Homepage

First topic message reminder :

Breaking News: One point now separates the bottom three teams after London Wasps home win against Saracens.

---

---

---

Welcome to Season 5 of the Aviva Premiership fantasty rugby game. Below are the rules of the game which must be adhered to. If there are any situations that arise in the course of the game which are not covered by the rules, a final decision will be made by the RFU (Ozzy3213) as to how the situation will be resolved.

Senior Squads wrote:
The maximum squad size is 40 senior players. If a team has more than 40 players in their squad then they will be fined £1 million per player over the permitted amounts per day for the first seven days. If after 7 consecutive days a team still has more than the permitted number of players then the team will be fined £2 million per player per day, and fined 1 league point per player per day for the next seven days. If after this time a team still has more than the permitted number of players in their squad, the RFU (me) will remove players at it’s discretion to bring them back under the permitted numbers. There will be no right of appeal to players being removed.

Be aware that all tier one international matches which are played during the season will count in the game, and players selected in the matchday 22's for those matches will not be eligible to play for their clubs on that weekend, therefore you must give due consideration to the make up of your squad.

Academy Rules wrote:
Each team will be allowed to have a listed senior academy squad of 20 players. Players who are in the senior academy must be under 22 years of age as of 1st September 2012 (therefore must have been born on or after 1st Septmber 1990). Players who are under the age of 20 (so born after 1st September 1992) AND are in the academy of the club that you are managing in real life, DO NOT need to be listed as senior academy players as part of your 20, but are available to you in this game and cannot be poached by other clubs without paying you a fee.

Should a player not listed in your 20 senior academy players, but part of the clubs academy in real life move clubs in real life, then you will have first option of promoting him to your listed senior academy. If you choose not to take this option he will become property of the club that he moves to in real life in this game.

Transfers wrote:

• Domestic (other AP Teams)
  Each team has a budget to use in the purchase of players. Domestic transfers between AP clubs, regardless of nationality of player, should be negotiated between the respective managers, and then confirmed on the Domestic Transfer Confirmation Page.
  
  
• Domestic (Championship and below)
  Each team may during the season purchase no more than 3 players from the Championship or the National Leagues. These players must be bid for on the Championship/National League bidding page, and each bid will be considered by me on it's own merits before being accepted or rejected. No bid will be accepted until a minimum of 24 hours has elapsed from the time the bid was made, in order to afford other managers the opportunity to make a counter bid.
  
  
• Foreign
  To make a foreign transfer (i.e from any club outside of the AP, regardless of whether the player is English) a bid should be made on the Foreign Transfers Page, which will be considered by me against the posted guidelines for purchase prices before being accepted or rejected. No bid will be accepted until a minimum of 24 hours has elapsed from the time the bid was made, in order to afford other managers the opportunity to make a counter bid.
  
  Foreign transfers will unlimited during the off season and 2 during the season. The exact dates of the two transfer windows during the season is to be confirmed.
  

Player Releases wrote:
Managers may choose to release players from their clubs, for which they will be offered compensation

Compensation will be paid as follows

£2 million – current international (must have played international rugby in the previous 12 months)
£1.5 million – former international
£1m – top flight experience
£0.5m – other

If a released player plays in real life for a team outside of this game he will be deemed to have returned to that team. If not then he will be deemed to have signed for a Championship side. If another manager wants to pick a released player up, they will have to bid for him in the same way as for a foreign or Championship/National League player.

Retirements wrote:
There will be no compensation for retiring players. Should a player who retires decide to come out of retirement and play again, then he will automatically go back to the club who he was playing for in the game when he retired.

Fixtures wrote:
There will be 22 Aviva Premiership games per season, plus the play offs. There will also be Heineken Cup, Amlin Challenge Cup and Anglo Welsh Cup matches. These games will take place once a week. A thread will be put up for managers to name their teams on Thursdays, then on Fridays, managers will post the scores that they think will happen from these games (apart from games in which they are involved). An average of all predictions will be taken, and then 0.5 points added to each teams score for each prediction that had them as the winner, and that will then be the final score.

Teams wrote:
When naming your team, not only should you put the starting XV and replacements, but also tactics that your team will employ. Results will be affected by the tactics described.

In addition, each team must have the following:-

At least 10 England qualified players in your matchday 23, and at least 5 of those must be in your starting XV.

At least 2 props and 1 hooker on the bench.

All players must be eligible (not injured or banned).

Failure to comply with these rules will result in forfeiting the match and a 1 league point deduction.

If you fail to submit a team for a match, then the other team will be automatically awarded a 30-0 bonus point win. If both teams fail to submit a team, then it will be scored as a 0-0 draw.

Injuries and Suspensions wrote:
Injuries in this game do NOT reflect real life, they will be generated by me.

Players banned in real life will be ineligible for selection in this game for the duration of the ban.

Inclusion of injured/banned players will result in them being replaced by players on the bench, and the bench not having eight players, which may result in punishment if it concerns the front-row.

Punishment for fielding an ineligible player will be loss of one match point for a first offence, two for a second offence and so on.

Financial Rewards wrote:
There will be no rewards for the result of an individual match, instead the managers will receive cash for predicting.

£1.5m for descriptive predictions
£0.25m for scores on the doors predictions
If you fail to predict without first advising me that you are unable to do so that week, you will be fined £1m for a first offence, £2m for a second offence, £3m for a third offence etc.

AP finishing positions.

Champions: 8m
Runners Up: 6m
Playoff Semi Finalist Losers: 5m
5th: 4m
6th: 3.5m
7th: 3m
8th: 2.5m
9th: 2m
10th: 1.5m
11th: 1m
12th: 0.5m

Heineken Cup

Losing Quarter Finalists - £2 million each
Losing Semi Finalists - £3 million each
Runners Up - £4 million
Champions - £5 million

Amlin Challenge Cup

Losing Quarter Finalists - £1 million each
Losing Semi Finalists - £2 million each
Runners Up - £3 million
Champions - £4 million

Anglo-Welsh Cup

Losing Semi Finalist - £1 million each
Runners Up - £2 million
Champions - £3 million


If your budgets falls below minus £10 million for any reason, the administrators (ozzy3213) will step in and players from within your squad will be released for the relevant financial compensation in order to bring your budget back above minus £10 million.

Just watching Stormers game.

Bekker has to be the best lock in world, bloke is fantastic. Can't believe he's off to Japan

Bekker spends a little to much time on the wing for me. Prefer him to do a bit more of the hard work.

Best lock for me is Whitelock.

On the wing? I thought the opposite, he gets stuck in everywhere.

Yea Whitelock is quality, I'd have a fit Bekker over him anytime though(not often)

He does a lot of carrying in the wide channels. He does this well but I don't see him doing much trucking up of 9 and making hard yards.

Lyndsey-Hague a cracking player there Steve, really like the look of him - think he could end up being a bit of a star, but game time gets so limited at Quins because of Brown.

Good EQ for someones squad to have, may take a season or two to get noticed though!

Good player behind Brown and Chisholm. Needs a break but not getting one at the moment. Just squad spaces the problem.

Would definitely take him at Wasps in real life! Southwell has been having an odd season, either very good or average and his kicking game has gone to pot recently.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Just watching Stormers game.

Bekker has to be the best lock in world, bloke is fantastic. Can't believe he's off to Japan

Last year a lot of people would not have cared whether he went to Japan.
He has started the season really well.

Personally think Whitelock is best lock in the world by a distance.

Have all the others like Etzbeth Bekker grey horwill et al a rung below Whitelock.

As long as rob Simmons is not on the list I will be a happy man lol! Once launchbury learns how to scrummage he will be up there.

Seen lots of ex England forwards saying that parling and launchbury are some of the lightest scrummagers we have had since we started.

Lot to be said for a Hines , thorn or Bakkies type of scrummager

"Seen lots of ex England forwards saying that parling and launchbury are some of the lightest scrummagers we have had since we started."

Have to agree there, need some grunt in there

Launchbury can get better at it still a pup.

Brian Moore been banging on for a while about parlings scrummaging. Think it was johnno and Moore who said they would not have played launch against Wales to help parling out scrummaging wise against Wales.

Don't think it would have helped that much though

Anyone close to international standard who is good in the scrum?

I'd say that the issue Steve.

Whitelock above the rest right now. Horwill could get close again if stays fit.

Coming through most locks tend to play a bit of back row as well.

I wasn't a fan to begin with but it's hard to ignore the form of Ed Slater at the moment.

Here is the lions team the Aussies selected after round 1 of. 6 nations

Amazing how much it can change

1. Cian Healy (Ireland): His performance was arguably his finest of his Six Nations career. He is too good around the park to be ignored. He has the Lions no 1 shirt almost tattooed to his back. His scrummaging no longer seems to be a weakness but is now a true strength.

2. Rory Best (Ireland): Yet another quality performance, and off the back of some excellent Six Nations performances in years gone by, it’s hard to see the rival English upstarts usurping the current king of home nation hookers.

3. Dan Cole (England): A solid performance in the loose and yet another impressive performance in the tight. Cole was the standout tight head on show this weekend.

4. Richie Grey (Scotland): Frankly, Grey’s attacking game was shut down by both England’s defence and Scotland’s tactics to keep him in tight. His defensive and breakdown work rate was outstanding, his lineout work fitting of the giant he his, and his strength in contact was undeniable.

5. Geoff Parling (England): Out played his locking team-mate with a massive performance just when he needed it. With the fantastically athletic Lawes on the bench it seems a matter of time before fans will be calling for a more balanced Lawes/Launchbury combination.

With performances like this they may be calling for a Lawes/Parling one instead.

6. Dave Denton (Scotland): With last year’s Player of the Tournament, Dan Lydiate, side-lined along with the Irishman Ferris, this weekend’s home nations no 6′s had a lot to play for. How did they do?

When Scotland’s Wallaby slaying Strokosch got ‘Strokosched’ from the field early, the young bull Denton took his spot and was absolutely immense on a losing side. With Rennie to come back for the Scots they are looking like fielding a world class flanker pairing and one that would not be out of place in a Lions starting line-up if need be.

7. Chris Robshaw (England): His performance was arguably his finest in an English shirt. Power and more power sum up his performance and it seems apart from a cameo from Tupiric in the second half for the Welsh, and a possible come back from Scotland’s Ross Rennie, Robshaw might have put his best foot forward yet for the lions no 7 shirt.

Warburton on the other hand might struggle to finish the season as the Welsh no 7 let alone the lions no 7 or captain. And will Ireland please do away with the myth that O’Brien is a Test match no 7 already? Put him at no 8 or no 6 or bring him in off the bench. You are fooling no-one.

8. Ben Morgan (England): Before getting injured again, he was as immense as he was when he came into the side at the back end of last year’s tournament. I ask, is there a better pure metre gaining no 8 in the game?

Maybe Sean O’Brien if played correctly? Morgan is a David Lyons that actually works at Test level and it seems only injury will curb this amazing talent. The other no 8′s on show were strong also (Faletau only for the second forty he played though).

9. Ben Youngs (England): A fantastic scrum half’s performance and when you have the second best scrum half, some might say the best, of the home nations, coming on to replace him, he had to play as well as he did.

10. Owen Farrell (England): At 21, this bloke has already held his nerve to kick his club to a premiership and is now kicking his way to a possible Grand Slam winning, Lions playing year.

Not only that, he has added a crucial element to his game. He’s actually taking the line on from time to time. The new Jonny? The second Farrell? What we do know is that Toby Flood is gutted as Sexton might become serious Lion selection time.

11. Mike Brown (England): With so much wing talent around there is no way the Harlequins full back will play wing for the Lions in a test match but he was one of the best performers in this position on Saturday. I’m not sure Goode will not make way for Brown at fullback by the tournaments end though.

12. Billy Twelvetrees (England): It helps to have such a memorable name but he deserves inclusion in this weekend’s Lions side after a fantastically penetrative performance. I doubt he’ll continue in the centres for England when Tuilagi returns so his selection truly is for his weekend’s merit.

It also helped that Roberts, Darcy and Scott all had relatively innocuous games.

13. Brian O’Driscoll (Ireland): His performance was as ‘Brian O’Driscoll’ as they come. All he did was create room for others by getting on his opposite’s outside, usually followed by a simple draw and pass. Simple with an air of class.

Throw in the occasional miraculous pass to lay on a try from nothing, put in a huge defensive display including two try saving tackles, one rib breaker against the opposition’s biggest player, score yet another try for Ireland, his 47th, and you’ve got yet another man of the match performance.

I must say there has never been a better no 13 than Brian O’Driscoll anywhere, anytime. There have been too many performances like these over the years to doubt that and this wasn’t even one of the best I’ve seen.

14. George North (Wales): Just gets the nod over Ireland’s Simon Zebo who is credited with the amazing skill of being able to flick balls from behind him at full pace into his right hand by using the back of his left foot. North took a while to get into the game but when he did he showed his immeasurable power and strength and was a handful for the Irish.

15. Stuart Hogg (Scotland): When this guy runs he leaves vapour trails. He had a great start to his full international career in last year’s Six Nations and yet is probably a long shot for a Lions starting berth.

Hogg set up Scotland’s opening try with blinding pace and showed just as much pace to finish off Scotland’s length of the field effort in the second half. With his speed and his amazingly long boot I’d be at-least taking him to Australia as a benchy.

One Welsh player - from what I've seen on the main boards that is now up to fifteen isn't it?

Just hope Tom Wood gets to go, think he's a great player.

I like Wood but just don't see where he could fit in, good player though.

Steve, Slater has been fantastic. Ousted Kitchener, he's s real old school grunt type 4.

Similar with Attwood who's been great lately.

Atwood not a grunt player been playing 5 mainly this season

Interesting

http://www.planetrugby.co.uk/lions-09/story/0,25883,16024_8599038,00.html

Jackson has been great.

Been impressed with Attwood this season, need a top partner for Launchbury going forward.

Attwood good in a poor Bath side on Friday night.

They should have let Jackson have a test. Great ref.

Atwood was not played much early in season but been good last few months

for chris

Off to london now with beer for a beer infuled 2 days. How long till I say 30-3?!?!

Prop - it's all about the u20's victory in London right now and stopping Wales winning the Grand Slam. An amazing win and if there was an u20's Lions team every single person in the squad would be English...

You're almost as biased as the welsh posters on the board with thatcomment!!

I can't believe what I'm reading. Bekker does plenty of carrying in the tight. His workrate has been exceptional the last two games for the Stormers.

Yea I was a bit lost with that one too, Bekker is immense.

I know I have a big Stormers bias, but even taking the blinkers off I would say Bekker has been the best lock in Super Rugby so far this season, followed by Clarke, the Chiefs captain who is signing for Connacht next season.

Ferris off to Japan rumours are growing:

http://www.joe.ie/rugby/rugby-news/is-stephen-ferris-about-to-turn-japanese-after-all-0035879-1

He's apparently turned down a pay as you play offer for IRU

Its just what I see of him he does most of his carrying in the wide channels. Will pay special attention next time I watch the Stormers. Similar to Kitchener in that way for me.

DHLS07 wrote:I know I have a big Stormers bias, but even taking the blinkers off I would say Bekker has been the best lock in Super Rugby so far this season, followed by Clarke, the Chiefs captain who is signing for Connacht next season.

Agree dhl Bekker been immense. Back to his best
this year.

Like a lot of big men when everything not 100% he does
Not function well.

Clarke a great player for years

Kitchener is a bambi who loves the wide channels.

Bekker not a ruck clearer but does tight carrying and offers himself up .

Him and Etzbeth carry loads from first receiver off back of rucks Etc. Bekker more athletic wider and gets involved wider channels where as Etzbeth close to ruck.

Similar Bakkies and Botha in roles

http://www.planetrugby.co.uk/story/0,25883,16016_8601203,00.html

Steyn for me not fit. Has talent to burn and a monster just looks fat

Kurtley Beale been stood down from the Rebels...

http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-sport/kurtley-beale-stood-down-indefinitely-20130328-2gwnk.html

Schalk Burger out for 6 weeks. Gotten bacterial menigitis after operation.

I'm sure he will still be ahead of Cooper for Oz in Pooly's mind though Pete

Beale not playing is still better than Cooper lol

Has Burger ever not been out???

Cooper will be tested tomorrow v Highlanders. be interesting to see how he goes.

Has he even played since the Lions tour in 2009!?

Don't remember seeing him in years.

RFU tv is getting better these days, putting all the highlights on u18/20s game on there.

http://embed.buto.tv/wfT6L

stnick88 wrote:Has he even played since the Lions tour in 2009!?

Don't remember seeing him in years.

Been out a year played in last World Cup and got injured in s14 last year.
I would love to have him back not played him for ages damn it

Anyone around for a deal? Everyone is practically available except for Brown or Ryan, they'd need a very good offer.

Have we got any interest for the vacant jobs lads? Anyone in mind, get advertising, would be good to have a full compliment again.

Wrong page....

Tasty games this weekend tactics in. Good luck Steve.

Hc next weekend so no let up in games of significance.

Off to glos Quins tomoz
And trains have decided to make my journey 1hr 10 minutes longer each way as its Good Friday and Sunday service. Should be 40 minutes yet is 1hr 50?????

Not happy !

http://m.guardian.co.uk/sport/2013/mar/28/breakdown-rugby-union-scrum-problems

Great article. I listened to the 5live program they mentioned tonight whilst sat
On the m5.

General point was basically scrum has become about the hit rather than technique also feeding is now
The norm.

Moore and fitz laughed
At how Rfu have changed scrum to crouch touch engage as it puts
More emphasis on hit as it gives an engagement call.

Moore sensibly pointed out that the laws
State ball cannot be put in until scrum is stationary thus making it a pushing contest and technical battle.

No scrums are ever stationary before ball in anymore.
Also it would be safer and have very few restarts !
Rfu can stop all this rubbish at scrum by doing this.

Other main point was the shirts.
Props have skin tight shirts yet have to bind on each others shirt. Old
Shirts were flappy and easy to grab now props miss bind due to skin tight being hard to grab.

Great hour show try and find on iplayer radio!

Highlanders - Reds was a good game.

I hear Genia was cracking again. How did cooper and gear go?

Gear been great in an awful side

Genia and Cooper were good. First 20 they were great Cooper standing flat and running the show. Cooper made a silly mistake late on with a kick but got away with it. Good off the tea.

Gear and Nonu very good, Highlanders scrum dominant.

Slade really poor. Didn't know he was playing except for goal kicks.

I watched that game too, Cooper isn't quite himself yet, but getting there. Gill was terrific. Just surprised the highlanders haven't won yet, thought they were going to do it then

Just finished watching it. Cooper was impressive and really flowed.
Highlanders scrum was strong. Thorn a monster scrummager since he left franks has been shown up as the average scrummager he is.

Genia, gear and nonu were really good.

Nonu let himself down with that awful pass at the end but apart from that had his first decent game of season.

Highlanders impact sub at 8 ioane was really good. Carried more than anyone in his brief cameo. Will keep an eye on him.