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Kyle Sinkler documentary - Against all Odds - in itv4 now (9pm)
Looks like Josh Navidi is back from injury, due to play for Cardiff v Ukster on Friday.
Be still my beating heart. Unapologetic man crush.
All credit to Ulster they have scored some lovely tries, especially Balacoune but how awful have Cardiff been, complete dross
Edinburgh give Connacht a stuffing - 50 pts. King Blairhorn starring at 10 and Henry Immellman at FB
Some beautiful tries
Great win for Scarlets, they played some good stuff second half
Yes good second half from Scarlets. Danny Wilson was right about Glasgow when he described their effort as diabolical.
Oops DvdM better take the good biscuits. Otherwise we'll be short on the wing.
Oops DvdM better take the good biscuits. Otherwise we’ll be short on the wing.
Didn’t take any biscuits. 3 week ban, can play again on the 25th March if he passes his disciplinary training.
Francis is picked for Wales despite falling over when he didn’t hurt his head. Player welfare means nothing then?
England squad.
I cannot understand why Adam Radwan isn't in there. I can't see us winning. I predict a low scoring slugfest, with Ireland by 7 or less.
15. Freddie Steward
14. Max Malins
13. Joe Marchant
12. Henry Slade
11. Jack Nowell
10. Marcus Smith
9. Harry Randall
1. Ellis Genge
2. Jamie George
3. Kyle Sinckler
4. Maro Itoje
5. Charlie Ewels
6. Courtney Lawes (C)
7. Tom Curry
8. Sam Simmonds
FINISHERS
16. Jamie Blamire
17. Joe Marler
18. Will Stuart
19. Joe Launchbury
20. Alex Dombrandt
21. Ben Youngs
22. George Ford
23. Elliot Daly
Apparently Ireland won't be able to live with England's physicality!?!
Yeah NZ are known for being a bit soft and fluffy right enough.
Nervous about Italy turning us over.
Could be worse next year with Italy possibly getting some very good players who are qualified too play for them.
Nervous about Italy turning us over.
Same here.
Although, like you say, I think next year is when we really have to start worrying about them.
Itoje a concern for tomorrow's game? Missed Fridays Captains run with 'illness' obviously would be a massive loss for England
EJ playg games
I can’t see Wales having much success tonight. However, I’m about to say a wee prayer.
Fingers well and truly crossed....can't see Navidi being up to speed, can't see the point of a lock at 6 and the centres are too slow...just don't see how Pivacs "game plan" fits with this selection.
Still maybe France won't show up! (Yeah right, Edwards would kill them)
Brown envelope full of notes and red cards?
😀
St Helens started the season strongly.
What a game so far!!!!
This is a proper game, have France for the nous to work this ou? finding myself cheering the leek wavers for the first time in a while 😁
This could be the World Cup final in 18 months time … 😏😂
Loving this, great game 😁
Am I watching a different game? Its been really poor IMO all kicking and whistle
Wales a massive underdog asking questions of one of the best French sides in a while, a good close ugly 6 nations game, it's just missing horrible weather to be a classic
Fair play France defended well, Wales just lacked the quality to get over the line.
They just deserved to nudge that, ugly beautiful game that
Arse. I was rooting for Wales.
Well done France. Compared with the Ireland game, Wales look a lot better.
Wales look so well drilled and prepared. someone in the backroom does a good job. they seem to get the tactics just right everytime.
Wales did well to disrupt France there and had a genuine opportunity to win - one dropped pass away perhaps
France the better side on their day but Wales didn't give them chance.
Wales should have won that.
That’s whetted my appetite for tomorrow’s games. They should both be just as exciting. I always like to support the underdog - anyone any idea who they are in tomorrow’s games? 😏
I hope England are as close to Ireland as Wales were to France
I see the Wales -France game likely being the same grind for England- France.
As for Ireland today, I'm predicting England 12, Ireland 20. Ireland are too good for England, and England don't have the guile to overcome that.
I always like to support the underdog – anyone any idea who they are in tomorrow’s games? 😏
England and Scotland? i am rather concerned as there clearly is something very wrong in the scotland camp. What I do not know but their prep for the Welsh game was so obviously wrong and they never managed to play their game at all
My suspicion is townsend does not get the team in the right mindset and they team do not believe in the tactics
TJ why? It's been thus for as long as I can remember. We have a stonker and every bloody expert tells us it is the dawning of a new era. Then we lose to everyone including the tacklebags.
We'll make hard work of Italy but should beat them (this year).
Russell is still our best option but Italy will be out patrolling for those long passes.
Problem is he's too influential to how we play.
I have been following Scotland for 40 years. this is by far the best players we have had in that time. Our potential is 4th in the world I would say. we are playing so much below our potential at times. Russell looked so out of sorts against Wales. As soon as i saw his face I knew we would lose.
We are hardly back to the level we were playing under Stern Vern. Much more consistency then and up to 4th in the rankings ( or 5th?) Now with players with 4 years more experience and some great youngsters we are playing worse.
There is clearly something not right with the team - what I do not know
Ranking is a funny one though, when Scotland were 5th I think it was 2017?
At the time England 2nd and Ireland 4th. It was kind of a SH collapse.
March 2017
1) NZ
2) Eng
3) Aus
4) Ire
5) Sco
6) SA
7) Wal
8) Fra
9) Arg
10) Fij
Yup - 2017. We had beaten every top 8 team in the couple of years before that bar NZ and we ran NZ close
Our players are now better and more experienced than then - and its been downhill since we got rid of Stern Vern
I don't think so at all.
6N might be a better measure
21 4th
20 4th
19 5th
18 3rd Townsend
17 4th Cotter
16 4th
15 6th
14 5th Scott Johsnosn? Who t F is he?
I don’t think Townsend is doing a bad job at all.
something is badly wrong in the scotland camp - surely you agree with that? inconsitency, unhappy players, points to something wrong
It would be interesting to swap the welsh coaching team for the scots because the welsh seem to me to be the best prepared team in the competition
You can't expect an England supporter to agree.
You have been pretty good. You've got a tiny pool of players, half them are outside of your agreements for internationals, you've got no money, and most of Scotland prefer footy.
However. I'm not going to give you any more freebies. I'm happy to let you wallow now. Yeah, you are screwed, suffer.
Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!
Wales must be kicking themselves, especially Jonathan Davies......... If I could have picked any player to hold onto that inside pass he would be right up there.
It would be interesting to swap the welsh coaching team for the scots because the welsh seem to me to be the best prepared team in the competition
Ireland I’d have thought. France too, but they still rely somewhat on having class players throughout their team.
Tj, how on Earth do you propose that Scotland are the 4th best team in the World??? Generously, it might be reasonable to claim Scotland are on a par with Wales (along with perhaps Fiji, Japan and Argentina) - but surely NZ, SA, France, Ireland, Australia and likely England are ahead?
It's funny really, the way I see it Wales and Scotland have similar but opposite problems at outside half. Bigger was outstanding last night, sheer bloody will to win, great decision making, kicked superbly, defended like a demon, I pure luves him. But he's also our biggest problem, with him at 10 (ignoring Hardy who was shit at 9) we create very little, its why Anscombe pre injury was so well thought of. Bigger is one of our best players but also our biggest problem. If only Patchel could stay fit for a year or two.
For Scotland you have the same issue with Russell but in reverse....well that and the players are never quite as good as everyone thinks they are, or could be or might be if the stars align.
Tj, how on Earth do you propose that Scotland are the 4th best team in the World???
I didn't. I said thats their potential. Currently we are 9th and thats where we belong playing as we have been
It would be interesting to swap the welsh coaching team for the scots because the welsh seem to me to be the best prepared team in the competition
Yes please, where do I sign, Pivac is shit!!!
I'd agree something is wrong. But not all down to toonie, although as head coach he takes ultimate responsibility.
There are two teams on the pitch and we let beating England cloud our thinking, part management part players, part pundits blowing smoke up their arse (looking at you Hastings).
We've got players spread to the 4 winds and playing/training with clubs when others have their squads cloistered and focussed.
And that 2017 season England put 60 past us.
2018 we beat England and France. Then almost get turned over by Italy. It's a lack of focus but it's the Scottish disease.
Biggar has been superb this year or two. Thats why I had him as my lions 10. Yes he plays a limited game but he plays it so well
Yes please, where do I sign, Pivac is shit!!!
He ( or someone on the staff) is doing a superb job prepping Wales. Look how well they knocked France out of their stride and came within one catch of winning the game despite producing so little go forward ball and so few scoring chances
Jonathan Davies I'm surprised he wasn't HIA'd took a bang to the head then one to the face. Both left him shaking his head.
Tj, how on Earth do you propose that Scotland are the 4th best team in the World???
I think he meant we have the individual pieces to make the 4th best team in the world.
However, the way those pieces are currently assembled we're lucky if we're in the top 8.
Not sure if I entirely agree but there does seem to be something amiss in the Scotland camp at the moment. Or maybe it's just Hogg and Russell have had two mediocre games in a row and we're all pressing the panic button prematurely.
Guess we'll find out in a few hours if it really is time to hit the panic button or not.
Yup - thats it Bruce
Hogg is fast becoming one dimensional. Catch, arcing run, hitch kick, tackled turned over. There's no denying his passion and he may well be a good leader but he needs a bit more.
Pin Italy back make them run into a defensive line attack when we can. But play it canny move their big lads around. Let them drift up the pitch before pinning them back.
Reckon today's back row could be devastating or carded, probably for offences against themselves.
If only Patchel could stay fit for a year or two.
So much this! And Biggar is a god, but Wales have so much more potential, from what I see, when they can play Biggar&someone or someone&Biggar 50min/30min.
It would be interesting to swap the welsh coaching team for the scots because the welsh seem to me to be the best prepared team in the competition
Yes please, where do I sign, Pivac is shit!!!
Pivac has yet to convince me, too. Also, I don’t think I can take to him as a person. His man management style is irritating. I also wonder how good a job Stephen Jones is doing?
Ps I wouldn’t want Townsend either. However, I’d take either over Eddie Jones!
I think Biggar is probably the best Lions 10 currently - much as I hate to say it, as he's an annoying whingedbag!!
Tj, how on Earth do you propose that Scotland are the 4th best team in the World???
I didn’t. I said thats their potential. Currently we are 9th and thats where we belong playing as we have been
Sorry, I misunderstood.
Quick check: Scotland 7th, Wales 8th following yesterday’s result.
He'll be overtaken by Smith on current form by the time the next tour occurs. As long as EJ doesn't limit him.
Coaching for scotland is always going to be an issue as it will never be a top job. this leaves us with a choice of a young ambitious coach who will use it as a st4epping stone, someone towards the end of their career or a second rate coach. If we get a good coach who is also a patriotic scot then we might get a first rank coach at the top of their game
townsends bluff should have been called and he should have spent these last few years learning his trade at clubs not the Scotland team.
I think Biggar is probably the best Lions 10 currently – much as I hate to say it, as he’s an annoying whingedbag!!
Yup - he does tend to make me laugh rather than angry tho and he seems to have toned it down a bit!
What do you reckon chaps - do I need to build my pillow fort behind the sofa for todays game or can I watch it sitting on the sofa?
A quick search gives:
Gregor Townsend earns a salary estimated to be £480,000
What do you reckon chaps – do I need to build my pillow fort behind the sofa for todays game or can I watch it sitting on the sofa?
I think you can safely start watching, sitting comfortably on the sofa. But, pull it out should you need to dive behind. Italy have played some entertaining rugby, but have a few too many weaknesses to beat a composed Scotland. However, should a flakey Scotland turn up - who knows.
Scotland should easily take Italy.
I think at the highest level a controlling 10 is more important than a maverick. I enjoy watching Smith & Russell play, but Bigger has a better overall impact on the game.
You are making a fair case for Farrell.
Scotland should easily take Italy.
Makes careful note of exactly who to blame when it all goes tits up.
Scotland should easily take Italy.
Makes careful note of exactly who to blame when it all goes tits up
😂
The Sun is always dazzling in Rome, even on the tv, they need a huge shade.
Luke Pierce as ref. Thats good. I rate him
Makes careful note of exactly who to blame when it all goes tits up.
Thats Ok, I'm supporting Italy anyway. 🤣🤣🤣
Anyone but Scotland?🙄😀
Damn!
Lovely break though.
Anyone but Scotland?
No, just that I generally support Italy as long as they are not playing us, they need some love.
Just a jest.
I tend to agree with the sentiment
Italy have so, so deserved that try!
How they keep their determination, despite not having won a game for forever, is very admirable.
Really good from italy
Catching up from last night. I watched the Wales / France game early hours after being out-out.
Wales played a brilliant strategy of discombobulating France. After the France try I thought Wales would be in for a hiding. But Biggar is playing the best rugby of his career. His tactical kicking from hand was superb. One dropped pass was the difference.
The case for Farrell up there ^^^^. Biggar is two dimensional, very limited as an attacking 10. Farrell has one, kick it away aimlessly.
Italy are up for a proper game here.
Yes
The wee man again. Great score
Ali Price having a very good game.
How was that not forward?
Ball was passed from behind the line and was caught in front of the line!