England do, flat track bully so well dont they!!
To be fair, the Italians played the Welsh game - continued one out Rugby until the England players were drawn in and allowed the score. That needs to be looked at.
England still need to sort out the second half as well, went a bit quiet again.
However, tactics and reaction seemed a little better.
I didn’t notice Cok do a lot wrong defensively.
Te’o has no place / reason to be in the side that I can see. Ok, you give him the ball at pace he’ll knock the defence back a few meters, but he’s just as likely to over run, knock on or basically, not be in the right place at all. He’s in no way bettter than havin Slade, JJ, Faz or my Nan in the centres!
I agree with the post match though, there’s nothing from Italy anymore, I don’t expect them to win but where’s the passion gone?
Another waste of time playing Italy. I preferred the 5N TBH.
They should invite a combined PI team instead - and give them a fair share of the revenue.
England should have experimented with some combos. They've learned very little. Chances should have been taken to try out match scenarios. For example, when they were awarded that penalty under the posts they should have taken a scrum and said- "Right, it's the All Blacks in the RWC and we need a try here to win the game."
BUt no, kick the three points when we were already out of sight on the scoreboard.
Cokanasiga getting man of the match and Tuilagi running over a bunch of people? Great - but they were Italians getting run over. It's like beating Italy in a war - it doesn't really count.
I didn’t notice Cok do a lot wrong defensively
Watch Italy's first try.
As above don't understand why it wasn't swap over to give a half, at least, to "second string" at least Scotland are getting experience of playing with inconsistent line up.
It’s like beating Italy in a war – it doesn’t really count.
🙄
And I thought sport was supposed to bring people together.
I'd just like to point out, that according to my maths, England have won the Six Nations with a game to spare.
https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/women/womens-table/
No because its triple crown then grand slam or nowt. The fact you can lose a game but beat a team that wins every game shows something is woefully wrong.
The fact you can lose a game but beat a team that wins every game shows something is woefully wrong.
You cant, if Wales win next week they get 3 bonus points and win the six nations.
I dont think we will though Ireland will exploit our lineout weakness.
What’s gone wrong with the line Out? We were up there at someth8ng like 85% a year or so ago, now 60% or something.
What’s the issue, why so hard to resolve.
I remember it being likey that wales would steal opposition ball at line outs.
Now I have to hide behind the sofa if it’s our throw...
We were up there at someth8ng like 85% a year or so ago, now 60% or something.
No Shingler or Faletau, they were the main lineout jumpers.
Well that was shit. Big game next week. Ireland stronger but Wales have hope. Could be the last 6 nations game for a few greats like AWJ and Best.
If we're talking about relegation from the 6N, France should be first over the edge.
Dreadful.
France looked clueless...
Andy Farrell supposedly trying to get Alex King into his coaching team to coach the attack side of things. Will be interesting to see if he can lure him away from French rugby.
Ireland seemed to do what was needed today from the bits I saw. Neither team looked great. It’s looking more and more like Wales will do the grand slam.
I still think the poor welsh lineout will cost them v ireland
Should be an interesting final weekend which is good. 3 still in it. Anyone on either side confident in the Wales/Ireland game? Bookies have it about 50/50. Scotland perfectly capable of ruining an English party if Ireland win.
Should be an interesting final weekend which is good. 3 still in it. Anyone on either side confident in the Wales/Ireland game? Bookies have it about 50/50. Scotland perfectly capable of ruining an English party if Ireland win.
Next weekend should indeed be interesting. For some reason this weekend has been a bit of a damp squib. Wales v Ireland could easily go either way imho and 50:50 is about right. I don’t see that Ireland can win the competition though, not likely they’ll get a bonus point win. However, there is no chance that Scotland will beat England; they may stop England winning a bonus point, but not a hope they’ll win.
Gatland and Edwards will have been licking their lips looking at that. They’ll be happy to let Ireland have the ball and keep bashing all day at what has been the most composed defence in the 6N this year. They’ll turn transitions and counters into points. Ireland have been poor at defending lost possession - really only doing it reasonably against France - who are shambolic this year. They also left 3 or 4 tries out there today against a side that managed to hold up its own try (though the ref and TMO differ with me on that one of course). At least they managed to get players off safely with a good chunk of the game left. No way should Wales be losing that game.
3 still in it
Nah, one team is still in IT, the others could just win.
No way should Wales be losing that game.
I admit I'll be disappointed if we dont win, but its a 50:50 game really.
I hope Kearneys calf improves, I dont want us facing Lamour.
Loopy Liam looks doubtful for use judging by how he went off.
Gatland and Edwards will have been licking their lips looking at that.
There was a call in commentary that it was deliberate, to allow Gatland to assume that very thing and not show Ireland’s hand to Wales. I’d say that’s right, and have my money on Ireland for the upset.
England will smash Scotland at home, no doubt about that.
Scotland perfectly capable of ruining an English party if Ireland win.
What are you basing that on? Blind optimism? I was 15 when Scotland last beat England at Twickenham. I can’t remember being 15, it was that long ago! It’s been over a decade since they won in Murrayfield, which is the only place they can play rugby.
For some reason this weekend has been a bit of a damp squib.
The best three sides played the weakest three. If there was serious talk of relegation, you could easily drop Italy, Scotland and France at the moment and the tournament wouldn’t suffer. Thankfully there is no relegation - Wales would have disappeared in the 90s and early 00s.
Anyway, I think Scotland need to get rid of Townsend and get O’Shea.
There was a call in commentary that it was deliberate, to allow Gatland to assume that very thing and not show Ireland’s hand to Wales.
And Wales will be showing all their plays for Ireland to see? 🙄
No way should Wales be losing that game.
I agree and I can’t see them doing so either. Even when they’re not setting the world on fire, they look confident in their systems. Plus they’ll be at home and another 6N will be a good way to send Gats off before the WC.
Ireland don’t look anywhere near the team of 2018.
was serious talk of relegation, you could easily drop Italy, Scotland and France at the moment and the tournament wouldn’t suffer.
And if there had been relegation last year England would have been in the mix.
Ireland don’t look anywhere near the team of 2018.
I think that’s Joe's plan. 😀
And Wales will be showing all their plays for Ireland to see?
No idea, I was talking about Ireland.
No idea, I was talking about Ireland.
You managed that without mentioning budgets or crap refereeing. Congratulations on that. 😀
You managed that without mentioning .... crap refereeing.
It was touched on in Scrum V tonight, but as they said, nobody is allowed to criticise a referee.
Looking forward to the Ireland v Wales game, pre tournament I guess that everyone would've fancied Ireland, now....Wales slight favourites? Too close to call imo.
England v Scotland.....at the risk of coming across as an 'arrogant Englishman' I'm expecting us to absolutely spank them.....like 30 point victory margin style.
France v Italy....whom cares.
Sometimes I despair. For years, England struggled against lesser opposition. Yesterday we were ruthless & won by 40.
Ireland Scotland and Wales all struggled against Italy. We didn’t. Wales played a squad team, but Ireland didn’t, and Italy gave them a real scare.
Yesterday we were ruthless & won by 40.
World beaters!
The title is still a possibility for Ireland and I expect them to turn up in Wales fully ready for battle.
Ireland and Wales played Italy in Rome - never underestimate the importance of home advantage in the 6 nations. That is why I think Wales are definitely favourites next week, they have done exceptionally well to win all their away games.
Seymour and Kinghorn rules out of Saturday’s game as is Itoje.
I’d be pretty disappointed if we don’t win by a reasonable margin and score four tries in the process.
I really hope Italy beat France just because France have been so shit this year.
As an Englishman I obviously want Ireland to win but I really can’t see it. Wales have gone about their business, not set the world alight but have got the results that they wanted it needed. Plus they’re at home.
The title is still a possibility for Ireland and I expect them to turn up in Wales fully ready for battle.
I expect Mike Phillips to turn up with the wrong ball to win it for us!
DD - fairly certain I didn’t say that, but I’d far rather play how we did against them than how Ireland did.
With 20 minutes to go Italy have still been in every match this year, until this weekend. They are no longer complete mugs.
Ireland are the most complete side in the tournament, but not in great form, however that may change, Wales domestic disputes will affect them somehow, Wales away is intimidating for the English but not I think for the Irish, who get a buzz out of the hostility and raise their game. We will see...
My father has just told me that there are weather warnings that Ireland is about to be hit by Storm Gareth.
Ireland might not be as worried about Wales as England are but we've done well recently.
22-9
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=z1lHdVGTXms
16 all away
23-16
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lUDHZVOfdw0
I am convinced Wales will beat Ireland, they have been clinical throughout. They never looked worried against us and I think Gatland is a master tactician.
I also would not be surprised to see Scotland make life very hard for England.
As usual the 6N makes for a great competition I am glad there are still permutations at this stage.
The problem is the Wales game will fix it too early in the day. They will win and the rest of the competition becomes boring then. I'd rather it was last.
They will win and the rest of the competition becomes boring then
I wish I shared your certainty!!
This was my prediction before, when you all said England had no chance of beating Ireland...
That and Scotland performance have been my only correct calls.
Ireland 4 wins. Lose to England by 1 -3 points so Ire get losers BP
Wales 4 wins. Lose to Ireland.
France 3 wins. Lose to Ireland and Wales Try BP against Italy and Scotland
England 3 or 2 wins. Lose to Wales and France, may lose to Scotland, but it will be super close and embarrassing for England.
Scotland 0 or 1 or 2. May win against Italy, may beat England.
Italy 0 or 1 wins. May beat Scotland but losers BP to England who struggle to prove they can even beat Italy who will look soooooo close.
https://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/rugby-thread-2018-19/page/37/#post-10431237
In fact, I am going to put a bet on Scotland beating England. By 1-3 points.
