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Re: Brits abroad
Posted: Fri Nov 22, 2024 5:56 pm
by p/d
Banquo wrote: ↑Fri Nov 22, 2024 5:51 pm
francoisfou wrote: ↑Fri Nov 22, 2024 5:46 pm
Some Brits have been appointed captain in this weekend’s round of the Top14:
Dave Ribbans captains Toulon at home against Bayonne.
Jack Willis for Toulouse (for whom Romain Ntamack returns from injury) at home against Perpignan.
Billy Vunipola for Montpellier at home to Pau.
at their respective bests, not a bad trio for an England pack.
Though no doubt Sarcastic Bent would say in order...not physical enough, no good over the ball and lightweight...
…….and lacking in leadership skills
Re: Brits abroad
Posted: Fri Nov 22, 2024 5:57 pm
by Banquo
p/d wrote: ↑Fri Nov 22, 2024 5:56 pm
Banquo wrote: ↑Fri Nov 22, 2024 5:51 pm
francoisfou wrote: ↑Fri Nov 22, 2024 5:46 pm
Some Brits have been appointed captain in this weekend’s round of the Top14:
Dave Ribbans captains Toulon at home against Bayonne.
Jack Willis for Toulouse (for whom Romain Ntamack returns from injury) at home against Perpignan.
Billy Vunipola for Montpellier at home to Pau.
at their respective bests, not a bad trio for an England pack.
Though no doubt Sarcastic Bent would say in order...not physical enough, no good over the ball and lightweight...
…….and lacking in leadership skills
He may have a point in at least two cases there...which would be chucking stones in a glasshouse tbf
Re: Brits abroad
Posted: Fri Nov 22, 2024 6:38 pm
by francoisfou
Banquo wrote: ↑Fri Nov 22, 2024 5:51 pm
francoisfou wrote: ↑Fri Nov 22, 2024 5:46 pm
Some Brits have been appointed captain in this weekend’s round of the Top14:
Dave Ribbans captains Toulon at home against Bayonne.
Jack Willis for Toulouse (for whom Romain Ntamack returns from injury) at home against Perpignan.
Billy Vunipola for Montpellier at home to Pau.
at their respective bests, not a bad trio for an England pack.
Though no doubt Sarcastic Bent would say in order...not physical enough, no good over the ball and lightweight...
And I’d imagine, for Ribbans and Willis, SB’s a bit miserable that the French are bringing out the best of them.
Ribbans would be in my matchday 23 instead of Isiekwe. Imagine bringing on Ribbans for the last 20 minutes against the Boks - that could’ve made all the difference.
Re: Brits abroad
Posted: Sat Nov 23, 2024 7:29 am
by Mellsblue
We’re fecked if we’re pining for Ribbans.
Re: Brits abroad
Posted: Sat Nov 23, 2024 8:36 am
by Oakboy
Mellsblue wrote: ↑Sat Nov 23, 2024 7:29 am
We’re fecked if we’re pining for Ribbans.
Until, we have a HC prepared to risk and develop a young rough diamond like Exeter's Tuima, that's where we are at. Ewels getting another call-up to the squad spells it out. Itoje plus one of Chessum/Martin being injured at the same time would be somewhat interesting!!
Re: Brits abroad
Posted: Sat Nov 23, 2024 9:06 am
by Puja
Oakboy wrote: ↑Sat Nov 23, 2024 8:36 am
Mellsblue wrote: ↑Sat Nov 23, 2024 7:29 am
We’re fecked if we’re pining for Ribbans.
Until, we have a HC prepared to risk and develop a young rough diamond like Exeter's Tuima, that's where we are at. Ewels getting another call-up to the squad spells it out. Itoje plus one of Chessum/Martin being injured at the same time would be somewhat interesting!!
Tuima strikes me as something of a Peter Short situation - easy to pick in fantasy teams cause he's big and burly, but not actually international quality or likely to get there. Same with Bamber and Clark (although the latter I could still be convinced by).
While I don't want Ewels because of his red card idiocy, he has done well for Bath and is probably the form pick as 4th choice lock.
Puja
Re: Brits abroad
Posted: Sat Nov 23, 2024 9:13 am
by francoisfou
Mellsblue wrote: ↑Sat Nov 23, 2024 7:29 am
We’re fecked if we’re pining for Ribbans.
If he can do what it takes for Toulon, then why not for England, if the RFU change their selection qualification rule?
Re: Brits abroad
Posted: Sat Nov 23, 2024 9:22 am
by Oakboy
Puja wrote: ↑Sat Nov 23, 2024 9:06 am
Oakboy wrote: ↑Sat Nov 23, 2024 8:36 am
Mellsblue wrote: ↑Sat Nov 23, 2024 7:29 am
We’re fecked if we’re pining for Ribbans.
Until, we have a HC prepared to risk and develop a young rough diamond like Exeter's Tuima, that's where we are at. Ewels getting another call-up to the squad spells it out. Itoje plus one of Chessum/Martin being injured at the same time would be somewhat interesting!!
Tuima strikes me as something of a Peter Short situation - easy to pick in fantasy teams cause he's big and burly, but not actually international quality or likely to get there. Same with Bamber and Clark (although the latter I could still be convinced by).
While I don't want Ewels because of his red card idiocy, he has done well for Bath and is probably the form pick as 4th choice lock.
Puja
Jonny will be back soon. Problem solved!
Re: Brits abroad
Posted: Sat Nov 23, 2024 10:06 am
by Mikey Brown
francoisfou wrote: ↑Sat Nov 23, 2024 9:13 am
Mellsblue wrote: ↑Sat Nov 23, 2024 7:29 am
We’re fecked if we’re pining for Ribbans.
If he can do what it takes for Toulon, then why not for England, if the RFU change their selection qualification rule?
Same as Kieran Brookes.
Re: Brits abroad
Posted: Sat Nov 23, 2024 10:18 am
by Puja
francoisfou wrote: ↑Sat Nov 23, 2024 9:13 am
Mellsblue wrote: ↑Sat Nov 23, 2024 7:29 am
We’re fecked if we’re pining for Ribbans.
If he can do what it takes for Toulon, then why not for England, if the RFU change their selection qualification rule?
Because performing for a club full of superstars doesn't always mean you're a superstar.
Puja
Re: Brits abroad
Posted: Sat Nov 23, 2024 11:06 am
by Mellsblue
Oakboy wrote: ↑Sat Nov 23, 2024 9:22 am
Puja wrote: ↑Sat Nov 23, 2024 9:06 am
Oakboy wrote: ↑Sat Nov 23, 2024 8:36 am
Until, we have a HC prepared to risk and develop a young rough diamond like Exeter's Tuima, that's where we are at. Ewels getting another call-up to the squad spells it out. Itoje plus one of Chessum/Martin being injured at the same time would be somewhat interesting!!
Tuima strikes me as something of a Peter Short situation - easy to pick in fantasy teams cause he's big and burly, but not actually international quality or likely to get there. Same with Bamber and Clark (although the latter I could still be convinced by).
While I don't want Ewels because of his red card idiocy, he has done well for Bath and is probably the form pick as 4th choice lock.
Puja
Jonny will be back soon. Problem solved!
Wilko?!?!?
Re: Brits abroad
Posted: Sat Nov 23, 2024 11:18 am
by Oakboy
Mellsblue wrote: ↑Sat Nov 23, 2024 11:06 am
Oakboy wrote: ↑Sat Nov 23, 2024 9:22 am
Puja wrote: ↑Sat Nov 23, 2024 9:06 am
Tuima strikes me as something of a Peter Short situation - easy to pick in fantasy teams cause he's big and burly, but not actually international quality or likely to get there. Same with Bamber and Clark (although the latter I could still be convinced by).
While I don't want Ewels because of his red card idiocy, he has done well for Bath and is probably the form pick as 4th choice lock.
Puja
Jonny will be back soon. Problem solved!
Wilko?!?!?
Did he ever throttle spectators?
Re: Brits abroad
Posted: Sat Nov 23, 2024 11:19 am
by p/d
Mellsblue wrote: ↑Sat Nov 23, 2024 11:06 am
Oakboy wrote: ↑Sat Nov 23, 2024 9:22 am
Puja wrote: ↑Sat Nov 23, 2024 9:06 am
Tuima strikes me as something of a Peter Short situation - easy to pick in fantasy teams cause he's big and burly, but not actually international quality or likely to get there. Same with Bamber and Clark (although the latter I could still be convinced by).
While I don't want Ewels because of his red card idiocy, he has done well for Bath and is probably the form pick as 4th choice lock.
Puja
Done well for Bath is better than performing well in a club of superstars?
I would have thought getting selected to start for a club full of superstars is not without merit.
Re: Brits abroad
Posted: Sat Nov 23, 2024 11:21 am
by p/d
Sorry Mells, not sure what the f**k happened there
Re: Brits abroad
Posted: Sat Nov 23, 2024 12:41 pm
by francoisfou
Puja wrote: ↑Sat Nov 23, 2024 10:18 am
francoisfou wrote: ↑Sat Nov 23, 2024 9:13 am
Mellsblue wrote: ↑Sat Nov 23, 2024 7:29 am
We’re fecked if we’re pining for Ribbans.
If he can do what it takes for Toulon, then why not for England, if the RFU change their selection qualification rule?
Because performing for a club full of superstars doesn't always mean you're a superstar.
Puja
To be fair, there are fewer “superstars” playing for Toulon nowadays.
Re: Brits abroad
Posted: Sun Nov 24, 2024 12:49 pm
by francoisfou
This evening’s Top14 fixture is the Paris derby, Stade Français v Racing92.
Joe Marchant and Zach Henry will be on the SF bench and for Racing, Sam James, Dan Lancaster, Henry Arundel and Junior Kpoku are all in the starting XV. Owen Farrell isn’t in the match day squad it’s said he has a groin strain.
Re: Brits abroad
Posted: Fri Nov 29, 2024 3:10 pm
by francoisfou
Brive, Courtney Lawes’ new club, for whom Joe Worsley is defence coach, are the current leaders in ProD2 after yesterday evening’s home win with bp against fellow promotion hopefuls Montauban.
Long way to go yet, but I’d really like to see Lawes play in the Top14.
Re: Brits abroad
Posted: Fri Nov 29, 2024 5:53 pm
by francoisfou
Round 11 of the Top14 is this weekend:
Racing - 10 Dan Lancaster, 5 Will Rowlands, 4 Jr Kpoku, 22 Henry Arundel
Toulouse - 8 Jack Willis (c)
La Rochelle - 14 Jack Nowell
Vannes - 1 Mako Vunipola
Perpignan - 11 Ali Crossdale, 3 Kieran Brookes
Toulon - 4 Dave Ribbans, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 19 Lewis Ludlam, 20 Dan Biggar
Bordeaux/Bègles
Montpellier - 8 Billy Vuniploa (c)
Clermont
Castres - 3 Will Collier
Pau - 10 Joe Simmons, 6 Joel Kpoku
Lyon
Re: Brits abroad
Posted: Fri Nov 29, 2024 6:14 pm
by Mikey Brown
francoisfou wrote: ↑Fri Nov 29, 2024 3:10 pm
Brive, Courtney Lawes’ new club, for whom Joe Worsley is defence coach, are the current leaders in ProD2 after yesterday evening’s home win with bp against fellow promotion hopefuls Montauban.
Long way to go yet, but I’d really like to see Lawes play in the Top14.
There can’t be that many who’ve taken a team from relegation to the top league in both Premiership and Top 14, surely. That would be cool for him.
Anything to keep him busy and away from the mic at England games.
How highly is Worsley regarded? Seems to be doing well out there but never really hear his name in the England conversation.
Re: Brits abroad
Posted: Fri Nov 29, 2024 6:32 pm
by francoisfou
Mikey Brown wrote: ↑Fri Nov 29, 2024 6:14 pm
francoisfou wrote: ↑Fri Nov 29, 2024 3:10 pm
Brive, Courtney Lawes’ new club, for whom Joe Worsley is defence coach, are the current leaders in ProD2 after yesterday evening’s home win with bp against fellow promotion hopefuls Montauban.
Long way to go yet, but I’d really like to see Lawes play in the Top14.
There can’t be that many who’ve taken a team from relegation to the top league in both Premiership and Top 14, surely. That would be cool for him.
Anything to keep him busy and away from the mic at England games.
How highly is Worsley regarded? Seems to be doing well out there but never really hear his name in the England conversation.
Don't know. Only just found out that he's with Brive.
He was defence coach for Bordeaux/Bègles 2012/18 and then head coach 2018/2019, but was replaced.
Defence coach at Castres 2019/22 where I believe he was well respected.
Re: Brits abroad
Posted: Sun Dec 01, 2024 8:11 am
by francoisfou
Bayonne are at home to Stade Français this evening. Manu Tuilagi wears 12 for Bayonne and Joe Marchant 13 for SF.