Saturday, August 31, 2019

Liveblog : Leinster A v Scarlets A


APOLOGIES IN ADVANCE FOR ALL HIPPOS HYPOS TYPOS

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Front Five - 31.08.19

Start your day with five eye-catching egg-chasing quotes & links from around the ruggersphere.

ICYMI click here for our
Wales v Ireland preview


I think 32 would make a difference because when you’ve got a five- or a four-day turnaround you know that you’ve got three specialist positions, hooker, scrum-half and out-half.


Simon Lewis - Irish Examiner

 ...for the most part it was Ireland's sluggish movement at the set-piece and some poor calls from Iain Henderson that put that aspect of their game under so much strain.


Alan Quinlan - Irish Independent

"If the referee determines that a dangerous high tackle or shoulder charge warrants a red card, then the referee must firstly verify the decision with the TMO."


RugbyReferee.net

Huget, 32, scored a try and was a threatening presence as the home side crossed seven times in front of a sparse crowd


The42.ie

The criticism that Wales have received since moving to No1 will pale into insignificance should Ireland take their place.


NZ Herald

Feel free to share any interesting links you spot yourself about t’internet by email, Twitter, Facebook, blog comment or carrier pigeon – whatever works for you. JLP

Note - views expressed in "Front Five" links do not necessarily reflect those of HarpinOnRugby


Rugby Africa Update - Aug 31



Zambia: Rugby Coach still Confident
Zambia will this weekend host Uganda in a return fixture at the refurbished Lusaka Rugby Club

LUSAKA, Zambia, August 27, 2019/ -- Zambia Rugby National Team Head Coach Lawrence Njovu has maintained that his charges are not merely participating in the ongoing Victoria Cup tournament but competitors.

Speaking after arriving back in the country after a two week East African tour (of Uganda on Saturday 17th August and Kenya on Saturday 24th August, 2019), Njovu said his team was up to the task of recording victory in the remaining two games. "Our focus as at now is the home game against Uganda this weekend in Lusaka. We have so far played our opponents at least once and it has been a learning curve, we have conducted a reflective analysis on all the games played and have strategized to ensure our supporters watch a great game".

Zambia (who are yet to record a win) will this weekend host Uganda in a return fixture at the refurbished Lusaka Rugby Club in the Showgrounds in Lusaka. The game will be preceeded by a curtain raiser game between Copperbelt Legends vs Midlands Legends at the same venue.

Meanwhile, Zambia Rugby Union President General Clement Sinkamba has lauded the support from well-wishers and corporate organisations. "We wish to commend our partners who have continued standing with us through thick and thin, through the highs and lows. It is because of them that we have come this far and continue believing, hoping, trusting and persevering to ensure our joint aspirations are met".

Rugby lovers/supporters in Lusaka have not watched an international game in almost a year, one would therefore, understand the excitement that is currently going through the masses.



Zambia in defining rugby moment
Zambia, who are yet to record a win in their inaugural Victoria Cup tournament, are looking at upsetting their hosts in this first return match
LUSAKA, Zambia, August 27, 2019/ -- The Zambia National Rugby Team is this weekend facing a litmus test as they face Rugby Africa 2nd placed Kenya in an away fixture at the RFUEA Grounds in Nairobi.


This will be the pair's second meeting in less than a month after the latter beat their hosts in a jaw dropping encounter played at Diggers Rugby Club in Kitwe. 

Zambia, who are yet to record a win in their inaugural Victoria Cup tournament, are looking at upsetting their hosts in this first return match. The Southern African nation is looking to redeem herself from the 43-23 loss to Kenya as they start their return fixtures.

Despite the hazy start to their Victoria Cup campaign, local rugby fans in Zambia are still confident of a good finish.


Many thanks to the APO Group for including us on their media list.  JLP

Friday, August 30, 2019

Preview : Wales v Ireland (video)



WALES : 15 Hallam Amos; 14 Owen Lane, 13 Scott Williams, 12 Owen Watkin, 11 Steff Evans; 10 Jarrod Evans, 9Aled Davies
1 Rhys Carre, 2 Ryan Elias, 3 Samson Lee, 4 Adam Beard, 5 Bradley Davies, 6 Aaron Shingler, 7 James Davies, 8 Josh Navidi (capt), .
Replacements: 16 Elliot Dee, 17 Rob Evans, 18 Leon Brown, 19 Jake Ball, 20 Ross Moriarty, 21 Tomos Williams, 22 Rhys Patchell, 23 Jonah Holmes.

RWC2019 Warmup
Saturday, August 31, 2019
Principality Stadium
Kickoff 2:30pm
Channel 4

Referee - Romain Poite (France)
Assistant 1 - Jérôme Garcès (France)
Assistant 2 - Karl Dickson (England)
TMO - Rowan Kitt (England)

#COYBIG
#SHOULDER TO SHOULDER

Front Five - 30.08.19

Start your day with five eye-catching egg-chasing quotes & links from around the ruggersphere.

ICYMI click here for our weekly list
of upcoming rugby on Irish TV


All going according to plan tomorrow, Jack Carty will likely play the full game, but as Schmidt learned four years ago, plans can quickly be ripped to shreds.


Cian Tracey - Irish Independent

 "Is it a time to put some of the youngsters in? It's a massive game for Ireland that will answer a lot of questions."


SkySports.com

“He was with us, he’s seen everything that we deliver and would have a great knowledge of even the language we use in our camp, so it’s awkward for us."


Sean Farrell - The42.ie

The Brave Blossoms...will be hoping they can ride a strong run of form and get out of the pool stages for the first time.


RugbyPass.com

Ireland would need to beat Wales by 15 points or more in Cardiff to take the top ranking off Warren Gatland’s side


Irish Times

Feel free to share any interesting links you spot yourself about t’internet by email, Twitter, Facebook, blog comment or carrier pigeon – whatever works for you. JLP

Note - views expressed in "Front Five" links do not necessarily reflect those of HarpinOnRugby

Thursday, August 29, 2019

Rugby on TV : Aug 29-Sep 5

Rugby on TV is brought to you by
the IrishRugby TV YouTube channel


THURSDAY, AUGUST 29

4AM - MUNSTER V ULSTER (R) - PRO 14 - EIR SPORT 2
8AM - SCOTLAND V FRANCE (R) - RWC WARMUP - PREMIER SPORTS 2
8:30AM - WELLINGTON V COUNTIES MANUKAU (L) - MITRE10 CUP - SKY SPORTS MAIN EVENT
8:30AM - NRL TRY TIME - SKY SPORTS ACTION
1PM - RUGBY AM - NRL - FREESPORTS TV
3PM - CONNACHT V LEINSTER (R) - PRO 14 - EIR SPORT 2
5PM - GLASGOW V LEINSTER (R) - PRO 14 - EIR SPORT 2
5PM - RUGBY LEAGUE BACK CHAT - FREESPORTS TV
7PM - SALFORD V WARRINGTON (L) - SUPER LEAGUE - SKY SPORTS ARENA
8PM - SOUTH AFRICA V ENGLAND (R) - CLASSIC RWC - EIR SPORT 2
10PM - THE WORLD RUGBY SHOW - SKY SPORTS ACTION
10:35PM - THE STORY OF RUGBY - RTÉ1

FRIDAY, AUGUST 30

7AM - CONNACHT V LEINSTER (R) - PRO 14 - EIR SPORT 2
8:30AM - OTAGO V MANAWATU (L) - MITRE10 CUP - SKY SPORTS MAIN EVENT
9AM - RUGBY AM - NRL - FREESPORTS TV
2PM - THE WORLD RUGBY SHOW - SKY SPORTS ARENA
2PM - RUGBY LEAGUE BACK CHAT - FREESPORTS TV
3PM - ULSTER V CONNACHT (R) - PRO 14 - EIR SPORT 2
7PM - ST HELENS V CASTLEFORD (L) - SUPER LEAGUE - SKY SPORTS ARENA
5PM - GLASGOW V LEINSTER (R) - PRO 14 - EIR SPORT 2
6PM - SCOTLAND V FRANCE (R) - TEST MATCH - PREMIER SPORTS 1
7:55PM - FRANCE V ITALY (L) - TEST MATCH - PREMIER SPORTS 1
8PM - NEW ZEALAND V PORTUGAL (R) - CLASSIC RWC 2007 - EIR SPORT 2
10:45PM - FRANCE V ITALY (R) - TEST MATCH - PREMIER SPORTS 2

SATURDAY, AUGUST 31

3:30AM - CANTERBURY V SOUTHLAND (L) - MITRE10 CUP - SKY SPORTS MAIN EVENT

4AM - ULSTER V CONNACHT (R) - PRO 14 - EIR SPORT 2
6AM - NORTHLAND V HAWKE'S BAY (L) - MITRE10 CUP - SKY SPORTS MAIN EVENT
7AM - GLASGOW V LEINSTER (R) - PRO 14 - EIR SPORT 2
8:30AM - WAIKATO V AUCKLAND (L) - MITRE10 CUP - SKY SPORTS MAIN EVENT
8:30AM - SEA EAGLES V STORM (L) - NRL - SKY SPORTS ACTION
10:30AM - FRANCE V ITALY (R) - TEST MATCH - PREMIER SPORTS 1
10:35AM - ROOSTERS V PANTHERS (L) - NRL - SKY SPORTS ACTION
1:55PM - GOLDEN LIONS V GRIQUAS (L) - CURRIE CUP - SKY SPORTS ACTION
2PM - WALES V IRELAND (L) - TEST MATCH - CHANNEL 4
3PM - FRANCE V ITALY (R) - TEST MATCH - PREMIER SPORTS 2
4:55PM - CHEETAHS V SHARKS (L) - CURRIE CUP - SKY SPORTS MIX
4:55PM - CATALANS V HULL KR (L) - SUPER LEAGUE - SKY SPORTS ARENA
4:55PM - GEORGIA V SCOTLAND (L) - TEST MATCH - PREMIER SPORTS 2
5PM - LEINSTER V MUNSTER (R) - PRO 14 - EIR SPORT 2
9:45PM - GEORGIA V SCOTLAND (R) - TEST MATCH - PREMIER SPORTS 1

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1


3AM - NORTH HARBOUR V BAY OF PLENTY (L) - MITRE10 CUP - SKY SPORTS MAIN EVENT

4AM - ULSTER V LEINSTER (R) - PRO 14 - EIR SPORT 2
5AM - SHARKS V RAIDERS (L) - NRL - SKY SPORTS ACTION
6AM - TARANAKI V TASMAN (L) - MITRE10 CUP - SKY SPORTS MAIN EVENT
6AM - FRANCE V ITALY (R) - TEST MATCH - PREMIER SPORTS 2
7AM - LEINSTER V MUNSTER (R) - PRO 14 - EIR SPORT 2
10AM - GEORGIA V SCOTLAND (R) - TEST MATCH - FREESPORTS TV
2PM - SOUTH AFRICA V ENGLAND (R) - CLASSIC RWC 2007 - EIR SPORT 1
3PM - CONNACHT V ULSTER (R) - PRO 14 - EIR SPORT 2
5PM - LEINSTER V ULSTER (R) - PRO 14 - EIR SPORT 2
5:45PM - FRANCE V ITALY (R) - TEST MATCH - PREMIER SPORTS 2
7PM - GEORGIA V SCOTLAND (R) - TEST MATCH - FREESPORTS TV

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 2


4AM - ULSTER V MUNSTER (R) - PRO 14 - EIR SPORT 2

7AM - MUNSTER V CONNACHT (R) - PRO 14 - EIR SPORT 2
10AM - FRANCE V ITALY (R) - TEST MATCH - FREESPORTS TV
3PM - CONNACHT V LEINSTER (R) - PRO 14 - EIR SPORT 2
2PM - GEORGIA V SCOTLAND (R) - TEST MATCH - PREMIER SPORTS 1
5PM - MUNSTER V ULSTER (R) - PRO 14 - EIR SPORT 2
8PM - IRELAND V ARGENTINA (R) - CLASSIC RWC1999 - EIR SPORT 2
10PM - SUPER LEAGUE FULLTIME - SKY SPORTS ACTION
10PM - FRANCE V ITALY (R) - TEST MATCH - PREMIER SPORTS 1
10:10PM - CONNACHT V LEINSTER (R) - PRO 14 - EIR SPORT 1

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3


4AM - CONNACHT V LEINSTER (R) - PRO 14 - EIR SPORT 2

4AM - GEORGIA V SCOTLAND (R) - TEST MATCH - PREMIER SPORTS 2
6AM - FRANCE V ITALY (R) - TEST MATCH - PREMIER SPORTS 2
7AM - MUNSTER V ULSTER (R) - PRO 14 - EIR SPORT 2
11AM - GEORGIA V SCOTLAND (R) - TEST MATCH - PREMIER SPORTS 2
12PM - GEORGIA V SCOTLAND (R) - TEST MATCH - FREESPORTS TV
1PM - THE SUPER LEAGUE SHOW - BBC2
1PM - IRELAND V ARGENTINA (R) - CLASSIC RWC1999 - EIR SPORT 2
3PM - LEINSTER V CONNACHT (R) - PRO 14 - EIR SPORT 2
5PM - ULSTER V MUNSTER (R) - PRO 14 - EIR SPORT 2
8PM - FRANCE V NEW ZEALAND (R) - CLASSIC RWC2011 - EIR SPORT 2
10PM - MUNSTER V ULSTER (R) - PRO 14 - EIR SPORT 1
10PM - GEORGIA V SCOTLAND (R) - TEST MATCH - PREMIER SPORTS 1

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4


4AM - ULSTER V MUNSTER (R) - PRO 14 - EIR SPORT 2
7AM - LEINSTER V CONNACHT (R) - PRO 14 - EIR SPORT 2
10AM - GEORGIA V SCOTLAND (R) - TEST MATCH - FREESPORTS TV
11AM - FRANCE V ITALY (R) - TEST MATCH - PREMIER SPORTS 1
1PM - FRANCE V NEW ZEALAND (R) - CLASSIC RWC2011 - EIR SPORT 2
3PM - CONNACHT V ULSTER (R) - PRO 14 - EIR SPORT 2
5PM - MUNSTER V LEINSTER (R) - PRO 14 - EIR SPORT 2
8PM - NRL TRY TIME - SKY SPORTS ARENA
8PM - IRELAND V FRANCE (R) - CLASSIC RWC 2015 - EIR SPORT 2
8:30PM - GEORGIA V SCOTLAND (R) - TEST MATCH - PREMIER SPORTS 2
10PM - CONNACHT V ULSTER (R) - PRO 14 - EIR SPORT 1
10:30PM - FRANCE V ITALY (R) - TEST MATCH - PREMIER SPORTS 2


THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5

4AM - MUNSTER V LEINSTER (R) - PRO 14 - EIR SPORT 2
4AM - RUGBY AM - FREESPORTS TV
8AM - WELLINGTON V COUNTIES MANUKAU  - MITRE10 CUP - SKY SPORTS MAIN EVENT
8AM - GEORGIA V SCOTLAND (R) - TEST MATCH - PREMIER SPORTS 1
1PM - IRELAND V FRANCE (R) - CLASSIC RWC2015 - EIR SPORT 2
3PM - LEINSTER V ULSTER (R) - PRO 14 - EIR SPORT 2
5PM - CONNACHT V MUNSTER (R) - PRO 14 - EIR SPORT 2
5PM - RUGBY LEAGUE BACK CHAT - FREESPORTS TV
6:30PM - THE WORLD RUGBY SHOW - SKY SPORTS ARENA
7PM - CASTLEFORD V HULL FC - SUPER LEAGUE - SKY SPORTS ARENA
8PM - SOUTH AFRICA V JAPAN (R) - CLASSIC RWC2015 - EIR SPORT 2
10PM - LEINSTER V CONNACHT (R) - PRO 14 - EIR SPORT 1
11:10PM - THE STORY OF RUGBY - RTÉ ONE

L = LIVE
R = FULL REPEAT
T = TAPE DELAY
H = HIGHLIGHTS

Times generally refer to beginning of broadcast not kickoff
Check local listings for repeat showings
Feel free to let us know if something is missing! paganoblog@gmail.com





Front Five - 29.08.19

Start your day with five eye-catching egg-chasing quotes & links from around the ruggersphere.

ICYMI click here for our latest
podcast which features a chat with Keego


We saw glimpses of Ireland's change to their kicking strategy earlier this month when neither scrum-half box-kicked for the entire Italy game.


Cian Tracey - Irish Independent

Having made three appearances during this year’s Six Nations, one of them a start against Scotland, Conan is firmly in Schmidt’s thoughts.


Murray Kinsella - The42.ie

“If you execute your basics well, if you stick to your scrum, ruck, maul, that’ll go a long way in terms of selection across all the positions.”


Brendan O'Brien - Irish Examiner

The All Blacks will again be captained by Kieran Read, who will be taking part in his third Rugby World Cup, together with lock Samuel Whitelock and centre Williams. 


Planet Rugby

“I’m going to change it. I assure.”


Matthew Southcombe - WalesOnline

Feel free to share any interesting links you spot yourself about t’internet by email, Twitter, Facebook, blog comment or carrier pigeon – whatever works for you. JLP

Note - views expressed in "Front Five" links do not necessarily reflect those of HarpinOnRugby

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Podcast ep 9 : "Tweets & Tweaks after Twickers" featuring Keego



On this week's pod we welcome regular Harpin contributor Neil 'Keego' Keegan from CouchPunditIreland.com and we discuss what went wrong for Ireland at Twickenham as well as how wrong some people were with their reactions.  I also review Leinster's win in Canada plus there's a Harpin Point about whether or not Joe Schmidt should look beyond Irish shores to fill his squad.  

Gwan, subscribe and have a listen, you know you wanna!  JLP

THIS WEEK'S RUNNING ORDER


INTRO



BACK & FORWARD CHAT 
with Neil "Couch Pundit"/"Keego" Keegan 
check out his content at TheCouchPunditIreland.com

Keego (@nkeegan): Blogger, professional wrestler, sometime attempted rugby player (@TheThirsty3rds), professional procrastinator and attempted musician with a fondness for long walks on the bar, tea and the couch. Opinionated Leinster fan and constant gardener.


We planned to chat about more than just the Twickenham tragedy but there was so much to go over we had to split the interview in two!

To round things off, Keego has a go at our game called Association Rugby, where I fire 10 rugby terms at him in quick succession to see what he says in return.  Here's what I gave him...

  1. WINGER
  2. LINEOUTS
  3. TADHG BEIRNE
  4. GRASS ROOTS
  5. RANKINGS
  6. EDDIE JONES
  7. BOX KICK 
  8. WALES
  9. TACKLING
  10. WORLD CUP


EIGHTY-WORD REVIEWS



Normally I do brief summaries here on matches involving teams on Leinster & Ireland's radar but this time I included Leinster's preseason match in Canada so I did one review of each half  :  


CAN v LEI (1st half), CAN v LEI (2nd half), SCO v FRA





HARPIN' POINT



"THE UNPICKABLES"

Are Ireland missing a trick by not calling on players who leave for the Premiership and Top 14?



OUTRO 

...including our Final Whistle quote




If you want to be part of a future pod, you can leave a voice message by following this link, or alternatively just get in touch by email at paganoblog@gmail.com 

Front Five - 28.08.19

Start your day with five eye-catching egg-chasing quotes & links from around the ruggersphere.

ICYMI click here for the audio
version of our #ENGvIRE writeup
aka "speakup"


Sentiment won't come into the equation in the coaches' meeting come Sunday...and (Ross) Byrne will realise that harsh reality.


Cian Tracey - Irish Independent

It’s not a good thing to lose a game like that. We’re not going to bullshit ourselves by saying, ‘that might be the best thing for us’.


Brendan O'Brien - Irish Examiner

If Jones arrives, he will also link up with former Munster coaches Jacques Nienaber and Aled Waters. 


Ben Blake - The42.ie

"It has the ingredients for a real fierce Test match and I just hope everybody comes through unscathed."


BBC Rugby

with five incumbent All Blacks midfielders already doing the rounds...it would’ve taken something exceptional from Nonu to find his way back into the national squad.


Tom Vinicombe - RugbyPass

Feel free to share any interesting links you spot yourself about t’internet by email, Twitter, Facebook, blog comment or carrier pigeon – whatever works for you. JLP

Note - views expressed in "Front Five" links do not necessarily reflect those of HarpinOnRugby


Tuesday, August 27, 2019

International Window of Opportunity by Ciarán Duffy



World Cup Warm-Ups Should Be A Chance For Developing Nations 


Before I start I’ll give my thoughts on last weekends game.  England were miles ahead of us and look ready for the World Cup, they will likely top their group over France and Argentina.  I don’t care about the scoreline, these are the only friendlies in international rugby. The performance on the other hand is important, and it was fairly shambolic.  Read Jeff's write-up if you want a more indepth look.  

I never liked World Cup warm-ups.  They seem like they are just a chance for players to get injured.  High intensity games against competitors aren’t really going to help anything, at this stage in the build-up teams aren’t going to come up with anything drastic and they don’t want to give anything away, so they’re just games for the sake of games.  

But there is an opportunity for development here.  Contenders don’t need to play hard hitting games, and as I’ve wrote and spoken about before, lower tier nations don’t play enough games.  Here are the highest-ranked teams from each region who did not qualify for the World Cup.  

Africa
Americas
Asia
Europe
Oceania
Zimbabwe
Brazil
Hong Kong
Spain
Cook Islands
Kenya
Chile
Korea Republic
Romania
Tahiti
Tunisia
Colombia
Philippines
Portugal
Papua New Guinea
Cote d’Ivoire
Mexico
Sri Lanka
Netherlands
Niue Island
Uganda
Paraguay
Malaysia
Belgium
Solomon Islands
Morocco
Cayman Islands
Singapore
Germany

Madagascar
Trinidad & Tobago
UAE
Switzerland

Senegal
Guyana
Thailand
Poland

Zambia
Venezuela
China
Lithuania

Botswana
Guam
India
Ukraine


Peru

Czechia


St Vincent and Grenadines

Malta


Barbados

Croatia


I’d propose these teams tour around nations who are in the World Cup and play them in friendlies.  For Example, Spain could play Ireland, England, & Wales. Hong Kong could play Fiji, Japan, & Tonga.  Brazil could play Uruguay, & Argentina. Zimbabwe could play Namibia, & South Africa. Even if most of the teams listed above get a chance to play one team in the World Cup that would greatly benefit them.  

And this could be made into a proper international window where there are fixtures for every team.  Ireland aren’t going to learn anything about themselves playing England and Wales at this stage, because they are just going to be trying not to get hurt while giving players game time.  If they played smaller nations in the build-up, that would allow them to test out more players, and play at a lower intensity.  

I’d argue that during the November internationals, Tier 1 nations should play 2 of their 4 games against Tier 2 or lower nations.  It gives these teams a genuine chance to improve themselves. It would require World Rugby to back the smaller nations with actual funding.  

It’s not necessary to disrupt competitions like the Victoria Cup and Oceania Rugby Cup for these friendlies either.  Those tournaments could be moved earlier. Having tier 1 nations play against lower tier nations would be beneficial to all involved.  It would make it less likely players would get injured, and would help lower tier nations develop. It would also be an opportunity for double-headers with the womens team.  And it would be a chance to play these games around the country rather than always in Dublin.  



Ciarán is the Producer and Presenter of Post to Post Sport (@PostToPostSport), a sports podcast that covers rugby, football, wrestling, and Irish Sport News. You can get their podcasts on MixCloud our Spotify (Search PostToPostSport) and PlayerFM (Post to Post Sport).



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D4tress
Taken by JLP from RDS press box on Nov 16, 2019