The Rugby Union Thread

joneve

Gassage said:

bertie said:

boring prediction, and forgetting the front-row,  I think the key to the outcome will, in addition to TBMs good spot about Care, be Irelands ability to handle Vuniploa's breaks and the effectiveness the 'choke tackle' 

Joubert reffing. He loves release. Might work in Eng's favour.

Anyone going other than me?

My company gets 6 tickets a game for corporate entertaining....I'm not going to either game. 

:x

Gassage

Here you go- latest article with my former team mate and the walking legend and greatest NH openside of all time that is Peter Winterbottom....

Don't criticise it. Wints will visit you and stuff a bat up your nighty. And he's the hardest man I've ever met.

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,16016_9173337,00.html

bertie

Philips dropped then, Biggar on bench

Gassage

bertie said:

Philips dropped then, Biggar on bench

Yeah Wints alluded to that- I didn't manage to fit it all in. 1800 words in that piece.

koneguitarist

Wales by 5 Scotland by 3 and England by 6. 

England will still have a solid scrum if not their best with Corbisero and Cole out.

Ireland have had two pretty easy games, against a poor Scottish side, and a dreadful Wales side. So could be a real battle up front
 

koneguitarist

Just seen who's reffing Wales game so will get my excuses in early. :x

Joubert should be ok for England as he is generally a real homer !

I am not sure I follow Gatlands logic for who he has picked, I can see why dropping Phillips could be good, cause he will be raring to go from the bench, but Priestland still at 10, and Biggar on Bench with Hook ?

Did Hook do a Danny Care with Gatlands wife !

Gassage

koneguitarist said:

Wales by 5 Scotland by 3 and England by 6. 

England will still have a solid scrum if not their best with Corbisero and Cole out.

Ireland have had two pretty easy games, against a poor Scottish side, and a dreadful Wales side. So could be a real battle up front
 

Kone- I am a big fan of Italian rugby (I'm sure my pieces allude to that!)

I really want them to put on a display. Parisse offloading, Camapagnale running, Zanni carrying..I know they have it in them.

koneguitarist

I just feel Scotland need a lift, they have to start winning sometime..... don't they ? [-O<

tbm

koneguitarist said:

I just feel Scotland need a lift, they have to start winning sometime..... don't they ? [-O<

Folk have been saying that for years. Look at how Glasgow are doing in the Pro12? They have the players to be competitive. 

bertie

tbm said:

 Look at how Glasgow are doing in the Pro12? They have the players to be competitive. 

what % are scotts 

VimFuego

didn't I read somewhere Scott Johnson has left out denton or am I imagining that? If true I guess he wanted to compound the crass stupidity of taking off the only effective player against England with dropping him altogether. I can't see Scotland winning, but then they often have one outstanding game each year so who knows.

fretmeister

bertie said:

tbm said:

 Look at how Glasgow are doing in the Pro12? They have the players to be competitive. 

what % are scotts 

Not sure, but the 'Boks B team are pleased with the progress.

tbm

bertie said:

tbm said:

 Look at how Glasgow are doing in the Pro12? They have the players to be competitive. 

what % are scotts 

Of the 15 that started the win against Cardiff last weekend, 12 were Scottish qualified.

tbm

koneguitarist said:

Just seen who's reffing Wales game so will get my excuses in early. :x

I always thought Rolland was a decent ref. Not the best, but decent. Obviously he never refs Ireland, but when I've seen him in action he's generally been ok.

bertie

tbm said:

 Scottish qualified.

New Zealanders who once ate shortbread then ?

VimFuego

*sigh* not that old chestnut again, it's new Zealanders whose grannies once ate shortbread.

bertie

I sit corrected 

I do miss Mags at times like this

tbm

Stat I just saw quoted on a another baord from ESPN:

The home team wins a 6N match 60% of the time.

With Rolland, it's 50-50.

With Joubert, it's 82%.

Rocker

koneguitarist said:

Wales by 5 Scotland by 3 and England by 6. 

Interesting forecast my friend.  My guess is France by 10, Italy by 5 and Ireland by 3

koneguitarist

That's what I want more than what I think will be the scores.

Rolland should not be allowed to ref French games, Joubert should not be allowed to ref !

VimFuego said:

didn't I read somewhere Scott Johnson has left out denton or am I imagining that? If true I guess he wanted to compound the crass stupidity of taking off the only effective player against England with dropping him altogether. I can't see Scotland winning, but then they often have one outstanding game each year so who knows.

Totally agree.  ( for once )
Scott Johnson is a real dickhead, caused so much of the problems, which forced Mike Ruddock out after 2005 grand slam.

And to have Jonathan Humphreys as a forwards coach, means the Scots have an uphill battle before they start.