Rockinnreelininaucklandnewzealand - Rugby 2017

[Ray de Galles]

Red for Dirksen for a high tackle now, should have been a yellow to a Northampton player for the neck roll Dirksen received in the follow up though.

[Vicarious Thrillseeker]

Dirksen sent off for a high tackle.

[Ray de Galles]

Finished 32-43, that last twenty minutes was the Osprey’s season in microcosm, lucky they were so good for the first hour.

[Vicarious Thrillseeker]

Game over - 32-43

[Antepli Ejderha]

I've not watched any of the rugby today, although I plan to do back to back games tomorrow. Dan Evans has always looked good for the Ospreys but him and James Davies must have done something terrible to Gatland as they've never had a chance. I think Evans got his two caps during a Lions season.

[Ray de Galles]

Chris Ashton’s assist for Jonathan Joseph’s try in Toulon v Bath is really something to behold, seek it out.

[Antepli Ejderha]

Chris Ashton’s assist for Jonathan Joseph’s try in Toulon v Bath is really something to behold, seek it out.

Just seen it on the BBC, it's something else.

[Vicarious Thrillseeker]

Funniest thing I've seen for a while.

http://www.the42.ie/chris-ashton-cle...41763-Dec2017/

[Antepli Ejderha]

Saracens versus Clermont is off due to the weather. It's an artificial pitch so it must be pretty grim up north (London).

[Ray de Galles]

More likely be the stands and areas around the ground deemed unsafe than problems with the pitch, I’d think. Their stadium is a pretty rudimentary place.

[Ray de Galles]

Harlequins v Ulster is being played in proper snowfall, wish I had gone now.

[Antepli Ejderha]

Harlequins v Ulster is being played in proper snowfall, wish I had gone now.

If you're watching La Rochelle then I'm guessing you're not regretting going. All of the hype about them has been more than justified, they are a joy to watch and despite the conditions they continue to play an off loading game with width. If French teams aren't fit then this wouldn't be possible.

30-12 at half time. La Rochelle average 39 points at home and give up nearly 20 turnovers a game.

Is their hooker really playing his first ever professional match? He's looked like a seasoned international.

[ursus arctos]

That was a rather typical Stade Rochelais performance.

They can score for fun and are a joy to watch going forward, but their swashbuckling style of play also makes mistakes inevitable.

I expect them to maintain their leadership of the Top 14, but would not be surprised if they are tripped up in the later stages of that competition or the Champions Cup.

[Antepli Ejderha]

Fascinating match at Sandy Park, Exeter 8 Leinster 8 with just under an hour played.

[Antepli Ejderha]

Saracens to face Clermont Auvergne behind closed doors on Monday, a 5.30 kick off, being shown on BT Sport.

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

[Vicarious Thrillseeker]

I love these European games.

[Ray de Galles]

Saracens now letting fans in for the rescheduled game this evening. Might have been sensible to make it free but of course they're not going to.

[Antepli Ejderha]

Might have been more sensible just to replay it at a later date with better organisation.

[Antepli Ejderha]

This is a farce. Kick off scheduled for 2pm then changed to 5.30. No fans then fans allowed.

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

[Ray de Galles]

Aside from the problems it causes opponents and fans this is quite good. It shows up what a shoddy, second rate organisation Saracens really are behind their shiny emperor's new clothes facade. All that money sloshing around and players piled up and they can't build or operate a proper stadium. Can you imagine a real rugby club like Quins, Bath or Leicester operating like this?

[Antepli Ejderha]

Clermont have started well and get the first try. This looks like it'll be a good match.

[ursus arctos]

Saracens look as if they weren't expecting to play

14-0

[Antepli Ejderha]

Clermont have had to make two changes in the pack already.
It makes no difference. Raka gets a hattrick and it should be 21.

[ursus arctos]

Raka gets his hat trick just short of the 25 minute mark

[Antepli Ejderha]

Penalty try for Saracens and Lee goes to the bin. This is going to be a huge ten minutes until half time.