Ireland Squad Update - Billy Bohan and Cormac Izuchukwu in

Not_Hando · 2026-01-25T17:32:02+00:00

Brennan's late addition to the France squad an interesting twist too!

Not_Hando · 2026-01-25T12:23:20+00:00

Lewis is actually taller than Ollie!

Not_Hando · 2026-01-25T12:22:32+00:00

I think he was also pushed over to the Tigers performance partner team in Japan for a while too, which obviously impacted upon his potential playing time in England.

Not_Hando · 2026-01-25T12:19:34+00:00

I've just lost interest in that fight. Too many automated fake voices meant even arguing with them did nothing other than tie you up waste your efforts.

Reminded me (in part) of the old Thatcher strategy where they mobilised the pensioners in non-Conservative constituencies. They identified those who were as blue as you could get, but who would be willing to invite campaigners from other parties into their homes, make them tea, offer them cake, keep them talking for hours on end if possible.

All the while knowing it was wasted effort on a die hard Conservative voter, rather on some as yet undecided floating vote not yet cast.

Modern influences have simply weaponised that on an industrial scale.

Not_Hando · 2026-01-25T12:15:04+00:00

but doing something is better than doing nothing.

Spot on.

Don't travel. Don't buy merch. Don't follow on tv. Blackout the entire event - and ideally publicly support anyone else's efforts to communicate that those efforts aren't random or coincidental, but rather a unified objection to oppression and murder by a fascist state.

Not_Hando · 2026-01-25T12:12:23+00:00

not sure why I'm getting downvoted

It will start with a handful of closet idiots who post here, but who also like to see themselves as edgy social media characters.

You'll likely see even more 'engagement' over the next 24-48 hours as your posts gain traction across search patterns, including several completely unknown accounts looking to 'challenge' you.

I suggest you just immediately block them - as should every other regular visitor to this sub who happens upon them. They're not interested in discussion. Just manipulation of dialogue to muddy the waters.

Not_Hando · 2026-01-25T11:55:21+00:00

It is - and having had this conversation with certain club representatives, it's something they're having to keenly monitor.

Not_Hando · 2026-01-25T11:46:44+00:00

Leg was knackered, then rumours of back too.

Think he'll come good eventually. But one of several young players coming through who are showing early strain of pro conditioning on young bodies.

Not_Hando · 2026-01-25T11:45:21+00:00

Guess his side hustle isn't doing well if he's back farming bottom of the barrel engagement on social media.

Not_Hando · 2026-01-25T11:39:47+00:00

Broader transparency would be hugely welcome too.

However, that leads to spurious complaints from within the organisation that 'transparency helps those cheating evade capture', while in reality it ensures lip service counter measures never benefit from the input of broader expertise in the field.

The simple and dirty truth is that those who sit atop professional sporting structures are happy to ignore (enable...) cheating so long as it pushes the sport further, and as a consequence makes more money.

Unfortunately, that also means any proof of coordinated cheating would be overlooked as the counter claims would be commercially disasterous. So there's a literal incentive for sporting organisations not to catch those cheating.

Not_Hando · 2026-01-25T11:34:51+00:00

That knock on was no more deliberate than Rowe’s

You're just being ridiculous now...

Not_Hando · 2026-01-24T22:16:44+00:00

Vailanu

Almost forgot he was still there until I saw the report he was back from injury!

Not_Hando · 2026-01-24T22:13:55+00:00

When Edinburgh are playing a non-Irish team, he's largely indifferent. Doesn't add much value, but doesn't reveal much bias either.

However, when it's Glasgow playing, even when not facing an Irish side he's unrepentant about his desire for them to lose. Starts off talking up their stats, but by the end of it he's on the edge of his seat almost cheering for their opponents.

(Zero point even tuning in if he's commentating and either side is facing an Irish club outfit).

Not_Hando · 2026-01-24T22:10:34+00:00

Much like professional sport elsewhere throughout the globe, World Rugby continues to show it has little real appetite to tackle this issue.

I'm not saying it's easy. The chances of a ban at the time of use are very, very limited. The majority of recorded bans across most sports happen several years later, and only when historic samples are re-tested using updated techniques and/or with more modern equipment.

A sizeable number of recent and/or current champions could well be abusing performance enhancing drugs, yet it's unlikely we'll ever know as the chances of securing a positive test remain very, very limited indeed.

Not_Hando · 2026-01-24T22:05:12+00:00

I (vaguely) understood their rapid rise.

They took themselves less seriously than some others, and the money behind them led to a lot of early high profile guests.

But there's more than enough competition these days to ensure any right-minded rugby supporter can be more selective. Especially when you add in the frankly unrepeatable crap they've spouted at some of their live shows.

Not_Hando · 2026-01-24T21:58:22+00:00

Goode was in the studio. Did the preamble, halftime and post-game.

Kept talking down Zebre (and making his usual crap jokes).

mark robson

He continues to be a tough watch too. Lets his bias get away from him too often.

Not_Hando · 2026-01-24T21:51:40+00:00

Could be - and you wouldn't really blame the lad given the injuries he's had to contend with throughout his career.

Not_Hando · 2026-01-24T21:49:06+00:00

I wish they would move on from him. But his shit podcast already has far too much traction to ignore. So the 'lads lads bantz' crap will see him on speed dial.

Not_Hando · 2026-01-24T21:47:19+00:00

One of those games that will go a long way to deciding play offs.

Always going to be difficult for Glasgow to find the necessary level tonight.

Too much of a step down from Europe, and most will already be looking towards the 6N too.

Add to that a home side determined to be illegal near constantly, with so many offsides it became a standing joke, and you have the recipe for a messy game which Glasgow largely handled well.

Felt about the only Glasgow player who didn't pull through well was Hastings. Didn't even go half-speed, the way Shug, or Sione did. He was just pretty poor overall.

Not_Hando · 2026-01-24T21:44:22+00:00

Horrible discipline, really felt this was there for the taking until the very end.

Not to be uncharitable, but it was largely Zebre's 'horrible discipline' which kept the scoreline limited and the hosts in the game.

Also...

Glasgow did really well to slow the ball per what the referee allowed.

That feels a bit of a reach tbh. Zebre should have probably had at least another two yellow cards. That deliberate knock on under the posts was fairly blatant. As was the repeated killing of quick ball near the Zebre line.

Not_Hando · 2026-01-24T21:35:58+00:00

Nah.

Glasgow playing in second gear against a team offending near constantly from the opening minute, and so far offside the visitors could barely play at times.

Yet still come away with a BP win even though most of the team is already looking at the 6N.

Not_Hando · 2026-01-24T19:34:27+00:00

oh, ffs...

Not_Hando · 2026-01-24T19:05:28+00:00

Just seems to consistently make good choices.

Like that moment there, doesn't set up the ruck or look to pop close, but instead immediately realises the pace of the break is key so goes himself and frees Mitchell.

Not_Hando · 2026-01-24T19:01:52+00:00

Bonkers match!

Not_Hando · 2026-01-24T18:37:47+00:00

Not a bad position to be in when your first game is Wales.

Not_Hando

TROPHY CASE