The 2014/15 pre-season general news/discussion thread

[Geordie]

Arent Croft and Gibson very similar to play as 6 and 7...both tall and lightweight?

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Most people on here think Gibson is a better 7 than a 6 TBH.

Guess with Matera away with Argentina and Salvi being rested. Gibson was the next choice.

Although we have U18 + U20 7 on th bench Will Owen, and Italian Barbieri also on the bench I doubt it will be a concern for the main season.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Barbieri's more of an 8 isn't he?

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Yes but he has played 7 for Italy quite a bit due to Parisse being there.

So we have 2 internationally capped 7's and also Salvi who has yet to be capped yet really he should have been.

If Salvi had been younger I wouldn't mind seeing him do the loophole thing, he tecinally has only played for the Aus A team.

Although I disagree with it, if players where going to use it I thing he would have been what England needed.

 

[ratsapprentice]

If you "wouldn't mind seeing him do the loophole thing" I'm not sure how you can say you "disagree with it"?

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

If you "wouldn't mind seeing him do the loophole thing" I'm not sure how you can say you "disagree with it"?

Well because although I do disagree with it, players are still going to do it aren't they no matter what I think.

And it not like he has been fully capped like Armitage etc etc.

Perhaps I worded it wrongly to begin with.

 

[ratsapprentice]

I don't understand that TBH mate - If you don't agree with something you shouldn't be ok with it happening.

I know what you're getting at, but I can't dig it, brother.

 

[munstermuffin]

We beat Leeds 62-19. We played a different team in each half and looked pretty sharp. Laidlaw and Hook were diferent class. However the scrums were very poor in the first half which was worry even if we were missing Afoa,Hibbard and Wood. The real test will be our next game against Munster.

We could be great or awful. We are bringing alot of young guys and starting a few too. Axel is showing he's not afraid to throw a few in and I expect Sweetman and Greg O'Shea to start. Young but big and pacy guys with nice skills. As I said in other threads people will see a more versatile and different Munster and I also expect there to be a few hiccups along the way. But well we should give a better game than Leeds regardless. It'll be great to see Laurie too. A great coach who I've no doubt can really be a massive asset to Gloucester.

 

[goodNumber10]

http://www.bathchronicle.co.uk/Bath...s-cross-code/story-22714681-detail/story.html

http://www.wigantoday.net/sport/wig...-not-ruled-out-1-6793561#.U_M-wUO1_gU.twitter

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

The Edinburgh V Leicester game will be stream from the (Daily Record Scottish newspaper site)

Link

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/rugby/watch-edinburgh-rugby-glasgow-warriors-4073322

Kick off 2pm Saturday

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

i know this wouldn't be a pretty game for edinburgh but atleast were not at murrayfield so the players can actually hear the crowd

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Should be a good game.

I think Leicester will play more of there international players in it.

 

[TheSaffycen]

Now with Brad Thorn how good is the tigers pack going to be this season ? They're normally known for the pack but my god this year.
1.Ayerza 2.Youngs 3.Cole 4.Thorn 5.Slater 6.Croft 7.Salvi 8.Barbieri
16.Ghiraldini 17.Mulipola 18.Rizzo 19.Kitchener/Parling 20.Matera/Gibson
Now that pack can compete with most french teams

 

[Geordie]

Slater is out until mid october i think.
And Cole wont be back till much later.

 

[Peat]

Arent Croft and Gibson very similar to play as 6 and 7...both tall and lightweight?

I'd never really call either lightweight tbh. They're both rangy, and neither of them are wrecking balls, but they're both big strong guys (and Croft's put on a fair bit of weight while out with injury). Gibson is very much a work horse, I've never noticed him lacking in contact, and he does seem to do better at openside where he can get himself over the ball more. I mean, yeah, if you were playing them together, you probably are looking for some big strong tight five guys to take on more of the tight carries, guys like Mulipola or Slater, but that's not an issue. I mean, really, it's no different to playing Croft and Salvi together, and that worked pretty well.

 

[Maverick1987]

I don't understand that TBH mate - If you don't agree with something you shouldn't be ok with it happening.

I know what you're getting at, but I can't dig it, brother.

I think it's more of a if everyone else is gonna do it ie. thieving French ! Then why shouldnt we ?

I don't agree with it either btw and hope England don't do it

 

[ratsapprentice]

I think it's more of a if everyone else is gonna do it ie. thieving French ! Then why shouldnt we ?

Because you have some dignity?
...because you don't compromise yourself just because someone else is being a dick.

Seriously cannot respect that sort of attitude.

 

[Maverick1987]

Because you have some dignity?
...because you don't compromise yourself just because someone else is being a dick.

Seriously cannot respect that sort of attitude.

That's what I said in the second paragraph of my post ......

I think it's a ridiculous ruling tbh how can you decide who you want to play for internationally this week ? Be like oh I've fallen out of favour with X so I'll play for Y instead . It makes a mockery of everything international rugby is about .... If I was a pro rugby player and I couldn't quite break into the England team for whatever reason I wouldn't play for anyone else because I'm English . Not Scottish or Irish or welsh . People need to get some passion ffs

 

[goodNumber10]

If I was a pro rugby player and I couldn't quite break into the England team for whatever reason I wouldn't play for anyone else because I'm English . Not Scottish or Irish or welsh . People need to get some passion ffs

Really?

I think most people change allegiance because they want to play the very best standard they can, not because they feel an affinity with the new country, that's always been the way with driven people - they want to perform to the best of their abilities even if that means jumping ship to another country because their path is blocked.

I don't' think, for the majority of sportspeople, patriotism comes into it - i mean yes, obviously they are passionate for their country but i think most people if given the chance to play for a major nation will take it.

Would you rather play regularly for the AB's or England/Scotland/Wales? I know who i'd rather play for.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Then you don't really deserve to play for that country IMO.

It's deeply disingenuous and disrespectful to the people who do care.