MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
Glad we have France at home!
Time to call on the Auld Alliance again and see if France can ship some backs over for the rest of the series for us!
Having said that I think the Scots backs have done ok today
Scotland haven't been bad at all, just that France have been brilliant!
Scots backs look good actually.
Just like that boys.
Flashback to Gavin Hasting's there.
Three tries in one season, amazing!!
Getting there.France were pretty good,hang on KICKING from under t posts with a min left? Are you England in disguise?
The boys done good but no good enough 😐
Aye another glorious defeat. We have to play that well for the rest of the series though.
That and hang onto the ball too.
Well done France, by far the best looking team so far.
Thierry's English has come on a lot!
France are the team to beat this yr.
England looked good but not the finished article.
Wales good in parts but making too many positioning/thinking mistakes.
Scotland have come on a long way but need to toughen up/smarten up the scrum.
Italy also come on very well, going to beat someone very soon.
Ireland looked poor to be honest, didn't look like they would worry any coach this weekend.
Thoughts?
Based on performances this weekend.
1. France
2. England
3. Scotland
4. Ireland
5. Italy
6. Wales
NB this is subject to change. Top 2 are pretty set but the other 4 could all swap around depending on how the games pan out.
I'll stick with my original order
England
France
Scotland
Wales
Ireland
Italy
Bruk - were Wales really so bad as to be given bottom placing?
Personally i'd swap Ireland and Wales around. Ireland were shown to be poor today whilst Wales can still win some games. They'll push teams hard.
I just think Wales are really disorganised right now. Ireland though aging know how to win and Italy are much better than their rep.
As I said it can all change pretty quickly down in the bottom 4
Depends how Wales react to losing to England. In times past a defeat against the old enemy sapped them, conversely a win set them up for a Grand Slam run.
France
England
Scotland/Wales
Ireland
Italy
Wales were ring rusty because a lot of their boys have missed chunks of the season through injury,they will improve.England play a good pressure game,but even at Twickenham will they be able to do it for 80 mins against a French team that can attack so well,so quickly? I also think the French travel much better and are more familiar with the rest of us because of the European cup,Ireland are starting to look tired and,well...old.Our backs looked much better than our forwards,Murray has slipped since the lions tour,a pity because he looked the real deal less than 2 years ago.
France/Ireland
Who cares about the rest.
After today's performance DD?
Tell you what, i'll have a bet with you. Whoever's team finishes lowest contributes a tenner towards team Bullheart.
How about it?
Lousy Irish score 😥
france
england
the others were shyte.
scrub that, the jocks were half shyte................. 😀
ton, it's probably best that you don't comment on union threads, given that you're coming from a position of grave ignorance. I just don't want you embarrassing yourself yet again, that's all matey
rugby is rugby darcy..........and the tatty eaters did not play it. 😀
Lets face it lads, Ireland are still a top 3 side and England will do very well to beat us at the Aviva. We've 3 starting Lions coming back from injury over the next lot of games and a couple of other Lions just back from injury. That loss will have hurt their pride, we might go down swinging to the French but we will play some decent rugby in this tournament.
ton, you were only slagging it off the other day. Make up your mind will you?!?
tatty-eaters? WTF are you talking about?
(just asking here big guy, don't threaten to beat me up or anything)
darcy...........all rugby is good.
Glad you like it Ton;at the end of the day it's just like League,except with supporters. 🙂
the others were shyte.
scrub that, the jocks were half shyte.................
rugby is rugby darcy..........and the tatty eaters did not play it.
Oi! What about the phlegm spitters? We have a right to be insulted too?
Rather than insulting the engerlush, I'll just offer my understanding and sympathy. It can't be a very pleasant cross to bear. 😆
The whole Wales 8 consecutive losses isnt really that bad, I mean 2 are SA both close games, 3 are against NZ and 2 were close with one 30 point thumping, 1 against Australia and now one against england, none of those losses apart from the 1st test in NZ were by more than about 10 points I think, confidence and a bit of spark in the backs would go a long way.
Aren't we also talking about an understrength squad due to a couple of injuries?
There's a few injuries, the two props being the main ones, but Wales survived the scrums and won enough ball to win the game, they just arent doing much with the ball at present, no support runners, no one running off the carriers shoulders, no one straightening the line.
I hear Powell is injured - mind you, that's not necessarily a bad thing 🙂
As for the green machine, Bowe still out 🙁
Trimble, Heaslip and Ferris still doubts 🙁
Our only very slim hope is that it's in Dublin - our scrum and line-out (traditionally a strength) seemed to have gone to pieces over the last couple of years. Leamy's just a mouthy git and gets us into trouble all the ****ing time.
O'Gara or Sexton, that's the question...
I reckon Kidney will stick with Sexton starting and O'Gara to come on when the shit hits the fan (probably a lot earlier than Saturday).
i hate to admit it but jonathan davies and the gang are correct..
gatland needs to bring in more young blood and bench...
stephen jones,
byrne
phillips
roberts
shane williams
sod the 6 nations he needs to give the new blood full games, they have no pre-conceptions and will think "sh*t im in a welsh jersey wahay bring it on" bring something new
the world cup is the main one 🙂
but then again what do i know 😉
stephen jones,byrne
phillips
roberts
shane williams
Who to replace them with though?
Byrne or erm, Checheye? No thanks.
Phillips erm Peel no or Knyole certainly not.
Roberts with? Erm, I honestly cant think of anyone else
Shane Williams with Tom Jmaes, yeah right or Brew christ no
and Jones has been replaced by a guy who hasnt started a match at stand off this season
oh and Roberts isnt old, he's still what 25? Just not playing well after a long injury lay off
duckman - Member
Glad you like it Ton;at the end of the day it's just like League,except with supporters.
*Applauds*
I think Hook,while he has not started at 10 might be able to force the pace of the Welsh back play a bit.He is going to have to against our back row;not a day for hanging on to the ball.Like Jones,he is a better natural rugby player than the man he is replacing.We will give you a chance by playing Murray for the first half,deal?(Actually scrub that, Murray will be well aware he needs to front up or get dropped)
Why oh why oh why is Tomas O'Leary still selected?!
Wales benching 5 of their best backs is an interesting idea, probably best to try that for the Ireland game.
Shocker! De Luca is STILL in the Scotland team!
I had us to beat Wales but now having 2nd thoughts.
just a quick heads up............mens rugby is back on saturday.
millenium magic...... 8)
mens rugby is back on saturday.
Yeah ton, we know...England v Italy is the first one.
Wales benching 5 of their best backs is an interesting idea
eh?
DD, just a quick question.
have you ever played any rugby.............either code?
Why do you ask ton?
just curious mate.
no other reason.
ton, I'm curious myself...why couldn't you stop yourself coming on this thread to moan on about pass'n'struggle? There's a bit of a code here isn't there? Y'know...if you don't really like the sport, then leave the thread alone. Same reason I stay off Motorsport threads. I have nothing positive to add so I don't bother. Why not try something similar?
darcy............are you such a idiot that you do not realise that i post such things to annoy people like you?
and it obviously works.
or are you such a fool that you do not realise that i am joking, as obviously the other posters on the thread do?
you really do have a problem with me dont you?
tell me why please, and tell me if you have ever played rugby........either code.
Catfight!!!!!
Catfight!!!!
😆
you really do have a problem with me dont you?
FFS ton, I don't have a problem with you sweetheart...well I do...just a little. You can't take a wind-up back...if you're going to hand them out...then take them back...unless you're not man enough? Instead of your bitching and whining "you have a problem with me..." shite you always come out with. Jesus wept, you're like an old woman sometimes luvvy.
There's a rugby league thread somewhere waiting for your input (no bullying or racist comments either please)...there are hundreds of people there waiting for you to contribute.
darcy...........have you ever played rugby league or rugby union.
simple question mate.
or are you one of those experts from the stands?
ton, because YOU'VE asked the question, I ain't answering. But you probably know that in Ireland, no league is played.
or are you one of those experts from the stands?
I've never claimed to be an expert on anything...apart from identifying your wind-ups...bomba...
darcy, actually in ireland some league is played.
and to a pretty good standard.
a mate i played with at wakefield coached the irish national team too.
i did not think you had played.
I played against an international under 15 team once.
pwn3d!
ton, just leave it now mate...you're ruining a good thread.
Agreed.
Ton, Darcy, if you'd care to continue this elsewhere, please do.
Now, Hook at 10? I'm pleased, as I think he'll make more things happen. Jamie Roberts really needs more ball on Saturday
no league is played
Yup, seems I was wrong. Some is played. I can honestly say that growing up, I never once saw, or heard of a game of rugby league being played in Ireland.
Apparently they play cricket too, not that I ever saw any of that either.
How did this thread disintergrate into this??? Give it a rest you two.
Putting Hook at 10 is a hell of a gamble, Gatlands reign as coach may hinge on this. If he has a shocker then I think the knives will be out for Gatland.
darcy..........wtf, leave it....... 😆 😆
I think he'll make more things happen
but will they be things we want to happen?
I apologise for mine and ton's spat.
Heaslip in at no. 8 for Leamy. That's a relief.
Just my opinion but i think Hook is a better 10 than Jones.
Glad he didn't start in that position against England. I really rate Hook & wish he was English!
My predictions for this weekend.
England to beat Italy, will be a tough battle up front and a stodgy game at first but the English backs will open up the Italian defence eventually. Doubt it will be a scintillating game though.
Scotland to beat Wales. Scotland looked very good last weekend and Wales seem to be in some disarray at the moment.
France to beat Ireland. France are on fire at the moment & Ireland were stodgy & tired-looking to say the least on Saturday.
I'll probably get them all wrong now!
I'll probably get them all wrong now!
I hope so 😛
TBH DD, my prediction about France/Ireland is the one i feel most secure about! Only one game in i know but i can't see anyone beating France at the moment.
i can't see anyone beating France at the moment
Yeah, I don't disagree but if I don't hope, there's no point in watching it. We've beaten them before when they've been much better. And you never know, they might show a bit of French indifference. Head says France by 20+. Heart will always say the green machine.
As an aside, good to see a Saffer joining the Kiwi in a white shirt for this weekend...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/english/9390324.stm
😉
At least we can afford to go overseas for our England players Captain, not just wander up to Blackpool to claim Welsh status... 😛
😆
Putting Hook at 10 is a hell of a gamble, Gatlands reign as coach may hinge on this.
He's got Jones on the bench, so it's not much of a gamble. And at least we've got rid of that donkey Peel! For a player who supposedly is a technically good SH, he's got a crap pass and his vision of the game is even worse.
Only one game in i know but i can't see anyone beating France at the moment.
France look good in attack, but their defence isn't great is it? 3 tries from a Scottish team that iirc were actually created rather than scored from interceptions. Stop France from getting the ball and they can't attack - should suit England well. (Wales are stuffed with their mistake rate at the mo....)
England v Italy should be good, even at Twickenham. I'm looking forward to a good technical (ie rather than 'creative') game of rugby with lots of steam rising from the scrum.
James Hook could be a good 10 but he hasnt played the position regularly for the last two seasons, its a gamble.
Peel is just bizare in 2005 ish he was amongst the best 9's in the world, look at him now
Scotland scoring three against Frnace doesn't say to me that France are weak, more that Scotland are actually quite good. We've become conditioned to expect Scotland to be rubbish but at the moment they are looking good - they did win a series in Argentina after all.
Probably cos he's playing at Sale A-A, we can turn any player to poo... 😡
As a bit of an aside, [url= http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbynation/rugby-news/2010/11/14/welsh-rugby-s-50-hardest-men-91466-27633577/50/ ]there's some names to remember in here![/url]
Some bad,bad men in that group. To join the hook debate,the trouble is that the Welsh are stretched as thin as "the only gay in the vill-age's)pvc catsuit when it comes to backs.Hook will be a better player than steady Steve,but it means moving somebody else in to replace Hook.However..not my problem,in fact I hope a Welsh 10 forgets to tuck his head for the second week in a trot,ideally when Gray is on the hoof.
Agree with muddydwarf here. Scotland have looked good in the run up (apart from the new zealand game!!!). We bested south africa, had a great run in Argentina CREATED 3 tries against France. Last six nations was stops and starts but looked stronger than we have for some time. If this years Scotland Wales game is half as good as last years it'll be great!!
Dwayne Peel loss of form how about Peter Rogers, went from being world class to being farcical. Now a property developer I think.
Should be another interesting weekend.
France were exciting last week but they did leak THREE tries to a side who's only five pointer in recent memory was against Manu Samoa. This means that against an Irish side (who are clearly past their best) they may disintegrate, as they did against the Aussies, or win in a festival of running rugby.
Who can tell? I can't........
Scotland, at best, can only beat Wales which never seems to prove anything because Wales seem to be making a sow's ear from a silk purse on a regular basis.
Which leaves England v Italy. I can't ever remember ENJOYING an Italy game in the 6N (except the win at Murrayfield a few years back LOL) and I don't expect to enjoy this one if it turns into the dogged bun-fight that the Italians will be looking for. There's always hope that England might get ahead enough to have some fun but we'll see.
If NZ were playing any of the six this weekend how would they fare?
Peter Rogers......... I remember him.
He was about as Welsh as Guinness.
Well the Welsh under 20's beat Scotland hollow so lets hope this is a sign of things to come. Bit of biff as well 😀
Rogers was exonerated unlike Howarth and Sinkinson
england are not gonna have it easy today. 😉