Rugby

[firehazard]

Mr. Robinson must be taking his time writing his goodbye letter. I thought he would be gone by now.

It's astonishing, to be honest. The BBC were saying on Monday that he was expected to be gone that day. They're saying the same today, I think.

He must be a very slow writer. About the speed of an English front-row forward, methinks.

[Bud Byrne]

They are trying to sort out his severence pay is the word. He has some balls to think he is entitled to severence pay. Surely like every other job, if you can't do the job, you just get sacked.

Now of course, there is a part of me that would love to see him stay, because they can only get better with someone new and, to be honest, it is great seeing them so bad. No offence intended to anyone here.

[Mark_Wafc]

They are trying to sort out his severence pay is the word. He has some balls to think he is entitled to severence pay. Surely like every other job, if you can't do the job, you just get sacked.

Now of course, there is a part of me that would love to see him stay, because they can only get better with someone new and, to be honest, it is great seeing them so bad. No offence intended to anyone here.

300k he's on about as a pay off.

I wish my company would sack me and give me 300k

[Bud Byrne]

300k he's on about as a pay off.

I wish my company would sack me and give me 300k[/quote]

What was his salary per year does anyone know?

[Shaz]

I think that is exactly right. When the interest drops, which it must be a little at the moment, the clubs will be the ones that really suffer. And likewise, if Ireland played Spain tomorrow it would still sell out, partly due to the good run, high standard of play, etc. But even when things were not so good we still sold out every match. Bascially, we will turn up to any sporting occasion in droves, whether we have a chance of winning or not.

Mr. Robinson must be taking his time writing his goodbye letter. I thought he would be gone by now.

He's probably having trouble with the joined-up writing

Phil Vickery was having a go at fair weather fans, but I think most will turn out for internationals, whether they're playing the All Blacks or Georgia, just because of the occasion.

Or maybe I'm just a sad git who'd go to any match

[firehazard]

Now of course, there is a part of me that would love to see him stay, because they can only get better with someone new and, to be honest, it is great seeing them so bad. No offence intended to anyone here.

They're saying he'll get the same pay-off whether he resigns or is sacked.

England are simply disgraceful just now, but it's a path they've been on since the World Cup. And it's not just Robinson who's to blame... the whole RFU set-up's a complete mess. Not sure, to be honest, who would want to come into it as coach of the national team. And I can't imagine whoever it is will make that much difference in the short term. So I reckon they can be written off for next year's Six Nations and the World Cup.

Always support Ireland in the rugby, anyway.

[firehazard]

Phil Vickery was having a go at fair weather fans, but I think most will turn out for internationals, whether they're playing the All Blacks or Georgia, just because of the occasion.

Yep, I think you're right, you don't see many spare seats at Twickenham for internationals. Despite the fact that it's a corporate hell-hole these days, by all accounts.

Anyway, nothing better than coming and having a good boo, is there?

[Shaz]

Now of course, there is a part of me that would love to see him stay, because they can only get better with someone new and, to be honest, it is great seeing them so bad. No offence intended to anyone here.

They're saying he'll get the same pay-off whether he resigns or is sacked.

England are simply disgraceful just now, but it's a path they've been on since the World Cup. And it's not just Robinson who's to blame... the whole RFU set-up's a complete mess. Not sure, to be honest, who would want to come into it as coach of the national team. And I can't imagine whoever it is will make that much difference in the short term. So I reckon they can be written off for next year's Six Nations and the World Cup.

Always support Ireland in the rugby, anyway.

I don't think it's just Robinson's fault. He's a decent, honest guy who was promoted beyond his capabilities. A lot of it is down to the old farts at the top of the game -- professionalism hasn't touched them, sadly. When Woodward went, there was the chance then to look at the coaching set-up and it didn't happen. Robinson's a good no. 2, but not the main man. And it's never been made clear what Rob Andrew's role in it all is.

I'm not a fan of Andrew anyway

They should be looking for someone like Richard Hill, who has turned Bristol around. But I notice he has signed a long extension to his contract there. Wouldn't blame him for not wanting the poisoned chalice

[Shaz]

Phil Vickery was having a go at fair weather fans, but I think most will turn out for internationals, whether they're playing the All Blacks or Georgia, just because of the occasion.

Yep, I think you're right, you don't see many spare seats at Twickenham for internationals. Despite the fact that it's a corporate hell-hole these days, by all accounts.

Anyway, nothing better than coming and having a good boo, is there?

Everyone takes the piss out of me at matches, as I never cheer or shout -- spent too many years in press boxes where any emotion is frowned on!

God, it's always been dire on the corporate side -- too many Hooray Henrys from the city getting free tickets and getting plastered.

[Mark_Wafc]

Phil Vickery was having a go at fair weather fans, but I think most will turn out for internationals, whether they're playing the All Blacks or Georgia, just because of the occasion.

Yep, I think you're right, you don't see many spare seats at Twickenham for internationals. Despite the fact that it's a corporate hell-hole these days, by all accounts.

Anyway, nothing better than coming and having a good boo, is there?

Everyone takes the piss out of me at matches, as I never cheer or shout -- spent too many years in press boxes where any emotion is frowned on!

God, it's always been dire on the corporate side -- too many Hooray Henrys from the city getting free tickets and getting plastered.

I had a Press Box upbringing in my formative Football years – my dad was Sports Editor of the Local Paper in Wigan and used to cover all the games, so I had to learn from an early age not to cheer if we scored when we played away!

Once I discovered singing and beer I never looked back!

He still works freelance for the odd game but i've not been in for a while!

The last Press Box I was in at Football was Gillingham about 5 years ago when I had a very nasty altercation with their Chairman!

[firehazard]

Everyone takes the piss out of me at matches, as I never cheer or shout...

So you'd be ok at an England international at the moment, then.

Yep, it's unfair to blame Robinson for all England's failings. I feel sorry for him, to be honest. It'll take the RFU years to sort out the current mess, and that's if they have the will to do so to begin with.

And you're right, Andrew isn't the answer. He was never quite good enough as an international outside-half, and he's not quite good enough as a coach, either. Or whatever it is he's supposed to be.

[Bud Byrne]

Not sure, to be honest, who would want to come into it as coach of the national team. And I can't imagine whoever it is will make that much difference in the short term. So I reckon they can be written off for next year's Six Nations and the World Cup.

Always support Ireland in the rugby, anyway. [/quote]

There is some talk of Martin Johnson. Can't see it myself.

We will have over 80,000 at the next match against france in the spring (in croke park). Should be a good day out

[Shaz]

Everyone takes the piss out of me at matches, as I never cheer or shout -- spent too many years in press boxes where any emotion is frowned on!

I had a Press Box upbringing in my formative Football years – my dad was Sports Editor of the Local Paper in Wigan and used to cover all the games, so I had to learn from an early age not to cheer if we scored when we played away!

Once I discovered singing and beer I never looked back!

He still works freelance for the odd game but i've not been in for a while!

The last Press Box I was in at Football was Gillingham about 5 years ago when I had a very nasty altercation with their Chairman!

If it was at Gillingham, I'm not surprised -- the guy's supposed to be barking. He bans everyone for the slightest reason!

Press boxes are dire places. I have a hit list of people I dislike, who were snotty about a woman covering rugby. One of the BBC blokes said: "Oh, I assumed you were someone's girlfriend!"

[firehazard]

There is some talk of Martin Johnson. Can't see it myself.

Yes, I've been hearing that. He might be able to inspire - or scare - them into action, I guess. But can he coach? Though given they have a number of other coaches in place already, and presumably they can't afford to pay them all off and replace them, maybe it could happen.

Ireland vs France at Croke Park should be fantastic.

[Shaz]

There is some talk of Martin Johnson. Can't see it myself.

We will have over 80,000 at the next match against france in the spring (in croke park). Should be a good day out

I agree, I don't think Johnson's a coach.

And I'm still waiting for the sky to fall because of these poncy English games being let into Croke Park Never been there, but I was looking on the website and it looks like amazing facilities.