Rugby Union

[UP13]

The same applies to owning locomotives too...

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Gallagher English Premiership

Exeter Chiefs 19 ... Sale Sharks 22

Exeter, especially with home ground advantage, must have thought they would go for a hat-trick of wins against Sale, following their very recent back-to-back victories over Sale in group stage cup matches, but Sale attacked from the off and kept up the pressure in the first half and led 22-5 at half time. Exeter hit back with two second half tries but Sale held on to record an unexpected win against the league leaders.

 

[Cowley]

Gallagher English Premiership

Exeter Chiefs 19 ... Sale Sharks 22

Exeter, especially with home ground advantage, must have thought they would go for a hat-trick of wins against Sale, following their very recent back-to-back victories over Sale in group stage cup matches, but Sale attacked from the off and kept up the pressure in the first half and led 22-5 at half time. Exeter hit back with two second half tries but Sale held on to record an unexpected win against the league leaders.

Yep. Fair play Sale. Well played.

 

[UP13]

Big upset that. Hopefully Quins can provide one against Salaries this afternoon.

 

[richw]

Big upset that. Hopefully Quins can provide one against Salaries this afternoon.

what a farce that Sarries team was. Far from their strongest available.

 

[UP13]

To be fair they were missing their internationals. I'd also point out that Saracens normally still win when they are missing internationals.

Quins were definitely up for it. They just need to show that passion in other games.

 

[richw]

To be fair they were missing their internationals. I'd also point out that Saracens normally still win when they are missing internationals.

Quins were definitely up for it. They just need to show that passion in other games.

even if you discount the internationals they still didn’t field a full strength available team

 

[UP13]

Quins had plenty missing too. Saracens usually have enough strength in depth to win with second teams.

 

[Butts]

Poor start to the Six Nations for England, Scotland and Italy.

Wales looked good against Italy with France and Ireland putting the auld enemies to the sword.

How did Hogg drop the ball going over the line for Scotland against Ireland

 

[59CosG95]

Poor start to the Six Nations for England, Scotland and Italy.

Wales looked good against Italy with France and Ireland putting the auld enemies to the sword.

How did Hogg drop the ball going over the line for Scotland against Ireland

Indeed, Wales are a force to be reckoned with, especially at home. Scotland certainly showed promise in Dublin, but Hogg's schoolboy error cost them dear; that said, it was a fairly marked improvement overall from the 2018 fixture in Dublin.

And England...just speechless. (although I'm not really complaining, as it sets Hogg & co up slightly better for the Calcutta Cup next weekend...)

 

[thejuggler]

Hogg demonstrated that all players can be celebrating in their heads before scoring and then they don't score. He would have been taught from the beginning to hold the ball in two hands until the try is scored, he now knows why!

As for England - the scrum is a significant part of the modern game. To play without a specialist number 8 weakens your position and options significantly. Jones can't choose the players and then decide the positions to play them in just so he has all the players he wants on the park.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Premiership Rugby Cup...Semi-Final

Sale Sharks 28 ... Saracens 7

Sale scored their first try after only 78 seconds and added two more tries, two of these three first-half tries coming from turnovers, leading 21-0 at half-time. The second half saw both sides score a try, but Sale were not in the mood to miss out on a place in the final.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Gallagher English Premiership

Sale Sharks 36 ... Leicester Tigers 3

Leicester are having a rather difficult time of things in the Premiership this season and Sale led 19-3 at half-time and kept up the pressure in the second half. Sale scored five unanswered tries, three of them by Marlon Yarde. This win sees Sale in second place in the league.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Gallagher English Premiership

Gloucester 17 ... Sale Sharks 23

Sale started well in poor weather conditions with the wind causing both sides to hit the posts from penalty kicks and Sale were 10-0 up at half time. Both sides scored tries early in the second half, but Sale held together as a unit to win by six points, winning the try count 3-2. The win consolidates Sale's position of second place in the league.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Gallagher English Premiership

Sale Sharks 39 ... London Irish 0

The Friday evening match was another example of how Sale have taken their team play to a higher level and both their first half tries came about through interceptions of London Irish moves. The second half saw Sale score another four tries to reflect on their team tactical superiority and this win has consolidated Sale's top two league placement.

 

[UP13]

I have a feeling this will be Sale's year. They seem. They've always had the ability but they now seem more consistent this year.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Not altogether unexpected, but the RFU have now officially confirmed the return of Newcastle Falcons to the English Premiership 2020/2021 season.

 

[UP13]

I think all current league positions across the RFU system RE confirmed as final positions. This is what the club I play for has been told. Not sure about the premiership.

 

[JamesT]

I think all current league positions across the RFU system RE confirmed as final positions. This is what the club I play for has been told. Not sure about the premiership.

The statement by the RFU talked of a “best playing record formula”. I assume that takes into account teams that have played varying numbers of matches rather than just taking current positions. Saracens were already relegated so that side is sorted, but I don’t think they’ve decided how to complete the season for the premiership.

 

[richw]

I think all current league positions across the RFU system RE confirmed as final positions. This is what the club I play for has been told. Not sure about the premiership.

not quite... but if every team in that league have played equal number of games then they will be.
if any games in hand etc then they are calculating positions by average points per game so far multiplied by total number of scheduled games for the whole season from how I understand it.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

not quite... but if every team in that league have played equal number of games then they will be.
if any games in hand etc then they are calculating positions by average points per game so far multiplied by total number of scheduled games for the whole season from how I understand it.

Thankfully, methodology to resolve matters, such as the Duckworth-Lewis cricket scenario, will not apply in rugby union

 

[richw]

Thankfully, methodology to resolve matters, such as the Duckworth-Lewis cricket scenario, will not apply in rugby union

Looks like could be some controversy. Some teams have been relegated or promoted by tenths of a point.

 

[UP13]

Anybody been following Super Rugby Aotearoa or Super Rugby AU?

 

[LOL The Irony]

Manu Tuilagi has signed for Sale Sharks

Sale sign England centre Tuilagi

Sale Sharks sign England centre Manu Tuilagi following his departure from Premiership rivals Leicester Tigers.

www.bbc.co.uk

Sale Sharks have signed England centre Manu Tuilagi following his departure from Leicester Tigers.

The 29-year-old, who has 43 caps, left Tigers earlier this month after failing to agree terms on an amended contract.
He had been linked with a move to France, but his switch to Sale on a deal until the end of 2020-21 ensures he will remain available for England.

"Manu will be a fantastic commercial and playing addition to our squad," said boss Steve Diamond.

"We contacted Manu's agent and Leicester Tigers last week to discuss the player's current position.

"After discussions on Friday, all parties - Leicester Tigers, Manu Tuilagi and Sale Sharks - agreed that the player was a free agent and was able to enter into negotiations with another club."

Despite his family's 20-year association with Tigers, Tuilagi's career at his boyhood club came to an acrimonious end when he was among five players released after refusing to sign an amended contract.

Tuilagi's existing Leicester deal, which he signed last year amid interest from French Top 14 side Racing 92, still had a year left to run.

He was again linked with a switch to France following his departure from Welford Road on 1 July - a move which would have curtailed his international career - but Sale have acted quickly to secure his services on a cut-price deal.

Sharks are currently second in the table and face Harlequins on 14 August, the first domestic rugby union match to take place since the season was suspended because of coronavirus.

 

[UP13]

If he can stay fit he'll be a good signer. I think Tigers spent a lot of money on him when he was more often than not injured.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Talking of Sale Sharks, does anyone have any updated information on their proposed move away from the shared ground with Salford Red Devils RLFC, which is a relatively new stadium, near to the motorway.

 

[JamesT]

London Irish have agreed to play their remaining home games at the Stoop - https://www.quins.co.uk/news/harlequins-extend-game-hosting-opportunity-to-london-irish/

 

[UP13]

London Irish have agreed to play their remaining home games at the Stoop - https://www.quins.co.uk/news/harlequins-extend-game-hosting-opportunity-to-london-irish/

Didn't Irish play at the Stoop donkeys ago?

In other news, London Scottish are moving away from Old Deer Park and Richmond RFC. Will play at Esher for a year before getting a new ground somewhere

 

[LOL The Irony]

Talking of Sale Sharks, does anyone have any updated information on their proposed move away from the shared ground with Salford Red Devils RLFC, which is a relatively new stadium, near to the motorway.

Yes, here

It's also only a short distance from Dane Road tram stop, so no need for new infrastructure.
EDIT:
Bonus, it's right by junction 7 (Sale & Stretford) of the M60!

 

[Ostrich]

For anyone interested, rugby union fixtures for 2020/21 from the National Leagues down to the community level leagues (SW Pyramid is my area) have now been published, based on a start date of 05/09/20. A lot of water to go under the bridge before then, but at least there's a plan!