Six Nations 2019

[Covrich]

Tomorrow Scotland (Hooray, for us an' wha's like us, damn few an' the'r a' deed") play Italy. As ever, the great dread of those of us who dare to hope, is that this will be for the Wooden Spoon. I can never forget the day that we went 21-0 down at home to Italy within 7 minutes. Every time I looked up from the ironing, we had thrown another intercepted pass for a try. May have been Dan Parks' last game for his antipodean adopted country.

He was a great kicker to the line, though, was yon Dan. And much maligned for a collective failure that day.

I think you will win convincingly, Italy for me just do seem to not kick on, a few years ago they were taking scalps but in the last few years they have given a few teams the Jitters (England Twickenham 2017 for example and Scotland last year) they just do not seem good enough.

Scotland for me will be interesting to see how they perform on the road, last year it was their downfall whereas they were solid and very strong at Murrayfield.. Next week against Ireland could be a cracker

 

[Covrich]

Scotland should be more patient, Italian defence is full of dog legs and gaps all over

edit there you go try

 

[Covrich]

Deserved BP for Scotland, Italy have had a few harsh calls IMO but they look so disorganised in defence they cannot hold any shape and Scotland are pulling them out of position

 

[Slid]

Last 20 minutes were tortuous to watch.
Italy nearly got 2 bonus points today, after being 33-3 down. The old familiar self-destruct from Scotland, Laidlaw may be a donkey compared to Price, but he understands the game. No-one else seems to lead the team.
Ref evened it up in the last quarter, as well, with some decisions made for him by Parisee (not for the first time).

 

[Chippy_Tea]

I don't normally watch rugby but this England v Ireland game is a cracker.

 

[Chippy_Tea]

I don't normally watch rugby but this England v Ireland game is a cracker.

And it didn't stop until the final whistle, well done England.

 

[VW911]

Well done England...

I bet I'm not the only one singing "Swing Low..."

 

[GhostShip]

Magnificent, England. When all the big guns are back fit and playing (Vunipola’s etc.), England are capable of beating anyone. Hopefully Itoje’s injury won’t keep him out - what a player. To go and get a bonus point win in Ireland is huge.

 

[Covrich]

Only just finished watching, wow that was a fanstatic performance from England. I think thats probably Eddies best game , beating this side in their back yard and not only that we actually beat them at their own game with a BP point.

Don't get me wrong I have huge respect for Ireland they are incredibly well drilled and efficient but I do agree with the critique that they are not the most exciting team to watch they play .. They constantly try the choke tackle, a law I personally hate for some reason but they use it to great effect., I am sure they will bounce back will be a huge game in Murrayfield next week

 

[Ajhutch]

Brilliant performance by England and not one I saw coming. Ireland played much as expected I guess and to England’s credit they dealt with it. Johnny May was fantastic all around, took his try well and was peppered with high balls he dealt with really well. Slade and Daly are real firecrackers capable of creating things. Exciting times in a World Cup year

 

[GhostShip]

Sounds like Itoje may have done his medial ligament which would mean his Six Nations is over. Great shame if true - England will miss his presence. Outstanding player.

 

[Petrolhead]

Looks like Wales v england is a biggy. England with no big matches after and Wales with two.

Looking forward to it

 

[Covrich]

Wales have looked average to me so far but back at home I'm sure they will up their game. Will be very close.

If Wales win it will open the tournament up. Bonus points are in engs favour. If eng win I think they'll take the crown.

Sadly Italy look a rabble again.

Will be interesting to see how Scotland fair against France. France and Italy def look the weakest sides. France do have quality but they are so disjointed and have no consistency.

 

[Dutto]

Sent this to a French mate right after the game finished ...

"Demain, nous ferons une enquête pour savoir pourquoi nous avons donné huit points !"

... so far he hasn't replied!

 

[Chippy_Tea]

Only heard the second half on the radio sounded a great game shame about the result.

 

[MmmBeer]

Didn't see that coming. Wales always seem to start slowly, in the 6 Nations and in games (e.g. vs France 1st round). Wales definitely deserved the win, if only for playing exciting flowing rugby, rather than the constant long kicks and percentage fouls.

 

[Petrolhead]

As Max Boyce says I was there. Cracking match, sizzling atmosphere and a great crowd in Cardiff. Certainly opens up the tournament with Wales having two hard matches to go but if they beat Scotland away, never easy, there is another huge match against Ireland in Cardiff with a grand slam on the table and I suspect second place in the world rankings.

If all goes well it will also make Alun Wyn Jones joint highest ever capped Welsh player and he deserves it.

 

[Dutto]

Wales in 2nd place?



BTW if anyone here has a Miners Welfare anywhere near them (and by some miracle it is still open and still has all its assets intact) then may I suggest that you take a look at the UK Miners Social Welfare Campaign on Facebook. We need all the support that we can get!

 

[Leon103]

Well well. Wales!!!

 

[Covrich]

Well deserved by Wales by far the better team at the end.. Felt if England got a score before the break it may have gone differently but as it was Wales grew and grew and England buckled and played poorly under the pressure and had noplan B.

Tournament wide open now. England you think should win their two games but I guess it all depends on Wales..

I think they will get teh GS, Ireland mind have not looked quite the way they have the past few years, they look a bit shaky in Rome, they have lost their confidence. Scotland have lost a few players and do not look teh same team, they looked horrific yesterday.

What impresses me is that Wales have found a way to not lose and grind out a win, a sign of a good side, I mean this is a complimentary way, they have hardly set the world on fire so far but they find ways to win each game and that is the sign of a good side and they can take that confidence and momentum and I think they will dismantle Scotland next week with a big win.