Heartbreaking, isn't it?

It absolutely is – Rugby league has been such a big part of my life but I get so frustrated seeing it shoot itself in the foot over and over again – it isn’t losing at international level that upsets me these days it is the inability of teams (administrators and fans alike) to see the big picture and actually say and do something positive for their sport

[url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/8560198/London-Irish-future-in-doubt-ahead-of-planning-application-appeal-says-chief-executive.htmlLondon Irish future in doubt according to the Torygraph.[/url Talk about an overreaction. '[iMartyn Thomas, the chairman of the Rugby Football Union, is to appear as an expert witness in support of London Irish’s appeal, which is to be held at the council offices in Knowle Green, Staines, and is expected to last for three weeks. Quentin Smith, chairman of Premiership Rugby, has also backed the appeal.[/i' I wonder which way the ruling will go. (Bottom of the article, Jason Robinson has gone East.) Seems like only yesterday when Newcastle Falcons were crowing about capturing one of rugby league's brightest talents. www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague ... ll_KR.html

[url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/8560198/London-Irish-future-in-doubt-ahead-of-planning-application-appeal-says-chief-executive.htmlLondon Irish future in doubt according to the Torygraph.[/url Talk about an overreaction. '[iMartyn Thomas, the chairman of the Rugby Football Union, is to appear as an expert witness in support of London Irish’s appeal, which is to be held at the council offices in Knowle Green, Staines, and is expected to last for three weeks. Quentin Smith, chairman of Premiership Rugby, has also backed the appeal.[/i' I wonder which way the ruling will go. (Bottom of the article, Jason Robinson has gone East.) Seems like only yesterday when Newcastle Falcons were crowing about capturing one of rugby league's brightest talents. www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague ... ll_KR.html

I wouldn't be so sure it's the fait accompli you think it is - that's real NIMBY country down there, so unless someone on the council has suddenly found themselves in receipt of a large padded envelope then Irish could have a hard time justifying why they want to sell the land for development.

But do you really think a knock-back would see an end to the club? I know London Irish are one if the Premiership clubs to make a loss but surely things aren't that bad. Newcastle lose two good young players to Leicester. news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_u ... 710085.stm Kieran Brookes and Micky Young are two big losses. I reckon they could both go on to play for England. Newcastle are really going to struggle next year.

But do you really think a knock-back would see an end to the club? I know London Irish are one if the Premiership clubs to make a loss but surely things aren't that bad. Newcastle lose two good young players to Leicester. news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_u ... 710085.stm Kieran Brookes and Micky Young are two big losses. I reckon they could both go on to play for England. Newcastle are really going to struggle next year.

BBC Sport: All Black Donald signs for Bath.

E-I-E-I-O!

Just reading some of the comments on the VT and Wigan board about Friday's international is despairingly depressing and annoying at the same time. As has been pointed out, if we win it'll be because we were playing a bunch of washed-up, over the hill NRL rejects. Those same rejects who are world class when playing in club colours. If we lose we'll be a laughing stock and it will be a perfect example of why international rugby league is a waste of time. Always has been, always will be.
Despite poor crowds and some one-sided games (the USA lost 44-13 to an understrength Tonga on Wednesday) I haven't read much criticism of the current round of international union in the press or on forums.

RFU chief exec John Steele leaves his post after nine months in charge. Gone home to count the stab wounds in his back.

Quote ="Catalancs"But do you really think a knock-back would see an end to the club? I know London Irish are one if the Premiership clubs to make a loss but surely things aren't that bad. Newcastle lose two good young players to Leicester. news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_u ... 710085.stm Kieran Brookes and Micky Young are two big losses. I reckon they could both go on to play for England. Newcastle are really going to struggle next year.'" Newcastle are stuffed. Looking poor and with dire crowds. If I were London Irish (or a 'Not Not', indeed), I would up sticks and move to Hampshire. It seems every rugby fan down there supports them.

Quote ="Catalancs"But do you really think a knock-back would see an end to the club? I know London Irish are one if the Premiership clubs to make a loss but surely things aren't that bad. Newcastle lose two good young players to Leicester. news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_u ... 710085.stm Kieran Brookes and Micky Young are two big losses. I reckon they could both go on to play for England. Newcastle are really going to struggle next year.'" Newcastle are stuffed. Looking poor and with dire crowds. If I were London Irish (or a 'Not Not', indeed), I would up sticks and move to Hampshire. It seems every rugby fan down there supports them.

[url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2011/jun/13/rfu-profits-rigby-world-cup?cat=sport&type=article£10 million loss simply wretched[/url

[url=http://newsthump.com/2011/06/14/gavin-henson-elevates-being-a-laughing-stock-to-an-art-form/Gavin Henson elevates being a ‘laughing stock’ to an art form[/url

He really is a ...........................................

[url=http://www.loverugbyleague.com/news_5814-haven-swoop-for-ru-starlet.htmlHaven swoop for RU starlet[/url

[url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-13810760Mike Phillips suspended from Wales rugby union squad[/url www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2011/ju ... pe=article

[url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-13810760Mike Phillips suspended from Wales rugby union squad[/url www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2011/ju ... pe=article

Four New Zealanders, three South Africans and a Samoan. England rugby union falls to new depths of embarrassingly ridiculous farce.

Shontayne Hape - New Zealand
Thomas Waldrom - New Zealand. As Luke Narraway (who for me should have been in the final squad never mind the first 45) wrote on Twitter: "Good luck to Thomas the tank and his English nan. #notbittermuch."
Dylan Hartley - New Zealand
Riki Flutey - New Zealand

Mouritz Botha - South Africa
Hendre Fourie - South Africa
Matt Stevens - South Africa

Manu Tuilagi - Samoa


Then you've got;

Charlie Sharples - Hong Kong
Alex Corbisiero - USA
Delon Armitage - Trinidad
Joe Simpson - Australia
Paul Doran-Jones - Ireland

That's pushing 30% of the squad born outside the country. Not acceptable, but I don't doubt for one second it will be ignored by the media.

One of them is from Jersey, catalancs, Sky Sports News were classing that as a foreigner aswell!

Are they trying to steal the 'biggest numpties' crown from the England selectors?
That's Matt Banahan at Bath. They've played him at wing and centre but I prefer to see him on the wing.

2 for 1 on tickets for baa baa's v Aussies at HQ in the November.

Doesn't seem to have made the cricket team any less popular, as long as it's winning.

And I doubt it will affect the way the media portray the union side either, win or lose.

I've mentioned the cricket before as I personally find it difficult to get behind an England team captained by a South African and whose arguably best players are South African. When I was a little lad I happily sat in front of the television all day watching the likes of Lamb, Smith and later Hick (Zimbabwe) ignorant to the fact they were foreigners.
Trott, Pietersen, Kieswetter, Prior, Chris Smith, Basil D’Oliveira, Tony Greig, Phil Edmonds.
Gavin Hamilton, Peter Such, Dougie Brown (Scotland), Ed Joyce (Ireland), Owais Shah (Pakistan), Andy Caddick (New Zealand), Jason Gallian, Adam Hollioake, Tim Ambrose (Australia), Devon Malcolm West Indies)

Any more?

Didn't Ireland international Eoin Morgan captain England the other day?

Anyone see the Super 15 today. By the looks of it no one in NZ could be bothered.

Haven't seen it for a few weeks now. Still reckon the Reds will win it.

Sale seem to have re-emerged from the woodwork in marketing terms. Latest one is a pic of the summer signings with the quotation: "They've re-signed- have you?"- which I suspect is aimed at keeping the season ticket holders...

Of course, the only rugby talk in town here in Urmsterdam is "what's that stadium being built by the canal?"

Hope you tell them exactly what's being built


Of course a lot depends on signings but I reckon both Newcastle and Worcester will finish below Sale. I can't see Exeter repeating the feats of last season so I'd say Sale to finish 9th.

You bet I do! A Wire I may be, but if more people from round our way go and watch Salford when the stadium is built, then fantastic. I hope it's a success.

I think you're right about Newcastle, I reckon Worcester will come above them in the end. One-man team.

I reckOn if Newcastle go down that will be the end of them. There just isn't the interest or funds to keep them competitive in the second division.