Gimme Hope Jo'anna: Rugby in 2021

[Antepli Ejderha]

Just goes to show that you can be too polite sometimes.

?

[Ray de Galles]

If he injured himself opening the door for other players.

[Antepli Ejderha]

If he injured himself opening the door for other players.

Ah.

Webb is indeed dropped.

[Antepli Ejderha]

Interesting news about the SA sides joining the PRO12 to make it a PRO16, it looks like they'll be able to qualify and play in Europe.

[Antepli Ejderha]

Paul Gustard leaves Harlequins with immediate effect, I wonder if Pat Sanderson moving to Sale influenced this in any way?

Adam Jones is now one of three first team coaches in charge until the end of the season.

[Ray de Galles]

The rumours that Gustard could take the vacant role as Wales defence coach have stepped up since today's formal confirmation that he's leaving Quins.

[Ray de Galles]

Interesting news about the SA sides joining the PRO12 to make it a PRO16, it looks like they'll be able to qualify and play in Europe.

Have there been recent developments on that or is it just the continuation of the stories following the Rainbow Cup being announced last month?

[Antepli Ejderha]

Have there been recent developments on that or is it just the continuation of the stories following the Rainbow Cup being announced last month?

Simon Halliday said this, reported on Wales Online.

[Antepli Ejderha]

The rumours that Gustard could take the vacant role as Wales defence coach have stepped up since today's formal confirmation that he's leaving Quins.

That could work. Let's see what happens in the Six Nations.

[Ray de Galles]

Pivac's comments on Webb were quite surprisingly candid from a coach regarding an experienced international :

"Rhys and I had a good chat his morning around the accuracy of his passing game, which he needs to work on and get those numbers back up," said Pivac.

"We questioned his pace at the top end of the game. The other three all bring electric pace, we know that. That is something in question at the moment with Rhys but he's not out of the loop in playing for Wales in the future."

[Ray de Galles]

Gustard has, slightly surprisingly, taken the assistant/defence coach role at Treviso, starting in the summer.

[Antepli Ejderha]

Gustard has, slightly surprisingly, taken the assistant/defence coach role at Treviso, starting in the summer.

That's very weird, going from that role at Saracens to head coach at Harlequins now to this. Makes no sense.

[Antepli Ejderha]

The rumours that Gustard could take the vacant role as Wales defence coach have stepped up since today's formal confirmation that he's leaving Quins.

Gethin Jenkins was actually appointed to the position full time.

[Ray de Galles]

Has he? Was that a recent development?

[Antepli Ejderha]

Has he? Was that a recent development?

I read either on the day or the day after Gustard went.

[Tony C]

Just realised that having left Sale under a bit of a cloud, Chris Ashton does the same at Harlequins after playing only two games. Curiously the coaches of both clubs left around the same time too. He's moved on to Worcrster now.

[Ray de Galles]

I meant to mention that, especially after bemoaning his continued idiocy a while back.

He played for Quins a bit more than twice but Wikipedia are always pretty poor on their rugby appearance stats, for some reason.

[Ray de Galles]

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

Bristol are putting Bath to the sword in the derby (20-3 with less than 30 minutes gone) and Lloyd is indeed having a stormer at 10.

https://twitter.com/btsportrugby/status/1355243910289891328?s=21

[Ray de Galles]

Fuck, it's his first start at outside half in the English Premiership.

[Antepli Ejderha]

Fuck, it's his first start at outside half in the English Premiership.

He's been used as a 15 and wing mainly off the bench.

Him and Sheedy are the future for Wales. We've got over two years until the next RWC and that's about 20 tests to give them. Look at what France have done as an example.

[Ray de Galles]

He's been used as a 15 and wing mainly off the bench.

Yes, that was the basis of the conversation (from last year's thread) that I was quoting you from. I'd seen him play as a back three player before but hadn't at that time been aware of him also/primarily being an outside half.

[Antepli Ejderha]

Hope did he look at 10? Lam seems to really rate him.

[Ray de Galles]

Like a natural, really good distribution and his pace and willingness to run with the ball from playing in the back three really added an extra dimension.

[Antepli Ejderha]

Pivac and Lam agreed it was best for him to stay at Bristol during the 6N so he could get regular game time.

[Antepli Ejderha]

Scarlets getting hammered at home by Leinster, Glenn Delaney hasn't got much time left the way things are going.

Wayne Pivac could be available at the end of the 6N to solve a few problems.

Seriously, Dwyane Peel is now going to Cardiff but there are a few Welsh coaches who'd be available.