LMAO Lets hope not! Jack White would be a good appointment, plays Tigers rugby!


Alot of players are being rested because of the hectic season they've just finished. I think when we're up to full strength, providing the tactics are right we're always in with a shout against any team. I said ages ago Wales are a force, so long as they use it! I do hope Wales have some depth now, cause that was a problem a couple of years ago, am sure Gatland will sort it out, good coach he is!


I think Rob Andrew chose this team, although with some influence from Jonno. Not totally sure, but just from snippets I heard.

england at full strengh with johnson as manager will go places, we got lotsa young talent in the squad, and we got very good talent in the saxons team, with right tactics we can be a world force with stylish rugby that wins competetions..

star players in making:

tait, flood, cipriani, ojo, strettle, just to name a few..

so theres cause to be optimistic after the new zealand games, and cause for rest of world to worry when johnson finally gets to mould our side..

Friends again


Mr wheezy, I would not say Ojo is a player in the making. I would say he will be decent cover for the likes of Strettle and Sackey.
Tait and Strettle are already very highly regarded I would have thought along with Flood. I think they are clear international players that offer a lot to England and rugby.
The player I would pick as a future star for England is Nick Abendanon

Also Johnson might not be a very good tactician and I would not be surprised if they bring in a proper tactically proven coach like Dean Richards possibly .

An absolute tragedy.He was a excellent player and thoughts are with his family.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/welsh/7457473.stm


Gareth Jones, R.I.P

R.I.P its a tragedy

I remeber reading about that a few months ago. Truelt tragic, more so for the family he leaves behind.

Sad to see anyone die, especially in a sporting event. You are suposed to do it for the fun of competition (and pay of course), not to risk your life.
Rest in peace Jones.

Draw for the Heineken Cup:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/7450881.stm





Edited at 19:12 Tue 17/06/08 (BST)

Absolute Tragedy indeed i knew him and his family!!

I see they've been rather kind to us this year

Seriously, that is one tough group for all four teams.

Haven't you got the play offs coming into effect from next season? If so you might find it that little bit more easier, being able to rest players for a big game.

Although like you said, I think every game will be a big game in that group. Hope Tigers are on a little more form next season.

Yep play offs next year. Should make things more interesting as a spectator and a club as a whole but might cause burn out problems. Central contracts are the way to stop all the burn out ranting and raving in my opinion. I think at the moment only Ireland have central contracts, but not too sure. But other than that they get payed a lot of money and the moaning does my suede in

But yer that group is a group where you lose a home game first up and you may be looking at being knocked out. Home games being massive and with the Ospreys liking the big occasion in the Liberty, and they managed to win away in France for the first time last year which is a mental hurdle overcome, and in England against Leicester last year. Now a good coach in place to help(I say help, more like tell) Holley what to do and it all looks well.

This Ospreys VS Leicester rivalry is going along very nicely, eh?

http://<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8eGCsEQ15L4&hl=en"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8eGCsEQ15L4&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

Edited at 23:23 Sat 21/06/08 (BST)

I love that

Here is one from the day the French turned up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bj9cboaps68&feature=related

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/7496251.stm

Why not Scotland too? They have Murryfield!

Would be great if it happens!

I think everyone now knows who the England in-famous four are, which is great as it's stopping all the bickering and false allegations for some of the players.

I'm sure Scotland would get called into action along with the France. It would definitely be great and welcomed big time in Wales and I'm sure England also I just don't think the IRB will overlook the Japanese this time around. Alot of controversy because they missed out on the 2011 cup, so I think the IRB will bottle it and give it to Japan, whatever the other candidates throw up. I'm sure that South Africa will have other ideas mind. But with the IRB being the IRB, they will just get 2019.

With the current state South Africa is in I'm shocked their given any tournement to host. I don't see why France should get any of the World Cup! They've had their turn!!


The so called infamous four who've been accused of nothing! Stupid All Black media playing dirty as usual. Sounds to me like someone's had a bit of fun and regretted it, otherwise why not make formal charges and statements!? Ridiculous how someone's name can get dragged through the mud that easily!!

I don't think Scotland are bidding, just England and Wales!


I don't think Japan should get it - although saying that you'd still get the crowds there showing up, as was with Football. Just time difference would be a killer.........

I agree that the media have taken it way to far and sympathy to the players for having to go through stupid allegations. Saying that, I was not on the tour, and really I shouldn't be making judgements because now I'm making allegations that the people who complained lied.

If the bid was successful then I'm sure Murrayfield would get a game as they would spread the matches around, David Pickering did say that.

As for the Japanese hosting the cup, they have so many big name and big money backers that it's a shock they got refused last time out. Like I said, I'm sure the IRB will give into the pressure and see the trouble they stirred up by not awarding it to them last time and give them the honour next time round. I really hope I'm wrong though.

Oh dear! Mr Craig Dowd should have kept his trap shut pre this game!!

Like the Proteas needed firing up??.

Good on them....well deserved win......not looking good for the Lions next year though!

Saying that...the missing Welsh contingent from this summers tour will be back and in contention for places, and with the state of the rest of the home countries playing crap at the moment, the South Africans are going to find messers Martyn Williams, Lee Byrne, Gavin Henson, Mike Phillips & Co a different proposition in a Lions shirt! And with the legendary Gerald Davies in overall charge, we might get some sensible selections, as opposed to the last ill fated tour to NZ when that pillock Woodward was coach !

Bring it on..i cant wait!

The Pillock who won a World Cup you mean!??

The Lions will never be a good outfit - they don't play together all the time. May as well send over the Baa Baas!


It'd be the same outcome if the other side of the sea done the same.......

Well done South Africa! Very right that Craig Dowd should of kept his trap shut. Politics has no place in Rugby - if he wishes to comment on something he feels he knows so much about maybe he should start a crusade of some sort!