Dunno about Ireland – England for sure.

Are wales the comeback kids?

As I say there is precedent for putting the kickoff into touch and the game ending. Blair was going for the win hence the high risk kick

I agree with Duckman in that Davies was a shadow of himself when he returned to Union, but he was a legend in both codes well before that. It says something that League regards him so highly as well….I couldn't stand him for years, but that was because he was a Turk, and I was young…..

TJ, the Scots fitness dropped off dramatically in the last 10-15 minutes, possibly because of the men sent off. The defence for Shane's last try was completely shoddy even for 13 men.

CFH, obviously France will be huge favourites for the Cardiff game, but I seriously don't think they'll be able to reproduce that form, especially as they'll be away from home.

Load of crap – Scotland aren't complete, but they've haven't got much else they can do. They've used pretty all their players, got a decent coach, etc, etc. If you use the phrase 'work in progress' that applies to every team this year, bar perhaps Ireland. Scotland are playing at the level you'd expect of that team with those players.

I could just as easily say that Wales won playing badly which shows just how poor the Scottish team is.

No I don't – but that is why Blair went for the high risk kick off. Numpty

It would have been game over if the kickoff had gone into touch – thems the rules. Its either a retake or a scrum – but the time was up so no time for either. Its happened many times before

Tell you what, after 1min 17 of this game, Brian Moore ahould not be on the telly. He would hav spoilt ven that last ten minutes in Cardiff. Long-winded, splutterring,overly technical, obviously biased and generally irritating.

THERE ARE ALWAYS TWO TEAMS IN A GAME OF RUGBY.

THERE ARE ALWAYS TWO TEAMS IN A GAME OF RUGBY.

That's something that the BBC often manage to forget anyway. Being in work at the mo, I haven't seen any of the build up, but I can bet that the vast majority of it was about England, with just a brief mention of their opponents………now who was it this week.

Although I was pretty drunk by the time the 10pm news was on last night, I don't think that they mentioned the Irish game at all? I may be wrong though. hic!

Avoiding this thread now, as I can't watch the Italian 😆 game until after 4pm….

The game so far;

Forza Italia!
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.
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( Not the political party tho 🙂 )

Italy are making my day so far. Love to see them run 1 in now. They've been close already.

England Italy difficult to watch – Mr Moore so so negative – England may not be good but they are no doubt trying their best.

That and Italian TV are only broadcasting to those with widescreen….

Cheers

Italy are outplaying England at the moment. Crikey.

Nearly Italy. Nearly.

England just showed enough control and sense to close them out with the forwards in the corner and the Wilkinson drop goal.

Italy played most of the rugby and chased wilkinson back intot eh pocket.

England outside backs looked good when they got some good ball ( apart from Moyne doesn't seem to be able to pass) but they got such little good ball.

The worst aspect was when England fielded kicks with counter attacking opportunity. No aggression no pace – just amble forward a few steps and boot it long. Italy – ran some back, kicked some long and chipped some when they fielded kicks.

What has happened to Armitage? Looked to have no confidence to do anything. Several times he had good counter-attacking opportunities and spurned them.

Stolid Mince.

Got to get rid of those lumbering behemoth in the forwards – they are are to blame for the slow ball. got to get rid of Wilkinson – he has the backs outside of him but can't release them. Armitage needs to find some confidence.

I thought he started off flat but got chased back into the pocket?

I suspect your last line is right there CFH. I find it hard to see who can beat France. Leivremonts experimentation is over – he knows his players and his combinations now and he knows his best team

DezB, that graphic only applied to parts of Italy v England today. England were very poor and had nothing else to do.

Both games yesterday were far, far more exciting! Stick with it….

Awful game today.

Italy looked the better side in the second half though never really looked like scoring a try. That critical offload was just not there.

A trip to Rome was always going to be a bit tricky. In the end a good result for England and it keeps them marching on. They could well be on a 3rd victory with a deflated Ireland at Twickers.

A depleted Scotland will not be looking forward to a trip to Rome 🙁