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For me "world class" means you would walk into any team in the world and be in with a very good shout of being in a world 15. On that definition who from the home nations would? Itoje needs a good couple of seasons and he might. Hogg maybe but only because there are not that many great fullbacks around right now but I doubt it. Furlong may prove to be but still has it to prove . Farrells been playing better this year than I have ever seen but still no way would he get into a world 15 at either 10 or 12. Any other candidates who are the best in the world in their position? Struggling to think of one. Too many great locks around for AWJ or Ickle Jonny to be sure of a place. Sexytoes?
I like to support the underdog, who should I be supporting this afternoon ?
I don’t understand how ‘Ickle Jonny’ can be mentioned in the same breath as AWJ, surely AWJ is far superior?!
TJ, that's not right in my book.
I'm not such a rugby fan to be able to give the example but that's like saying Peter Cech isn't world class because Manuel Neuer and David De Gea are both better.
World class for Wales Faletau. North when he was giod was for a while and Warburton at is best is near to it.
Hogg is world class.
This lad Teddy Thomas looks good too 😁
C’mon Scotland!
"that’s like saying Peter Cech isn’t world class because Manuel Neuer and David De Gea are both better"
Who are they?
Looks like its time to hide behind the sofa
Gauss - he is a differnt sort of player to AWJ but he is a great. If he played for anyone else in the home nations he would be lauded to the skys. He is a rock. less than 30 tackles missed in his entire rugby career, calls the lineout, fantastic at cleaning up crap ball. The only thing that stops him is his inability to run at more than a jog
So Faletau is better than Read, Billy V, Pocock and Parisse?
They're all incredible number 8's (granted Pocock plays 7 too) and I'd personally say that they're all world class.
This game is shaping up well!
tj fair enough, AWJ catches my eye all the time, but I’m no doubt biased.
Thank goodness Scotland scored that try, I feared an interception. Good conversion too. This could be a great game.
Are we all agreed that Teddy is world class?!
"So Faletau is better than Read, Billy V, Pocock and Parisse?"
Better than current Parisse, better 8 than Pocock, very different player than Billy Vee but as good imo. Read well ahead though.
AWJ is a world class warrior but theres better locks
So how is he world class by your definition then?
Russell just can't control a game. This is why he wasn't a Lion for me.
Handy tennis player as well as a try scoring machine for France.
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Hell of a game for the neutral this!
Great Scotland try. I don’t think Russell is as good as Russell thinks though. I’d be bloody irritated with his smirking after every mistake if I were one of his forwards.
"So how is he world class by your definition then?"
Well you just came up with a list and he was on it. That seems to make him within a "good shout" of being best in the world imo.
Hamish - thats the way he plays - when he loses his smile then you know we are in trouble. It is annoying tho when the high risk high reward style just turns into high risk
Scotland are a generous side tho - we like to give the oppo the ball
Watson having a stormer of a game. For a tiny back row he don't have cause issues.
Impressed with the French 7.
Gauss - Ickle Jonny is not a flashy player but he made Scotlands first try by taking 3 defenders out of the game. He don't do the eyecatching things but he cleans up the rubbish, makes his tackles and hits every ruck. His stats are astonishing. One game I analysed he was in almost 1/2 the plays! Either passing, running or tackling.
This is much more like it. I back Scotland to be fitter but will that be enough as the French bench is better.
Could we all stop bloody scoring while I am away pissing?
"His stats are astonishing. "
Check out the stats for England Wales and then check the score!!
The only stat that matters TJ is points scored!
Thomas has looked lively for France. Not sure I’d back their fitness come the end of the game especially after all of the tackles they made last week against Ireland.
Enjoying this game so far.
Turned into a bit of a cripple fight now..
I wonder who is the most world class chippy 15? Hogg, Brown or Loopy Liam?
Well a_a, Brown is the angriest. Loopy is the best player in the world - when he's not being the worst !
Not sure Hogg is pretty angry too.
I wonder if there is a special "sunshine home" for french fly halves.
Pretty telling that Toonie wants Laidlaw not Russel at 10 for the final 15
The French are going to lose this by basically being French!
when did this shouting at opponents for their mistakes become a thing? Not very respectful (Scottish player in background where the French player just knocked on)
^yeah I thought that jonv
Think it was Bhatti
French have gone mad!
Is TJ hiding ?
French in lack of composure shocker!
This has probably been the most enjoyable game of the weekend.
Lacey wins the second half!
I know the cameramen search them out, but are there any 'normal' scottish rugby fans?
A few 'characters' in evidence today
Now now AA 😉 It wasn't jonnys fault he did his bit
5 passes, 10 runs for 34 m 1 clean break 4 defenders beaten 15 tackles none missed. Thats not bad for a lock. Other locks will match him in either defense or attack but few in both aspects
Edit - delayed post - this was about the welsh game in response to AA above
Comfortable win according to Nicol!!!
"Is TJ hiding ?"
Yes - behind the sofa
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">"I wonder who is the most world class chippy 15? Hogg, Brown or Loopy Liam?"</span>
Loopy by a handbag but its a close run thing
Great comeback.
REDEMPTION!
Toonie wIth good calls today - all of us thought it would be Horne to 10 if Russell got subbed. a lesson for Russell as well - you are not irreplaceable.
NEVER IN DOUBT!
Never in doubt?
Really?