Rugby - RIP Jonah Lomu.

[ljkeane]

Rather worryingly North just got knocked spark out again not too long after it happened for Wales. It might well be getting to the stage that he might have to consider whether it's a good idea to carry on playing.

Bit of a harsh red card for Hughes though, he has caught North in the head with his knee but he's almost certainly not caught him deliberately and I think it's questionable whether he was trying to play the ball with his foot. He's definitely unlucky.

[The Anti-Targ]

I don't recall when the RWC pools were announced, but I Just noticed the pool of death is Aus, England and Wales.

There seems to be a fairly good chance that Aus won't make it out of the pool stage. That would be a major blow for Aussie rugby. While Wales isn't the host nation they are effectively playing at home, which means Aus facing a tough battle to win. I think the pool of death pool should have been arranged so as not to have 2 home nations in it. Though at least the Aus/Wales game is being played at the technically neutral venue, Twickenham.

I feel like they should have played matches at Murrayfield rather than Wembley Stadium. If they are giving games to Wales then they should have given games to Scotland too.

[Hereward]

The pools were, ridiculously, drawn in 2012. Wales managed, very briefly, to drop to the third tier by losing all four of their autumn internationals at home, including to Argentina and Samoa. Fuckwits.

[Deedles]

It is utterly ridiculous alright. I don't see the rationale for having the draw so early.

Have to say I see the Champions cup going to France this year. Clermont were terrifing, and while Toulon let wasps back in, they were much better.

My immediate reaction after the Leinster win was that O'Connor has to go. They looked as if they had no coherent game plan. Backs seemed uncomfortable on the ball. Ah well.

[Gasp of Many Reeds]

Have to say I see the Champions cup going to France this year. Clermont were terrifing, and while Toulon let wasps back in, they were much better.

Yeah, must say I'm supporting anyone but Toulon this year - the Cup is meaningless if it's going to be won by the French side with the biggest salary packages year in year out.

[The BlackBear]

I'm not really sure but I thought they needed to do the draw earlier so the teams that really don't play many internationals could get some games in to work out which of them were actually in it. Looking at just the African games they had three rounds in 2012,2013 and 2014, same with Asia, Europe had six rounds, then the runners up four of the other groups had playoffs, they were only in October 2014 (Oceania was absent for some reason I'm not sure of.) Yeah it kind of sucks from a sports perspective, but I guess the organisers just needed to get it all worked out as soon as possible.

[ljkeane]

I feel like they should have played matches at Murrayfield rather than Wembley Stadium. If they are giving games to Wales then they should have given games to Scotland too.

They gave games to Wales because they were forced into it to get enough votes, the RFU wanted to just have an English World Cup.

Have to say I see the Champions cup going to France this year. Clermont were terrifing, and while Toulon let wasps back in, they were much better.

Clermont were extremely good but they tend to be extremely good every year, until they have a wobble and lose. Saracens have a good recent record against Clermont, and, unlike Saints, they're not going to fold if they're unable to overpower their opposition early. Having said that, while I don't think it's a forgone conclusion, it's hard to see Clermont losing at home.

Toulon obviously looked very strong. Wasps did cause them some problems, and Wasps were probably missing their three best players in Hughes, Launchbury and Wade, but Toulon always looked favourites and, anyway, Leinster aren't really equipped to stretch Toulon wide the way Wasps did. On the other hand Leinster are probably better equipped to match up to the Toulon pack than Wasps so maybe they can make it interesting.

My immediate reaction after the Leinster win was that O'Connor has to go. They looked as if they had no coherent game plan. Backs seemed uncomfortable on the ball. Ah well.

Hmm, yeah, I can see why people aren't too happy with O'Connor. To be fair to him though whoever replaced Schmidt was always going to be a step down and to be brutally honest Leinster's backs really aren't very good at the moment regardless of who the coach is. They've effectively lost their entire starting midfield from when they were at their best, although D'Arcy's still on the books, as well as Nacewa who acted as an additional ball playing option. Reddan and Boss are decidedly on the downslope of their careers and Kearney doesn't really offer too much ball in hand anymore.

Sexton coming back next season should help but I think there's going to have to be a rebuilding phase anyway.

[The BlackBear]

Edinburgh's semi-final went great. Crowd is still poor for Edinburgh matches though. Murrayfield is simply too big for them.

[ljkeane]

So Manu Tuilagi definitely won't be going to the World Cup after being banned by England until January for assaulting a can driver and two police officers. He might not have made it anyway but that's a particularly stupid way to make sure.

Also the squads have been announced for this year's Under 20 World Championship. England won the Under 20 Six Nations this year and they should be ok but they're probably the weakest England Under 20 side they've put out for a few years, especially in the forwards. Wales and France were also reasonably good in the Six Nations. New Zealand look the strongest they have in a while with the likes of Tevita Li going back and Akira Ioane tearing it up in Super Rugby, they also had a warm up tournament for the first time which should help their chances.

[ljkeane]

I don't follow sevens too closely but the US just won the London Sevens, and in pretty emphatic style as well. They mullered England and Australia. Apparently that's their first sevens series title, on that showing they could well be a threat at the Olympics.

[The Anti-Targ]

Wow, great maiden win for the US in the 7s world series. It is good for the game to have lots of contenders for the gold medal. Close exciting games it what could help keep 7s on the Olympic roster. It is such an good team sport for the Olympics going from start to finish in the space of a weekend. It's going to be a very different Olympics with quite a few players from the 15 game switching to 7s after the RWC to get a shot at Olympic gold.

It will be interesting to see whether the international stars of the 15 game can outplay the long experience of the 7s specialists. I think there is certainly a case to be made that the best of the 15 game would be better to have in the side to replace the weaker of the 7s specialists in the current rosters of the likes of NZ, Aus, SA, GB, etc. What will the sides like the USA do against people like Sonny Bill, Brain Habana, and Julian Savea?

[HairBearHero]

It will be interesting to see whether the international stars of the 15 game can outplay the long experience of the 7s specialists. I think there is certainly a case to be made that the best of the 15 game would be better to have in the side to replace the weaker of the 7s specialists in the current rosters of the likes of NZ, Aus, SA, GB, etc. What will the sides like the USA do against people like Sonny Bill, Brain Habana, and Julian Savea?

Not entirely convinced by this. Sevens is a very different game and requires a completely different way of thinking in both attack and defence - no doubt whatsoever that all 3 mentioned would adapt and excel eventually, but probably not fast enough for the Olympics or to the extent that they'd be better than the specialist incumbents in the top teams.

What you might see is XV players turning out for mid-tier/weaker 7s nations (e.g. Wales, France, Scotland, Samoa, Ireland).

[Which Tyler]

Agreed - except that the 7s squads won't be large enough to carry passengers just to get recognised names out there. Oh, and that Wales and Scotland don't compete at the olympics. I think I read that Ireland won't be taking a 7s team either, though I'd be delighted to be corrected on that one. And, of course, no way in hell that any of the French clubs will release their players for the olympics.

The only XVs players who could transition to 7s are basically the ones who've already played on the 7s circuit - so the likes of Savea etc; the only one with a half-way realistic chance of making an impact would be Matty Tait - and that's basically because it looks like he might not have a XVs contract for next season now, so could get a whole season of 7s back under his belt.

Otherwise the requirements, both mentally and physically are just too different; neither set of players would have the required stamina for the other code; it would take a good 6 months to get the physique change, and a good half-season to get the minds working correctly again - full season for those who haven't really played the 7s circuit before.

NZ, Aus and SA don't need to take the risk, GB might get Matt Tait if he does find himself without a club (others who might make it won't put the commitment in), France won't get the player release, which basically leaves the Island nations who may pick the odd XVs star.

[ljkeane]

I think I read that Ireland won't be taking a 7s team either, though I'd be delighted to be corrected on that one.

Ireland don't do sevens and since the qualification is done through the sevens world series there's no way they could qualify.

NZ, Aus and SA don't need to take the risk, GB might get Matt Tait if he does find himself without a club (others who might make it won't put the commitment in), France won't get the player release, which basically leaves the Island nations who may pick the odd XVs star.

NZ have had a pretty poor sevens season by their standards and I think their coach has said he will ask some XVs players to play so I wouldn't rule it out. Having said that I think he did say they'd have to play a season on the sevens circuit going into it so I'm not sure how many players would be willing to sacrifice potential All Blacks caps in the lead up to a Lions tour, I know Cruden's already ruled himself out on that basis.

The wide England training squad for the World Cup has been announced. It looks pretty reasonable to me. Other than the expected omissions of France based players and Tuilagi not a huge amount of controversy, although Burgess in as a centre is a bit odd since he's converted to back row now and clearly looks far more suited to it. Of the guys who miss out I'd have Wade in but you can see why he's not been picked and Jamie George is a bit unlucky, he's probably been the best hooker in the Premiership.

[ljkeane]

Bloody hell, Bristol topped the Championship league and choked in the playoffs again. Worcester are a very good side by Championship standards but Bristol were 13 points up with 5 minutes to go, they've lost by a point over two legs and they've conceded a try with the last touch of each game. This is getting ridiculous.

On the international front Jonathan Davies is apparently out of the World Cup with a torn acl. That's a massive shame for him and a bit of a blow for Wales, fortunately for them they've got a very capable replacement in Scott Williams.

[Which Tyler]

Surely the final nail in Andy Robinson's career as a head coach.

I'm sure he's still got plenty to offer as a forwards coach, though I doubt whether the ego could take that after a decade as head.

[Hereward]

As is traditional at this time, could someone please confiscate Slick's shoelaces? Thank you.

[HairBearHero]

The wide England training squad for the World Cup has been announced. It looks pretty reasonable to me. Other than the expected omissions of France based players and Tuilagi not a huge amount of controversy, although Burgess in as a centre is a bit odd since he's converted to back row now and clearly looks far more suited to it. Of the guys who miss out I'd have Wade in but you can see why he's not been picked and Jamie George is a bit unlucky, he's probably been the best hooker in the Premiership.

Jamie George may yet be included given the latest episode of Dylan The Dipshit.

Not at all bothered by Wade's exclusion. Whilst he's unbelievably exciting in attack, he's a poor defender even at club level and he only covers wing - so he's either a starter or not in the squad. He'd rack up a hatful against lower tier opposition (but so will Nowell/May/Ashton/Watson), but as a Wales fan I'd be licking my lips at the prospect of North/Cuthbert running at him.

Very surprised to see Easter included at the expense of Ewers (if Lancaster's taking this "build for the future" stuff seriously) or Waldrom (if based on this season's form).

[Valandil]

Lot of talk of sevens! Pro 12 final this Saturday night. These Islands premier rugby competition culminates after two pulsating semi-finals. I have to say the change to the league since the new qualification structure to ERC have been a huge success in terms of keeping things interesting. Munster v Glasgow. Paul O' Connell's last game in the shirt he went a long way to making famous. Glasgow playing fantastic rugby and trying to kick start a Scottish rugby renaissance with some silverware. Perhaps a bit lucky to get past Ulster last week with reffing decisions but definitely playing great stuff all year.

I am from Munster but based on the form since Christmas I do fancy Munster to win.

[ljkeane]

Jamie George may yet be included given the latest episode of Dylan The Dipshit.

Hmm, yeah. There really wasn't a huge amount in the Hartley incident but why bother doing it? Muppet.

It's actually a fairly serious issue for England because although Hartley's contribution around the park has declined over the past couple of years he's the only realistic option with reliable basics. Youngs can be good but his lineout throwing can go to pieces under pressure, Webber can't even getting on the starting team for Bath at the moment. Cowan-Dickie's a great all round rugby player but it wasn't that long ago his lineout throwing was absolute shite, apparently it's gotten better recently but I wouldn't like to rely on a couple of months worth of good work at club level going into a pressure game in the world Cup. George comfortably has the best basics of all the alternatives to Hartley but he's got no international experience and they clearly don't rate him too highly if he can't even make the 50 man preliminary squad. It's not looking good.

I decided to bite the bullet and get some World Cup tickets today. It might be a rip off but, fuck it, when's the next chance I'll get going to be? So after looking at the slowly rotating wheel of boredom on the ticket site for about four hours (I'm really value for money for my employer) I'm going to the Australia-Fiji game in Cardiff. It was the best combination of might be an alright game and not costing me about £200 a ticket left.

Lot of talk of sevens! Pro 12 final this Saturday night. These Islands premier rugby competition culminates after two pulsating semi-finals. I have to say the change to the league since the new qualification structure to ERC have been a huge success in terms of keeping things interesting. Munster v Glasgow. Paul O' Connell's last game in the shirt he went a long way to making famous. Glasgow playing fantastic rugby and trying to kick start a Scottish rugby renaissance with some silverware. Perhaps a bit lucky to get past Ulster last week with reffing decisions but definitely playing great stuff all year.

I am from Munster but based on the form since Christmas I do fancy Munster to win.

It should be two good finals on Saturday. In the Premiership final both Bath and Saracens looked great in different ways last week. I haven't watched a great deal of Pro 12 this year so you'll know better than me but the semis were both good games last week and pretty much every Glasgow game I've seen this year has been fun to watch.