2023 Six Nations

[Ymx]

Anyway much more credable than I expected and who knows if it was 15v15

[tc27]

Congrats Ireland sure that was a frustrating 60 odd minutes.

England much better than last week.

[OomStruisbaai]

Congrats Ireland. Champion team. England was very good tonight.

[Ymx]

Congrats to Ireland.

Ireland and France just brilliant rugby this championship.

Sad it’s all over now.

Hilariously all kept in the single thread.

[Yr Alban]

Congrats Ireland. Every side in this 6N has had wobbles, but Ireland’s were small and short wobbles. By far the best and most consistent team this year.

[Openside]

Another black hole dense piece of play from England.

Why are we so fucking thick? For years we been fucking morons.

Inbreeding?

From a Welshie ? I have heard it all now

[Openside]

As a neutral I must say the complaints about the officiating has been somewhat distasteful.
PD hang your head in shame, you and OS and the more feral England supporters should be proud of your teams efforts.

As a neutral

[_Os_]

Red card seemed legit to me, in the laws the player without the ball has a lot more responsibility than the ball carrier. England player could've put his hands in the air stood more upright and moved his body side on, did the opposite to getting himself out of the way like that, which is a risky choice if it's uncontrolled and a head contact results. Mitigation that decreases the sanction for head contact usually (always?) comes from use of the arms by the player without the ball, either because the arms rode up in the tackle or the ball carrier ducked under the arms at the last moment. Going for the body check doesn't leave a ref much room for mitigation and lowering the sanction, and contact to the head starts at red.

Rassie and Nienaber are going to go into the bunker and watch that Ireland v England match a few times.

[ASMO]

England despite the fight in the first half were just awful. They created zero opportunities anywhere all huff and puff with fuck all outcome. JVP is a completely failed experiment,a Ben Youngs lite. With Farrell at 10, might as well pick a bunch of tin cans outside him such is the creativity/threat he offers.
I really dont know where England go from here, there is no direction, too few international standard players, basic skills comlpetrly absent. Watson was the only England player who offered any threat/hope, and everything he did, he created himself.

I thought England had bottomed out in their sheer shitness in 2015, i was wrong.......and i completrly agree, it was a red card.

[Big D]

I thought the big news of the day was Scotland being offside again towards the end, Gardner giving them the decision and they then go on to score. It was daylight robbery but par for the course

Terrific consistency from Gardner, ignoring the italian sealing off after the 1st tap and go (pre bound = fine but then straight to ground = penalty). Allowing for a grandstand finish by letting things go.

Followed by his southern hemisphere colleague applying the law correctly to send Steward off.

[fishfoodie]

England despite the fight in the first half were just awful. They created zero opportunities anywhere all huff and puff with fuck all outcome. JVP is a completely failed experiment,a Ben Youngs lite. With Farrell at 10, might as well pick a bunch of tin cans outside him such is the creativity/threat he offers.
I really dont know where England go from here, there is no direction, too few international standard players, basic skills comlpetrly absent. Watson was the only England player who offered any threat/hope, and everything he did, he created himself.

I thought England had bottomed out in their sheer shitness in 2015, i was wrong.......and i completrly agree, it was a red card.

Yep !

If Arundell had been sent off, you'd have stuggled to tell the difference, for all the ball he saw.

There are a number of exciting backs in England, but there's a distinct lack of an attacking structure to bring them into, to best utilize their talents. Eddie has cast a long shadow on the team, & the muppets in the RFU, who let him away with it should walk the plank before what will probably be a disappointing RWC.

[Ymx]

When does Scabnose start taking blame?

[Sandstorm]

I like to see England play with today’s intensity in the forwards and without Owen Farrell in the backs.

[C69]

As a neutral I must say the complaints about the officiating has been somewhat distasteful.
PD hang your head in shame, you and OS and the more feral England supporters should be proud of your teams efforts.

As a neutral

I am dripping almost moist with neutrality

[JM2K6]

I'm sure I'm in the minority here - I certainly was in the pub and from what I can see online too - but I have no problem whatsoever with Steward's red. He ran into contact and at the last second took evasive action that was not evasive and instead just twatted an opponent hard in the head. Don't think it was deliberate but it was incredibly clumsy, very stupid, and obviously dangerous. Clear red IMO.

Ireland were very nervy and some distance off their best. England got stuck into them a bit but not so much to explain all the errors - I think the occasion got to them a little bit. England showed a lot of grit and competed well. That is as positive as I'm going to be about them; they were utterly devoid of ambition, totally lacking in guile, and seemed opposed to the very idea of trying to create space and make breaks. An appalling lack of bravery. Wales were totally outclassed by a very good France side but they always tried to attack them and cause them problems with their skills; England simply decided to kick and clap, or run head first into people. An absolute waste of everyone's time. I cannot see anything but a repeat of the 2011 World Cup for England at this point.

Ireland - congratulations on a deserved Grand Slam.

[fishfoodie]

When does Scabnose start taking blame?

Put a pin in this post for this time next year !

[C69]

I thought the big news of the day was Scotland being offside again towards the end, Gardner giving them the decision and they then go on to score. It was daylight robbery but par for the course

Terrific consistency from Gardner, ignoring the italian sealing off after the 1st tap and go (pre bound = fine but then straight to ground = penalty). Allowing for a grandstand finish by letting things go.

Followed by his southern hemisphere colleague applying the law correctly to send Steward off.

When you put it like that I can only wholeheartedly agree

This
So obviously this

[Uncle fester]

Sheehan just doesn't look like a hooker at all. You could drop him in the centre and no one would bat an eye. Someone Like Marchand is in outstanding physical condition, but there's still no doubt he's a front row player.

Very tall for a hooker.

[Mr Tim Buktoo]

I thought ireland were shyte to be honest. It feels underwhelming.
England didnt offer much.
Sexton wasnt great. I think we are looking at a dodgy world cup again. An old sexton and ross byrne. We are screwed.

[C69]

I thought ireland were shyte to be honest. It feels underwhelming.
England didnt offer much.
Sexton wasnt great. I think we are looking at a dodgy world cup again. An old sexton and ross byrne. We are screwed.

I think Ireland have peaked.

[C69]

Great day out so well worth it

Well deserved, enjoy your victory.

[fishfoodie]

Great day out so well worth it

Well deserved, enjoy your victory.

that first half against the French will live long on the memory, Total Rugby.

[Uncle fester]

I thought ireland were shyte to be honest. It feels underwhelming.
England didnt offer much.
Sexton wasnt great. I think we are looking at a dodgy world cup again. An old sexton and ross byrne. We are screwed.

Yeah, kept going for the big play but that wasn't working and kept England in the game. Should have just focused on the basics.

[fishfoodie]

,
I thought ireland were shyte to be honest. It feels underwhelming.
England didnt offer much.
Sexton wasnt great. I think we are looking at a dodgy world cup again. An old sexton and ross byrne. We are screwed.

Yeah, kept going for the big play but that wasn't working and kept England in the game. Should have just focused on the basics.

Getting anywhere this Autumn will require Ireland to play what's in front of them; & after three games of only playing the 1st half, the last two games have been them containing & absorbing in the 1st, & then pushing on in the 2nd.

The two things I'm happy to see, as an Irish fan this 6N are the increase in depth, & the mental resilience.

There's still plenty to do, but we're in better shape than we were before the last RWC.

[Guy Smiley]

[Gumboot]

What a dick.

[Guy Smiley]

What a dick.

Yup. Somewhere back in this thread we had a small exchange about him. This confirms it.

[Jim Lahey]

Did one of the Irish rugby lads make a joke about women's rugby once upon a time or something?

Why is he so bitter? Probably needs to sort himself out if he wants to be taken seriously by people as a pundit.

[Slick]

Well done Ireland. Best team in the competition and a scarily disciplined and skilful outfit. No real surprise it was a bit of a struggle yesterday, an awful lot of pressure and rugby is played so much in the top two inches, but you were never going to throw it away

[Openside]

As a neutral I must say the complaints about the officiating has been somewhat distasteful.
PD hang your head in shame, you and OS and the more feral England supporters should be proud of your teams efforts.

As a neutral

I am dripping almost moist with neutrality

Made I chuckle

[Ymx]

How’s Sexton?

Knew that he was injured as he wasn’t writhing around on the ground holding his head.

[Jim Lahey]

Well done Ireland. Best team in the competition and a scarily disciplined and skilful outfit. No real surprise it was a bit of a struggle yesterday, an awful lot of pressure and rugby is played so much in the top two inches, but you were never going to throw it away

Even before the red card, and despite Ireland playing like a steaming bag of shit, I felt we would come good eventually, mainly because England didn't offer much of an attacking threat. If England had peak Vunipolas, peak Tuilagi and Marcus Smith running at us, I think England would've had at least 1 try on the board and we'dve had to dig really deep to pull ourselves out of it before the red.

But fair play to England, not the result they'd have wanted obviously but their pack were lightyears ahead of where they were a week ago, and made Ireland look very ordinary/shit for 70mins. Sprinkle some creativity into the backline and the English have a decent side that on their day can beat anyone.

[Jock42]

Congrats Ireland.

Now if you can have an implosion in the world cup that would be great.

[dpedin]

I now have a sore arse having watched all 3 games yesterday whilst sat on my sofa. Reflections:

Scotland v Ireland - early kick off, flattish atmosphere and nothing to play for really. Italy played very well and as so often in this tournament got into great positions then butchered the opportunities. They have a young squad that is getting better and play some nice patterns and will only get better. They should have beat the Welsh, even possibly the French, and had a real chance against us. Scotland looked flat and careless at times, we resorted to giving cheap penalties again and conceding ground. We should have scored more in first half, Italy could have scored more late on but the difference is we have some real game breakers in the team and VdM and Kinghorn did the necessary. Our midfield looked worryingly quiet! At full strength we can beat almost anyone but there is a dip when we lose our key players.

France v Wales - Wales at least looked embarrassed after previous weeks and tried hard but they lack any real threat with Biggar at 10 and any midfield they pick. France were slow to start, got the BP win secured and then gave up as only French teams do. They did the same when they went 19-0 up against us and had a real fright when we nearly came back to win. Wales need to unearth at least 5-6 decent players before the RWC but they won't and will struggle with a limited game plan and limited squad. France can potentially beat anyone but could also get beat by anyone, usual French problems of concentration and staying focused for 80mins. I would also think they might struggle without Dupont at 9, he is the heartbeat of the team.

Ireland v England - Ireland were very sluggish and careless yesterday with lots of mistakes which looked like guys trying too hard at times with loose off loads, backs over running the pass, etc. They were alway going to win and had a few gears in hand but struggles to find their rhythm. England, like Wales, were obviously trying to make up for previous week and played hard and energetically but never had the finesse nor guile to win the game. They worked hard to negate the Irish game but had little of their own game to fall back on. They will continue to struggle against teams who like to play faster and wider rugby and without any resolution on who is their best 9-10-12-13 will continue to struggle to score tries with their backs. They will continue with the forward dominated kicking game and look to feed off others mistakes. Ireland look to have the complete package and must be strong favs for the RWC which they might struggle to live up to?

Final table doesn't lie - Scotland struggling to hang onto the coast tails of France and Ireland with Italy, who played good rugby throughout, unlucky to be the worst of the bottom three.

[Uncle fester]

Did one of the Irish rugby lads make a joke about women's rugby once upon a time or something?

Why is he so bitter? Probably needs to sort himself out if he wants to be taken seriously by people as a pundit.

Sad to see yet another taff have his neurons melted together in a formless mush by bitterness about ireland.

[dpedin]

I now have a sore arse having watched all 3 games yesterday whilst sat on my sofa. Reflections:

Scotland v Ireland - early kick off, flattish atmosphere and nothing to play for really. Italy played very well and as so often in this tournament got into great positions then butchered the opportunities. They have a young squad that is getting better and play some nice patterns and will only get better. They should have beat the Welsh, even possibly the French, and had a real chance against us. Scotland looked flat and careless at times, we resorted to giving cheap penalties again and conceding ground. We should have scored more in first half, Italy could have scored more late on but the difference is we have some real game breakers in the team and VdM and Kinghorn did the necessary. Our midfield looked worryingly quiet! At full strength we can beat almost anyone but there is a dip when we lose our key players.

France v Wales - Wales at least looked embarrassed after previous weeks and tried hard but they lack any real threat with Biggar at 10 and any midfield they pick. France were slow to start, got the BP win secured and then gave up as only French teams do. They did the same when they went 19-0 up against us and had a real fright when we nearly came back to win. Wales need to unearth at least 5-6 decent players before the RWC but they won't and will struggle with a limited game plan and limited squad. France can potentially beat anyone but could also get beat by anyone, usual French problems of concentration and staying focused for 80mins. I would also think they might struggle without Dupont at 9, he is the heartbeat of the team.

Ireland v England - Ireland were very sluggish and careless yesterday with lots of mistakes which looked like guys trying too hard at times with loose off loads, backs over running the pass, etc. They were alway going to win and had a few gears in hand but struggles to find their rhythm. England, like Wales, were obviously trying to make up for previous week and played hard and energetically but never had the finesse nor guile to win the game. They worked hard to negate the Irish game but had little of their own game to fall back on. They will continue to struggle against teams who like to play faster and wider rugby and without any resolution on who is their best 9-10-12-13 will continue to struggle to score tries with their backs. They will continue with the forward dominated kicking game and look to feed off others mistakes. Ireland look to have the complete package and must be strong favs for the RWC which they might struggle to live up to?

Final table doesn't lie - Scotland struggling to hang onto the coast tails of France and Ireland with Italy, who played good rugby throughout, unlucky to be the worst of the bottom three.

Playing twice in the one day. We really are absolute ledgeballs

Oooops! You're not that good ... well you probably are!

[tc27]

PD was found not guilty of rape but the evidence that was revealed in the trial did not do him any favours (mainly some pretty nasty whatsapp messages).

I admit I have enjoyed SRs videos in the past but think his success has gone to his head a bit. You can be a rugby analyst or you can be a partisan commentator/culture war fighter..mixing them up doesnt work.

[JM2K6]

I have absolutely no problem with Squidge standing by his principles and letting that come through in his work, people can choose for themselves whether they consume it based on that and form their opinions appropriately.

What we've seen from him in the last year or so suggests he's a weirdly bitter guy who bears grudges and has geared everything into making grand statements and then seeking reasons to say "I Told You So" when there's anything suggesting he's right or fighting a rearguard battle when he's obviously wrong.

His analysis is shit which doesn't help

[C69]

Congrats Ireland.

Now if you can have an implosion in the world cup that would be great.

When not if.

[GogLais]

PD was found not guilty of rape but the evidence that was revealed in the trial did not do him any favours (mainly some pretty nasty whatsapp messages).

I admit I have enjoyed SRs videos in the past but think his success has gone to his head a bit. You can be a rugby analyst or you can be a partisan commentator/culture war fighter..mixing them up doesnt work.

alright in the North