Today’s Rugby Union Daily from the Beeb, “The One About France” is a good listen on how France have turned the international side around since the worst of their club v country days. Interesting stuff.
French squad announced. Sorry DD and others.I am capitulating in advance on behalf of England. I predict a no bonus point loss. Wales to 3rd, and then some kind of bunfight with Scotland and England for 4th 5th, probs Scotland coming out on top.
Oh well time to start fantasising about beating Oz in the summer.
I’d take a championship, but I wouldn’t have any problem with a France Grand Slam. The rest of us don’t have to put up with them rubbing our faces in it. 😀
The rest of us don’t have to put up with them rubbing our faces in it.
This is true. Always less painful.
World's greatest 10 dropped
Scotland: Hogg; Graham, Harris, Johnson, Steyn; Kinghorn, Price; M Fagerson, Watson, Darge; Gilchrist, J Gray; Z Fagerson, Turner, Schoeman.
Replacements: Brown, Dell, Nel, Skinner, Bayliss, White, Russell, Bennett
A Scottish mate is relaying gossip that there is ongoing war between Russell and Townsend and that apparently he deliberatly plays crap when he is having a barney with him. Sounds like an excuse for his mercurial performance to me, but it is fair to say that he seemed to be jogging around the pitch vs Italy. Scotland looked almost struggling to put it together at times. I'm still calling bollocks, but it is an interesting take.
Looking forward to Saturday.
Scarlets prop Samson Lee has flown back to the UK from South Africa after rupturing an Achilles tendon in training.
The 45-cap Wales forward will see a specialist on his return to establish a management plan for the injury.
This is such sad news he was looking like he would be a top class international tighthead when he first did this, got rushed back for the World Cup and then just never reached his best again, so sad.
Just seen the England selection, Young's back in, Steward to Wing, Firbank to 15 and Sinker to bench. Clearly a plan to kick the leather off the ball. Are the Ingerland fans happy with that selection?
Makes no sense. If England want to play big wings then there's plenty to pick from. Firbank is a fairly good player but steward has been a better 15.
Totally agree, Steward the better 15. Youngs I guess for experience, but hoping it's not (it will be) a box-kick fest.. Giving the French backline an invitation to run at them, and they'll be hoping with more success that against Wales. Sinckler shouldn't be playing IMO, knocked out in the last game, give the lad chance to recover properly.
Steward also seems to have a few issues in defence against a smaller mobile wing.
I guess it'll be bomb/box kick with steward on the chase to pressure the french 15 who can struggle under the high ball.
Depends on kick being right.
Scarlets with a few issues in defence tonight as well!!
Six players breaking the rules it does look as if all is not well in the Scotland camp
https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/international/six-scotland-players-disciplined-after-leaving-team-hotel-to-visit-edinburgh-bar-1.4830605
I know I posted the gossip but going to the pub is hardly a sign of discord...
Not exactly a ringing endorsement of Townsends authority either.
It doesn't take much searching to find the lads going for beers against team orders. Hardly discord
Although knowing of Hogg it would be what he'd do because, well, he's Stuart Hogg.
Glasgow 30 - Edinburgh 17. My son and his Irish wife live in Edinburgh. I will be able to take the piss tomorrow, at least until the match starts
Damn; beaten to it!
Teej; getitrightupyou.
AWJ 👏
This is why Pivac is shit.. lots of nice arsing about coast to coast and no end result!
Deleted as I don't want to detract from a great Italy victory!
Forza Italia!!!
Can we swap coaches now TJ
Italia! ITALIA!
Pleased for them.
Excellent!! Well done Italy. I thought last week their full back was lively.
Completely deserved.
Well done Italy
Well done Italy, dear God how bad were we, well done Italy.
That useless mulleted hooker chasing the winger is ****ing hilarious!
"****ing great try" 😃😃😃😃😃😃
Gormless choices being compounded by abysmal execution meant we left them in the game. Really well taken try to win it though.
Josh Adams, I'm sorry, but he was an arse in the last few minutes, in fact I'm sure he also dived over a ruck in the first half and slapped the ball down.
The kick chase from Italy was immense. Prop first ma there from a break showed immense heart, then guess who sealing off for a penalty, actually how did he get man of the match? One tackle one try.
dear God how bad were we, well done Italy.
Funny thing is Wales had enough ball to smash them but just ****ed about going left or right. Usually when Wales lose to Italy or Fiji or even ****ing Romania our scrum or lineout collapse but that was a game they could have won!
That useless mulleted hooker chasing the winger is **** hilarious!
Brian Kilcline?
Josh Adams, I’m sorry, but he was an arse in the last few minutes
On the other hand he just gave his MOM medal to the Italy 15
I just watched Josh Adam’s give his MOtM medal to the young Italian FB, mouthing - this should be yours, you deserve it, well played. That’s class.
Well I take that back. (Took dog for a pee). Nice thing to do well done him.
Wales shouldn’t forget that they are still reigning champions. Ok, not had a great year, but they still have a lot of class.
Italy have always had a good performance in them, and the reality of the 6N is these days, you don’t perform, you lose.
Ireland v Scotland game has started frantically.
3 away win games today, would make for great tv!
If Scotland are smart they'll let Ireland get hands on the ball in the rucks. So far every one has had hands on the floor past the ball.
This is not going well, need a much better second half of we want to win. We look dangerous when we're running but line outs and kicking not going well.
It's the Wayne Barnes show thus far.
Mmmm I'm going to be biased but Scotland not getting the run of the green, apart from arguably the leading arm.
Line outs and penalties, never going ot win playing like we have.
Italy game is the best thing I have seen for a very very long time.
The Ireland game was good, a bit predictable.
Anyway with that BP Ireland up to 21. So England just need to win, even if France get losers BP and 4 try BP they will be stuck on 20.
And for England they just need 1 losers BP or a 4 try BP to go 3rd. Even if they beat France, they will still be 3rd.
I hope Gregor had his jotter and pens out today, he was given a lesson there....
