MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
duckers, calm down. As a level 53 referee you need to be acting with a level of decorum.
As for England? Utter dog shit. Jones appears to have fallen into the same trap as Lancaster; playing his favourites no matter form, position etc. The worst thing is that the problems of the last game weren’t fixed and low and behold, they rear their head again. God knows what Ireland will do to us at the breakdown next week. Looking like the bottom half of the table for us and deservedly
This. and England have been worked out, with no plan B. Utter shite.
You are right wrecker, Scotland aren’t that good, we are dirt track bullies, beat France, England and I would assume Italy.
No mention of wales and ireland. Can't think why!
It's not that the scots aren't a good team, they are. They're just not great and poor performances by the english and french has flattered them somewhat.
High tackles (shoulder and above) have been a focus all season, in all games. A penalty in any game. It became a yellow and penalty try when it illegally stopped a player from scoring. Again, probably awarded in any game. If English fans want to focus on that being the difference between the teams, go for it. It wasn’t.
I might try and work out penalty counts for home and away teams when I’m bored next week. I’m guessing it’s that that’s decided the championship, not one team being better than the others. (And if I’m right, it’ll be the penalty count against the visitors in the first half of most games that kills them off.)
If English fans want to focus on that being the difference between the teams, go for it. It wasn’t.
Has anyone said that?
In terms of Jones playing favourites, wasn’t Hartley injured and he dropped Brown for this match?
Too many donkeys past their sell-by date in the England team. Cole, Launchbury, Robshaw, Haskell, Hartley, Brown - all on the downslope. Lawes and Itoje are potentially a world class second row, we need some dynamism in the back row. Everything should flow from that. If we are going to persist with Ford at 10, we have to have go-forward possession.
Also, this consistent use of passing behind dummy runners doesn’t do anything unless you have front foot ball and the defence is scrambling.
Bless ‘em, but the Irish Have daylight between them and the rest of the Six Nations.
Has anyone said that?
You didn’t. That was me reading between the lines. You seem irritable today - any reasons? 😛
Because they aren't the weaker teams wrecker. Look on the bright side, if it wasn't for that try than should have been but wasn't against Wales, it could be a lot worse for you.
High tackles (shoulder and above) have been a focus all season, in all games. A penalty in any game. It became a yellow and penalty try when it illegally stopped a player from scoring. Again, probably awarded in any game. If English fans want to focus on that being the difference between the teams, go for it. It wasn’t.
Thing is, it probably was.
I might try and work out penalty counts for home and away teams when I’m bored next week. I’m guessing it’s that that’s decided the championship, not one team being better than the others. (And if I’m right, it’ll be the penalty count against the visitors in the first half of most games that kills them off.)
Deary me. 😀 I can’t wait for that analysis - it’ll give us something to discuss alongside TeeJ’s stats.
Maybe everyone should just take a breath, look at the results over the last two years, and say, 'Hey, my team's not bad and neither is anyone else's' (unless you're Italian, obviously).
Last year it was a Jonathan Davies brain-fart away from each team winning their home games, losing their away games, and beating Italy. This year Ireland managed to squeak one by France away. They might get the Grand Slam but I still reckon England will win it next week. Most likely the table will end up all teams win their home games, lose their away games, and beat Italy with a single away win deciding the whole tournament.
Scotland is not a shit team who have miracled a few wins by catching good teams on bad days. It is an alright team.
England is not a shit team who went from world domination to eating turd sandwiches over the course of a fortnight. It is an alright team.
Ireland is not an unstoppable force. If they win the Grand Slam next week then they can quite rightly claim the title of best northern hemisphere side. If not, then it is an alright team.
France is winning it's home games, losing it's away games, and having some embarrassing Autumn Internationals. It is an alright team.
Wales is Wales.
Italy is a shit team.
As a tournament, the Six Nations is very competitive, entertaining, and something we can be proud of.
Because they aren’t the weaker teams wrecker. Look on the bright side, if it wasn’t for that try than should have been but wasn’t against Wales, it could be a lot worse for you.
Maybe. doesn't change anything I have said though. There was clear daylight between the scots and welsh. With a settled french team and a normal england, the scots would be looking at yet another single victory championship with a win over Italy. Still better than another wooden spoon I suppose.
You seem irritable today – any reasons?
I'm not really irked at the loss. It was a very fair result. I'm pissed off that -yet again - we have a coach who won't play the best players for the positions. We have a 10 at 12, a 4 at 6, a 6 at 7. It's ****ing stupid, the thing that's pissing me off is that he's making the same errors again and again. The shape of the team is also shit, flat and slow in attack. No lines being run. Going high in the tackles.
I'm not so sure of why I'm annoyed at that. i am an Irish citizen and we are going to smash the filthy white wearing forks at their little ground next week ; )
Ah; so that isn't that a normal England team we played off the park two weeks ago? Thats weird; it seems to have most of the names that thumped us the year before. And remember; we beat a full strength French team, not the bed-by-10pm XV you lost to! 🤣 Nothing personal Wrecker, but we have had the usual self entitled bollocks and excuses,most of which involved Owens. The first rugby headline in the Times the day after was about the tunnel for instance. Scotland WERE fantastic that day, it was a tell-the-Grandkids performance. England were no better and no worse than they have been since Jones settled on his XV.
England were no better and no worse than they have been since Jones settled on his XV.
That's just plainly untrue. I cannot comprehend how anyone can't recognise that this england team is seriously undercooked, it's about as obvious as it gets. Do I think Owens was great? No, but it didn't affect the result which, had england been on song would have been another big england win as it was last year (against broadly the same scotland team) As it stands, the team which have won the last two 6N could conceivably finish 5th. That's a damning indictment on the performances being trotted out by Jones' boys.
Nothing taken personally, I don't coach the team (and I'm Irish....) but in the same vein this very much appears like all of the other false dawns which cause scots fans to become over-excited. I expect it from Teej (gotta love his blind optimism) but not so much from you.
I think one factor you two are both overlooking is that Scotland a good at home but seem to regularly shit the bed away from home. Getting pumped at Cardiff against a weak Wales team says it all.
Also, as Betsen pointed out Englands backrow selection was suicidal it was shown up v Wales and they git away with it, should have changed it for Scotland and it was plain dumb to do the same v France.
Also, as Betsen pointed out Englands backrow selection was suicidal it was shown up v Wales and they git away with it, should have changed it for Scotland and it was plain dumb to do the same v France.
I ****ing hate playing second rows in the back row. It's been claimed that Itoge and/or Lawes are up to scratch at 6 but it's wrong. They aren't and they never will be.
Hate to agree with AA naturally, but that England performance at the breakdown was embarrassing.
That it was shown up against Scotland should have been a shock to all for whom it matters. To roll that out against France was Einsteinien Insanity (doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results)
I think I saw only Robshaw go for a jackle at the breakdown (and won the pen). Barclay gave a masterclass in the previous match, the likes of the fantastic Camara and Bastareaud just showed what can be achieved after the tackle.
In 2 hours time, we're fortunate enough to be going out on the pitch with the U11s with a guest coach from Worcester Warriors (I know, I know!) and I specifically asked last week that we cover the jackle, the ruck and the line reset in game-play training.
I will send training note to Eddie afterwards.
Hate to agree with AA naturally
Its more fun if people dont!!!
I think I saw only Robshaw go for a jackle at the breakdown (and won the pen). Barclay gave a masterclass in the previous match, the likes of the fantastic Camara and Bastareaud just showed what can be achieved after the tackle.
Its not so much the defensive work thats made but when they only send one bloke in to clear out Fat Bastareaud and that bloke is Ford I'm not sure what they expect to happen.
send one bloke in to clear out Fat Bastareaud and that bloke is Ford I’m not sure what they expect to happen
sweet, sweet love.
What England tried to do, was put the Jackal closer to the pod. What France did was commit two forwards every time. And they are large. So the first man in didnt clear them, the second may do but it was too late yet may have been better if they had been faster.
Add to that a return to the toothless attack and there was nothing on. We also need to remember France have good players, albeit collectively theyve yet to shine. Ford has also proven he cant play on the back foot. Lucked he can be subbed and Farrell takes over, but inevitably after the damage is done.
I’d really like England to come out with something different next week, just to show we can do something different and dont have to be the single strategy ponderous bludgeon. I fear we wont though, and Ireland may walk away with a well deserved Grand Slam. They have momentum, their tails are up and England are under pressure to perform. A close loss at home I predict, with a weeks worth of headlines condeming Jones.
put the Jackle closer to the pod
Not sure I understand that, but Im not up on pod play.
France did was commit two forwards every time
Fance probably couldnt believe their luck that having gone out there to play to win the breakdowns like the Scots, that ENG had no intention of changing their game style to neutralise it!
Too many donkeys past their sell-by date in the England team. Cole, Launchbury, Robshaw, Haskell, Hartley, Brown – all on the downslope. Lawes and Itoje are potentially a world class second row, we need some dynamism in the back row. Everything should flow from that. If we are going to persist with Ford at 10, we have to have go-forward possession.
Also, this consistent use of passing behind dummy runners doesn’t do anything unless you have front foot ball and the defence is scrambling.
Bless ‘em, but the Irish Have daylight between them and the rest of the Six Nations.
I don't think Launchbury deserves to be on the donkey list; he's actually been play g really well this season. The others can stay on that list. Lawes has looked very good at six at club level his season but at international level it really doesn't work. Jones and co need to work out another game plan for when Billy isn't available. Hughes (who I don't think is international class) does offer the same go forward etc. Yet we keep trying to play that game.
The worry is that it feels like Jons has his team now, no matter what their form. Much like Lancaster did. It was plain to see that a number of his favourites weren't playing well this year, yet here they are again screwing it up. They need to work on accuracy; contrast Ireland and England against France when the clock was red....one fashioned a winning opportunity after a million phases, the other was given a lifeline by the opposition and basic skill blew it.
Cowan-Dickie (Age 24) missed a high pressure throw. He has only 4 caps and not enough international hours to really be criticised for losing his accuracy. Hartley (31, 92 caps) unnecessarily taking up a squad place that ought to be there for J George (Age 27, 23 Caps) and CD.
Congratulations to Ireland on a good win. They had seen what Scotland did last match and countered it well. 2 or 3 forwards in every ruck and pretty much nullified our turnover threat and Sexton had a great game kicking from hand. Even if Scotland put their chances away Ireland would still have been too good. Kinghorn the only positive thing really
I don’t think Launchbury deserves to be on the donkey list
Considering that Robshaw is one of the few to emerge with any credit in this shit show; neither does he. I'd add Youngs, Ford and perhaps JJ.
That high tackle.
Was it above the shoulder? Yes, though it was across the chest from above the shoulder, not round the neck or head.
So technically a penalty but not particularly nasty.
Was he diving for the line at the time and was it therefore a penalty which prevented a try? Yes
I thought it was harsh but it was probably technically correct.
I’d add Youngs, Ford and perhaps JJ.
Ford needs go forward frm the fat lads which they just haven't generated. JJ's space is constantly getting taken up by the fat lads who need to be in the rucks but are loitering in space.
Watson will now not get a shot at being fullback again, Brown will be back in.
Ford needs go forward frm the fat lads which they just haven’t generated.
Agreed but he's not always going to get it and he's a gap in defence. When England are dominant and on song; I don't think that there are many better 10's but he has too many weaknesses for this level. There is no question that Tigers have been greatly improved with Toomua at 10.
So what can I expect this afternoon? Quite a few nerves here.
Apparently
The Italians have won just once in their past 23 Six Nations games, a 22-19 victory over Scotland at Murrayfield in 2015.
I'm hoping today will not see an away win for them. With all the changes in the Wales team, they must have a fair chance.
Yay, that’ll settle my nerves 😀
Could be a long afternoon for the Italians.
Oh, and Cubby doing his turnover thing already!
Now that's how a 10 should be treat . . . I presume that they like that sort of thing.
Good game so far..Italy will do well to keep their tempo. Wales need to get through the first 10 and then keep their tempo high and not get drawn into an arm wrestle.
Oh and in the interests of balance, that tackle was a red last year.
aa yup, I think the ref bottled that one.
Sorry, not related to present game but made I laugh when I came across it on Twitter. 😀
https://twitter.com/unrealgavhenson/status/972544847113605120?s=21
Was that not an obvious try?
Was that not an obvious try?
I guess he he could have been 2 or 3 mm short?
Italy have looked good in many ways to me. Could they win at home next week?
Good effort from a largely second string team. Some big choices to be made in the week.
Enjoyable watch. We could do with a gif of Talupe’s wink.
Dont think I have ever heard Talupe speak!!
Spain had a crowd of 15,800 to see them thump Germany.
Two big things here,
German rugby has been going very well recently.
What a great crowd!
Eddie has called up a 7.....blimey!
Still expecting to get well beaten by the Irish, if we don't get a losing bp, we could well end up fifth in the final table!!
Has he?
OK so that may be a bit mischievous, but Armand isn't an out and out 7. Armand and Robshaw would be far more effective than Lawes/Robshaw (with Robshaw at 6, obv)
Would a 6N division 2 be a good thing? Someone relegated from 6N every year and someone promoted from 6N2. Georgia/Romania deserve a shot IMO.
Let’s face it England where never going to win with a bonus point. Ireland only beat them with a drop goal at the death.
I posted up a while ago that the first two 6N post RWC where fairly meaningless. The real stuff started this tournament in terms of the build up to NZ and sadly we’ve been found wanting and rather directionless. Jones has had a great run but the pressure is really on now.
Hopefully we will turn up to spoil Ireland’s St Patricks Day party but I wouldn’t bet on it.
You have got to love french front rowers!!
CTK - I think the next best team - almost certainly Georgia - would get thumped by any 6N team.
I think however a playoff between the bottom of the 6N and the top of the 6N division 2 ( which does exist) would be fine and I also think Georgia should get games in the AIs against 6N teams
Not sure Armand is the answer, especially as the Chiefs have Salvinon the books who played a lot for them until broken. Armand is however playing well so is at least picked on form and not reputation.
Cant see anything other than a proper dicking against Ireland I'm afraid.
I also think Georgia should get games in the AIs against 6N teams
They did this year!
An interesting weekend and an interesting table.
Scotland well its another case of "nearly" Ireland would have been too good even if they hadn't butchered the chances created. Another interception try cost a lot but it was a good play from Stockdale as much as a poor pass. How many 2 on 1 chances did we miss?
Ireland controlled the breakdown - they committed men to the rucks and also kicked very intelligently' pinpoint contestable kicks and chips rather than kicking deep and thats why they would have won even if a few 50 / 50 balls had gone scotlands way.
England - Oh dear. What a difference a year makes. Why? Hangover from Scotland beating them? Devoid of ideas and belief.
4 teams each with a chance of second place. I think it will end Ireland, Wales, Scotland, England, France, Italy but the permutations are wide open. Even if we win we could end up in 4th if England win
Devoid of ideas and belief.
Is my current somethingion - either in the coaches box or on the pitch. England will lose V Ireland I'm fairly certain, but it remains to be seen if Eddie/the players can come up with a plan B. Eddie's system has been worked /out and the players aren't able to protect it. Italy were clearing far better than England yesterday.
I think the English players are just fatigued. The amount of injuries attest to this (although shouldn't be blamed for the performances). One of the dominant NH teams doesn' just become rubbish overnight for no reason.
They have mainly been flogged in the AP and by all accounts the English training camp has been like a pre-season where they have been thrashed.
The strangest AP I can remember hasn't helped either.
Coupled with some regressive selections where players have been picked on reputation, this is what they have got and let's be honest; exactly what they have deserved. I just hope that Eddie is learning his lessons.
Still going to be very tough for Ireland to win at Twickers.
Wales could get bullied up front by France
Some interesting games.
Biggest difference for England is loss of Billy Vunipola. He makes a huge difference to their momentum. Nearly always makes meters, regularly off loads, if not stays on his feet long enough that even donkeys have time to get to the breakdown. Any backrow with him in it immediately looks better.
Total aside but I thought I thought Sinkler looked good when he came on.
For Ireland I thought Ringrose was excellent, our bench is starting to look thin outside the back-row but starting 15 is pretty decent. Was hoping SOB would come through the Scarlets game unscatheed but went off injured after half an hour.
Guys like Mako are shagged - he played a fair bit for the Lions and has been flogged by Sarries this season because their back up front row is a bit shit. Itoje is having second season syndrome. Billy is a massive loss; there's not many who do what he does.
Eddie picking only two scrum halfs has been an issue too - Care is good coming on with 20 minutes to go but is poor as a starting scrum half. There are other guys in the AP who should have been given a whirl based on form - Robson being one of them. Dan Cole does sweet FA. This is the time that Jones will earn his money or the warning bout Jones failing after the first two seasons may be starting to hold some truth...
Devoid of ideas and belief.
I thought they looked far better in the last few moments of the match, when they ignored the gameplan and just played. Far too late by then, of course.
Backrow of Robshaw, Haskell and Simmonds v Ireland I reckon.
I'd like to see a front row of Marler, George and Sinckler too.
You know what comparing wales and england it may have been better for us having loads of Lions injured rather than just underperforming.
BBC article says EJ has figured it out, the attack's not working because they're loosing the break down.
Well who'd have thunk it. I'm sure serge betsen pointed that out and also maybe the Scotland pack.
BBC article says EJ has figured it out, the attack’s not working because they’re loosing the break down.
Obviously Eddie is reading the Ladybird book of rugby and has made it past passing the ball, scrums and tackles. Next week he will be onto line outs. I don't think it has a chapter on correct team selection so he may have to buy The Bluffers Guide..
Lawes and Hughes both out for c.3 months with knee injuries - Wasps will be pissed with Highes only just coming back from injury.
Jamie Roberts off to Bath next season.
Enjoyed this
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b09w01q4/the-rugby-codebreakers
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Recorded and will be watched this evening. I'm hoping they show footage of Lewis Jones. He's my father's great uncle, or something like that. First Lion to be flown rather than shipped, and from what I've read he was the Jiffy of his day.
Ummm...
Rarely has a gif been more appropriate
Oh, and remember those French U20 thugs?
Five weeks.
FFS.
Apparently if you find the full video he calls Wales a shit little country!!!!
We've only lost one test to the scummy Irish...we'll get em back" - Eddie Jones, 2017. Our scummy hands are just going to leave this here😬.
So why does he get abused by random people in the street? 🙄
Dont worry he has apologised!
At a sponsors' talk in July 2017, the Australian described Wales as a "shit little place" and spoke about how disappointed he was by a recent defeat by the "scummy Irish".
Jones, 58, said he was "very sorry for any offence caused" and added: "No excuses. I shouldn't have said what I did."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/43409476
As an Englishman, may I add - what a prick!
never liked the Aussies!
In the good week/bad week stakes, he's having a bit of a stinker isn't he.
Not his best moments....
What a dick, especially saying at some form of official function that is being filmed. Not his fines few weeks.
From beeb
<div class="quote_header"></div>
France: Benjamin Fall; Gael Fickou, Mathieu Bastareuad (capt), Geoffrey Doumayrou, Remy Grosso; Francois Trinh-Duc, Maxime Machenaud; Jefferson Poirot, Adrien Pelissie, Cetade Gomes Sa, Sebastien Vahamaahina, Wenceslas Lauret, Yacouba Camara, Marc Tauleigne.
Replacements: Camille Chat, Dany Priso, Rabah Slimani, Bernard Le Roux, Mathieu Babillot, Baptiste Couilloud, Lionel Beauxis, Geoffrey Palis.
Seems a bit disrespectful only picking one lock imo..then again shit little country and all that!!
Happy for all the outrage surrounding Jones - he is a proper shit-talker and I think this year, some of it is coming back around on him.
Also, this gives Ireland something to be bitter about - it's an emotion normally lacking in the green machine and their fans. 😆
Finally, not happy to be going into a GS chance game in Twickenham as "favourites" FFS. Last time that happened in the StagnHennium, they nearly choked. Paddy Wallace still has to endure suspicious glances wherever he goes.
Also, this gives Ireland something to be bitter about – it’s an emotion normally lacking in the green machine and their fans. 😆
Careful with that line of thinking. Pontypridd did this years ago (nobody likes us, the WRU don't support us, we're always the underdog). When they started winning regularly they didn't know what to do. 🤔
So, possible scenario for Saturday....
Ireland beat England - Probable
Scotland beat Italy - Likely
Wales beat France narrowly, or lose - 50/50!
If the above happens, England finish fifth!
Still, Wales could also end up fifth, if they lose and both Scotland and England win!
Ireland have knocked England to 3rd in the world rankings. C'mon Ireland, its up to you to displace the AB's.
On which note, I'm very nervous about THAT autumn international now!