Playoff Predictions

[Scrumhead]

It will be a very emotional day at Welford Road on Saturday as the club has just announced that Tiff Youngs has lost her battle with cancer.

oh that's awful. Poor family and poor her.

Very sad news. Tom is going to have a very tough time over the next few years adapting to this and a new life outside of rugby. From what I gather, they’re a tight family, but he’ll need a lot of support.

[Banquo]

Certainly, Edwards is the most qualified English, international coach. If he wanted the England HC job I'd give it to him but will his face fit with the RFU? In terms of roots, background and image probably not 6 years ago but, come 2023, after 8 years of Jones, why should it not?

I don't think roots and background have especially been an issue in the pro era tbh- or indeed in any era wrt to coaching. 6 years ago, Eddie would have been near the top of most peoples lists after burt's debacle and Jonno before that- internationally experienced head coach was absolutely the only call.

[Banquo]

I don't mind edwards having a shot, but neither do I have an issue with a big name foreigner, the current one has been a big step up on the previous three/four home grown cheps.

Agreed, but I think that's a pretty unpopular opinion generally.

doesn't make it wrong though

[FKAS]

It will be a very emotional day at Welford Road on Saturday as the club has just announced that Tiff Youngs has lost her battle with cancer.

oh that's awful. Poor family and poor her.

Very sad news. Tom is going to have a very tough time over the next few years adapting to this and a new life outside of rugby. From what I gather, they’re a tight family, but he’ll need a lot of support.

I believe the plan was always for Tom to take over the family farm in Norfolk in his retirement, he's been based in Norfolk this season what with not playing and then retiring. Grandparents will be close by and I'd expect Benny will rule himself out of any summer tour to make sure all the family is back home with him. Going to tough even with the family all round him though.

[Mikey Brown]

I had thought she was through it. I knew there was a remission and then a return, but I'd had it in my head all was well now. Horribly sad news. It's odd to have followed this from the sidelines for a number of years, and now feel so sad for someone I'd never even seen a picture of until yesterday. Both Youngs brothers seem like fantastic people (regardless of what anyone might think about them as players) and the ultimate club men.

I'm not sure how appropriate a sentiment this is, but it wouldn't surprise me if we saw Northampton get absolutely annihilated at the weekend.

[Banquo]

I had thought she was through it. I knew there was a remission and then a return, but I'd had it in my head all was well now. Horribly sad news. It's odd to have followed this from the sidelines for a number of years, and now feel so sad for someone I'd never even seen a picture of until yesterday. Both Youngs brothers seem like fantastic people (regardless of what anyone might think about them as players) and the ultimate club men.

I'm not sure how appropriate a sentiment this is, but it wouldn't surprise me if we saw Northampton get absolutely annihilated at the weekend.

Definitely yes to the first para. Very moving story.

[twitchy]

[Puja]

Found this interesting - the four play-off DoR's giving their opinions on rugby:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union ... gniter-rhr

Interesting quote from Chris Boyd when asked about Tommy Freeman going to Australia: "I don’t think you want to go down my theory on that, but I would not pick anyone for England who has not played at least 50 games for their club. I think you destroy young people when you give them false hope."

Puja

[Danno]

For convenience

https://12ft.io/proxy?q=https%3A%2F%2Fw ... gniter-rhr

[twitchy]

Found this interesting - the four play-off DoR's giving their opinions on rugby:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union ... gniter-rhr

Interesting quote from Chris Boyd when asked about Tommy Freeman going to Australia: "I don’t think you want to go down my theory on that, but I would not pick anyone for England who has not played at least 50 games for their club. I think you destroy young people when you give them false hope."

Puja

Yeah I wish they would do more things like this. I would like to listen to a long form conversation between EJ and a load of english speaking international/top team managers just on the game in general.

[FKAS]

Thanks Danno.

Who on earth thought it was a good idea to stand the ex lock on the step when taking the photo of the four DORs

[Danno]

Thanks Danno.

Who on earth thought it was a good idea to stand the ex lock on the step when taking the photo of the four DORs

Haha, I thought the same

[FKAS]

as per even Tigers fans, might be both premature and not the right gig for him.

Right gig but wrong time. At least four years to early. Borthwick is 42, he's got plenty of time to develop into the right man for the job and he's got a good base to work from.

If not him, then who? Cockerill?!

Puja

Dan McFarland? From Oxfordshire, played in England, France and Ireland. Coached in Ireland and Scotland, including Irish Wolfhounds and Scotland Assistant and has now done four years at Ulster who are brutally physical up front but still play good attacking rugby. No connection to the old regime, no connection to a particular Prem club and good brand of rugby.

If he could just win some silverware with Ulster that would really push him forward.

[Mikey Brown]

I really rated him as Scotland assistant and there was a notable drop off when he left. Seems to have done well with Ulster. I’d actually assumed he was Irish and wanted to get his name in the ring in Ireland.