The 6 Nations
- Thread starter Rosco
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Well a defeat's a defeat, but I felt much happier watching that than I did our victory over Italy. At least we showed some balls. Too many fouls given away handed the match to Wales, but we look to have the makings of a decent team.
Pretty much what I expected. I knew Johnno would make them raise their game.
It was an excellent contest, I enjoyed watching it. Wales deserved the win, but England have to be reasonably happy with how well they nullified the Welsh attack for most of the game. The yellow cards were a killer, and Johnson was right last week when he said they'd cost England a tougher game because they did today.
It was impressive from both sides- when the Welsh backline gets moving, it still looks awesome, but English defense was excellent today. I think refs are watching out for England at the breakdown, and although I'm not saying they didn't deserve to be penalised, they're probably getting away with less than other sides just now.
Wales are still clear favourites for the 6 nations, particularly as, on that evidence, England will be a tougher nut to crack in Croke Park than might have been expected.
Wales are still clear favourites for the 6 nations, particularly as, on that evidence, England will be a tougher nut to crack in Croke Park than might have been expected.
[quote author=Rosco link=topic=31054.msg804537#msg804537 date=1234634231]
Game on. 9-5, England are playing a bit more rugby than people expected. They've scored the only try so far (25 mins).
P.S. Rafa, a good ball carrier Andy Powell may be but he's also one of the laziest international back rowers I've ever seen.
[/quote]
Hes genius mate
Game on. 9-5, England are playing a bit more rugby than people expected. They've scored the only try so far (25 mins).
P.S. Rafa, a good ball carrier Andy Powell may be but he's also one of the laziest international back rowers I've ever seen.
[/quote]
Hes genius mate
[quote author=Rosco link=topic=31054.msg804550#msg804550 date=1234636964]
Armitage with a great run to score and keep England in the game. He's a better fullback than Lee Byrne.
20-15 now with 23 mins on the clock
[/quote]
In the nicest possible sense, thats total bollocks
Armitage with a great run to score and keep England in the game. He's a better fullback than Lee Byrne.
20-15 now with 23 mins on the clock
[/quote]
In the nicest possible sense, thats total bollocks
I'd be willing to bet that none of them have the 15 correct.
I'll be amazed if Powell is anything other than a bench (impact) player. It must be by design, but the Welsh team seem to operate with a seven man pack with Powell just standing around waiting for the ball. How many times was he so far behind the play that he could catch a kick in behind ?
I've watched Lee Byrne for about 18 months and can't for the life of me see what's so special about him. He's a good solid full back that had a particularly good year last year.
I'll be amazed if Powell is anything other than a bench (impact) player. It must be by design, but the Welsh team seem to operate with a seven man pack with Powell just standing around waiting for the ball. How many times was he so far behind the play that he could catch a kick in behind ?
I've watched Lee Byrne for about 18 months and can't for the life of me see what's so special about him. He's a good solid full back that had a particularly good year last year.
[quote author=Rosco link=topic=31054.msg804676#msg804676 date=1234660751]
I'd be willing to bet that none of them have the 15 correct.
I'll be amazed if Powell is anything other than a bench (impact) player. It must be by design, but the Welsh team seem to operate with a seven man pack with Powell just standing around waiting for the ball. How many times was he so far behind the play that he could catch a kick in behind ?
I've watched Lee Byrne for about 18 months and can't for the life of me see what's so special about him. He's a good solid full back that had a particularly good year last year.
[/quote]
Yeah I'd agree with you in regards to the fact that none of those 4 teams are probably going to be the team that takes the field for the 1st test, however the only 3 players that they all agree on are :
Byrne
Williams
O'Connell
That says a lot about LB and to what a high level hes been playing at.
And you're right again to a certain degree (IMO) that Powell does position himself in order to receive allot of the kicks (under orders). Its a huge facet of his game and a major part of our tactics, but also look at how many takes at the lineout he took today and how his tackle rate has increased throughout this season. Powell for my money is a modern day number 8 and on form its a 2 horse race for the lions starting 8 jersey at the moment (very early doors i know).
I'd be willing to bet that none of them have the 15 correct.
I'll be amazed if Powell is anything other than a bench (impact) player. It must be by design, but the Welsh team seem to operate with a seven man pack with Powell just standing around waiting for the ball. How many times was he so far behind the play that he could catch a kick in behind ?
I've watched Lee Byrne for about 18 months and can't for the life of me see what's so special about him. He's a good solid full back that had a particularly good year last year.
[/quote]
Yeah I'd agree with you in regards to the fact that none of those 4 teams are probably going to be the team that takes the field for the 1st test, however the only 3 players that they all agree on are :
Byrne
Williams
O'Connell
That says a lot about LB and to what a high level hes been playing at.
And you're right again to a certain degree (IMO) that Powell does position himself in order to receive allot of the kicks (under orders). Its a huge facet of his game and a major part of our tactics, but also look at how many takes at the lineout he took today and how his tackle rate has increased throughout this season. Powell for my money is a modern day number 8 and on form its a 2 horse race for the lions starting 8 jersey at the moment (very early doors i know).
Interesting that Keith Wood is the only one to leave out O'Dris.
France v Wales tomorrow. Predictions?
I have a bad feeling about this one and suspect that maybe our Grand Slam hopes will be ended.
I'm glad that Mr Gatland decided to play Shanklin and Roberts together instead of bringing in Henson straight away, Henson needs to prove he's committed a bit more for me before he gets back in the line up.
I have a bad feeling about this one and suspect that maybe our Grand Slam hopes will be ended.
I'm glad that Mr Gatland decided to play Shanklin and Roberts together instead of bringing in Henson straight away, Henson needs to prove he's committed a bit more for me before he gets back in the line up.
Rafa earlier in the week I was convinced France would beat Wales, but now that I've seen the French team I'm not so sure.
Baby at 10 ? I don't know much about Baby but he doesn't seem to me to be ideal for outhalf. Has he played there before ? I'm wondering if he's playing there more for his defensive capabilities (meaning Roberts doesn't have an easy 10 channel to run at) than what he'll bring with a kicking or running game.
It's another intriguing match for me. I've really been enjoying some of the games this year.
Baby at 10 ? I don't know much about Baby but he doesn't seem to me to be ideal for outhalf. Has he played there before ? I'm wondering if he's playing there more for his defensive capabilities (meaning Roberts doesn't have an easy 10 channel to run at) than what he'll bring with a kicking or running game.
It's another intriguing match for me. I've really been enjoying some of the games this year.
[quote author=Rosco link=topic=31054.msg812497#msg812497 date=1235687688]
Rafa earlier in the week I was convinced France would beat Wales, but now that I've seen the French team I'm not so sure.
Baby at 10 ? I don't know much about Baby but he doesn't seem to me to be ideal for outhalf. Has he played there before ? I'm wondering if he's playing there more for his defensive capabilities (meaning Roberts doesn't have an easy 10 channel to run at) than what he'll bring with a kicking or running game.
It's another intriguing match for me. I've really been enjoying some of the games this year.
[/quote]
Evening mate.
From my recollection Baby has played nearly all of his career in the centres, and allthough they lost their only fly half to injury in a club game this weekend i was still surprised to see him named, due to the fact that they called up a specialist 10 during the week. When it comes to France I'm never sure how they are going to play and i suspect that most of the french fans don't either, maybe it is a defensive choice but i guess we'll soon find out.
I watched the very enjoyable Ireland v France game and i saw enough of them then to think that they could cause us a number of problems, especially when you take into account that we are playing them at their place.
How do you think your boys will go against the english?
Rafa earlier in the week I was convinced France would beat Wales, but now that I've seen the French team I'm not so sure.
Baby at 10 ? I don't know much about Baby but he doesn't seem to me to be ideal for outhalf. Has he played there before ? I'm wondering if he's playing there more for his defensive capabilities (meaning Roberts doesn't have an easy 10 channel to run at) than what he'll bring with a kicking or running game.
It's another intriguing match for me. I've really been enjoying some of the games this year.
[/quote]
Evening mate.
From my recollection Baby has played nearly all of his career in the centres, and allthough they lost their only fly half to injury in a club game this weekend i was still surprised to see him named, due to the fact that they called up a specialist 10 during the week. When it comes to France I'm never sure how they are going to play and i suspect that most of the french fans don't either, maybe it is a defensive choice but i guess we'll soon find out.
I watched the very enjoyable Ireland v France game and i saw enough of them then to think that they could cause us a number of problems, especially when you take into account that we are playing them at their place.
How do you think your boys will go against the english?
[quote author=vantage link=topic=31054.msg812500#msg812500 date=1235688245]
A tight game which Wales will win by less than one converted try.
*Prays*
Seriously, if we can get at them early on they will loose the crowd and the game. With the crowd behind them they are a different proposition.
[/quote]
I hope you're right
A tight game which Wales will win by less than one converted try.
*Prays*
Seriously, if we can get at them early on they will loose the crowd and the game. With the crowd behind them they are a different proposition.
[/quote]
I hope you're right
[quote author=Rafa4PM link=topic=31054.msg812504#msg812504 date=1235688945]
[quote author=Rosco link=topic=31054.msg812497#msg812497 date=1235687688]
Rafa earlier in the week I was convinced France would beat Wales, but now that I've seen the French team I'm not so sure.
Baby at 10 ? I don't know much about Baby but he doesn't seem to me to be ideal for outhalf. Has he played there before ? I'm wondering if he's playing there more for his defensive capabilities (meaning Roberts doesn't have an easy 10 channel to run at) than what he'll bring with a kicking or running game.
It's another intriguing match for me. I've really been enjoying some of the games this year.
[/quote]
Evening mate.
From my recollection Baby has played nearly all of his career in the centres, and allthough they lost their only fly half to injury in a club game this weekend i was still surprised to see him named, due to the fact that they called up a specialist 10 during the week. When it comes to France I'm never sure how they are going to play and i suspect that most of the french fans don't either, maybe it is a defensive choice but i guess we'll soon find out.
I watched the very enjoyable Ireland v France game and i saw enough of them then to think that they could cause us a number of problems, especially when you take into account that we are playing them at their place.
How do you think your boys will go against the english?
[/quote]
We should beat them, but the game has the potential to be a big banana skin for us. We've played both of our games on the back foot really, both times we had less possession than the opposition but our strike rate in the opposition 22 is apparently the best in the tournament so far. If we don't get much ball again this weekend it'll put us under pressure to take every chance against a pretty good English defence.
We've stuck with the same 15 despite concerns about Wallace at 12 (most people think D'Arcy is more deserving of it) and O'Leary at 9.
I think it would be harsh to drop either of them at the moment, that said I think I'd prefer Reddan at 9.
[quote author=Rosco link=topic=31054.msg812497#msg812497 date=1235687688]
Rafa earlier in the week I was convinced France would beat Wales, but now that I've seen the French team I'm not so sure.
Baby at 10 ? I don't know much about Baby but he doesn't seem to me to be ideal for outhalf. Has he played there before ? I'm wondering if he's playing there more for his defensive capabilities (meaning Roberts doesn't have an easy 10 channel to run at) than what he'll bring with a kicking or running game.
It's another intriguing match for me. I've really been enjoying some of the games this year.
[/quote]
Evening mate.
From my recollection Baby has played nearly all of his career in the centres, and allthough they lost their only fly half to injury in a club game this weekend i was still surprised to see him named, due to the fact that they called up a specialist 10 during the week. When it comes to France I'm never sure how they are going to play and i suspect that most of the french fans don't either, maybe it is a defensive choice but i guess we'll soon find out.
I watched the very enjoyable Ireland v France game and i saw enough of them then to think that they could cause us a number of problems, especially when you take into account that we are playing them at their place.
How do you think your boys will go against the english?
[/quote]
We should beat them, but the game has the potential to be a big banana skin for us. We've played both of our games on the back foot really, both times we had less possession than the opposition but our strike rate in the opposition 22 is apparently the best in the tournament so far. If we don't get much ball again this weekend it'll put us under pressure to take every chance against a pretty good English defence.
We've stuck with the same 15 despite concerns about Wallace at 12 (most people think D'Arcy is more deserving of it) and O'Leary at 9.
I think it would be harsh to drop either of them at the moment, that said I think I'd prefer Reddan at 9.
[quote author=Rosco link=topic=31054.msg813106#msg813106 date=1235755432]
[quote author=Rafa4PM link=topic=31054.msg812504#msg812504 date=1235688945]
[quote author=Rosco link=topic=31054.msg812497#msg812497 date=1235687688]
Rafa earlier in the week I was convinced France would beat Wales, but now that I've seen the French team I'm not so sure.
Baby at 10 ? I don't know much about Baby but he doesn't seem to me to be ideal for outhalf. Has he played there before ? I'm wondering if he's playing there more for his defensive capabilities (meaning Roberts doesn't have an easy 10 channel to run at) than what he'll bring with a kicking or running game.
It's another intriguing match for me. I've really been enjoying some of the games this year.
[/quote]
Evening mate.
From my recollection Baby has played nearly all of his career in the centres, and allthough they lost their only fly half to injury in a club game this weekend i was still surprised to see him named, due to the fact that they called up a specialist 10 during the week. When it comes to France I'm never sure how they are going to play and i suspect that most of the french fans don't either, maybe it is a defensive choice but i guess we'll soon find out.
I watched the very enjoyable Ireland v France game and i saw enough of them then to think that they could cause us a number of problems, especially when you take into account that we are playing them at their place.
How do you think your boys will go against the english?
[/quote]
We should beat them, but the game has the potential to be a big banana skin for us. We've played both of our games on the back foot really, both times we had less possession than the opposition but our strike rate in the opposition 22 is apparently the best in the tournament so far. If we don't get much ball again this weekend it'll put us under pressure to take every chance against a pretty good English defence.
We've stuck with the same 15 despite concerns about Wallace at 12 (most people think D'Arcy is more deserving of it) and O'Leary at 9.
I think it would be harsh to drop either of them at the moment, that said I think I'd prefer Reddan at 9.
[/quote]
We need the 9 to shift the ball from the ruck much quicker against England than we did against Italy or we'll be in for a tough day. I agree that Reddan is a better call. O'Gara seems to be finding better form, and I expect him to have a big day.
[quote author=Rafa4PM link=topic=31054.msg812504#msg812504 date=1235688945]
[quote author=Rosco link=topic=31054.msg812497#msg812497 date=1235687688]
Rafa earlier in the week I was convinced France would beat Wales, but now that I've seen the French team I'm not so sure.
Baby at 10 ? I don't know much about Baby but he doesn't seem to me to be ideal for outhalf. Has he played there before ? I'm wondering if he's playing there more for his defensive capabilities (meaning Roberts doesn't have an easy 10 channel to run at) than what he'll bring with a kicking or running game.
It's another intriguing match for me. I've really been enjoying some of the games this year.
[/quote]
Evening mate.
From my recollection Baby has played nearly all of his career in the centres, and allthough they lost their only fly half to injury in a club game this weekend i was still surprised to see him named, due to the fact that they called up a specialist 10 during the week. When it comes to France I'm never sure how they are going to play and i suspect that most of the french fans don't either, maybe it is a defensive choice but i guess we'll soon find out.
I watched the very enjoyable Ireland v France game and i saw enough of them then to think that they could cause us a number of problems, especially when you take into account that we are playing them at their place.
How do you think your boys will go against the english?
[/quote]
We should beat them, but the game has the potential to be a big banana skin for us. We've played both of our games on the back foot really, both times we had less possession than the opposition but our strike rate in the opposition 22 is apparently the best in the tournament so far. If we don't get much ball again this weekend it'll put us under pressure to take every chance against a pretty good English defence.
We've stuck with the same 15 despite concerns about Wallace at 12 (most people think D'Arcy is more deserving of it) and O'Leary at 9.
I think it would be harsh to drop either of them at the moment, that said I think I'd prefer Reddan at 9.
[/quote]
We need the 9 to shift the ball from the ruck much quicker against England than we did against Italy or we'll be in for a tough day. I agree that Reddan is a better call. O'Gara seems to be finding better form, and I expect him to have a big day.
What a stonkingly good 1st half. Allez les bleus!!
Wales were out of it from 5 mins before half time til 10 mins from the end. If the French had a half decent kicker they would have been out of sight. Depressed. But next year we'll have them at Cardiff. Still got the championship to play for. Just the Eyeties and the Spud munchers to beat and it will go down to points difference.
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