Topic: Six Nations 2017

[cowtownred]

The cream has risen to the top Nick and let it stay that way.

Amen brother!

Seriously though, where are all the Welshies? They've gone long ago, not just before the 6N. Where are people like Jason etc??

[FlashGordon]

Amen brother!

Seriously though, where are all the Welshies? They've gone long ago, not just before the 6N. Where are people like Jason etc??

I think they weren't feeling appreciated enough in the thread. Or else the years of Gatland ball has finally taken it's toll on them.

[Crosby Nick]

The cream has risen to the top Nick and let it stay that way.

True, but you guys are doing well in second place, you can be proud of that.

[FlashGordon]

True, but you guys are doing well in second place, you can be proud of that.

It's nice to give the plucky underdogs their moment in the sun from time to time. We knew what it was like for a long time so it's only fair now to let ye have yer chance. We'll be sick of it by Paddy's day though and rightfully reclaim our title as the powerhouse of Rugby in the North.

[Elzar]

The fuss over his "Referee not a coach" comment was a bit weird, while it was funny, he was being asked a question by Haskell which was a follow up to what the referee said before that about when the ruck is formed.

It was a really hard game to referee, and I think once England started turning it round on italy, Poite lost control a bit of when there was and wasn't an offside line. I saw him at one point signal a ruck and offside line, then Italy players ran away and into the offside, and he called Tackle only. It's no wonder everyone was so confused.

[Old No7]

Scotland all the way up to 5 in the world rankings now, France in 8th, not sure if they can fall behind Argentina in 9th though. Looks as though it will be Argentina as the nightmare 3rd seed everyone hopes to avoid in the world cup.

[Original]

Anyone reckon they could pick an England team full of players who would be making there debut? Interested to see what players are about who have yet to pop up in national selection.

[Crosby Nick]

Scotland all the way up to 5 in the world rankings now, France in 8th, not sure if they can fall behind Argentina in 9th though. Looks as though it will be Argentina as the nightmare 3rd seed everyone hopes to avoid in the world cup.

That'll be us who gets them then! When is the draw made?

[sinnermichael]

The fact that Rob Howley is the Lions' attack coach is utterly depressing.

[Elzar]

That'll be us who gets them then! When is the draw made?

May.

A bit crazy considering it's 2 years before!

[Crosby Nick]

May.

A bit crazy considering it's 2 years before!

It was done 3 years early for 2015. Thankfully it didn't come back to haunt us too much...

[KOTP]

Having 5 times the population size would mean ye should have a much superior record to us 

But as you say in the grand scheme of things I couldn't give a shit about anything else this weekend only what happens to us tomorrow.

still never get why people think just because you have a bigger population you should be better at sports, India and China must be world champions at every sport going on that principal

[Old No7]

still never get why people think just because you have a bigger population you should be better at sports, India and China must be world champions at every sport going on that principal

Just imagine what those plucky underdogs NZ could manage if they didn't have a smaller population than Ireland...

The fact that Rob Howley is the Lions' attack coach is utterly depressing.

Very, Wales have been going backwards for a few years now, the tried & trusted method of letting Jamie Roberts smash it up the middle, recycle & let another loose forward whose found him playing in the centres smash it up the middle, seems to have been found out since England tried & failed to beat them at their own game 18 months ago

[Danny Boys Dad]

still never get why people think just because you have a bigger population you should be better at sports, India and China must be world champions at every sport going on that principal

It's not about population in total it's about the number of people actually playing rugby and England has more than anywhere else in the world.

[Crosby Nick]

It's not about population in total it's about the number of people actually playing rugby and England has more than anywhere else in the world.

The vast majority will be Old Priorians over 35s and the like and not really pitting themselves forward for selection (unless they van play in the Back Row).

[KOTP]

It's not about population in total it's about the number of people actually playing rugby and England has more than anywhere else in the world.

the post I responded to didn't say that it mentioned about population. And even the amount playing means nothing it's down to talent and coaching not the amount of people playing the sport and those playing at a young age to be considered for top teams it's alright having loads of players playing but if they are in vets leagues etc it's meaningless

[Danny Boys Dad]

The vast majority will be Old Priorians over 35s and the like and not really pitting themselves forward for selection (unless they van play in the Back Row).

In 2011 there were an estimated 2.5m rugby players in England but that included juniors and female players. England still had more senior male players than anywhere else, not far short of the rest of the six nations put together. Other countries have a lot of non-elite rugby as well, not just England.

[Danny Boys Dad]

the post I responded to didn't say that it mentioned about population. And even the amount playing means nothing it's down to talent and coaching not the amount of people playing the sport and those playing at a young age to be considered for top teams it's alright having loads of players playing but if they are in vets leagues etc it's meaningless

Mostly juniors rather than vets, the 2011 stats showed that England had a lower proportion of senior male players than most other countries, even though that was still more in numbers than anywhere else.

England do very well in junior age groups so the talent is there and they have talented coaches, just doesn't translate into dominance on the world stage as adults.

[SP]

In 2011 there were an estimated 2.5m rugby players in England but that included juniors and female players. England still had more senior male players than anywhere else, not far short of the rest of the six nations put together. Other countries have a lot of non-elite rugby as well, not just England.

Isn't all Scottish rugby non-elite?

[Crosby Nick]

In 2011 there were an estimated 2.5m rugby players in England but that included juniors and female players. England still had more senior male players than anywhere else, not far short of the rest of the six nations put together. Other countries have a lot of non-elite rugby as well, not just England.

Fair point.

[FlashGordon]

the post I responded to didn't say that it mentioned about population. And even the amount playing means nothing it's down to talent and coaching not the amount of people playing the sport and those playing at a young age to be considered for top teams it's alright having loads of players playing but if they are in vets leagues etc it's meaningless

My post wasn't intended to be a critique of the age profile of active rugby players in England.

[KOTP]

My post wasn't intended to be a critique of the age profile of active rugby players in England.

no it was saying the bigger the population the better at sport it should be which is clearly why China and India dominate all sports as I said

[Old No7]

no it was saying the bigger the population the better at sport it should be which is clearly why China and India dominate all sports as I said

It was also clearly said tounge in cheek

[FlashGordon]

It was also clearly said tounge in cheek

 

[Elzar]

I like Rugby, Rugby is fun

[MBL?]

no it was saying the bigger the population the better at sport it should be which is clearly why China and India dominate all sports as I said

If China and India were really into sport in the same way Europeans and Americans are they would be up there in anything they chose. To say population doesn't come into it is ridiculous.

And going back to Ireland v New Zealand, it's New Zealand's undisputed first sport where as it's Ireland's 3rd/4th.

[Old No7]

And going back to Ireland v New Zealand, it's New Zealand's undisputed first sport where as it's Ireland's 3rd/4th.

So it's not all about population then

[MBL?]

So it's not all about population then

I never said it was. It just comes into it when it's a popular sport within that country. At a guess I would say Rugby is atleast 3rd/4th in England more likely second if you include League which players can switch between fairly seamlessly.

[SP]

I never said it was. It just comes into it when it's a popular sport within that country. At a guess I would say Rugby is atleast 3rd/4th in England more likely second if you include League which players can switch between fairly seamlessly.

8th.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/22806853

[Old No7]

I never said it was. It just comes into it when it's a popular sport within that country. At a guess I would say Rugby is atleast 3rd/4th in England more likely second if you include League which players can switch between fairly seamlessly.

I know, take my initial comment about the population of Ireland v New Zealand in the spirit that it was meant

[Crosby Nick]

8th.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/22806853

While argument has gone a bit ridiculous but it's the second most popular team sport there.

Either way, it shows there's a lot of options out there in England and Ireland and in Australia too. New Zealand has rugby and then a variety of ways to cheat death by jumping off things and that's about it. It's no wonder they're half decent.

[Old No7]

While argument has gone a bit ridiculous but it's the second most popular team sport there.

Either way, it shows there's a lot of options out there in England and Ireland and in Australia too. New Zealand has rugby and then a variety of ways to cheat death by jumping off things and that's about it. It's no wonder they're half decent.

And if that fails pick the best of the crop of young Pacific island talent each year & move them over

[SP]

While argument has gone a bit ridiculous but it's the second most popular team sport there.

Either way, it shows there's a lot of options out there in England and Ireland and in Australia too. New Zealand has rugby and then a variety of ways to cheat death by jumping off things and that's about it. It's no wonder they're half decent.

So which of football or cricket is not a team sport?

[Crosby Nick]

So which of football or cricket is not a team sport?

I meant to say winter sport. In terms of participation I'm sure you have plenty playing football or rugby and then cricket too.

This was more fun when we laughed at Wales.

[MBL?]

8th.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/22806853

I've no idea how the count them but I can't believe half that list.

[Crosby Nick]

I've no idea how the count them but I can't believe half that list.

Participating in sport once a week it says, so presumably if an old granny goes for a dip at the local baths that's one for swimming.

[MBL?]

This was more fun when we laughed at Wales.

Leave the Welsh alone. Not putting the mockers on it before Friday week

[Crosby Nick]

Leave the Welsh alone. Not putting the mockers on it before Friday week

Nice choice of beige. But I will leave them alone, in fact I'll be rooting for those lovely boyos in red next up!

[cowtownred]

Having 5 times the population size would mean ye should have a much superior record to us 

But as you say in the grand scheme of things I couldn't give a shit about anything else this weekend only what happens to us tomorrow.

5 times?

Isn't it more like 12 times?

[MBL?]

Nice choice of beige. But I will leave them alone, in fact I'll be rooting for those lovely boyos in red next up!

We wouldn't have it any other way.