Agreed. Ireland were good, but the scoreline flattered as a result of the Scottish (lack of) performance, IMO.

So, week one over?
England – Very good indeed, but just pipped. Lots to be happy with, though.
France – Typical France. Brilliant, awful, brilliant. But, stuck it out.
Ireland – Solid, dependable stuff. A decent bet for a championship, I’d say.
Wales – Average at best. Enough to win, but not enough to set hearts aflutter. Will need a big improvement for next weekend.
Italy – Excellent. As said in the paper today, they’ll cause a problem for any team if they can keep playing like that.

Thankfully we have had Matt Williams as head coach,so Jonstoned isn’t that bad.

That certainly had us chuckling!

A few more from Joubert here:

“Jamie I want to explain that to you. It’s a collapsed maul, blue has no obligation to roll away.” – Joubert to Ireland captain Jamie Heaslip after Ireland had an early attempt on the Scottish line foiled.

“Keep an eye on seven, he’s going down and we’re not getting a chance to go at the ball.” – Heaslip pleads for some closer policing on Kelly Brown.

“There’s quite a lot of talk coming from the rest of the boys. I’m quite happy to leave it between you and me.” – Joubert warns Ireland.

“You are not going to buy a free kick by moving your head, once you are down stay there.” – Joubert to Scotland prop Moray Low at scrum time. 😯

“I realise it’s tough but I’m setting a high standard.” – Joubert to Devin Toner after Ireland concede a first half penalty.

“Entire backline coming up before the ball is off the top of the line out, off side.” – Joubert awards the penalty that puts Ireland 6-3 up.

“Stop yelling at me.” – The South African referee calls for calm.

“Is he coming on now? You’re welcome.” – An impossibly polite Joubert welcomes Max Evans to the game.

“Mike you are going to monitor this side.” – After another problem at scrum-time, the ref enlists the help of touch judge Mike Fraser for scrum.

“Are you happy with what happened to 15 there?” – Joubert asks the question of his touch judge after Rob Kearney is hit in the build-up to Andrew Trimble’s try.

“We’re getting some really good engagements so let’s make every one a good one. We can do that? Of course we can.” – More set-piece problems after the restart.

“The fact of the matter is that every time there is something, you are involved.” – Joubert scolds Jim Hamilton after Scotland concede another penalty.

“Who will be your new captain? Kelly is gone?” – Joubert to Duncan Weir after Kelly Brown’s withdrawal.

“I have shouted as loud as I can.” – Joubert explains a decision to a frustrated Sexton.

🙂 I missed that one.

Two back rowers going handbags for a good while, Owens finally separates them and tells them how immature they are and need to get back to playing the game, with some implied threat. Was hilarious. Also they cut to Lancaster’s face which was mucho disapproving of the sillyness.

That vid is good, seen it before. “This is not Soccer” Quality words.

Aye Scotland were poor, did nothing with 2/3rds of the ball in the first half and then were just very poor in the second, far too many turnovers.

I did enjoy the referee and big Jim Hamilton’s exchange though, nice to see he was polite enough to call the ref “sir”

Yep, caught that Tom 😀 Very funny stuff but entirely appropriate and not at all pretentious or patronising like it might sound coming from other refs

Bearing in mind you would be looking at 3 years for costing somebody their sight,l am quite glad police didn’t make an arrest without clear proof. I played my last season at 39 when my school club was reformed,there were a couple of us older lads l had played beside for 30 odd years. Any of them did that on a pitch,teammate or not I would sing like a canary. There is something not quite right about people who gouge eyes or twist limbs to break them.

WALES (v Ireland) Leigh Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Jamie Roberts (Racing Metro), George North (Northampton Saints), Rhys Priestland (Scarlets), Mike Phillips (Racing Metro), Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Richard Hibbard (Ospreys), Adam Jones (Ospreys), Andrew Coombs (Newport Gwent Dragons), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Dan Lydiate (Racing Metro), Sam Warburton (capt – Cardiff Blues), Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons).

Replacements: Ken Owens (Scarlets), Paul James (Bath Rugby), Rhodri Jones (Scarlets), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), James Hook (Perpignan), Liam Williams (Scarlets)

Is Biggar broken? Priestland is a liability 🙁

Ireland will win but not by much.

Interesting article looking at the domestic/international fortunes in Ire/wales

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/wales-operation-transformation-spells-trouble-for-ireland-29976336.html

Andy Hazell Gloucester Legend, forced to retire today. 17 odd seasons at one club and on record saying he’d swap his England caps for a Gloucester Premiership title. At one time arguably the best 7 in the country – should have really played more for England. Vickery got a good send off on match day a season or two ago when Wasps visited, but this will be massive.

Ireland should be able to strangle Wales upfront.

More classic Owen’s 😀

Ire team for sat:

R Kearney; A Trimble, B O’Driscoll, G D’Arcy, D Kearney; J Sexton, C Murray; C Healy, R Best, M Ross; D Toner, P O’Connell; P O’Mahony, C Henry, J Heaslip.

Replacements: S Cronin, J McGrath, M Moore, D Tuohy, T O’Donnell, I Boss, P Jackson, F McFadden.

Can’t wait, should be a great game.

Oh and rugby yes. Er think that team will be too strong up front and in what is likely to be a mud fest should win.

Why is Cusiter warming the bench? Laidlaw brings nothing to the game.

My prediction is it’ll be an appalling game played on an awful pitch in terrible weather…….

On a different note – Sam Burgess, any good? I’ve not watched much League over the last few years.

I read on the Daily Mail Website (yeah, I know 😳 ) that he’s signed for Bath, partially funded by the RFU.

I realise he’s a star in RL but then so were Andy Farrell and Henry Paul. It seems that great League players who aren’t quick enough to play wing/fullback and can’t learn the technical aspects of playing in the pack get stuck at inside centre when “fast tracked” into the England side. Barrie Jon Mather anyone?

Never mind. England will thrash the Scots, that is all. Its a forgone conclusion so I’m not too excited about it.

However, Wales/Ireland – I’ll be cheering Ireland who in my mind should win. I have a feeling Ireland/England and Wales/France are the deciders this year.