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Deans talking about the threat from Wales: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/18075641

On sky sports for the English soccer it's possible to change the commentary, one of the options is a commentary by 2 fans, one from each team that produces some gems. I think for the super rugby the commentary team is determined by who the home team are and there's no alternative, but I could be...

We Celtic nations have very poor records against the big 3 from the SH. It's a real mental block for the players and for both Wales and Ireland losing their summer series wouldn't be too bad if they can win one of their 3 games. For Ireland it would be a first every victory over the ABs. For...

Really a sink or swim situation for Holmes. Not a question of ability for him more about handling the pressure of a big game in the context of the Brumbies season. Winning wont guarantee making the finals but it will maintain the gap as the Reds begin to hunt the Brumbies down for the top spot...

I like the format that Sky Sports, BBC, RTÉ etc. use with one guy (non ex=player) to call the action sprinkled with facts and the second guy (ex-player) to provide analysis and some extra insight into the game. Some of the individual commentators might not be to my tastes but overall the format...

Glad to see the test subs bench finally changing to the NH club structure. Also like the look of the other amendments and the 5 second rule is a really good one. Also the expansion of the role of the TMO should deal with some problems that have been brought up here in threads throughout the...

Completely agree with you RH, especially on the bolded section. I've said before that one of the major flaws of the professional era in Rugby was the fact that only the players and to an extent the coaches became professional. The senior management, board members, heads of unions, IRB etc. are...

Bruce the Blues generally have a good defence and Leinster have done similar to the best defences in Europe over the part 4-5 years. Some of their breaks can certainly be put down to poor defence from the opposition but other times it's just the sheer slickness of their attack that creates gaps...

The 3 guys you mentioned have very different NH coaching records to Cheika. Williams was still serving his apprenticeship at Munster when he got the call to join Deans in the Aus national team set up. Personally I think it was too soon for him and he would have been better served staying put...

For those who don't watch the Europe club scene as closely as the likes of LG, Qwerty, etc. here is an example of Leinster's backs play from this year HEC Quarter Final against Cardiff Blues. It's not just the pace and precision that's impressive, but the number of support and decoy runners...

People here in Ireland including myself have been saying this about Gaffney for years while he was our backs coach. Anyone who's seen how good the Leinster backline was over the same period and then saw the bulk of that backline for Ireland perform so abjectly could easily see who was at fault...

I know there's a lot of political interference in SA but some of the stuff the minister said are ridiculous even in that context. He comes across as a dictator/royalty and gives the impression that SARU continues to exist due to royal decree.

The Brumbies could lose this one and still go on to win the Aus conference. However the effect of a loss on future performances could be telling. The Reds have to win to give themselves the best chance of qualifying for the finals. I think a Reds win gives the best possibility of 2 Aus teams...

The team that Stade picked for the semi final saw them rest most of their first choice for the Top 14 game against Racing the following weekend. Although it was a very entertaining semi final and Stade pushed Toulon all the way the team selected did not give them the best chance of reaching the...

Here's the Welsh squad for the upcoming tour: FORWARDS: Ryan Bevington (Ospreys), Luke Charteris (Newport Gwent Dragons), Ian Evans (Ospreys), Bradley Davies (Cardiff Blues), Toby Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons), Rhys Gill (Saracens), Richard Hibbard (Ospreys), Paul James (Ospreys), Gethin...

Stade basically threw the Challenge cup game as they had a big game in the Top 14 the week after. The fact that they didn't make the top 6 for the play offs would have been the final straw. However as LG was saying they weren't his players and this was demonstrated in March when they got their...

I've said it before the Tahs remind me so much of Leinster about 6 years ago. A team packed full of talented internationals, a decent pack and some exceptional backs. But come the big occasions they just don't perform. At times the pack would flatter to deceive and look really good only to be...

Joe made the England squad for the SA tour so his England debut probably only weeks away.

Yes he's a very talented prop. Reminds me of what they used to say when coloured boots came into soccer first, if you're going to wear orange boots you better be bloody good. Same applies to Joe he stands out but he is bloody good too.

Pretty much a full strength squad when you take injuries into account.