General Rugby Discussion II

troyzer · 14-12-2018 11:59am

Buer wrote: »

But we're not talking about other teams....we've solely been discussing Toulon and the signings they've made?! We've been even listing the specific players. :rolleyes:

I'm out.

You're trying to make the argument that this doesn't make sense for Toulon because they won't be able to play a lot of these players in Europe due to the Kolpak rule.

What I'm trying to say is that most French teams don't care about Europe and most French teams also sign loads of foreigners. So even if it doesn't make sense from an Irish perspective, Toulon aren't doing anything out of the ordinary for French rugby other than the sheer amount of money they're spending.

Buer · 14-12-2018 12:04pm

troyzer wrote: »

You're trying to make the argument that this doesn't make sense for Toulon because they won't be able to play a lot of these players in Europe due to the Kolpak rule..

No I'm not and never said anything remotely like that.

troyzer · 14-12-2018 12:06pm

Buer wrote: »

No I'm not and never said anything remotely like that.

Alright well you did point out that they wouldn't be able to get them all on the pitch at the same time.

Which is true in Europe anyway but I'm not sure they particularly care. I mean, obviously they don't or they wouldn't have put themselves in that situation. It's clear that the French in general don't really care that much about Europe, or else they wouldn't be splashing out on squads they can't field in Europe at full strength.

Yeah_Right · 14-12-2018 2:53pm

Fekitoa is going to Wasps isn't he? Whitelock isn't leaving NZ. He's taking over the captaincy after Read leaves. At least that's what I read somewhere. Savea would be in the same situation as Nacewa and Tomane. He would be eligible for a Samoan passport even though he was born in NZ so he won't be affected by Kolpak restrictions.

Buer · 14-12-2018 3:02pm

Yeah_Right wrote: »

Fekitoa is going to Wasps isn't he? Whitelock isn't leaving NZ. He's taking over the captaincy after Read leaves. At least that's what I read somewhere. Savea would be in the same situation as Nacewa and Tomane. He would be eligible for a Samoan passport even though he was born in NZ so he won't be affected by Kolpak restrictions.

It's depressing that Whitelock has only just turned 30. Himself and Retallick potentially have another two RWCs as the top pairing in the world.

Squidgy Black · 14-12-2018 3:17pm

Yeah_Right wrote: »

Whitelock isn't leaving NZ. He's taking over the captaincy after Read leaves. At least that's what I read somewhere.

I don't know, 2 days ago there was a million articles across French media and a few in NZ saying that Whitelock to Toulon was nearly a done deal.

Dubinusa · 14-12-2018 3:37pm

That's the crux of the problem with French rugby. Tons of great foreign imports and limited prospects for actual French men to compete and improve.
I firmly believe that all of these signings hamper development in France.
Toulon do care about Europe. They won 3 in a row iirc.
Yet, they barely beat a Leinster side in the semis a few years back. That Leinster team was not a great side and still a wayward pass cost us.
I guess the bigger the stars, the more cashflow for the owners as attendance must be very good.
Even, would have fit an Ulster Jersey just fine!

Yeah_Right · 14-12-2018 3:55pm

Squidgy Black wrote: »

I don't know, 2 days ago there was a million articles across French media and a few in NZ saying that Whitelock to Toulon was nearly a done deal.

Did it specify which Whitelock? There are four of them. But I think only 2 are still playing.

Squidgy Black · 14-12-2018 3:59pm

Yeah_Right wrote: »

Did it specify which Whitelock? There are four of them. But I think only 2 are still playing.

Sam. The good one.

Buer · 15-12-2018 10:00am

Apparently Jackson is now bound for London Irish and not Lyon. Makes sense given Kiss is there.

Sirius Boner · 15-12-2018 10:47am

Buer wrote: »

Apparently Jackson is now bound for London Irish and not Lyon. Makes sense given Kiss is there.

Makes no sense, can't see it happening what with the recent media interest again... going to LI would make him a target

Paul Smeenus · 15-12-2018 1:43pm

Sirius Boner wrote: »

Makes no sense, can't see it happening what with the recent media interest again... going to LI would make him a target

I don't think the English give a fiddlers any more.

Dog Botherer · 15-12-2018 3:52pm

Sirius Boner wrote: »

Makes no sense, can't see it happening what with the recent media interest again... going to LI would make him a target

I think the pressure on London Irish to stay up will outweigh any media pressure. International standard 10's at a low price and with open availability are like hen's teeth.

Bazzo · 15-12-2018 4:21pm

Dog Botherer wrote: »

I think the pressure on London Irish to stay up will outweigh any media pressure. International standard 10's at a low price and with open availability are like hen's teeth.

Not sure how well he has been going. Apparently he was booed off the pitch by Perpignan fans at the Connacht match yesterday when he was subbed.

Dog Botherer · 15-12-2018 4:26pm

Bazzo wrote: »

Not sure how well he has been going. Apparently he was booed off the pitch by Perpignan fans at the Connacht match yesterday when he was subbed.

Even if he's not in form he's a far better 10 than most newly promoted clubs could hope to sign.

Interesting that the two most recent promoted English teams will have Irish 10's. Exeter did too. Fly-half is a huge position of weakness in England. So much dross.

troyzer · 28-12-2018 12:31am

Just reading the Mike Ross book now.

Excellent read so far.

BonnieSituation · 28-12-2018 1:04am

troyzer wrote: »

Just reading the Mike Ross book now.

Excellent read so far.

He had some nice interviews across the autumn. Really enjoyed listening to him.

FrancieBrady · 28-12-2018 1:17am

Good selection from a great year here.
https://www.the42.ie/2018-best-tries-ireland-munster-leinster-connacht-4386889-Dec2018/?utm_source=facebook_short&fbclid=IwAR27hWoBOmhkSyblQ95gn80dlaaR6oajl3yMD4Q2AdFHr9GCAdMWj2qZeH8

thomond2006 · 03-01-2019 11:49am

Irish Rugby legend Leonardo Sarto has signed for Leicester Tigers!

DGRulz · 03-01-2019 12:46pm

thomond2006 wrote: »

Irish Rugby legend Leonardo Sarto has signed for Leicester Tigers!

Leicester seem to really like their Italians, was it not them that raided Benetton a few years back?

Dog Botherer · 03-01-2019 3:58pm

thomond2006 wrote: »

Irish Rugby legend Leonardo Sarto has signed for Leicester Tigers!

Yet another exciting back that can enjoy being paid stupid money to score exactly 0 tries as his pack crumbles faster than Michael Cohen under questioning!

Leicester are ****ed.

errlloyd · 03-01-2019 4:03pm

Dog Botherer wrote: »

Yet another exciting back that can enjoy being paid stupid money to score exactly 0 tries as his pack crumbles faster than Michael Cohen under questioning!

Leicester are ****ed.

They're probably paying him crap, I think he was without a club up till now.

Dog Botherer · 03-01-2019 4:04pm

errlloyd wrote: »

They're probably paying him crap, I think he was without a club up till now.

If it was any other club I'd agree, but Leicester love throwing money at backs to the detriment of the rest of their squad.

Burkie1203 · 03-01-2019 11:02pm

Welsh rugby makes dream team look believable

https://twitter.com/PontypoolRFC/status/1080850424255733760?s=19

troyzer · 03-01-2019 11:24pm

DGRulz wrote: »

thomond2006 wrote: »

Irish Rugby legend Leonardo Sarto has signed for Leicester Tigers!

Leicester seem to really like their Italians, was it not them that raided Benetton a few years back?

Leicester tried to set up an academy in Dublin a few years ago thinking they could nab some of the school's talent.

They've always been ones for seeking talent abroad and developing it in Leicester. Which, to be honest, is better than just shelling out **** loads of cash on mercenaries like Toulon.

irishbucsfan · 05-01-2019 4:58pm

Caron Hayman has been suspended by Pau after getting into a row with players

mfceiling · 05-01-2019 5:12pm

Dog Botherer wrote: »

If it was any other club I'd agree, but Leicester love throwing money at backs to the detriment of the rest of their squad.

*Ulster waves*

Dog Botherer · 05-01-2019 10:12pm

mfceiling wrote: »

*Ulster waves*

*Marty Moore waves back* :pac:

bilston · 06-01-2019 5:02pm

Some chat in the Mail on Sunday that the Premiership clubs are considering breaking from the RFU.

There may be trouble ahead...but then the minute CVC got involved it was inevitable.

06-01-2019 5:07pm

bilston wrote: »

Some chat in the Mail on Sunday that the Premiership clubs are considering breaking from the RFU.

There may be trouble ahead...but then the minute CVC got involved it was inevitable.

This is the start of the next new Heineken Cup.

General Rugby Discussion II

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