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CaptainFlashheart - MemberFlooring? It's all heated wing mirror luxury for the flooring set, donchaknow.
CFH, you may be the person to ask a question that's bugged me for a while..
If you have underfloor heating (and presumably no radiators?) where do you dry your damp undies when your tumble drier blows up? 🙂
I think the Welsh need to be realistic about maintaining 4 teams. Reducing the pro teams to 3 with two main teams and one development team would probably be good for the clubs that remain but bad for Wales. Scotland is really struggling because there simply aren't enough spots for players to get experience at pro level, especially at scrum half and stand off.
Saying that, I think that Edinburgh's performances this season show that it takes more than a cash injection to improve a team. I would rather see the budgets of Glasgow and Edinburgh reduced and the money used to set up a third development team, possibly based in the Aberdeen area.
On an unrelated note, I'm developing a serious man-crush on Nico Matawalu. Just think how awesome he's going to be when he learns to decipher the Glasgow accent 🙂
Edinburghs issue this season has been a number of players egos getting in the way of catching/passing/tackling. One seasons Heine cup and they think they are rugby royalty.
I am not convinced a third team is the way forward it failed previously. Realistic expectations would be better. We do not have the numbers playing the game i think Murrayfield holds twice as many folk as actually play in Scotland
Edit: Scotland also have a history of producing decent 9s and backrows but it is rare we manage to get a full team of quality players. Our centre choices at present are not great.
The welsh regions need good coaches first and foremost.
His ad really should just say, "POTATO! SANDWICH! POTATO!" instead, though! (One for DD if he's reading! )
Oi! Racialist! 😀
[url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/21146295 ]Aww, diddums. Hope it hurts. And ends your career. [/url]
CFH, you may be the person to ask a question that's bugged me for a while..If you have underfloor heating (and presumably no radiators?) where do you dry your damp undies when your tumble drier blows up?
Double ewe tee eff?
Duckman, sorry!
[b][i]POTATO![/i][/b]
😉
😆 Sorry, OT!
A coincidence - I popped in to see a friend who runs a LBS in the centre of town and we were talking about 29ers.
He then went on to say that Colin Charvis has been in a few times sizing up a 29er Giant ready to do the Cape Epic. I saw that he rode MTBs years ago, when he first moved down here but wasn't aware that he takes it seriously enough to ride that.
The large 29er looks like a 26er under him..
Well said on Clark CFH, bit of Karma maybe.
So first round of games?
Wales v Ireland...... Close call, irelands lineout to win it.
England v Scotland.... Hard to see how scotland can win.
France should beat italy home or away... Not sure where its being played.
Scott Johnson : [i]So England have some injury problems? That's a sad story. I guess it only leaves them with another 40,000 players to pick from.[/i] 🙂
And Khan Fotuali'i is being targeted by all sorts of teams but the main rumour is that he'll go to Northampton.
6N fantasy league if anyone fancys it again this year.
League name is: STW 2013
PIN: 27578
http://espnscrum.fantasyleague.com/Index.aspx
England are really going to miss Corbisero....he really sorted the scrum when he came back in the Autumn.
And Khan Fotuali'i is being targeted by all sorts of teams but the main rumour is that he'll go to Northampton.
Confirmed now.
Vunipola is stronger in the scrum than Marler, which could be needed if Youngs is at hooker.
8 week ban for Delon's tip tackle, wonder how Rolland was so sure it was a yellow after reddingour hero Sam in the world cup.... frothing I am frothing.
He determined that the act was in the mid range of the IRB's sanctioning regime (8 weeks) and in line with the IRB's memorandum on deterring tip tackles and taking into account the player's previous disciplinary record, he added a further two weeks.
Due to Armitage's remorse and his good conduct during the hearing, the Judicial Officer then deducted two weeks before imposing a suspension of eight (8) weeks.
'I'm sorry I'm a ****, would you care for a biscuit?'
Confirmed now.
🙁 Bugger.
Well my mercenary comment has well and truly bitten me on my fat props arse. Sexton has not renewed his IRFU contract.....
The Irish Rugby Football Union has been informed that Jonathan Sexton will not be renewing his contract to remain playing full-time in Ireland from the end of this season.
Philip Browne, IRFU Chief Executive, said: "We are very disappointed, as we know the Irish rugby public will be, that Jonathan Sexton will not be playing his rugby full-time in Ireland from next season.
"Johnny is a major talent and his full-time presence in Ireland will be missed, particularly by Leinster.
"We wish Johnny continued success with his career and he will receive all the support he needs over the next number of weeks in what we know was a very difficult decision for him.
"While we remained in the fight right up until the last possible moment to keep Johnny in Ireland with a very strong offer, ultimately, following negotiations with the player's agent, we had no option but to take the decision that it would not be in the best interest of Irish rugby to chase the reported financial incentives being offered.
"The IRFU has made a commitment to, and been largely successful in, keeping as many Irish players as possible playing full time in Ireland.
"However, we have always recognised that some of our players will be targeted by overseas clubs with offers which, quite simply, are not within our orbit.
"While Johnny has made the decision to move on to a new club, the IRFU is fully committed, together with the provinces, to maintaining its programme of nurturing and retaining Irish rugby talent.
"We feel that the benefits of the careful and considered management of those players will allow us to maintain this policy."
Leinster head coach Joe Schmidt said: "Naturally, I'm disappointed. I've really enjoyed Johnny's input over the last few years and he has added tremendous value to the Leinster environment both on and off the field.
"The offer he has received is exceptional, even by French standards, but I know that it was still a tough decision for him."
As a non Leinster Irish fan I say good luck to him, Racing have so many players you get a fair amount of rotation, it will also bring on his current understudy Madigan who could turn out to be a very good player in his own right so it could end up being good for Ireland.
Racing have so many players you get a fair amount of rotation,
I'm beginning to despise Racing (and Toulon) who seem to think that if they don't win anything they'll just buy all the best players until they do. Call me old fashioned but I don't like it!
anagallis_arvensis - Member
Kohn I play for Wales?. Is he any good?
Maybe I'm being unfair but my gut reaction would be that he's a 31 year old player who gas never been on the radar before so he can't be that good....
As always I hope I'm wrong.
Maybe I'm being unfair but my gut reaction would be that he's a 31 year old player who gas never been on the radar before so he can't be that good....
He's ok. 6ft7 and 21 stone. Starting in one of the best teams in the country right now. He may not be as good as Davis but with all of the injuries Wales have, he's not exactly shit.
but with all of the injuries Wales have, he's not exactly shit.
Ha, I did delete a paragraph mentioning something like this! 🙂
So Tuilagi out of Scotland game, it will seriously weaken their attacking options but they should still have far too much for Scotland.
Wales to delay naming team until they have calculated how many ambulances they will need to drop off the injured players prior to kick off. Ian Evans is our last hope for the lineout and he hasnt played since the autumn so he is going to be way off the pace.
If we can get this type of commitment from the rest of the team and consistently then we can avoid the drop
[url=
Having said that Grey was passed fit but chose to sit the game out to focus on the 6Nwhich I find disappointing.
Having said that Grey was passed fit but chose to sit the game out to focus on the 6Nwhich I find disappointing
Chose? CHOSE???
He should be reminded who pays his wages.
Its the LV Cup! No one gives a shit and if your facing relegation it would be wise to rest the entire first 15!!!
Well the same could be said of Scotland, I mean its not as if it will make a difference on Saturday is it?
Shocking arrogance from the englanders as usual 😉
Dont think he was missed. Buckley had a good game and thats saying something!
Shocking arrogance from the englanders as usual
Plural?
I like to tar all of them with the same brush... 😉
Corbisero to miss whole tournament too. Thats a blow, Vunipola is still quite raw but does look very promising, not sure I rate Marler but dont watch much Aviva.
Having said that Grey was passed fit but chose to sit the game out to focus on the 6Nwhich I find disappointing
Steve Diamond was interviewed before the game and said Grey had returned form Scotland training injured...or am I being naive?
If youngs is at hooker, vunipola. If Hartley, marler will be ok.
Youngs has had problems holding the front row in and needs strong props. As Corbs is out we really need Hartley to start. Manu is a blow but I'm looking forward to seeing 36 play.
On another note, it seems that kohn is very highly rated. Quiet, nails and industrious so it seems. Is Samson likely to get a game?
Not sure Samson is in the squad as Adam is fit ( ish looks like he carrying a knee injury) and so is Mitchel. . I reckon Kohn many start as Ian Evans hasnt played since the autumn and Ryan Jones is needed at Six as Lydiate is out. Or we need a big lump to compensate for playing Warburton at Six and Tipuric st 7. Putting ian evans and Kohn behind Adam Hibbard and James could put the irish under real pressure when scrumaging.
Steve Diamond was interviewed before the game and said Grey had returned form Scotland training injured...or am I being naive?
Just going by this in the Scotsman.
[url= http://www.scotsman.com/sport/rugby/top-rugby-stories/scotland-s-richie-gray-rested-ahead-of-six-nations-1-2760274 ]Richie Gray[/url]
Scotland: Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors), Sean Maitland (Glasgow Warriors), Sean Lamont (Glasgow Warriors), Matt Scott (Edinburgh), Tim Visser (Edinburgh), Ruaridh Jackson (Glasgow Warriors), Greig Laidlaw (Edinburgh); Ryan Grant (Glasgow Warriors), Dougie Hall (Glasgow Warriors), Euan Murray (Worcester Warriors), Richie Gray (Sale Sharks), Jim Hamilton (Gloucester), Alasdair Strokosch (Perpignan), Kelly Brown (captain, Saracens), Johnnie Beattie (Montpellier).Replacements: Ross Ford (Edinburgh), Moray Low (Glasgow Warriors), Geoff Cross (Edinburgh), Alastair Kellock (Glasgow Warriors), David Denton (Edinburgh), Henry Pyrgos (Glasgow Warriors), Duncan Weir (Glasgow Warriors), Max Evans (Castres)
Not considered due to injury: Peter Horne, Chris Cusiter, Chris Fusaro (Glasgow Warriors), Ross Rennie (Edinburgh Rugby), Scott Lawson (London Irish)
http://www.espnscrum.com/six-nations-2013/rugby/story/176209.html
Maitland debut hat-trick?
Jim Telfer is right you know 😆
Jim Telfer is right you know
It's a crying shame when people you respect expose themselves as asshats.
Given the importance of momentum in the 6N, isn't the current process a little unfair? (apologies upfront as I haven't thought this through properly and I am about to make a slightly offensive (for some) assumption 😉 ). But let's assume the odds are right and the winner is most likely to come from France, Wales, Ireland or England (very happy to eat humble haggis if necessary on Saturday - deep fried with ketchup and chips preferably!). The fact that Wales and Ireland play each other first puts them at a disadvantage to France and England. Wales in particularly seem to have been a momentum side recently, so that first match is crucial.
Probably not being very clear here, but looks like a slightly unfair draw for Wales and Ireland?
Ireland Team:
Kearney
Gilroy
BOD
Darcy
Zebo
Sexton
Murray
Healy
Best
Ross
McCarthy
Ryan
O'Mahony
SOB
Heaslip
Can't believe he has brough SOB in at 7 instead of Chris Henry. Henry has been one of the standout players in Europe this season and would be a much better fetcher against Wales. Worried
Telfer is spouting some crap in that piece. Wales are surely one of if not the fittest team in the 6N, that doesn't come by accident.
Telfer also laid into England's Six Nations rivals Wales saying: "Wales is not an easy country to coach because, basically, the Welsh are lazy.
Asshat.
thm, It's never a completely "fair" tournament with 2 home/3 home game splits, but it's as good as it gets. Beat the team you're playing then move on to the next game.
TBH, I quite like the look of Ireland's fixture's this year even though there's only two homes , and not bothered in the slightest about playing Wales "first", got to play them all anyway. Like having England and France in Ireland, best chance of a win even if it is a bit "all or bust".
I soon realised that loum (ie never completely fair) and dont know what the answer is? Intriguing question though for England/France this time and others theoreticallly? For a first match would you prefer Scotland at home or Italy away. Much more obvious the other way round!
Pretty happy with that Scotland team. Johnson appears, for the most part, to have picked on form and not reputation and we even have a bit of pace in the backline...now if only they can catch and pass.
Good to see Zebo and Gilroy in the Ireland team as well. Despite being Scottish i am looking forward to this 6N lots of good attacking players around just now.
As for Telfers comments, as an Edinburgh supporter what he has said of the Welsh is pretty much what i have witnessed at Edinburgh this season, decent Heine cup run last year and some players think they only need turn up. We really need to get our game sorted before pointing out others flaws.
Can't help but think that there might be a slight out of context issue with Telfer's comments. This especially:
says to me that there is more to it since it's so bizzare and contradictory.Coaching them, playing against and with them, I realised they had reached the top because they were the cream and had not necessarily worked all that hard to get there. Wales do produce very good rugby players.
Welsh press trying to get the team and fans pissed off and fired up or Telfer losing his marbles?
Telfer was talking to the Daily Mail originally. Is balance and context ther cornerstone of their reporting 😉
Telfer was talking to the Daily Mail originally
I didn't know that. Target audience and all that, eh?
He sounds like a typical reader.
Telfer also laid into England's Six Nations rivals Wales saying: "Wales is not an easy country to coach because, basically, the Welsh are lazy.
fixed it for Jim:
Telfer also laid into England's Six Nations rivals [s]Wales[/s] Scotland saying: "[s]Wales [/s]Scotlandis not an easy country to coach because, basically, the [s]Welsh[/s] Scottish are [s]lazy[/s] shit.
Ireland intrigue me this season as their backs look stronger than their pack.
Coaching them, playing against and with them, I realised they had reached the top because they were the cream and had not necessarily worked all that hard to get there. Wales do produce very good rugby players.
fixed it for Jim:
Coaching them, playing against and with them, I realised they had reached the top because they [s]were the cream and had not necessarily worked all that hard to get there[/s] cheat. Wales do produce very good rugby players.
A_A Scotland are not sh1t. We just look it because all the grease on our fingers from the deep fried salads makes it hard to catch a ball, hang on to a tackle etc. Saying it before someone else does 😉
Besides if last years BBC blog stats are to be believed, Scotland are pretty decent.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/tomfordyce/2012/01/why_scotland_are_better_than_e.html
Joking apart that Scotland pack looks strong and could well cause england problems
Stop believing all the shite spouted on here, the 6 nations defies prediction based on form, especially Wales. There is all kind of possibles and could well do's, most people on here just use the forum as as a vehicle to be one eyed and try to piss off their favourite enemy.
Yeah joking aside I am pretty happy with scotland team and i think most of the matches will be close.
However I think France may just do the slam this year they have the potential to have one of the great backlines with fofana, fickou, michalak, buttin, parra, bastareaud...the list goes on and their forwards are not to shabby either.
Stop believing all the shite spouted on here, the 6 nations defies prediction based on form, especially Wales. There is all kind of possibles and could well do's, most people on here just use the forum as as a vehicle to be one eyed and try to piss off their favourite enemy.
How wrong you are. Its quite sad for you. Most here enjoy the endless debate and piss taking and dont take it too seriously.
the 6 nations defies prediction based on form, especially Wales.
the 6N rarely defies predictions based on form*, other than throwing up the odd result like Italy beating Wales (repeatedly! 🙄 )
But if you mean based on form as seen by the normal 6N viewer who watches no rugby at all through the year apart from the 6N and expects England or France to romp it [i]just because[/i], or Wales to sneak it because they did last year, take breath, then you might be right. 🙂
*England squad:**Forwards (13):* Dan Cole, Dylan Hartley, James Haskell, Joe Launchbury, Courtney Lawes, Joe Marler, Ben Morgan, Geoff Parling, Chris Robshaw, Mako Vunipola, David Wilson, Tom Wood, Tom Youngs,
*Backs (10):* Chris Ashton, Brad Barritt, Mike Brown, Danny Care, Owen Farrell, Toby Flood, Alex Goode, David Strettle, Billy Twelvetrees, Ben Youngs.
"Players released:" Mouritz Botha, Lee Dickson, Ben Foden, Jonathan Joseph, Matt Kvesic, Ugo Monye, Henry Thomas, Billy Vunipola, Thomas Waldrom
so either 12trees starts or Flood and Farre start, intresting.
so either 12trees starts or Flood and Farre start, interesting.
Interesting in the sense that England are liable to revert to type and bosh it up front then kick it in the air and run after it - unless Scotland are inept enough to let them score a bunch of tries.
Tuilagi is the only player who can (literally) break the gain-line and he's not there so it's the same old problem in midfield.
I think 36* could be a great England player, especially alongside his old tigers back line, Farrell could make any centre look awful! He's strong and very creative with an awesome boot. First test though so won't make a huge impact.
* twelvethrees geddit?
As a Scotsman i look at that England squad and think man for man Scotland save for a couple of positions are a match for them. However i would also say that England as a team are greater than the sum of their parts at present.
Lets hope we get some good rugby this weekend.
Predictions
England by less than 7
Ireland by 5-10
France by 7-14
@stephenjones9: Have it on good authority that Wales team more hit by injury than we thought and dramatic new cap up front from the Parade ..__________________
Coombs.... Shit
Concensus of the boys in the Office in Swansea is that we will turn over the Paddies, I am not convinced at all. I fear a bleak 6 Nations 🙁
Pigface the consensus in my office in Belfast is the same! I'm really worried that we won't see much of the ball, despite turnip head Deccie protesting that a back row with two 6's is the best combination. Its possible that Wales will play with two 7's so how we are going to win ruck ball I don't know. Chris Henry has been in outstanding form and should have been starting at 7 with POM or SOB at 6.
I think we could struggle at scrum time especially if Healy or Ross were to get injured. The replacement props are iffy to say the least. Kilcoyne is a young prop who would struggle with Adam Jones and Fitzpatrick has played about 10 mins of rugby this season.
We have the backs to do a bit of damage but we will need the ball to do so.
Being suggested on gwlad
15. Halfpenny
14. Cuthbert
13. Davies
12. Roberts
11. North
10. Biggar
9. Phillips
1. Jenkins
2. Rees
3. Jones
4. Evans
5. Coombs
6. Shingler
8. Faletau
7. Warburton__________________
Irish backs are midgets by comparison. If welsh forwards do their job welsh backs could do a number on the irish like they did last year. If Bod breaks and Earls replaces him ireland are screwed. That said i still favour ireland.
The odd thing is Ireland have picked a fast exciting backline but no 7. If Wales pick Tips and Warbs or Warbs and Shingler all of whom are very rapid and ireland spread it wide they might come unstuck. But then sending the irish backs down the middle against Roberts and Davies et all could be messy too. Best just kick it to the corners and pressure the shit welsh lineout. Too close a game to call imo.
And the consensus in my office in Swansea is that the Swans had a huge queue for tickets. No talk at all about the 6N!
Its possible that Wales will play with two 7's so how we are going to win ruck ball I don't know.
Drive [s]over the top[/s] in from the side and flop on the ball same as Ireland have done for years? 😉
Too close a game to call imo.
+1.
No Toby Flood for england seems crazy to me. What do the Englanshire fans think
If Scotland can keep the penalty count down i think we have a chance. I think our backrow and back three are better.
Another question: DO you view the Scottish as unfit? (the rugby team not the nation in general)
Beattie definately has performed well this season, but at club he is alongside Ouedraogo, Gorgodze, Tulou, Galletier, Bias (there's a lot of choice at Montpellier for the 3rd row and they're arguably the best in the top14)
I'd like to see what he can offer with a less rehearsed group.
ijs445ra - MemberIf Scotland can keep the penalty count down i think we have a chance.
The problem is that playing at Twickenham the penalty count will be in England's favour - home advantage, noisy crowd, English team constantly whinging at ref and all that.
If Scotland can keep the penalty count down i think we have a chance. I think our backrow and back three are better.
Although I don't agree that your backrow is better (although your second row is very impressive indeed), I think you have more than a chance. With marler and youngs in the front row, we will get smashed in the scrum.
We have a OH who doesn't play the position full time, a wing who is out of position, a debutant outside centre and a SH with little imagination.
The problem is that playing at Twickenham the penalty count will be in England's favour - home advantage, noisy crowd, English team constantly whinging at ref and all that.
Have you seen who the ref is?
Is the ref Jim Telfer? 🙂
Even worse than that....
A man who is near the front of the queue for my fantasy mass grave.
Is it Alain???
It is indeed.
😆 I feel your pain.
As a Scotsman i look at that England squad and think man for man Scotland save for a couple of positions are a match for them. However i would also say that England as a team are greater than the sum of their parts at present.
I agree with everything other than the first sentence.
England more than 20 points clear, easy.