Biker Pat wrote: Can somebody please explain the logic behind the rugby scrum rules re this touch, pause..............etc..... It appears to me to be a disaster...................

“A scrum is formed from at least eight players from each team. They join together to close around the ball which is placed on the ground. The front row of players must be interlocking, which serves to make a tunnel between the players. The players use their feet to control the ball. A scrummage is always used to restart play after an infringement occurs.”

-          That is a dictionary definition.

The reality is that as players have got bigger, stronger the “collision” or impact is more like trucks colliding. My understanding is that in order to lessen the “hit” the referees have tried to control the impact. A couple of years ago it was decided to instruck the scrum: ” touch”, “pause”, and “engage”.  Now we have gone to ” touch” ,“pause”,  “and have a cup of tea*” and then “engage”.  The duration of the pause varies,  and Instead of restarting the game now, in general, just leads to a free kick or a penalty.

*Bob Casey of London Irish coined the phrase

Clubs see through IRFU's restricted view of ticket mess

Putting bums on seats for international fixtures at the revamped Lansdowne Road remains a disaster, writes Brendan Fanning

Just got another messege. Still trying to sell the november tickets 

finno wrote: IRFU's hard sell over tickets leaves clubs counting cost Have had 3 emails (hasnt happened before) offering me tickets for these games

THe clubs are really being hit with this. If they return tickets for the Autumn Internationals they same amount will be deducted from the six nations allocation

 

Blackmail or what......

Biker Pat wrote: Leinster were superb tonight. Not an expert but something like 20 phases against them at the very end and never gave in or gave away a penalty. And Munster won as well as far as I know.

30 phases and squeaky bum time at the end but great defending. Sexton from first minute shimmy was on fire.
Next up, away to Connacht.  

Read Moss Keane's book - lovely read. Bought it for the Da for Christmas, then swiped it as soon as I could get away with!

He once considered becoming a priest - and said, that he would have made a good one. "Full of compassion and altar wine". A truly great expression....

An old style giant of a man - gentle and wise and seemingly incredibly popular with one and all. Even Neil Francis had good things to say about him and he wouldn't always come across as a great fan of Munster rugby

Just got yet another email from Leinster Rugby. They still cant sell all the tickets for the November Internationals.

Great game and great result last Saturday.

Before my time, but Moss always had a good name whenever mentioned. Sad day for his family and i'm sure many friends and fans.

Sad to hear of the passing of Moss Keane.

As I'm sure some of you know  I wouldn't be a rugby fan at all but this fella was a genuine Irish Sporting legend...............but a really rubbish golfer .

May he Rest in Peace.