England Expects A Big Weekend Of Revenge
Round 3 of the Champions Cup couldn’t have been more dismal for the English clubs, with all seven losing against Top 14 and PRO14 opposition. The autopsies began immediately, but it’s hard to put your finger on why it happened. Of course it might just be cyclical – it’s not that long ago that we had a round where every English club won – but I think there’s a bit more to it than that.
Let’s start with the obvious – despite those results nothing will shift me from my view that over the course of the season, the Premiership is stronger than the Celtic League. I would also rate it as a better competition than the French equivalent where losing away from home is almost accepted.
Yes, some of the French squads are terrifyingly strong, as we saw with Clermont last Monday, but in the league they’re very different animals at home and away.
We still haven’t completely removed the inherent advantage that the top Pro 14 sides get from being able to field weaker teams before what they regard as the more important Champions
Denne historien er fra December 17, 2017-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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Denne historien er fra December 17, 2017-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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Stade are heading in right direction
IS there an early winter equivalent to the idiom about solitary swallows and the impending arrival of summer? Because – whatever it might be, something involving snowflakes, perhaps, or frosts – that’s the situation at Stade Francais right now.
Borthwick needs to sort out defence
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Rowland is gearing up for world cup challenge
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All my energy is going into Beziers
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Fylde left to count cost of the cards
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O'Grady glad to learn his trade in tough surroundings
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It's Bristol or nothing for me - Cunningham
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Bristol hit heights to take down champions
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Good to see the Eagles soaring again
THAT’S a wrap for the autumn Tests and it would be remiss not to scroll through the undercard and round up the best of the action outside of the A list matches. A quick crib sheet for those not paying attention at the back.
Thomas ready for Edinburgh clash
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