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There is only one thing that matters - points. Stats don’t win matches however many laptops are in the coaches office
they may be intetesting, they may even be important but there are no stats on the scoreboard other that points on the pitch.
5plus8 - no way were scotland "very good" Adequate in some areas, ( where they had parity or where wales were outstanding) and poor in other areas.
I'd have Wales as 7/10 and Scotland at 4/10
THM, the points matter for the game, and contribute the championship, but the stats give us an indication as to what bits of form can be carried forward to the other games.
EG it is not a given that Scotland will be easy meat at Twickenham.
Tjagain - Fair enough, it felt close to me. Just expressing an opinion.
This should be a strong England team today. Lots of injuries in the squad, but not many 1st choice missing. Bench a little less experienced, but still Nowell, Joseph, George, Kreisler, Underhill. Williams & Hepburn inexperienced, but bloody good players!
Basically, no excuses. If the Fra match yesterday had been an England team not Ireland playing that way I think we’d have been crucified. I would not be happy with progress if I was an Ireland fan.
ITV studio looks well balanced 😀. Is Dallaglio there because he has an Italian sounding surname?
IIRC we are playing Scotland at Murrayfield
I expect them for be much better and put a flutter in them three months ago as a hedge just in case 😉
There is an old saying in golf - there are no pictures on the scoreboard. As a guy who scrambles from 100y in to win a lot of golf matches, I stand by that idea. The others might hit it past me 50-80y off the tee every time. But the money Is in my pocket at the end, the stats in their head perhaps ?? I know which I prefer
hope today isn’t too scrappy
Bortolami is pitchside for them
Does Mike Brown remind anyone else of the comic character Taz ?
Ffs. Having adverts are bad enough, but sponsered by a burger, mixed with match drinks wont help my diet.
I would not be happy with progress if I was an Ireland fan.
Yeah, they won a game in which they played shite, allowed France to slow the ball down but had the stones to put 41 phases together, in the middle of which there was a cross field kick, then score a drop goal 2 minutes into the red. On a ground where they’ve won around 3 times in 753 years.
I’m absolutely seething at their progress.
Quality running off the ball - excellent stuff.
Blimey tactics in the backs - lovely start
Ireland play a pragmatic game and its taken them to a good place in the rankings. Its a gameplan to suit their players
We just need some rain don’t we TeeJ? Just like say, Leinster needed against Glasgow. 😆
Up yours DD 😉
With a garryowen
Looks like Youngs has a French head injury !
One thing I want to repeat from yesterday - I thought the ref was top notch. One thing in particular - he made the scrums play fair. I was dreading some Adam Jones type " cleverness" but he spotted straight away the Welsh prop setting up at an angle, had a word with him and ensured fair scrums without giving any pens. Proactive not reactive reffing. could have given price a warning for the dodgy feed but it was striaght to the number 8. also reffed the breakdown really well overall
Agreed TJ, let's hope the others keep up the standard.
Ireland’s perfomance after 80mins was bloody impressive. Sign of a mature team. No panic. They knew what they had to do and executed brilliantly
HIA for Youngs there, Shirley?
3 good tries in 20 minutes ! Whatever happened to scrappy Eng/It games ?
Good game this. Italy are playing the second best team in the world, but they’re sprightly and inventive. Is Mike Brown actually any good?
Good game yes. I think Engalnds handling is the best of the weekend, set pieces strong. But Italy are making a good job of running hard against our backs.
Brown showing past his sell by date IMO.
Good to see Italy with ball in hand. Going forwards not sideways. Lessons there?
lets hope eddies fitness regime shows through in last 15-20
Is Mike Brown actually any good?
No. I'd like to see England give Daly a run at 15 once he's fit again with Watson on the wing.
I was impressed by the speed at which England forwards are coming on to the ball. Not taking it standing still but running hard.
should have been a yellow for the cynical offense on the england line tho IMO. One holding on on the ground another off his feet going for the ball
Should also have been yellow and a penalty try for the second England score.
However, i cant help thinking the ABs would be two scores up now. And there IMO is the gap.
Been for a bike ride what have I missed apart from the scots being winners of the stats yesterday?
I find myself rooting for the Italians. I don't now why.
Hamish - no penalty try if a try is scored - could well have been yellow for the shoulder charge tho
Only if you select the right stats AA 😉
Italians playing very well. Look to me as some may be blowing slightly and England look fit. Interested to see how the final 20 goes.
Hmmmm Italy looking pretty good. Wooden spoon for Scotland without a significant improvement.
Italy looking excellent. If they can cut out the indiscipline they can cause any of the sides problems.
Trouble is that Italy usually have their best game first and go downhill after that.
England clearly the best team of the weekend. Italy much improved though, may give Scotland and France a few issues.
I still dont see England as RWC winners as much as id like to
This isn’t the RWC.
"England clearly the best team of the weekend"
Clearly although italy clearly the shittest too so what does that mean?
No, youll think they be AB beating in a years time?
AA - on that display I'd have Italy better than Scotland - purely on the first round of games
A bit late to the post match, as I was watching on record after a bike ride & dog walk.
DD - re Ireland yesterday, agreed, the professionally finished the final score. HOWEVER - Fra missed an easy pen in the 78th min. You got out of jail. I think you are a much better team than that game plan.
For England, we now have 3 good 8s - well done Simmons. Mercer developing too.
I thought Italy were great - having a go at England . Parisse, great player, but needs to stop whining at the ref & learn the rules.
I really liked the Chiefs players looking out for each other too - backs and forwards just happy for their mates.