Formerly of this parish

[Scott1]

I know it doesn't effect anything but did he play England U20? Sure he did

[TigerFeetSteve]

I think Ben was the victim of Wigglesworth coming in. He had some good games but also a few rabbit in headlight moments. Others got the opportunity to stay and grow after the experience of playing some tough games. London Irish and now Scotland will get that experience from Ben. I think JVP looked better when the choice was made and but maybe not any better currently. I suspect a higher salary, chance to be 2nd choice and move to be closer to girlfriend rather than stay on a lower salary as 3/4th choice battle you may not win. Good luck to him other than when playing Tigers and England.

I never thought it was Wigglesworth that pushed him out, more that JVP overtook him, Wigglesworth he actually publicly stated helped him progress his game, JVP plus a London based partner would be higher up than a guy who you know has limited future playing

[TigerFeetSteve]

https://twitter.com/Champrugby/status/1 ... dJYSg&s=19

Thom Smith scored at the death to give Doncaster a win and propel them to the top of the Championship as Ealing lost to Bedford.

[RagingBull]

Thin getting nothing but rave reviews from Doncaster feel it’s a shame we didn’t keep him.

[Robespierre]

Leo Cullen has signed a one-year extension to his contract as head coach of Leinster (2022/23)

[tigerburnie]

Leo Cullen has signed a one-year extension to his contract as head coach of Leinster (2022/23)

Surprised he's not in line for a job with their National side by now, he learnt a lot in his stint at Tigers didn't he, good player in his day.

[CrumbieGrumbler]

Good to see Dom Barrow back in the game after his trial with Sale. I always had high hopes for him here until it all went a bit pear shaped..

[Old Hob]

Dom Barrow now a confirmed signing for Sale

[No6_Flanker]

Dom Barrow now a confirmed signing for Sale

And on the bench already!

Sale with 3 second row signings in quick succession, implies that the Saffas are off?

[mol2]

I liked White at Tigers, didn't know he was Scottish though. Unfortunately for him he wasn't as good as Youngs, as experienced as Wigglesworth, or seem to have the potential of JvP.

Hope he comes on and gets a cap

Apparently one of his grandparents was!

Always seems strange to me you can go back 2 generations. It’s one thing accepting parents’ nationality as many work overseas or in the forces but for me grandparents is too far.

I know that the UK is 4 countries and one nationality but many/most countries wouldn’t give you a passport on the strength of a grandparent’s nationality. Indeed many won’t give passports to children of their nationals. My daughters are not entitled to Norwegian nationality even though I hold it. (Ok not a rugby nation as such)

So why does rugby allow this country of convenience and allow players to choose nations they have negligible ties with. Live there, work there and qualify by residency in the same way you might qualify for a passport and nationality and rugby should look at it the same way even if you have a shared UK nationality.

[TigerFeetSteve]

I liked White at Tigers, didn't know he was Scottish though. Unfortunately for him he wasn't as good as Youngs, as experienced as Wigglesworth, or seem to have the potential of JvP.

Hope he comes on and gets a cap

Apparently one of his grandparents was!

Always seems strange to me you can go back 2 generations. It’s one thing accepting parents’ nationality as many work overseas or in the forces but for me grandparents is too far.

I know that the UK is 4 countries and one nationality but many/most countries wouldn’t give you a passport on the strength of a grandparent’s nationality. Indeed many won’t give passports to children of their nationals. My daughters are not entitled to Norwegian nationality even though I hold it. (Ok not a rugby nation as such)

So why does rugby allow this country of convenience and allow players to choose nations they have negligible ties with. Live there, work there and qualify by residency in the same way you might qualify for a passport and nationality and rugby should look at it the same way even if you have a shared UK nationality.

Interestingly though Ancestry Visa's you can (if your grandparents emigrated to a commonwealth country) use a grandparent to become British.

[Tiglon]

I liked White at Tigers, didn't know he was Scottish though. Unfortunately for him he wasn't as good as Youngs, as experienced as Wigglesworth, or seem to have the potential of JvP.

Hope he comes on and gets a cap

Apparently one of his grandparents was!

Always seems strange to me you can go back 2 generations. It’s one thing accepting parents’ nationality as many work overseas or in the forces but for me grandparents is too far.

I know that the UK is 4 countries and one nationality but many/most countries wouldn’t give you a passport on the strength of a grandparent’s nationality. Indeed many won’t give passports to children of their nationals. My daughters are not entitled to Norwegian nationality even though I hold it. (Ok not a rugby nation as such)

So why does rugby allow this country of convenience and allow players to choose nations they have negligible ties with. Live there, work there and qualify by residency in the same way you might qualify for a passport and nationality and rugby should look at it the same way even if you have a shared UK nationality.

Interestingly though Ancestry Visa's you can (if your grandparents emigrated to a commonwealth country) use a grandparent to become British.

In terms of rugby, I would rather think about what makes someone "an English rugby player" rather than "English full stop". For me it's all about where you learnt your rugby, and that means where you lived between perhaps 8 and 18. If it was up to me, national qualification would be something like having lived in that country for minimum 4/5 years between those ages.

[LE18]

If a Grandparent has Scottish blood, then Parent has half Scottish blood and he must have a quarter, so why not?

[parvacat]

Just looked at Manu's stats since moving to Sale.

In 2.5 seasons he has appeared 16 times, totaling 951 minutes on the pitch and scoring 10 points. A value for money signing?

I wish him well on Saturday and loved him playing for us, but.....

[TigerFeetSteve]

Just looked at Manu's stats since moving to Sale.

In 2.5 seasons he has appeared 16 times, totaling 951 minutes on the pitch and scoring 10 points. A value for money signing?

I wish him well on Saturday and loved him playing for us, but.....

Hmmm I seem to remember Steve Diamond saying he would be able to keep him fit and on the pitch more thanwe had...