HT @cheekyruck

Not really a surprise but England unchanged except for Hughes in at 8.   JJ starts to quell the running game and Two comes on at 60 to bash holes.  Fairly predictable from England.

That picture of Allanah-Gwen Jones has completely ruined all my dreams of me and Taylor Swift, I need to find another source of “inspiration”.

Personally I think England have looked a little fragile and Scotland are going to give us a very hard time. I reckon Scotland in the lead by half time and then a nail biter at the end. Could go either way.

I don’t follow the others to know enough but I too will be supporting Wales.

The build-up to the Calcutta Cup game is woefully predictable!

Big, physical loose forward states that his team’s loose forwards are going to target the oppo’s ‘mercurial’* playmaking flyhalf.

Oppo coach issues thinly veiled warning to ref to allow his ‘mercurial’* playmaker to run the game.

Yawn.

*For ‘mercurial’ read ‘flaky’.

The expression on Hogg’s face as Russell waved Teddy Thomas through was priceless. Scotland only really won that game because they subbed off Flaky Finn.

And Townsend wants a meeting with the Ref as he’s spotted something in Englands defensive line.   Yeah, good luck have a chat with Nigel Owen’s Gregor…

Pre-match meetings with officials should be banned.

Appropriate response:

”**** off mate, I’m the ref, you’re a coach. You stick to your job and I’ll stick to mine ta very much”.

Knowing Owens this is probably roughly what he’ll say anyway.

Yup, all too predictable.

Has there ever been a fly half who hasn’t been a target for the opposition back row? Wilkinson used to get singled out by Betson a lot when we played France etc.

Scotland need to outthink England, play their best ever game yada, yada ,blah blah…

We wont run away with it, last year was an anomaly. Scotland will make us work hard and will no doubt do us at the breakdown repeatedly now that English rugby as a whole had decided it can no longer be contested. Hopefully we’ll win.

Ireland missing Furlong and Henderson for the Welsh game. Slightly concerned that Wales are looking to revert to Warrenball which will be a shame because they’ve played some good rugby this tournament. I’ll b supporting Wales for sure this weekend.

The thing is Russell relishes the challenge of being targetted as iut creates more space outside of thim.  Some of Scotlands best triues have come this way.  I’ll give 50 / 50 tho England get a yellow for a late hit on him and that at least once he leaves Farrell floundering

Russell has set the floundering standard this year with his attempt to tackle Thomas…😂

Ouch = pass the fire extinguisher – I just got burnt 😉

Tj:

I’ll give 50 / 50 tho England get a yellow for a late hit on him and that at least once he leaves Farrell floundering

Real money or pretend? And do you mean you’ll give 50/50 that both will occur, or 50/50 for either as separate bets? I’m not a gambler, but I’d take that bet.

the forfeit was worked out earlier – apparently if I lose I have to take on AA singlehanded.  the bet is that both will happen 🙂

if I lose I have to take on AA singlehanded

You’d lose

Sorry TJ, couldn’t help that one!

Bit shit this one!!

France are making good ground, but white line fever x 3

Or x 4!

Pretty dull this one. France look disjointed and are giving away lots of field position with silly errors or penalties. The crowd will start getting grumpy soon.

Wonder why these 2 are at the bottom of the table !

Mindmap – it was a good burn 😉

In other more interesting news – Edinburgh win again! With a bonus point! Glasgow lose  WTF is happening in Scottish Rugby?

Head says England will win,  heart says get intae them Scotland

Red Roses beat Scotland ladies but England U20’s lost after being in the lead at half time. Hmmmmm. I really can’t call tomorrow.

Cracking try by Italy.

Sport index had pricing on FRAvITA bang on then at 16-19

Missed the mmatchas was flying bub sounds like didn’t miss much

Scotland u20s beat England?  that was unexpected seeing as the scottish squad are mainly schoolkids ( as the best u20 scots are playing for the full side or their clubs)

Here we go. Unfortunately I don’t see Wales winning today, let’s hope it’s a great game.

Anthems are a bit muted, maybe its the sound recording

Cmon Wales!

Cracking pass

Ref doesnt seem to like Wales does he.

Irish co commentator trying to blame Biggar for Shingler giving away a pen!!

Nice 😀

Sexton hasn’t brought his kicking boots has he?!

Hard to believe that Wales are infront!

Sexton trying to gouge while handing off (seriously he is such an unpleasant player. Pretty much the only player in the world who I’d applaud for breaking his leg).

Aki having a poor start.  Interesting that Ireland are using really sharp flat passes in Wales’s 22.  Previous games they seem to have run out of ideas when they get close, I wonder if this is their answer.  Not sure how Wales are winning but it will keep the game lively.

White line fever for Ireland.

Good game so far. Ireland getting round the blitz at will..

Ref doesnt seem to like Wales does he.

I don’t understand the rules well enough, but it does appear that way.

Is it just me, or do Ireland seem to be getting away with a lot at the breakdown. Last attack, I thought that there was a clear no arms clearout, and then also a neck roll on AWJ

Not sure its worth bothering with us coming out for the second half given the refs “interpretations”

Ffs Ireland are getting away with anything they want, whether it’s obstruction, offside,  doing anything in the breakdown, holding on the floor. Jackson is the only reason that Ireland are winning because he’s not applying a single law to Ireland.

He penalised Shingler for offside a few minutes ago. Shingler was onside but a fat Irish forward flopped through the ruck and (illegally) collapsed on Wales’ side so it looked like Shingler became offside despite not having moved.

Tom – you can see loads of infringements the ref misses in every game.  Clothesline tackle on a  Irish back for one and Navidis use of the creative patented John Jeffries offside line 😉  Wales lying all over the ball in their goalline defense as well.  Lucky not to see yellow for repeated infringments on the line.  Not saying Ireland are innocent but a ref if he saw and whistled for everything would be stopping the game every tackle just about