The 6 Nations

[TheBunnyman]

[quote author=Rosco link=topic=31054.msg824751#msg824751 date=1237141623]
You might not have noticed, but I predicted an England win.
[/quote]

Only because you were drunk.

I don't hate the Irish at anything, but I hope and think that Wales will beat you.

 

[Jürgen4PM]

How poor were France today?

A real high quality performance at home one week, followed by a shocking display on their travels the next. So typical of the French i guess.

 

[Judge Jules]

And of their coach. I wonder how much longer they'll put up with Lievremont.

 

[Jürgen4PM]

[quote author=Judge Jules link=topic=31054.msg825185#msg825185 date=1237210628]
And of their coach. I wonder how much longer they'll put up with Lievremont.
[/quote]

Regardless of how poor the French were, i thought that your boys showed a lot of improvement yesterday JJ. Were my eyes deceiving me, or did i actually see some tidy attacking play by England?

I can't see Lievremont staying much longer.

 

[Judge Jules]

My bet is they got a real going-over from Johnno after the previous game, and on the training ground before this one. Whatever they might face in the game itself, they won't want to annoy Mr.Johnson if they can avoid it. Works for the Mancs with Ginsoak, so maybe it will for England now. 8)

 

[TheBunnyman]

[quote author=Judge Jules link=topic=31054.msg825212#msg825212 date=1237212701]
My bet is they got a real going-over from Johnno after the previous game, and on the training ground before this one. Whatever they might face in the game itself, they won't want to annoy Mr.Johnson if they can avoid it. Works for the Mancs with Ginsoak, so maybe it will for England now. 8)
[/quote]

Maybe, but there was a definite tactical change from the Ireland game as well. If we'd shown anything like the attacking intent we showed against France in the previous match, I think we'd have beaten the Irish.

 

[Bologna]

[quote author=TheBunnyman link=topic=31054.msg824649#msg824649 date=1237132435]
HT: England 29 France 0.

Our French friends here are practically in tears.

This is just the best week EVER!


[/quote]
I thought of you yesterday, Sam.

You must've been loving it!!

And for all those saying France didn't turn up; you sound like pissed-up journalists with an agenda.

You can only beat what's put in front of you.

 

[Judge Jules]

They're Celts, mate. Dunno about the "journalists" bit but the rest certainly applies. 😉

 

[bryndaloo]

Wales team v Ireland

Byrne
M Jones
Shanklin
Henson
S Williams
S Jones
Phillips

Jenkins
Rees
A Jones
AWJ
Gough
R Jones
Powell
Nugget

Bench to follow

EDIT: Bench:

Bennett
Yapp
Charteris
D Jones
Fury
Hook
Roberts

 

[Pesam]

[quote author=bryndaloo link=topic=31054.msg825732#msg825732 date=1237293837]
Wales team v Ireland

Byrne
M Jones
Shanklin
Henson
S Williams
S Jones
Phillips

Jenkins
Rees
A Jones
AWJ
Gough
R Jones
Powell
Nugget

Bench to follow

EDIT: Bench:

Bennett
Yapp
Charteris
D Jones
Fury
Hook
Roberts

[/quote]


The fact that you know about 1,000,000 times more about rugby than me is not disputed but at least admit that Stringer was instrumental in our victory over Scotland - I think we always look better with him in the team.

 

[Jürgen4PM]

Obvious team selected by Wales i guess. Some classic match up's in this game (if the Irish go with their expected team), it should be a treat to watch.

Wales to win by 14.

 

[bryndaloo]

[quote author=Pesam link=topic=31054.msg825755#msg825755 date=1237296389]

The fact that you know about 1,000,000 times more about rugby than me is not disputed but at least admit that Stringer was instrumental in our victory over Scotland - I think we always look better with him in the team.
[/quote]

I'll do that if you'll admit that Lucas was instrumental in Liverpool beating Man Utd on saturday.
That way, we'll both be liars. 😉

EDIT: Seems that Mr Kidney disagrees with you too!

 

[Jürgen4PM]

Just the 3 changes for the Irish.

 

[Pesam]

[quote author=bryndaloo link=topic=31054.msg825764#msg825764 date=1237297494]
[quote author=Pesam link=topic=31054.msg825755#msg825755 date=1237296389]

The fact that you know about 1,000,000 times more about rugby than me is not disputed but at least admit that Stringer was instrumental in our victory over Scotland - I think we always look better with him in the team.
[/quote]

I'll do that if you'll admit that Lucas was instrumental in Liverpool beating Man Utd on saturday.
That way, we'll both be liars.
[/quote]

He was voted man-of-the-match so I am going to claim this one time that I was right. No doubt on every other occasion we discuss rugby normal service will be resumed and you will be right but for now..........IRELAND PLAY BETTER WHEN STRINGER STARTS.

You weren't in the pub when the Liverpool team was announced - if you had seen my reaction when I realised Lucas was starting.................

Are you going to the rugby on Saturday?

 

[Jürgen4PM]

Ireland:
R Kearney
T Bowe
B O'Driscoll, capt
G D'Arcy
L Fitzgerald
R O'Gara
T O'Leary
M Horan
J Flannery
J Hayes
D O'Callaghan
P O'Connell
S Ferris
D Wallace
J Heaslip

Replacements: R Best, T Court, M O'Driscoll, D Leamy, P Stringer, P Wallace, G Murphy.

 

[bryndaloo]

[quote author=Pesam link=topic=31054.msg825767#msg825767 date=1237297893]

He was voted man-of-the-match so I am going to claim this one time that I was right. No doubt on every other occasion we discuss rugby normal service will be resumed and you will be right but for now..........IRELAND PLAY BETTER WHEN STRINGER STARTS.

You weren't in the pub when the Liverpool team was announced - if you had seen my reaction when I realised Lucas was starting.................

Are you going to the rugby on Saturday?


[/quote]

Nah, I've not enough money - got offered a ticket but simply can't afford it!

Just have to make do with watching in the boozer, so long as I don't have to listen to another of Eddie's teary eyed "my people" speeches that I was subjected to on Saturday!

 

[Pesam]

[quote author=bryndaloo link=topic=31054.msg825772#msg825772 date=1237298083]
[quote author=Pesam link=topic=31054.msg825767#msg825767 date=1237297893]

He was voted man-of-the-match so I am going to claim this one time that I was right. No doubt on every other occasion we discuss rugby normal service will be resumed and you will be right but for now..........IRELAND PLAY BETTER WHEN STRINGER STARTS.

You weren't in the pub when the Liverpool team was announced - if you had seen my reaction when I realised Lucas was starting.................

Are you going to the rugby on Saturday?


[/quote]

Nah, I've not enough money - got offered a ticket but simply can't afford it!

Just have to make do with watching in the boozer, so long as I don't have to listen to another of Eddie's teary eyed "my people" speeches that I was subjected to on Saturday!
[/quote]

He's such a tortured soul/drama queen. I'll sit between you and him so that way you don't have to listen to his shite AND you get the benefit of my rugby expertise.

 

[Jürgen4PM]

So i gather the Welsh and the Irish players don't get on that well. Another little added edge to this potential cracker.

 

[Rosco]

A few reasons why I think we'll do well this weekend.

1. We're in better form than the Welsh, who peaked in the Autumn.

2. We have a great record in Cardiff, I think we've lost once in the last 25 years there.

3. If Wales want to win the Championship, they have to win by 13 points. That immediately puts them under pressure to play a more open game than they have been playing under Gatland recently. ROG can sit back and play for territory while Wales will feel obliged to take more risks, meaning we either get blown away or else we score some tries from turnover ball. I don't think we'll get blown away.

4. Gavin Henson - A nice technical rugby player, but his awareness in defense is lacking and I think D'Arcy will catch him off guard.

5. I think we'll win the battle of the back rows because of Powell's penchant for playing as an auxiliary full back, as well as his general useless in and around the tight situations.

6. The Welsh team play a very in your face brand of rugby at the moment, it's success is anchored in their ability to win the collisions. I think we're a more physical side than them, so they'll be up against it.

EDIT: I forgot lucky number 7. I'm going to be there.

 

[Jürgen4PM]

Their is a reason that Gatland has made Henson his "defensive captain", and it's certainly not because he is lacking in this department.

Personally i think we'll start out with the intention of winning the game and the Triple Crown, then if we are in a decent position then maybe we'll go for it later on.

In the last 3 years we've beaten you twice is it? (One in Cardiff and one at you're place i think).

In all honesty this is just to close to call, but maybe Wales start as marginal favourites.

 

[Rosco]

Honestly Rafa I think Henson gets himself out of position after first phase possession and can often leave just enough room for a half break.

It's defiinitely going to be a tight game anyway. We're pretty evenly matched all over the park but I just have a feeling (based mainly on Kidney's track record) that we'll do it this time.

 

[bryndaloo]

Whereas Ireland's 10-12 channel is the most defensively sound in the world.

D'Arcy has one arm, Onan O'Gara simply cannot tackle and Wallace is usually so slow getting there to protect the channel that there are always yards to be made there. See someone as poor as Morrison making *loads* of ground last Saturday.

As for the pressure thing, anyone who thinks there is more on Wales than Ireland is deluded. Ireland going for only their second ever Grand Slam and first championship win since 1985 versus Wales going for their 3rd championship in 5 seasons (2 of which were Grand Slams).

True, Ireland have only lost once in Cardiff in the last 11 games there, but what circumstances was that loss in? That's right, a championship decider, when R'OG completely lost his head and consequently the game for his team. Stampy O'Driscoll decided on having a personal battle with Henson and coming up very short.

My feelings are that it'lll be a close game and both teams will come away somewhat disappointed just like the England v Wales game in 1994. You'll win the championship, but we'll win the game.

 

[doctor_mac]

What's with the childish name calling Bryn? Stampy? Grow . the . fuck . up.

And you're wrong about 'Onan', in that he's a very decent tackler, even if his kicking game can fall to shit.

 

[Jürgen4PM]

[quote author=doctor_mac link=topic=31054.msg826871#msg826871 date=1237465368]
What's with the childish name calling Bryn? Stampy? Grow . the . fuck . up.

And you're wrong about 'Onan', in that he's a very decent tackler, even if his kicking game can fall to shit.
[/quote]

I thought that his defensive deficiencies had long been known Doc?

 

[bryndaloo]

[quote author=doctor_mac link=topic=31054.msg826871#msg826871 date=1237465368]
What's with the childish name calling Bryn? Stampy? Grow . the . fuck . up.

And you're wrong about 'Onan', in that he's a very decent tackler, even if his kicking game can fall to shit.
[/quote]

Oh dear.

Why then do Ireland line up in defence with a back row forward in the 10/12 channel for a vast majority times?

 

[doctor_mac]

[quote author=Rafa4PM link=topic=31054.msg826879#msg826879 date=1237465793]
[quote author=doctor_mac link=topic=31054.msg826871#msg826871 date=1237465368]
What's with the childish name calling Bryn? Stampy? Grow . the . fuck . up.

And you're wrong about 'Onan', in that he's a very decent tackler, even if his kicking game can fall to shit.
[/quote]

I thought that his defensive deficiencies had long been known Doc?
[/quote]

I think they're overstated, and have been for years. I'm no fan of O'Gara, but it has nothing to do with his tackling.

 

[Jürgen4PM]

[quote author=doctor_mac link=topic=31054.msg826909#msg826909 date=1237468474]
[quote author=Rafa4PM link=topic=31054.msg826879#msg826879 date=1237465793]
[quote author=doctor_mac link=topic=31054.msg826871#msg826871 date=1237465368]
What's with the childish name calling Bryn? Stampy? Grow . the . fuck . up.

And you're wrong about 'Onan', in that he's a very decent tackler, even if his kicking game can fall to shit.
[/quote]

I thought that his defensive deficiencies had long been known Doc?
[/quote]

I think they're overstated, and have been for years. I'm no fan of O'Gara, but it has nothing to do with his tackling.
[/quote]

Ah well, fair enough.

Where you watching the game? Fancy your chances?

 

[bryndaloo]

[quote author=doctor_mac link=topic=31054.msg826871#msg826871 date=1237465368]
What's with the childish name calling Bryn? Stampy? Grow . the . fuck . up.

[/quote]

Well, if the cap fits (or should that be boot)...

 

[TheBunnyman]

Hey, it's fun watching the Celts be nasty to each other!

 

[Judge Jules]

Yup. They do say there's no honour among thieves. 😉