Got caught napping by the bank holidays and have only just realised that today is Friday, and there is European Cup rugby on! So imagine a long and hilariously funny post here. Or just skip to the fixtures.
Onna telly this weekend
Showing matches that are televised in the UK and Ireland or on popular subscription services. Bold indicates that it’s on a free to view channel. Times are in the UK zone, so adjust as necessary.
Refit, that’s a good video for info on the scrum. There was an excellent article on the Green and Gold site a few years ago when the Lions were touring Australia which went into detail on set up and teams within teams in the pack, it more of less said the same thing in terms of backs being parallel with the ground and leg position etc, but both that and the video would serve as an excellent primer, imo
11-10 to the Dragons at oranges against the Stormers. Not much of a match, with the Drags dominating the first 30 against a listless Stormers side. Last 10 has been a bit better, but still not really up to much.
21 all as I turn it on, but then Lubbock makes a rare conversion.
We are off on holiday tomorrow; I will try to at least get some kind of bare minimum of a new post up before we leave! Although apparently they have that new-fangled internet where we’re going now, which they didn’t last time.
Was a helluva last 20 or so from the Stormers, largely once they started getting go forward ball from Hacjivah Dayimani, poached from the Lions. That brought Evan Roos into the game more instead of him engaging in petulant exchanges with the ref, the opposition and probably his own side and the crowd. Once they got the bit between their teeth, the Dragons had few answers. 44-21 the final score.
Final score 40-34. A losing bonus point and try-scoring bonus point takes us (I think) to 60 points, 4 ahead of Bulls, 6 of Leinster and 7 of Munster. Latter two still have to play this weekend. We’re 10 points ahead of Stormers in 5th so pretty well assured of top 4 finish.
Lions next in SA, then Zebre at home.
Gloucester get a penalty more or less in front of the posts and decide to take the kick! And they miss! Still nilled.
Saints go up the other end and score. 85-0.
There is something that has been seriously annoying me this season, and now it’s time to speak up! It’s the referees’ kit when they’re wearing the yellow-and-blue outfit as in the current Leinster match. And the annoyance is that their teal socks don’t match the shade of the blue shorts.
I wasn’t paying a lot of attention at the time because of cooking and eating, but I’m pretty sure that Leinster v Ospreys was 14 all at HT (or thereabouts). It’s finishing at 61-14.
Was down at my local gardening supplies depot this morning and, of course, chatting about things rugby, in particular:
– Jo Simmonds (ex Exeter 10) now has the best kicking stats in Top 14 whilst at Pau
– and then I said I had a problem with Thomas Ramos and his attitude (risky ços all the players know each other round here) – the guy in the shop said: “we all have a problem with Ramos!”
Nah, Marler’s not around – we’d have seen a screen grab if he was. Sorry.
Been in Lusaka in Zambia for the last few days. Lovely place, very pleasant people. Had one of the best ribeye steaks I’ve ever eaten. Simply superb. Monday is back to Malawi, where the beef is awful (funny how two neighbours produce such variance in quality, although whisky-whiskey is a good example too, I suppose), but the lake fish is excellent.
Ovally Balls 
How do scrum? With Squidge
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Jeez, not cool. Get him some professional help.
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He is or has apparently been taking part in some sort of rehab.
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BB – sounds performative, but perhaps it’ll actually do something. Let’s hope so.
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Refit, that’s a good video for info on the scrum. There was an excellent article on the Green and Gold site a few years ago when the Lions were touring Australia which went into detail on set up and teams within teams in the pack, it more of less said the same thing in terms of backs being parallel with the ground and leg position etc, but both that and the video would serve as an excellent primer, imo
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In fact…https://greenandgoldrugby.com/scrum-analysis-working-as-a-pack/
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ach, I think it’s too old now, the videos aren’t working on the G&G link
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11-10 to the Dragons at oranges against the Stormers. Not much of a match, with the Drags dominating the first 30 against a listless Stormers side. Last 10 has been a bit better, but still not really up to much.
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21 all as I turn it on, but then Lubbock makes a rare conversion.
We are off on holiday tomorrow; I will try to at least get some kind of bare minimum of a new post up before we leave! Although apparently they have that new-fangled internet where we’re going now, which they didn’t last time.
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Stormers storming in the second half!
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Was a helluva last 20 or so from the Stormers, largely once they started getting go forward ball from Hacjivah Dayimani, poached from the Lions. That brought Evan Roos into the game more instead of him engaging in petulant exchanges with the ref, the opposition and probably his own side and the crowd. Once they got the bit between their teeth, the Dragons had few answers. 44-21 the final score.
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Started well in South Africa, but that just annoyed the Bulls. Now getting thoroughly gored…
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Please disregard that last comment..
From 37-10 down, it is now 37-31. As it stands we get 2 bonus points, which could be crucial. Of course, a win would be even better.
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Final score 40-34. A losing bonus point and try-scoring bonus point takes us (I think) to 60 points, 4 ahead of Bulls, 6 of Leinster and 7 of Munster. Latter two still have to play this weekend. We’re 10 points ahead of Stormers in 5th so pretty well assured of top 4 finish.
Lions next in SA, then Zebre at home.
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Although I do like how the BBC has the report of the game under ‘Irish Rugby’…
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Saints running at over a point a minute against Glos, and there’s still a quarter to go. 68-0.
What the hell has happened to Gloucester?
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Saints up to 80 points on 67 minutes. Wonder if they’ll get 100?
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Gloucester get a penalty more or less in front of the posts and decide to take the kick! And they miss! Still nilled.
Saints go up the other end and score. 85-0.
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Saints finish with 90, Glos with none.
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Glorious bonus point victory for Ulster as I gaze out at Cader Idris!
Didn’t manage the new post, sorry. But this time there is wifi here, so you never know….
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Exeter rip Quins – Slade made 26 points. He’s having the club season of his life……
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mm…….. Cader Idris – one of the great ridge-walking mountains – with sea views as well
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Slade – that ridge is far too narrow for my fear of heights! It’s lovely to look at, though.
Well done to young Slade!
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There is something that has been seriously annoying me this season, and now it’s time to speak up! It’s the referees’ kit when they’re wearing the yellow-and-blue outfit as in the current Leinster match. And the annoyance is that their teal socks don’t match the shade of the blue shorts.
LikeLike
I wasn’t paying a lot of attention at the time because of cooking and eating, but I’m pretty sure that Leinster v Ospreys was 14 all at HT (or thereabouts). It’s finishing at 61-14.
LikeLike
Was down at my local gardening supplies depot this morning and, of course, chatting about things rugby, in particular:
– Jo Simmonds (ex Exeter 10) now has the best kicking stats in Top 14 whilst at Pau
– and then I said I had a problem with Thomas Ramos and his attitude (risky ços all the players know each other round here) – the guy in the shop said: “we all have a problem with Ramos!”
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………also, he ventured that the cuff round the ear from Marler was merited!
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At least Marler managed to raise his hand as far as the ear this time!
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Quiet here. Everybody worried whether Jokin’ Joe’s about?
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Nah, Marler’s not around – we’d have seen a screen grab if he was. Sorry.
Been in Lusaka in Zambia for the last few days. Lovely place, very pleasant people. Had one of the best ribeye steaks I’ve ever eaten. Simply superb. Monday is back to Malawi, where the beef is awful (funny how two neighbours produce such variance in quality, although whisky-whiskey is a good example too, I suppose), but the lake fish is excellent.
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You got mail, Thauma. Yours for free, reflecting it’s true market value (some would argue slightly more than market value, but sod them).
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New post on its way!
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And here it is.
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