jimKRFC wrote: ↑Wed May 17, 2023 8:13 am
Andrew Turner on the bench again for the Crusaders against Moana Pacifika.
Impressive. Is he someone to look out for when he comes back, do we think?
Puja
He was on loan at Dings (National League 2 West) last season, so didn't see him play - but it would seem that he's developing fast going from there to Super Rugby and (apparently) fitting into the Crusaders Squad. I would hope that he can break into the match day squad on his return.
At loosehead he has Genge, Y Thomas, Woolmore & Aristot Benz-Solomon (ABS) ahead of him. Hopefully he and ABS can dislodge Yann (old but solid) and Woolmore (average prem quality) as the back ups to Genge. Perhaps having Yann as the solid back up to start when Genge is out with ABS and Turner on the bench most weeks.
jimKRFC wrote: ↑Wed May 17, 2023 8:13 am
Andrew Turner on the bench again for the Crusaders against Moana Pacifika.
Impressive. Is he someone to look out for when he comes back, do we think?
Puja
Came on at 55 minutes it seems - not sure how he got on though. Tried to find a Crusaders forum to look at but guess they're asleep over there!
In the highlights of the Blues game there are a couple scrums and he looked to have got the edge on the Blues tighthead.
The front row prospects of Turner/Aristot BS - Oghre/Capon (still only 23) - Kloska/Jono BS is actually quite exciting as young front rows go!
Tom Willis is at 8 and Gabriel Oghre 16 for Bordeaux/Bègles in tomorrow evening's Top14 play off away to Lyon, and the winner will play La Rochelle in next Saturday's second semifinal in Real Sociedad's stadium in Saint Sébastian.
In the other play off this afternoon, Racing beat Stade Français 33-20 and will play Toulouse in the first semifinal on Friday 9th, also in Saint Sébastian.
It's the first Top14 semi final this evening. Touloiuse play Racing in Real Sociedad's stadium in Saint Sébastian.
Jack Willis will wear 6 for Toulouse and Finn Russell at 10 for Racing.
Bordeaux/Bègles will play La Rochelle tomorrow evening in the other semi final.
francoisfou wrote: ↑Fri Jun 09, 2023 10:22 am
It's the first Top14 semi final this evening. Touloiuse play Racing in Real Sociedad's stadium in Saint Sébastian.
Jack Willis will wear 6 for Toulouse and Finn Russell at 10 for Racing.
Bordeaux/Bègles will play La Rochelle tomorrow evening in the other semi final.
In tomorrow's semi final (ko 4pm UK time), Tom Willis plays at 8 and Gabriel Oghre is the replacement hooker for Bordeaux/Bègles.
Jack Willis had a cracking Top14 final yesterday evening in Paris, which Toulouse won at the death with a piece of individual brilliance from Romain Ntamack. Wonder if Stevie Blunder was watching Willis secure a place in England’s first choice back row. Wouldn’t it be good to see both Jack and Tom wearing white?!
francoisfou wrote: ↑Sun Jun 18, 2023 12:56 pm
Jack Willis had a cracking Top14 final yesterday evening in Paris, which Toulouse won at the death with a piece of individual brilliance from Romain Ntamack. Wonder if Stevie Blunder was watching Willis secure a place in England’s first choice back row. Wouldn’t it be good to see both Jack and Tom wearing white?!
It wouldn't. We need to ensure the rule stays in place. He might be good, but Jack needs to be excluded from England duty until he returns now.
francoisfou wrote: ↑Sun Jun 18, 2023 12:56 pm
Jack Willis had a cracking Top14 final yesterday evening in Paris, which Toulouse won at the death with a piece of individual brilliance from Romain Ntamack. Wonder if Stevie Blunder was watching Willis secure a place in England’s first choice back row. Wouldn’t it be good to see both Jack and Tom wearing white?!
It wouldn't. We need to ensure the rule stays in place. He might be good, but Jack needs to be excluded from England duty until he returns now.
The exception runs until the end of the world cup so he's available until then. After that I completely agree, if you chose to play overseas then you make yourself unavailable. Harsh on Jack Willis, a little bit but the RFU need to protect English professional rugby.
francoisfou wrote: ↑Sun Jun 18, 2023 12:56 pm
Jack Willis had a cracking Top14 final yesterday evening in Paris, which Toulouse won at the death with a piece of individual brilliance from Romain Ntamack. Wonder if Stevie Blunder was watching Willis secure a place in England’s first choice back row. Wouldn’t it be good to see both Jack and Tom wearing white?!
It wouldn't. We need to ensure the rule stays in place. He might be good, but Jack needs to be excluded from England duty until he returns now.
Although he’s signed a two-year contract with Toulouse, I’d be surprised and disappointed if he’s not picked for the World Cup. If he’s excluded after that, then so be it.
francoisfou wrote: ↑Fri Jun 23, 2023 9:37 am
Hayden Thompson-Stringer, formerly of Saracens, Bedford (where he converted to front row), Brive and more recently, La Rochelle, has signed for Pau.
Other recent recruits for Pau include Jo Simmonds and legendary NZ 2nd row Sam Whitelock.
francoisfou wrote: ↑Fri Jun 23, 2023 9:37 am
Hayden Thompson-Stringer, formerly of Saracens, Bedford (where he converted to front row), Brive and more recently, La Rochelle, has signed for Pau.
Other recent recruits for Pau include Jo Simmonds and legendary NZ 2nd row Sam Whitelock.
FTFY
Oh merde! How could I have omitted the Goldington Road finishing school?