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Posted by: MvG501 1st January 2018, 07:46 PM

The 2018 thread to discuss all things rugby related such as matches, players, debates and news anything to with the world of rugby and of both codes, union and league.

Posted by: MvG501 20th January 2018, 11:38 PM

The Scarlets are the first Welsh team to reach the quarter-finals of the European Cup since Cardiff Blues in 2012. Well done to them.

Posted by: MvG501 23rd January 2018, 11:34 PM

Wales fly-half Dan Biggar is set to miss the first three rounds of the Six Nations with a shoulder problem. Shame to hear about that.

Posted by: MvG501 30th January 2018, 08:43 AM

Six Nations Squad:


Scotland squad:

Backs: Mark Bennett (Edinburgh Rugby), Alex Dunbar (Glasgow Warriors), Nick Grigg (Glasgow Warriors), Chris Harris (Newcastle Falcons), Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors), Pete Horne (Glasgow Warriors), Ruaridh Jackson (Glasgow Warriors), Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors), Lee Jones (Glasgow Warriors), Blair Kinghorn (Edinburgh Rugby), Greig Laidlaw (ASM Clermont Auvergne), Sean Maitland (Saracens), Byron McGuigan (Sale Sharks), Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors), Henry Pyrgos (Glasgow Warriors), Finn Russell (Glasgow Warriors), Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors), Duncan Taylor (Saracens), Nathan Fowles (Edinburgh Rugby)

Forwards: John Barclay (Scarlets), Simon Berghan (Edinburgh Rugby), Jamie Bhatti (Glasgow Warriors), Magnus Bradbury (Edinburgh Rugby), David Denton (Worcester Warriors), Cornell Du Preez (Edinburgh Rugby), Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh Rugby), Jonny Gray (Glasgow Warriors), Richie Gray (Toulouse), Luke Hamilton (Leicester Tigers), Rob Harley (Glasgow Warriors), Scott Lawson (Newcastle Falcons), Murray McCallum (Edinburgh Rugby), Stuart McInally (Edinburgh Rugby), Gordon Reid (London Irish), D'arcy Rae (Glasgow Warriors), Ben Toolis (Edinburgh Rugby), George Turner (Glasgow Warriors), Hamish Watson (Edinburgh Rugby), Jon Welsh (Newcastle Falcons), Ryan Wilson (Glasgow Warriors)

Wales squad:

Forwards: Rob Evans (Scarlets), Wyn Jones (Scarlets), Nicky Smith (Ospreys), Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Elliot Dee (Dragons), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Dillon Lewis (Cardiff Blues), Adam Beard (Ospreys), Bradley Davies (Ospreys), Seb Davies (Cardiff Blues), Cory Hill (Dragons), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys, capt), James Davies (Scarlets), Taulupe Faletau (Bath), Ellis Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Ross Moriarty (Gloucester), Josh Navidi (Cardiff Blues), Aaron Shingler (Scarlets), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys).

Backs: Aled Davies (Scarlets), Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Rhys Patchell (Scarlets), Rhys Priestland (Bath), Hadleigh Parkes (Scarlets), Owen Watkin (Ospreys), Owen Williams (Gloucester), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Josh Adams (Worcester Warriors), Hallam Amos (Dragons), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), Steff Evans (Scarlets), Leigh Halfpenny (Scarlets), George North (Northampton Saints), Liam Williams (Saracens).


France squad:

Forwards: Eddy Ben Arous, Yacouba Camara, Camille Chat, Paul Gabrillaugues, Cedate Gomes Sa, Kevin Gourdon, Guilhem Guirado, Arthur Iturria, Anthony Jelonch, Felix Lambey, Wenceslas Lauret, Sekou Macalou, Jefferson Poirot, Dany Priso, Rabah Slimani, Marco Tauleigne, Christopher Tolofua, Sebastien Vahaamahina

Backs: Mathieu Bastareaud, Anthony Belleau, Henry Chavancy, Geoffrey Doumayrou, Brice Dulin, Antoine Dupont, Benjamin Fall, Matthieu Jalabert, Remi Lamerat, Maxime Machenaud, Geoffrey Palis, Morgan Parra, Teddy Thomas, Virimi Vakatawa

Ireland squad:

Forwards: Rory Best, Jack Conan, Sean Cronin, Ultan Dillane, Tadhg Furlong, Cian Healy, Iain Henderson, Rob Herring, Dave Kilcoyne, Dan Leavy, Jack McGrath, Jordi Murphy, Peter O'Mahony, Andrew Porter, Quinn Roux, James Ryan, John Ryan, CJ Stander, Devin Toner, Josh van der Flier

Backs: Bundee Aki, Joey Carbery, Andrew Conway, Keith Earls, Chris Farrell, Robbie Henshaw, Rob Kearney, Ian Keatley, Jordan Larmour, Kieran Marmion, Fergus McFadden, Luke McGrath, Conor Murray, Johnny Sexton, Rory Scannell, Jacob Stockdale


England squad:

Backs: Mike Brown (Harlequins), Nathan Earle (Saracens), Harry Mallinder (Northampton), Jonny May (Leicester Tigers), Denny Solomona (Sale Sharks), Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby), Danny Care (Harlequins), Owen Farrell (Saracens), George Ford (Leicester), Jonathan Joseph (Bath), Alex Lozowski (Saracens),Jack Nowell (Exeter), Henry Slade (Exeter), Ben Te'o (Worcester) Marcus Smith (Harlequins) **, Ben Youngs (Leicester)

Forwards: Gary Graham (Newcastle), Nick Isiekwe (Saracens), Maro Itoje (Saracens), George Kruis (Saracens), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints), Joe Launchbury (Wasps)Zach Mercer (Bath), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins), Sam Simmonds (Exeter), Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby), Lewis Boyce (Harlequins), Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), Tom Dunn (Bath), Jamie George (Saracens), Dylan Hartley (Northampton), Alec Hepburn (Exeter Chiefs), Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins), Mako Vunipola (Saracens), Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs)



Italy Squad
Backs (13)
Tommaso Allan (Benetton Rugby, 33 caps)
Carlo Canna (Zebre Rugby Club, 25 caps)
Tommaso Castello (Zebre Rugby Club, 5 caps)
Mattia Bellini (Zebre Rugby Club, 8 caps)
Tommaso Benvenuti (Benetton Rugby, 45 caps)
Giulio Bisegni (Zebre Rugby Club, 7 caps)
Tommaso Boni (Zebre Rugby Club, 8 caps)
Edoardo Gori (Benetton Rugby, 65 caps)
Jayden Hayward (Benetton Rugby, 3 caps)
Ian McKinley (Benetton Rugby, 3 caps)
Matteo Minozzi (Zebre Rugby Club, 3 caps)
Edoardo Padovani (Zebre Rugby Club, 14 caps
Marcello Violi (Zebre Rugby Club, 8 caps)






Forwards (18)
George Biagi (Zebre Rugby Club, 19 caps)
Luca Bigi (Benetton Rugby, 6 caps)
Dean Budd (Benetton Rugby, 6 caps)
Oliviero Fabiani (Zebre Rugby Club, 4 caps)
Simone Ferrari (Benetton Rugby, 8 caps)
Leonardo Ghiraldini (Stade Toulousain, 89 caps)
Renato Giammarioli (Zebre Rugby Club, 1 cap)
Giovanni Licata (Fiamme Oro Rugby, 3 caps)
Andrea Lovotti (Zebre Rugby Club, 20 caps)
Maxime Mata Mbanda’ (Zebre Rugby Club, 11 caps)
Sebastian Negri Da Oleggio (Benetton Rugby, 2 caps)
Sergio Parisse (Stade Francais, 129 caps) – captain
Tiziano Pasquali (Benetton Rugby, 2 caps)
Nicola Quaglio (Benetton Rugby, 2 caps)
Marco Riccioni (Benetton Rugby, uncapped)
Federico Ruzza (Benetton Rugby, 3 caps)
Abraham Steyn (Benetton Rugby, 17 caps)
Alessandro Zanni (Benetton Rugby, 99 caps)

Posted by: T Boy 3rd February 2018, 03:42 PM

Loving the start Wales have made here. Such an exciting game!

Posted by: Oliver 3rd February 2018, 06:46 PM

Ooooooooft luck of the Irish!!!! . What an end to that match!

Posted by: Mack. 4th February 2018, 05:48 PM

An very solid performance from England against Italy although I do feel Wales will fancy their chances against England.

Posted by: Mack. 5th February 2018, 10:55 PM

England's Ben Youngs has been ruled out for season with knee injury.

Posted by: Mack. 10th February 2018, 08:44 PM

An disallowed try was probably the difference in today's match between England and Wales. A very tight match that was.

Posted by: Mack. 26th February 2018, 12:53 PM

Former Ireland captain Jamie Heaslip has ended his playing career at the age of 34 on medical advice in order to ensure his "future well being".

The number eight won 95 caps and played for Leinster and the British & Irish Lions, but has been unable to recover from a back injury suffered last year.

Posted by: Mack. 1st March 2018, 12:55 PM

Posted by: Mack. 12th March 2018, 03:23 PM

Seems Ireland will be replacing England as No2 team in the world when the latest rankings appear on Monday.

Posted by: Mack. 27th March 2018, 09:39 PM

Leicester’s Nick Malouf has been banned for three weeks after the head-high tackle on Christian Wade in the latest Premiership game.

Posted by: Mack. 5th April 2018, 10:43 PM

Amazed that in this day that a rugby player in Israel Folau who plays for Australia has the view that gay people would end up in hell. No apology from him. I hope he never plays for them again.

Posted by: Mack. 7th April 2018, 12:25 AM

A last gasp try from Yarde as Sale beat Wasps 28-27 to keep their Premiership play-off hopes alive.

Posted by: Mack. 30th April 2018, 04:07 PM

Ex-Castleford Tigers full-back Zak Hardaker has been banned for 14 months after testing positive for cocaine before last season's Super League Grand Final.

Posted by: Mack. 1st May 2018, 06:14 PM

Newcastle Falcons director of rugby Dean Richards has signed a new three-year deal after securing a first ever Premiership play-off finish.

Posted by: Mack. 11th May 2018, 10:43 PM

Cardiff Blues have beaten Gloucester in the European Challenge Cup final in Bilbao from being 20-6 down to win 31-30 with a last minute penalty.

Posted by: Mack. 17th May 2018, 10:48 AM

Russia have qualified for the World Cup next year after Belgium, Spain and Romania have been sanctioned for fielding ineligible players.

Posted by: PeteFromLeeds 22nd July 2018, 03:00 PM

After Sam Warburton's retirement last week due to a ludicrous number of injuries throughout his career, world rugby bosses have revealed that cutting down contact in training may have to be the way forwards.

Posted by: Mack. 2nd August 2018, 07:22 PM

Chris Ashton has been named in the England squad for the first time since 2016 ahead of autumn internationals against South Africa, New Zealand, next year's World Cup hosts Japan and Australia.

Here is the full squad:

Backs: Chris Ashton (Sale Sharks), Mike Brown (Harlequins), Danny Cipriani (Gloucester Rugby), Joe Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby), Elliot Daly (Wasps), Nathan Earle (Harlequins), Owen Farrell (Saracens), George Ford (Leicester Tigers), Piers Francis (Northampton Saints), Gabriel Ibitoye (Harlequins), Alex Lozowski (Saracens), Joe Marchant (Harlequins), Jonny May (Leicester Tigers), Jordan Olowofela (Leicester Tigers), Dan Robson (Wasps), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Ben Spencer (Saracens), Ben Te'o (Worcester Warriors), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)

Forwards: Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs), Tom Curry (Sale Sharks), Jamie George (Saracens), Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints), James Haskell (Northampton Saints), Alec Hepburn (Exeter Chiefs), Paul Hill (Northampton Saints), Nathan Hughes (Wasps), Nick Isiekwe (Saracens), Maro Itoje (Saracens), Joel Kpoku (Saracens), Joe Launchbury (Wasps), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Michael Rhodes (Saracens), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins), Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs), Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins), Jack Singleton (Worcester Warriors), Will Spencer (Leicester Tigers), Elliott Stooke (Bath Rugby), Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby), Mako Vunipola (Saracens), Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs), Mark Wilson (Newcastle Falcons)

Posted by: Mack. 14th August 2018, 01:01 PM

Edinburgh and Scotland prop Alasdair Dickinson has ended his playing career to take up a coaching position with the Scottish Rugby Academy.

The loosehead, 34, won the last of his 58 Scotland caps in Japan in 2016.

After hamstring and shoulder injuries, he returned from a broken foot in March 2017 but lasted only 49 minutes.

Posted by: Mack. 16th August 2018, 09:44 AM

England rugby international Danny Cipriani has been charged with common assault after an incident at a Jersey nightclub.

Posted by: Mack. 22nd August 2018, 12:46 PM

England captain Dylan Hartley is fit to return for club side Northampton Saints after five months out with concussion.

He is in the side to face Glasgow in a pre-season friendly at Franklin's Gardens on Friday.

Posted by: Mack. 23rd August 2018, 09:09 AM

Danny Cipriani will not be facing punishment from the RFU following last week's incident at a Jersey nightclub.

Posted by: Mack. 26th August 2018, 09:08 AM

In rugby league

Catalans Dragons have become the first non English side to win the Challenge Cup by beating Warrington Wolves 20-14.

Posted by: Mack. 4th September 2018, 11:44 AM

Leicester Tigers sacked their coach after one game!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/45402800

I know they were hammered by Exeter but that does seems very drastic..

Posted by: Mack. 18th September 2018, 03:45 PM

England rugby league international Sam Burgess says he is "happy for the truth to be found" following newspaper reports alleging his social media account was used to send lewd pictures to a woman in May.

Posted by: Mack. 19th September 2018, 02:42 PM

Leicester second row Will Spencer has been banned for four weeks after being sent off for a dangerous tackle in Sunday's Premiership match with Wasps.

Posted by: Mack. 20th September 2018, 11:12 AM

International Rankings

1. New Zealand
2. Ireland
3. Wales
4. England
5. South Africa
6. Scotland
7. Australia
8. France
9. Argentina
10. Fiji
11. Japan
12. Tonga
13. Georgia
14. Italy
15. USA
16. Samoa
17. Romania
18. Uruguay
19. Russia
20. Spain

Posted by: Mack. 26th September 2018, 10:22 PM

England prop Joe Market has announced his retirement from international rugby.

Posted by: Mack. 27th September 2018, 10:13 AM

I assume all Wales' autumn games are live on BBC as well as Scotland's. With Ireland autumn matches now on Channel 4 plenty of live FTA rugby during November.

Posted by: HannibalLetcher 9th October 2018, 02:16 PM

Wales back row Taulupe Faletau will miss the autumn internationals after breaking his arm.

Posted by: HannibalLetcher 16th October 2018, 10:37 PM

Harlequins flanker Chris Robshaw has been ruled out of the autumn internationals with a knee problem.

Posted by: HannibalLetcher 18th October 2018, 07:09 AM

England number eight Nathan Hughes will miss the first three autumn internationals after being banned for six weeks for punching.

Posted by: HannibalLetcher 18th October 2018, 06:49 PM

Example of a Rugby penalty shootout between Cardiff v Leicester in 2009:

Posted by: HannibalLetcher 19th October 2018, 05:33 PM

Bath are demanding a rematch of last Saturday's Toulouse match due to "grossly negligent" officiating.

Posted by: HannibalLetcher 23rd October 2018, 01:26 PM

The next three English domestic rugby union seasons will include in-season breaks, with players limited to a maximum of 35 matches per campaign.

The measures, beginning 2019-20, are designed to protect players during a demanding schedule that includes the 2019 World Cup and 2021 British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa.

However, the domestic season has been extended, with 2019-20 starting on 21 September and ending on 20 June, while a "mandatory five-week post-season rest" period has also been brought in.

The key announcements include:

• Guaranteed in-season breaks for players in each of the three seasons
• Mandatory five-week post-season rest for all players, which includes two weeks' absolute rest and three weeks' active rest
• Minimum 10 weeks off/pre-season for players in the England Senior Elite Player Squad.
• Minimum 12 weeks between the Premiership final and round one of the following league season
• Maximum 35 match involvements (more than 20 minutes) in any one season for all players
• Maximum 30 full game equivalents (reduced from 32) in any one season for all players
• England players to have a mandatory rest week if playing all international matches and more than 65% of total minutes (reduced from 80%)

Posted by: HannibalLetcher 23rd October 2018, 01:28 PM

International Rankings

1. New Zealand
2. Ireland
3. Wales
4. England
5. South Africa
6. Scotland
7. Australia
8. France
9. Argentina
10. Fiji
11. Japan
12. Tonga
13. Georgia
14. Italy
15. USA
16. Samoa
17. Romania
18. Uruguay
19. Russia
20. Spain

Posted by: Mack'sXmasSack 1st November 2018, 03:51 PM

England v South Africa- who do you think will win?

Posted by: Mack. 13th November 2018, 12:58 PM

George Kruis will miss England's remaining autumn Tests against Japan and Australia with a calf injury.

Posted by: Mack. 17th November 2018, 11:17 PM

Ireland beat New Zealand 16-9 to beat them for the first time in home soil, second win ever against them after winning in Chicago in 2016.

Posted by: Mack. 17th November 2018, 11:33 PM

It was a fantastic effort from everyone in a green shirt. Don’t often see NZ making so many errors due to the pressure they were under. Great stuff Ireland.

Posted by: Mack. 19th November 2018, 02:45 PM

South Africa captain Siya Kolisi has escaped a ban despite being found guilty of "striking with the head" during Saturday's win over Scotland.

Posted by: Mack. 20th November 2018, 12:08 PM

International Rankings [November 2018]

1. New Zealand
2. Ireland
3. Wales
4. England
5. South Africa
6. Australia
7. Scotlanad
8. France
9. Argentina
10. Fiji
11. Japan
12. Tonga
13. USA
14. Italy
15. Georgia
16. Samoa
17. Romania
18. Uruguay
19. Russia
20. Spain

Posted by: Mack. 22nd November 2018, 12:08 PM

England XV to face Australia in Saturday's international:

15. Daly 14. Cokanasiga 13. Slade 12. Te'o 11. May 10. Farrell 9. Youngs 1. Moon 2. George 3. Sinckler 4. Itoje 5. Lawes 6. Shields 7. Underhill 8. Wilson

Posted by: Mack. 24th November 2018, 11:02 PM

Fiji have got that historic 21-14 win over France by beating them for the first time.

Posted by: Mack. 30th November 2018, 05:01 PM

Barcelona's Nou Camp will host rugby league for the first time next year, with Catalans Dragons facing Super League champions Wigan on 18 May.

Posted by: Voltage501 31st December 2018, 08:28 PM

Sale Sharks director of rugby Steve Diamond could be investigated by the Rugby Football Union following a confrontation with a journalist.