2 absolutely astonishing games. Incredible entertainment for the neutral. But I admit I supported England today (!). The media coverage Ireland have been getting has been a bit much, especially for a team that routinely fails every 4 years when the World Cup comes around. And it should always be tough to win Grand Slams.
Unfortunately Wales are currently pretty hopeless, but a win tomorrow against a French side in apparent post World Cup disarray would make it a pleasing weekend sportswise.
They were indeed excellent games. Great to see Italy come good after two near misses in previous outings and I fancy them to beat Wales next week. Great also to see England players fulfil their promise for a change and for Ireland, who are lovely to watch, slip up and ensure next week’s matches have a modicum of excitement (although England would have to absolutely thump France and the Scots would have to beat Ireland for anyone but the Irish to take the tournament).
The Italians have improved so much under their new coach. The forwards are handling the ball well and they held their discipline when the Scots launched their final assault on Italy’s try-line. I notice the stadium is nearly full these days; previously it was usually about a third full.
The Six Nations tournament is wonderful. I love the pageantry before the games, with the massed bands and the kids walking out with the players etc etc. The whole competition just makes for a fun weekend. And next week’s three-match binge is going to be a delight.
The England / Ireland game was fantastic. An Ireland supporter obviously, but no complaints. Great entertainment and a well-deserved win…
Stupid game, nobody understands the rules and Scotland can’t even beat Italy (you know Italy – the land of The Renaissance, Chianti and pizza. Has anybody ever in the whole history of the world said “Ah, those Italians know how to play rugby”? That’s until the fuckers play Scotland). Stupid game.
Well you beat England yet again, and finally won in Cardiff
Two fabulous games I must admit. I told my wife we would lose by one point, I was Wrong
Two fabulous games (although the Eng vs Ire game only finished at 2.30am here and after all the excitement I couldn’t sleep and so I’m knackered today)
Bad day today, dai?
Was ok up until about 12.20pm my time. Then France dominated the last quarter, always had more power and Wales just don’t have enough fit, eligible players of international quality right now. And the WRU are ruining the game in Wales
Was a bit disappointing watching Feyi-Wabosa for England yesterday, looks like a prospect. Born in Cardiff and lived there until he was 15, but he chose England.
Despite my adverse comments earlier ( nothing to do with Scotland’s defeat) it was a cracking weekend of rugby.
One last gripe though – substitutes, why so many? It’s like two different games especially, for instance, when France open the tin named “Two fresh man mountains, please”
Yes, I was at a game yesterday – for fans of the ‘Five’ Nations of an older vintage, it wasn’t played on a bowling green surface but had mud – and both sides had about ten substitutes warming up.
Having so many, is unsustainable at a lower level, and a main reason why the sport can’t have an F.A. Cup-style competition. It’s hard enough for local football teams to raise an 11-player-side on a regular basis, and I see so many local rugby matches with w/o (walkover) next to one of the teams on the results page.
Reducing the number of permitted substitutions would be such an easy way to make the professional game a better spectacle. It would force front row forwards in particular to shed the unnatural bulk that they’ve added in recent years safe in the knowledge that they won’t have to carry it around the field for a full 80 minutes. This ought also to make scrums safer and less time-consuming.
I agree, totally. It is ridiculous. Many now going with a 6:2 split on the bench, meaning you can replace almost all your forwards. I think South Africa even had 7:1 in the World Cup. Many front row forwards are conditioned to play 45-50 minutes only, so they are much bigger. This extra power and physicality also causing more head injuries with, sadly, dementia now an issue for some players who only relatively recently stopped playing, Ryan Jones, Steve Thompson etc. The game can be very exciting currently, but fundamentally will need to change I believe.
Three potentially awesome games this coming Saturday.
Were Italy to beat Wales, I think it would be the first time Italy has won two games in the same Six Nations tournament. A win for Wales would be a massive morale boost for the young team.
Were Scotland to beat Ireland it would open the way for England to top the table, although England would be at a huge statistical disadvantage. Obviously Ireland will not give in lightly.
And, in the final game of the day, a rejuvenated England against a rejuvenated France in Lyon promises to be the best contest of an exhausting day. Get the pizzas and Guinness in now.