Off Topic Rugby 2020

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sb_73

sb_73

Well-Known Member
Aug 18, 2012
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Warwickshire
Nearly Six Nations time, looking forward to it after a very good World Cup and some big coaching changes and a few legend players retiring.

Meanwhile Saracens have been relegated for over paying and hiding it. Fair enough but this just about destroys the remainder of the premiership season, with only one team being relegated. Apart from the small number of teams competing at the top, lots of dead matches remain. Don’t think this has been thought through properly, will be interesting to see what happens to attendances where nothing is at stake. Given the huge number of internationals being paid by Saracens must be some questions about how many will stay, and if they do stay whether they will be picked for internationals.
 
sb_73 said:
Nearly Six Nations time, looking forward to it after a very good World Cup and some big coaching changes and a few legend players retiring.

Meanwhile Saracens have been relegated for over paying and hiding it. Fair enough but this just about destroys the remainder of the premiership season, with only one team being relegated. Apart from the small number of teams competing at the top, lots of dead matches remain. Don’t think this has been thought through properly, will be interesting to see what happens to attendances where nothing is at stake. Given the huge number of internationals being paid by Saracens must be some questions about how many will stay, and if they do stay whether they will be picked for internationals.
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The problem is Saracens couldn't unload many of their higher paid players as other Premiership teams were already on the limit of their salary cap, as a result they have nowhere to go to without taking a huge dip in pay. I believe they were offered a concession to give up the titles they won in the period they exceeded the salary cap but refused so it's a forgone conclusion. This will ultimately impact on the national team as a 2nd tier Saracens won't be getting anywhere near the high-level rugby needed for the England stars to keep their levels at a peak. Expect some big team changes at the end of the season...
 
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The ranks of rugby closing in, the stock phrase being ‘they made mistakes’ rather than ‘they cheated’ about Saracens. By accepting the relegation Saracens don’t have to open their books for inspection, and the RFU has refused to publish the full report into the fiasco. More to come.

Meanwhile Wasps business model in shreds as the move to Coventry hasn’t worked out.
 
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Sooperhoop said:
The problem is Saracens couldn't unload many of their higher paid players as other Premiership teams were already on the limit of their salary cap, as a result they have nowhere to go to without taking a huge dip in pay. I believe they were offered a concession to give up the titles they won in the period they exceeded the salary cap but refused so it's a forgone conclusion. This will ultimately impact on the national team as a 2nd tier Saracens won't be getting anywhere near the high-level rugby needed for the England stars to keep their levels at a peak. Expect some big team changes at the end of the season...
Click to expand...
Maybe they should be made hand back the Champions Cup they won last year?

As for the 6 nations, I can't see anybody beating England.

A group of 8 of us heading over to Paris for the France v Ireland game in March. Looking forward to it.
 
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finglasqpr said:
Maybe they should be made hand back the Champions Cup they won last year?

As for the 6 nations, I can't see anybody beating England.

A group of 8 of us heading over to Paris for the France v Ireland game in March. Looking forward to it.
Click to expand...

Everything they've won in the past few years is tainted by cheating, meanwhile clubs like London Welsh went under trying to compete fairly with them...

Sounds like a fun weekend there, enjoy...
 
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I would guess that a number of the Saracens players will end up plying their trade in France in the Super 14 and England will relax it's rules that overseas players can not play for the National side...…..

France could be the surprise package this year...….about time to as they've seriously under performed for years......
 
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Wales have the 1st round bye this year, 3 penalties as Italy under the cosh early on. I'll be surprised if it's less than a 30 point win...
 
Sam Johnson, Scottish centre, just had the chance of a great break from an interception. He is clearly only marginally fitter than me, he gave up after about 10 yards, having demonstrated his top speed as being equivalent to that of a three legged tortoise. I know the Scots have a pretty shallow talent pool, but that was pathetic. My wife was shouting ‘who’s that lard arse?’ at the telly.

Exciting, mistake driven game. Scots have had plenty of chances but I’ll be surprised if they win.
 
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Big mistake by hogg dropped ball over the line when touching down under no pressure.....
Currently 16 - 9 Ireland
 
French kids playing with a lot of freedom, and I don’t believe England’s no show in the World Cup final has no psychological implications. Very interesting.
 
Would be good if England ****ed this up early to keep Perry and Archie out the pubs when there’s also football on.

Good luck though to anyone watching.
 
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Unless there is some kind of massive turnaround there will be the usual post mortem after this, which should have happened in more depth after the World Cup final. Crap conditions in Paris, but it’s the same for both teams. England attacking now but can’t get a point on the board.
 
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