Nice feel good thread!

[Thingimubob]

I'm not sure if it works the same in England, Scotland or Wales but over here anyway it's either Grammar school (+private) or Secondary. I can tell you I don't think 1 Secondary school could provide a team worthy of competition. Intact there probably wouldn't be enough interest to get 23 guys together to play. However nearly all Grammar schools could provide atleast 3 teams per age group. (Bigger schools like Methody Inst and Campbell can provide 5), so there definitely is a correlation..

Could be linked to how the sport moved over to Ireland, via the schools? Was introduced to Wales in the same way via students (Lampeter College was teh first place I think) but spread hugely through the working class soon after. Always felt more of a working class sport in Wales I suppose, probably helped that parts of Wales were nuts about a chaotic rugby-like sport called "Cnapan", which Rugby overtook after its introduction.

 

[SimonG]

I'm not sure if it works the same in England, Scotland or Wales but over here anyway it's either Grammar school (+private) or Secondary. I can tell you I don't think 1 Secondary school could provide a team worthy of competition. Infact there probably wouldn't be enough interest to get 23 guys together to play. However nearly all Grammar schools could provide atleast 3 teams per age group. (Bigger schools like Methody Inst and Campbell can provide 5), so there definitely is a correlation..

Nearly all Protestant Grammar schools you mean. I went to a Catholic Grammar and bar one PE class when Willie Anderson was a guest teacher (which is the first time I played Rugby) I've never seen it played. Secondary schools (which I take to mean those who failed the eleven plus) I have never heard of any Rugby being played. The south is different to here of course in that Catholic colleges play the game.

The game is rooted in the upper/middle classes and it still reflects that to this day. There may be anomalies like in Wales (apparently) but its still has the elitist middle class label.

 

[Groundhog]

All of the big religious order schools, Holy Ghosts, Jesuits and Christian Brothers play rugby here in Leinster.
In Munster though its not a private school thing at all, bar 1 or 2 like Glenstall.

 

[Kickitoverfor3]

To be fair to Jack, I see his point and yes it's good to follow Rugby
.. but two examples to highlight the difference in the two mentioned sports...
I went to an English Premiership Football match recently, and the atmoshpere was simply awful. I was in the middle of the home stands (no, wasnt supporting the other side) but it was basically f's c's, b's and any other swearword and aggression. Oh and the fans were talking about their own team! Definately not the place to take children. Simply appalled.
Also went to the English Counties v Irish Clubs match at Darlington Mowden Park Arena (apparently the 2nd largest Rugby Stadium only to Twickenham and very nice too). Atmosphere was superb. Families, good-natured banterbetween fans (there were 3 Irish lads supporting their mate who was the #10 sat behind us - had a really good laugh), no trouble. Brilliant night out, and it's nice to bring your beer into the Arena (always a good start).
As an observer of both I have to say this (though may go off the thread, but it needs saying) - The basic discipline on the rugby pitch is a lesson to football. No (or little back chat to the ref, any hassle from players it goes back 10m, and (love this bit) even the TV commentators call the refs Mr or Sir. Football has a lesson to learn.
A class thing? Maybe.

 

[Big Ewis]

lol das. Goode's learning "all you need is love" on that very passionate hug.

 

[dasNdanger]

lol das. Goode's learning "all you need is love" on that very passionate hug.

I am so glad someone got my 'feel Goode' photo. And, I suppose, I should have known it would be you...you with your 'think outside the box' sense of humor.


das

 

[Big Ewis]

I am so glad someone got my 'feel Goode' photo. And, I suppose, I should have known it would be you...you with your 'think outside the box' sense of humor.


das

I don't think that I think outside the box all that much, I just think most people here think wayyyyyy too "inside the box" tbh !!

 

[SimonG]

To be fair to Jack, I see his point and yes it's good to follow Rugby
.. but two examples to highlight the difference in the two mentioned sports...
I went to an English Premiership Football match recently, and the atmoshpere was simply awful. I was in the middle of the home stands (no, wasnt supporting the other side) but it was basically f's c's, b's and any other swearword and aggression. Oh and the fans were talking about their own team! Definately not the place to take children. Simply appalled.
Also went to the English Counties v Irish Clubs match at Darlington Mowden Park Arena (apparently the 2nd largest Rugby Stadium only to Twickenham and very nice too). Atmosphere was superb. Families, good-natured banterbetween fans (there were 3 Irish lads supporting their mate who was the #10 sat behind us - had a really good laugh), no trouble. Brilliant night out, and it's nice to bring your beer into the Arena (always a good start).
As an observer of both I have to say this (though may go off the thread, but it needs saying) - The basic discipline on the rugby pitch is a lesson to football. No (or little back chat to the ref, any hassle from players it goes back 10m, and (love this bit) even the TV commentators call the refs Mr or Sir. Football has a lesson to learn.
A class thing? Maybe.

No swearing in Rugby at all....none whatsoever. Every behind the scenes Rugby documentary contains more swearing than just about every sports documentary I've seen. Effin this an effin that.

Regards the fans, there isn't the rivalry in Rugby that there is in football. If there was an equivalent Celtic-Rangers, Liverpool-Man United, Arsenal-Spurs in Rugby the bonhomie, packed sandwiches, flasks and beer in plastic cups would soon disappear.

Discipline...the whole "sir" thing to the ref is a facad. Rugby players have to be more careful in any case otherwise it's a sin bin, or conceding a penalty (and 3 points). The ref has too much control in Rugby and determining a result which is why I'd love to see penalty lowered to 2.