FAO SD - Rugby

[chiswickmart]

Be rude not to mention the rugby events of the last couple of weeks don't you think SD? Your lot are at least not getting too embarrassed in a tour from hell (apart from that midweek game). The Kiwis have asked though if we could play the last Test against them as it would be more interesting. Fair to say England have rapidly become a decent side......or are perhaps just playing to the potential they always had. Up to Number 2 in the world now and pretty much guaranteed a top 4 seed in the next World Cup when the draw takes place in Dec. Itoje has now started 25 games this year and won the lot, astonishing for a 21 year old. Although I fancy that defensive display may have taken its toll and I'm not sure we'll be able to repeat it this weekend.

Worth a mention of the U20 World Cup too. Turns out England couldn't play all their best players in the 6 nations as they were representing their clubs. Now they're available they've cruised into the semis.....unlike Wales, NZ or Aus for that matter.

And with the football too, for once I'm lauding it over the in laws!!

[BlueAdder]

Never really got into Rugby, mainly because I've never really understood the rules.
When I was doing my National Service in the army they said you're a big lad you can trial for the Regiments Rugby team. I had never played in my life. I ran around a bit and then somebody threw me the ball which I miraculously caught. Here we go, I thought, my first try. Then the world went dark. I was tackled so hard I thought I was dead. Got carried off with a damaged back and never played again. What a mad sport and how do those guys take the punishment? Footballers rolling around like they've been shot - Pansies!

[Southerndown]

I don't like rugby any more

[Corkhead]

I have hardly ever played a game of rugby - maybe 5 or 6 at school? However I do remember playing scrum half in one game, picking the ball out of the base of the scrum and running perhaps 80 yards untouched before going over the try line with a Chris Ashton swallow dive. Turning around for the congratulations I looked back to see both teams and the schoolmaster 80 yards away, hands on hips glaring at me. Some dodgy rule infringement which 50 years later I still couldn't explain if my life depended on it.

[Southerndown]

It'll be the Chris Ashton swallow dive, back then even in England if you did that you'd get a kicking for being a knob

[Corkhead]

I know. I feel ashamed to have invented it all that time ago. All he does is copy me.

[lovedeanblue]

I played Rugby at both senior schools I attended. When I joined the R.N. I thought my days were over in the 15 aside game. I joined HMS Hardy for a short spell, that was 1970 for sure. The Frigate drew HMS Undaunted, known to all as the Unwanted, in the Navy Cup and only had 14 down to play. I had been to school with a young man, whose younger brother had been at that Glos school too and was on the Hardy. He knew I had played and so I was "volunteered", Portland Naval playing fields the game was played on. I had to borrow a pair of sizeable boots, we lost 26.0 if I remember correctly. Still remember running down the hill to collect a conversion which sailed over the crossbar and travelled on for ever it seemed. Never played again but I always hope England do well.

[Corkhead]

I just cant imagine you playing ruggerby LdB. You just haven't got the necessary nasty streak.

[lovedeanblue]

For sure, for sure Corky. Needs must that day, the 1st Lieutenant or Navigator/Comms Officer (my Boss) would have probably found me a ****ty job if I hadn't

[Southerndown]

And with the football too, for once I'm lauding it over the in laws!!

You may want to rethink that bit btw