Six nations Rugby Union.

[chrishornx]

these are not insurmountable problems, the fact is rugby will eventually become a global game, but boy progress is remarkably slow.

it is global already

[mr.bluesky]

these are not insurmountable problems, the fact is rugby will eventually become a global game, but boy progress is remarkably slow.

I think the problem is football match group games can be played in fairly quick succession, 3 days rest between each group game Rugby players need longer to recover between games due to the physical nature of the sport unless they had much bigger squads to cope with this

[willie loman]

I think the problem is football match group games can be played in fairly quick succession, 3 days rest between each group game Rugby players need longer to recover between games due to the physical nature of the sport unless they had much bigger squads to cope with this

you only have to compare the composition of the world cup in the 60s with the recent world cup, to show how football has truly become a world game, this will happen to rugby going forward, but i predict the rules will be changed, the players have basically become too big for a safe game in the last 20 years, but it will be the money men who decide, the way forward.

[mr.bluesky]

you only have to compare the composition of the world cup in the 60s with the recent world cup, to show how football has truly become a world game, this will happen to rugby going forward, but i predict the rules will be changed, the players have basically become too big for a safe game in the last 20 years, but it will be the money men who decide, the way forward.

Nothing generates money like the 6 nations. For Rugby to become a global sport like football a lot of countries would need to set up a strong league system and that's not going to happen overnight

[Stevelondon]

Italy played so well against France. Was really wanting them to get over the line when they had that throw in in the dying seconds of the match. Great to see Italian rugby moving forwards.

[mr.bluesky]

Italy played so well against France. Was really wanting them to get over the line when they had that throw in in the dying seconds of the match. Great to see Italian rugby moving forwards.

They will certainly give England a tough game next week that's for sure if they play like they did against France.

[ulstersubbie]

Hoping for a Scotland win tomorrow against the taffs. Don't remember when the rugby team last won their opening two Six Nations games. England to win and the France Ireland game should prove interesting.

[mr.bluesky]

Hoping for a Scotland win tomorrow against the taffs. Don't remember when the rugby team last won their opening two Six Nations games. England to win and the France Ireland game should prove interesting.

I had France down to win the 6 nations but Italy ran them close, If Ireland win I think they will go on to win it. England face a tough match against Italy ( I hope they don't have any South Africans playing for them  ) If Scotland play like they did against England I think you will beat the Taff's. Apologies to Miss Wolf. 

[ulstersubbie]

England face a tough match against Italy ( I hope they don't have any South Africans playing for them  )

Those bloody Boers!   

[bigden40]

Hoping for a Scotland win tomorrow against the taffs. Don't remember when the rugby team last won their opening two Six Nations games. England to win and the France Ireland game should prove interesting.

Scotland have not won the first two games of the 6 nations since it’s inception in 2000.

We last won the first two games of the 5 nations in 1996 - although we did win the last ever championship in 1999.

[MissWolf]

I had France down to win the 6 nations but Italy ran them close, If Ireland win I think they will go on to win it. England face a tough match against Italy ( I hope they don't have any South Africans playing for them  ) If Scotland play like they did against England I think you will beat the Taff's. Apologies to Miss Wolf. 

It's OK I will forgive you.....this time 

Tbh i can't argue with any of this and feel we may have a spoon with a red ribbon round it at the finish of this year's competition.

I'm not saying we won't improve under Gatland or that we will not rise again as a team and a nation as all teams ebb and flow, the Pivac era was damaging and we lost the best defence coach working today but Gats cannot repair that in 2 weeks or 2 months, he can start to work on it but he can't wave a magic wand and nobody should expect him to.
Tha same goes for the changes in the English camp.
Changing times are interesting times 

[ulstersubbie]

Looking good for Ireland, been a great game v the French.

[MissWolf]

Looking good for Ireland, been a great game v the French.

It was an excellent game and gives me a little heart that we didn't loose by more points last week tbh

[myothernameis]

Scotland tearing Wales a part

[mr.bluesky]

It's OK I will forgive you.....this time 

Tbh i can't argue with any of this and feel we may have a spoon with a red ribbon round it at the finish of this year's competition.

I'm not saying we won't improve under Gatland or that we will not rise again as a team and a nation as all teams ebb and flow, the Pivac era was damaging and we lost the best defence coach working today but Gats cannot repair that in 2 weeks or 2 months, he can start to work on it but he can't wave a magic wand and nobody should expect him to.
Tha same goes for the changes in the English camp.
Changing times are interesting times 

If England don't beat Italy tomorrow I think Wales and England will be playing to avoid the wooden spoon. I can't see England beating either Ireland or France 

[MissWolf]

If England don't beat Italy tomorrow I think Wales and England will be playing to avoid the wooden spoon. I can't see England beating either Ireland or France 

Yes big game for a struggling England against a rising Italian side tomorrow

Scotland are showing their class in the second half of this game, they were poor in the first half, very lucky imo not to be playing the rest of the game with 14 men and Wales were a little unlucky not to have gone in ahead at the break, its a different Scotland who came out in the second half it may have been different (although not much) had Wales gone in ahead.

For me Ireland are looking likely to win this 6 nations as I can't see anyone with enough in their arsenal to beat them, who ends up at the bottom depends entirely on how well Italy play imo

[ulstersubbie]

I am over the moon, absolutely brilliant fae Scotland. No disrespect to Misswolf but we whipped the Welsh.  🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[MissWolf]

I am over the moon, absolutely brilliant fae Scotland. No disrespect to Misswolf but we whipped the Welsh.  🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Absolutely you did, I'm delighted for Scotland to see them playing so well, it was a game of 2 halves as it often is, they were 100% better I'm the second half 

[ulstersubbie]

Absolutely you did, I'm delighted for Scotland to see them playing so well, it was a game of 2 halves as it often is, they were 100% better I'm the second half 

Thanks for that and I salute you as a fellow Celt.   

[mr.bluesky]

Absolutely you did, I'm delighted for Scotland to see them playing so well, it was a game of 2 halves as it often is, they were 100% better I'm the second half 

It's a bit like watching my football team. Often a game of two half's
Crap in the first half even craper in the second half   

[Thephoenix]

I am over the moon, absolutely brilliant fae Scotland. No disrespect to Misswolf but we whipped the Welsh.  🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

I'm really impressed by the Scottish left wing Duhan van der McMerwe of the McMerwe clan from the Highlands of Western Cape, which unfortunately I can't see on the map of Scotland.

[mr.bluesky]

I'm really impressed by the Scottish left wing Duhan van der McMerwe of the McMerwe clan from the Highlands of Western Cape, which unfortunately I can't see on the map of Scotland.

 

[ulstersubbie]

I'm really impressed by the Scottish left wing Duhan van der McMerwe of the McMerwe clan from the Highlands of Western Cape, which unfortunately I can't see on the map of Scotland.

I know but then England had Mike Catt (rugby), Alan Lamb/Tony Greig (cricket) and that most English of footballers John Barnes. 

[mr.bluesky]

And Marcus Smith was born in Manilla Philippines ( although with a British father)
Not forgetting if Ireland win the 6 nations it will all be down to having an English manager in Andy Farrell 

[mr.bluesky]

So England get the win over Italy, a comfortable win in the end. I thought after Italy ran France close in the last game they would provide England with a much tougher game but Italy failed to rise to the same level. So England go to Cardiff in two weeks time with Wales propping up the 6 nations table. A tough place to go. Wales will be ultra determined to get their first win and always raise their game when they play England. England will need to be at their best to beat the Taff's and put in a 80 minutes + performance.  England keep their 100% record intact against Italy in the 6 nations 

[Thephoenix]

I know but then England had Mike Catt (rugby), Alan Lamb/Tony Greig (cricket) and that most English of footballers John Barnes. 

I'm only jealous.
I'd love to have Van de Merwe in the England team.
He's outstanding!

[timsussex]

So England get the win over Italy, a comfortable win in the end. I thought after Italy ran France close in the last game they would provide England with a much tougher game but Italy failed to rise to the same level. So England go to Cardiff in two weeks time with Wales propping up the 6 nations table. A tough place to go. Wales will be ultra determined to get their first win and always raise their game when they play England. England will need to be at their best to beat the Taff's and put in a 80 minutes + performance.  England keep their 100% record intact against Italy in the 6 nations 

Just like previously  in the 6 nations Italy seem destined not to string 2 good performances together

[acb]

I would love to see Scotland win at Twickenham, but our rugby team is even worse than the football team and that's saying something. Like all Scots I live in hope!   

Just seen this thread - happy days at the minute - what are your thoughts on Scotlands chances now, out of interest?

[Adoniron]

So England get the win over Italy, a comfortable win in the end. I thought after Italy ran France close in the last game they would provide England with a much tougher game but Italy failed to rise to the same level. So England go to Cardiff in two weeks time with Wales propping up the 6 nations table. A tough place to go. Wales will be ultra determined to get their first win and always raise their game when they play England. England will need to be at their best to beat the Taff's and put in a 80 minutes + performance.  England keep their 100% record intact against Italy in the 6 nations 

The quality of today's match was light years behind Ireland v France yesterday. The best England can hope for this year is 4th place.

[mr.bluesky]

The quality of today's match was light years behind Ireland v France yesterday. The best England can hope for this year is 4th place.

Have to agree, I see the top three now as

1st Ireland
2nd. France
3rd. Scotland

[bigden40]

The quality of today's match was light years behind Ireland v France yesterday. The best England can hope for this year is 4th place.

It was indeed light years behind. Flattered England too, that was one of the most one-sided reffing performances I’ve seen in a long time.

[bigden40]

I know but then England had Mike Catt (rugby), Alan Lamb/Tony Greig (cricket) and that most English of footballers John Barnes. 

There’s more Saffer English Rugby players than that …. Matt Stevens, Brad Barritt, Mouritz Botha, Hendrie Fourie, Stuart Abbot and I’m still probably missing a few. 

[MissWolf]

I missed today's game as I spent the day with my daughter doing mum stuff lol

Is it worth me watching it on catch up or would it be a wasted 80 mins of my life I won't get back 

[mr.bluesky]

I missed today's game as I spent the day with my daughter doing mum stuff lol

Is it worth me watching it on catch up or would it be a wasted 80 mins of my life I won't get back 

I can only say as an England fan it is worth watching but as a dyed in the wool Wales fan you might not enjoy it so much.  At least we've got some points on the board now. I bet you won't miss the next game Wales play  Just watching a bit of the Superbowl game which is a bit like Rugby only with crash helmets and big padding.  I haven't a clue what's going on and the game lasts about 4 hours but only has about 20 minutes of action. I think the Yanks can keep their American football .( although to be honest I sometimes don't have a clue what goes on in a Rugby game  )

[Adoniron]

Have to agree, I see the top three now as

1st Ireland
2nd. France
3rd. Scotland

Assuming England lose to Ireland and France, they will likely have to beat (or possibly draw with) Wales to finish 4th.

[mr.bluesky]

Assuming England lose to Ireland and France, they will likely have to beat (or possibly draw with) Wales to finish 4th.

That's how I see it, I can't see them beating Ireland or France

[ulstersubbie]

Just seen this thread - happy days at the minute - what are your thoughts on Scotlands chances now, out of interest?

I would love to see them win it, but it's Scotland and I just know a total f**k up is around the corner, be it France, Ireland or heaven forbid Italy!

Although I am more of a football supporter, it's been utter misery following the national team (in my case since 1982, the first WC I can remember), disaster after disaster. I just want to see us be successful, pride restored as a nation so to speak.

[Matrix]

I would love to see them win it, but it's Scotland and I just know a total f**k up is around the corner, be it France, Ireland or heaven forbid Italy!

Although I am more of a football supporter, it's been utter misery following the national team (in my case since 1982, the first WC I can remember), disaster after disaster. I just want to see us be successful, pride restored as a nation so to speak.

We'll fold against Ireland and beat France.

[bigden40]

We'll fold against Ireland and beat France.

France have been really poor in both games so far, guaranteed that they’ll return to form against us.

[ulstersubbie]

England v Wales, interesting game with England nicking it. Hoping for a big Scottish performance against the French tomorrow, the best chance we've had in years of actually doing something!  🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[ulstersubbie]

Bloody hell the Italians are giving the Irish a game, great entertainment.

[mr.bluesky]

Bloody hell the Italians are giving the Irish a game, great entertainment.

Yeah, Italy no longer the whipping boys of the 6 nations, they've come on in leaps and bounds the past couple of seasons. A must win game for England,  although playing Wales in Cardiff is always tough. Scotland can upset the odds by beating France who have been a bit disappointing so far. I have been impressed with Scotland

[mr.bluesky]

I see that Gareth Edwards Barbarians shirt has been sold for a world record £240,000 . This is the shirt he wore in the 1973 test match against New Zealand and scored what has been described as the world's greatest try.

[ulstersubbie]

Yeah, Italy no longer the whipping boys of the 6 nations, they've come on in leaps and bounds the past couple of seasons. A must win game for England,  although playing Wales in Cardiff is always tough. Scotland can upset the odds by beating France who have been a bit disappointing so far. I have been impressed with Scotland

Ireland winning but they had to work for it. Great effort from the Italians.

[ulstersubbie]

Good result for England, Miss Wolf won't be happy!

[timsussex]

Good result for England, Miss Wolf won't be happy!

was a case of we murdered them 1 - nil but WTF is wrong with Farrell ? missed 2 difficult conversions and 2 easy (at that level) penalties

Good to see Lawrence establishing at 12 and he could be an ideal man to get the most out of Smith at 10

[mr.bluesky]

Good result for England, Miss Wolf won't be happy!

That was a hard fought win for England, Miss Wolf is probably drowning her sorrows as we speak. Wales has now lost the first 3 games of the 6 nations, when was the last time that happened  England now have two tough fixtures remaining against France and Ireland.  Farrell needs to get out on the training pitch and practice his kicking. His goalkicking has dropped off by his standards.

[MissWolf]

That was a hard fought win for England, Miss Wolf is probably drowning her sorrows as we speak. Wales has now lost the first 3 games of the 6 nations, when was the last time that happened  England now have two tough fixtures remaining against France and Ireland.  Farrell needs to get out on the training pitch and practice his kicking. His goalkicking has dropped off by his standards.

Hahaha thank you for your concern gents I'm not too mad after all really as it was expected this year tbh.

I spent today with my daughter moving mattresses to the tip and doing some general house stuff for her and had a lovely meal together afterwards so I didn't even get to see the game, I will watch highlights when I get the chance.

There are a lot of changes and stress in Welsh rugby atm and that's not conducive to a cohesive team at the top of their game, I personally expect Wales to take the wooden spoon this year, with the way Italy are playing and developing atm I expect them to beat us in Cardiff, but we will be back 

[mr.bluesky]

Hahaha thank you for your concern gents I'm not too mad after all really as it was expected this year tbh.

I spent today with my daughter moving mattresses to the tip and doing some general house stuff for her and had a lovely meal together afterwards so I didn't even get to see the game, I will watch highlights when I get the chance.

There are a lot of changes and stress in Welsh rugby atm and that's not conducive to a cohesive team at the top of their game, I personally expect Wales to take the wooden spoon this year, with the way Italy are playing and developing atm I expect them to beat us in Cardiff, but we will be back 

Welsh rugby does seem to be in a mess off the pitch at the moment and for all Wales fans that will hopefully be resolved.  On the pitch Wales still have some good players but they just seem to lack a game plan. Gatland is a great coach but even he will need time to turn things around. With the Rugby World Cup only months away I cannot see either England or Wales troubling the big guns of South Africa or New Zealand. Ireland look to be the best bet of the Northern hemisphere teams.   

[chrishornx]

That was a hard fought win for England, Miss Wolf is probably drowning her sorrows as we speak. Wales has now lost the first 3 games of the 6 nations, when was the last time that happened  England now have two tough fixtures remaining against France and Ireland.  Farrell needs to get out on the training pitch and practice his kicking. His goalkicking has dropped off by his standards.

2020