6 things we learned from the weekend’s rugby

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1. Disciplinary disasters

Eddie Jones vowed to bring some ‘dog’ back to the England team, but has he gone too far? Two of his Grand Slam winners are in the dock this week, Joe Marler for kicking the head of Grenoble hooker Arnaud Héguy, and Owen Farrell for a dangerous tackle on Wasps scrum-half Dan Robson.

We’ve got to start with Joe Marler. The man is, quite frankly, a buffoon. He has always been a guy that plays close to the edge, but until now has never crossed the line. And having just come back from a reasonably long ban for the Samson Lee “gypsy boy” affair, it’s understandable that he would be fired up for his first appearance in a while.

But in this day and age, with so much focus on concussion and the long term mental wellbeing of rugby players, you categorically cannot kick a player in the head, no matter how little power there is in the kick. Get it wrong and you can do serious damage. I would expect Marler – and Simon McIntyre, who was sin-binned for a similar offence and will also face a disciplinary hearing – to be facing reasonably long bans.

Farrell, however, must be a bit bemused as to why he is in the dock. His hit on Robson was made to look so much worse by the slo-mo replays, as is so often the case these days. Robson had also slipped, meaning Farrell ended up hitting higher than he meant to. I’m not sure what else he was meant to do – it looked reckless at the time, and the yellow card he received felt like the right outcome.

2. A nice change

How nice has it been to see big name sides actually caring about the Challenge Cup this season? Montpellier will contest the final after their win against the Dragons, a game in which they played all of their big guns despite sitting in second in the Top 14 with a very real play-off battle facing them.

The reason Montpellier care, of course, is that they can guarantee themselves a place in the Champions Cup next season by winning the Challenge Cup this year. Now, they should manage that through the league anyway, but the same cannot be said for the other finalist.

They face Harlequins, who themselves overcame Grenoble. Quins’ domestic season is in tatters – if the league were to end now, they would be outside the automatic qualification places in the Premiership. So why wouldn’t they focus on the Challenge Cup, then?

That the carrot of Champions Cup qualification will be rescinded once again next season makes no sense whatsoever.

3. Empty seats

There was rather a lot of haughtiness from Celtic fans on social media at the weekend at the number of empty seats at both the Madejski Stadium on Saturday and City Ground on Sunday.

On the face of it, they have a point – just 71% of seats were filled, with a combined gate of 38,968. In 2009 when Munster played Leinster at Croke Park and Cardiff played Leicester at the Millennium Stadium, the equivalent figure was 126,420.

While ticket prices were undoubtedly high for this weekend’s games, that’s not the real issue. Three of the four teams do not have a large group of fans to begin with. Wasps have become nomads, eroding their traditional fanbase away, while Saracens, despite all their success in recent seasons, rarely fill out the 10,000 capacity Allianz Park.

Racing 92, meanwhile, brought only a few hundred fans over to Nottingham, so 22,148 is actually a pretty respectable number for Sunday’s game, given that a certain Leicester City were playing at the same time (that was a bit of a scheduling faux pas, wasn’t it?).

The presence of an Irish province in the semi-finals would almost certainly have improved the numbers, but I’m not sure it’s quite as dire a situation as many would have you believe.

4. Self-imposed exile

South African sports minister Fikile Mbalula has taken the bizarre step of banning the country from bidding to host international tournaments for failing to meet transformation targets. South Africa are firmly in the running to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup and while it is claimed this ban will not affect their bid, it’s hardly going to help either.

And how exactly is depriving the country of top quality sport on its doorstep going to help it meet transformation targets anyway? Surely one of the best ways to inspire young people of colour to take up a sport is to expose them to it at the very top level? What better way to do that than hosting a tournament?

5. “One of the best bits of skill you will ever see”

It’s fair to say that Leicester saved one of their least accurate performances of the season for the worst time. They have been playing some brilliant rugby but for whatever reason against Racing 92, they couldn’t catch a cold, as the saying goes. The number of times they spilt regulation passes was astronomical.

One pass that did go to hand, however, was Harry Thacker’s sublime second half offload. Just about to hit the floor, completely unsighted, he offloaded perfectly to the supporting runner. Given England have something of a hooking crisis, could Thacker be playing his way onto the plane Down Under? More likely he’ll be heading on the Saxons tour to South Africa, but if he keeps producing moments of magic like this one, he won’t stay off Eddie Jones’ radar for long.

6. Same same, but different

The Jaguares are really struggling in Super Rugby. Big things were expected of them before the tournament began, given their squad contained a large percentage of the Argentine national squad that had made it to the World Cup semi-final just a few months previously.

At the weekend, they lost to the Sunwolves, the Japanese franchise that contains far fewer members of the Japanese national team when compared with the Jaguares and their Argentinian players. It was their seventh loss in a row, as they became the first team to lose to the Sunwolves.

Now, they’ve just come to the end of a pretty gruelling tour; a tour for which they left several big names like Nico Sanchez and Leonardo Senatore at home. But even so, there is enough quality in that team that they should not be losing seven games in a row.

By Jamie Hosie
Follow Jamie on Twitter: @jhosie43

Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images

22 thoughts on “6 things we learned from the weekend’s rugby”

  1. Absolutely right on the Faz tackle and hopefully the disciplinary panel will see sense and release Owen to play in a face off of the two best tens playing rugby in the Northern Hemisphere. Even looking at the tackle with my admitted one eye it is difficult to see how it warrents more than a yellow. Firstly, Robson was going down, if he’d stayed upright the tackle would have been on his thighs (which was the intent of Faz) and secondly, Faz had clashed heads with Robson already which undoubtedly contributed to the poor completion of the tackle. A ban here would be totally unjustifiable.

    1. It’s a little bewildering to say the least Jez!! As Jacob ( a Wasps fan) pointed out, what else was he supposed to do. He was committed to the tackle at waist/hip height, Robson loses his footing, and they end up clashing heads. It’s only dangerous because of the outcome, but not an intentionally high tackle. I thought it was harsh to give him a yellow at the time, but having just been warned about it, maybe correct?

      If he gets banned for this, then firstly there is something wrong with the system, and secondly the committee need their eyes tested. It will also mean the Champions Cup Final will be missing one of the best players in the competition because of an accidental head clash!!!!!!

      1. It really is crazy – I’m hoping it just gets dismissed.

        Also saw yesterday that Itoje got a retrospective yellow card for his cynical play in pulling McIntyre’s leg – I’m not even sure what that means but it’s a bit ridiculous how busy the citing commissioners are being recently.

        1. Saw the challenge for the first time today, having missed the game at the weekend playing myself, and despite the slip it is still a reckless challenge. Also as he goes past he grabs him round the neck involving an element of high tackle.

          The problem is he takes his eyes off of Robson very early at which point he has surrendered control of the outcome.

          Was it intentional no, was it reckless/dangerous yes, 2 weeks probably a fair outcome. At least he still gets to play in the Final which as you say would have been unfair and a shame if he had missed it

            1. That is the ridiculous part Jez. Something completely unintentional which would have probably been a clean and completed tackle if Robson hadn’t scooped down to pick up the dropped ball, gets the same ban as two players intentionally kicking a player in the face??????

              1. In fact Faz’s ban was longer but reduced due to his clean record. It sends out completely the wrong message.

              2. Agreed
                Seems to be some sort of matrix built around intent, outcome and record
                Farrell No intent, Bad Injury
                Marler Full Intent, No Injury

                The system needs a full review, clearer guidelines and consistency applied internationally across: the range of offences, the level of intent and the seriousness of the outcome.
                Record and conduct should only apply to reductions not the original offence and the reduction process should also be reviewed

        2. Saw the challenge for the first time today, having missed the game at the weekend playing myself, and despite the slip it is still a reckless challenge. Also as he goes past he grabs him round the neck involving an element of high tackle.

          The problem is he takes his eyes off of Robson very early at which point he has surrendered control of the outcome.

          Was it intentional no, was it reckless/dangerous yes, 2 weeks probably a fair outcome. At least he still gets to play in the Final which as you say would have been unfair and a shame if he had missed it

  2. I’m really excited about the Saxons tour.

    I love that prodigious talents like Thacker, Robson, Cipriani and Wade have a chance to get meaningful minutes on an international tour and hopefully go some way answer questions over whether they can succeed at international level.

    Add in players like P. Hill, Kvesic, S Hill and Devoto who were in the Six Nations squad but didn’t feature heavily and this could be a really valuable tour for England in bringing players through.

    A lot of these guys will probably be touring with England when the Lions are in NZ, so impress here and full England caps will follow.

    1. Am not sure you’ll see those players on the Saxons tour (perhaps Thacker and Robson). Jones has stated that this is very much vierwed as a development opportunity. See quotation from EJ below

      “We’re running an (elite) squad of 33-35 players. In the next two or three years they’re the players we’re going to use. So those Saxons guys are very much development players. I see that as a development tour, not for second tier players. They are some guys who are probably third or fourth in their position who won’t go on that Saxons tour because we need to be looking at guys who are fifth or sixth and whether they can handle that international test match environment. There will be some difficult games down there. I’ve definitely got a role in it but I’m not making that final decision.”

      Which gives us a bit of intrigue over which players will actually be going…

  3. 3 – “There was rather a lot of haughtiness from Celtic fans on social media at the weekend at the number of empty seats at both the Madejski Stadium on Saturday and City Ground on Sunday.”

    Not sure what social media you were reading so these comments may not be related, but just in case I’d like to put the case for the other side … In the last few years the anti-PRW (Prem Rugby Wales) rhetoric in Wales has been intense. A number of parties with vested interests are using whatever means they can to petition the WRU to restructure again – there is some confusion/discussion over whether the current PRW agreement is such that in 2017 the agreement effectively expires and the WRU could choose to create 2/3/4 etc. new/different pro teams to support. The confusion comes about due to competing claims on whether it’s WRU who have the agreements with Pro12/EuroCup or whether it’s the current Pro clubs. Anyway, that’s the can of worms and it would take me an age to go through the detail, and it’s only the supporting info in the pt I am making about the carping about crowd sizes on the weekend.

    So, the anti-PRW lot have been using Pro12 attendances as a stick to beak the current PRW pro clubs with – comparing them to Eng, comparing them to pre-2003 (before the current pro clubs), comparing them to local Abertridwr second XVs games, etc. – whatever makes their point that the current pro clubs are not wanted, in their opinion.

    So *some* of the focus on the Euro cup nums this weekend was in reply to this i.e. “see, it’s not just Pro12 matches that don’t sell out, even Euro cup games don’t” and then the details of why – TV, competing events, no travelling fans (this latter is a sig. issue for pretty much every non-derby in the Pro12), some daft pricing, etc.

    On the positive side – Judgement Day this weekend, over 62,000 tickets sold so far, the largest ever attendance by miles for Pro12 rugby in Wales. We’re finally managing to grow a proper Pro12 event, this is the difference the new WRU head/setup is making. Can’t wait.

    5 – I’m going to be a cynic and call it a fluke. He threw it unsighted, it was a bullet, and the man was in position to turn what could have been a wild recycle into a great offload.

    1 – I’m sure Marler isn’t a headkicker, anyone who knows him will tell you this. It was just a tap. Blinking lightweight brigade having a go now at the sort of little taps that happen all over the pitch. It was just in the heat of the moment and I’m pretty sure someone else on the pitch did something similar at some point, it just wasn’t seen at all and anyway, Grenoble players kick each other in the head all the time in training so where are their bans? So lay off the poor bloke and heat of the moment and I’m sure he’ll bring nice biscuits to the hearing, he’s such a lovely bloke….

    1. 3. Yes there was a bit of tit for tat response but it was totally justifiable. Saracens vs Wasps gate was very disappointing especially given that these teams are both riding high in the premiership and playing some very watchable rugby. Yes Wasps have just moved but they get far bigger crowds at the Richo and the Madjeski is just down the road from their old stomping ground.

      1. Totally agree the media love to ride the bandwagon and beat good players down for poor discipline. A ban will be given and won’t be reduced for good conduct because it comes so hot on the heels of another ban, which is totally fair and correct. The only other special measures required will be for Eddie and Connor to take him to one side and explain that he needs to cut the silly s**t out as there is no where to hide in the modern game. Quins feeling the brunt of the hurt on this as he won’t have missed any gametime with England

      1. I actually thought the Wasps turnout was fairly respectable given that I don’t think they have that many season ticket holders and a lot of their support is casual attendance, and it is at relatviely short notice for people. For whatever reason the allocations for the clubs was more or less split either side of the half way line and the “Wasps end” was much more full than the “Sarries end”. As for being just down the road from Adams Park, I’m sure part of the reason they upped sticks and moved was because gates there were often quite poor, barely registering a few thousand for some games.

  4. Not sure where this comment belongs but I have just noticed the fixture planners have screwed it up again.

    Aviva Premiership Final – 28/05/2016
    England vs Wales – 29/05/2016

    At least the Australia tour doesn’t start til 2 weeks after

    1. Assuming that the home teams win the semi’s this would mean a Sarries v Exeter final so the following players would be missing:

      England Wales
      Mako Vunipola Thomas Francis
      Jamie George
      Maro Itoje
      George Kruis
      Billy Vunipola
      Owen Farrell
      Chris Ashton
      Alex Goode

      Luke Cowan-Dickie
      Sam Hill
      Jack Nowell

      Unless Scarlets pull off a coup the Pro12 final is unlikely to impact Wales but if they do it evens up the game a bit and causes Gatland a front row headache:
      Ken Owens
      Rob Evans
      Samson Lee
      Jake Ball
      Gareth davies
      Scott Williams
      Liam Williams

      1. It would certainly give some players a chance. What if it’s a Sarries Wasps final? This would mean no Kruis, Itoje or Launchbury!! Losing your top three locks for a Wales game will make it very tough for the set-piece.

    2. And if its Wasps or Leicester
      Dan Cole
      Ben Youngs
      Manu Tuilagi

      Matt Mullan Bradley Davies
      Joe Launchbury
      James Haskell
      Elliot Daly
      Dan Robson
      Joe Simpson

      1. Take issue with the home team comment… Wasps currently sit in second! Although I’m aware we are away to Exeter this weekend so that might not be true on Monday!

        Agreed though it makes it so difficult. To be honest though, it would probably be good to get a look at a few players. As much as we might lose the test, getting a look at a few fringe players before going down to Aus can only be a good thing in the long run.

        1. True think I was looking at an out of date table, but i’m not sure whats worse Sarries v Exeter or Sarries v Wasps.
          p.s. Also missed Slade and Ewers off the Exeter absentees

          It’s all well and good having a look at youngsters but if its a cap game then our ranking will suffer between 1.3 – 2.0 point hit. Plus it’s never fun losing to Wales no matter how good your excuses are

  5. I was having a discussion just recently with a Saffie who echoed your exact sentiments. However if you read some articles you will see that many say the young blacks at grass roots level with talent are not being helped like the whites and in many cases ignored. Often the carrot and stick works fine. Remember SA was boycotted for nigh on 20 yrs because of apartheid and had to finally succumb. Just look at the racism here in USA. It is everywhere and needs to be addressed.

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