Rugby – 6 nations.

Zokes – just chill out squire please.

😆 Herr zokes is calling you a hypocrite clling you names? Couldnt quite keep the little dig at AA out of your post could you?

I’m not the one who keeps being banned for swearing at other forum users. Though again, you couldn’t just let it drop when you had the perfect chance to actually talk about some rugby, seeing as not only did I agree with you, I extended it to be more inclusive.

Just let it drop. It’s a lovely friday evening and my beer’s very tasty 🙂

It’s a lovely friday evening

Wait, what? How long have I been at work? Can I start drinking now?

Only if you happen to live upside-down 🙂

Errr…….

I think there’s some rugger on this weekend chaps?

It’ll be interesting to see if any of the home nations fly-halfs can put a hand up and stake a long term case for Lions selection.

I’ve seen nothing that convincing yet.

I saw Cipriani playing for Melbourne last weekend and, on that evidence, he’s not gonna be playing international rugby anytime soon.

Match of the weekend should be Ireland-Scotland. I think the home side will shade it by a score. Both teams are due a good game, that’s for sure. Fitness wise, I think the Scottish pack may have an advantage but I expect Ireland to have built a big enough lead by the time it becomes a factor.

In Paris, a lot will depend on how the French half-packs perform. The pack should win them plenty of ball, and if the backs can (be bothered to) concentrate for the whole game, they will win. This assumes of course that the whole team plays with disciplne, else Farrell will keep England in the game. If England do a “Brian Moore” and get under the French skin, we could see a collective Gallic shrug of disaffection, and England may triumph.

No one can see past a win for Wales tommorow. I’m inclined to agree but Wales have to play with intensity for 80 minutes or they could find themselves looking a bit silly. At least a yellow card each per team should make it interesting.

I think England can win this weekend, but it will depend upon them playing like they did against Wales, and France having a gallic shrug moment for a bit longer than they did against Ireland. It’s a bit of a disservice to say that they depend solely on Farrell – there are tries in all the backs given the right chance, and I think both half-backs showed they can provide them the fast service when it suits.

But then again, the French might just have one of those games where they’d beat anyone, and that will be the end of that!

It’s a bit of a disservice to say that they depend solely on Farrell

I suppose if Hodgson comes on, England may score a try through the backs. 😉

I think Scotland’s props will struggle against Healy and Ross and to try and change this Euan Murray will be brought on but all he seems to do is get penalised.

Heaslip is having a poor championship so far so hopefully that will continue and our back row can get on top. It’s going to be a tight game and a lot is going to depend on the performance of Nick de Luca who hopefully can continue his form from the France game where he actually played well for a change.

No one can see past a win for Wales tommorow. I’m inclined to agree but Wales have to play with intensity for 80 minutes or they could find themselves looking a bit silly. At least a yellow card each per team shcould make it interesting.

Wales have been getting better at discipline recently. Also, look at what they did when down to 14 for 10 minutes against England…..

I agree though, it’s not going to be an easy one. Far from it.

boxfish – Member

It’s a bit of a disservice to say that they depend solely on Farrell

I suppose if Hodgson comes on, England may score a try through the backs.

Interesting point. I think Farrell and Tuilagi should cement thier places this weekend. Barrit however hasn’t proven very effective in attack, and Ashton/Strettle seem to be struggle with that aspect as well.

Going slightly OT the signs are that Lancaster could carry this team through the autumn internationals and we’ll see our new coach for the next 6N. If thats the case, one wonders whether Lancaster would be brave enough to drop those three vs ireland (Barrit at least could survive until the second half) and try out an more attacking combo. I can’t help thinking though that its not rocket science to feel you neneed Barrit / Tuilagi in SA if you don’t have an effective attack.

I think English rugby doesnt have a massive pool of strike runners at 12, 11 an 14 that are multi talented, which is the problem. I think we have pace, but not defense, or defense but not line breakers. We’re struggling for that perfect combo IMO.

Back to the weekend, I still think England can win, unless the french turn up on excellent form. I think we have the defense to hold the off, and the size to worry or break 10/12. Rushing play over the top of thier backs is my bet, create confusion in thier new 9/10 combo and french emotive fragility. We have to press them, and play in the french half. So the strategy in defense is to win ball and carry allowing kick for the line out only when that kick is deffo for the french half of the pitch – ie limit thier attack at our end.

Oh, and someone needs to show Foden he’s resorted to running at players not gaps – that needs to stop with the French or its penalty heaven for them.

All home wins I think, fear the Jocks will ship a few in Dublin. If France score early it will be a long day in Paris, Wales to get by Italy but wont be spectacular.

I’d be more confident of picking France for a win if they picked Servat rather than the show pony at 2.Nice to see that Livereont left his selection tombola behind too.. they are do appear mental. I think England will lack the power up front to “do a Moore”. They got taken apart at the scrum by wales and france are as strong if not stronger in that aspect and the English driving maul from lineouts was pretty much negated by wales so france should manage that trick too.

That leaves the backs and despite Frnce using a slightly odd looking drift defence I cant see England having the players to exploit the weakness of Fofana and Rougeri. It will require attacking the inside sholder by running straight and passing (ie old fashioned draw and pass) and despite Zokes assertion:

It’s a bit of a disservice to say that they depend solely on Farrell – there are tries in all the backs given the right chance, and I think both half-backs showed they can provide them the fast service when it suits.

Englands backs apear unable to do this, as the butchering of the overlap for Stettles non-try showed. Remains to be seen as Farrel exceeded my expectations against Wales and Tuilagi is class (as is Foden if he regains some form).

I expect the weighty French locks will overpower Botha and Parling and France will win.
Jury i still out on Lancaster IMO he’s picking terribly unbalanced sides. Botha, parling and Croft woul suit a wide attacking game but Morgan and crucialy the two centres dont seem able to deliver this.

Wales had better win as I’m going to watch the match with my (English) father-in-law, and couldn’t put up with the ribbing if they manage to lose. Though he’s Welsh for the day, or at least as long as we’re in the ground.

I think English rugby doesnt have a massive pool of strike runners at 12, 11 an 14 that are multi talented

True. But its not just an English problem. I’m quite happy to see Barritt given a good run in the team. The coaches were talking him up this week saying he doesn’t lose his battles, which is true, and I think with a bit more game time as a unit he’ll get better.

Rougerie has been far from a perfect centre (although Fofana looks good); Roberts, JDavies, and Cuthbert are from the “better going forward” school of backs; and Ireland haven’t really been up to scratch in attack or defence this tournament (Tommy Bowe excepted).
The one really standout strike runner player in this 6nations, with top defence too, is North. But he is exceptional.
Even NZ had this dilema, with where and how to fit Sonny Bill (top runner, sometimes positionally suspect in defence) into the team. Although its at a different level when you’re looking at having to drop someone like CSmith, MNonu, or Kahui (all very complete players who’d walk into most teams) for such a strike runner like SBWilliams.

BTW, I’ll take this week’s dunce cap. Earlier in the week I had England down to win “cos of home advantage”. Doh.

Will be interesting to see if England can build on their performance 2 weeks ago, particularly in terms of attack. Farrell put in a solid if not surprisingly, a slightly overhyped performance, and on his selection things have been really stirred up. The Leicester coaching team suggest England with their current half back selection “go out not to loose” rather that go out to win. And then Stuart Barnes, although a fan of Farrell, and stating what we already know, made the interesting point that when Farrell does actually get to play number 10 for Sarries they loose more matches and score less tries.

I’ve said before- those Leicester comments are entirely about trying to rebuild the confidence, that they are better, of their dropped players. Its their coaches job, as pros. Should have no bearing on England, and gets more attention than it deserves.
They are all quite new to this, but now is the time for Lancaster to show he’s learning from his mistakes. Some of the pre-planned substitutions have significantly weakened them, and it will be interesting to see if he can avoid repeating them.
It’s cruel, but in a tight game, England’s best hope of victory is in keeping Matt Stevens on the bench.

Interested to see how the Irish back row performs.
Its not been the sun of its parts yet, the balance was out. I’ve been blaming Heaslip, and would have liked to see O’brien given a run at 8, but now hope he might get back on form and keen to see if O’Mahoney can balance it out better. If it doesn’t work out, there’s a good 7 on the bench in Jennings too.
They’ve got a real fight on their hands this week. Denton, and Rennie, have been great. Should be the best battle of the weekend.

loum – Member
England’s best hope of victory is in keeping Matt Stevens on the bench.

Indeed Lancaster undid a lot of his good work so far with the suicidal subs last time out. Blew our chances.

Agree, about Leicester comments. Best kept in context.

But the RFU has to be the worlds experts on how not to do things. WTF are they openly discussing in the media about replacements for Lancaster. Keep those plans under wraps and in private and remain fully behind the incumbent for the period of the 6N you idiots. Basic management skills?????

I would like to see england go behind in the first 10-15 mins to see if anyone in that line up has any dog and can organise on the pitch, dont see a natural leader in there at all. I know it is a big ask but england in their pomp had so many leaders on the pitch. It comes with experience and they are a young team in a state of rebuilding, hope they do find a general.

O’Conner goes further than just building his own players up and is openly critical regarding the England style of play.

I would like to see england go behind in the first 10-15 mins

I wouldn’t.
Not many teams come back from behind away against France. I’m sure the game plan will be completely the opposite, keep it tight, stay close or slightly in front, hang on. Good leadership will be about achieving this, not the hollywood script performance.
It’s an eighty minute game, now more than it ever used to be (modern fitness and tactical subs). Get it right from the start to give yourself every chance. Especially away.
Was very impressed with the way they kept Wales out through many phases at the start of the last game, it raised them above all the pre-match hype about the Welsh backs. Made sure they knew they were in a game.
First tackle is the most important, then worry about the rest.
I do agree it would be good to see a “general”. I reckon this might turn out to be Barritt. (Dan Cole has a bit about him too. Don’t often see him lose his battle)

Denton, and Rennie, have been great. Should be the best battle of the weekend.

Shows how good they are because nobody is talking about Barclay. Huge job for them on Sat. Made a wee bit easier by the injury situation in the Irish camp.

sorry duckman. I was wrong to not mention him, and admit it. Will be great to watch.

Shows how good they are because nobody is talking about Barclay.

Indeed, it took me a while to figure out why he wasn’t offside when he turned over the ball for that try against france (the one where it looked like he picked up the ball from about the most offside position you can be). Shows just how much awareness and how clever a player he is.

He was offside because a ruck had formed but refs dont seem to worry about ricks these days. I was shocked to see somone pinged for hands in the ruck in the ireland france game.

AA – yo need to look at it again – no ruck had formed – no other scots players were involved therefore no ruck. a couple of frenchmen running past the ball and flopping over does not constitute a ruck, Yo have to have players from both sides there for it to be a ruck. Barclay was the tackler

A frenchman had engaged a scotsmen over the ball as the tackler stood up and took the ball. At the very lrast it was marginal.

Ioum, cant disagree with a lot of what you say there.

Just a point on the flood Farrell bit. I’m a Leicester supporter so clearly biased. Flood has been hugely off form lately, although both he and Ben Youngs looked good again against Gloucester. He’s not ready again for England yet.

But, the differance between the two on form is chalk and cheese. Flood is a great runner, plays flat, passes well out of cantact and could kick well until the England coach ruined him! If I could find the stats between the two in the same game time, you’d be shocked how much more of an attacking threat he is. Defensivly I’d take Flood as well, he’s bigger than you think, and good at tackling.

Having said that, Richard Cockerill is doing exactly the right thing. Bigging up his player to restore confidence (and then not playing him against Bath tonght)

Loum NOT a dig, I was meaning that Barclay is the back row show pony and most experienced and yet this 6n a rookie(ish) player has forced him out of position. A-A; TJ above has it, players from both teams at the breakdown To stop two support players just sealing off a tackled player. Thats twice in one day….Looks for even harder brush and gallon of bleach…

Actually I have a couple of these in the fridge…Weekend on…

John Redwood, self-proclaimed Ambassador to Earth from the planet Vulcan, has urged the Welsh team to display the kind of cold calculating mindset against Italy on Saturday that would qualify them for jobs in Vulcan abattoirs. Redwood, whose human costume requires a complicated system of 3,000 micro-pulleys to produce an ineffective serial killer smile, insisted that this Welsh team would earn nothing but pan-galactic contempt if they didn’t run up a pure mathematical maximum of 1530 points against the Azurri.

This would allow for 22 seconds to score each of their 218 tries allowing for 2 seconds for the kick-off, 15 seconds to run it back in under the posts and 5 seconds for the resulting easy conversion – although Redwood conceded that this may require some supportive refereeing.

The former Secretary of State for Wales has been kept in a muzzle and straightjacket in a secure unit on Lundy Island for a number of years, but recent good behaviour will see him be allowed to watch the match on Saturday. “The people of Wales have always been close to where my heart should be”, stated the icy-eyed alien, “and I shall be providing whatever logical support I can over liver with some fava beans a nice chianti, fufufufufu”.

From the ever reliable, http://gwladrugby.com/

Also, U20s game live here – http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/16836106
10-10 after half an hour. 😕

AA – yo need to look at it again – no ruck had formed – no other scots players were involved therefore no ruck. a couple of frenchmen running past the ball and flopping over does not constitute a ruck, Yo have to have players from both sides there for it to be a ruck. Barclay was the tackler

+1

2 mins 31 secs in…

Well I’m going out on a limb here – Wales to pull it all together and stuff the Azzuri 46-7

Didn’t realise how posh Flood was, until he replied in a squeeky voice to a women standing next to me at Gloucester who commeting on streaks of mud down his face and legs enquired “has your fake tan rubbed off, Toby?”

I still thonk one of the supporting french knocks a player out the way and two frenchies then form pillars they are on their feet not flopping over as ducky suggests. Just because the scots dont contest once the ball is lost doesnt mean there is not an offside line… Have to say its not how i remembered though!!! Reminds me of when the italians used to try and disengage from the maul and then send a bloke round to sack the ball carrier.

Oh the wit of the shed 😉

Actually I have a couple of these in the fridge…Weekend on…

In the FRIDGE? What’s wrong with you, man!

But that depends how the ref calls it A-A,Having had another look at it,ref obviously decided one of the French players was just being a pillar, and not bound.One thing we have been looking at at ref level is players “widening” the breakdown to provide protection and crucially time,for the 9. Barkley is already getting to his feet as the support arrives,so is the obviously seen as the third man by the ref who had great positioning.

Fair enough duckman but its not as clear as some suggest. To my mind if the supporting players have gone over the top and not gone off their feet, then the tackler shouldnt then be able to get up and play the ball as people have “rucked” over him. It will lead to people coming in behind and smacking over the tackler. Had Barclay regained his feet and picked the ball up before or as the support arrived then fair enough but imo he was too slow.