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I think it’s harsh to say Biggar is ****. He doesn’t quite play as some want for Wales at the moment but has had a successful run at no10 for Wales with a pretty good rate of success. Sure he’s not the running threat that some other fly halfs and isn’t as exciting as some as a result but I don’t know why he gets such stick. He’s been playing well for Northampton and really upped his game there. He’s in the worlds top ten best paid rugby player iirc?
Think the biggar comment was more along the lines that he's shafted if refs start counting shoulder movement as part of a conversion run up.
See vid
Baxter is a great coach and has the right attitudes IMO
Agreed. I think Scotland’s captain’s improvement and newfound maturity is largely down to his move to Chiefs. 😀
Baxter said he would make better players out of him and ickle Jonny and so far is good to his word
Yep, see that now.
I don't think Biggar will be the only victim either, there are a few other performers out there.
Did he go over the 60 seconds then?
Class move anyway.
No - he moved forward so stringer did the "charge down" in his cheeky way
In other news France now have 5 positive cases but are insisting they will still fufill the fixture. I don'rt know how to think about that. On one hand its good for Scotland but onthe other it devalues the tournament.
On one hand its good for Scotland
Not if the match becomes a Super Spreader event!
Might infect all the Scottish players!
I don’rt know how to think about that. On one hand its good for Scotland but onthe other it devalues the tournament.
In 10 years time it will be a result you look up on wikipedia..
as they are being tested daily then the chances of infection being spread in a weeks time is close to zero
This vid shows a little step before the kick.
https://twitter.com/BenKay5/status/1363246106092703754?
Some of the comments say there was shouting and claiming it's illegal so should have been a retake anyway?
Also french squad 10 tested +ve now. and 4 staff.
New cases include Ollivon.
All 10 are Ollivon, R. Taofifenua, Mauvaka, Baille, Haouas, Marchand, Vincent, Villiere, Dupont and Dulin.
Also french squad 10 tested +ve now. and 4 staff.
Well, that’s not good news. By Thursday they will be struggling to field a team, the decision arguments will then be will the game be forfeited or postponed?
Autumn 6N anyone?
I'd prefer autumn.
Guardian just posted "match in doubt" yes I get the infectious nature but if no more positives between now and Friday then is it any different to having a load of unfortunate injuries?
Obviously I'm just trying to avoid a potential humiliation but playing preferably a U18 scratch french squad.
Its reaching the point where to me it needs to be postponed simply not to devalue the tournament. Much as i want an away win for Scotland I do not want it against a badly weakened team
Lose more front rowers and it'll need to be unopposed scrums.
French will still win 😉
One problem with postponing it is when? We have players in France and England where the clubs will not release them outside of international windows
Next week is a fallow week so some players may be cleared by then?
Yes but All the scots players who play outside of scotland would be unavailable. Russell, Hogg, JGray, Skinner, Bayliss, etc etc. that would be unfair on Scotland
I was under the impression the postponed games would be attempted during the fallow weekends as TimP suggests. Fingers crossed
There were England bubble players not playing at the weekend but Scotland and Welsh Gallagher league players playing.
Makes the bubbles a bit silly. Also those players will be more fatigued.
tjagain
Full Member
One problem with postponing it is when?
IdleJon
My 17 year old daughter who doesn’t watch rugby asked me if there are ‘overrun’ weekends provisionally booked in case of problems with Covid. It’s not ideal but why would they not pencil this in?
From several pages ago. It was bound to happen - why would they not have some contingency planned?
No contingency needed players will be bubbled/follow strict protocols. Everyone will be sensible and safe.
I know.
that would be unfair on Scotland
After what happened during the World Cup and supposedly Scotland planning to appeal the length of Fagerson's ban, I expect Scotland have got their lawyers warming up already.
In retrospect it should go ahead. If strict protocols were followed then spread should have been minimised in the squad.
Scotland would be punished by delays France would not be and given its their squad that have messed up then they should be the ones to suffer.
Or turn the competition off this weekend with no national squad training and restart in autumn with all players available.
There was a similar incident earlier this season Glasgow played Exeter. Glasgow were unhappy at what they regarded as breaches of covid protocols amongst Exeter players and staff some of whom later tested positive. Glasgow players later tested positive they were unable to fulfil a European fixture and forfeited the match 24-0
I https://www.ultimaterugby.com/news/glasgow-take-aim-at-exeter-over-covid-19-protocol-breaches/633935
I don't think that it's good for the tournament but can't see any justification for changing the procedure should France be unable to fulfil the fixture this weekend.
Edited
Seemed this past weekend that all England squad players were not back at clubs but other nations were. That would really mess a delay to the competition if English clubs didn't release players to teams, especially are RFU seem to have the clout to have England players off the playing rota.
the PRL extorted the RFU into paying for extended player release but refuse point blank to allow this to other nations even if its written into contracts and the clubs are happy to do so
the RFU do not have the clout hence the massive payments to secure release
So what is going on with Fagerson? Looks like his appeal was heard yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon but I can't see any outcomes
So what is going on with Fagerson? Looks like his appeal was heard yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon but I can’t see any outcomes
They keep breaking their calculators trying to tot up how many weeks to add onto his ban.
Scotland / France game is on ( apparently)
Scotland / France game is on ( apparently)
Excellent!
C’mon Scotland 😀
did anyone see this Nigel Owens opinion on Fagerson/POM
https://twitter.com/s4cchwaraeon/status/1364265291195297795?s=21
Luckily there are subtitles otherwise Anagallis would need to get his welsh knot on.
European cup has been simplified again. A 16 team knockout. same for the minnows cup
I guess it makes some sort of sense
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/56184748
France cancel todays training after another player tests positive.
Google translate:
Update on the health situation of #XVdeFrance
Following the RT-PCR tests carried out this Wednesday, February 24 and the appearance of a positive case in the player s' strength, the FFR Medical Committee met this morning and decided to suspend training today.
The whole group is in isolation in accordance with the health protocol. The FFR is closely linked to the Six Nations Committe
Apparently another french player has returned a positive covid test.
Time to call it and award win to Scotland.
They will postpone it,the games have to be played for the TV.Unfortunately for us that means a week outside of the agreed timetable so no international release for anybody in England or France. That will be a sore one for us.
England:
15. Elliot Daly
14. Anthony Watson
13. Henry Slade
12. Owen Farrell
11. Jonny May
10. George Ford
9. Ben Youngs
1. Mako Vunipola
2. Jamie George
3. Kyle Sinckler
4. Maro Itoje
5. Jonny Hill
6. Mark Wilson
7. Tom Curry
8. Billy Vunipola
FINISHERS
16. Luke Cowan-Dickie
17. Ellis Genge
18. Will Stuart )
19. Charlie Ewels
20. George Martin
21. Ben Earl
22. Dan Robson
23. Max Malins
Glad to see Ford at 10 after I watched Squides video, but WTF did Lawes do to get dropped? He was on social media just yesterday saying he was looking to get stuck in to Biggar!
Max Malins, whilst he has potential, are we sure he's ready?
I thought he looked a bit lost last game, he was on at the end.
If they postpone it to next week it will make little differnce to the infection risk and without world rugby ensuring player release it would be a farce. Postponement should be until after the season or next autumn
We'll end up playing full strength France against a second XV Scotland. We'll go from 2nd on the table to 5th in defeat and points difference.