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Wasps Rugby Discussion / Interesting article about a former Wasp
« on: December 20, 2023, 10:32:58 AM »
Great player and lovely person.
https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/england-rugby-paula-george-red-roses-b2466541.html
https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/england-rugby-paula-george-red-roses-b2466541.html
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Wasps Rugby Discussion / Excellent rugby insight by Lol
« on: September 15, 2023, 12:10:22 PM »
I came across this full fat interview of Lawrence Dallaglio by Simon Jordan which I found very insightful.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tqW-U-epKL8
Lol talks about everything from his early years to what's going on with England now.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tqW-U-epKL8
Lol talks about everything from his early years to what's going on with England now.
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Wasps Rugby Discussion / Robert Shaw - Actor
« on: August 11, 2023, 12:13:27 PM »
I was reading about Robert Shaw, who played Captain Quint in Jaws. Apparently he was a good rugby player and played for Wasps at some point. This must have been late 40s early 50s (same time as my dad).
I can't find any reference to him in Wasps history and my dad never mentioned him. Shaw would have been 18 at the end of the war and had achieved national recognition as an actor by 1956.
Interestingly, he was lead actor in a TV series called the Buccaneers in the 50s, an episode of which was called 'The Wasp', and he played the Irish mob boss in 'The Sting'.
Does anyone have any more information?
I can't find any reference to him in Wasps history and my dad never mentioned him. Shaw would have been 18 at the end of the war and had achieved national recognition as an actor by 1956.
Interestingly, he was lead actor in a TV series called the Buccaneers in the 50s, an episode of which was called 'The Wasp', and he played the Irish mob boss in 'The Sting'.
Does anyone have any more information?
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Wasps Rugby Discussion / What should Borthwick do next?
« on: December 22, 2022, 12:51:34 AM »
Now Wasps appear to be saved I thought I'd start a different rugby thread.
So how will Borthwick find out which players and coaches he needs for the 6 Nations in 6 weeks time? What he needs to establish as soon as possible is a stable squad for the 6Ns with only fine tuning required from then to the World Cup.
The clubs are reported to be in agreement to ditching the ridiculous 'only 5 changes to the squad' rule, effectively giving him a blank sheet.
My idea, though it probably won't get past the RFU, is to select 2 squads of 38 at the next England session. He can ask the current coaches to select and coach one of these from any of the players used by Eddie in an international in 2022 minus the Leicester contingent. The other squad, which he and Sinfield coach with a Tigers like game plan, comprise all England qualified Leicester or recent Leicester players he deems good enough plus anyone else not selected for the alternative squad.
Play 2 games of Old England v The Rest and see who emerges. It will give current coaches the ability to use any tactics their squad have worked on, including Eddie's mystery 'something up our sleeves'. He will also find out which coaches are adaptable and have what's needed.
So by the the end of the session he should get a good idea of the players and coaches he feels will be suitable for the 6 Nations and ultimately the World Cup.
So how will Borthwick find out which players and coaches he needs for the 6 Nations in 6 weeks time? What he needs to establish as soon as possible is a stable squad for the 6Ns with only fine tuning required from then to the World Cup.
The clubs are reported to be in agreement to ditching the ridiculous 'only 5 changes to the squad' rule, effectively giving him a blank sheet.
My idea, though it probably won't get past the RFU, is to select 2 squads of 38 at the next England session. He can ask the current coaches to select and coach one of these from any of the players used by Eddie in an international in 2022 minus the Leicester contingent. The other squad, which he and Sinfield coach with a Tigers like game plan, comprise all England qualified Leicester or recent Leicester players he deems good enough plus anyone else not selected for the alternative squad.
Play 2 games of Old England v The Rest and see who emerges. It will give current coaches the ability to use any tactics their squad have worked on, including Eddie's mystery 'something up our sleeves'. He will also find out which coaches are adaptable and have what's needed.
So by the the end of the session he should get a good idea of the players and coaches he feels will be suitable for the 6 Nations and ultimately the World Cup.
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Wasps Rugby Discussion / Sanderson on players broken by Eddie
« on: March 23, 2022, 10:06:55 AM »
Interesting article on Tuilagi, Curry and others and their treatment and welfare in England camps. Seems Eddie is only interested in getting whatever he can take from them regardless of the consequences. Then I think we already suspected that.
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/mar/22/were-lucky-to-have-him-back-manu-tuilagi-in-line-for-sale-return
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/mar/22/were-lucky-to-have-him-back-manu-tuilagi-in-line-for-sale-return
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Wasps Rugby Discussion / Premiership Round 17
« on: February 13, 2022, 07:11:51 PM »
Next week, if we get 5 match points against Quins we are guaranteed to be 4th. If we win by a margin of 33 points (unlikely I know), we would be 3rd.
If Quins get no match points, Exeter beat Falcons away, London Irish beat Sarries at home and there is a winner between Saints and Sharks then Quins will be 8th with either Saints or Sharks 9th.
This season is definitely turning around for some clubs. Hope Wasps keep the upward momentum we are famed for.
If Quins get no match points, Exeter beat Falcons away, London Irish beat Sarries at home and there is a winner between Saints and Sharks then Quins will be 8th with either Saints or Sharks 9th.
This season is definitely turning around for some clubs. Hope Wasps keep the upward momentum we are famed for.
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Wasps Rugby Discussion / Interesting article in the Guardian
« on: June 05, 2021, 12:04:51 AM »
Good rugby related article about racial discrimination from an outstanding player from the 80s.
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/jun/04/floyd-steadman-the-saracens-scrum-half-turned-headmaster-that-spotted-maro-itoje-potential-england-lions
I remember Floyd Steadman playing against Wasps. Very good player. Very enlightening insight into what he had to go through at the time and how he dealt with it.
The one bit of inaccuracy is the part about his final game for Sarries against Wasps, which I attended.
'The next season, Steadman’s last for Saracens, they nearly won the first division but lost to Wasps on the final day'.
Sarries were nowhere near winning the title. Gloucester were top most of the season but lost to Nottingham in their final game. Wasps slaughtered Sarries to overtake them and claim the title.
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/jun/04/floyd-steadman-the-saracens-scrum-half-turned-headmaster-that-spotted-maro-itoje-potential-england-lions
I remember Floyd Steadman playing against Wasps. Very good player. Very enlightening insight into what he had to go through at the time and how he dealt with it.
The one bit of inaccuracy is the part about his final game for Sarries against Wasps, which I attended.
'The next season, Steadman’s last for Saracens, they nearly won the first division but lost to Wasps on the final day'.
Sarries were nowhere near winning the title. Gloucester were top most of the season but lost to Nottingham in their final game. Wasps slaughtered Sarries to overtake them and claim the title.
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Wasps Rugby Discussion / The trouble with Wasps
« on: April 23, 2021, 09:41:49 AM »
After watching the roundup of all Premiership games and the whole of Wasps' game v Exeter I came to the conclusion that there is one fundamental flaw in our game. If we can sort it out we would probably be a winning team.
The issue is passing ability. We seemed to have it last season but it is fairly woeful currently. It's the whole package too - carrying in 2 hands, giving the ball at the right time in front of the player moving forward at pace with arms out who catches without breaking stride.
They should be doing passing drills in training where they practice moves and situational play which, once understood instinctively by the players involved, is gradually ramped up in speed and pressure so they can execute faultlessly time after time.
The problem is that we don't have any natural distributors in the backline other than Jacob. Booj and Malakai or Paulo in the centres don't do it and Jimmy's form is not up to his usual standard. Jacob and Dan are consequently forcing things.
So we either improve the players we have in that respect or we get better players in. That's why I don't subscribe to pairing Malakai and Paulo in the centres, despite them both being very good players in other regards. Maybe Charlie Atkinson at 12 would be better for distribution while Ryan Mills is unavailable or we must hope Jimmy's form improves. At 13 Malakai is not playing well at the moment so we should give Paulo a go. On the wing Zac doesn't seem switched on so maybe a chance for Callum Sirker.
The issue is passing ability. We seemed to have it last season but it is fairly woeful currently. It's the whole package too - carrying in 2 hands, giving the ball at the right time in front of the player moving forward at pace with arms out who catches without breaking stride.
They should be doing passing drills in training where they practice moves and situational play which, once understood instinctively by the players involved, is gradually ramped up in speed and pressure so they can execute faultlessly time after time.
The problem is that we don't have any natural distributors in the backline other than Jacob. Booj and Malakai or Paulo in the centres don't do it and Jimmy's form is not up to his usual standard. Jacob and Dan are consequently forcing things.
So we either improve the players we have in that respect or we get better players in. That's why I don't subscribe to pairing Malakai and Paulo in the centres, despite them both being very good players in other regards. Maybe Charlie Atkinson at 12 would be better for distribution while Ryan Mills is unavailable or we must hope Jimmy's form improves. At 13 Malakai is not playing well at the moment so we should give Paulo a go. On the wing Zac doesn't seem switched on so maybe a chance for Callum Sirker.
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Wasps Rugby Discussion / Wales First Try - Fair or not?
« on: March 01, 2021, 02:30:19 PM »
There has been a lot of discussion in the media about the unfairness of Josh Adam's try and the decision by Pascal Gauzerre. There are a number of perspectives that have not been raised though.
Wales did not indicate they would kick for goal so nobody should have switched off. At the time I assumed Wales were kicking for goal since the England players formed a huddle and water carriers came on. At no time did Farrell enquire about the goal kick or when time was back on.
If the ref had allowed water carriers to come on then he had a duty to get them off before restarting play. But I think they came on uninvited under an assumption of a kick at goal. I think the England team assumed that too.
Since the ref had called time off after awarding the penalty it denied Wales a chance to profit for a quick penalty. To be fair why should an offending team benefit from an offence? Normally it is acceptable to take quick penalties to take advantage of a disorganised defence and Dan Robson is often praised for this.
Dan Biggar was very canny for realising England had switched off. He could be heard clearly over the ref mic asking to be told when time was back on. I think this put a bit of pressure on the ref to do so.
To be fair to England Gauzerre should have turned round and told them that he was putting time back on. But they were away with the fairies and would have received a distinct advantage if he had delayed play until they had fully lined up their defence. It was up to England to be more aware.
The Welsh execution was superb and demonstrated clear thinking, unlike England.
Farrell had a point when speaking to the ref but he and his side had not endeared themselves with the ref who was clearly getting annoyed by their constant infringing. He should probably have just said on awarding the penalty 'too many penalties, next one goes to the bin' instead of 'talk to your team'. That way play could have restarted immediately.
For the number of penalties conceded England were fortunate not to receive a yellow card. Itoje most of all for his 5 individual indiscretions.
Wales did not indicate they would kick for goal so nobody should have switched off. At the time I assumed Wales were kicking for goal since the England players formed a huddle and water carriers came on. At no time did Farrell enquire about the goal kick or when time was back on.
If the ref had allowed water carriers to come on then he had a duty to get them off before restarting play. But I think they came on uninvited under an assumption of a kick at goal. I think the England team assumed that too.
Since the ref had called time off after awarding the penalty it denied Wales a chance to profit for a quick penalty. To be fair why should an offending team benefit from an offence? Normally it is acceptable to take quick penalties to take advantage of a disorganised defence and Dan Robson is often praised for this.
Dan Biggar was very canny for realising England had switched off. He could be heard clearly over the ref mic asking to be told when time was back on. I think this put a bit of pressure on the ref to do so.
To be fair to England Gauzerre should have turned round and told them that he was putting time back on. But they were away with the fairies and would have received a distinct advantage if he had delayed play until they had fully lined up their defence. It was up to England to be more aware.
The Welsh execution was superb and demonstrated clear thinking, unlike England.
Farrell had a point when speaking to the ref but he and his side had not endeared themselves with the ref who was clearly getting annoyed by their constant infringing. He should probably have just said on awarding the penalty 'too many penalties, next one goes to the bin' instead of 'talk to your team'. That way play could have restarted immediately.
For the number of penalties conceded England were fortunate not to receive a yellow card. Itoje most of all for his 5 individual indiscretions.
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Wasps Rugby Discussion / Reversed Penalties
« on: January 05, 2021, 02:18:50 PM »
The incident between Gloucester and Sale at the end of their game got me thinking about the law regarding penalty reversals. The outcome of that incident actually rewarded the initiator of it by benefitting Sale.
It is human nature to be frustrated with blatant unfairness and this can lead to a reaction. I think that the law needs to take into account the proportion of the original offence and the reaction.
In this case it was a blatant act of cheating by a Sale member of Staff directly interfering in play. His dismssal to the stands had no impact on the seriousness of the offence. Twelvetree's reaction was perfectly understandable. He just pushed the guy in frustration. It was not that dangerous or likely to inflict serious harm. That the guy went down like 10 pins made it look worse. Tom Curry then got involved causing the mass brawl.
An appropriate outcome should have rewarded Gloucester, so penalty to them with yellow cards for both Twelvetrees and Curry. Through the book at the waterboy later. This guy really needs to be penalised seriously. Even if you can't penalise a non-player their team should be penalised. We don't want to see try saving tackles by waterboys in future do we?
We also don't want windup merchants causing incidents aimed to or likely to provoke a reaction to benefit their team. The outcomes must be proportionate. Let original penalty stand and treat the provocateur and provoked proportionately.
It is human nature to be frustrated with blatant unfairness and this can lead to a reaction. I think that the law needs to take into account the proportion of the original offence and the reaction.
In this case it was a blatant act of cheating by a Sale member of Staff directly interfering in play. His dismssal to the stands had no impact on the seriousness of the offence. Twelvetree's reaction was perfectly understandable. He just pushed the guy in frustration. It was not that dangerous or likely to inflict serious harm. That the guy went down like 10 pins made it look worse. Tom Curry then got involved causing the mass brawl.
An appropriate outcome should have rewarded Gloucester, so penalty to them with yellow cards for both Twelvetrees and Curry. Through the book at the waterboy later. This guy really needs to be penalised seriously. Even if you can't penalise a non-player their team should be penalised. We don't want to see try saving tackles by waterboys in future do we?
We also don't want windup merchants causing incidents aimed to or likely to provoke a reaction to benefit their team. The outcomes must be proportionate. Let original penalty stand and treat the provocateur and provoked proportionately.
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Wasps Rugby Discussion / Academics want government to ban tackling in school rugby
« on: December 18, 2020, 04:24:42 PM »
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/article-9065397/Ministers-urged-ban-tackling-schools-rugby.html
Isn't that equivalent to asking for kids to be banned from doing anything children do that could be regarded as risky?
When I was at primary school we played British Bulldog and other similar rough and tumble games. It's what kids do.
I can understand making contact rugby at school optional, for those that really don't want to do it, but for mini and junior rugby at clubs the kids want to do it and get proper coaching. If that's denied the are quite likely to have impromptu games they organise themselves, which is a greater risk.
Isn't that equivalent to asking for kids to be banned from doing anything children do that could be regarded as risky?
When I was at primary school we played British Bulldog and other similar rough and tumble games. It's what kids do.
I can understand making contact rugby at school optional, for those that really don't want to do it, but for mini and junior rugby at clubs the kids want to do it and get proper coaching. If that's denied the are quite likely to have impromptu games they organise themselves, which is a greater risk.
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Wasps Rugby Discussion / Wasps Legends Past and Future
« on: October 27, 2020, 12:00:20 PM »
I came across these brilliant reminiscences from some great old Wasps legends on the official site today.
https://www.wasps.co.uk/your-club/club-history/wasps-unforgettables
Fascinating reading and shows how team spirit, fitness, determination and the development and trust in young players can lead to success.
I remember feeling gutted after our 4th consecutive final loss in 1998 against Saracens 2 years after coming top of the league. However we were back at Twickenham the following year to beat Newcastle and Jonny Wilkinson to start the Wasps dynasty of 10 winning finals in 10 years.
I have a vision of history repeating itself.
It will be great to have a few pages of more legends in 10+ years time.
https://www.wasps.co.uk/your-club/club-history/wasps-unforgettables
Fascinating reading and shows how team spirit, fitness, determination and the development and trust in young players can lead to success.
I remember feeling gutted after our 4th consecutive final loss in 1998 against Saracens 2 years after coming top of the league. However we were back at Twickenham the following year to beat Newcastle and Jonny Wilkinson to start the Wasps dynasty of 10 winning finals in 10 years.
I have a vision of history repeating itself.
It will be great to have a few pages of more legends in 10+ years time.
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Wasps Rugby Discussion / Interview with Simon McIntyre about racism
« on: June 10, 2020, 10:18:22 AM »14
Wasps Rugby Discussion / The Pointless Thread?
« on: November 28, 2019, 12:24:15 PM »
This is about the Endless Thread. Does it have a point? Maybe it is a way if creating traffic on the site in which case it does.
I thought it was a bit of a distraction to keep people amused prior to the season starting and would be taken down after that but there have been about 80 pages since then with probably no more than 25 contributors in total.
I realise it is popular with the handful of people who contribute regularly but I'd rather it didn't appear when I'm looking through the latest posts I haven't yet read.
Can it be kept as a sticky rather than in the main body of posts please. That would solve my issue and still making it available to those that want it.
Rather annoyingly there is a thread about Sarries and salary cap that is currently a sticky, which would be much easier to read latest posts if it were in the main body instead. Can that be swapped round too please.
I thought it was a bit of a distraction to keep people amused prior to the season starting and would be taken down after that but there have been about 80 pages since then with probably no more than 25 contributors in total.
I realise it is popular with the handful of people who contribute regularly but I'd rather it didn't appear when I'm looking through the latest posts I haven't yet read.
Can it be kept as a sticky rather than in the main body of posts please. That would solve my issue and still making it available to those that want it.
Rather annoyingly there is a thread about Sarries and salary cap that is currently a sticky, which would be much easier to read latest posts if it were in the main body instead. Can that be swapped round too please.
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