Mason Grady is apparently going to be a very busy lad on Saturday as he’s playing both wings against Bath. We knew Cardiff were having some financial difficulties, but this may be an economy too far. Either that, or someone at Cardiff’s been tipping their Brains a bit too much. Of course they feel under pressure: these are the days it never rains but it pours.
In other European Cup news, whichever eejit is in charge of the scheduling has joined the bizarre and troubling vendetta of the URC against households having one Cardiff and one Ulster fan. Yes, for the second week in a row, the matches are scheduled at the same time.
Let’s hope this weekend’s rugby is better than last week’s, where – except for Quins v Racing 92 – the most entertaining bit was the dust-ups between Leinster and La Rochelle.
*Maybe that should be burning down both sides.
Onna telly this week
Showing matches that are televised in the UK and Ireland or on popular subscription services. Bold indicates free-to-view. Times are in the UK zone, so adjust as necessary.
Friday 15th December
| Northampton v Toulon | 20:00 | TNT Sports 1 |
| Bayonne v Glasgow | 20:00 | TNT Sports 2 |
| Gloucester v Clermont | 20:00 | Viaplay Sports 1 |
| Scarlets v Black Lion | 20:00 | iPlayer / S4C / epcrugby.com |
Saturday 16th December
| Saracens v Connacht | 13:00 | TNT Sports 1 |
| Stormers v La Rochelle | 13:00 | TNT Sports 4 |
| Edinburgh v Castres | 13:00 | Viaplay Sports 1 |
| Bordeaux v Bristol | 15:15 | TNT Sports 1 |
| LIons v Newcastle | 15:15 | Viaplay Sports 1 |
| Treviso v Perpignan | 15:15 | epcrugby.com |
| Lyon v Bulls | 17:30 | TNT Sports |
| Leinster v Sale | 17:30 | RTÉ2 / TNT Sports 1 |
| Pau v Dragons | 17:30 | epcrugby.com |
| Cardiff v Bath | 20:00 | S4C / iPlayer / TNT Sports 1 |
| Ulster v Racing 92 | 20:00 | TNT Sports 3 |
Sunday 17th December
| Exeter v Munster | 13:00 | ITV1 / STV / TNT Sports 1 |
| Montpellier v Ospreys | 13:00 | Viaplay Sports 2 |
| Harlequins v Toulouse | 15:15 | TNT Sports 1 |
| Stade Français v Leicester | 17:30 | TNT Sports 1 |
Ovally Balls 
Anyway, looks like Exeter had a good win today.
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How bizarre. All the comments have disappeared! Hopefully a temporary glitch.
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Okay, they’ve come back now I’ve posted another one!
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In the Battle Of Who Had The Camera On Them Most, Finn came well out on top over Marcus (though admittedly I didn’t see Smith’s try).
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Finn, camera Hogg.
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In-laws from the coast surprised us (very pleasantly!) by driving up to Joburg on Wednesday to join us for Christmas. It’s been pretty wild since they arrived, so haven’t seen any rugby although I believe the Stormers beat the Bulls, much to the surprise of many here.
And may I take a moment to wish all of you, and your families, a wonderful, merry Christmas and plenty of revelry! You’re a damned fine bunch of people!
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A happy and peaceful xmas to you all.
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Yeah, lucky we’re not in Gaza, aren’t we?
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what’s the point in the move
Once Kleyn reverted to SA he became NIQ. Rules are generally provinces can’t have 2 NIQs in same position.
So, having to make a choice between Kleyn and RG and in the context of their relative injury profiles – Munster opted for Kleyn (albeit with a bump in salary commensurate with his status as a world cup winner)
From what we understand (gossip circulating), Snymans like Ireland and his wife has a handy job and after 5 years they can become naturalised citizens. EU passport then works it’s magic…..so offer from Leinster suited him perfectly.
Leinster still trying to fix that power issue – Jenkins will leave …. not a success in Leinster’s eyes and in comes Snyman.
Kleyn wasn’t a flight risk…. wife is Irish and they’ve built a house outside Limerick city…..
Farrell is unpopular in some Munster circles – lost Healy because he saw no road to international rugby after the EI tour* last autumn, and now Snyman **because Kleyn was ignored for 4 years and became SA-qualified again.
* part of the difficulty here was that with Crowley on that tour, Munster couldn’t have 2 10s away
** there’s a chance Munster might have released Snyman anyway given the injury history but now we couldn’t – theoretically – bring in another NIQ like Skelton to fill the gap.
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@slade
Its the same here in Ireland, “good” ** players are missing out because they are deemed not to be a “system fit”
As our system is mainly Leinster based, Leinster players get first dibs …..as they “know” the system.
** good as viewed by Munster and Ulster
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Absolutely, Trisk, on your second post! And the previous has good info.
I’ve got a new post ready, but I’ll publish it tomorrow so more people have a chance to read your excellent posts.
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Just in time for xmas!
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