Congratulations Bristol

Just thought I would post this on behalf of my Brizzle supporting friends. Finally did it! They beat Doncaster in front of a 16,000 full house. Would have been more if the main stand had been finished (we tried to buy tickets last week and they were already sold out). Big supporter Base, good stadium and wealthy/ committed backer. They could make waves.

Will need to improve the team based on what they showed in both legs, and already losing influential players.

However very well done.

Boo and indeed hiss!

Well done Donny for beating them twice at their place.

It'll be fantastic to finally have them back. The derby games have been sorely missed, although Ashton Gate doesn't quite have the atmosphere of the Mem, I'm sure the long wait will more than make up for it. The only downside is that as I work in Brizzle, when Glaws inevitably lose to them, it is going to be a living hell for a few weeks! Of course, should Glaws win I will be entirely magnanimous in victory...

The doom and gloom is that they're going to have to improve and fast to stand a chance of staying up. Their defence over both games has been woeful. The rumours doing the rounds is that they have a number of top players lined up to join; more than just Priestland. Nevertheless, the farce of the late play-offs will once again hinder the championship side to put together a squad capable of staying in the Jeff.

Is it true that they're extending capacity to 27,500? If so, would this be the biggest stadium used in the Aviva (excluding Twickenham obviously)?

True Raven wrote:Is it true that they're extending capacity to 27,500?  If so, would this be the biggest stadium used in the Aviva (excluding Twickenham obviously)?

Goes
Rioch (Wasps) - 32,000
Ashton's Gate - 27,500
Welford Road - 25,800
Madjeski - 24,000 (although going down).
Kingsholm - 16,500
Franklins Gardens - 15,500
Twickenham Stoop - 14,800
Wrec - 13,500
Sandy Park - 12,600
Sixways - 12,024
AJ Bell - 12,000
Kingston Park 10,200
Allianz Park - 10,000

Gavlar back in the Jeff

munkian wrote:Gavlar back in the Jeff

Think he is out of contract. Been out injured for the last 8 weeks.

Very pleased for Andy Robinson. Did some fine work up here in Scotland both with Edinburgh and the national side, and there's no doubting that Robinson is a true rugby man. I think the coaches box in Murrayfield still has a few dents in it!

Pleased for Bristol as well. It's a proper rugby hotbed and deserves to be in the top flight. It'll also make for a couple of interesting clashes with a Bath side which is rebuilding next season.

LondonTiger wrote:

munkian wrote:Gavlar back in the Jeff

Think he is out of contract. Been out injured for the last 8 weeks.

He signed a 1 year extension in January. Probably won't get another at 35.

St John The Enforcer wrote:

LondonTiger wrote:

munkian wrote:Gavlar back in the Jeff

Think he is out of contract. Been out injured for the last 8 weeks.

He signed a 1 year extension in January. Probably won't get another at 35.

We'll take him !

Not a fan of Andy Robinson at all but I love Bristol and still have many friends there. I'm really pleased for them and hope they can stay up, they're way too good for the championship.

mikey_dragon wrote:Not a fan of Andy Robinson at all but I love Bristol and still have many friends there. I'm really pleased for them and hope they can stay up, they're way too good rich for the championship.

Fixed that for you

Not a fix, an addition as I forgot to include it!

HongKongCherry wrote:It'll be fantastic to finally have them back. The derby games have been sorely missed, although Ashton Gate doesn't quite have the atmosphere of the Mem, I'm sure the long wait will more than make up for it. The only downside is that as I work in Brizzle, when Glaws inevitably lose to them, it is going to be a living hell for a few weeks! Of course, should Glaws win I will be entirely magnanimous in victory...

The doom and gloom is that they're going to have to improve and fast to stand a chance of staying up. Their defence over both games has been woeful.  The rumours doing the rounds is that they have a number of top players lined up to join; more than just Priestland. Nevertheless, the farce of the late play-offs will once again hinder the championship side to put together a squad capable of staying in the Jeff.

Ed - fancy catching up at the Bistol - Gloucester game at Ashton Gate?

I'm looking forward for the Drags getting the chance to knock them out the LV

Are they in our group Munk?

The Bris 10 Sheedy will be attracting the attention of Wales, Ireland and England.

He turned down Wales U20's for the JRWC.

Born in Wales
Welsh Mum
Irish Dad
English through residency schooled in Millfield from 16.

Wales prob have the biggest depht @ 10 ATM

Ireland might be very keen to have him come to a province.

England have Ford, Farrell, Cips, Burns, Loz, currently
Cips prob on last chance saloon, Burns although pre injury was looking very good.

GavinDragon wrote:Are they in our group Munk?

Dunno, always a change though

Congrats Bristol. At long last. Glad for Andy Robinson. How did Jack O'Connell (prop) do?

As regards Sheedy - he played U19s 7s for Ireland. Its surprising that he hasn't played U20s XVs for Ireland (which would not have tied him to Ireland). That suggests to me that he is going to hang in there for England. If he wanted to play for Ireland, he would have had to move over here. Ireland have 2 young very promising outhalfs at the moment who are around his age - Ross Byrne with Leinster and present Ireland U20s out half, Bill Johnson who is with Munster).

That would leave him at Connacht who were looking for an out half and if he was that interested in playing for Ireland he probably would have taken.

By the way, I'm not sure attending school or college in a country is counted for residency. Vasily Artemyev (Russian) wasn't eligible for Ireland although he had played underage rugby and gone to College here. From what I recall, it only counts if your parents are also living in the same country.

Cumbrian wrote:Just thought I would post this on behalf of my Brizzle supporting friends. Finally did it! They beat Doncaster in front of a 16,000 full house.

No they didn't.

Sin é wrote:Congrats Bristol. At long last. Glad for Andy Robinson. How did Jack O'Connell (prop) do?

As regards Sheedy - he played U19s  7s for Ireland. Its surprising that he hasn't played U20s XVs for Ireland (which would not have tied him to Ireland). That suggests to me that he is going to hang in there for England. If he wanted to play for Ireland, he would have had to move over here. Ireland have 2 young very promising outhalfs at the moment who are around his age - Ross Byrne with Leinster and present Ireland U20s out half, Bill Johnson who is with Munster).

That would leave him at Connacht who were looking for an out half and if he was that interested in playing for Ireland he probably would have taken.

By the way, I'm not sure attending school or college in a country is counted for residency. Vasily Artemyev (Russian) wasn't eligible for Ireland although he had played underage rugby and gone to College here. From what I recall, it only counts if your parents are also living in the same country.

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/just-who-callum-sheedy-welsh-11387514

GavinDragon wrote:

HongKongCherry wrote:It'll be fantastic to finally have them back. The derby games have been sorely missed, although Ashton Gate doesn't quite have the atmosphere of the Mem, I'm sure the long wait will more than make up for it. The only downside is that as I work in Brizzle, when Glaws inevitably lose to them, it is going to be a living hell for a few weeks! Of course, should Glaws win I will be entirely magnanimous in victory...

The doom and gloom is that they're going to have to improve and fast to stand a chance of staying up. Their defence over both games has been woeful.  The rumours doing the rounds is that they have a number of top players lined up to join; more than just Priestland. Nevertheless, the farce of the late play-offs will once again hinder the championship side to put together a squad capable of staying in the Jeff.

Ed - fancy catching up at the Bistol - Gloucester game at Ashton Gate?

Definitely up for that

PhilBB wrote:

Sin é wrote:Congrats Bristol. At long last. Glad for Andy Robinson. How did Jack O'Connell (prop) do?

As regards Sheedy - he played U19s  7s for Ireland. Its surprising that he hasn't played U20s XVs for Ireland (which would not have tied him to Ireland). That suggests to me that he is going to hang in there for England. If he wanted to play for Ireland, he would have had to move over here. Ireland have 2 young very promising outhalfs at the moment who are around his age - Ross Byrne with Leinster and present Ireland U20s out half, Bill Johnson who is with Munster).

That would leave him at Connacht who were looking for an out half and if he was that interested in playing for Ireland he probably would have taken.

By the way, I'm not sure attending school or college in a country is counted for residency. Vasily Artemyev (Russian) wasn't eligible for Ireland although he had played underage rugby and gone to College here. From what I recall, it only counts if your parents are also living in the same country.

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/just-who-callum-sheedy-welsh-11387514

Ta. One for you.

http://www.talkingrugbyunion.co.uk/callum-sheedy-from-millfield-to-the-mem-/11177.htm

Intereseting descriptor on his twitter page

Callum Sheedy
@Sheedy95

Rugby player for @Bristol_RFC -- Proud OM - Rocks - Tiocfaidh Ár Lá

Sin é wrote:
Intereseting descriptor on his twitter page

Callum Sheedy
@Sheedy95

Rugby player for @Bristol_RFC -- Proud OM - Rocks - Tiocfaidh Ár Lá

Rocks is a reference to his Cardiff club, St Peters.

I'm sure that the Catholic references are obvious.

PhilBB wrote:

Sin é wrote:
Intereseting descriptor on his twitter page

Callum Sheedy
@Sheedy95

Rugby player for @Bristol_RFC -- Proud OM - Rocks - Tiocfaidh Ár Lá

Rocks is a reference to his Cardiff club, St Peters.

I'm sure that the Catholic references are obvious.

Pretty strong words them.

TBH i can see him trying for Ireland.

PhilBB wrote:

Sin é wrote:
Intereseting descriptor on his twitter page

Callum Sheedy
@Sheedy95

Rugby player for @Bristol_RFC -- Proud OM - Rocks - Tiocfaidh Ár Lá

Rocks is a reference to his Cardiff club, St Peters.

I'm sure that the Catholic references are obvious.

I don't get any catholic references there.

Welly wrote:

PhilBB wrote:

Sin é wrote:
Intereseting descriptor on his twitter page

Callum Sheedy
@Sheedy95

Rugby player for @Bristol_RFC -- Proud OM - Rocks - Tiocfaidh Ár Lá

Rocks is a reference to his Cardiff club, St Peters.

I'm sure that the Catholic references are obvious.

Pretty strong words them.

TBH i can see him trying for Ireland.

He won't be representing Ireland in rugby if those words represent his political beliefs - not with a lot of Ulster players coming from a Unionist background.

Sin é wrote:

Welly wrote:

PhilBB wrote:

Sin é wrote:
Intereseting descriptor on his twitter page

Callum Sheedy
@Sheedy95

Rugby player for @Bristol_RFC -- Proud OM - Rocks - Tiocfaidh Ár Lá

Rocks is a reference to his Cardiff club, St Peters.

I'm sure that the Catholic references are obvious.

Pretty strong words them.

TBH i can see him trying for Ireland.

He won't be representing Ireland in rugby if those words represent his political beliefs - not with a lot of Ulster players coming from a Unionist background.

That is a very true point.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:

Cumbrian wrote:Just thought I would post this on behalf of my Brizzle supporting friends. Finally did it! They beat Doncaster in front of a 16,000 full house.

No they didn't.

I meant over the two legs. Honest.

Whats the 'proud OM' part mean ? Im guessing O ISN'T Orange

munkian wrote:Whats the 'proud OM' part mean ? Im guessing O ISN'T Orange

Old Millfield.

Sin é wrote:

Welly wrote:

PhilBB wrote:

Sin é wrote:
Intereseting descriptor on his twitter page

Callum Sheedy
@Sheedy95

Rugby player for @Bristol_RFC -- Proud OM - Rocks - Tiocfaidh Ár Lá

Rocks is a reference to his Cardiff club, St Peters.

I'm sure that the Catholic references are obvious.

Pretty strong words them.

TBH i can see him trying for Ireland.

He won't be representing Ireland in rugby if those words represent his political beliefs - not with a lot of Ulster players coming from a Unionist background.

To be fair Sin if the English press pick up on it,  it could make playing for England fairly difficult as well !

Cumbrian wrote:

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:

Cumbrian wrote:Just thought I would post this on behalf of my Brizzle supporting friends. Finally did it! They beat Doncaster in front of a 16,000 full house.

No they didn't.

I meant over the two legs. Honest.

There were some very nervy Bristol fans and players who thought they wouldn't make it in that second half. Donny made the major error giving away the try just before half time. If they'd fine in with that try ahead and let Bristol stew then I reckon second half could have gone against Bristol.

Anyone else think the disallowed try in the second half for blocking was a bit harsh?

It certainly was harsh given the sheer number of tries that are allowed under similar circumstances.

http://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/bristol-vs-doncaster/76701

Look at Sheedy and Morgan's attempts at tackling.

Embarrassing, the both of them.

Well, the Wikipedia page on Tiocfaidh Ar La certainly gave me a few chucks.

Jailtacht, brilliant. Every day's a school day. ....

Well I hope we sort ourselves out next season or we're in trouble....