Forum Rugby Club

There is a bunch of bitching amongst the oikball supporters that English oikball is suffering because of so many foreign players. However, in English rugby we are all enjoying the arrival of foreign players and being entertained by their skills. However, is this lifting the game or closing the door on home grown talent?

I am still at the stage of enjoying the entertainment!
David

quote:

Originally posted by Chillkram:
We're coming to getcha!

Don't wet your pants too soon! One swallow doesn't make a summer...

quote:

Originally posted by David Sutton:
There is a bunch of bitching amongst the oikball supporters that English oikball is suffering because of so many foreign players. However, in English rugby we are all enjoying the arrival of foreign players and being entertained by their skills. However, is this lifting the game or closing the door on home grown talent?

I am still at the stage of enjoying the entertainment!
David

I agree with you about the entertainment! We've got some great overseas players at Tigers, and some excellent home-growns.

I think the appointment of the next England coach is going to be critical. Although on a wing and a prayer we somehow got to the RWC Final, the Pool stage showed some tremendous weaknesses against other nations, southern hemisphere especially.

In the leapfrogging of innovation and progress, we need to do some catch up at the moment. Our homegrown talent should not be left behind if - from grass roots level - we develop our style, learning from progress that has been made elsewhere; and the tone has to be set at national level as an inspiration, which is why I think the new coach is crucial.

Another thing that is keeping it all sensible is money. As it is no longer an amateur game at top level (except of course in rugby's developing nations) it is right that people should be rewarded for their efforts.

But, God willing, it'll never get to the stupid heights of soccer, which not only feeds the fire of celebrity-itis, but also builds the cult of individualism, which is very damaging in a team sport!

Rugby is the not the kind of sport where the 'goal-hanger' mentality is possible.
We have players who exhibit individual brilliance, and those who become almost talismans (Deano! Jonno! Wilko! and even Larry the Lamb), but never to the cost of the team effort (or else they come a cropper remarkably quickly).

James

Ah, the English coach debate. I wish there was an easy answer to this. For it also includes all those issues about the RFU and a coach's freedom to build and develop the team.

I hope they get it sorted soon.

In the meantime, lets hope the Tigers end up at the top of the premiership!!

David

quote:

Originally posted by David Sutton:
Ah, the English coach debate. I wish there was an easy answer to this. For it also includes all those issues about the RFU and a coach's freedom to build and develop the team.

I hope they get it sorted soon.

In the meantime, lets hope the Tigers end up at the top of the premiership!!

David

I don't disagree about RFU! 'Old farts' etc...

Any chance of meeting a Forum member at the Dubai 7s? Fiji have been looking very good. This will be my 24th consecutive year at the 7s, an event that has grown into a money making machine with some rugby on the side, rather than a rugby event that makes money.
Perhaps next year, when the event has left Dubai Exiles Rugby Club for a new venue, I shall call it a day.

David

quote:

Originally posted by David Sutton:
Any chance of meeting a Forum member at the Dubai 7s? ...

Not unless that's Dubai, Norfolk

Please can we get back to some proper 'Forum Rugby Club' banter now?!

Tigers vs Pesky Pests in the EDF Anglo-Welsh Cup Semis.

Bring it on! Grrrr...

James

quote:

Originally posted by JWM:
Please can we get back to some proper 'Forum Rugby Club' banter now?!

Tigers vs Pesky Pests in the EDF Anglo-Welsh Cup Semis.

Bring it on! Grrrr...

James

Not bothered. We've got a European title to retain!

Still, we might just give you a spanking anyway to keep up the tradition!

quote:

Originally posted by JWM:
Tigers vs Pesky Pests in the EDF Anglo-Welsh Cup Semis.

Fancy it, then, Jameses? When is it?

Cardiff, 22nd March 2008. Check and out the date and you'll see why I can't make it on this occasion...

It wouldn't have anything to do with some son of a blue collar worker who got famous for doing magic tricks with bread.....

Ryan

Wasps didn't deserve that!

How could the video ref possibly give that as a try. If it hadn't been for that erroneous 7 pointer, Wasps would have been in the lead in the end rather than chasing the game and risking conceding a try.

We wuz robbed!

Another bonus point given away in the last minute! The last minutes of the two games against Clermont could prove to be very important at the death and Wasps could live to regret not being as professional as the opposition.

That said, it was an awesome first half from Wasps and Cipriani is really displaying the talent that he has to it's fullest effect.

Mark

And good news for the Tigers on their weekend in the South of France. Lewis Moody and Geordan Murphy both return to face Toulouse tomorrow.

James

Not quite what we wanted.

Now that it's back to the Premiership Wasps need to really pick up. Their traditional slow start has been even slower this year.

Mark

The jury's clearly out, or they wouldn't have given him a twelve month rolling contract.

What a performance from the Sharks......sorry James not much of a birthday present for you, but a great result all the same.

Ryan

I was asleep...

Missed it. I was having a nice pre-Christmas day with the kids in the West End.

I bet it was good, Ryan!

Yeah it looked good on TV Mark. Its a shame i couldn't get tickets. The atmosphere seemed pretty good too. Its a nice little ground and you get really close to the action.

We seem to be on a charge at the mo. Maybe even title contenders.

Ryan

As we end 2007 it's a bit of a relief that Tigers seem to have got back on the horse. Fifth, and only a point behind Sale (and aren't they doing well? - he said in his most upatronising way )

Pleasingly, Wasps are still well behind - did well to creep a victory over 3rd place Sarries (s'pose in the old days that was the local derby?) to stagger up to 8th to end the year.

Shame that Flyfisher jumped shipped and abandoned the Naim fold, he'd be giving us all some stick with the Cherry and Whites steaming well ahead at this mid-season mark.

With our big coach change, I expect this to be a 'season of consolidation' for Leicester, but equally anticipate not being too shabby when the season gets to the business end.

Happy New Year, all - and good luck, cos in your heart of hearts you all know that in 2008 those Tigers are coming to get ya! Grrrrrr!!



James

PS Wasps are girls who pull hair...

I thought it was girls who have long hair!

Mark

Now James, I never pegged you for a bitter and twisted person.....and you a man of the cloth.

So sad..........

Ryan