Rugby 2021-2022 Season

When are Italy playing Wales, official updated my status from concerned to worried!! Look far my physical than Wales

Last week, it's going to be a competitive spoon play off.

Sorry DD - if that’s a lazy unpopular description I apologise.

AA, whilst they may play some understrength teams, they train with more high calibre players week in week out. Am I wrong that the condensation of the W/S/I teams was the start of their rises up the rankings?

Last week, it’s going to be a competitive spoon play off.

Last week: Wooden spoon play off for Wales and Italy, Grand Slam decider for Ireland and Scotland.

whilst they may play some understrength teams, they train with more high calibre players week in week out.

This is clearly not true, the English Prem and French Top14 are much stronger.

Am I wrong that the condensation of the W/S/I teams was the start of their rises up the rankings?

Yes

Italy are are having a good stab at this. Wales should rightly be worried that they are facing a drubbing at home and away.

As for rule changes.

50:22 should work to open up defences, although it requires a gamble to to gain territory.

Goal line dropout for a kick over the try line should be only if that kick was taken inside the opponent’s half. If it’s from your own half then a 22 dropout. Teams will just hoof it down field and then potentially get a goal line dropout.

The brake foot of the hooker needs to be sanctioned and reffed strictly. But then the ball never goes in straight either, which is never looked at.

Actually the scrum is still a mess. The latest rules are far better than the high impact engage of yesteryear, but to take away the hit entirely would keep the front rows up and encourage scrummaging.

Crouch, bind, engage (no impact, all front row players are in full contact, shoulders to shoulders) set (taking each other’s weight) with an almost immediate ball feed down the centre, which both hookers can and should be encouraged to hook for.

That would make scrum collapses lees likely from the impact engagements.

I don’t know how we got to the point where the completely skewed put-in at the scrum became the norm.
It makes a mockery of the whole set piece but is never mentioned in the out of season rule changes.
I‘be watched rugby since I was a kid but I’m not wholly invested in the ins and outs of the politics and rule changes but this seems a very odd situation to be in.
Were the put ins as crooked in the early 90s as they are now?

On reflection and having a eye on the stats there are a few reasons why Scotland won:
One big difference is the forwards tackle count.  The scots back five forwards did not miss a tackle and the whole pack only 4 out of 82.  England 9 out of 58.  Scotland negated the england power game by making sure of the tackles and looking for turnovers and won the back row battle.  Watson 14 tackles missed none Curry 11 missed 3.  I am pretty sure we got more turnovers at the tackle as well

The other is Finns ( and Hoggy) kicking from hand.  He moved the England back 3 around and set up that penalty try situation.  That was a planned move and both wingers knew it was coming but it had also been set up by clever use of the boot before hand

I’m still a bit lost as to why Smith came off - unless I missed an injury or something? It’s like “we have finishers, finishers must come on!” I can understand replacing, say, Sexton with Carberry when the game’s won. No point risking Jonny at that stage. But Smith looked like the only thing that might unlock Scotland in the last quarter. Young’s lumpen box kicking wasn’t going to do it…

I'm awash with relief that England lost the first match and we will not have to endure the media banging on about a possible England Grand Slam they way they do every year

One big difference is the forwards tackle count. The scots back five forwards did not miss a tackle and the whole pack only 4 out of 82. England 9 out of 58

The flip side of that is that teams tire, the Scottish forwards were out on their feet during those last scrums and we dodged a bullet.

Scotland folded 4 or was it 5 times on that Scrum and weren't pinged, the whole series of play taking 4-5 mins off the clock as well.

Yup, and while the ref had a better picture I was fearing the worst. But that's rugby; pundits, press and fans have been focusing on that rather than why we had taken the lead.

I think Ben O'Keefe gave the benefit of the doubt to the team that was on the front foot.

For the first 60 minutes I thought he was giving England every 50:50 call and then some. After the penalty try I thought we were getting those calls in our favour.

He did say he would favour the team that kept the scrum up.

I think Ben O’Keefe gave the benefit of the doubt to the team that was on the front foot.

I think he bottled it...piss funny mind.
As long as refs are consistent I don't mind, but he wasn't consistent. Compare to Pyper who pinged very little in the Ireland game. Francis, surprisingly, had Porter pulling all sorts of weird shapes and dropping far to lows, pulling down on arm etc and got nothing all game, which didn't bother me tbh as the ball was coming out and it prevents interminable scrum bollocks, it was only when the Welsh "sparkler squad" came on in the second half that he started giving pens, which was fair enough!

South Africa tour: Springboks confirm three July 2022 test dates for Wales visit

Oh brilliant, I can hardly wait...any players not already broken soon will be!

\moan

An interesting perspective from Sam Warburton writing on Sunday that England has 30 eligable Pro-league centres to choose from, yet here we are playing out of position while we wait for Manu Tuilangi and his hamstrings of cheese on the basis we might win the 20 minutes of the six nations he gets to play. Oh, and Farrell.

I've never understood this kind of mentality from Jones, coincidentally we have people baying for him to be replaced again.

/moan

South Africa tour: Springboks confirm three July 2022 test dates for Wales visit

AH-HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.....draws breath...HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

AH-HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA…..draws breath…HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

And you just know the autumn internationals will be NZ,SA, Australia plus another game against Argentina or Fiji 😥😥😥😂

And you just know the autumn internationals will be NZ,SA, Australia plus another game against Argentina or Fiji 😥😥😥😂

Big money to be made selling tickets to 3 out of 4 loses and a struggle to get past a tier 3 team of under prepared club players. (Georgia)

Wales may squeak past a second string, injury ravaged Australia or South Africa team at the end of their season, but Wales haven’t beaten NZ since when, 1645bc?

I was discussing future rugby careers with my two sons aged 6 & 8. I'd mentioned that this would involve drinking lots of beer and getting drunk.

8yr old: "Beer is bad for you. I'm never going to drink it."

6yr old: "Does that mean you can just go round punching everybody? That sounds great!"

(I wonder which one is cut out to be the rugby player?)

Squidge on the calcutta cup

lister
I don’t know how we got to the point where the completely skewed put-in at the scrum became the norm.

It's interesting, cos in age-grade reffing laws, we have this emphasised

"Note to referees: Referees should pay particular attention to ensure that the
scrum half throwing the ball into the scrum is not “feeding” their own players"

You'd think it would be more important the higher up the levels you go 🙂

Apparently Wales are considering playing Jac Morgan at 6 with Moriarty at 8 in another midget backrow. Also Flufbert to wing and and Adams remain at 13. If this comes to pass I know what I'm doing this weekend.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/rugby-union/59833758

Sexweejambucket out of game v France..big blow, although Carbery is very good

Sutherland and Fagerson to bench for Scotland

Wales squad:

Wales: L Williams; Cuthbert, Watkin, Tompkins, Rees-Zammit; Biggar (capt), T Williams; W Jones, Elias, Francis, Rowlands, Beard, Basham, Morgan, Moriarty.
Replacements: Lake, G Thomas, D Lewis, S Davies, Wainwright, G Davies, Sheedy, J Davies.

Christ on a bike!

Wait, Adams dropped?

Adams "injured" so we're putting up cat flap against DvDM. It's going to be a cricket score.

Scotland going for the bomb squad off the bench tactic? Wales to match it with the sparkler squad 😂😂😂😂

The front row starting are probably better in the set piece. ( sorry)

England V Italy:

1. Ellis Genge (VC)
2. Jamie George
3. Will Stuart
4. Charlie Ewels
5. Nick Isiekwe
6. Maro Itoje
7. Tom Curry (C)
8. Alex Dombrandt
9. Harry Randall
10. Marcus Smith
11. Jack Nowell
12. Henry Slade (VC)
13. Joe Marchant
14. Max Malins
15. Freddie Steward

I'm a bit concerned, Jones has gone for the novel method of almost playing everyone in the right place.

Edinburgh and Glasgow are playing leinster and Munster tonight.  It will be a double stuffing!.  Although both the Irish sides will also lose players it will not be as many

I’m a bit concerned, Jones has gone for the novel method of almost playing everyone in the right place.

🙂

Although both the Irish sides will also lose players it will not be as many

Glasgow 11 players
Edinburgh 13
Leinster 17

Scottish counting again

Saucer of cream?  I am suprised tho.  Glasgow were Ok but Edinburgh I hadn't heard of most of the forwards!  Anyway Edinburgh duly get their cuffing and Glasgow squeak a close and hard fought game

So anyway TJ, the Gilroy ban, just?

Likely to miss today's games, can't say I'm too upset, will be away from here till I've seen them to avoid spoilers.
Predictions:
Wales 18 Scotland 32
France 28 Ireland 22 ( too close to call really, if Ireland win is it the end of the road for Sexwee Jam Bucket?)

Not feeling confident AA?  Remember you are out bogey team!

No way I'm predicting a result in Cardiff today. I have real hope of a Scotland win.That scares me. As every Scotland fan will know, it's the hope that kills you in the end.

Likely to miss today’s games, can’t say I’m too upset, will be away from here till I’ve seen them to avoid spoilers.
Predictions:
Wales 18 Scotland 32
France 28 Ireland 22 ( too close to call really, if Ireland win is it the end of the road for Sexwee Jam Bucket?)

I'm pretty much dreading watching the Wales v Scotland game - I cannot see Wales winning this : (

It does surprise me however quite how confident Scotland's fans are. There doesn't appear to be a glimmer of doubt. It has never mattered how well Wales have been playing, most Wales fans always had the possibility of losing in the back of their minds. All the Scotland pundits I've heard speak this week are convinced Scotland will win. Several of my colleagues at work, who follow the rugby and go to watch the games at Murrayfield, are convinced Scotland will win by 30-40pts!

I think it's worth remembering that a lot of Scottish rugby fans aren't really big followers of the game.

I think the people who support Glasgow and Edinburgh and watch teams other than Scotland know that there is always a significant possibility of disaster for any Scotland team. The odds might be in Scotland's favour for this one but there is no way I would put money on it.

Whenever Scotland are ahead of Wales I always expect Shane Williams to jump out of a concealed bunker twenty metres from our try line, sidestep three players, and score the winning try*.

*Yes, I sometimes still wake up in the middle of the night thinking about 2010 in Cardiff.

Three of the squad are from the town and no one I've spoken to is confident and that includes Jim renwick.

I think it’s worth remembering that a lot of Scottish rugby fans aren’t really big followers of the game

Fair enough, I may have a skewed sample. Also, I guess there's nothing wrong with being confident, the Scotland team is strong and playing well as a team - they are justifiably favourites to win today. I guess if I was a Scotland fan I would be more like Brucewee - ie confident but wary. The grim thing is that I'm afraid they could bed proven right! 😱

I may have a skewed sample.

Actually, your sample may be more representative of people who are actually going to watching this match. Look at the weekly attendances for Glasgow and Edinburgh games and then look at the attendances at your average Scottish 6N game.

Also, I wouldn't say I was confident. Once we're into the 80th minute and are more than a converted try ahead, then I'll maybe allow myself to relax. But until then I'll be well aware of the possibility (or even probability) it'll all go completely tits up.

Or maybe we'll be three tries down at half time and I can open another beer and think to myself, yet again, there's always next year.

Also, I wouldn’t say I was confident. Once we’re into the 80th minute and are more than a converted try ahead, then I’ll maybe allow myself to relax. But until then I’ll be well aware of the possibility (or even probability) it’ll all go completely tits up.

Or maybe we’ll be three tries down at half time and I can open another beer and think to myself, yet again, there’s always next year.

I hear you! Well, one of us is going to have a good day - let's hope it's not you ; )

Yikes! Here we go

No way I’m predicting a result in Cardiff today. I have real hope of a Scotland win.That scares me. As every Scotland fan will know, it’s the hope that kills you in the end.

This.  I'm shitting myself.  Time for the pillow fort behind the sofa.  good luck everyone and hope its a good game

Great try.

Wtf is that flashing hoarding all about? Horrific, i won't be buying a Breitling watch now.

Cracking game.

An excellent match, about 1/2 time and evenstevens. Wales could do well here.

Good game

Wales have been giving Scotland easy yards in defence, improved slot in the last 15 minutes of the half.

Scotland looked dangerous in the first 15 minutes, seems to have gone in to themselves a bit.

Weather isn’t helping.

Arrggghhhhhhhhh

*hides*

Just end the game now and call it a draw - I can't take much more!

Scotland fading by the minute. Can't see it turning around unless Biggar going off completely turns it around.

Disagree with that yellow. The other hand was coming up.

Ah well, there's always next year.

And the contact with the prop changing the dynamic of Russell's hand and body movements

I think it was a yellow.

The penalty that led up to it was bullshit though.

Strange choice that given they'd already turned it down twice, and then had a place kick option coming anyway?

My nerves!!!

****ing red all day long.

Scotland find a way to lose it.

Phew!
Neither side deserved to lose that game!

Fun game for the neutral - I'm guessing a bit stressful if you are Welsh or Scottish

There was a camera crew conducting post match interviews on the field before that pen was taken 🙂

Brilliant game.

Basham was red card, ref bottled it.

Fair play to Wales, I thought they deserved to win.

Great game and Wales deserved to just edge it. Very frustrating (I'm Scottish) as I though this might be our GS year but not to be.

Well played Wales.

Well done Wales but utter shite from Scotland, tbh. Absolutely no threat in attack.

Fun game for the neutral – I’m guessing a bit stressful if you are Welsh or Scottish

Actually, I would have been ok with a Scotland win because I like them and want them to do well!

Arse

*sulks*

Fun game for the neutral – I’m guessing a bit stressful if you are Welsh or Scottish

I refer the right honourable gentleman to my post above

Struggling to see the wrap and arm first that the ref saw. Red yes but not as deliberately dangerous as loopy Liam sliding into D'Arcy after the try.

Wales deserved that, fought for everything

Very frustrating (I’m Scottish) as I though this might be our GS year but not to be.

I'm pleased Wales won, but part of me would have been happy to see Scotland win and make steps towards winning the competition. I hadn't realised they've not won their first two games in the 6Nations since it began - I guess aGrand Slam is a big ask.

C'mon France. A draw might be best though.

We always flatter to decieve it's an annoying trait. Wales got their game together still a few things to sort.
France are going to be hard to beat

That was quick