Back to Europe
By Ian Brewer
January 14 2010
While I suspect that most of the Leeds faithful would far rather look forward to the proposed altercation between LCSF and TNIF the truth of the matter is that since the postponement of the Quins game the away trip to Parma has become of much more importance than I thought previously.
I think I speak for everybody when I say that Leeds’ survival in the Premiership is much more important than anything that happens in Europe (and even more so the Anglo-Welsh farce) but the disappointment of the Bath game and the need to keep the squad match fit means that Saturday’s game in Parma has taken on much more significance. As Neil himself has said to the BBC the cancellation of the Quins game means that the team going to Parma is going to be much stronger than originally he and Andy proposed because they need to keep the players match fit. In addition the Bath game threw up areas in our game where more work is needed as has been debated on this board at length.
As this is being written I don’t as yet know who exactly Leeds will be taking to Italy but can I hope that they leave Rabeni at home. Not that I don’t think he would give Parma plenty to think about but surely this is an opportunity to show that there is life on our wings. Leeds are in danger of becoming one trick ponies (or two if you count kicking the ball to the opposition and waiting to see what happens) and we need to work on some new moves for the backs. Unfortunately Barrow is not going to be risked so it is a toss up who is going to play centre – I suspect we already know enough about HP and I would expect that Tango will get a run at full back unless Hints is picked to see if he can regain some form after the Bath match.
Perhaps Hepworth for one of the wings where his lack of interest in passing will not matter so much? I note that Joe Bedford will be playing but it is debatable who should be outside him. Ford – needs the experience, Thomas – needs a game or Strange – it’s his turn. It will be interesting to see who they pick but certainly this is the time to experiment as the backs need to start developing a new direction. As to the forwards I really couldn’t care as they are not the problem but would expect to see Calum in the mix as well as a couple of the other bench warmers. Pudding may be a good choice as if the backs get it wrong again he is always willing to take over the kicking from hand.
What of our opponents? Well my talk of experimentation does not mean that I take them lightly as, after all, they did beat Bourgoin at home in the same competition although as they, like us, have relegation issues, they may have put out the reserves. Rugby Parma currently lie 6th in the Italian Super 10 having been beaten at home by Rovigo (18 – 20), who took over in 4th at the weekend. I believe that one of their better players (an Argentinian Lock) has just been snaffled by Tiggers but they still have 3 players in Nick Mallet’s squad for the 6 Nations.
Prediction? Well me to eat too much pasta and drink far too much red wine is a cast iron certainty but as for the match, until I knew we were putting out a strong team I thought "sneak it" but now I think probably a bonus point win.
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Waiting for the good times ...
..and waiting ....
... and waiting ...
Quote:although as they, like us, have relegation issues, they may have put out the reserves. Rugby Parma currently lie 6th in the Italian Super 10 having been beaten at home by Rovigo (18 – 20),
Actually we don't have relegation issues, we have severe injury problems though.
We should have won the game against Rovigo, but went to sleep for the last three minutes of the match and gifted them a drop goal!
To explain the other part, Gran Parma are the ones who would go down if there was a relegation battle, not Rugby Parma.
The reason there is no relegation this year is that the "Super Ten" is to be enlarged to 12, and the two franchises (for want of a better/worse word) will go to the Magners league.
Otherwise a good read - we look forward to entertaining you, but we have little chance of a win
Coops
WTF
sorry expressed myself badly I meant bourgoin have relegation issues!
as for the LCSF-TN1F battle thats to be decided personally I feel its another easy victory for the Leeds supporter come Frenchmen
Great Report there Ian
Some say he has a Tykes flag with team signatures on.
Others say that he's doing the same to the Carnegie flag,
All we know is that he's called Leeds carnegie signed flag.
Just fog, fog, fog.
High level though so the game will not be affected.
It is quite dark, so maybe the lights will be on even though it's 2.30 kick off.
Coops
WTF
I will be changing my prediction league score after having read your piece.
Bourgoin's win last night, whilst not unexpected, doesn't make our path any easier.
Waiting for the good times ...
..and waiting ....
... and waiting ...
Also am I to assume that there will be a live feed on the Amlin Challenge Cup Rugby web site?
Even live updates for the Amlin Cup on the BBC are not being updated. I have sent a polite question to the BBC asking why no updates. Should be interesting to see if I get a reply. I am not holding my breath.Didn't realise that to listen to LUFC online you have to subscribe to LUTV! Bates is a money grabbing @#$%&!
Come on you Tykes!
Zandra YaPoI
YaPoI - Yorkshire and Proud of It
'proficiscor in una'
Quote:Bobba
Don't blame the Beeb, blame the idiots who run the ERC.
Write to Amlin and tell them they are wasting their money sponsoring the competition due to the lack of interest of the ERC.
I do every match, makes me feel better but nothing changes!
Coops
WTF
Good to meet you people who made it over here yesterday (Prawncocktail, Ian, and the others).
Congratulations on getting 5 points and well done on being right Ian (he said between gnashing of teeth). Nice to see English players passing the ball around - or it would have been if it hadn't been against us.
Great photo Coops...Mrs PJ says you haven't changed at all!
OT Ian, since you mention it in your article. Why are so many people in England down on the Anglo-Welsh Cup? It is, after all an international competition (sorry but if England v Wales in the 6 Nations is an international, it is!) featuring all the best teams in England and Wales (therefore of a higher average standard than the Challenge Cup), it's a chance to give some younger/less experienced players a run out, another chance to win something and it gets around 60,000 for the Final so it creates another big match there.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:01:17:17:58:30 by Parma Jack.
Now Anglo Irish, that would be fun
Coops
WTF
