we'll be watching international rugby this weekend me thinks!
Several new caps in Wales team, and an interesting call to make Scott Williams captain.
Cheers
Aled

[firehazard]

The Rugby World Cup tour came to our local club yesterday, so we went to have a look at it. This is probably the closest that an Englishman will get to it this year:



Friend: "It looks bigger than on TV."
Me: "That's because you usually see it being held by some international player. Anything looks small next to Martin Johnson."

[Welshie]

Cracking picture FH, I saw it at Lampeter RFC back in 1999, the club I was playing for at the time.
Now a very important weekend for both Ireland and England, pressure off Wales, they should have enough to beat Italy at home but you never know. Scotland v France an interesting game to! Weeks away from the start, I am very much looking forward to it, not least as I've agreed to stay on the wagon until the first game on the 18th!
Cheers
Aled

[firehazard]

World Cup's getting close now. I'm having a very bad feeling about Pool A from an England point of view...

And I'll be a lot happier when I finally get my tickets in my own hands. Ticketbastard still hasn't delivered them.

Still, had my day out at the rugby of the new season last Saturday, with a pre-season friendly local derby. Don't think local derby games are ever really "friendly", but it was fun...

https://www.flickr.com/photos/15437467@N07/albums/72157657957812275

[Welshie]

Cracking pics FH, I really like both teams kit. Looking forward to watching some club rugby soon.
Two Welsh injuries Rhys Webb & Leigh Halfpenny. I was relived to hear the final whistle blow. A very small win.
Well done England good win there, and Scotland made a decent fist of it too.
Cheers
Aled

[firehazard]

Cheers, Aled.

I reckon last weekend's round of internationals will have made the SH nations even more confident. None of the European teams looked that convincing. Wales very unlucky with injuries. England started well but faded again, and the way Farrell butchered an overlap towards the end makes me think even more that it was a big mistake to omit Cipriani. Surprised by how poorly Ireland played in the first half.

Still waiting for my tickets.