The Clocks Tick Down to Paris - Rugby 2023

[ursus arctos]

Stade Rochelais were leading in the 78th minute of a hotly contested Top 14 Final

Then this happened

https://twitter.com/tightfive_rugby/status/1670174112860327937?s=61&t=xvOireV8JOIS_CpbTtDBow

[Ray de Galles]

Fuck man, there is nothing in the world as good as French rugby right now.

[Flynnie]

Fuck man, there is nothing in the world as good as French rugby right now.

If they won’t win the World Cup, it’ll be a tragedy.

[ad hoc]

Isn't that just bad defence?

OK not "just", because obviously he still had to take advantage, but broadly

[Ray de Galles]

It's certainly a tired defence but it's the zip in the pass from Dupont and then Ntamack spotting the chance and taking it.

My comment was as much about the excitement around French rugby in general right now as it was about that particular bit of play though.

[ursus arctos]

https://twitter.com/ek_rugby/status/1670373322322788354?s=61&t=xvOireV8JOIS_CpbTtDBow

[Ray de Galles]

That's brilliant, even more there than I first thought and made to look almost effortless.

[MrLeam]

That's brilliant, even more there than I first thought and made to look almost effortless.

In my performance reviews, making my work "look almost effortless" is never a positive...

[Antepli Ejderha]

https://twitter.com/T2Rugby/status/1671883721161740290?t=YRe6ztoIifKU-8pHovIgCg&s=19

Positive news. Will be interested to see how Italy and possibly Georgia get on at this tournament as both seem to have made significant leaps forward.

[Antepli Ejderha]

https://twitter.com/SquidgeRugby/status/1672560044829704192?t=DFuvJ2hVI3EO2dujctWeRA&s=19

[Antepli Ejderha]

https://twitter.com/AlixPopham/status/1672963787194769409?t=EwO48jSFfRfcwZ1L-Hm2JA&s=19

A tragedy, but sadly one of many.

[Antepli Ejderha]

The Sheriif has gone.

Ken Owens out of the RWC through injury and almost certainly retired from international rugby.

Lake, Dee and Elias are the 3 hookers left with Sam Parry called up ahead of Bradley Roberts.

[Antepli Ejderha]

https://twitter.com/T2Rugby/status/1671883721161740290?t=YRe6ztoIifKU-8pHovIgCg&s=19

Positive news. Will be interested to see how Italy and possibly Georgia get on at this tournament as both seem to have made significant leaps forward.

So Italy have just beaten South Africa, in South Africa in driving rain and mud. They dominated them up front and in the last ten minutes won penalties for driving mauls and at a scrum along with a couple of turnovers .

Very, very impressive.

And Georgia lead Argentina after an hour.

[Discordant Resonance]

Interesting - the Georgian club Black Lion have been invited to play in the Challenge Cup next season.

[Antepli Ejderha]

Interesting - the Georgian club Black Lion have been invited to play in the Challenge Cup next season.

At the same time as WR shuts Georgia out of its new tournament. Watching Georgia play in the U20 RWC you can see the quality of players coming through, many are already in France, iirc about 20 of the squad.

[Antepli Ejderha]

https://twitter.com/stellamills__/status/1678455369469763597?t=hIEaTaC0hmOidfK2qW79Ug&s=19

It's a full sized ball apparently

[Antepli Ejderha]

Cory Hill signs for a fourth division Japanese side.

"That opportunity is with fourth division Secom Rugguts, who are based in the Japanese city of Sayama and are a home security company."

If you know why Hill left Wales this is pretty funny.

[Antepli Ejderha]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-58791723.amp

Here's the story.

[Ray de Galles]

Lions 2024 fixtures released, including a test at the MCG and a match against a combined Aus/NZ XV ;

[Ray de Galles]

Not seen much of the SH Championship so far but this Aus v NZ match at the MCG is a cracker so far.

[Ray de Galles]

Ah well, the tight low-scoring ferocious first half became a blowout for the All Blacks as the game went on. A pity as Australia were very competitive for a while.

[Antepli Ejderha]

Didn't anyone see the South Africa Argentina match? Was it a lucky win for the Springboks as its being reported?

The Scotland side that beat Italy is being said to be experimental, the Italy side also looked very much like that too.

[Antepli Ejderha]

Fiji beat Samoa and have been using their pack to score from line out mauls and scrum pushovers, ominous for Wales and Australia.

[Antepli Ejderha]

Wales v England: Jac Morgan captains hosts as Leigh Halfpenny reaches 100 Wales caps - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/66378269

I'm really not sure why they persist with Halfpenny, he's had his day and is injury prone. Adams or LRZ are the obvious successors at the moment, especially with Liam Williams unavailable in the 6Ns.

[Eggchaser]

Fuck me, England were fucking woeful. Several players stealing a living, Sinckler in particular.

Borthwick is like Jones, only without the yeat.of success to mask his inadequacies. Mediocre player, shit Enfland captain, third rate Test coach.