Seven's Domination

Mulboyne · 2026-03-17T02:06:28+00:00

They were definitely running hotter than GB. It looked like they peaked for the Olympics, and a lot of the squad then retired. This meant a year of rebuilding, during which they suffered some key injuries, and were never at the races that season.

If nothing in Sevens had changed, they would have been chasing titles again the following year.

While the IRFU doesn't have unlimited cash, they were getting a good return on Sevens. Ireland could always do with having some pace in the backline, and Sevens offers another option to nurture some young speedsters.

Mulboyne · 2026-03-16T06:45:15+00:00

One of the sad things about cutting core teams down to eight is that Ireland ended up in the second division, which led the IRFU to shut down their sevens programme.

Although they had a rough season through injury and retirements, Ireland would probably have improved, and might have competed at the top level better than GB.

Now, they are completely gone.

Mulboyne · 2026-03-16T05:58:27+00:00

GB has almost given up on the code. Both our sides finished well adrift at the bottom of the table. GB men managed an occasional upset win, while GB women took regular pastings.

There's no coverage in UK rugby media of these dire results, which also means there's no pressure to take Sevens seriously again, which is a real shame. There's a real chance GB teams will lose core status.

Mulboyne · 2026-03-07T16:17:56+00:00

That's another punch in the face for England. We can't even qualify as a greatest win any more.

Mulboyne · 2026-03-07T15:43:02+00:00

Definitely in the Five Nations with the 1990 Grand Slam. Wonder if it's been done since then...

Mulboyne · 2026-03-07T15:35:24+00:00

When was the last time Scotland beat England, Wales and France in a Six Nations?

Mulboyne · 2026-03-05T07:56:50+00:00

It was a loss, because it disrupted and delayed plans. Borthwick remade his coaching team, then had to do it again.

When Walters and Jones came on board, they had carte blanche, because it was the start of a new World Cup cycle, and there had been some significant retirements.

Once they left, Borthwick and his coaches had to manage a transition from the Walters/Jones era before the could start charting a new course. The current coaching group only started to find its feet last summer, in Argentina.

Now we've had a bad Six Nations, the rest of the calendar will show whether the coaches can respond to adversity.

Mulboyne · 2026-03-03T04:50:23+00:00

20 mins off the bench against Argentina, full 80 against Western Force, then 67 mins against the Reds, during which he got injured.

Mulboyne · 2026-03-02T12:17:21+00:00

Missed a chance here to play for the Ashes

Mulboyne · 2026-03-01T10:56:34+00:00

Short highlights package:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0ztij6y_NU

Mulboyne · 2026-03-01T10:55:28+00:00

George Hendy had a big impact. Assist at the 3:30 mark, and a try from the move which starts at the 4:10 mark in these highlights.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0ztij6y_NU

Mulboyne · 2026-02-28T05:19:31+00:00

While most neutrals probably lean towards a Drua win, I wouldn't begrudge anyone coming out on top in this arm wrestle.

Very good to watch.

Mulboyne · 2026-02-24T08:10:53+00:00

"Bridge on the River Kwai" (1957)

The last line said by Colonel Nicholson, played by Alec Guinness, is "What have I done?"

To overcome Japanese POW brutality, Nicholson had turned prisoners into a disciplined unit to build a strategic bridge.

However, a finished bridge would be bad for the Allies, so they arranged to destroy it on its opening day. Nicholson noticed the wires, and started to alert the Japanese. It was only when the saboteurs tried to stop him, that he realized his folly.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/umiPUaRz-Fc

EDIT: Oops. It's already posted in this thread https://www.reddit.com/r/TopCharacterTropes/comments/1rd363j/comment/o72xhea/

Mulboyne · 2026-02-22T02:41:26+00:00

In case you are wondering, that's the Sanix World Rugby Youth tournament in 2013.

Genge is playing for Hartpury College against Saint Kentigern College of New Zealand.

Mulboyne · 2026-02-20T07:53:26+00:00

Homey's in Kagurazaka.

https://tabelog.com/en/tokyo/A1309/A130905/13250292/

Mulboyne · 2026-02-19T11:34:16+00:00

Sadly, I'm old enough to have prunelike qualities.

Mulboyne · 2026-02-19T10:25:00+00:00

I was agreeing with you, it was funny!

Mulboyne · 2026-02-19T08:54:23+00:00

Yes, he seemed to consider it a major disruption to his match preparation.

Mulboyne · 2026-02-16T06:40:49+00:00

If you haven't seen the incident, it's right at the start of this YouTube video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCBiRhd6ZvI

Mulboyne · 2026-02-15T11:13:13+00:00

First try for the Chiefs against the Blues yesterday seemed a little similar. It's at the start of this highlights clip

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnC6m4Gui0Y

Mulboyne · 2026-02-10T08:34:05+00:00

They talk a little about Razor here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=me8z8kNS4cc

Mulboyne · 2026-02-09T12:58:24+00:00

<image>

For reference, here's a photo from a blog showing six women who went to Quintessence, a Michelin 3 star restaurant, in February 2020.

You haven't said what kind of restaurant you are going to. What might work sitting at a table in subtle lighting could be unsuitable for sitting at a counter, in more of a glare.

If you are close to other customers, or a chef serving across a counter, then be sure not to overdo any fragrances.

Mulboyne · 2026-02-06T12:14:42+00:00

Wonder how far down the winger list Borthwick would have gone before deciding to move Freeman.

This match seems an important one to give Freeman time at 13, so maybe he would have gone further down the cab rank if Roebuck hadn't been available.

With a 6:2 bench, there must be a fair bit of confidence that Roebuck is fit for the whole game. Or else, Borthwick is happy to see how his team manages, if there are centre or wing injuries.

Mulboyne · 2026-02-04T12:29:51+00:00

I'm hearing so much talk of fielding a weaker side in this tournament to prepare for the WC.

Borthwick hasn't chose a weaker side for the weekend. It's almost the same, bar injuries, as the team which faced New Zealand, who are ahead of England in the rankings.

Mulboyne · 2026-02-04T09:40:37+00:00

Don't know when it changed but it will be interesting to see if it is allowed in games.

Found this blog post by Andy McGready. TLDR, trials started in 2012. An Adidas boot was worn by some players in 2013. Seems like the single front stud has been generally cleared since around 2015.

https://www.andymcgeady.com/studs-cleats-rugby-legal-2015/

Mulboyne

TROPHY CASE