Six Nations 2019

A more enticing prospect than the cricket at the moment...

Wales butchered a match-levelling try opportunity and France took the opportunity to take control. Some familiar names among the French ranks for once, from the resurfaced veterans (Picamoles, Parra, Medard) to those reappearing in the hands of a new generation (Ntamack, Penaud). They haven’t even finished in the top two since 2011, is this the start of a revival?

Ireland v England tomorrow, some might say the potential decider early on...

France imploding... an ‘owler from Huget...

It’s very rare to see a game thrown away quite like that. To channel the Super Bowl, it was a fumble on your own 1-yard line and a shocker of a pick-six... if this sets up a Welsh Grand Slam (and they’re at home to both England and Ireland) it really will go down in history.

England just out-muscled Ireland in their own back yard.

Ireland didn't play particularly badly - we just didn't allow them a second on the ball for the whole match. Their usually successful tactic of possession and phase play was completely disrupted by our line speed. The majority of our tackles thundered into them either on, or behind the gain line, thus they never got any momentum worth talking about.

I can't help wondering - 12-18 months ago everyone was panning Eddie for "beasting" his training squads ... overdoing the physical punishment at the expense of playing drills and skills. Last year, we looked tired and sluggish (especially the Lions).

We're not reading about such brutal training camps now, so p'raps those hard yards are paying off. Mako & Billy V, Daly, May, Faz et al have just put in their best performance in the three years of EJ's leadership. Any thoughts?

beamer wrote:It’s very rare to see a game thrown away quite like that. To channel the Super Bowl, it was a fumble on your own 1-yard line and a shocker of a pick-six... if this sets up a Welsh Grand Slam (and they’re at home to both England and Ireland) it really will go down in history.

Fair to say we won't see another performance like that from either France or Wales this 6N. Scotland looked excellent, but were helped by Italy kicking the ball down Hogg's throat with 20-30 yards to get up to speed running it back.

Next weeks matches will give us a better idea of where everybody's at. If we go by this week alone, Ireland could lose a close match (if Scotland can get in their faces + home advantage), Italy could get a shock win (considering Wales created bugger all of their own) - and France will get leathered. Won't happen of course, as three of the teams will almost certainly play far better next week.

The title’s realistically between England and Wales now, the match in Cardiff on middle weekend might well decide it.

Ireland might well have peaked a year too soon, as I predicted... England’s off year will be forgotten if it all clicks in the run-up to the big one.

It's Eddie Jones - you know he is going to choke in the big one.

At least one May is getting the business done against the continental Europeans...

Chance to rack up 50 here, which would be a real statement.

Slam still on for whoever wins the Cardiff match, wouldn't want to predict that one.

England have avenged Ireland & France defeats last year.

I see Scotland made a complete hash of matching an Ireland side who are still misfiring badly. They are in for a torrid time in the final round.

There's some personal bad blood still simmering from last year - made worst by a particularly nasty Champions Cup clash between Glasgow and Saracens late last year.

The starting front 5 could all be Saracens men, plus Billy V at No 8. If Eddie and Hartley/Farrell can get them in exactly the right place mentally, the Scots are in for a splattering, as they have nothing like the power upfront.

I hope they've got a strong referee, as it's likely to be a bit spicy.

JGK wrote:It's Eddie Jones - you know he is going to choke in the big one.

So Mr K, who would you prefer as coach of the Oz Woefulbies - Jones or Chubby?

Good win for Wales.

Grand Slam?

Possibly taips.

They have to play Scotland at Murrayfield and Ireland at the Millenium. Both with something to prove. They could quite easily lose either of them.

What a horlix from England. Pretty even first 40, with half-chances for both sides. After H/T, the kicking went awry - and what's worse we were kicking far too soon, without stressing the Welsh defence to create space by keeping ball in hand. Not only were we kicking too soon, but much of it was aimless box kicking, giving away possession.

At 55-60 minutes, it was plain we were getting nowhere, so should have tried a change of tack. EJ should have reverted to a tried, tested and proven alternative.

Hook Tuilagi (or Slade) for George Ford at stand-off, Farrell to 12, and more of a running/wide passing game. We may still have lost, but Warren Gatland picked and organised his defence against a primarily kicking game. IMO, it was an error to not try and change the method of attack.

I hope the Micks get up otherwise my tipping is shot for the weekend.

That second half was like last year revisited - no possession, no ideas. They thought the game was won at half-time. England always lose their way when trying to sit back on a lead. And we need to find and take opportunities to keep the scoreboard moving as well. Use the drop-goal, like we did in Wilkinson’s day, rather than hammering at the line for a try that isn’t going to come, particularly at the end of a half.

Wales seem to have their name on it this year, an injury-ravaged Scotland won’t trouble them so it’s down to the Irish to deny them and make it a three-way title fight.

Great win for Wales.

Can't wait for the world cup.

England drew with Scotland? WTF!!

Big Dog wrote:England drew with Scotland? WTF!!

Well, we basically beat them 31-0, then lost to them 31-0, in the space of 60 minutes.

Wales win the title and Grand Slam without a single scoring-based bonus point. In fact, had England won yesterday it would only have been the backstop bonus designed to make sure Grand Slam winners can’t lose the title that would have kept them top! Still, they’ve “forgotten how to lose” and must be the favourites to make the final from the NH teams now.

Nothing wrong with good old territory game.

Actually I just reread BS post. So England should be rewarded for winning less games well?

You talking about beamer's post Bradders?

Wales won all five matches, but no try bonuses, so 5 x 4pt wins = 20 points.

If England had won yesterday, they would have won four all with a try BP, so 4 x 5pt wins =20.

Without the three point Grand Slam Bonus, England would have been top on points difference (+83 against +49) and tries scored (24 against 10).

It would actually been rewarding England for winning fewer games *far more comprehensively* than Wales had done even with the extra victory, you see?

Yes. Despite them losing to Wales? I'm aware of how to the scoring system works. Just amusing to hear an Englishman bitch about it after Jonny Wilkinson's WC.

What in heavens name makes you think he's bitching about it ?

Without the GS Bonus, England would have been champions equal on points despite losing a match.

He's making a simple statement of fact - not suggesting that there was anything wrong about the situation.

Have to say I'm getting rather pissed at these lame accusations of whinging lately, seems like every message board I read there's a general undercurrent of little digs. It's depressing.

Cheer up Growls.