A 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.

What did people make of the news around Dan Carter's failed drugs test?a

It's a massive surprise.

Munster's head coach Anthony Foley who won 62 caps for Ireland has passed away suddenly aged 42.

 

He captained Munster to win the European Cup in 2006.

 

RIP Anthony Foley.

Ireland have beaten New Zealand for the first time after 111 years of trying and beat them 40-29.

Wales captain Sam Warburton could be stepping down as captain:

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/38583200

Anyone at all watching the Six Nations?

Anyone at all watching the Six Nations?

 

Yes I am, it is still wide open between England, Wales, France, Ireland and Scotland as to who will win the Six Nations, and I will put them in that order at the minute from most likely to least likely of the 5 that can still win it. An unlikely champion of someone outside England and Wales (and it must be very likely one of those two will win) would be great though. A late Italy revival in performance with them winning a match or two would be good too.

Edited February 13, 20178 yr by The Wise Sultan

It's about time that maybe another country should play in the Six Nations apart from Italy, introduce a thing where if you are bottom of the table for 4 years in a row then you should be relegated.

 

 

What were those tactics from Italy in the first half in their match against England?

From 2018, the Championship promotion play-off will be axed by the RFU it will be the champions of the Championship automatically being promoted to the Premiership.

 

The squad for the British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand

 

Forwards: Rory Best (Ireland), Dan Cole (England), Taulupe Faletau (Wales), Tadhg Furlong (Ireland), Jamie George (England), Iain Henderson (Ireland), Maro Itoje (England), Alun Wyn Jones (Wales), George Kruis (England), Courtney Lawes (England), Joe Marler (England), Jack McGrath (Ireland), Ross Moriarty (Wales), Sean O'Brien (Ireland), Peter O'Mahony (Ireland), Ken Owens (Wales), Kyle Sinckler (England), CJ Stander (Ireland), Justin Tipuric (Wales), Billy Vunipola (England), Mako Vunipola (England), Sam Warburton (Wales)

 

Backs: Dan Biggar (Wales), Elliot Daly (England), Jonathan Davies (Wales), Owen Farrell (England), Leigh Halfpenny (Wales), Robbie Henshaw (Ireland), Stuart Hogg (Scotland), Jonathan Joseph (England), Conor Murray (Ireland), George North (Wales), Jack Nowell (England), Jared Payne (Ireland), Jonathan Sexton (Ireland), Tommy Seymour (Scotland), Ben Te'o (England), Anthony Watson (England), Rhys Webb (Wales), Liam Williams (Wales), Ben Youngs (England)

 

 

The draw has been made for the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan:

 

Pool A: Ireland, Scotland, Japan, Europe 1, play-off winner (Europe 2 v Oceania 3)

Pool B: New Zealand, South Africa, Italy, Africa 1, repechage winner

Pool C: England, France, Argentina, Americas 1, Oceania 2

Pool D: Australia, Wales, Georgia, Oceania 1, Americas 2

 

 

What do you make of the draw. There are quite a few matches I'm looking forward to when it comes.

 

 

 

Saracens are European champions again after beating Clermont in the European Champions Cup.

 

 

Fair play to them, seen it was shown on sky one

Sam Warburton has declared himself fit for the Lions tour in New Zealand which takes place next month.

 

 

Will anyone be watching the British and Irish Lions Tour in New Zealand this upcoming month?

European cup draw for next season.

 

Tough groups for some of the English clubs

 

Pool 1: Wasps, La Rochelle, Ulster Rugby, Harlequins

Pool 2: ASM Clermont Auvergne, Saracens, Ospreys, Northampton Saints

Pool 3: Exeter Chiefs, Leinster Rugby, Montpellier, Glasgow Warriors

Pool 4: Munster Rugby, Racing 92, Leicester Tigers, Castres Olympique

Pool 5: Scarlets, Toulon, Bath Rugby, Benetton Treviso

The Lions have lost again in their tour to the Highlanders by 25-24. Not looking good ahead of their matches against New Zealand.

 

 

Owen Farrell has been ruled out of the match against Maori All Blacks due to an injury.

 

No news on what the injury is.