[retired_J_Ahmed_K]

Watched Wasps versus Munster and Leicester versus Leinster.

Leicester were poor and completetly outbattled at the ruck. I was impressed with Crane, but Murphy at scrum half had a poor game. His passing and decision making were both poor and he looked no threat running with the ball. How they are missing Ellis and even Bemand.

Wasps were okay in the second half. I was impressed with Haskell who had a great game and was a very good ball carrier. Cipriani had a decent game, he offers so much more than Goode does. Cipriani and Lamb offer so much more than Goode or similar fly halfs. I have watched four games this weekend, well since Friday and Hodgson, Lamb and Cipriani had good games.

One thing that does worry me is the standard of refereing. In the Guiness Premiership the refs tend to ref in a similar way and try to encourage one go at the ball and then hands off. The Irish teams tended to kill the ball much more than the English teams did. The amount of times that Leinster and Munster were killing the ball was unbelievable. Hands in the ruck after being told 3/4 times 'ruck', 'hands off', players were often lying over the ball and/or not roling away.

It took Munster nearly 60 minutes to get a card. I am sure that if after three killings of the ball in the red zone they or Leinster recieved a card I am sure the break down would have been much better.

Refs need to ref the game more consistently. If you are killing ball constantly, especially in the red zone then cards have to be shown.

[retired_derek]

There are a lot of really really poor refs at the moment. Particularly the ones who referee in the Magners league.

[retired_drumcook]

Wandered down to the Arms Park for Cardiff v Bristol earlier. Two mediocre teams tbh and Stade Francais have the group in their pocket, doubt anyone else can qualify, though Cardiff did manage to pick up a bonus point, aided by the referee abandonning the knock-on law at half time.

Cardiff have a weird mix of quality and utter tosh in their line-up, it's all a bit strange to watch.

[retired_derek]

watched the Clermon/scarlet's game earlier today.

How awful a referee is Chris White?

Scarlet's weren't very good and the result really wouldnt have changed, but there were some shocking decisions given to Clermon - Knock on in the build up to the one try, two players blocking and obstructing for another. Constant playing of the ball on the floor.

[retired_lohmannj]

Ulster coach Mark McCall resigned today. Not really surprising, bottom of the ML and thrashed on Friday, team playing with no direction or clear gameplan or leadership.

Possible candidates Keith Wood, Gareth Jenkins, Willie Anderson, Alan Solomons.

[retired_misshwood1]

Pray it's not Jenkins.

[retired_lohmannj]

I dunno, he did a good job with the Scarlets, took them to two European Semis and brought in some really good talent whilst relying on a predominately home grown squad, which is very similar to the current makeup of the Ulster squad. Contrast this to the Welsh setup, in which he was destined to fail from the word go, with the massive egos shooting about and the player power that forced ruddock out, i reckon he would be the best pick of those that have been linked so far.

[retired_kaila4337]

Didn't notice this thread.

Went to Wasps v Munster at the weekend, great atmosphere to match an exciting game. Haskell is king. Cipriani looks immense. And Sackey having a decent WC is gonna pump his confidence so much.

Will be watching Wasps v Llanelli on the TV, remember the last time we played there when the fog came in and you couldn't actually see anything on the TV

All booked up to go over to Limerick for the return game against Munster. Can't wait \o/

[retired_kaila4337]

Probably the best thread to ask this in I guess...

Anyone played on any of the Pro Rugby Manager games? I quite fancy a rugby manager game, but don't know which, if any, are any good

[retired_jo1061]

I've got ProRugby Manager 2004, which I think was the revised/updated edition of the first one (before PRM2 came out).

It is a bit prone to some random crashes, doesn't use real player names, and a bit basic (nowhere near FM etc) but if you're a rugby fan you'll easily be able to tolerate those glitches in order to play a decent rugby management.

Haven't played it for a while, but seem to remember you had to actually watch the games if you wanted to make any subs etc, otherwise you could just hit simulate and it came up with the match report/final team sheet. Was always good fun trying to make up an awesome Sale team :cool:

In conclusion, you should be able to pick it up cheap, and it'd be worth it as a rugby fan for the entertainment.

Oh and I went to the Munster game too, very good atmosphere especially before & after with all the Munster fans. Also though the Ricoh was very very good for rugby :thup: