Can the welsh leave too please?
I think Italy will hammer the Scots, the Italian pack played well yesterday, the front row stood up and sent back the French Scotland have no chance in that department.
Italians front row in the open made serious yards as did second row, Scotland cannot braek the gain line.
Italian backrow is far more cohesive than Scots Denton will play like a Trojan but not clicking with fellow back rowers
neither backrows really connect with 9 & 10 through Italians shade it with scrum half.........Tommaso Allen is a better 10 than Weir in fact as said before play Doddie Weir and you have more chance
Italians backs are doing well, Cammaso (2 tries against the welsh) looks a good developing player as did the wingers,
penalty kicking will be interesting
big factor is it is Rome
Really want Scotland to be back in there, playing like the scots I recall and played against wild marauding scrounging mean forwards with backs who when they got the ball and had not died from hypothermia could run and jinx, sell a dummy pass and score.
The malaise of the game is size of the players and 'bash ball' storming hulks. Sacking Johnson is only part of it, it is where is the money invested and player growth anddevlopment.
Forfana should have the team built around him and be released when the french came alive and passed the ball outstanding, Bastardeau (spelling sorry) should be banished from memory, comedy pronucations replacement and who looks a good player Fickou should be in.
Wales surprised at how inept they were.
Ireland England......O Mahoney player of the tournament so far, been excellent and I can see that game being close England to win,
Scott Johnson a pretty useless coach, when he was at Ospreys I used to look at his team and genuinely fear them as a Munster fan, he should have won a Heineken Cup with that team.
The Scottish team still have the players to upset a few teams especially at home. I would actually say each of the last 3 Scottish coaches have been numpties. Vern Cotter is a different story and I will be really surprised if they are not a different proposition next season
I am going to watch the Cornish Pirates play London Welsh on Sunday, will be a bit of a trek and I have no idea about the quality of the game but it will be fun I am sure.
Pirates are one of those teams you just want to do well....Although in this case our principal Welsh correspondent may disagree! Did pirates not get a cease and desist a few years ago from the AB's?
Actually, I don't think Weir is shit. All this talk of dropping him is very premature. In fact, believe it or not, I reckon SJ is doing the right thing by giving him a decent run of games, something he hasn't had either at Glasgow or Edinburgh. Jackson has had so many chances over the years and had just enough good games to stay in contention. He's 26 years old (today incidentally, Happy Birthday Ruaridh). If you haven't become a decent stand off at that age then I'm sorry but I don't think it's going to happen.
Weir is 22 years old and still has potential but not if he doesn't get the game time. He had a bit of a nightmare on Saturday but then who didn't. Don't say Denton, he didn't. Weir's kicking game has always been solid and this year he has started to show that he has a lot more to offer. We didn't get a chance to see that on Saturday because he was following the coach's game plan. If he's afraid of losing his place to Jackson then I can see why he'd be reluctant to go against his coach and play the game the way his instincts tell him to.
As far as Denton goes I really don't see what he did that was so special. A lot is being made of his 12 carries for 57m for an average of 4.7m per carry. That doesn't tell the whole story. At least three of his carries were returns from kicks so they were 10-20 meters which ups his average quite a bit. The rest he ran into a defender on the gain line. It would take one or two players to bring him down where the ball would either be recycled (slowly) or turned over. If you don't make any yards and don't draw in any more defenders then how does that improve the situation for his team. He had 12 carries, no clean breaks, 1 defender beaten, and 1 turnover. In contrast Beattie had 5 carries, 1 clean break, 2 defenders beaten, and 1 turnover. I don't normally like using ESPN stats but all the papers are using Denton's 57m for 12 carries stat so why shouldn't I. I like Denton but Beattie is better and should have started.
The fact is that there are very few players in that team who haven't played very well at some point for club or country. It's either the tactics or the coaching that's letting them down. That falls squarely at the feet of SJ and his mates. And tbh I don't even blame him all that much. He never really wanted the coaching job and has said repeatedly that his main goal is to give Cotter the best options for when he arrives. He's never claimed to be the best man for the job so I can't blame him for not delivering the results I want to see.
Edit: Just to add, I think the real architects of this years cluster **** is the SRU for many many reasons but I can't be arsed listing them.
I agree Bruce when the pack is rinsed the half backs always look bad.
I see Guscott is calling for Spikey to be dropped, he must be a 1D fan.
Bruce I agree to a certain extent about Weir but I think SJ has to take the bulk of the blame for the way the team are being asked to play, or not play, and the lack of direction. Too many simple errors are being made. It seems like he doesn't really give a crap cause he will still get paid and next season he can blame someone else for piss poor performances.
Pretty fair assessment Bruce. I agree Weir should be given a longer run in the team. From what i have seen of him I dont think Tommaso Allen would have been the answer either. He played for Perpginan v Edinburgh and Greig Tonks looked the better of the two 10s and he was only playing it for the 3rd time at that level.
Unfortuantely I think we only have 3 players with the skills and ability to change a match Hogg, Beattie and Scott who i think should start every game if fit. In saying that i don't think Scott should have started the last match he has only played 3 games this season.
Hopefully Cotter will bring some direction and a game plan the players are capable of executing...assuming he turns up having seen what is in store for him.
I see Guscott is calling for Spikey to be dropped, he must be a 1D fan.
for whom, petulence aside I thought he was one of the few able to hold his heax after that game. Any other wslsh 9 would have been totally deztroyed give the shit ball he was served and the breakdown mess in front of him. The entird pack should be the ones with their heads on the block.
[url=
a look at the 2nd and 4th try to see what Weir can do with a decent pack and a more forgiving defence[/url]
Well, I had to find something to cheer me up after the weekend 🙂
Yeah at least he looked interested. If I were Gatland I'd drop lydiate and Jenkins, bring in Tips, move Warb to 6 and start Paul James.
http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/26156018
Scott Williams out for three months. 🙁 Gives Gatland the opportunity rush back.another injured player with almost now gametime since November.... Come in Davies your time is up.
I would have said Weir is the best 10 Scotland have to chose from at the moment(I guess like most people here seem to think) and don't really get the criticism he's been facing. He might not set the international rugby world alight but he looks to be the better option. Let's face it, Sexton is probably the best 10 in the NH and hardly stands out as being amazing either (who does beside Carter and perhaps Steyn or Cooper on their very best days). The other 10's before him recently for Scotland have been entirely uninspiring and at least Weir looks solid in defense too which is probably the main requirement for fly half behind a mediocre pack! 😀
In amongst all the Welsh rugby gloom some very good news
Matthew Rees clear of cancer.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/26160733
Thats great, hope he returns as strong as before a top class player!
http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/26160190
game going soft and why did they get the same the italian started and put in a few punches too.
[url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/26194618 ]Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahwerpwerpwibblehahahahahahahaha[/url]
Omsk!
Is he as drunk as I am?
@CFH he's clearly the sort of deluded optimist who's been working on the Yes vote manifesto.
CFH..........saw that and put tenner on 😉
Dodson is also CEO of SDFA (Scottish deep frying association) he got speeches mixed up. We are also going to be healthy by 3078
Its all relative,at the end of the day we will win just as many WC's as the master race next year. His claims were widely ridiculed here last year,but now with the wee jockbitchfest going on in the english media ( times at it again yesterday) it is worthy of bringing up again.
New European format to be announced today.To quote the Talking Heads
"Same as it ever was."
Basically 6/7 from France and England and 7 from rabo,one from each of the Celtic countries,unsure if Italy are a Celtic country. Second tier to remain and new bowl for smaller countries.
thankfully no further announcements Duckman.
Credit where due great first half from Rhys Webb v Trviso
Dan Cole ruled out for rest of 6N, who is next in line for a call up?
Thats a blow he was really playing well, I was wondering if him being good now but shit in the summer and Adam being the reverse is related to time spent preparing for the new engage rules. Any prop experts care to give an opinion. The bath fella is the next cab off the rank I expect
Then you didn't watch fat man Wilson play against Exeter. Like a prop of old, walking from set piece to set piece after 25mins. In fairness, he's just back from injury.
Oh, and Coles scrummaging isn't anything like as powerful as last season, his loose play is still great however.
I thought Cole has been poor in the scrum but then I know sod all about front row play 😆
Then you didn't watch fat man Wilson play against Exeter. Like a prop of old, walking from set piece to set piece after 25mins. In fairness, he's just back from injury.
I didnt know that, whats the fat south african coke head up to these days and more importantly how was Gavin looking 😆
I see Bath have signed Burgess or England have or something. I saw some stats recently and if he plays 12 he'll be bigger than Roberts 😯
In fairness I don't think many will be bigger than him! Be interesting to see how he copes with the smaller steppy players running at/round him. In league he seems to just deal with the big fellas just running straight at him (and deals with them very well!!) whereas in union he'll have to deal more with the more agile runners.
A hell of an athlete though, I can't wait to see him in action.
I see Bath have signed Burgess or England have or something. I saw some stats recently and if he plays 12 he'll be bigger than Roberts
6kg and 3cm difference if you believe Wikipedia (which we've discussed the accuracy of in the past!). 13cm taller but 4kg lighter than Bastereaud if you believe Wiki. Proof that being a big lump doesn't necessarily translate to destructiveness at Centre 😉
SBW isn't far off any of these guys as far as the numbers go either yet you don't tend to think of him as a big guy due to his agileness and offloads. Lots of variety in how a big lump can play Centre! 😆
Basteraud could easily lose 4kg of lard though! He's broken for fridays game with Wales, shame as it will means Fickou starts and he scares the hell out of me especially if up against a very rusty Davies or North who has only played about one whole match at 13 in his life.
Our Gav doesn't seem to get much of a look in as Bath seem to have a lot of good centres as well as flyhalves (Daddy isn't going to drop George Ford anytime soon!) Can't imagine he'll still be there next season.
Burgess looks to be a complete monster. Decent step, good pass and even a bit of pace from the highlight reels on you tube. If he can convert, then having Tuilagi and Burgess running at you is going to give you a hell of a headache, however it's a big if, not many league players have made the really successful switch and I'm not holding my breath, although obviously there's some hope!
Irish Rugby needs to get a decent PR/ Media person ASAP. Gareth Thomas/ Nigel Owens/ anyone living in the real world in 2014 may wish to have a word with Kevin Francis some time. [url= http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/oval-talk/ex-ireland-star-francis-gay-people-no-interest-201512894.html ] "Gay people have no interest in sport"[/url]
Well its fairly clear that he wants to compare himself to SBW and even he took about 3 years to really get a grasp of Union. I can't help but think Sam has left it a little late, he doesn't come over until October, so he's not going to be ready for the AI's. 6 nations are going to be a huge push, and then he's only got til the summer really to make his mark. Having said that, I think Lancaster will have him in the EPS for all of that just so he can see how he's developing first hand.
As said above though the prospect of Sam breaking the line and then offloading to Tuilagi running at a scrambling defence is going to cause some defensive headaches for opponents.
On the other hand I think SL has learnt his lesson recently that having two crash and bash centres doesn't offer as much as a ball handling 12. So it could be him and Tuilagi fighting for one place. Not a bad dilemma to have as not many weary defences would want to see either one of them taking off their tracksuit and warming up.
Bath and RFU fighting over who is paying the bill
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/club/10638549/Bath-owner-claims-RFU-pledged-to-pay-Sam-Burgess-500k-transfer-fee-and-its-they-who-are-pushing-deal.html
Francis is an utter ****, always has been always will be
Nigel Owens ?@Nigelrefowens 8h
Disappointing to read Neil Francis comments. There are loads of gay people in sport. Most are just not out. Wish they wd stop stereotyping
Nigel Owens ?@Nigelrefowens 6m
Sport is for all. No matter who you are or where your from. Many gay people play sport at all levels. Just most have chosen not to come out
Does Francis work for the IRFU? I thought he was a journalist & broadcaster.
DanW - Member
Irish Rugby needs to get a decent PR/ Media person ASAP.
Why's that DanW?
Sorry, I meant it as a light hearted, tenuous link to the previous discussion of BOD's choice of words about Gatland in the build up to the Wales game. There was some discussion of needing some better media training to avoid emotive words or similar.
I guess I need someone to help me with my PR/ Media 😀
So Davies not recovered and Beck knackered too added to Scott Williams, Cory Allan and Owen Williams all crocked Wales have a serious problem at 13. Between Hook or North I'd say. I'd go Hook 13 and keep North on the wing, so no doubt North will go to 13 and Liam Williams will go to wing. Williams is a trier but not international class. Could put Hook to 15, 1/2p to wing and have North to 13.
Good news is that Charteris is fit.
North is wasted in the centres, especially for his level of experience there and to be alongside Roberts. Logic says get Hook in there as you say a_a!
Burgess has got to get in at centre for Bath first, they aren't short of a decent centre at the moment - Eastmond, JJ and Devoto are all young and very good prospects.
