Michael Leitch set for first rugby match of the year

Seriously.

Well if it was bad coaching, and it lead to two world cups and now a RC, and two years of >85% win ratio on the trot - I’d hate to see how he’d have down with better coaching.

It's means you've thought from the top down, and I'd have a bottom up approach. So I think first about what is best for the teams at the bottom, instead of your above approach were you try to fit teams in at the top first.

You've miss understood. You have to set up the competition so that it is based on merit, not like what you've done b,y last years results of English performance as a 'snapshot' of what the future will be like; ie you've given all leagues equal numbers/representation, that is the wrong approach imo. The share should be performance based, and with far less random WC's.

Well that's where we'll have to disagree then, because imo it's a much better idea to give the leagues WC spots rather than the individual teams. I suppose it depends a lot on stability, for instance the 4 Challenge Cup teams you name Sharks and Benneton are in contention because they are at least earning it based on one years of results (this year, so far at least, and last years results, respectively), Clermont a little less so, but Gloucester should not be included based on last year if it's supposed to be a true elite competition and compete with Super Rugby.

Same goes with Exeter, they should not be their because they were part of the 2024 version. Are Gloucester doing well in the prem this year because theyre not worried about resting players for Champions Cup competition? Teams like Benneton get the WC spot for Sharks winning a european trophy, Connacht (I'm not sure I buy my example of giving URC more to start with so maybe this is like Irelands 2nd or 3rd best team in future occasions) as Irelands wildcard for winning the 6N, Castres are rewarded for the Top 14 providing last years champions, based on my example WC ideas. Stormers are included based on the bigger base URC gets, and La Rochelle (based on league) or Toulon (as the missed the top four by elimination game).

Some good English teams miss out but as I say you don't want to be chopping and changing the formats so it might work out in future or you simply start with 5 each and Bristol is is included in CC. Why would you want to give less consistent teams, ones that primarly do well in europe, preference?

Use of Tosi and Noah you can only give him credit. Looked absolutley fabulous if you ask me but he probably identified a few areas which weighed too heavily in TJPs favour. Not just Tosi, sticking with Ofa as well.

I don't think you understand the narrative. It is that this conservatism set in after having selected and seen these players. If you're talking about liabilities you need think of tight forwards still trying to keep on chugging at the 70th minute mark and giving away penalties. Blackadder diving into nothing for 60mins and acting like a wet rag. Young debutants left thinking 'well what was that?', players on the fringe saying 'well, its time for me to go!'.

That conservatism.

Doesn't really sound like good coaching and reinforces other theories. Wouldn't spread that.

Like it said the clearest thing to me is you've lost all valid argument and have capitulated into mumbo jumbo lol

I've started an investigation into Jordies role and use this week. I started by watching his RWC Final effort again (actually I watched it to count Frizell's defensive impact) and in that game his first contributions were one of the first receiver flick backs, then a no look pop, that quick chip for Ardie, a solid crash ball, and carry to the line and pop for Rieko to break through, and then into the second half he had another good crash ball (stopped watching at 58' when SF went off). I know it won't be the same under Razor because the first receiver flick backs have solely been a duty of a few specific forwards, but as I've already shown, its not likely he constant crashed it up under Razor I don't think.

He truly was the complete footballer by the time he retired from the ABs.