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 
I liked them more after seeing them live. They put on a good show, and were less annoying.
Plus the drum solo.
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yes!! 32 – 24
well, a game we ought to have won from 24-13…. Conor Murray had a 20 mins to forget – kick direct to touch, intercept, and a knock on……
Main problem is injuries and size – players have to play too long and then mistakes creep in. 2nd row was Beirne and Coombes (a converted 8) – both played the full 80, because Kleyn, Edogbo, and Snyman are out.
Barron at hooker played 80 too because the nominated replacement hooker is essentially too inexperienced, then with Wycherley – replacement LH – front row is too small….throw in the world’s craziest bounce (even for rugby) and errors at 9 and … it all went horribly wrong.
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French pundit ( ex FH) was scathing about Murray. In a way, he managed a reverse full house: instead of a try, a drop goal and a penalty, he kicked directly into touch, was intercepted (that lead to a direct try) and knocked on. Time to retire.
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In other Thauma-pleasing news, Ulster legend Ruan Pienaar was instrumental in the Cheetahs beating the Bok-laden Sharks this weekend. He’ll be 40 in March!
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By the way, I’ve not added a grassroots update for a while. (for the record, I’ve a son in all three age groups)
Last year, our U14s were all conquering to greater or lesser extent – won the local league, finalists in the cup, and semi-finalists in Munster.
This year – more difficult as a tranche of very good players moved up to U16. Plus you see the covid effects, lads who were U10 in 2020 didn’t really play for 18 monts between lockdowns so they are developmentally very raw. #3 son plays 2nd row and is just beginning get to grips with the hard work – make tackles, hit rucks, run hard – run straight, and don’t stand out in midfield where you’re a mismatch for the local Billy Whizz.
Started season with 2 defeats, then a draw. Then another defeat – in the cup – to the team who had beaten us first day out.
Since then, a defeat away by a point after trailing 17-0, and another draw to the team top of the league, and finally yesterday a comprehensive win – although opposition were weak , we put it together and the y played like a team rather that 15 different people trying to make things happen. Two big things – they’ve played 4 weeks on the hop now and the team has settled down – early on you’re trying to give everyone game time but the constant subs are disruptive to lads learning to play together.
U16s – last year – won local league and cup, and reached last 8 in Munster. #2 son is playing 10 here – started as 12/13 but has switched with the original 10, my lad is the better passer (as I see it) and more likely to pass unless he sees an obvious gap. The 12 is a better broken field runner and decent tackler – they kick with opposite feet too – so take pens and conversions from opposite sides. Essentially, we’re playing with two 10s or maybe two 2nd 5/8ths
Working so far – won the local league and into last 16 in Munster. Dogged out an away win – 12-10 on Saturday on a heavy pitch against a heavier team – I thought they’d tire but the a huge defensive shift in last 10 saw them home.
They are well placed to get into the last 8 and then anything can happen… last year they exited at QF stage on tries scored after a draw. The team who progressed exited at SF stage in same manner, so fine margins.
U18s – #1 son is 9 here. Last year reached the last 16 in Munster and we’re at same stage this year. Won 5 from 6 in qualifying for this stage – including 3 comprehensive wins in a row against Cork and Limerick clubs (albeit not city clubs). Started badly last weekend, leading 8-5 at halftime but lost 30-8 – which is what happens when you try to run everything when you’ve a howling gale at your back.
Biggest problem here is numbers – effective panel is about 20 of whom 4 are recent recruits (thank you RWC) – so far, amazingly – no major injuries but there’s a fear you burn lads out, even if you escape injuries.
On Sunday, they dogged out a win at same venue that U16s played at. 10-8 win with #1 son getting the winning conversion. In New Year, we’ve back to back games vs Garryowen. I think last 8 maybe too much to ask of them – but it’s a miracle already with the size of the squad….
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Great update, Trisk! Good to see grassroots rugby thriving!
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@Deebee
Well, we struggle on …. gaelic football dominates in this locality – 68 clubs versus 6 clubs playing adult rugby and 7 at age grade.
Worst aspect is their season – my eldest plays a bit – but his age group U17 had their first game in Feb, and last a week ago and nothing between April and September…..
Our season is ruthless – start last weekend of Sept and end by Easter (plus a week or two) . Very little space for postponements. Games have to take place Sat or Sun with last kick off by 2pm
GAA….matches are all over the place. Gets tedious with the delays, and rearrangements
There’s also pull of playing “county” – so there’s unnecessary numbers in development panels ” – most of whom haven’t a notion of playing at a representative level.
Despite the fact that football was invented to be “not rugby” it dominates here internally. Funnily, enough the lack of international competition nears that 6N probably gets more viewers than any GAA match.
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RG Snyman going to Leinster next season. Apparently he’s ‘earned’ €7,000 a minute of playing time for Munster. I need his job.
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what’s the point in the move (apart from the wedge in his back pocket)?
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Deebs – I thought you had that job.
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Munster didn’t renew his contract, so he was looking for a new gig. Nienaber scooped him up.
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Thauma, if I did it would be perma-lunch, not just the odd one every day.
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……..a pre-Cambrian perma-lunch: mammoth burgers and steaks with wild nuts and berries all eaten around the campfire pit by hairy people
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ah! – stomach-ache
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A comment a day keeps the ban-hammer away.
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it’s Friday – rugby tonight!
3 tasty set-tos in each of Scotland, Ireland and England – home teams are not safe!
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Meawhile, in the echo-chamber…………….
Exeter’s remarkable season continues,,,,,,,,tomorrow’s team contains only 8 fro last season’s strating 23 and a start for Ollie Devoto, who has been much missed, at 12.
It will be a toughie against Leicester.
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Don’t think I will manage to get a new post up today! Been MOTing, shopping, and now I have to get the dinner on so it’s ready before this evening’s kick-off.
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busy, busy, busy………………………………………….priorities? pffft!
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Sorry, sorry!
I owe the mister a good dinner because yesterday the car actually failed its MOT, and today was the last day I could get a re-test before January, so he’s spent hours and hours under the car in the wind (gale-force) and rain fixing it.
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TRY Warwick!
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Then fucking Aki scores and throws a punch at McCloskey’s face.
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Connacht nearly score again, but it’s over the dead ball line.
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TRY Timoney (apparently again, because it tells me I’ve already said that).
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And WHAT a conversion by Cooney! The wind is swirling, and he aimed well beyond the far post, and it curved in.
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14-7 at HT. Epic derby; could easily go either way.
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Mr. T. sounds a top bloke!!
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Bristol 3-7 up at half time. Saracens lucky to be ahead 7-10 against Sale.
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nice piece by Kitson about me:
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/dec/22/henry-slade-i-felt-i-was-in-my-prime-before-the-world-cup-not-to-go-was-gutting
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Cooney pen. 17-7.
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Slade
Mr. T. sounds a top bloke!!
He absolutely is, but don’t tell him I said so.
The dinner was a success. He doesn’t give compliments he doesn’t mean, and he really liked it. :-)
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Opened the Slade piece for later.
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Ooh, Saracens 3 is lucky.Only a yellow card for a shoulder to the head of a Sale player. High in a tackle, no attempt to lower height and no appreciable change in height from the Sale player.
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Connacht look to have scored, but it’s being checked.
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Damn, it is a a try.
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Conversion failed, so Ulster still have a five-point lead.
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Itoje’s cut all his hair off. Didn’t recognise him, when he took his scrumcap off.
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Penalty Cooney to put Ulster 20-12 up.
Usually we would have gone for the corner and a try, but the line-out is dodgy with Stewart at the moment, so that’s the second time this match we’ve gone for the posts instead.
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Too easy try by Connacht.
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Conversion goes over, so it’s a one-point match. 10 mins to go.
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And Ulster squeak the one-point win. Yay!
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Sale beat Saracens 22-20. The match ended with Sale winning a penalty from a Saracens scrum.
Bristol beating Newcastle 6-21 with a couple of mins to play.
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Glasgow beat Embra 22-10. Sounds like we were getting pumped until Gilchrist got yellow, then we scored 2 tries.
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all big winners this evening – home boys rule (except Newcastle)
Pleased for Sale
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I’m not ‘liking’ Glasgow beating Embra as I stay neutral on Scottish matters. ;-)
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Pleased for Bristol too, and our resident Bristol supporter!
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Final score in the Bristol match was 13-21.
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So the gist of that Slade interview was that he’s too creative to fit into the England squad.
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not quite – but a wasted talent in a kick & rush system that doesn’t pass to him or utilise his skills – what gets deemed, incorrectly, a luxury player. Plus his defence is very good
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I was being slightly sarcastic about that system. ;-)
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