Mark Connolly Posted July 12, 2020 Share Posted July 12, 2020 Skinner and Hogg among 30 players who have signed extensions at Exeter https://www.exeterchiefs.co.uk/news/baxters-joy-as-30-agree-contract-extensions 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Genuine Hibs Fan Posted July 13, 2020 Share Posted July 13, 2020 Manu Tuilagi signs for Sale. Steve Diamond's circus of large angry men continues to get more so. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/53388978 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Connolly Posted July 13, 2020 Share Posted July 13, 2020 Sale-ary cap, amirite? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Genuine Hibs Fan Posted July 15, 2020 Share Posted July 15, 2020 On 13/07/2020 at 19:04, Mark Connolly said: Sale-ary cap, amirite? Aye they must be teetering right on the edge. Think it's slightly easier to believe they're keeping to it as they do cut the odd Chris Ashton or James O'Connor. Also what made it so obvious with Saracens it wasn't the stars that were playing for them, it was the ex internationals or experienced pros who kept them ticking over when the England lot were away - your Callum Clarkes, Michael Rhodes, Alex Lewingtons etc. Sale on the other hand have a great starting XV on paper, but it drops off very quickly pretty much everywhere except back row and fly half from what I know of their players. I can't remember who it was but I listened to an interview at the start of the year where they were discussing how with teams trying to use the salary cap for as many stars as they can, a lot of guys who are in the mid-late point of their careers who are good players but have salary expectations are being pushed out; in favour of a star studded group of 15 supplemented by youngsters. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
come on shire Posted July 15, 2020 Share Posted July 15, 2020 Sale Sharks are taking a massive risk by taking on Manu Tuilagi. He's effective when fit but he's made of glass so he's consistently injured. For that reason I'm glad Glasgow have never looked at him... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajwffc Posted July 16, 2020 Share Posted July 16, 2020 Euro dates announced HEINEKEN CHAMPIONS CUP quarter-finals (All kick-offs local time) Saturday 19 September QF 1: Leinster Rugby v Saracens, Aviva Stadium (15.00) BT Sport / beIN SPORTS QF 2: ASM Clermont Auvergne v Racing 92, Stade Marcel-Michelin (18.30) beIN SPORTS / BT Sport Sunday 20 September QF 3: Toulouse v Ulster Rugby, Le Stadium (13.30) France 2 / beIN SPORTS / BT Sport / Channel 4 / Virgin Media QF 4: Exeter Chiefs v Northampton Saints, Sandy Park (17.30) BT Sport / beIN SPORTS Semi-final 1 – winner of QF 1, Leinster Rugby v Saracens, will play the winner of QF 2, ASM Clermont Auvergne v Racing 92 Semi-final 2 – winner of QF 3, Toulouse v Ulster Rugby, will play the winner of QF 4, Exeter Chiefs v Northampton Saints (Matches to be played on 25/26/27 September) 2020 Heineken Champions Cup final: weekend 16/17/18 October (venue TBC) CHALLENGE CUP quarter-finals (All kick-offs local time) Friday 18 September QF 4: Bristol Bears v Dragons, Ashton Gate Stadium (19.45) BT Sport / beIN SPORTS Saturday 19 September QF 3: Bordeaux-Bègles v Edinburgh Rugby, Stade Chaban-Delmas (13.30) beIN SPORTS / BT Sport QF 1: RC Toulon v Scarlets, Stade Félix Mayol (21.00) France 4 / beIN SPORTS / BT Sport / S4C Sunday 20 September QF 2: Leicester Tigers v Castres Olympique, Welford Road (15.00) BT Sport / beIN SPORTS Semi-final 1 – winner of QF 1, RC Toulon v Scarlets, will play the winner of QF 2, Leicester Tigers v Castres Olympique Semi-final 2 – winner of QF 3, Bordeaux-Bègles v Edinburgh Rugby, will play the winner of QF 4, Bristol Bears v Dragons (Matches to be played on 25/26/27 September) 2020 Challenge Cup final: weekend 16/17/18 October (venue TBC) 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Lambies Doos Posted July 16, 2020 Share Posted July 16, 2020 Euro dates announced HEINEKEN CHAMPIONS CUP quarter-finals (All kick-offs local time) Saturday 19 September QF 1: Leinster Rugby v Saracens, Aviva Stadium (15.00) BT Sport / beIN SPORTS QF 2: ASM Clermont Auvergne v Racing 92, Stade Marcel-Michelin (18.30) beIN SPORTS / BT Sport Sunday 20 September QF 3: Toulouse v Ulster Rugby, Le Stadium (13.30) France 2 / beIN SPORTS / BT Sport / Channel 4 / Virgin Media QF 4: Exeter Chiefs v Northampton Saints, Sandy Park (17.30) BT Sport / beIN SPORTS Semi-final 1 – winner of QF 1, Leinster Rugby v Saracens, will play the winner of QF 2, ASM Clermont Auvergne v Racing 92 Semi-final 2 – winner of QF 3, Toulouse v Ulster Rugby, will play the winner of QF 4, Exeter Chiefs v Northampton Saints (Matches to be played on 25/26/27 September) 2020 Heineken Champions Cup final: weekend 16/17/18 October (venue TBC) CHALLENGE CUP quarter-finals (All kick-offs local time) Friday 18 September QF 4: Bristol Bears v Dragons, Ashton Gate Stadium (19.45) BT Sport / beIN SPORTS Saturday 19 September QF 3: Bordeaux-Bègles v Edinburgh Rugby, Stade Chaban-Delmas (13.30) beIN SPORTS / BT Sport QF 1: RC Toulon v Scarlets, Stade Félix Mayol (21.00) France 4 / beIN SPORTS / BT Sport / S4C Sunday 20 September QF 2: Leicester Tigers v Castres Olympique, Welford Road (15.00) BT Sport / beIN SPORTS Semi-final 1 – winner of QF 1, RC Toulon v Scarlets, will play the winner of QF 2, Leicester Tigers v Castres Olympique Semi-final 2 – winner of QF 3, Bordeaux-Bègles v Edinburgh Rugby, will play the winner of QF 4, Bristol Bears v Dragons (Matches to be played on 25/26/27 September) 2020 Challenge Cup final: weekend 16/17/18 October (venue TBC)Are any fans allowed? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajwffc Posted July 16, 2020 Share Posted July 16, 2020 23 minutes ago, John Lambies Doos said: 4 hours ago, ajwffc said: Euro dates announced HEINEKEN CHAMPIONS CUP quarter-finals (All kick-offs local time) Saturday 19 September QF 1: Leinster Rugby v Saracens, Aviva Stadium (15.00) BT Sport / beIN SPORTS QF 2: ASM Clermont Auvergne v Racing 92, Stade Marcel-Michelin (18.30) beIN SPORTS / BT Sport Sunday 20 September QF 3: Toulouse v Ulster Rugby, Le Stadium (13.30) France 2 / beIN SPORTS / BT Sport / Channel 4 / Virgin Media QF 4: Exeter Chiefs v Northampton Saints, Sandy Park (17.30) BT Sport / beIN SPORTS Semi-final 1 – winner of QF 1, Leinster Rugby v Saracens, will play the winner of QF 2, ASM Clermont Auvergne v Racing 92 Semi-final 2 – winner of QF 3, Toulouse v Ulster Rugby, will play the winner of QF 4, Exeter Chiefs v Northampton Saints (Matches to be played on 25/26/27 September) 2020 Heineken Champions Cup final: weekend 16/17/18 October (venue TBC) CHALLENGE CUP quarter-finals (All kick-offs local time) Friday 18 September QF 4: Bristol Bears v Dragons, Ashton Gate Stadium (19.45) BT Sport / beIN SPORTS Saturday 19 September QF 3: Bordeaux-Bègles v Edinburgh Rugby, Stade Chaban-Delmas (13.30) beIN SPORTS / BT Sport QF 1: RC Toulon v Scarlets, Stade Félix Mayol (21.00) France 4 / beIN SPORTS / BT Sport / S4C Sunday 20 September QF 2: Leicester Tigers v Castres Olympique, Welford Road (15.00) BT Sport / beIN SPORTS Semi-final 1 – winner of QF 1, RC Toulon v Scarlets, will play the winner of QF 2, Leicester Tigers v Castres Olympique Semi-final 2 – winner of QF 3, Bordeaux-Bègles v Edinburgh Rugby, will play the winner of QF 4, Bristol Bears v Dragons (Matches to be played on 25/26/27 September) 2020 Challenge Cup final: weekend 16/17/18 October (venue TBC) Are any fans allowed? not seen anything about fans but will depend on local restrictions at the time. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Genuine Hibs Fan Posted July 17, 2020 Share Posted July 17, 2020 Story on Finlay Christie in the papers (think the Scotsman, don't have it in front of me), who seems to be doing alright for the blues, I've seen some highlights and he looks class. Any chance we'll see him for Scotland do we think? Or would it take a move to Europe before he was considered most likely? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
honestly united Posted July 17, 2020 Share Posted July 17, 2020 1 hour ago, Genuine Hibs Fan said: Story on Finlay Christie in the papers (think the Scotsman, don't have it in front of me), who seems to be doing alright for the blues, I've seen some highlights and he looks class. Any chance we'll see him for Scotland do we think? Or would it take a move to Europe before he was considered most likely? I wouldn't really rule it out completely as Huw Jones was picked (if i remember correctly) while playing in SA. However the issue is more around the schedule of Super Rugby. THe season starts in mid Feb, which clashes with the Six Nations so in reality he would be having a break after the AI's then starting preseason in January to be ready for the Six Nations, then missing the first 6 or 7 of the 18 rounds of Super Rugby - would a team offer him a new contract in NZ (after his current one expires) knowing he is going to miss that much of the season? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Genuine Hibs Fan Posted July 17, 2020 Share Posted July 17, 2020 1 minute ago, honestly united said: I wouldn't really rule it out completely as Huw Jones was picked (if i remember correctly) while playing in SA. However the issue is more around the schedule of Super Rugby. THe season starts in mid Feb, which clashes with the Six Nations so in reality he would be having a break after the AI's then starting preseason in January to be ready for the Six Nations, then missing the first 6 or 7 of the 18 rounds of Super Rugby - would a team offer him a new contract in NZ (after his current one expires) knowing he is going to miss that much of the season? Aye, looking into it a wee bit more he seems to have this year plus another on contract with the Blues, and in an interview seems open to Scotland but keen to make the best of it down there. So I think will be a question mark until he decides (of course he can also play for NZ and having been there from 7 y/o probably feels as at home there and would jump at the chance to play if he ever got the chance, though seems unlikely) whether international rugby for 4/5 years with Scotland is worth moving back across the world. Couldn't blame him if he decided against it, but would be a valuable asset if he did move I think. Never been convinced by Price - prone to a bit of a collapse in form, not especially good at making breaks at int level, service can be iffy, box kicking leaves a lot to be desired; and G Horne is a perfect sub 9 for Scotland - a stupidly dangerous player for tiring defences to deal with - but still not quite able to bring that all round game. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngusTheBull Posted July 17, 2020 Share Posted July 17, 2020 Seems the South African and Argentinians are more or less confirmed to be getting cut from Super Rugby, with New Zealand Rugby proposing the remaining competition moving to 5 NZ teams, 2-4 Aussies and a Pacific Islands based team. Lots of rumours the Pro14 will be expanded to a 16 team league with the 4 SA teams joining and the Cheetahs/Kings getting cut. Personally it would be a bit harsh on the Cheetahs who have always done well enough and on balance probably add to the league. If it’s a choice between the Kings and the likes of the Stormers though then bye bye Cheetahs. Could be a truly game-changing tv deal for the current league if that was to happen as well, but this is all mainly Twitter speculation thus far. No idea what would happen to the Jaguares, or any rumoured Madrid-based replacement in this scenario either. More than 16 teams is unworkable imo but we’ll see what comes out in the coming days. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
honestly united Posted July 17, 2020 Share Posted July 17, 2020 For me SA would be better looking at the rest of southern africa to create a league. Kenya and Uganda have made great strides in the 7's and with a bit of coaching could have a decent 15's team, Namibia are Zimbabwe have a lot of history in the game and Botswana, Madagascar and Zambia are all improving. With a bit of investment you could easily have a 10 team league (6 SA and one per country elsewhere) and there would be enough local players in these countries and you could bolster with the currie cup SA players who are not getting a game in the SA teams. The South American super league was due to kick off this year but was halted by Covid, which was a fully proffesional league https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Súper_Liga_Americana_de_Rugby starting out with 6 teams but this would be a level way below the jaguares, I would say they could split up the jaguares and create another 3 or 4 teams for this league, but I dont think they have the money to do that 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Genuine Hibs Fan Posted July 17, 2020 Share Posted July 17, 2020 41 minutes ago, honestly united said: For me SA would be better looking at the rest of southern africa to create a league. Kenya and Uganda have made great strides in the 7's and with a bit of coaching could have a decent 15's team, Namibia are Zimbabwe have a lot of history in the game and Botswana, Madagascar and Zambia are all improving. With a bit of investment you could easily have a 10 team league (6 SA and one per country elsewhere) and there would be enough local players in these countries and you could bolster with the currie cup SA players who are not getting a game in the SA teams. The South American super league was due to kick off this year but was halted by Covid, which was a fully proffesional league https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Súper_Liga_Americana_de_Rugby starting out with 6 teams but this would be a level way below the jaguares, I would say they could split up the jaguares and create another 3 or 4 teams for this league, but I dont think they have the money to do that I think both of these are really sensible ideas, and I love some of the creative ideas to get pro teams from developing nations playing to a higher standard. I'd be in favour of the PRO14 having a second tier, for example, with a mix of teams from Romania, Georgia, exiles (I think if the SRU were looking for a third pro club it should be London Scottish) or development sides. Lower tier nations like Spain, Portugal, Germany etc where there's a surprisingly high interest in the sport (I used to live in Barcelona and there's a fair few very good amateur teams in Catalunya and in the Basque country, links to the SW of France I suppose) could have a pro side. One up/one down a year to give a bit of a springboard to a higher level. Cost is the obvious issue with all that though. I think the SA and Argentine RFUs might justifiably be a bit miffed with either of those situations, their top domestic teams playing at what would likely be a lower level is only going to increase talent drain to the NH, but there's no easy solution. Something just feels off about increasing SA teams in the Pro14. I've just about come to terms with the 2 already there but it should remain primarily a league for the European nations that can't sustain separate domestic pro leagues. Love that the Super Liga Americana is (hopefully still) happening and will be getting a Cafeteros Pro shirt as soon as available! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajwffc Posted July 17, 2020 Share Posted July 17, 2020 I don't think we will see Finlay Christie in a Scotland top while he is with the Blues. As he currently New Zealand qualified and sides can only have so many "foreign" players and has an outside chance of being an All Black 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
afca32 Posted July 17, 2020 Share Posted July 17, 2020 I also remember Christie playing a few games for the Hurricanes off the bench a couple of years ago and looking particularly iffy. He must've come on a lot since then to be good enough for Scotland consideration because at that time Price and Horne were both much better players. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eednud Posted July 19, 2020 Share Posted July 19, 2020 Warren Gatland’s peg gets shooglier as the Chiefs 24-7 HT lead then 31-7 ends up a 33-31 away win for the Highlanders. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajwffc Posted July 19, 2020 Share Posted July 19, 2020 41 minutes ago, Eednud said: Warren ’s peg gets shooglier as the Chiefs 24-7 HT lead then 31-7 ends up a 33-31 away win for the Highlanders. The Chiefs fans are not happy, the fans of the other Kiwi sides are happy they never went for him and he is not the next All Blacks coach. But the Welsh fans are still defending him. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savage Henry Posted July 19, 2020 Share Posted July 19, 2020 50 minutes ago, ajwffc said: The Chiefs fans are not happy, the fans of the other Kiwi sides are happy they never went for him and he is not the next All Blacks coach. But the Welsh fans are still defending him. I’ll be honest, I’d be all over him for the Scotland job were Townsend to admit it’s all a bit above him and quit. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Connolly Posted July 19, 2020 Share Posted July 19, 2020 15 minutes ago, Savage Henry said: I’ll be honest, I’d be all over him for the Scotland job were Townsend to admit it’s all a bit above him and quit. Scotland wouldn't play any games though, given he doesn't rate any of our players as international class. He's a fucking dick, and I wouldn't have him anywhere near Murrayfield. His current "performance" is most pleasing. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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