Rugby 2020: No Gatland or Schmidt

[ursus arctos]

French reports of the cancellation have reminded that Fiji is plural in French

[Ray de Galles]

Fiji return 29 positive tests and now their game with Italy is off too. Their participation was one of the major pluses of this tournament so this news is doubly annoying.

[Antepli Ejderha]

Fiji return 29 positive tests and now their game with Italy is off too. Their participation was one of the major pluses of this tournament so this news is doubly annoying.

I cannot see them playing their final match either, 7 to 29 is a huge jump.

A little more on it here:

Autumn Nations Cup: Fiji-Italy match called off after more coronavirus cases - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/54980939

[Antepli Ejderha]

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/20...droidApp_Other

Documentary available on Amazon Prime about the exploitation of the Pacific Islands rugby teams.

[Ray de Galles]

Thanks AE. That looks like vital, if anger-inducing, viewing.

[Antepli Ejderha]

The Botham pick makes a little more sense now as the two Dragons backrowers are isolating and couldn't be picked; Baisham and Griffiths.

[Ray de Galles]

Oh, of course. All the Dragons squad that didn't get an initial international call up will end up as being out of action for all of November, won't they?

Thomas Young would be the obvious other candidate but he is now ineligible having signed a new contract with Franchise RFC, despite not being offered one by a Welsh region.

[Antepli Ejderha]

Which makes no sense as he's a real Pivac style player.

[Tony C]

James Botham is another Sedbergh School graduate. It has an imoressive record of producing international rugby players.

[Ray de Galles]

Antepli Ejderha Wales 23 for Georgia, Ioan Lloyd does indeed make the bench. I wonder who our cover at 10 is, Tipuric could probably do it.

[Antepli Ejderha]

Antepli Ejderha Wales 23 for Georgia, Ioan Lloyd does indeed make the bench. I wonder who our cover at 10 is, Tipuric could probably do it.

Ioan Lloyd can also play ten. Pat Lam reckons he'll be our ten at the RWC in 2023.

[Ray de Galles]

Ah, I did wonder about him or Johnny Williams. Lloyd is primarily a back three player though, yes?

[Antepli Ejderha]

Ah, I did wonder about him or Johnny Williams. Lloyd is primarily a back three player though, yes?

10 or 15 really, he prefers 10.

[Ray de Galles]

I didn't realise that, not seen much of him.

Though going by his wiki page from earlier today (now corrected), he really should be in the second row or perhaps a sumo wrestler :

[Antepli Ejderha]

Most of my info comes from the Scrum V podcast, I'm not convinced about Dan Lydiate joining to be honest. He seems very bland and not great at sharing his knowledge.

[Tony C]

Fantastic double from May. There really can't be many better wingers in world rugby.

[Diable Rouge]

One of those games where Ireland are lucky it's still only 12-0 at this stage.

[Tony C]

Facially, Rory Best reminds me of Dominic West.

[Ray de Galles]

Argentina v Australia this morning was a more exciting, attacking game than the tryless 15-15 scoreline might suggest.

It also leaves the Tri-Nations finely poised with each team on six points but Argentina with a game in hand in the other two.

[Eggchaser]

Jonny May wonder try apart, that match was hot garbage. Billy V is done at this level, Daly will never be a full back no matter how many times he's selected there, Youngs is the greatest mystery of rugby - how the fuck has he got 10 caps, let alone 100? Farrell can't do anything except kick. Unless we can physically dominate a team we have no idea what to do - see RWC Final 2019. We spent the entire second half camped in our 22 playing defence vs attack.

Ireland were shit.

There were literally 15 seconds of attacking intent in the entire game.

[Ray de Galles]

The commentator for Wales v Georgia says the visitors are one of seven countries where rugby is the national sport.

The other six?;

Wales
NZ
Fiji
Samoa
Tonga
?

[Southport Zeb]

Madagascar apparently

[Ray de Galles]

Yes, I saw that on wiki too. Do we think that's correct?

[Diable Rouge]

The commentator for Wales v Georgia says the visitors are one of seven countries where rugby is the national sport.

The other six?;

Wales
NZ
Fiji
Samoa
Tonga
?

Madagascar, purportedly, though I'd love to see their workings for that!

[Sporting]

Is rugby really the national sport in Wales?