The Egg chasers relegation

[tidus_mi2]

Irish lose 6-13 at Newcastle and are 7 points behind with two games to go.

They could stay up, but it would mean them beating Harlequins (possible) and also away at Wasps (very unlikely), and hoping Newcastle lose both remaining games, without picking up bonus points.

The fat lady is taking the stage.

Ah yeah that's correct, for some reason I thought there was only 1 game left after today.

[Big Foot]

I'd just like to dip in to the general argument here and say that I hate rugby and I hope London Irish get relegated and leave the stadium forever.

^ This plus I hope London Irish goes into liquidation.

[AthleticoSpizz]

That would be a shame for hundreds of local kids.

They put a lot of time and money into the Reading based youth and development game.

[paultheroyal]

Pitch in excellent condition last night.

When was the last Irish Rugby home game? Ah, just checked 2nd April - funny that!!

[Nameless]

Good spot Paul.
I thought the pitch was looking much better for the last few games.
The Forest game, the U21 game and the Birmingham game all showed no real problems.
Amazing what the onset of the spring does for grass growth !

[AthleticoSpizz]

My lawn is certainly green and pleasant this month.

Between Richmond and LI, we have had rugby at the M'stad pretty much since it opened....don't remember the big song and dance about pitch conditions back in the days back when we were successful.

"Funny that"

[sandman]

Must have a very short memory.

[AthleticoSpizz]

You're so funny

[tmesis]

Irish lose 25-32 at home to Harlequins and are relegated.

...or maybe not. If Bedford win the 4 team play-off in rugby Championship, they get a reprieve as Bedford's ground isn't up to standard. It would be something of a shock if Bedford won though.

[AthleticoSpizz]

Despite that "big rugby game" last weekend...the pitch looked beautiful yesterday Paula

"Funny that"

[sandman]

Apart from the big dent in the pitch left by Chris Ashton's knee.

[AthleticoSpizz]

.....think that's what finished Beckford

[Terminal Boardom]

.........not from me, I have the ability to enjoy both sports

I also generally find the Madejski under utilised

And that is a serious matter. What's the point of a multi-million pound structure if it isn't getting used more than 40 times a year? It will only be a matter of time before the grass gets ripped up once and for all to be replaced by a 100% synthetic surface which will increase usage and revenue.

[AthleticoSpizz]

...whilst there is no denying that the pitch would be greener and smoother during those winter months without the LI.........but.........just what is the big hoo-hah?

A lot or Readings away games are played on surfaces a lot worse than this.....even now

Some "supporters" are just biased/blinkered....and for no credible reason

[Winston Smith]

Some people feel more comfortable being negative.

[MR. CYNICAL]

I've always said you can't play Rugby on a football pitch.
If that was the case, then all 92 clubs in the league would be sharing with their local rugby team.

[AthleticoSpizz]

There's not 92 rugby teams that need a football-sized stadium

.....and whatever you have always said has evidently been proven wrong

[MR. CYNICAL]

The fact that you like rugby and i don't means that our opinions will always differ on this. Who is right or wrong is open to debate.

[AthleticoSpizz]

Fair do's

Believe it or not, I have no time for LI....never really have......however, I still see them as a good thing for the Reading community...the pitch home game thing is a bit of a red-herring....as I have witnessed....we play on a lot worse surfaces elsewhere during the winter months.

My ability to like both sports comes from the local youth development game (that LI heavily subscribe to)....my own lad has certainly benefitted from it, as has two of his team-mates who have gone on to represent England at U17 level.

Expect LI to bounce straight back next season......and the contract to be honoured.........

........sorry

[Ian Royal]

The fact that you like rugby and i don't means that our opinions will always differ on this. Who is right or wrong is open to debate.

I'd say it's fairly objective whether there are 92 rugby teams sufficiently in need of stadia for every football team to share. Not withstanding the possible different geographical distribution of rugby clubs compared to football clubs. Personally, on this particularly point, I'd say it's pretty clear with not much room for debate who's right and who's wrong.