Rugby Union RWC and Season 2011-12

The television coverage seems to dominate all kick off times and dates now  as most of the clubs need the money and although the money on offer is a most attractive proposition it is dealing with the devil and will bite you sooner or later, we get bit often at Tigers with games being changed from Saturday to a Friday evening or a late Sunday afternoon and kick off times being changed

Youngs, sadly yes.  He didnt used to play like that.  Who's coached it into him?  He's only 22 so hopefully this is just a blip, but I'm not 100% certain all in hunky dory at the moment with the coaching set up at Leicester, and I say that as a Leicester supporter (in case you didn't know).

In what has been a difficult season so far, it is with a sense of pride that I say "Well done Leicester Tigers!!"  Fantastic and committed effort by every player to a man to achieve a narrow away victory over their current nemesis Saracens 19-20.  A performance by all worthy of the Tigers' jersey, and hopefully an encouragement for the rest of the season.

Second best all game - got lucky again.

Watched some of the Baa-Baas and Welsh 'Golden Years' DVDs the other day and interesting watching Gareth Edwards play. His pass from line-outs and the base of the scrum took the no.6/7/8 out of the game (or at least a few yards behind the play). Which allowed the 10 onwards to make the play in space.

..and the decision to pass was made early, no getting the ball in hand, 2 paces, a quick look up - then pass to a 10 with the line closed up/space gone. Set pieces near the line is where he used his pace and strength.

To my eyes this exemplified what happened in the 2nd half against the Italians, where the tempo was picked up and the runners away from the last phase were let loose.   

I almost wish Dean Ryan was there for the beeb to do the analysis.

Italy did not deserve that scoreline.

Not a smashing then.

Re today's England/Wales game:

1- Credit to Strettle for the tap tackle on North in the first few minutes. Mr Foden should be buying him a beer tonight!

2- Things seemed to go wrong for England when the first wave of subs was made - why change the scrum-half? - see above. Doesn't appear the coaches have done any work since the last game.

Matt Stevens was a valuable source of points to the Welsh (my rugby teacher used to ask 'boy, are you playing for the enemy?').

3- Loss of Jamie Roberts was a big blow to the Welsh but it ended well - to my eyes a draw would have been fair.

I thought the turning point was when Wales were a player down and England did not capitalise and then when Farrell did not make it 15-9. Agreed the subs were poor. Youngs gave away a mindless penalty, Matt Stevens is a guarantee of collapsed scrums and penalties to the opposition and Lawes gifted the breakaway try.

Nonetheless a much more encouraging performance from England.

What I fail to understand in all this, is that if a materially sized business was 'losing out' in this way, it would be looking very hard at its 'business risks analysis' and making sure 'regular offenders' (those who get 'pinged' regularly - fairly clear to see who these are to my eyes), stop doing it.

The margins of success/failure in these games is so tight and the refs to be fair, more often than not, warn players in and around the ruck area, it surely cannot be that hard?

I often think a 3 point penalty is too harsh for some offences but if you've been warned then fair play.

In my view Wales have got away with it now twice as they would not of won their previous game had Bradley been red carded as was what should of happend full stop and looking at my copy of the Rugby paper this morning it was a clear try with the photo on the front page showing the ball grounded and with that i shall shout........WE WUZ ROBBED M`LUD

Victory! At last!

10th time lucky - Always works out in the end

Pests clinging on by their fingernails!

At the other end of the Table there's some interesting business going on.  I know how I want things to go between Leicester and Gloucester this afo.  And hopefully on the back of some good performances recently, and with home form intact (and Glaws away form), it'll be a good LT victory!

On the International front, I would see France as favourites, and I guess for the good of the tournament a French victory would keep it wide open.  But as an Englishman good and true, I can't yet work out who I would dislike least to win overall

A draw would be good perhaps...

Leicester comprehensively dismantle Gloucester 36-3.

Be afraid, be very afraid.

!!!

Well predicted with regard to France vs Ireland.  17-17.

Fantastic game this afternoon with the Tigers giving a display near their best, Glaws were never in it for some strange reason and were mullered all over the park. I really wanted Ireland to win this afternoon but nevermind.   

We really need to get Mulipola signed to us as we want him to stay and he wants to stay as well

Funnily enough I agree with all of this! Tigers gave Glaws a real lesson all over the park. And I was hoping for an Irish win too. Should have had a penalty near the end as well.

"Funnily enough I agree with all of this!"

Bloody hell we will have to stop this agreement otherwise people will think i have turned you.....

Although there are some good deals on Tigers jerseys at the moment if your interested....

Mind you probably not as cheap as Wasps jerseys.....