Lawes or Itoje for MoM ?

Agree that Sutherland is excellent, I would want him facing Malherbe. Mako has played well in the last 2 games (least said about the earlier ones the better), but Malherbe + flanker is enough to hold him in a scrum. That leaves 6 Bokke to attack the tight head just like the world cup final.

Bu**er, Jones the prop is out injured. Sutherland starting and Mako V on the bench. Wish they had put MV to start and save Sutherland to try and deal with Malherbe. Far better scrummager.

Not been out since mid-September. Broke C2 (neck) in 3 places, dislocated shoulder and shattered collar bone but still alive, not paralysed (now) and got a ride in a mountain rescue winch and helicopter. Working on grip, balance, range of movement and straightening up my hip before I get back on. Besides, the weather is crap 🙂

Foot seems to be defective after a stone wall collapsed onto it. Dangerous sport gardening!

Broke 2 of the Superstar SRAM ones.

Considerably easier to pedal smoothly. Just get one, the difference isn’t enormous but is worth having.

Tj, agreed Youngs was poor. None of the backs could get into it on the end of erratic passing like that.

Well done S.A., best team winning.

Youngs making poor passes and choices. He went right when he had Lawes vs Kolbe on his left from 3 metres.

The weird thing is why the best player in the world was left out vs England.

Retallick played against England !

A good watch so far, quite a relief after the SA/Wales semi.

Oh dear ! Wales’s defence is resetting a bit slowly today.

I still don’t expect England to win, but at least they’ve turned up.

Farrell’s injury could be a real problem here.

Clear red.

Crikey, if Wales keep playing like they’re in the last minute and needing a try then they soon will be.

Presumably not enough force to warrant a red ?

Let me know when the real game starts.

Richie Mo’unga will be in disgrace. The ABs only missed one tackle in that half.

Nearly five months of rest, we’re going to be on fire!

😂

1 cracking good match gone, looking forward to the next one now. I don’t think that Ireland can rope-a-dope the ABs like England did to the Wallabies though.

What time is the Scotland game?

16:45 on the 1st of February 2020 in Dublin I think.

Your thoughts?

SA 75% JPN 25%
Fra 5% Wal 95%

I reckon that SA will just bash and kick like they did in the warm-up game rather than try to play Japan at their own game. If they do try to run it then Japan could easily win.

It’s so long since France turned up for a game against really good opposition for more than 20 minutes that they are the nearest thing to a bye that I can imagine at this level. The game against Argentina was woeful from both teams and they were only a refereeing decision or two away from losing to Tonga.

Not a bad game that, not bad at all.

I thought Farrell was largely poor today, one or two good bits but quite a few poor decisions as well. It may be due to the smack on his head of course.

1st time I’ve seen Ford look happy about scoring a try, usually looks embarrassed.

Agreed @Duckman, a bash on the head like that should be checked even if there are no immediate symptoms. Both for the player’s health and for the example it sets.

Damn! I was relying on Lavanini for a never ending string of penalties.

Simmons = Underhill ? @Kryton57

I think that Italy may have to call up some extra props for their next match. I think that Quaglio may be cited and banned as well. Shame about Kolbe’s injury, I hope he recovers quickly.

So how is Quaglio going to get off the pitch ? There seems to be a contest going on between the Italian props.

No problems with cows or bulls, just as well as my house is surrounded by farmland and I have to ride through the herd most times I go out. The bulls are kept the cows here and are softies. It’s Jacobs sheep you want to look out for. Even Satan takes cover from those bu**ers.

Well done Poopscoop and thanks for a good thread restoration. Glad you made it.

Good luck Poopscoop. Remember, rubber side down.

Another standard STW answer : Bird. Excellent bikes great service.

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm Craster kippers! I was once informed by a barmaid at the Jolly Fisherman that they would not only allow my dog to enter the pub but that my wife was welcome too. Very decent of them ! Haven’t a clue on the riding situation though other than avoid the A! unless you’re suicidal.

@namastebuzz, agreed. In fact I thought that Farrell was poor last week and worse this. England’s anti-MoM.

Well that was fun wasn’t it ?

Navidi excellent, ref one sided, Sexton poor.