Topic: Six Nations 2016

[Gerry Attrick]

After some of the rugby we saw in the autumn this tournament feels a bit like after the Lord Mayor's show, perhaps it'll liven up as the tournament progresses but it's been really hard to get in to so far.

[MBL?]

Fuck

[jillcwhomever]

I didn't really get the Irish taking off Rory Best and Johnny Sexton at the same time. It did seem to effect them.

[Carly]

Good result, no grand slam for either team

[Robinred]

Garces basically not allowing any contest at breakdown. Perfect poaching position by Best penalised.

He's been even-handed though Ray. My complaint against most International refs is that they are too intrusive, though, so I take your point.

[MBL?]

Thank goodness for today's extra quality!

Compelling as always but three pretty poor games to get us started.

Quality wise it was a bit better. The organisation is what really stood out.

[MBL?]

He's been even-handed though Ray. My complaint against most International refs is that they are too intrusive, though, so I take your point.

It was even handed but on an other day it would have been 6 penalties to 2 in Ireland's favour.

[Crosby Nick]

Quality wise it was a bit better. The organisation is what really stood out.

You're right. Two well drilled sides playing it by the book with no ounce of flair? Zebo must wish he was French or English.

[Old No7]

Fair result. Don't think anyone will be complaining about that.

Going to be a very short week for us before we head to Paris.

Turn up with a competent performance in Paris & that will be enough. Given that Ireland lead 13-0 at home I would have thought they would be the more disappointed of the two sides

[MBL?]

You're right. Two well drilled sides playing it by the book with no ounce of flair? Zebo must wish he was French or English.

We're great craic us Irish lads but we can't sprint for shit. That is part of the reason we aren't seen as a flair team. It was interesting that last years high kicking game wasn't used at all.

And nobody wishes they were English, even the English aren't too happy about it.

[Crosby Nick]

We're great craic us Irish lads but we can't sprint for shit. That is part of the reason we aren't seen as a flair team. It was interesting that last years high kicking game wasn't used at all.

And nobody wishes they were English, even the English aren't too happy about it.

A great bunch of lads are the English, you ask anyone.

Didn't Brendan Mullins used to be your sprinter in Athletics too?

[zamagiure]

13-0 up and then grabing a draw. Ireland were very frustrating when in good positions. we were not good enough, so ill take the draw.

[Crosby Nick]

Is dial up down in Wales today?

[KERRYKOP]

Is dial up down in Wales today?

Haha, the boycott is still in place. A win would have tested resolve, can imagine them stoically gathering round belting out a few hymns with not a vowel to be seen or heard. 

[MBL?]

Is dial up down in Wales today?

Haha, the boycott is still in place. A win would have tested resolve, can imagine them stoically gathering round belting out a few hymns with not a vowel to be seen or heard. 

[Kenny's Jacket]

Disappointing result but Id have taken it at 13-0.   Too many handling errors.  Injuries and the referee leaving Earls on the pitch cost us. 

Looks like no Grand Slam for anyone this year.   

[Crosby Nick]

Disappointing result but Id have taken it at 13-0.   Too many handling errors.  Injuries and the referee leaving Earls on the pitch cost us. 

Looks like no Grand Slam for anyone this year.   

You think France v England will end as a draw?

[Salger]

Has to go down as a missed opportunity for Wales - poor decision making and execution cost us. Typical slow start and did well to get the lead but so infuriating to give away a soft penalty immediately after.

I thought Scotland were poor as well - really didn't carry through their form from the WC. With Italy next, England have an opportunity to build up some confidence and should be in good shape for the home games against Ireland and Wales. Bugger.

[Kenny's Jacket]

You think France v England will end as a draw?

No, but I don't think either are good enough to win all their games. 

[Crosby Nick]

No, but I don't think either are good enough to win all their games. 

I know.

[Old No7]

Paul O'Connell retires with immediate effect, unable to recover from the hamstring injury that ended his world cup

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/35530075

Shame for him to go out that way

[sinnermichael]

A giant of the modern game. All the best to him. Ireland were very luck to have two such immense players as him and BOD for all those years.

[Crosby Nick]

Paul O'Connell retires with immediate effect, unable to recover from the hamstring injury that ended his world cup

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/35530075

Shame for him to go out that way

Shame for him but better to go out somewhere near the top than plodding around in the backwaters of the lower reaches of the Celtic League.

One of Ireland's greatest? Where does he rank?

[Ray K]

Shame for him but better to go out somewhere near the top than plodding around in the backwaters of the lower reaches of the Celtic League.

One of Ireland's greatest? Where does he rank?

In terms of best Irish forwards, it's him and Willie John McBride, and a large chasm, then the Atlantic Ocean, then everybody else.

[Crosby Nick]

In terms of best Irish forwards, it's him and Willie John McBride, and a large chasm, then the Atlantic Ocean, then everybody else.

No love for Shane Byrne? A mullet only a mother could love.

[Ray K]

No love for Shane Byrne? A mullet only a mother could love.

As with so many things in this world, Bono has a lot to answer for.  His 80's hairstyle inspired a generation of First Division footballers too.  I think Niall Quinn only got his mullet cut last year.

[Old No7]

No love for Shane Byrne? A mullet only a mother could love.

A mullet so good it's worth posting

[KERRYKOP]

Credit when it's due the man had awesome flow.

[cowtownred]

In terms of best Irish forwards, it's him and Willie John McBride, and a large chasm, then the Atlantic Ocean, then everybody else.

Fergus Slattery disagrees!

[Crosby Nick]

The state on that.

Don't you go criticising the Irish ladyfolk on here. Their men won't stand for it.

[KERRYKOP]

Don't you go criticising the Irish ladyfolk on here. Their men won't stand for it.

I give you Belorussian shot put champion Nadzeya Ostapchuk.

[Crosby Nick]

What's Irish for doppelganger?

[KERRYKOP]

What's Irish for doppelganger?

Dópíochdhbhgaícht

[Crosby Nick]

Dópíochdhbhgaícht

Fuck you too.

[Kenny's Jacket]

A mullet so good it's worth posting

Is that Bella Emberg?

[Kenny's Jacket]

I know.

Woooosh

[Trump's tiny tiny hands]

England XV v Italy: Brown; Watson, Joseph, Farrell, Nowell; Ford, Youngs; M Vunipola, Hartley, Cole; Lawes, Kruis; Robshaw, Haskell, B Vunipola

I kind of understood the reasoning of playing Haskell at 7 against Scotland but against Italy? A very conservative approach in my view.

[Old No7]

England XV v Italy: Brown; Watson, Joseph, Farrell, Nowell; Ford, Youngs; M Vunipola, Hartley, Cole; Lawes, Kruis; Robshaw, Haskell, B Vunipola

I kind of understood the reasoning of playing Haskell at 7 against Scotland but against Italy? A very conservative approach in my view.

Replacements: Jamie George (Saracens), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Paul Hill (Northampton Saints), Joe Launchbury (Wasps), Maro Itoje (Saracens), Jack Clifford (Harlequins), Danny Care (Harlequins), Alex Goode (Saracens).


6-2 split on the bench is interesting

Haskell played pretty well I thought, but he's on 7 at the breakdown. Looking forward to seeing Itoje get on the pitch, seen quite a bit of him at Saracens & I think he's going to be top class, that he's only 21 is scary

[Crosby Nick]

I'm sure I read that Clifford was coming in for Robshaw, did that turn out to be bollocks?

I quite like the idea of Ford and Farrell but will that he a bit lightweight when up against the big Welsh lumps? I know Farrell is pretty big but will we need something more for the home games?

[Old No7]

I'm sure I read that Clifford was coming in for Robshaw, did that turn out to be bollocks?

I quite like the idea of Ford and Farrell but will that he a bit lightweight when up against the big Welsh lumps? I know Farrell is pretty big but will we need something more for the home games?

Seems to be quite a lot of bollocks talked about the team selection before, I saw multiple reports saying Kruis was getting dropped.

This quote from Jones is interesting, suggests he is going to go horses for courses throughout the tournament

"I believe this is the strongest 23 to go to Rome and get the performance and result we want.

"Mako, Ben and Courtney have been pushing hard for selection during training, but they also fit the game plan we want to implement against Italy."