Rubbish. Brown, although not not without skill, seriously lacks pace. Plus he is a nasty cheap shot merchant. May and Yarde are unexceptional wingers (admittedly England RU has other wing options). Joseph and Farrell, of course, would have the makings of being good league players.

Brown and May are only dangerous as runners, the ball is never coming out of there hands once it's there, which IMO is infuriating to watch.

Joseph is good, Farrell is Ok, but I'm unsure what his best position would be. The Fijian who was playing Number 8 might make a good prop.

We complain about ring in Australians, I wonder if there is ever that sort of uproar in RU, with Nathan Hughes, Hartley, and Harrison who came off the bench all not being English.

Don't even get me started on Ben Teo, can anyone who follows union explain to me how he is eligible. Born in NZ, capped for Samoa, played Queensland State of Origin and all but 1 year of his Union career in Ireland? Am I missing something, has he got an English Parent?

It was a stupid comment from Charlie Stayt. The game is compelling enough to attract 80000 people willing to pay £50 plus per ticket to go and watch it (it's much cheaper and easier to go and drink at your local pub if you're not interested in the rugby). Even if you allow for some people being there on corporate trips, I'm sure that a lot of those leaving their seats to go and buy alcohol during the game are paying fans.

The same thing happens at England football matches where many of those in the Club Wembley seats don't return to their seats until 10 minutes into the 2nd half. Does football need to be made more compelling in order to encourage those people to return to their seats on time?

If anything I would say that it's more a sad reflection of the UK attitude to alcohol that some people can't get through a match of 80 minutes without the need for a pint or to get drunk. Not to mention a general lack of respect that exists nowadays, as some people are seemingly not bothered about constantly disrupting other peoples view of the game while they go and get their food and drinks.

Like I said though, the solutions aren't difficult. Make some parts of the stadium alcohol free zones. Close some or all of the food or drink outlets 15 minutes before kick-off etc. It's simply a case of whether the RFU are willing to sacrifice a bit of revenue in order to make sure that people can watch the match with as little disruption as possible.

It wasn't stupid at all , it was a very valid point

I wonder what the attendances at the Darts would be if they were alcohol free ?

Isn't his Mum English?

No, it was a stupid comment and a cheap shot at rugby union.

People going to Twickenham know what to expect from a game. They know what rugby union is like, in the same way that someone attending any sporting event knows roughly what to expect. Obviously you can't predict whether the game is going to be amazing or dull, but you know how the game is played and what the structure involves.

If someone finds rugby union compelling enough to be bothered to pay £50 or more to go and watch England play at Twickenham, then it's just taking a cheap shot at rugby union to try and suggest that if the game was somehow made more 'compelling' (any mention from Charlie on how that could be done?), that those people that choose to go and get drinks during the game would instead remain in their seats.

Let's also not forget that although autumn internationals are taken seriously by teams and fans, they are still 'friendly' matches in the sense that they aren't part of a specific tournament. I don't know but I would imagine that people would be less likely to leave their seats to buy alcohol during a six nations grand slam decider or an important world cup match, than they would during an autumn international match. That doesn't mean that the problem doesn't exist during all matches, but I would logically expect it to be less of a problem during the most important matches.

Take your blinkers off just because the comment was made about rugby union and you love the thought of rugby union being put down.

Well fair enough , you think it stupid , I disagree

But we could go on forever with this , but I'll leave it here

All the best until our paths cross again , as I suspect they will

I once tried watching a kick and clap match, the action never moved from a 15-20 metre section of the pitch in about 15 minutes....literally a pile on followed by a kick into the stand, another pile on, another kick etc etc - needless to say i fell asleep.
god awful game that is bigged up by the rich and the media !!

When people ask me whats the difference between league and union my answer is in rugby league the aim is to score tries in union the aim seems to be to stop your opponents scoring any while kicking goals to get some score on the board.

I really can't be bothered to respond to such stupidity.

However, you did.
Having an opinion of another sport is hardly stupidity is it?

I've never understood this attitude between the sports, it's the same both ways. I'm not a particular fan of RU though the Southern Hemisphere games can sometimes be good to watch. I live down south and have had many a RL v RU conversation which usually involve them telling me how great RU is and how poor RL is. I then ask how many RL games they have been to watch or seen on TV and they reply none. It seems as though it is bred into the majority of RU supporters not to like league and vice versa.

I personally don't like Union (at all) but my Dad likes both codes and enjoys both as much as the other.

Although England now seem to have a bit more attacking intent, there is no doubt that Northern Hemisphere Union games have been about "winning" penalties in the opposition half, to allow a pop at goal.
The Southern Hemisphere teams have played a different type of game, which seems more about scoring tries than kicking penalties.
As for fan's being more interested in spending time at the bar, this is clearly their choice and many of the International's are far more about the occasion, than watching a brilliant game of Rugby, something that "League" hasn't managed and if "we" can ever get to the point where we are playing our home internationals in front of 80,000 fans, paying £50 each, the game would be in rude health.

www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyu ... thers.html Any chance of actually discussing what Clive Woodward actually said? It's just as applicable to RL and RU and is about the drinking culture that detracts from the sport.

www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyu ... thers.html Any chance of actually discussing what Clive Woodward actually said? It's just as applicable to RL and RU and is about the drinking culture that detracts from the sport.

Why can't an individual enjoy their entertainment the way they want to? If that's drinking beer whilst sat watching a game good luck to them. Corporate hospitality encourages drinking and food etc before, during and after which for some is a big aspect of the sport and for the sport a big slice of income. As an ex world cup winning coach and pundit its his job to sit, analyse and then talk about the game/sport. Some guy whose worked 40-50 hours in the week and wants a sat afternoon out with his chums at the weekend is entitled to a beer if thats his/her choice

What does it really matter. There is never trouble at RU games and brings in income. this is an entertainment industry.



You do know more ale is supped at the A v N game than any other don't you?