Gimme Hope Jo'anna: Rugby in 2021

[Antepli Ejderha]

Have Cardiff and the Scarlets managed to start their journey home to avoid the quarantine deadline?

Cardiff and Scarlets facing 10-day hotel isolation upon return from South Africa
https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/...wsApp_AppShare

Apparently not.

[Ray de Galles]

I don't know what kind of crowd is expected for Barbarians v Samoa at The Heart of Darkness today but I find it very strange that Harlequins are playing over the road at the same time, in a London derby at that.

The Baa-Baas game is one I'd normally be keen on seeing but I never fancy the idea of doing so in a less-than-full Twickenham. It's love on BBC1, by the way.

[Sporting]

It's love on BBC1, by the way.

Who's loving whom?!

[Ray de Galles]

World Rugby changes rules to allow players to switch national teams - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/59406025

This is great news, as it starts from 2022 I think it'll bit's suitable thread title.

Don't forget this is happening next year too.

https://twitter.com/worldrugby/status/1432629063076749314?s=21

[Ray de Galles]

I don't know what kind of crowd is expected for Barbarians v Samoa at The Heart of Darkness today but I find it very strange that Harlequins are playing over the road at the same time, in a London derby at that.

The Baa-Baas game is one I'd normally be keen on seeing but I never fancy the idea of doing so in a less-than-full Twickenham. It's love on BBC1, by the way.

Then again, fucking hell!

https://twitter.com/barbarian_fc/status/1464582694738837513?s=21

[Ray de Galles]

One silver lining of events at Twickenham is that the women's game was watched by a world record crowd for a women's rugby match, 29,581, and was also shown on BBC1.

It's a real blow for the Baa Baas though, especially after last season's cancellation due to covid breaches by players, not that this was the cause this time.

[Ray de Galles]

It gets worse for Cardiff :

https://twitter.com/steffan_thomas1/status/1464962747012104193?s=21

[Antepli Ejderha]

Cardiff and Munster are still in South Africa, the latter have had one confirmed case. The Scarlets and Zebre have both left.

Next weekend's European games look in trouble, well at least four already cannot go ahead.

[Antepli Ejderha]

Munster are in their way home, bar the one positive case and the close contact.

Cardiff meanwhile are stuck in their hotel rooms doing fitness from YouTube.

It's apparently a UK government issue as to why they cannot come home.

[Discordant Resonance]

Munster have now had a further nine positive Covid tests.

[Antepli Ejderha]

Munster have now had a further nine positive Covid tests.

And are still in South Africa.

It looks like Cardiff will be flying home on Thursday.

The Scarlets are in Belfast isolating.

All three sides are facing 28-0 defeats in their European matches which seems ridiculously harsh.

[Discordant Resonance]

Munster have now left South Africa, but a further four Covid positives were detected before their departure.

[Antepli Ejderha]

I presume the positives are staying and quarantining.

[Ray de Galles]

Cardiff plan to play Champions Cup matches against Toulouse and Harlequins with a shadow squad as most of their players continue to quarantine.

A group of 42 players and staff are due to leave South Africa on Thursday after securing a charter flight and quarantine accommodation in England.

Six members of the party will stay in Cape Town after positive Covid tests.

Cardiff are due to face European champions Toulouse at the Arms Park on Saturday, 11 December.

As the Welsh side will be without 32 players - and 16 members of staff - who will be quarantining in either England or South Africa, they intend to field a team comprised of academy players, reserves and Wales internationals who did not travel to South Africa.

[Ray de Galles]

I keep watching this, I love it almost as much as Tompkins' try against Australia ;

https://twitter.com/premiersportstv/status/1464908840508526595?s=21

[Antepli Ejderha]

Scarlets forfeit their match against Bristol yet Cardiff continue to prepare to face Toulouse with an extremely depleted squad.

[Ray de Galles]

A ridiculously watchable Racing have started off pulverising Northampton at Franklin Gardens in the opening Heineken game of the season. They stormed in to a 0-23 lead though the Saints have pulled a converted try back with half time five minutes away.

[Antepli Ejderha]

Cardiff and Munster are set to put out very weakened sides, a loss by more than 28 points will make the Scarlets decision seem sensible. My fear is that some of the semi pros and academy players will get hurt playing against seasoned pros.

[Antepli Ejderha]

However all of this seems unimportant after the news that Ospreys hooker Ifan Phillips, the son of ex Neath and Wales hooker Kevin Phillips, suffered life changing injuries at the weekend in a motorcycle accident. No other details have been given.

[Ray de Galles]

Finished 14-45 in Northampton which flattered the hosts. Hard to judge exactly how much of Racing's five tries were due to unstoppable attacking skill and power and how much was rancid defence. The balance was probably towards the former though.

[Ray de Galles]

Cardiff's combination of a handful of internationals and academy kids, semi-pros and formerly retired players come out of their game with more credit than Northampton in a 7-39 defeat that was closer than the scoreline suggests, if never any problem for a cruising Toulouse.

[Discordant Resonance]

For all Leinster's own Covid issues, they're already 19-6 up on Bath, and on the brink of the bonus.

[Discordant Resonance]

And there it comes.

[Discordant Resonance]

No flowers, please, donations if desired, etc.

[Eggchaser]

Bath are a truly dreadful team, Hooper might be a beloved old boy but he's a terrible coach.