Interesting to hear Moore on refs, especially now he is one! The reffing of the front row is rarely good and usually awful. The IRB could do a lot worse than get the likes of Moore, Ibanez, McBride, Fitzpatrick, Wood, Ayerza and Castrogiovanni in a room together to sort it out! (Real front row players. Note the absence of any recent proper front row players from the SH. They've given up on real scrummaging IMO)

Does anybody know of a website showing referee's stats ie matches they've reffed, results etc?

I found one a while ago, but can't find anything at the mo!

I would say that it's about time there was a clarification rule/law on this issue. That's twice in 3 weeks now that it's been contentious. It's bad form to kick a restart straight into touch in order to win (or draw) a game, and there should be some way to award the opposing side possession of the ball, and given that time is "over", a penalty or at least free kick would be the way to do it.

🙂

I feel much happier. that's a team Scotland [should beat at murrayfield. Teh 3 Bs will give 'em a lesson in back row play. Moody was the only one with pace – Wurzel is slow IIRC?

He is obviously going to mark Parks out of the game I assume.

Got a hat to eat Backhander? You know Scotland have the players to beat England – and when did England last win at Murrayfield? 2005 IIRC

Its a negative selection from MJ – he is obviously worried about the 3Bs – and has selected Worsley as a stopper to stop them going forward. The lack of pace is going to hurt England. If Scotland had not lost their stike runners to injury I would be very confident as it is I still have Scotland down as slight favourites as do the bookies

I'm not a betting man but they're stating france as 1/150 and using the logic that they're favorites, it suggests that englands odds are better at 8/15 as opposed to 11/8. I may be wrong though.
Agree about Foden.
I'd also like to see Hipkiss instead of Tait.
Disagree about Steffon.

I suspect it might be a more interesting game than that. Ireland are by far the superior side so no excuses for losing…if it were in Cardiff, I might say 5-10 but they're around 15-20 points the better side.

Nothing like sending that knob Gatland back out of Dublin eating humble pie. I can't wait for his particular little war of words around tomorrow or Friday.

That's one of the funniest things you've said in ages.

Nah, I'm hugely disappointed by Ireland's inability to perform to their potential, but being a better side than Wales is hardly anything about which to beat the drum.

Gatland is a top bloke, he actually says stuff rather than emitting standard coach-talk.

I think Wales really are the superior side but they're definitely just not clicking.. I am becoming more and more convinced that my theory is correct; that Gatland is just using this tournament as experimentation.

Oh and Gatland is a bloke alright, just a cock of a one.

So we conclude then that all the home nations are pretty carp at egg chasing and the only enthusiasm for the game is fuelled by the nationalistic jingoism of the non-English Brits 😆 😆 😆

Darcy Darcy Darcy you know that the Irish and Welsh sides are pretty close. 🙂 Think the home advantage will carry the game for your lot. How can BOD be playing didnt he get concussed when O'Connell clouted him. I wonder if we will manage to throw it in with any success. Delve is an odd one, plays great for Gloucester and is a good player, hope he has a good one.

England Scotland is going to be the one to watch, if the Jocks do win then what for MJ and it will put a smile on the face of Growler, actually if that man did smile then the earth may stop turning 😉

Hilldodger; there will be beer involved and the chance to catch up with old mates,so what are you going to do?

Start is delayed by 10 mins, go easy Flash you might not make the 80 mins 😉

**** this for a game of soldiers. Might go for a ride instead.

Joubert's a prize bellend, though! That was never a yellow for Byrne, and then he casually ignores the same offence by Ireland to award them a penalty instead.

Ref really sharp on the breakdown, not releasing the player and the ball too. Think Byrne was sent off for holding on then knocking the ball out of Irish hands after. Was lucky to stay on for his 2nd cynical stupid penalty. Professional foul if ever there was 1

Score would be better if Sexton could find his kicking boots.

Now praying for a good 80 mins plus from Scotland.

Gatland is a top bloke, he actually says stuff rather than emitting standard coach-talk.

I think Wales really are the superior side but they're definitely just not clicking.. I am becoming more and more convinced that my theory is correct; that Gatland is just using this tournament as experimentation

That's pretty hard to imagine, in sport winning and losing are habits. Playing badly and losing for the sake of experimentation does not sound like the plan of a sane man!