PREM 25/26 - Round 15

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Great game,
Play off race is getting really tasty

I feel that is it for Bristol now tbh

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I feel that is it for Bristol now tbh

Yeah, fair point - next two rounds are looking a bit coughing baby vs hydrogen bomb when comparing Bristols opponents and Saracens

Possibility it could come down to Chiefs vs Saracens in the final round, though, which would be a banger

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Shame the East Midlands derby wasn’t competitive although I doubt Tigers fans really care.

Nice to see Blamire pick up MOTM after the discussion on the England thread.

If don’t know if the game’s gone soft, but it has gone stupid - rugby player removed from field in pushing scandal!! The Heyes yellow was ludicrous - no he shouldn’t have pushed the Saints and no Wright wouldn’t have kicked off if there had been no shoves. While Heyes playground antics provoked it, Wright’s reaction was disproportionate and the 2 shouldn’t have copped equal sanction - pen against Heyes for unsportsmanlike conduct at most. When you think what else yellows can be dished out for and the impact they can have on matches you don’t want to see them given out for that kind of nothing.

 

[Rinkadink]

I feel that is it for Bristol now tbh

Randall is a liability since returning from injury/England. His head has gone, hope he finds himself very soon. Injuries have really ravaged Bristol all season, but that's always the risk when you run a smaller squad. Also the break for the 6N and prem cup seemed to destroy momentum and cohesion.

It's very good for developing talent however, but the problem is we don't seem to keep it as the likes of Jenkins, Dun and Elizalde are off to other clubs. Combined with the bullshite that is the RFU's academy/catchment revision and next season, with no major signings announced is looking worse than this.

All to the background of the CEO virtually throwing the club under the bus... however well intentioned he was, it's really costly and put a mark on Bristol. Not sure what the future holds, rumours of price increases off the back of this for fans as well. Sailing close to the edge?

 

[Quel Carreleur]

Why do Exeter get the out in after PNB knocks on?
Did Arundel get a fingernail on the ball first?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

That's harsh, yellow for me

 

[Quel Carreleur]

That's harsh, yellow for me

It's a judgement call on how much Slade changes the position of his head.
I think Karl and TMO are right that he doesn't step, and TJs are right that he does weave his upper body. From there it's a case of whether that's enough. One that could go either way.

I still hate 20-minute reds though

 

[Quel Carreleur]

TBH, I'm more annoyed by that than Roux.
That's a genuine attempt at an intercept, he just doesn't quite gather it but does everything else right - both hands, with enough time to see the ball.
I'd thought that was allowed (obviously, still a penalty for failing).

And as I type - excellent try Exeter

 

[BMatt]

How on earth was that a just a yellow after Roux got a 20 minute red? I redrafted this a few times as it was originally 90% swearing and comments about Carl Dickson's competence.

 

[Quel Carreleur]

It's more avoidable than Roux, but softer.
Another which can go either way, but I'll feel hard done by because of the precedent set in this game.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Yeah that's a red if Roux's is - tackle was never legal and he had more than enough time for it to be

 

[PremRugbyScorigami]

Harlequins 76-17 Newcastle

SCORIGAMI!

This is the first instance of this score in @premrugby history

 

[Quel Carreleur]

Nice move.
That ought to be the match

 

[TommiG88]

Underhill is fine, Redpath is the questionable one for me. Should be a yellow but it’s Dickson

 

[BMatt]

Best ref in the world, I've always said it.

 

[Quel Carreleur]

Regardless of any ref decisions, Exeter have fully deserved this. Just wanted it more, even if they didn't know what to do with the wind behind them in the first half (or they knew enough not to trust it)

 

[TommiG88]

Regardless of any ref decisions, Exeter have fully deserved this. Just wanted it more, even if they didn't know what to do with the wind behind them in the first half (or they knew enough not to trust it)

Bath caught the Saints cold from yesterday. Both opponents wanted it more

 

[PremRugbyScorigami]

Exeter 35-12 Bath

NO Scorigami

This is the 7th instance of this score

First Game: 14/3/98 Northampton 35-12 Bristol
Last Game: 7/1/23 Exeter 35-12 Northampton

 

[Scotty]

All take that! Great winger and performance!

Going into the run in it means Bath can't relax and send out B teams if they want a home SF.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Harlequins 76-17 Newcastle

SCORIGAMI!

This is the first instance of this score in @premrugby history

Think that’s 3 in a row where Newcastle have shipped 50+.

The league’s quite good at the top but the depth is thin. In 15 rounds we have 4 clubs who have lost 47 out of 60 matches between them.

Yes, some have suffered really badly with injuries. But they’re part and parcel of this game and that tells you what you need to know about the need for squad depth and the associated costs.

 

[Scotty]

Can someone make a run in thread please? The reason I ask as if someone has the time to put in all fixtures and current positions.

Insane end to the table as nothing is set in stone.

I dont have time to make ot with a 3 month old

 

[Geordie]

Well i didnt watch a minute of that and wont be watching another minute of falcons rugby this season...peace at mind

 

[Rinkadink]

Well i didnt watch a minute of that and wont be watching another minute of falcons rugby this season...peace at mind

Well, that's true. You won't be watching them ever again.

 

[AngloScotsHybrid]

Itoje as well

Having a few different club partnerships littered through the England squad won't hurt

It won't happen but you could almost do a Sarries lock partnership and a Tigers lock partnership for different games to mitigate the crazy travel schedule

What happens when George Martin goes to Saracens?

 

[Reiser99]

Feel like if Tizard wants to play for Engjand, moving wouldn't be the worst option.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Why? He's playing the best rugby of his career at Saracens atm

 

[Scotty]

Why? He's playing the best rugby of his career at Saracens atm

Him Itoje and Martin are a strong 3 to have and bench or starting he'll still get alot of gametime, plus they will likely manage Martin given his injury history.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Him Itoje and Martin are a strong 3 to have and bench or starting he'll still get alot of gametime, plus they will likely manage Martin given his injury history.

I wouldn't be surprised if Itoje leaves, or at least has a mini sabbatical, post-RWC as well

 

[Scotty]

I wouldn't be surprised if Itoje leaves, or at least has a mini sabbatical, post-RWC as well

Players like itoje should be able to play for England if they leave the prem at this stage of their career, massively different to Willis.

But I dont think he will TBH.

 

[Quel Carreleur]

Players like itoje should be able to play for England if they leave the prem at this stage of their career, massively different to Willis.

But I dont think he will TBH.

Yeah, I'd be okay with a Giteau's law - but I'd set the cap limit quite high - well above 50 caps - or even use age, let someone go for their one last payday and still be eligible.
Generally though, I'm all in favour of the "play in England" rule