CWC1983

1 hour ago, Comrade 86 said:

Was just thinking the same myself. I'm tempted to ask why we don't play like this more often, but I'm going to get incredubly drunk with the lads instead. Thank you Engalnd. It's lovely to have you back! 

When we were 11 points up I stuck £5 on Italy at 10/1. 

Softened the blow a bit. 

Enjoy, there's nothing quite like your country winning in the 6 nations as underdogs, 👍

England Italy double would have been a good price. 

They fronted up brilliantly and deserved that win. 

Well played Italy, that result has been coming for them for 2 years. 

41 minutes ago, Comrade 86 said:

Jamie Heaslip just can't STFU can he? All feckin week he's been going on. We're like the Carter / McCaw All Black sides, we fear nobody, we'd have to go down to 14 or 13 men for England to win. If I was Andy Farrell I'd be having a word as even fairly even handed fellows like Ruaridh Jackson are calling him out as an arrogant t*** and the Rugby pages are awash with Irish fans trash-talking other teams and their fans. I very much doubt we'll win tomorrow to be honest, but I'd imagine Borthwick won't need to give much of a team talk to have the lads a deal more fired up than they might have been. 

Its their moment in the sun at the moment.

The WC still stings since they will never have a better chance to make a semi final.....😄

It's been a while since the backs have had to play going backwards, let's see how they get on if you can put some forward pressure on them. I think you could win the  scrum to get penalties and put scoreboard pressure on them. 

23 hours ago, Comrade 86 said:

After the second break it's back to business this weekend. Have to say I'm looking forward to the games, but with some trepidation given our next opponents. The squad is as below:

England: Furbank; Feyi-Waboso, Slade, Lawrence, Freeman; Ford, Mitchell; Genge, George (capt), Cole, Itoje, Martin, Chessum, Underhill, Earl.

Replacements: Dan, Marler, Stuart, Cunningham-South, Dombrandt, Care, M Smith, Daly.

Now perhaps I'm being overly critical, but at what point do we commit to the rebuild. Think how ruthless Fabien Galthié was; old and underperforming? Off you go son and thanks for your service type ruthless. So when I look at the above and the number of players who have zero chance of making the next RWC, it annoys me. Quite a lot actually. I could understand it at the last tourny as a RWC is absolutely not the time to be experimenting, but with our 6N campaign effectively curtailed by the loss to the Scots, why on earth are we not using these games to blood more than just Freeman and Feyi-Waboso? This is the perfect opportunity for the next generation to experience test match rugby against a top side. Also, what on earth has Freddie Steward done to be dropped, not only from the starting 15, but from the squad too? Has Borth forgotten his performances at the world cup? Argh. Frustrating.

Ireland by 20. Come on England, make a nonsense of my appraisal, pretty please! 

The Steward one is weird, isn't it?  

Slade and Lawrence had shockers against us, can't be as bad again tomorrow. 

Lawrence must be in to take on Ake. 

It will be some of the players Twickenham swansong, can't imagine Care, Marler, Cole pulling on the white shirt there again. 

I also wonder if Itoje might take a break at some point. 

If you could manage a low scoring draw I'd be a happy man, assuming we beat the Italians in the afternoon. 

Italy will fancy it tomorrow and we've never given them a doing over there. It will be a lot closer than some are thinking. 

We got out of jail last season against them, for me it's a 60/40 game in favour of Scotland. 

Good win from a very scrappy game. 

Thank god that boy that scored England's 2nd try didn't start, he looks a player. 

I have to say I thought Borthwick and George's interviews after the game were excellent. The question from Sonja to Borthwick about fans waiting for results was uncalled for and daft. 

It might have been me, but Russell seemed to charm the ref more than George did. Shouldn't matter, but it does. 

For the 1st time in my life I'll be cheering on England v a Celtic nation in a couple of weeks.....😅

10 minutes ago, Stive Pesley said:

You been trying to raise funds?

https://metro.co.uk/2024/02/20/kilt-wearing-pervert-shoves-antiques-bum-texas-20316860/

 Not got to those depths quite yet. 

6 minutes ago, Van der MoodHoover said:

Fair play mate. Personally I like Germany.

Hope you have a good tournament.

Cheers. I'd never set foot in Germany until last year for Eintracht Frankfurt v Aberdeen in the conference league.

Loved it, they have a great attitude to football, beer, socialising. 

The last tournament I did was France 98 when I was a young lad.  Its been a long time coming..... 😀

On 13/02/2024 at 21:47, Van der MoodHoover said:

Any of you lads going?

 

Dusseldorf 7 nights, Mannheim 5 nights. 

Booked flights 6 months ago and unfortunately flying out on the day of the opening game of the tournament, so missing out on a couple of days in Munich. 

No tickets yet. I might bite the bullet and pay over the odds for the Swiss game in Cologne via one one of the online agencies. 

Dusseldorf should be a good laugh, it sounds like loads of UK fans are using it as a base. 

32 minutes ago, Henrycav81 said:

Hasn’t Taylor had a bit of previous with a nightclub doorman before, not sure if it ended up in court I think it may have been some sort of sectarian comments. I know he’s a big Hibernian supporter 

Yeah, big Hibbee. 

Google Bradley Welsh. Film star, football hooligan, boxing gym owner, assassination......

Some of Taylors twitter posts during brexit and covid were unsavoury to say the least. 

11 hours ago, Alph said:

Before he retires? You think he'll get beat (again)? I fancy him to show up big time. 

Rumours up North that he's spending more time with certain murky acquaintances and enjoying the notoriety. I reckon the fire in his belly has gone out.

In other news, heres a headline from Jan 2nd in various news outlets in Scotland 

"Gangster who dated Euromillions winner Jane Park shot dead outside Edinburgh pub"

There's a video on social media of the gangster who got shot calling out other gangsters on New Year's Eve. Unreal... 

It looks from the outside that there's a turf war in Edinburgh / Glasgow and people are taking sides.

Taylor v Cattrrell 2 sounds like being set for Leeds Arena April 27th. 

Depending on ticket prices I might pop up to see Josh fight before he retires. 

It can't be as bad as the 1st fight. 

Great to be part of a tournament again. 

2 weeks in the sun (hopefully) and loads of German beer. 

Can't wait. 

8 hours ago, Comrade 86 said:

Strong start from Scotland. France conversely, seem to have spat the dummy without Ntamack and Dupont their to marshal them. Aldrit was huge in the first game but not many others showed up and they need to settle down and graft. You have to build pressure in this game, before you get to throw the ball wide.

I'll hold my council until tomorrow to comment on the last play of the game....🤬

However we threw it away long before then

Great day in Cardiff, but I will say I was bricking it during those last 20 mins. 

Fair play to the Welsh public. A 6 nations day fair brings the good and great into the city centre.....

I arrived at 11am and there was a group of ladies dressed up for a Saturday night out coming out of the station. High heels, sparkly dresses and not a jacket in sight (even though it was peeing down 😅). 

Thoroughly recommend a day out when Wales are at home. 

20 minutes ago, Comrade 86 said:

Errr, did I mention how good the Irish are? 🙊

Honestly though, WTF is up with the French here. Zero discipline or defensive shape. Worrying for their fans.

Some team Ireland, eh? 

Hardly ever make basic errors, always clear out the ruck on their own ball and are always competitive in the breakdown. 

I honestly can't remember the last time they had a player yellow or red carded. 

They just do the simple stuff brilliantly.

Didn't agree with the decision Jonas v Mayer. 

Had to laugh at the scoucers reaction to GSTK however 🤣 

16 hours ago, Comrade 86 said:

I'd fancy your chances of seeing off Wales, even in their own backyard tbf, but sorry to hear about the trains. Are you based in Scotland - maybe a flight instead. Edinburgh to Cardiff is about £100 IIRC.

 

I'm not far from Loughborough and normally get the train straight through from Derby to Cardiff. 

I think Cardiff to Leicester is still running so can Uber it home from there. 

2002 was the last time we won in Cardiff.....surely due a win at some point. 

2 hours ago, Comrade 86 said:

England's Six Nations squad

Forwards: Ollie Chessum, Dan Cole, Alex Coles, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Chandler Cunningham-South, Ben Curry, Theo Dan, Alex Dombrandt, Ben Earl, Ellis Genge, Jamie George (capt), Joe Heyes, Nick Isiekwe, Maro Itoje, Joe Marler, Beno Obano, Tom Pearson, Ethan Roots, Will Stuart, Sam Underhill.

Backs: Oscar Beard, Danny Care, Elliot Daly, Fraser Dingwall, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, George Ford, Tommy Freeman, George Furbank, Ollie Lawrence, Alex Mitchell, Tom Roebuck, Henry Slade, Fin Smith, Marcus Smith, Ben Spencer, Freddie Steward.

Arundell, Willis, Marchant, Ribbans among others who are ineligible for England selection under residency rules, yet Welshman Immanuel Feyi-Waboso is fine as he wants to finish up University in England. Don't get me wrong, Immanuel is free to choose and I welcome a player of his outstanding ability, it's just restriction of trade enforced by the RFU that makes me want to scream.

On that subject, Arundell has extended to 2026 with Racing 92, so we can look forward to seeing him pulling on a French jersey not too long thereafter. You couldn't make it up!

 

Here we go again, good old 6 nations. 

It's shaping up to be a strange one though with all nations missing some stalwarts. 

Our back line looks frightening with so much strength that Chris Harris doesn't make the squad but it's possibly the forwards that give me concern. 

Possibly the weakest in a long time and makes the omission of Hamish Watson even stranger. 

I'm going to Cardiff in week 1 for our ritual capitulation, however I see aslef have called train strikes that weekend.....😡 and at the moment no trains are available. 

6 hours ago, Inverurie Ram said:

Aberdeenshire Rams catch up.

Anyone living / working in the Aberdeenshire area, that would like to watch the game with 3 other Rams fans, and maybe a few more, then come along to the Filthy McNasties pub in Aberdeen to cheer on the mighty Rams at 12 o’clock.

Fleetwood Town v Derby County

Sat 6th January 12:30 kick off.

Filthy McNasties Aberdeen.

37 Summer Street, Aberdeen, Scotland, AB10 1SB

https://www.mcnastys.co.uk/

See you there.

Up The Rams 🐏

 

Should be busy with the Tyne Wear derby on at the same time and no SPL games.

Plenty of TV screens to keep everyone happy. 

Have a Tennants for me 👍

I see AFC have a new Supporters experience manager. Familiar face 😁

Downloaded Early Doors on Iplayer to watch on my train tavels over Christmas. 

Don't know why I missed it when it came out but its brilliant. 

Craig Cash at his best. 

How you guys have let Shaun Edwards and Farrell slip through your net (for now) beggers belief. 

Do you reckon it's their choice or somehow their faces don't fit with the RFU? 

On 15/12/2023 at 07:42, TigerTedd said:

Does this show that the Scottish league is getting stronger, or that the other European leagues are really crap. Real Betis were unbeaten at home, even drawing with Real Madrid, and was it Frankfurt that just spanked Bayern Munich. Is it a case of after the Lord Mayors show, or are rangers and Aberdeen really better than Madrid and Bayern?

is football just a funny old game?

After the Lords mayor's show, without a doubt. 

Champions league level is a step too far, the Old firm should be targetting last 16 in Europa league. 

Hearts, Hibs  Aberdeen just want to qualify for League stages of Conference league. 

I think our (Aberdeen) revenue without Europe is circa £25m per season. 

The European run has given us £6m on top of that. It makes a fair difference. 

I hate to say this, but Rangers recently have sussed out the Europa League and have done well. 

3 hours ago, hintonsboots said:

Aberdeen 2-0 Eintracht Frankfurt

Kelle Roos holds another ball under pressure.🙄

What a game he's had.
 

 

It's been a weird Euro campaign. 

Should have beaten PAOK at home(var 🤬🤬) and Helsinki home and away.

The away performances have been good, 2 draws and a narrow defeat to Eintracht. 

All in all, our first European tour for years and we performed well. 

It doesn't half affect your league form though.....

8 hours ago, David said:

Scotland right? I admire your optimism 😂

Aye, making a holiday of the group stages. 

I'll fly in and out for the quarters and Semi's 😁😁