What have the English ever done for us?!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-14463137

To copy monty python, 'What have the English ever done for us?...'

Well, Rugby! Not only did they invent the game and brought it to Wales, but in English man playing for Cardiff, conceving the modern way of having 7 backline players which helped Wales dominate the game. Ineresting article on the bbc rugby page

BridgendBoyo wrote:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-14463137

...... of having 7 backline players which helped Wales dominate the game.

I remember an era for Wales when they were very strong, can you remind me about the domination?

one of the top teams about 100 years ago, been downhill ever since...all a bit tongue in cheek

biltongbek wrote:

BridgendBoyo wrote:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-14463137

...... of having 7 backline players which helped Wales dominate the game.

I remember an era for Wales when they were very strong, can you remind me about the domination?

Read the article, we are talking over a hundred years ago here!

But dont forget they did win two grand slams last decade. Dont forget that. Two grand slams. How many have England won? Two grand slams. Henson.

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:

biltongbek wrote:

BridgendBoyo wrote:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-14463137

...... of having 7 backline players which helped Wales dominate the game.

I remember an era for Wales when they were very strong, can you remind me about the domination?

Read the article, we are talking over a hundred years ago here!

But dont forget they did win two grand slams last decade. Dont forget that. Two grand slams. How many have England won? Two grand slams. Henson.

Have England won two Grand Slams in the last decade?

MBTGOG wrote:

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:

biltongbek wrote:

BridgendBoyo wrote:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-14463137

...... of having 7 backline players which helped Wales dominate the game.

I remember an era for Wales when they were very strong, can you remind me about the domination?

Read the article, we are talking over a hundred years ago here!

But dont forget they did win two grand slams last decade. Dont forget that. Two grand slams. How many have England won? Two grand slams. Henson.

Have England won two Grand Slams in the last decade?

Two world cup finals. Johnny Wilkinson. ...etc

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:

MBTGOG wrote:

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:

biltongbek wrote:

BridgendBoyo wrote:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-14463137

...... of having 7 backline players which helped Wales dominate the game.

I remember an era for Wales when they were very strong, can you remind me about the domination?

Read the article, we are talking over a hundred years ago here!

But dont forget they did win two grand slams last decade. Dont forget that. Two grand slams. How many have England won? Two grand slams. Henson.

Have England won two Grand Slams in the last decade?

Two world cup finals. Johnny Wilkinson. ...etc

Are we building a "quote" tower here?

"On Their Day" Wales can beat anybody.
Henson
Lions Front Row
Close The Roof!

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:

MBTGOG wrote:

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:

biltongbek wrote:

BridgendBoyo wrote:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-14463137

...... of having 7 backline players which helped Wales dominate the game.

I remember an era for Wales when they were very strong, can you remind me about the domination?

Read the article, we are talking over a hundred years ago here!

But dont forget they did win two grand slams last decade. Dont forget that. Two grand slams. How many have England won? Two grand slams. Henson.

Have England won two Grand Slams in the last decade?

Two world cup finals. Johnny Wilkinson. ...etc

Yeah but was it not Grand Slams you were talking about?

MBTGOG wrote:

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:

MBTGOG wrote:

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:

biltongbek wrote:

BridgendBoyo wrote:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-14463137

...... of having 7 backline players which helped Wales dominate the game.

I remember an era for Wales when they were very strong, can you remind me about the domination?

Read the article, we are talking over a hundred years ago here!

But dont forget they did win two grand slams last decade. Dont forget that. Two grand slams. How many have England won? Two grand slams. Henson.

Have England won two Grand Slams in the last decade?

Two world cup finals. Johnny Wilkinson. ...etc

Yeah but was it not Grand Slams you were talking about?

2009, lots of Henieken cups,BOD etc

MBTGOG wrote:
Yeah but was it not Grand Slams you were talking about?

It looks to me he was just quoting Welsh posters. Nowhere does he suggest England have won 2 Grand Slams.

They might've produced two Grand Slam victory videos. Did someone get confused?

What has grand slams, henson, world cups, george north, resevoirs and language got to do the main article?

nottins wrote:

MBTGOG wrote:
Yeah but was it not Grand Slams you were talking about?

It looks to me he was just quoting Welsh posters. Nowhere does he suggest England have won 2 Grand Slams.

Here-

How many have England won? Two grand slams.

MBTGOG wrote:
Here-

How many have England won? Two grand slams.

That's not what he said though:

But dont forget they did win two grand slams last decade. Dont forget that. Two grand slams. How many have England won? Two grand slams. Henson.

It's all about context.

A Welsh fan could reply about England fans:

Don't forget that England got to two RWC finals in the last decade. Don't forget that. Two RWC finals. How many have Wales got to. Two RWC finals. Wilkinson.

And I'm not arguing, just putting over my view of how he wrote it.

er.......Anyhoo, back on topic Great article and some fascinating history. Some great names too. Barry Excelsiors, Anglo bavarian rovers using local pubs as dressing rooms? You can't beat it!

Great pic of Englands vs Wales in 1904- the players look old and thin!

nottins wrote:

MBTGOG wrote:
Here-

How many have England won? Two grand slams.

That's not what he said though:

But dont forget they did win two grand slams last decade. Dont forget that. Two grand slams. How many have England won? Two grand slams. Henson.

It's all about context.

A Welsh fan could reply about England fans:

Don't forget that England got to two RWC finals in the last decade. Don't forget that. Two RWC finals. How many have Wales got to. Two RWC finals. Wilkinson.

And I'm not arguing, just putting over my view of how he wrote it.

It comes to something when youre relying on Nottins to read something and come up with a sensible answer.

Breadvan wrote:er.......Anyhoo, back on topic Great article and some fascinating history. Some great names too. Barry Excelsiors, Anglo bavarian rovers using local pubs as dressing rooms? You can't beat it!

It does make a mockery of the people who moan about modern club names having "tags" (e.g Sale becoming Sale Sharks) when its historicaly the norm for rugby clubs. Barry Exelsiors does sound liek a pron star though

Barry Excelsior? He's seen more Cat tha...........

Think Mr Phil Bennett answered the question in 1977 -

"Look what these bar stewards have done to Wales. They've taken our coal, our water, our steel. They buy our homes and live in them for a fortnight every year. What have they given us? Absolutely nothing. We've been exploited, raped, controlled and punished by the English - and that's who you are playing this afternoon"

PenfroPete wrote:Think Mr Phil Bennett answered the question in 1977 -

"Look what these bar stewards have done to Wales. They've taken our coal, our water, our steel. They buy our homes and live in them for a fortnight every year. What have they given us? Absolutely nothing. We've been exploited, raped, controlled and punished by the English - and that's who you are playing this afternoon"

Yeah, everyone conveniently forgets that the English are the only net tax contributors to the UK, roads, hospitals, schools, railways, viaducts - yeah it is just like Life of Brian when you think about it.

Light the blue touch paper and.........

retire.

PJHolybloke wrote:

PenfroPete wrote:Think Mr Phil Bennett answered the question in 1977 -

"Look what these bar stewards have done to Wales. They've taken our coal, our water, our steel. They buy our homes and live in them for a fortnight every year. What have they given us? Absolutely nothing. We've been exploited, raped, controlled and punished by the English - and that's who you are playing this afternoon"

Yeah, everyone conveniently forgets that the English are the only net tax contributors to the UK, roads, hospitals, schools, railways, viaducts - yeah it is just like Life of Brian when you think about it.

That old myth! Given how many chain stores trade in Wales I wonder what the tax contribution would be if they had to pay their welsh stores tax etc to a welsh treasury. Since none of that get's checked on the Welsh box currently (or Scots for that matter) I have a little sucpicion that the figures aren't accurate.

Even IF it turns out Wales public spend is bigger than all tax revenues generated here - who's fault is that then? Who ran the country between 1282 and 1999? Who shut down our mines?

Don't say Maggie to both - shes not THAT old!!!!

You're just totallybiasedscarlet

Economics closed the mines though, both my grandads were miners in the Black Country and 80's economics closed our mines and factories.

Maggie Thatcher was the milk-snatcher, and she is pretty old - but you're probably right, not THAT old.

Wasn't half the costs of the Millenium Stadium funded by a UK (i.e. predominately English) govt. subsidary?

They also gave you a thoroughly entertaining evening the last time they visited the stadium at the beginning of the year, wouldn't you say?

I'm a tax payer and I would not mind my tax contribution being used to fund buildings that are accessible to all It's much better than seeing it being wasted on sorting out inner city issues.
The Millennium stadium was partly funded by the Millennium Commission (National Lottery) and private investment

Cymroglan wrote:I'm a tax payer and I would not mind my tax contribution being used to fund buildings that are accessible to all It's much better than seeing it being wasted on sorting out inner city issues.
The Millennium stadium was partly funded by the Millennium Commission (National Lottery) and private investment

...and she's a beauty, so much better value than that roundball white elephant wemberley.

PenfroPete wrote:Think Mr Phil Bennett answered the question in 1977 -

"They buy our homes"

In the current property market you think the Welsh would thank us

We also built you a load of nice castles along the northern coast. Been doing wonders for your tourist economy ever since

Thats a good point actually, did the Welsh ever buy them off us?

Id also like to point out that the last proper Welsh Prince of Wales bought and lived in a house in England. Yet he never had the decency to play for our side, instead he buggered off to France. You dont see George North and Ben Morgan doing that do you.

England are possibly my second favourite rugby team along with France and Aus. They are definitely my favourite opposition not just because the games always have an incredible atmosphere but because I really enjoy the Craic with their fans after who tend to travel well and generally make for a cracking weekend in Dublin.

Also this may sound a little odd but I am obsessed with the programme Coast which is English or British. I think it is probably the best programme I have seen on television in a long time.

leinsterbaby wrote:England are possibly my second favourite rugby team along with France and Aus. They are definitely my favourite opposition not just because the games always have an incredible atmosphere but because I really enjoy the Craic with their fans after who tend to travel well and generally make for a cracking weekend in Dublin.

Also this may sound a little odd but I am obsessed with the programme Coast which is English or British. I think it is probably the best programme I have seen on television in a long time.

Except the Welsh bits, they spoil it for me.

Joking aside no doubt the Beeb will move on to the emerald isle with this series at some point, its a massive money spinner for them.

They already have and Denmark, Sweden and the Netherlands etc. Absolutely stunning photography and brilliant research. I had always dreamed of filming the west coast of Ireland from top to bottom as I know how amazing it is from surfing and diving the length and breadth of Ireland. They beat me to it though.

Really ? Blimey shows how much attention I pay. I only watch Dave and ceebeebies.

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote: Except the Welsh bits, they spoil it for me.

You won't want to do the 3rd best walk in the world then Pete - LINK1 - LINK2 - LINK3

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote: Joking aside no doubt the Beeb will move on to the emerald isle with this series at some point, its a massive money spinner for them.

They've done bits already Pete -
Dublin to Derry - LINK
Galway to Baltimore - LINK

Really recommend the Galway to Baltimore episode if you like surfing.

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:Really ? Blimey shows how much attention I pay. I only watch Dave and ceebeebies.

Not mad about Dave but cbeebies is actually quite good. My son absolutely loves in the night garden.

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:Really ? Blimey shows how much attention I pay. I only watch Dave and ceebeebies.

It does show biscuit but thanks for explaining

Coast is a good show, except for the extraordinarily annoying Mark Horton.

Alice Roberts is lovely!

Mark Horton is gas. He is such a wierdo. Love Miranda Krestovnikoff. Have to say enjoyed the Galway episode immensely when she takes a seaweed bath. Alice Roberts is very nice too.

I also think the Scottish dude is quite an Interesting character.

Dick Strawbridge not only has one of the best names out there he also has a mighty 'tache.

A man's man.

Now this is not a dig at Wales - I've trundled around Wales in the past, and I know it's beautiful, but

And it seems the international community agrees, rating the 186-mile path among the top ten walks in the world

Who is this 'international community'?

Looking at the rest of the list, just looks like a bunch of middle class plonkers have got around a table in a Gastro-Pub ansd listed their favourite holidays.

Must admit, I liked Coast also (including the Welsh bits), only fly in the ointment is Mark Horton. His voice, method of perambulation and constant mention of Saxons (even when he is at a dig in a former Anglian strohnghold) just gets me really angry.

And I'm sure he speaks highly of me


Edited to note that I'm not the only one!

And I agree about that Tache - makes me fel inadequate

Well, I'm looking forward to doing both the Tongariro Alpine Crossing -
LINK1 - LINK2
and the less strenuous Abel Tasman - LINK
in October

I have a disconect between 186 miles, walk and lovely. Maybe it doenst translate well from Welsh to English.

Just think though that if we hadnt cleared out so many small farmers with changes to the land ownership laws such as the enclosures act then these walks might not be possible.

If Alice Roberts replaced that Sonia bird for the job of asking inane questions and making LOL look like a date naughty person would people be happy?

I like that thing about the Alaskan crab fishermen. Makes shoving a Tuilagi from behind look safe.

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:I have a disconect between 186 miles, walk and lovely. Maybe it doenst translate well from Welsh to English.

Just think though that if we hadnt cleared out so many small farmers with changes to the land ownership laws such as the enclosures act then these walks might not be possible.

If Alice Roberts replaced that Sonia bird for the job of asking inane questions and making LOL look like a date naughty person would people be happy?

I like that thing about the Alaskan crab fishermen. Makes shoving a Tuilagi from behind look safe.

Yeah that programme isn't bad except every episode is pretty much the same.

The English have graciously donated this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIwBvjoLyZc to Wales

In retaliation for https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TOgB3Smvro

They allowed us to plant and nurture a prehistoric dinosaur egg in the depths of East Anglia many years ago - The egg lay dormant for milleniums until about 19 years ago small cracks in a huge shell could be seen. Immediately the welsh geologists and palaentologists brought it back to Anglesey for safe keeping and hence a beast was given the name George North who is destined to wreak havoc through the northern and southern hemisphere for the next decade.

I always wondered why Norfolk smelt funny.

Is it true that if ypu put George North into a pool of mercury, his body will align with NOT magnetic north, NOT true north, but actually will align to map north?