Rugby Union

This aged like a fine pint o milk.

 

Fair * to Scotland. What has inspired this dramatic turnaround for you do you think? I haven’t followed it at all so interested to learn why you’ve gone from battling Italy for fifth to becoming a truly respected outfit in world rugby.

 

Japan looks to foreign referees to raise its rugby officiating level

Just as star players from overseas have improved the quality of Japanese domestic rugby, Japan's League One is hoping to do the same with its refereeing standards by importing top officials from other countries.

Australian Nic Berry, a referee at the 2019 World Cup in Japan, demonstrated the kind of unerring judgment and smooth officiating Japan longs for from its native officials in the Jan. 22 League One game between Brave Lupus Tokyo and Toyota Verblitz.

"It was so good, it felt as if there wasn't a referee," said Brave Lupus forward Michael Leitch, who captained Japan in the last two World Cups.

While the large influx of high-profile players from overseas has resulted in a better game and an increase in the number of Japanese players on professional contracts, only three of the league's 17 Japanese referees are hired full-time.

"The refereeing level hasn't managed to catch up with that of the improved quality of play," Japan Rugby Football Union Referee Manager Takashi Harada admitted.

Teams complained last season over the standards for referees' decisions, while the time needed for television match officials' reviews was also an issue.

Berry is one of five overseas referees who have come to Japan this season as part of a plan to improve officiating.

"There are things you can learn by comparing how others work in the same competitive arena," Harada said, hopeful Japanese officials will learn from the visitors' examples.

The JRFU is aiming to have a Japanese referee in the World Cup for the first time since 1995, and is considering sending officials to leagues overseas for training to help accomplish that goal by gaining language skills and game experience.

Shuhei Kubo, an assistant referee at the 2019 World Cup, hopes the JRFU can make a true commitment to achieving its goals.

"I don't want this to be just a one-off thing but a program that takes place over a longer time span," he said.

https://japantoday.com/category/spo...reign-referees-to-raise-its-officiating-level

 

All set up to be a cracking Ireland Scotland game in round 4 for sure. Big test for Scotland though next round in Paris. As good as Scotland have been in the first 2 games France in Paris will be a step up in class for sure.

 

Stunning performance and win for Ireland there against France. What a classic of a game it was too. Back and forth first half and then France you have to give them credit as their goal line defending was uncredible at times otherwise we would have won at a canter so much pressure did we put on them in their 22. Truly a game that lived up to the hype and a real statement performance and win for us.

 

Can I recommend slammed on iplayer , just wonderfully done and if you like rugby, some brilliant footage of one of the greatest sides of all time. The skill, speed and fitness levels are up there with today’s game, and this is in the days of being a semi pro game at best.

 

Welsh prats

 

A * tonne of talent who mostly play together every week and a great staff.

Duhan and Huw Jones moving back to Scotland has worked wonders for their games. Instant chemistry.

Then there’s Finn playing his best rugby since his baby arrived and he’s been off the beers.

 

Fair dues to Italy, lovely to watch, gave Ireland a right good run for their money today.

 

Wales are terrible this year.

Robbery if they steal this.

 

Wales and England look worse than Italy tbf, but England under borthwick seem to be starting to stop the rot. Gatland really has got his work cut out.

 

Scotland to win today against france

 

They French are just too fkn good, *.

 

They are good, and they have been building nicely for a good few years towards the WC on home turf.
Are they contenders? They are, along with Ireland, New Zealand, and possibly England and South Africa as well.

This year's Six Nations is amazing, can't wait for the World Cup! Good times!

 

Going to some Weekend of Rugby to say the least, enjoy everyone

 

Good times!

Six Nations is by nature competitive, but it's been a good while since it was this good.

Can't wait!

 

England

 

To be fair to England, they are up against a side on top of their game. Watching Dupont playing is poetry in motion.

The first half was sublime, pure rugby gold.

More please!

 

Brilliant to watch England get pumped at home, another few tries please France!