[Closed] Rugby thread 2016/2017

Well played Wales. Ireland's lack of accuracy cost them

The difference between the teams is George North in the first half. Man of the match with ease.

Zebo has been awful!!!!

Well done Wales, England in pole position for the title now.

Nice for Roberts a great player who this may be the end for...

Guess this gives Gatland the excuse he needs to pick Wales enmasse for the Lions, after all Wales have beaten Ireland who beat the AB's a few months ago... 😆

Well played Wales. Ireland's lack of accuracy cost them

Gutted for Tommy Bowe....fine player, hasn't really had an injury free period for 5 years now.

Astonishing result. Fantastic stuff!

Good game

What a fantastic game of rugby. Every inch contested. Despite possession, Ireland ultimately had no penetration, and that cost them dearly.
Earls hasn't been mentioned much, I thought he looked the only threatening player in what looked a fairly toothless team (aside from Stander who was faultless). Moriarty, North and Tips had good games, otherwise a solid team effort from Wales.
*controversy* I think Jackson is better than Sexton.

Credit to both sides for a great game with no shittyness.
#CymruAmByth

Beautiful and brutal game of rugby there, that's some lions team and you've got England and Scotland to add to it

#CymruAmByth

Amen

Really enjoyed that! I bet Best doesn't buy Henshaw a pint tonight! turned a definite Ireland try into a welsh pen!

Really enjoyed that as a neutral.

Both teams went at each other hammer and tongs but Ireland looked pretty toothless in attack which surprised me. Only Earls seemed to offer much threat.

Wales took their chances well and with a bit more off a cutting edge should have scored a few more tries.

Irish lineout wobbled again. Hooker looks like a problem position for the Lions.

Quality match. Ireland seemed to run out of puff and ideas. Hopefully they'll be as poor next week.

Hooker looks like a problem position for the Lions.

What a bloody great test match!

Barnes was excellent. I hate myself for saying that.
Defensive power from both teams was huge.
Henshaw is a burk.

Bloody hell, that was brutal. Brilliant.

Don't think the hooker was the problem it was good Wales defence. Best was 22 from 22 last time out

Superb test match .

Well played Wales .

England and Scotland are going to have to go some to beat that spectacle .

Fantastic game 🙂 Wales finally got it together. Sides evenly matched physically, both forced to be creative, Wales finally managed to out think an opponent!

England and Scotland are going to have to go some to beat that spectacle .

Don't see a problem at hooker myself....Jamie George is by far the best!

Well, if scotland come to play it could be a fascinating day tomorrow.

Just finished after delay! Great fun tha and well played Wales. Great to be neutral watching it, although pleased with result.

Shocking THM kiss of death Henshaw!!!! 😉

Irish line out mistakes really cost them, but the better team won.

Not sure about MoM

Was Stander injured or just out of puff? Why take your best player of the field?

Shame to see Tommy Bowe going off, but lovely to see him still smiling. Such a great man of the game.

Ken Owens has been consistent throughout the tournament, he just enhanced his credentials today.

Ireland will be gutted but there's no shame in losing a game of that quality, it was one (correct) penalty call from going the other way.

I think that was wistful - end of Lions hopes & end of career.

I also thought Barnes reffed it well.

Has someone seriously just mentioned Owens in the context of the B&I lions?!?!?! 😯
If he's a serious option, we're f***ed.

Do you watch much rugby?

I do. owens is shit.

He was okay today.....regardless of however many Martyn Williams red button forum comments get posted on here, it'll be a surprise if he's in the squad.

Well shit is harsh, fair enough, but he's not as good as best, Hartley or George. Hell, his darts might be better than Hibbards, but he's far less effective around the field.

Another random thought/stat from today......George North (great to see him back in form) has 70 international caps now and 30 tries.....he's 24 😯

@wrecker

I do. owens is shit.

You've just proved you don't understand it then.

If Ken Owens isn't in the lions squad, apart from injury, a tenner to the charity of your choice. Care to reciprocate?

 

wrecker - Member

I do. owens is shit.

Shame to see Tommy Bowe going off, but lovely to see him still smiling. Such a great man of the game.

Yeah, that was cruel. Tommy bowe out for the long term too

This is why I prefer the rugby threads over the footy ones. More class here.

More class here.

Thanks for your kind words 8)

Tom B yes indeed, was watching the game thinking its good to see him back at a similar level to when he was 19 😯

CaptainFlashheart - Member

What a bloody great test match!
Defensive power from both teams was huge.
Bloody hell, that was brutal. Brilliant.

The work rate of Rhys Webb was superb such passion and determination. So many tackles by both sides & played in spirit that makes it edge of the seat stuff 😀

Wales very much deserved the win, Ireland weren't accurate enough, and Wales discovered an alacrity that has been missing in their back play.

Great word mefty 😆

Happy with that result, makes the second half against Scotland even mor bewildering.

The Welsh back play was still awful. Davies is incapable of drawing a man and passing.
Owens is decent but a bit lightweight he'd be passable for the Lions surrounded by more power.
Hartly has good darts and scrums well does **** all else.
Best is a great player but can be flakey with his darts.
Brown looks promising but Lions might be too soon.

Owens and George have been the 2 best hookers this tournament. Best has been gash, Hartley can barely last a half and the Scottish front row as a whole has been fairly non descript.

I doubt you'll be missed if you want to switch!

Owens and George have been the 2 best hookers this tournament.

Looks a potential problem area for the Lions if this is the case. I'd be tempted to take Hartleys basics and make up for it with others. Having said that Owens could be good if the front line carrying duties he has for Wales are taken away and he can focus on other things.....

Backrow looks good. Warburton was great last night despite the ref not allowing any pens for holding on. The Irish backrow was played off the park by the smaller welsh unit. Couldnt understand why they took Stander off and not SOB.

Stander
Tipuric
Warburton

or if he returns well

Billy V
Warburton
Stander

I wonder if quality players like Faletau will even make the tour now.

The Irish need to look at their backrow imo

Stander
OMahoney
SOB

Might be worth a try.

Warburton will be Lions captain if he plays like that V France.

I'm not convinced that warbuton would benefit from being lions captain.

Totally agree with what that a_a. Warburton really is the only candidate IMO. The other possibilities in terms of leadership....AWJ, Best, Hartley aren't really guaranteed a start.

Nailed on starters for me are probably Hogg and both of the Irish halfbacks, none of whom I can see as captain.

TomB - Irish half backs didn't really advance their cause too much yesterday

I thought that they were both very good when on the pitch! I think Sexton was unlucky with his yellow....totally agree it was a yellow, just think he was unlucky to end up where he did! Other 10's are Ford, Biggar and Russell. Biggar didn't exactly put his name forward last night! As for Russell and Ford, I think that one of the two of them will go, be doubt either will see much if any test action.

TomB - Irish half backs didn't really advance their cause too much yesterday

I thought they were both very good. Sexton outstanding.
Once again half backs are blamed when their pack gets rinsed!!!

Sexton no1 with Biggar no 2 for me. Both can kick, Sexton has the attacking talent and Biggar has more of the "edge" than Ford but does have Farrells defense. Ford to weak for Lions vs AB's, Farrell at 12 or Biggar is the midweek / backup 10

Biggar is a good player massive competitor and cool under pressure (despite being a hot headed nutter at times). That slide over his own line as he waited to touch the ball down was magnificent. Also twice in the last 10 mins Wales were under the pump in their own 22 and got pens. Both times G Davies scampered about like a hyper active puppy to get the ball quickly and passed it to Biggar, both times Biggar dropped the pass and went down injured with his hand.. bloody funny and ran the clock down nicely!!!

Lions 10's will be Sexton, Russell and Faz. I dont think Faz is any better than Biggar but being able to play 12 will see him taken..He could well be the test 12.
13 looks an issue, would like to see Joseph regain some form.
I hope last night puts to bed any Zebo and Karney Lions thoughts. Neither could tackle a kebab. When the shit Keet Earls looks your best back 3 player you know you have issues!!

I'm feeling nervous now. Scotland could just do it. In many of the last 20 years we just knew we couldn't really compete but this year we have a chance even if not a very big one. Its the hope that kills you!

Scotland will attack and and will create chances - but how many will they convert? I still think it will be an even match up to 60 mins but England to win comfortably.

Keet has been one of the players of the tournament for me!

The closer the tour draws, the more I think that this is actually going to be pretty weak Lions side 🙁

Hard to see too many on display last night on the plane to NZ. It was a great match but between two sides/groups of players very far below their normal high standards. Sexton included btw, he is not a patch on the player of 4 years ago.

Looking forward to this evenings game. Scotland to be fired up but a routine England win in the end, just too strong over 80 mins with the potential to surpirse and blow Scotland away in the first half.

Hard to see too many on display last night on the plane to NZ.

More stout Yeomen needed..can we get Dilly Dally, Back and Wilkinson in....worked well last time!!!

All going to look a bit one sided if the plane is full of Scots. 😕

Was last night's game that first one where you could see the clear impact of bonus points - Ireland chasing the try to get within 7 and then Wales going for their fourth rather than booting it off.

At least 1 of the irish looseheads, Furlong, Stander, Murray, Sexton, Warburton, Tipuric, Webb, North and at least 1 of 1/2p or Williams will be on the plane unless they are crocked as well as one of the two hookers from last night.

I reckon you could add AWJ and Heaslip to that. He will go as midweek leader. Henshaw possibly as well

Not sure those 3 are nailed on but they woulsnt be out of place. I think Gatland might pick Faletau over Heaslip for example.

@aa thats my point, you have picked 3 players out of the 30+ on display, I'd be aboit the same 2-4. At this point in time the squad should be dominated by English and Scots.

Well od those playing yesterday, I'd be starting Furlong, Tips, Stander, Biggar, Murray and Loopy Liam. North is in the balance, another big game or two from him and he's in.
That's pretty good representation.

@aa thats my point, you have picked 3 players out of the 30+ on display,

Counting not a strength then ffs

Here it is try and empty your mind of Wilkinson for a moment and go again.

At least 1 of the irish looseheads, Furlong, Stander, Murray, Sexton, Warburton, Tipuric, Webb, North and at least 1 of 1/2p or Williams will be on the plane unless they are crocked as well as one of the two hookers from last night.

@aa thats my point, you have picked 3 players out of the 30+ on display, I'd be aboit the same 2-4. At this point in time the squad should be dominated by English and Scots.

a_a's picks:

At least 1 of the irish looseheads, Furlong, Stander, Murray, Sexton, Warburton, Tipuric, Webb, North and at least 1 of 1/2p or Williams will be on the plane unless they are crocked as well as one of the two hookers from last night.

I make that 10! ....and I'd tend to agree, although I think that Tips may be unlucky/Lucky (whichever way you look at it) to miss out.

Just noticed that the Italy France game is on now....what the **** am I supposed to do tomorrow FFS!!!

Now?!

Well I think the tv prog has started as my box booted up to record it..I'm going for a bike ride...

Jambas was that an Eddie Jones' wind up?

North, Williams, Tipuric, Warbs, Henshaw, Sexton, Murray, Stander - without blinking

RW would be but against the AB you can't afford ****s in your team. At best it will be close and he is sure to screw up 1-2 a match. At least -6 pts before you start.

great game last night the Welsh scrum suprised me in competing with a very good Irish scrum and front row.

"Just a tackle" with a kiwi accent. I'm not sure my sides can stand this.

Anyone following the womans 6N?
England have scored over a point a minute for whole first half 😆

64-0 to the Red Roses.
Whilst it's an amusing score line I can't see how that will do anything to help grow the women's game in Scotland.

Wales have been terrible throughout the team. Biggar really ? North and h/p yes. Sexton is not the player he was, I'm struggling to think of anyone else from Ireland. NZ would have put 60+ points vs either of those sides or a "best of" yesterday.

An average England side are closing in on a second Grand Slam. That says as much about the opposition as Eddie Jones's coaching.

jambalaya. Furlong for Ireland has been excellent.

Ouch.

Double ouch.

Much as I want to see england snotted, it's never good to see landings like that.