Always a Wasp

The Russia No.8 was at Wasps, though I don't remember him playing.

He's a better defender than Elliot!

I'm not sure how fast Minozzi is, but Italy have a Ferrari on the bench.

I thought Bassett was ineffectual for most of the season - clearly his situation had changed, with no Wade to attract defences and no Cips to provide killer distribution.

"The big worry would be Cipriani going "missing" in a big crutial match like he has done in the past. Jones just cannot have that happen.'

Which is a coaching issue.

"One of English rugby union’s most venerable clubs is to be put up for sale with an estimated price tag of more than £60 million amid growing interest in the sport.

The Times has learnt that Leicester Tigers, winners of a record ten English championships and twice crowned European champions, have appointed Zeus Capital, the advisory firm, to run a formal sale process.

The decision, expected to be announced today, is understood to have been taken after the recent sale of a minority stake in Premiership Rugby, England’s top league, by CVC Capital Partners, a private equity firm, sparked interest in Leicester.

CVC paid an estimated £230 million for a 27 per cent stake in the league, handing a windfall of about £13 million to each of the 12 clubs.

The club was formed in 1880 and moved to its present Welford Road home in 1892. It remains the best-supported club in the Premiership with more than 11,000 season ticket-holders.

The biggest shareholders are Tom Scott, 44, a businessman and lifelong fan, holding 46 per cent, and Peter Tom, 78, its chairman, who made 130 first-team appearances, owning about 9 per cent. It also has about 10,000 shareholders, mainly supporters, with between 250 and 300 shares.

Although an outright sale to private equity or a family office is regarded as the likeliest outcome, the club also will consider a partial sale.

There is growing interest in the game with the Rugby World Cup, being held in Japan this year, the third biggest spectator event after the Olympic Games and the Football World Cup.

Leicester has long been one of England’s top clubs, though it has underperformed recently, culminating in an 11th place finish last season, only one place above bottom team Newcastle.

Its turnover is about £20 million. Like most clubs, it tends to make a loss, but the Tigers’ share of the CVC Premiership deal means it is debt-free."

"I'm one of the few that thought that Matthews did well for us in his limited game time (why was that?) so I'm hoping whatever Dai's reluctance (or trust) was to use him will change this season."

I think Myall moving on was planned well in advance [he is doing a PhD]. Matthews was brought in to replace him, and given a season to bed in, and also to 'rest' as he has played 164 games for quins. Having a light year mid career may help him to play on into his mid-30's.
Might be rubbish, but could be very good planning.

Never mind chaps.

If you cannot see the utter hypocrisy of a major drinks manufacturer with decades of sexist advertising creating this fuss, you deserve to carry on drinking the swill that is Guinness.