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Thanks AA,
I followed up by reading Nigel Owens in the Torygraph, interesting analysis even if it is Irish TV 🙂
Wales: McNicholl; Rees-Zammit, Watkin, Halaholo, Adams; Biggar (capt), G Davies; Thomas, Lake, Lewis, Beard, AW Jones, S Davies, Navidi, Faletau.
Replacements: Roberts, W Jones, L Brown, Rowlands, Moriarty, Hardy, Sheedy, Tompkins
What is the point in picking AWJ?! FFS Rowlands has played his guts out this season and AWJ comes. Back in with no game time.
interesting analysis even if it is Irish TV
Yeah the overhead views when slowed down are illuminating usually
I wondered if he’s about to announce his retirement and they’re giving him one last run out, maybe?
I wondered if he’s about to announce his retirement and they’re giving him one last run out, maybe?
If that were the case he'd be on the bench wouldn't he?
I like awj and I get he's a leader like poc but for his own good bench him. I rather a cameo 10 minutes at the end than broken 10 minutes in.
Interesting piece on some perhaps flawed research on head injuries
Yeah, fair points both. I dunno, I was just guessing really. I suppose he might see Italy as not a high risk game, final one of the 6N, wants to have one last full game, etc etc. I mean, he may not be retiring at all - who knows.
The noise around AWJ is that he’s going to the 2023 World Cup. But then a lot of that is coming from Pivac.
Could be a bluff, double bluff, spin around, stand on your head bluff. Don’t know.
If he is planning on playing on then it seems a stupid move, get him 100% fit then wrap him in cotton wool until the World Cup. Don’t risk ending his career through injury against Italy, especially since Rowlands and Beard are now looking like a settled partnership.
Oh for sure, if he’s going to RWC2023, no way he should risk this game.
Starter rather than sub, Think it's so they can clap him off as last six Nations game
Of the 6 coaches (and their chosen entourage) in this years 6N, which one would you most like to have for your country and why, you can stick or twist.
I'm going for Townsend for England. I think, other than Italy, Scotland has the smallest pool of talent, is hamstrung by players outside Scotland, has less resource, and yet he has managed to do a great job with what he has. To be fair I'd probs pick any of the other 5 over Jones right now, I'm seriously unconvinced. The fact that we were all impressed with Englands fight last Sat was really down to them being forced to think for themselves rather than following the plan, and it made them all the better for it. So I kind of see that as less Jones influence. I am bound to be uttterly wrong about this.
Id have the wales coaching team. they are the best prepared team for their opposition Or maybe the irish
You are welcome to Townsend. Scotland have underperformed under him and something is clearly off in the camp. I do not rate him at all as a head coach. he is still learning his craft and it shows. No way has he done a great job
I'd say I was basing that on the fact the you beat us pretty well. Scotland 100% were prepared for England and knew exactly how to sort out our game. I think England played well in he circumstances, but Scotland had a plan and it worked nicely.
Shaun Edwards. What were the WRU thinking? Just give the guy what he wants. As for head coach. Not sure.
I'm pretty happy with Andy Farrell as our coach but Shaun Edwards would definitely add something as defense coach to any set-up
I see your point fivepluseight
Trouble is beating england and italy just is not good enough. Its all a bit odd tho. We have englands number, wales and ireland have ours
I agree EJ is not great - I actually think he and townsend have a bit in common as they are reacting to the previous game not creating for the current one.
also Scots players do not need to be motivated to play england but in the games since have looked really lacklustre. For that I blame Townsend
its almost as if the England game is the only one every0ne ids properly prepared for
Townsend has also made some huge selection clangers
We have two teams playing well below their potential - England and Scotland and one - Wales making 110% out of what they have. Thats why I think the welsh coaching team are doing something right
Ewels got 2 weeks if he does a 1hr online course.So out for as long as Ryan probably as he failed his HIA so has to do the return to play protocols,that's some quality biscuitage from the supposedly skint RFU.
Wales making 110% out of what they have. Thats why I think the welsh coaching team are doing something right
I think thats Wales all over. They don't need Pivac to do that. Theyve been doing it for the last 10 years at least..
its almost as if the England game is the only one every0ne ids properly prepared for
Ummm... Ahhh...
The problem with Pivac is the available players do not fit the attacking plan he has imposed, that's why I don't rate him. He has the team play a fancy Dan wide pod system where a carrier goes into contact with one clearing support player to get fast ruck ball and spread it wide. This is not working on a number of levels, first of all our clear number one ten is not designed to play a wide game he just doesn't have the skill set behind him Anscombe is a shadow of his former self and Sheedy is strictly medium paced at the top level. In addition to get quick ruck ball with just one player clearing we need big ball carriers to smash it up...we have none, NADA not one, that's why we often arse about going backwards and then get turned over, and by often I mean ALL THE BLOODY TIME!!
We should be kicking the leather off the ball and then defending like demons until we get a chance in the opposition's 22 and then switch to fancy attacking. Not arsing about in the middle of the park and getting turned over or pinged for holding on.
Ireland are the best coaches team, if not a bit over coached and lacking imagination. England are well drilled up front but lack any overall game plan development, Scotland are outstanding one week when it all comes off and then shite the next when it doesn't, you can't have a game plan built around an outstanding on his day ten and fifteen because when it's not there day it all goes to rat shit. No foundations, all fur coat and no knickers. Italy, well who knows, tough gig.
Today’s Rugby Union Daily from the Beeb, “The One About France” is a good listen on how France have turned the international side around since the worst of their club v country days. Interesting stuff.
French squad announced. Sorry DD and others.I am capitulating in advance on behalf of England. I predict a no bonus point loss. Wales to 3rd, and then some kind of bunfight with Scotland and England for 4th 5th, probs Scotland coming out on top.
Oh well time to start fantasising about beating Oz in the summer.
I’d take a championship, but I wouldn’t have any problem with a France Grand Slam. The rest of us don’t have to put up with them rubbing our faces in it. 😀
The rest of us don’t have to put up with them rubbing our faces in it.
This is true. Always less painful.
World's greatest 10 dropped
Scotland: Hogg; Graham, Harris, Johnson, Steyn; Kinghorn, Price; M Fagerson, Watson, Darge; Gilchrist, J Gray; Z Fagerson, Turner, Schoeman.
Replacements: Brown, Dell, Nel, Skinner, Bayliss, White, Russell, Bennett
A Scottish mate is relaying gossip that there is ongoing war between Russell and Townsend and that apparently he deliberatly plays crap when he is having a barney with him. Sounds like an excuse for his mercurial performance to me, but it is fair to say that he seemed to be jogging around the pitch vs Italy. Scotland looked almost struggling to put it together at times. I'm still calling bollocks, but it is an interesting take.
Looking forward to Saturday.
Scarlets prop Samson Lee has flown back to the UK from South Africa after rupturing an Achilles tendon in training.
The 45-cap Wales forward will see a specialist on his return to establish a management plan for the injury.
This is such sad news he was looking like he would be a top class international tighthead when he first did this, got rushed back for the World Cup and then just never reached his best again, so sad.
Just seen the England selection, Young's back in, Steward to Wing, Firbank to 15 and Sinker to bench. Clearly a plan to kick the leather off the ball. Are the Ingerland fans happy with that selection?
Makes no sense. If England want to play big wings then there's plenty to pick from. Firbank is a fairly good player but steward has been a better 15.
Totally agree, Steward the better 15. Youngs I guess for experience, but hoping it's not (it will be) a box-kick fest.. Giving the French backline an invitation to run at them, and they'll be hoping with more success that against Wales. Sinckler shouldn't be playing IMO, knocked out in the last game, give the lad chance to recover properly.
Steward also seems to have a few issues in defence against a smaller mobile wing.
I guess it'll be bomb/box kick with steward on the chase to pressure the french 15 who can struggle under the high ball.
Depends on kick being right.
Scarlets with a few issues in defence tonight as well!!
Six players breaking the rules it does look as if all is not well in the Scotland camp
https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/international/six-scotland-players-disciplined-after-leaving-team-hotel-to-visit-edinburgh-bar-1.4830605
I know I posted the gossip but going to the pub is hardly a sign of discord...
Not exactly a ringing endorsement of Townsends authority either.
It doesn't take much searching to find the lads going for beers against team orders. Hardly discord
Although knowing of Hogg it would be what he'd do because, well, he's Stuart Hogg.
Glasgow 30 - Edinburgh 17. My son and his Irish wife live in Edinburgh. I will be able to take the piss tomorrow, at least until the match starts
Damn; beaten to it!
Teej; getitrightupyou.
AWJ 👏
This is why Pivac is shit.. lots of nice arsing about coast to coast and no end result!
Deleted as I don't want to detract from a great Italy victory!
Forza Italia!!!
Can we swap coaches now TJ
Italia! ITALIA!
Pleased for them.
Excellent!! Well done Italy. I thought last week their full back was lively.
Completely deserved.
Well done Italy
Well done Italy, dear God how bad were we, well done Italy.
That useless mulleted hooker chasing the winger is ****ing hilarious!
"****ing great try" 😃😃😃😃😃😃
Gormless choices being compounded by abysmal execution meant we left them in the game. Really well taken try to win it though.
Josh Adams, I'm sorry, but he was an arse in the last few minutes, in fact I'm sure he also dived over a ruck in the first half and slapped the ball down.
The kick chase from Italy was immense. Prop first ma there from a break showed immense heart, then guess who sealing off for a penalty, actually how did he get man of the match? One tackle one try.
dear God how bad were we, well done Italy.
Funny thing is Wales had enough ball to smash them but just ****ed about going left or right. Usually when Wales lose to Italy or Fiji or even ****ing Romania our scrum or lineout collapse but that was a game they could have won!
That useless mulleted hooker chasing the winger is **** hilarious!
Brian Kilcline?
Josh Adams, I’m sorry, but he was an arse in the last few minutes
On the other hand he just gave his MOM medal to the Italy 15
I just watched Josh Adam’s give his MOtM medal to the young Italian FB, mouthing - this should be yours, you deserve it, well played. That’s class.
Well I take that back. (Took dog for a pee). Nice thing to do well done him.
Wales shouldn’t forget that they are still reigning champions. Ok, not had a great year, but they still have a lot of class.
Italy have always had a good performance in them, and the reality of the 6N is these days, you don’t perform, you lose.
Ireland v Scotland game has started frantically.
3 away win games today, would make for great tv!
If Scotland are smart they'll let Ireland get hands on the ball in the rucks. So far every one has had hands on the floor past the ball.
This is not going well, need a much better second half of we want to win. We look dangerous when we're running but line outs and kicking not going well.
It's the Wayne Barnes show thus far.
Mmmm I'm going to be biased but Scotland not getting the run of the green, apart from arguably the leading arm.
Line outs and penalties, never going ot win playing like we have.
Italy game is the best thing I have seen for a very very long time.
The Ireland game was good, a bit predictable.
Anyway with that BP Ireland up to 21. So England just need to win, even if France get losers BP and 4 try BP they will be stuck on 20.
And for England they just need 1 losers BP or a 4 try BP to go 3rd. Even if they beat France, they will still be 3rd.
I hope Gregor had his jotter and pens out today, he was given a lesson there....
And for England they just need 1 losers BP or a 4 try BP to go 3rd. Even if they beat France, they will still be 3rd.
Actually we are third now on PD with Scotland, so I think unless we lose by 38 points or more, then no matter what we do, we are 3rd.
Passing practice on Monday Mr Hogg.
That was 7 points for 14-12 that went begging.
Josh Adams got man of match before Italy,s finish. On BBC twitter it says he handed the award to an Italian.
I’ve never taken to Pivac and I’d not be upset if he was sent packing. But, who would be a suitable replacement?
Eddie Jones?
Lyn Jones?
… just kidding about Eddie obv 😂
What!?! I think they got that wrong , anything from a red to a penalty but not against France.
England in for a thrashing here.
Been up the hills; have I missed anything? This is a cracking game apart from the terrible commentary. That pump pass inside for France...oh la la! Must be crap to be Genge tonight. "So Ellis, when you aren't scrummaging a 24 stone frenchman, I want you to run back 30m and then be first carrier." England are hanging on and France will go off the boil.
Youngs needs to come off.
Underhill can tackle properly.
England are going to lose.
France will go off the boil.
I do hope so.
Jaco being a bit generous, looks like he wants them to play. Just as well it isn't Mr Adamson we'd still be analysing the kick-off.
We all know France can implode at any point.
The only thing stopping them is their fear of Shaun Edwards
To be fair, Daly has been excellent so far. After a shit 6N he has raised it.
Telt yous!
Good game this.
Absolutely brutal