The Rugby Union Thread

MagicPigDetective

Wales will beat France. We don’t lose Grand Slam matches. 

tbm

France and Wales will be a barnburner. Wales to sneak it as has been said, they tend not to lose these matches. It's all set up for them. 

Seen nothing since their last encounter in December to suggest Ireland have a hope against England. We'll run into the white wall all day and only probably lose by 5/6, but we'll have never looked like winning.

And then of course the big one. Scotland by 3. Or 37.  

koneguitarist

I looked at Irish lineup and it’s plain to see they will attack England's midfield. George Ford is better than his size seems to point at but with at 13, there are two possible attack points which would put Farrell under pressure. Farrell would or could be pulled out of line to help Daly, so it will be interesting to see how Farrell snr will plan things. 

scrumhalf

Daly is a good 13, he made his reputation playing there for us (Wasps). However, at full back and on the wing his tackling has been, shall we say, indifferent so it may be a good tactic to target him.

I don't think that any particular result is more likely than any other. We all know England's ability to bugger things up, especially if they are back to playing hoofball.

fretmeister

The americans MLR is trying some new laws this season. Shorter time for kickers, slight change to offside line at a scrum etc.

https://www.rugbyworld.com/news/major-league-rugby-trial-new-laws-to-enhance-the-game-122797?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_content=rugbyworld


Some of them look quite sensible, other less so. But be interesting to see what happens.

rsvmark

Super excited today. My sons team mate is starting for Worcester today against Bath. Very pleased for him. 

exocet

Right now I'd say England getting spanked in the scrum.

koneguitarist

Think England need to rethink their coaches contract. 

MagicPigDetective

Given how many times Wales have been said to be lucky and the worst Grand Slam winners ever if they won tonight ...is it safe to say that England have been....rubbish? I’m a bit drunk so not trying to piss anyone off  

digitalscream

England are just embarrassing. A one man advantage, and they immediately concede six points.

tbm

Didn’t expect that. Pleasing. 

vasselmeyer

England were a disorganised mess there. They haven't played well since the semi final. Ireland completely outclassed them.

Wales for the Grand Slam.

scrumhalf

Well, that was a pile of poo. Apart from the karma of Farrell getting a whack on the head it was dismal.

Neill

That was seriously depressing viewing.  It's always difficult trying to work out exactly what Jonny Wilkinson is saying but is sounds to me as though he's blaming the coach.  Clive Woodward sounds as though he's blaming the players.  I think by the time we get to Monday's papers the whole lot of them will be in the stocks.  Did anyone in the England camp come out of that game with any credit?

What puts the whole sorry mess in perspective is that England, having somehow conspired to play two scrum halves and no recognised number 10, the makeshift back line actually seemed to function better than the starting line up and even scored a decent try.

sev112

Neill said:

That was seriously depressing viewing.  It's always difficult trying to work out exactly what Jonny Wilkinson is saying but is sounds to me as though he's blaming the coach.  Clive Woodward sounds as though he's blaming the players.  I think by the time we get to Monday's papers the whole lot of them will be in the stocks.  Did anyone in the England camp come out of that game with any credit?

What puts the whole sorry mess in perspective is that England, having somehow conspired to play two scrum halves and no recognised number 10, the makeshift back line actually seemed to function better than the starting line up and even scored a decent try.

I thought Robson played his best game for England as Fly Half, and I really liked Daly’s drop gaol conversion from the side line.  One has to have something’s to cling to.

Ireland very  good.  Keith Earls always demonstrates that this can still be a game for the smaller guy

Neill

sev112 said:

Neill said:

That was seriously depressing viewing.  It's always difficult trying to work out exactly what Jonny Wilkinson is saying but is sounds to me as though he's blaming the coach.  Clive Woodward sounds as though he's blaming the players.  I think by the time we get to Monday's papers the whole lot of them will be in the stocks.  Did anyone in the England camp come out of that game with any credit?

What puts the whole sorry mess in perspective is that England, having somehow conspired to play two scrum halves and no recognised number 10, the makeshift back line actually seemed to function better than the starting line up and even scored a decent try.

I thought Robson played his best game for England as Fly Half, and I really liked Daly’s drop gaol conversion from the side line.  One has to have something’s to cling to.

Ireland very  good.  Keith Earls always demonstrates that this can still be a game for the smaller guy

Ha ha yes I forgot about Daly's conversion, England's best moment - and the camera almost missed it.

crunchman

Jones has to go.  That was a shambles.

Schnozz

Another dodgy decision for Wales

MagicPigDetective

Schnozz said:

Another dodgy decision for Wales

At least we are competing and making many opportunities. So far 3 tries scored and 2 disallowed marginally. 

tbm

Wales getting away with murder, but that was red all day.