English teams in europe

[Scott11]

Likewise if the refs got it wrong the TMO should have the baubles to say it instead of the old "heres another angle" line.

[L Smith]

a biased crowd

Erm, we’re hardly objective

Oh I don't know about that, after all we are on here debating it, all most really want is a fair game!
This word momentum is ruining the game in my opinion, forward passes, players rolling over and over, head on head tackles and coming around rucks to interfere offside.
If they can't do it properly at speed then slow down, no excuses, be in control and do it right, or face the consequences of the law, but no they have created an unrecognisable game where broken jaws and passes a metre forward are becoming the norm!

Oh, and passing the ball off the floor after having been tackled, in the name of ‘keeping the ball alive’ and what about the dreaded quasi-legal choke tackle that pretty much ruins every game we play against the ‘Oirish...

[BFG]

Erm, we’re hardly objective

Oh I don't know about that, after all we are on here debating it, all most really want is a fair game!
This word momentum is ruining the game in my opinion, forward passes, players rolling over and over, head on head tackles and coming around rucks to interfere offside.
If they can't do it properly at speed then slow down, no excuses, be in control and do it right, or face the consequences of the law, but no they have created an unrecognisable game where broken jaws and passes a metre forward are becoming the norm!

Oh, and passing the ball off the floor after having been tackled, in the name of ‘keeping the ball alive’ and what about the dreaded quasi-legal choke tackle that pretty much ruins every game we play against the ‘Oirish...

Yes agree, the very definition of the choke tackle just beggars belief, says it all really about how lax it has become!
Holding up players to try and strip the ball has always been around but around the throat?
Just mind boggling that it was actually attempted as a genuine sporting tactic let alone to take place at all, clasping someone's throat to starve them of oxygen, absolute madness, and is and always should be a red card and a very lengthy ban in my opinion!

[jgriffin]

The 'choke' tackle isn't a tackle. The ref's site makes it clear, it's either a maul or open play, there is no actual tackle. You are entitled to remove opposition from the area, make a maul by entering (hard) from your own side, drag it down before maul called, get hands on the ball yourself........

[biffer]

Well here we go again. Forward pass law open to interpretation and Botoxed up.
TMO's as about as useful as chocolate teapot. Tis the season---- new toy of three seasons ago discarded and now we play with the cardboard box.
Just get rid or play with it .......
Lets see what transpires at WR.

You might be interested in a chat I had with Nick Mullins on the subject yesterday...

NM: "Forgot to mention it in Belfast last night, but loved the way French ref Alexandre Ruiz had the baubles to go largely TMO-free & make his own decisions."

Me: "Refs should only have one option with the TMO: "This is my decision. You have 30 seconds to stop me if I'm about to make a prat of myself!""

NM: "Excellent. Which is largely why they were introduced in the first place."

Yep. Ref should have to make an on field call. It’s overturned if there’s clear evidence to the contrary.

[strawclearer]

A tweet from Rugby Inside Line (very Saints-leaning):

"This is worse than last week!!! BRING BACK JIM!!!"

Shouldn't laugh!

[stonebob]

Well the english showed up this week and were very competitive..but it still looks bad ..2 wins from 14 games...cant be always THE REF...

[Doghashadhisday]

Well its not beyond the realms of possibility but all the English teams could be out at the pool stages this season

[biffer]

Well its not beyond the realms of possibility but all the English teams could be out at the pool stages this season

Bath are top of their pool with Scarlets and Treviso to come. I think they'll go through. I would normally expect Saracens to get through given they're on 11 points with Ospreys and Saints to play, but they're on a poor run atm. Other than that though, it's hard to see any English team in the QFs.

[Tigerbeat]

The winner of Ospreys and Saracens will go through as a best runners up......I would expect Saracens to win but given their run of form and the way Ospreys are performing in Europe, it is not a given.

[voice of the crumbie]

Well its not beyond the realms of possibility but all the English teams could be out at the pool stages this season

Bath are top of their pool with Scarlets and Treviso to come. I think they'll go through. I would normally expect Saracens to get through given they're on 11 points with Ospreys and Saints to play, but they're on a poor run atm. Other than that though, it's hard to see any English team in the QFs.

On current form Scarlets are more than capable of beating Bath so that pool is far from decided. It could be any one from 3 - Toulon, Bath or Scarlets.