The Rugby Union Thread

ESchap · February 2014

Quelle dommage >:D<

bertie · February 2014

koneguitarist said:

the Italians hands were pushing ball forward. Clear forward pass. Welsh always have problems with Irish refs, Like the penalty for Italian 10 running into paul James !

want to take those blinkers off ? I hate you think what you'f have been like if you'd lost.............

We lost our most potent attacker almost immediately, Jonny was looking pretty OK....... but can Lancaster now put "spotty dog" Goode along side Ashton, where he belongs..............Nowell..............hmmmmm not sure.... deserves one more game..........

and can someone please teach Youngs to throw........................

Fretwired · February 2014

bertie said:

koneguitarist said:

the Italians hands were pushing ball forward. Clear forward pass. Welsh always have problems with Irish refs, Like the penalty for Italian 10 running into paul James !

want to take those blinkers off ? I hate you think what you'f have been like if you'd lost.............

We lost our most potent attacker almost immediately, Jonny was looking pretty OK....... but can Lancaster now put "spotty dog" Goode along side Ashton, where he belongs..............Nowell..............hmmmmm not sure.... deserves one more game..........

and can someone please teach Youngs to throw........................

The team made some bad decisions - not taking the penalty before half-time and then not keeping the ball and running the clock down at the end. The French didn't have an answer to England's forwards when they ran with ball in hand .. the moment you kick you cede posession.

koneguitarist · February 2014

bertie said:

koneguitarist said:

the Italians hands were pushing ball forward. Clear forward pass. Welsh always have problems with Irish refs, Like the penalty for Italian 10 running into paul James !

want to take those blinkers off ? I hate you think whakt you'f have been like if you'd lost.............

We lost our most potent attacker almost immediately, Jonny was looking pretty OK....... but can Lancaster now put "spotty dog" Goode along side Ashton, where he belongs..............Nowell..............hmmmmm not sure.... deserves one more game..........

and can someone please teach Youngs to throw........................

First off with hindsight of TMO we should be able to get these things right.

Also TJ said foul play by Paul James, ref seen it that it was not foul play same as everyone else, yet it was still given, yes we won, but instances like that can kill any teams momentum, when Wales wanted to speed game up, it was slowed down and unpunished by a pedantic ref.

The England France game had a great ref who allowed game to flow, as he is sympathetic to the game, hence the verdict he's one of the best refs in world. I thought France would get a slight win, but England did fight back well.

Nowell had a mixed bag, but first game, I hope he gets more game time, as for Johnny May, although I rate him for Gloucester, verdict is out whether he is international class until after a few games, so losing your most attacking threat is a bit of a daft statement really, as you had no idea if he was gonna be any good. And Goode was a decent guy to bring on. Burrell looks like he could be good but still early days there as well.

Let's hope Wales and England both improve for next rounds.

Ireland to win, but not by much tomorrow, 5-10.

bertie · February 2014

koneguitarist said:
so losing your most attacking threat is a bit of a daft statement really, as you had no idea if he was gonna be any good. And Goode was a decent guy to bring on. Burrell looks like he could be good but still early days there as well.

in the 15 or so minutes May was on the pitch he made 2 or 3 good breaks, might not have been a a lot but no one in the backs came close to matching that. He looked sharp, and right up until that point he was are best attacking thread

Goode was the only guy to bring on. He's too slow, too wooden, fucked up a scoring chance and possible cost the last French try

tbm · February 2014

France decided to be France and stole that game. Great final play. Thought the English pack were fantastic in that second half but in fairness the two early French tires came form defensive howlers. Still thought Nowell did quite well, and the scrum cap kept the hair from annoying me. Vunipola was outstanding! If he can get a little better at offloading in the tackle he'll be unstoppable.

To take nothing away from the England effort but I thought the French attack looked poor and badly organised. Fofana was anonymous! I still think it will be Englands championship.

Didn't see Wales Italy. Sounded like Sergio et al put it up to them though.

Hate when Ireland play on Sundays. Luckily only happening once this year.

koneguitarist · February 2014

I think it should be a good game today, Ireland will be out to make a statement to rest of six nations in that they are to carry on where they left off against All Blacks.

Scotland though, have no fear of Ireland and should be up for it. Can't wait.

tbm · February 2014

Really tight so far. Great break by Sexton but it's mostly in the Irish half. POC is a massive loss. Scotish back row probably edging it. Try was well worked though.

koneguitarist · February 2014

As expected, Scotland offering nothing.

koneguitarist · February 2014

Good win for Ireland, but laboured against a one dimensional team, bit like Welsh game in a way.

scrumhalf · February 2014

I presume the telly coverage was courtesy of RTE.

Like the BBC in recent years, they ruined it by trying to show a different angle every ten seconds, half of which were of no help at all.

tbm · February 2014

No penetration in attack save for that Sexton break. We really missed Earls and Fitzgerald. Scotland tired and in fairness we were patient. Fairly passive in defence and Wales will destroy us next weekend of we give them as much time. A win is a win but I saw nothing to suggest that Wales won't win pulling up on Saturday.

Nice to see the bench actually used. Kidney used to throw on the replacements at 74/75 mins.

koneguitarist · February 2014

tbm said:

No penetration in attack save for that Sexton break. We really missed Earls and Fitzgerald. Scotland tired and in fairness we were patient. Fairly passive in defence and Wales will destroy us next weekend of we give them as much time. A win is a win but I saw nothing to suggest that Wales won't win pulling up on Saturday.

Nice to see the bench actually used. Kidney used to throw on the replacements at 74/75 mins.

I see no evidence of Wales destroying you at home ? we could win, but we have to play far better than we did Saturday.

tbm · February 2014

I think both teams will show up better on Saturday for sure, but I fear if we stand off in the same way we'll get punished. Wales are always pumped for Ireland games, and Mike Phillips tends to come out and boss those encounters, regardless of form.

I really hope Fitzgerald is fit.

Scotland? They started really well, had the best of the first half. Hogg and Maitland were always looking dangerous, in fact losing Maitland could have been the turning point. Evans is a fine player but he hasn't got the spark. They faded badly though and looked knackered for Kearneys try.

So, what have we leaned form the opening weekend?

bertie · February 2014

tbm said:

So, what have we leaned form the opening weekend?

not to put your beer on the floor when Frank's around

depending on Ireland v Wales next week, - Wales at home to France.............. England at Home to Ireland and Wales may be very significant I think

tbm · February 2014

I've read a few people saying this, but Hogg to 10? He needs to be on the ball more. Him and Laidlaw could form a great partnership.

Yeah, we'll know a lot more after next weekend I guess.

VimFuego · February 2014

not a lot we didn't already know really. Wales are a slow starter, could be a great season for them but we can't judge from that performance. Ireland we already know are capable of being mediocre one day then the next week playing out of their skins and being truly world class. England did a lot of the right things, but still managed to lose (and looks like we've lost yet another winger in the process). France still have the ability to score tries from the most unlikely of field positions. Still all up in the air I guess.

snakemanStoo · February 2014

tbm said:

I've read a few people saying this, but Hogg to 10? He needs to be on the ball more. Him and Laidlaw could form a great partnership.

Yeah, we'll know a lot more after next weekend I guess.

Gatland played Hogg at 10 in one of the Lions warm up games, if I remember rightly he wasn't bad, but not great.

tbm · February 2014

Yeah but that was to give him a run in the event that either Sexton or Farrell got injured on tour. Scotland are lacking a creative spart in the half backs, even though I rate Laidlaw really highly. If Johnson/Cotter told Townsend to give him a run at 10 I think he'd do well there.

Just looking at the highlights, Hogg was Scotleans best player by a mile, and arguably the best player on the pitch. He needs to get more ball.

bertie · February 2014

hmm Burns back in the squad........ I like his play, but he's been a "little under par", for well most of the season really.....so that surprised me..

koneguitarist · February 2014

Burns is not playing well at the moment, I would give Ford some game time, looks a great prospect. Ireland are already getting themselves up for the Welsh match, heally and co could fly off the handle too easily for my liking. Heally is demented at times, he just wants to hurt someone, looks like he's on steroids or something.

VimFuego · February 2014

may confirmed fit for Saturday's match. I suspect he may get the occasional push on the hooter come ruck time from a friendly scots forward or 2.

bertie · February 2014

koneguitarist said:

Burns is not playing well at the moment,

understatement,

he had a mare for the saxons, he was obvously given the chance to shake off some demons and picked ahead of Ford....but he looked like a guy who's form had left not just town, but planet earth. Shame

lets hope May's hooter holds out...............

bertie · February 2014

May's fit to play....................

tbm · February 2014

Warbs in for Tips. I rate Tips higher so this does not displease me.

koneguitarist said:

Heally is demented at times, he just wants to hurt someone, looks like he's on steroids or something.

Healys disciplinary record is actually very good, save for that brain melt v England. He's a very intense player, but that new haircut and his bulk is making him look a bit Mike Tyson.

Looks like its going to be wet in town on Saturday. We could be in for a slog... Also, Wayne Barnes has a habit of annoying the bejesus out of me.

ESchap · February 2014

England could put out 15 asthmatic octogenarians and still win with ease on Saturday. Worst part is how much I've paid to get a decent seat at Murrayfield for the biennial humiliation

Still, bright side is Edinburgh is great fun after the game, lots of beer with the "auld enemy".

koneguitarist · February 2014

tbm said:

Warbs in for Tips. I rate Tips higher so this does not displease me.

koneguitarist said:

Heally is demented at times, he just wants to hurt someone, looks like he's on steroids or something.

Healys disciplinary record is actually very good, save for that brain melt v England. He's a very intense player, but that new haircut and his bulk is making him look a bit Mike Tyson.

Looks like its going to be wet in town on Saturday. We could be in for a slog... Also, Wayne Barnes has a habit of annoying the bejesus out of me.

Is it Wayne Barnes, I am not sure if Wales have won a game with him in charge ?
:-\" whistle happy git.

If weather is bad, that could be just as bad for either team, as for Heallys record, he aint been cited enough for what he`s got up to more like. Like Bod.

I hope Wales can pull off an upset, but don`t think so, the only thing that could help us is if the Irish do lose it mentally and get someone sent off, which would not surprise me.
Gatland and Edwards will be spending all week on holding discipline in control.

koneguitarist · February 2014

ESchap said:

England could put out 15 asthmatic octogenarians and still win with ease on Saturday. Worst part is how much I've paid to get a decent seat at Murrayfield for the biennial humiliation

Still, bright side is Edinburgh is great fun after the game, lots of beer with the "auld enemy".

England thought that in 1990, and they had a much better side then. If I was Captain, I would do the old slow walk out from dressing room, to get murrayfield crowd up and behind the scots.

bertie · February 2014

koneguitarist said:
England thought that in 1990,

yes, I remember it well, alas. Then again it may well have been the kick up the jacksie "we" needed

tbm · February 2014

koneguitarist said:

Is it Wayne Barnes, I am not sure if Wales have won a game with him in charge ?
:-\" whistle happy git.
If weather is bad, that could be just as bad for either team, as for Heallys record, he aint been cited enough for what he`s got up to more like. Like Bod.
I hope Wales can pull off an upset, but don`t think so, the only thing that could help us is if the Irish do lose it mentally and get someone sent off, which would not surprise me.
Gatland and Edwards will be spending all week on holding discipline in control.

Ha! How would Wales winning be an upset? They're reigning champs, and save for the first 40 minutes last year have had Irelands number for ages going back to that WC quarter! We're missing our best player (SOB) and our most creative wings are either injured (Fitzgerald, Earls, Bowe) or not deemed match fit (Zebo).

In terms of decipline, where are you getting the idea that the Irish lads are goiong to be emotionally over the top and likely to lose their heads? The BOD thing? It's a non-issue. For any of the Irish lads. The press are just riding it till it dies, they have to to sell papers and advertising.. Healy is an aggressive player, always has been, but he's experienced enough at this stage to be able to keep his head in big games.

Save for JDII and maybe Evans, Wales have their first choice 15 and most importantly, their first choice wings and full back. Plenty of folk rate Williams higher then JDII as well.

Wales by 5-10, and as long as Ireland don't play daft rugby I won't be too annoyed.

Howdy, Stranger!

Categories

In this Discussion

Become a Subscriber!

The Rugby Union Thread

Comments