ref seems fine to me

To be expected

He gets far too emotionally involved. And seriously wants England to win this game!

I like Moore good to hear someone passionate commentating

I don't have an issue with Moore – he is a passionate English fan – its allowed. He used to have an awful chip on his shoulder about the scots from 1990 but he has finally recoved. He tells it like he sees it and is not to egotistical to admit when he gets it wrong.

How awesome is beattie? I think he has made more tackles than anyone else in teh 6N and has not missed one – couple that with the amount of mtres he has gained with teh ball in hand and a few turnovers as well – just great.

Less of a thrashing than I thought and some good signs but too little too late, much like the welsh and scots in that respect.
The worst examples of reffing and management I have ever witnessed, just dire. Honestly some of the inconsistencies just cannot be ignored and even the pundits commented on it. Why take tindall off? The small success seems to be in spite of the managing rather than because of it.
I'm a rugby fan first and an england/bristol fan second and just happy to see some good rugby played finally.
Overall, the French deserved the GS they were the best team consistantly and head and shoulders above the rest for the majority if not all of the tournament. Well done France. Nice to have the debate on the forum and I look forward to doing it all again next year for the WC!

The worst examples of reffing and management I have ever witnessed, just dire. Honestly some of the inconsistencies just cannot be ignored and even the pundits commented on it.

Bryce Lawrence is exactly that – inconsistent. He wasn't biased against the English, he's just generally a poor ref. Don't forget that he was the idiot who continually penalised Vickery in the first Lions test, and then suggested a yellow card NOT a red when Burger blatantly gouged in front of him in the second test. Imo after those two tests he shouldn't be reffing at this level.

My summary:

France were the best, by a small margin, but still very beatable. They should be very good by the World Cup.

Italy the worst by a larger margin. Only home advantage gives them any wins, which is weird because it's a really nice stadium to visit.

The other 4 team were all much of a muchness, each could beat the others on a given day, depending on home advantage, dodgy reffing, injuries etc.

A good day of rugby, just a pity that it's finished for another year. Never mind, Euro Cup starts again in a week or two. Will I get a trip to Cardiff for the semifinals this year?

AA, you are incorrect about the lions scrum, it's widely acknowledged that Bryce was not sufficiently skilled to call it correctly.
You seem to have a massive chip about the english team, I don't think I've heard a simgle positive comment from you despite the fact that they beat wales this year an have finished above them in the 6N for 2 years now. It's getting dull and boring IMO.

IMO of an ignorant, France were the most consistent, Irish/Welsh/English poor for their potential, Scots were unlucky/inexperienced, Italy – gobshite.
It might make for an interesting WC but I fear the Down Under Nations will slaughter European teams unless there are massive changes.

France getting close if not matching the southern hemisphere teams – they have beaten them including the all blacks in NZ recently. No one else near.

Backhander – hence the frustration.

The others – not much difference between them apart from France who are far superior a side. NO one not even England had them in any trouble at any point.

Wales did, in the second half – remember France had to kick the ball away at 80 minutes to make sure that Wales didn't score and win the game. So considering Wales being well below par, I don't agree that France are FAR superior. They are where they'd want to be 18 months before the WC. They look solid but beatable and also look like they could trouble anyone.

I agree with this to a certain extent. The supposedly dodgy decison that the ref gave against England were actually the correct ones.

At one point he penalised the French for barging in the lineout, despite the replay showing no barging that I could see. The French DID jump across the gap because the ball was thrown in so crookedly. It should have been a French scrum. At the very next lineout he had the cheek to give a scrum against France for, yes, a crooked throw!

Complaints about the ref might serve a purpose and actually show how poor the standard is at the moment. If one single thing is killing the game it is the random interpretations the refs give between different games, competitions, hemispheres, even halves of the same game.

The problem with the refs is that there are simply too many offences for them to either see or call them all – if they called every offence there would hardly be a move made.

I think the answers are
1) two more officials on the field in each in goal area (or 2 TJs each side) – this would enable things to be policed better such as the offside line and scrum binding. The in goal judge each end could move up to halway if the play is at the other end – only one guy with a whistle but give the others flags like in american football.
2) some law changes – lineouts to remain stationary until the ball is in the air, scrums to go to progressive binding

I dont think England ever looked like winning, just huffed and puffed and France looked comfortable. One great chance that Ashton blew badly, WTF did he have on his feet. England have got some good players but only Cueto is great in my humble opinion. They seem stuck with the idea of playing with forward dominance but havent got the forwards to do it. Front row is awful worst in the 6 nations, the back 3 are so inconsistent, but none of them make you sit up and take notice. Care is nothing special or he struggles for fast ball. It goes in phases, you cant be the best all the time.

I dont think Wales are shit, thats just a daft thing to say, can play the most exciting rugby you will ever see, apart from the French first 20 mins against Italy they have provided more thrills and spills than anyone else. The Scottish game was just incredible.

Idlejon, that is the biggest load of shite I've ever seen posted on this forum. You must be a smoking crack. I'm sure you must be trolling as nobody believes a word of that.
At least pigface knows what he's talking about (even if he's wrong :P).
The FACT is than at this moment in time of wales and england, england are the better team.

England were mince throughout the championship – Wales at lest were good in parts.

I believe thats Englands lowest points total and lowest try count in the 6N. A team that is less than the sum of its parts playing to an outmoded game plan.

My ending observations

France – easily the best team and real WC contenders. They sold them selves short yesterday but still won more comfortably than the 2 points would suggest

Ireland – Must be disappointed. Looked very stong coming in but somehow it just did not happen. If Sexton can improve his kicking (and I think he will) they are still capable of beating anyone

England – Truly, truly aweful at times. I am mystified by how a nation of such resources can be so poor. Johnson has to go. I actually think a humping in Paris may ultimately have served them better. ie MJ out and some new thinking in. Former strengths are now weaknesses (most of the pack!)

Wales – I love Welsh rugby, even if I hate the one eyed ness of much of the Welsh support. Some great moments in the 6N's and with a better lineout I think things may have been better for them. Potentially mouth watering back line.

Scotland – Coulda, shoulda, woulda yet again. Could and probably should have beaten England & Wales (Did not see the Italy game so cannot comment!). Some very promising signs if the limited resources are all fit. Best backrow since Calder, Jeffries & Turnbull

Italy – Get their clubs into the Magners. Beat Scotland, could have beaten England and did ok vs Ireland. Need a stronger feeder system (hence magners comment)