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Scotland 18 France 23
Hmmm.
Sco 30-30 Fra
Ire 35-13 Ire
Eng 32 - 30 Wal
"<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 16px;">bit intimidating being in a spa/gym being surrounded by top athletes – all bloody nice guys eg Hartley, Launch, Robs all very happy to chat. But there was an “air” about Lawes that was far more intimidating"</span>
I used to go to the same gym as the Ospreys - it's depressing being naked in the same room as someone the shape of Filo Tiatia. I changed next to Justin Marshall once. He was chatting away to anyone who wanted to talk. Nice bloke but very definitely an air about him of "I'm the superstar, who are you?" Very different from any of the other players I've bumped into.
“I’m the superstar, who are you?”
TBF he was especially when you consider that in NZ he was the equivalent of....insert name of an all tome great footballist here......
Sigh, I miss those days!
Yes, I don't disagree a_a.
Edit : weird double negative!
Talking of Tiatia isnt he coaching in Japan? Could come back?
I'm going to Twickenham on Saturday.
If Wales had lost to Scotland I'd just shrug my shoulders, accept they were entering another shit phase and enjoy the day out. Now though the tension has gone through the roof... Pretty high stakes for Wales!
Can they do it? They always can.. question is, will they?
Yes, Tiatia is with the Sunwolves. Rumours are he's going to the Ospreys.
Just had dinner with a bunch of Scots, their conclusion is England will dominate after the first 30 mins.
As for the above intimidating factor, I once stood next to John Jeffrey waiting for a train somewhere near the Scottish Borders. For no apparent reason he was a scary as a scary thing to talk to. Not the same talking to a much bigger Joe Worlsey a few years later.
Idlejohn...have you seen any of Rhodri Jones now he seems to be playing loosehead again? He could be a real asset at 1 coming off the bench for Wales.
Only what I've seen on TV a_a. Wales seem to have some talented props coming through at the moment.
I''l go for (not hope for, to be clear)
Sco - Fra 20-30
Eng - Wales 19-22
Ire - It 40-15
In the homoerotic stakes, I used to train at the Bath uni gym 2000-2005. As did the England boys for a while and the Bath team, and the Eng saxons. Bloody embarrassing it was. I'm 6' and (was) in reasonable nick. Compared to that lot though? I'm a flabby hairy slob. And that was before the rowers / athletics / judo types showed up. Now I'm committed to keeping my perfect shape. Round is a shape right?
Oh, and I could have predicted the whole Bath cocaine issue as well, It was obviously going to bite after the 3rd Bath player has asked me if I could sell them some!
So you look like a drug dealer even when naked? That's worrying. 🙂
Not the same talking to a much bigger Joe Worlsey a few years later.
Yeh he was a big guy. He came along to the Harpenden 7's and was just wandering around. Anyone stood next to him looked tiny.
I bumped in to Mal Meninga, ex Aus RL skipper, under the railway arches in Leeds. Wouldn’t fancy tackling him, but off the pitch a real gentle giant!
Back in the day I played in gala, when they were good (toonie etc), draughted in to work the bar one Friday evening when a body came up for a pint. Literally all I could see was torso. Then Martin bayfield ducked his head to order the drinks.
Scariest training session was my last season. Findlay Calder giving advice on hitting contact. "I've only hit two rucks well in my life and it was the best feeling ever. Don't tell the wife".
TIm Rodgers hands passing your face (M&S Moorgate food hall ) is quite intimidating too
Experienced referee Jonathan Kaplan's comments in the Telegraph are worth a read:
"I completely disagree with Eddie Jones in his accusation that Alun Wyn Jones “intimidated” referee Pascal Gauzere during Saturday’s game with Scotland.
I find Jones’s argument to be one-eyed at best, and plain wrong at worst. To my mind there is very little in that incident, and I am extremely surprised the England head coach has said what he has.
As a referee you are always keen to encourage dialogue with players, particularly the leaders of a team at international level. Alun Wyn was the Wales captain on Saturday and, as such, Pascal would have been speaking to him on a regular basis.
That means that if Scotland scored a try and Alun Wyn believes it merits another look from the officials then he can try to make that point – as long as he does so in a respectful fashion.
World Rugby would like their referees to be in sole control of this process but, if we are approached by a captain in the correct manner in the immediate aftermath of an incident, then we will often listen to them as it is in everyone’s benefit to get the big decisions right.
Looking at the conversation Alun Wyn had with Pascal I see absolutely no sign of disrespect, although when he stands in the way of the kicker that is probably a bit of gamesmanship as he tries to make his point – he clearly knows the try cannot be reviewed if the conversion has been taken.
However, once Pascal has made it clear the try is good, Alun Wyn walks away immediately.
When looking at this incident it is important to bear in mind that a lot has been made recently of the fact players need to show officials more respect, and I agree with World Rugby that we have a culture that needs to be maintained. While doing so it is also important that we don’t over-sanitise the lines of communication and refuse to allow leaders to express themselves.
I do wonder why Eddie never mentioned anything on this topic when Owen Farrell repeatedly questioned referee Ben O’Keefe during England’s win over Australia in November.
O’Keefe reviewed and eventually disallowed an Australian try after Farrell’s constant intervention and, if anything, that incident was arguably worse than what Jones is accusing the Welsh captain of – even if the right decision was reached in the end.
I myself have refereed Alun Wyn a number of times and did not have a single issue with him as a leader of his group. He may have disagreed with me on occasion but I had absolutely no problem with that as long as it did not tip over into disrespect or abuse. This incident was neither disrespectful or abusive, and I doubt very much it was intimidating for Pascal – and I would advise the England coach to look closer to home before pointing fingers at others"
Pffft
Playground antics, thats all. Not even worth the STW server space...
I posted it because coming from an ex ref its quite surprising. I am not really bothered by it as Gatland can be a **** too but all this shit about AWJ and Patchel from Jones seems a bit unnecessary when you are the firm favourites. Maybe Jones is more worried than we think.
Baron greenback is worried
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<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12px;">when you are the firm favourites. Maybe Jones is more worried than we think.</span>
He really doesn't want them to be favourites though, does he? It should be a close game and if he can reduce Wales' performance a few percent by telling Patchell that he's no good or whatever then he should help England. Imo it's less respectful than AWJ's actions which could be seen as ironic.
"He really doesn’t want them to be favourites though, does he? "
Going in front of the press calling the outside half shit isnt going to help that!!
https://www.oddschecker.com/rugby-union/six-nations
Wales 5 to 1 which seems about right to me. England hot favs.
Yeah true, a_a.
It's just noise. Dignified response by AWJ as you would expect form a player. As a_a said, Gatland is no stranger to this stuff; remember the Hartley goading?
Not taking it all to seriously (as I'm sure the teams don't), looking forward to the game. I'm glad both teams have shown a bit of form, it looks to be a cracker.
a_a indeed.
Will the U20’s game be worth watching do we think?
I was going to watch dregs v glasgow...Henson on bench though 🙁
Jones can be a bit of a tit, I think it's very much contrived and the press lap it up.
Was talking to a mate about Jones today who agrees he's a tit and summed it up well; when he was coach of Australia he was just a c**t but now he's one c**t and is about bearable. 😂
Tomorrow is gong to be a tight game, don't they no that the weather is going to help much.
Great start for Glasgow
Oh, hold on...
😁
The Boy Amos starting at 15, I note. Looking ahead to later 6N games, perhaps?
England U20's running away with the game a bit now; two tries in six minutes after the break. Both the wingers looks pretty quick.
Some really nice skill on show in the age group games.
Edinburgh beat leinster with a try in the final minute. Shome mishtake shurely?
Its the Cockers effect. I think they are so scared of him they have to win
Glasgow and Dragons draw with not a point scored in the second half?
Scotland U20's given a pummelling by France...69 19. Ouch.
Yep. Ball was in play for a hell of a long time in that second half as well!
Amos looked razor sharp in the first half.
Scotland U20s....erm....
The best scots U20s are either playing for the full side or the clubs! Hastings, Kinghorn, Horne M Fagerson are all eligible for the U20s I think plus some others
Glasgow were missing 24 players for that match 24! 14 injured and 10 on international duty. did well to get a draw considering. Is it worth watching CFH?
First half was the better, TJ. I'd just look for a highlights package to be honest. It'll be Amos, mostly!
Ta. I am working 13 hrs tomorrow so will have to pick and chose what to watch when I get home
Amos was bloody good last night
"The best scots U20s are either playing for the full side or the clubs! Hastings, Kinghorn, Horne M Fagerson"
Hastings looked good to. Is he the spawn of Scott or Gavin?
So many offspring playing - Ieuan Evans jr, Bryan Redpath jr. Sam Moore (Steve's son, Andy's nephew) played at 8 for England U20s. Looks like he might be making a decision about who to play for after the recent Welsh media attention. 🙁
Not forgetting Ntamack Jr!
Apparently 1/2p is a doubt for today due to illness so Patch or Anscombe to 15. Who comes onto bench I have no idea..is it too late to bring Liam back...if not does anyone have Hensons number?????