The UAFC

I know it wasn't much in doubt anymore, but the FFR have just announced the suspension of all rugby in France until further notice. The QF will definitely be off too.

Aye. It's all very well being gung ho about this but you're putting your elderly and infirm relatives at risk. From the European data that is emerging, it seems to me that the death toll is closer to 3% than the 1% figure that govt sources were keen to spin at the start. Not sure I agree with this....

It looks like the quarter final will definitely be affected. All of the Ligue 1 clubs are playing their matches behind closed doors (or selling 1000 tickets) and the Top 14 clubs are meeting tomorrow to decide whether to do the same, or just suspend the league until after the restrictions. At least ...

A few years ago what Manu did would have been a brilliant tackle, but if they're trying to crack down on the rugby league style shoulder charges I understand why he got it. In my view, mitigation for North's height should only be relevant if MT would have ever been tackling legally and that isn't th...

I think all the Top 14 and Ligue 1 fixtures went ahead as usual at the weekend in France. I think the statement said gatherings would be banned in enclosed spaces, which I'd assumed would include open air stadiums, but it seems that it doesn't. That said the number of cases there has started to acce...

<url>https://www.lemonde.fr/politique/article/2020/02/29/coronavirus-le-gouvernement-decide-l-interdiction-des-rassemblements-de-plus-de-5-000-personnes-en-milieu-confine-et-de-certains-autres-en-milieu-ouvert-dont-le-semi-marathon-de-paris_6031356_823448.html</url> My french isn't perfect , but thi...

Have thought about it a bit more and think the decision was a bit of a joke. If it's not safe for Italians to come here put a travel ban in place, if it is let the match happen. This is the worst of both worlds, no rugby and 5000 Italians who'll probably spend a weekend in Dublin anyway. Done in a b...

Was just wondering how much this is actually going to achieve. There are no travel restrictions imposed from Italy yet and assuming that doesn't change how many of the Italian fans who likely already have their flights and accommodation paid for aren't now going to travel? Personally if i'd already ...

There's an article about Dan Tuohy up on the BBC today. Unfortunately he's just been forced to retire through injury, but he's taken a few parting shots about the state of the game and those that run it: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/51574698 GIven the majority of his career was spent here...

The latest points deduction makes the rest of the PRL look like a brad pitt show as well. They had a punishment agreed, then after the fact having had the National Division 1 clubs point out to them that the rules of their own competition mean the team in twelfth get relegated regardless they've cha...

I thought it was quite a good interview, but it's fairly depressing that after such a distinguished career, when he's now out of the system so can possible be a bit more candid about some things in hindsight, all anyone wants to talk about is a trial that didn't involve him other than the fact he tu...

Just checked and it seems he hasn't made the sevens squad announced a couple of days ago either. Not sure if there are injuries at play, but if not I'm a bit surprised he isn't making the cut. I've only saw him play a handful of times, but he stood out in the A team last year. Heard he looked very i...

I haven't heard much about Aaron Sexton this year, but if he comes back into the panel post 7's and comes anywhere close to the hype there'll be some battle for places in the Ulster team.

He's been our best back three player this season, as things stand his place in our first XV should be fairly nailed on. I'm slightly suprised that nobody is talking about him with respect to the Ireland team, i think he's playing well enough and with Earls in such bad form and Kearney not in the squ...

Always thought one of the big differences that would affect playing numbers between here and Leinster was the fact the game here is still largely seen as a 'protestant' game. Down south I think some of the schools play gaelic in the summer and rugby in the winter, while up here it's either rugby and...