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

[TRF_Olyy]

Jacob Umaga (Son of Samoan capped Mike, Nephew to Tana and related to Jerry Collins) is currently in the Leicester Academy and rated very highly apparently a monster tackler + runner with great hands and a fine pass, but I think he was born he was born in England, and has lived here all his life so there would be zero controversy if he was picked to play for England.

How very optimistic of you

 

[munstermuffin]

No-one has said otherwise... it's him who I'm calling a dick for exploiting the situation.

Although the IRFU will be equally culpable should they pick him.

Why'd IRFU be wrong picking a fella that's lived in Ireland for 3 years and is eligible?
Every country does it in 1 way or another.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

It's a bit different because Aki has gone there with the express intention of qualifying down the line. The vast vast majority of players won't do that when moving to a foreign club.
I can see where Rats is coming from, as he's a project player in all but name, but at the same time I've always been of the opinion that if someone's good enough, and is qualified, then pick them.
It's the waiting for a player that I don't like at all (i.e. project players, and just Scotland in general on their scouting missions).

 

[Peat]

As far as I'm aware Bundee Aki is the only one talking about him playing for Ireland. Connacht unlike the other provinces doesn't have the same structures with foreign players including project players. At the moment he's simply another foreign signing who isn't tied down to a country like Nathan White.

I do agree that his attitude however of siimply disregarding countries until one picks him is disgraceful.

He is the only talking about it in public but it's implausible he's the only one thinking it. It seems very possible that Connacht staff would have talked up his prospects of playing once qualified when getting him to sign and, if nothing else, the project signing rule means he and everyone else knows very well that the IRFU are down with the idea. They don't have to actually say anything - their stance is already clear.

 

[TheSaffycen]

Soory to talk about the pre season and all but....
Saracens are playing Ospreys at the moment does anyone know if there is somewhere to view it ?

 

[ratsapprentice]

Why'd IRFU be wrong picking a fella that's lived in Ireland for 3 years and is eligible?
Every country does it in 1 way or another.

Because it goes against the spirit of international sport.

I'm not having a go at Ireland - I have no respect for anyone involved in the process though.

Soory to talk about the pre season and all but....
Saracens are playing Ospreys at the moment does anyone know if there is somewhere to view it ?

It's highly unlikely.

 

[TheSaffycen]

Shame...
Anyway we are 18-0 at half time, tries from B.Vunipola and Strettle.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Thanks for getting us back on topic!

http://www.therugbypaper.co.uk/featured-post/18053/qa-with-toby-booth/

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Shame...
Anyway we are 18-0 at half time, tries from B.Vunipola and Strettle.

What are both teams line ups?

 

[TheSaffycen]

15. Alex Goode; 14. Chris Wyles, 13. Tim Streather, 12. Brad Barritt, 11. David Strettle; 10. Charlie Hodgson, 9. Richard Wigglesworth; 1. Richard Barrington, 2. Jamie George, 3. Kieran Longbottom, 4. Alistair Hargreaves (Capt), 5. George Kruis, 6. Kelly Brown, 7. Will Fraser, 8. Billy Vunipola.

Replacements; 16. Scott Spurling, 17. Rhys Gill, 18. Petrus Du Plessis, 19. Jim Hamilton, 20. Hayden Smith, 21. Matt Hankin, 22. Maro Itoje, 23. Jackson Wray, 24. Ben Spencer, 25 Nils Mordt, 26. Duncan Taylor, 27. Nick Tompkins, 28. Jack Wilson, 29. Aaron Morris, 30. Ben Ransom.


Ospreys (v Saracens): R Fussell; E Walker, A Bishop, J Matavesi, J Hassler; D Biggar, R Webb; N Smith, S Baldwin, A Jarvis; L Peers (c), R Bernardo; T Ardron, S Lewis, M Allen.

Reps: S Parry, D Jones, C Griffiths, J King, D Baker, T Habberfield, D Evans, J Spratt, T Grabham.

Game finished up 39-5 to Saracens try scorers
Strettle,B.Vunipola,Wigglesworth,Spencer,Gill
Ardon

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Cheers

 

[goodNumber10]

As a person who had the opportunity to represent wales at pool I decided against it because for me playing for a nation was about playing for MY nation . I've currently moved into a different league and am in contention for selection to Hereford county pool team so I can tell you first hand for me it's about playing for my country NOT any country

To be fair the players that do what we are talking about are few and far between in tier 1 rugby . I don't class Faletau, Tuilagi or the Vunipolas in this bracket as they have lived in the respective countries since they were kids

I understand that, and i'm not saying people don't take it into account or that everyone is the same, but i do understand it.

I think the point i'm making is there are many different reasons people end up with the opportunity to play for another country, not all of them are selfish or pre-planned so to lump everyone who takes the opportunity disingenuous and liars because they may have longed to play for their own/another country i think is a grossly unfair thing to do.

A good Friend of mine was an all black U20 and in the Chiefs set up. Fate dealt him a blow, he got injured, came to England to study, played the varsity for Cambridge and then when he moved to Blegium he played for the national team (after 3 years), and then the Barbarians. He was NZ 100%, would have given his right arm AND first born to have been an all black, but he also wanted to experience things and for him it was the chance to play the sport he loves at the highest level possible.

He certainly wasn't spineless.

15. Alex Goode; 14. Chris Wyles, 13. Tim Streather, 12. Brad Barritt, 11. David Strettle; 10. Charlie Hodgson, 9. Richard Wigglesworth; 1. Richard Barrington, 2. Jamie George, 3. Kieran Longbottom, 4. Alistair Hargreaves (Capt), 5. George Kruis, 6. Kelly Brown, 7. Will Fraser, 8. Billy Vunipola.

Replacements; 16. Scott Spurling, 17. Rhys Gill, 18. Petrus Du Plessis, 19. Jim Hamilton, 20. Hayden Smith, 21. Matt Hankin, 22. Maro Itoje, 23. Jackson Wray, 24. Ben Spencer, 25 Nils Mordt, 26. Duncan Taylor, 27. Nick Tompkins, 28. Jack Wilson, 29. Aaron Morris, 30. Ben Ransom.


Ospreys (v Saracens): R Fussell; E Walker, A Bishop, J Matavesi, J Hassler; D Biggar, R Webb; N Smith, S Baldwin, A Jarvis; L Peers (c), R Bernardo; T Ardron, S Lewis, M Allen.

Reps: S Parry, D Jones, C Griffiths, J King, D Baker, T Habberfield, D Evans, J Spratt, T Grabham.

Game finished up 39-5 to Saracens try scorers
Strettle,B.Vunipola,Wigglesworth,Spencer,Gill
Ardon

Gotta be gutting to get walloped like that in preseason by a team of equal standing...

Strong side by Saracens though.

Thanks for getting us back on topic!

http://www.therugbypaper.co.uk/featured-post/18053/qa-with-toby-booth/

good interview there... Booth always strikes me as a pragmatic and honest guy.

 

[welshglory]

That Ospreys team is so meh, espeically the tight five.

 

[TheSaffycen]

That Ospreys team is so meh, espeically the tight five.

Who was missing for the Ospreys ? I only ask as i would like to work how Saracens are doing pre-season, obviously 39-5 isn't bad against any team but if you're playing a second string Ospreys pack then it doesn't mean as much.

 

[welshglory]

The sad thing is that Ospreys team isn't far off full strength...

Here's the depth chart:
1. Ryan Bevington/Duncan Jones/>>Nicky Smith (youngster)/Bunch of youngsters
2. Scott Baldwin/>>Sam Parry (youngster)/Matthew Dwyer (journeyman)/Meh
3. Aaron Jarvis/Dmitri Arhip/>>>>>Bunch of youngsters and journeymen
4. Lloyd Peers/James King?>>>Bunch of youngsters and journeymen
5. Alun Wyn Jones/>>>> Bunch of youngsters and journeymen

We really are scrapping the barrel now

In saying that there's no way that Ospreys are equal standing with Saracens anymore, maybe a couple of seasons ago but you guys have shot past us now. It's going to be a long season with our front five options now.

 

[Peat]

Who was missing for the Ospreys ? I only ask as i would like to work how Saracens are doing pre-season, obviously 39-5 isn't bad against any team but if you're playing a second string Ospreys pack then it doesn't mean as much.

No Bevington, no AWJ... no Tipuric... just a quick scan that mind. Dunno about the Welsh, but I assume they're a little like the Irish in that there's a lot of summer tourers not really around the squad at this point, and that they're generally a week or two behind the English clubs at this stage.

Mindyou, most people would be asking "Who" about the majority of that Sarries pack - even I don't know all of them, and I'm a rugby nerd. Longbottom has a fantastic name though so I wish him all the best.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

So it looks like so far Burns, Allen, Ghiraldini, Barbieri and potentially Goneva.

Injuries before preseason that are not 100% so are ruled out, Cole, Benjamin, Camacho, Slater and Rizzo.

Loamanu is injuryed but nothing serious.

Ayerza and Matera are away with Argentina.

Apparently Leicester will field a squad of 28.

 

[TheSaffycen]

No Bevington, no AWJ... no Tipuric... just a quick scan that mind. Dunno about the Welsh, but I assume they're a little like the Irish in that there's a lot of summer tourers not really around the squad at this point, and that they're generally a week or two behind the English clubs at this stage.

Mindyou, most people would be asking "Who" about the majority of that Sarries pack - even I don't know all of them, and I'm a rugby nerd. Longbottom has a fantastic name though so I wish him all the best.

Barrington is a very good loosehead who's main ability is scrummaging, which is why i prefer him over Mako. George is an academy player with great set piece who will play for England in the next world cup possibly, Cowan-Dickie is more explosive than him but scrum time George is a big lump. Longbottom we just got from Western Force and i haven't seen play much, but did win some scrum penalties so not too shabby. Kruis is a brilliant lock with a bit of pace, might get caps for England in the future but he probably wont get past Lawes,Launchbury, Attwood,Slater but the depth we now have is pretty remarkable in the lock department.

 

[Patchey]

Good to are Ben Spencer involved and scoring. I genuinely think he could be a really really good 9 for England if a) He wasn't at Sarries and has been forced to trudge along behind Wrigglesworth and De Kock for three seasons and b) He wasn't at Sarries :0.

I really hope he gets some proper game time this year.



No news on the Quins team for tomorrow yet. But Louis Grimolby has been dual registered with Nottingham so I guess it's another season of Evans/Botica at ten.

 

[Geordie]

15. Alex Goode; 14. Chris Wyles, 13. Tim Streather, 12. Brad Barritt, 11. David Strettle; 10. Charlie Hodgson, 9. Richard Wigglesworth; 1. Richard Barrington, 2. Jamie George, 3. Kieran Longbottom, 4. Alistair Hargreaves (Capt), 5. George Kruis, 6. Kelly Brown, 7. Will Fraser, 8. Billy Vunipola.

Replacements; 16. Scott Spurling, 17. Rhys Gill, 18. Petrus Du Plessis, 19. Jim Hamilton, 20. Hayden Smith, 21. Matt Hankin, 22. Maro Itoje, 23. Jackson Wray, 24. Ben Spencer, 25 Nils Mordt, 26. Duncan Taylor, 27. Nick Tompkins, 28. Jack Wilson, 29. Aaron Morris, 30. Ben Ransom.

Got to give it to Saracens they've got a strong team but the kids coming through just look another level again.
Nick Tompkins at 13, Mario Itoje looks immense, but will he be a 6 or a lock? Ben Ransom looks impressive. Although im not convinced on the Hamilton signing...never been a major fan.

As for the Falcons, team for Rotherham is not out yet but we don know that new signin Juan Pablo Socino the Argnetina 12 who was Championship player of the season last year will start at 12.

The tuilagis havent got their paperwork yet so are still in the PI's but have a strict training regime to follow, but Kane Thompson has arrived from the Chiefs...and i think he could be a useful signing for us.