2025 6N thread

[Blackmac]

Ted Hill is just being pissed about isn't he.

Disgraceful with the game won.

[Paddington Bear]

As a Scotland fan, yesterday's second half was a difficult watch but this is the most boring 8 try game I've ever seen. It's like a training run for both sides.

They’re different. This game was entertaining until about 55 mins when both sides realised Italy couldn’t win. Scotland gave up and started showboating and nearly lost to an appalling side as a result.

Not entirely sure what it is but Italy have a mental block at Twickenham, particularly bizarre on a day like today when the atmosphere has resembled a Thursday night at Lord’s for a Middlesex game.

England have done everything asked of them today in the end

[Yeeb]

As a Scotland fan, yesterday's second half was a difficult watch but this is the most boring 8 try game I've ever seen. It's like a training run for both sides.

It’s the forgone conclusion V the immovable Borthwick

Was never going to be fun telly

[Tichtheid]

They’re different. This game was entertaining until about 55 mins when both sides realised Italy couldn’t win. Scotland gave up and started showboating and nearly lost to an appalling side as a result.

Not even close to what happened

[Sandstorm]

LCD throws skew, Chessum comes down on Italian side like a snail and Italy get penalised for hitting Chessum. Stupid law.

[Hal Jordan]

The Currys are freaks at the turnover.

[Paddington Bear]

They’re different. This game was entertaining until about 55 mins when both sides realised Italy couldn’t win. Scotland gave up and started showboating and nearly lost to an appalling side as a result.

Not even close to what happened

We’ll have to agree to disagree, and judging from facial expressions Finn Russell agrees with me

[Tichtheid]

As the cliché goes, you can only beat what's in front of you. It's a shame Italy didn't put up more resistance but it has to go down as a decent win for England

[Tichtheid]

They’re different. This game was entertaining until about 55 mins when both sides realised Italy couldn’t win. Scotland gave up and started showboating and nearly lost to an appalling side as a result.

Not even close to what happened

We’ll have to agree to disagree, and judging from facial expressions Finn Russell agrees with me

Nope.

That's bollocks. There was no showboating. When the subs came on we lost our set piece. Ashman lost five out of five throws at the lineout. Sutherland isn't anywhere near where he was when he made the Lions squad four years ago. Fuck knows how Hurd gets into an international squad, he simply can't scrummage.

We also lost any control at half back as Horne and Jordan are not nearly as good as White and Russell. We got done over at the breakdown too by a good Welsh back row. We lost any kind of flow after 50 odd minutes because we just didn't have the ball and what little possession we did have we gave away.

[Paddington Bear]

Not even close to what happened

We’ll have to agree to disagree, and judging from facial expressions Finn Russell agrees with me

Nope.

That's bollocks. There was no showboating. When the subs came on we lost our set piece. Ashman lost five out of five throws at the lineout. Sutherland isn't anywhere near where he was when he made the Lions squad four years ago. Fuck knows how Hurd gets into an international squad, he simply can't scrummage.

We also lost any control at half back as Horne and Jordan are not nearly as good as White and Russell. We got done over at the breakdown too by a good Welsh back row. We lost any kind of flow after 50 odd minutes because we just didn't have the ball and what little possession we did have we gave away.

As I say we’re going to have to agree to disagree on this, and I will be wearing my Scottish cricket shirt to the pub under my English rugby shirt next Saturday

[Kawazaki]

JVP is not a very good scrumhalf. England just lost all shape when he came on.

F. Smith is simply a better flyhalf than M. Smith regardless of 'moments', he simply does what 10s do better. He was my MoM.

[Blackmac]

Fuck me. Seconds after the whistle we have "M Smith for the Lions".

[Kawazaki]

Fuck me. Seconds after the whistle we have "M Smith for the Lions".

It's bollocks. He's not a great option for no.23 either.

[Tichtheid]

We’ll have to agree to disagree, and judging from facial expressions Finn Russell agrees with me

Nope.

That's bollocks. There was no showboating. When the subs came on we lost our set piece. Ashman lost five out of five throws at the lineout. Sutherland isn't anywhere near where he was when he made the Lions squad four years ago. Fuck knows how Hurd gets into an international squad, he simply can't scrummage.

We also lost any control at half back as Horne and Jordan are not nearly as good as White and Russell. We got done over at the breakdown too by a good Welsh back row. We lost any kind of flow after 50 odd minutes because we just didn't have the ball and what little possession we did have we gave away.

As I say we’re going to have to agree to disagree on this, and I will be wearing my Scottish cricket shirt to the pub under my English rugby shirt next Saturday

You can wear a Pink Panther suit for all I care.

Can you give some examples of the "showboating"

[Yeeb]

This Italian captain, his voice sounds like a Cazoo

[Paddington Bear]

JVP is not a very good scrumhalf. England just lost all shape when he came on.

F. Smith is simply a better flyhalf than M. Smith regardless of 'moments', he simply does what 10s do better. He was my MoM.

Glad he got called out on comms so maybe people will notice, him coming on and box kicking from midfield whilst 25 points up was piss poor and makes him totally unsuited for coming off the bench - ironically what Randall offers ought to have been perfect to turn that into 50+ but he’s been written off having been forced to play a game he can’t play. Hopefully Quirke has a period without injury to stake a claim - I assume Mitchell is going with the Lions so there’ll be a chance in Argentina.

No shock we agree at 10. Early days but F Smith seems to have a lot of the best traits of Ford and Faz without so many of their weak points. M Smith showed far more in attack second half but he’s just not a full back, hard to blame him too much for that but have a suspicion Cardiff will be a very tough gig for him if asked to do it again

[Paddington Bear]

Nope.

That's bollocks. There was no showboating. When the subs came on we lost our set piece. Ashman lost five out of five throws at the lineout. Sutherland isn't anywhere near where he was when he made the Lions squad four years ago. Fuck knows how Hurd gets into an international squad, he simply can't scrummage.

We also lost any control at half back as Horne and Jordan are not nearly as good as White and Russell. We got done over at the breakdown too by a good Welsh back row. We lost any kind of flow after 50 odd minutes because we just didn't have the ball and what little possession we did have we gave away.

As I say we’re going to have to agree to disagree on this, and I will be wearing my Scottish cricket shirt to the pub under my English rugby shirt next Saturday

You can wear a Pink Panther suit for all I care.

Can you give some examples of the "showboating"

OK champ, we’ll just put Wales’ 20 unanswered points down to their excellent talent in attack which somehow has not been on display against any other opposition for two years

[Tichtheid]

As I say we’re going to have to agree to disagree on this, and I will be wearing my Scottish cricket shirt to the pub under my English rugby shirt next Saturday

You can wear a Pink Panther suit for all I care.

Can you give some examples of the "showboating"

OK champ, we’ll just put Wales’ 20 unanswered points down to their excellent talent in attack which somehow has not been on display against any other opposition for two years

So that will be a "No I can't give examples" then

[Paddington Bear]

You can wear a Pink Panther suit for all I care.

Can you give some examples of the "showboating"

OK champ, we’ll just put Wales’ 20 unanswered points down to their excellent talent in attack which somehow has not been on display against any other opposition for two years

So that will be a "No I can't give examples" then

I just have

[SaintK]

M Smith burned by an 8.

By easily the fastest forward in the Prem

Your submission for mitigation will be taken into consideration.

[Tichtheid]

OK champ, we’ll just put Wales’ 20 unanswered points down to their excellent talent in attack which somehow has not been on display against any other opposition for two years

So that will be a "No I can't give examples" then

I just have

No you haven't.

Been a good afternoon at the bar has it?

Presumably France's Haigh scoring yesterday was down to Ireland showboating?

Were Wales showboating when they shipped the first five tries to Scotland?

We were caught narrow for the second Wales try and the next two were down to missed tackles and, as I already said, losing the set piece and the territory and possession that comes with it.

[Paddington Bear]

So that will be a "No I can't give examples" then

I just have

No you haven't.

Been a good afternoon at the bar has it?

Presumably France's Haigh scoring yesterday was down to Ireland showboating?

Were Wales showboating when they shipped the first five tries to Scotland?

We were caught narrow for the second Wales try and the next two were down to missed tackles and, as I already said, losing the set piece and the territory and possession that comes with it.

Watched the game on the sofa with a cup of tea - we can disagree on how you shipped 20 unanswered points against *that* Wales team and I have not sought to argue about it. If you’re happy with how your team finished that game then fine, it’s your team not mine

[Tichtheid]

I just have

No you haven't.

Been a good afternoon at the bar has it?

Presumably France's Haigh scoring yesterday was down to Ireland showboating?

Were Wales showboating when they shipped the first five tries to Scotland?

We were caught narrow for the second Wales try and the next two were down to missed tackles and, as I already said, losing the set piece and the territory and possession that comes with it.

Watched the game on the sofa with a cup of tea - we can disagree on how you shipped 20 unanswered points against *that* Wales team and I have not sought to argue about it. If you’re happy with how your team finished that game then fine, it’s your team not mine

Now you're making up more stuff out of nowhere.

Did I say I was happy? No.

I outlined where we went terribly wrong.

Showboating means players showing off, it doesn't mean losing control of a match - we weren't throwing stupid passes or trying to play from our own goal line

[Paddington Bear]

No you haven't.

Been a good afternoon at the bar has it?

Presumably France's Haigh scoring yesterday was down to Ireland showboating?

Were Wales showboating when they shipped the first five tries to Scotland?

We were caught narrow for the second Wales try and the next two were down to missed tackles and, as I already said, losing the set piece and the territory and possession that comes with it.

Watched the game on the sofa with a cup of tea - we can disagree on how you shipped 20 unanswered points against *that* Wales team and I have not sought to argue about it. If you’re happy with how your team finished that game then fine, it’s your team not mine

Now you're making up more stuff out of nowhere.

Did I say I was happy? No.

I outlined where we went terribly wrong.

Showboating means players showing off, it doesn't mean losing control of a match - we weren't throwing stupid passes or trying to play from our own goal line

As I’ve said throughout this exchange, we’re going to have to agree to disagree

[Tichtheid]

Watched the game on the sofa with a cup of tea - we can disagree on how you shipped 20 unanswered points against *that* Wales team and I have not sought to argue about it. If you’re happy with how your team finished that game then fine, it’s your team not mine

Now you're making up more stuff out of nowhere.

Did I say I was happy? No.

I outlined where we went terribly wrong.

Showboating means players showing off, it doesn't mean losing control of a match - we weren't throwing stupid passes or trying to play from our own goal line

As I’ve said throughout this exchange, we’re going to have to agree to disagree

Tell me where Scotland were showing off, or playing impossible percentages and I'll agree with you

[Hal Jordan]

OK, Scotland were shit in the second half, we get it.

[Tichtheid]

OK, Scotland were shit in the second half, we get it.

For the sake of accuracy, Scotland were shit for the last 20 minutes

[SaintK]

OK, Scotland were shit in the second half, we get it.

For the sake of accuracy, Scotland were shit for the last 20 minutes

To be fair all the winning teams were quite flat for 15 to 20 minutes in the second halves
Let’s move on

[sturginho]

Some nice hands being shown.

Italy have been a huge disappointment the last couple of games of the 6N.

Not just the last couple

[fishfoodie]

Some nice hands being shown.

Italy have been a huge disappointment the last couple of games of the 6N.

Not just the last couple

Don't worry, I think we'll struggle against you

[Punter15]

Watched the game on the sofa with a cup of tea - we can disagree on how you shipped 20 unanswered points against *that* Wales team and I have not sought to argue about it. If you’re happy with how your team finished that game then fine, it’s your team not mine

Now you're making up more stuff out of nowhere.

Did I say I was happy? No.

I outlined where we went terribly wrong.

Showboating means players showing off, it doesn't mean losing control of a match - we weren't throwing stupid passes or trying to play from our own goal line

As I’ve said throughout this exchange, we’re going to have to agree to disagree

Why? You are talking complete bollocks and Tichtheid is spot on. It’s down to Toonie picking a not very good bench and then using it badly.

[Enzedder]

Just watching the England game now. Marcus Smith has more than a touch of the Farrell showboat about him now.

[Rhubarb & Custard]

I've seen Farrell accused of many things, showboating would be a new one. It doesn't seem especially fair of Smith either as it happens, he works very hard, he just also likes a step, really likes a step, and has a silly haircut.

[Gumboot]

I like Smith. He's a good attacking 10 and about the only exciting thing about this England team, but... his defence at 15 is virtually non-existent. The failure to even attempt a tackle when Italy scored their second try was comically inept.

[Rhubarb & Custard]

He's not a great 15, probably not even a good one, but in that situation with Vincent being chased by Genge the carrier isn't about to get tackled, Smith buys the possible pass and that sits him back on his heels, and that's all the time Vincent needs. If Vincent was being tracked by a back I'd have more issue with Smith.

Really if we want to stop that try we can look at the kick to touch that's taken quickly and then Earl not dealing with Lamaro blocking him opening up space inside George that Capuozzo is more than quick enough to exploit. Waiting until there's a fullback looking at defending a 3 on 1 (okay it tapers to 2 on 1) and then decrying their efforts seems a little misplaced

I suppose in an ideal world make the carrier make the pass, but Smith isn't the first player presented with multiple threats to get sat on their heels, and I'd assume he'll not be the last. And I doff my cap to Lamaro

[Gumboot]

Furry muff... but it's not like he doesn't have form for flakey defence. Not Cipriani bad, but pretty damn bad. Joe Schmidt must be licking his lips at the prospect of him starting for the Lions.

Edit: just watched it again, and while I'm still not impressed with Smith's indecision, as you say there were a few other England players who should've done much better before Smith was even put in that situation. Still, the fullback is literally your last line of defence, so he needs to be a damn good defender. I'm a bit confused as to why Borthwick likes to play him there so much?

[Torquemada 1420]

Watching the Ireland v France game yesterday I have to make my views known about the horrendous clear-out incident that saw the great Antoine Dupont leave the field with a suspected ACL injury.

For years Ireland and Leinster have been getting away with reckless and wild clearing at the breakdown. It’s co-ordinated chaos in their eyes, but in the eyes of other professional players they consistently go way beyond what’s acceptable on the pitch.

Let’s be honest, Ireland have form for this. For years they’ve pushed the breakdown chaos well past what is either acceptable or safe – just ask Malcolm Marx, a victim of a similar and possibly even worse incident in the summer for South Africa against Ireland. We saw Josh van der Flier flying into a ruck two years ago in the EPCR Champions Cup, clash heads with one of the opposition props and then have the temerity to play the victim to the referee! So I don’t buy Irish innocence in this instance simply because of the amount of previous, proven or unproven, that they have.

World Rugby have to act; protecting its assets – the players – is a key tenant of their safety protocols and there’s no way that, in a contact situation with 125kg athletes piling in, that players should avoid scrutiny for consistent reckless behaviour that endangers careers.

[Paddington Bear]

Bielle-Biarrey has a chance to equal or break what I’d imagine is one of the last ancient Championship records standing.

He’s on 7 tries this year, 8 have been scored twice before, by Cyril Lowe (England 1914) and Ian Smith (Scotland 1925). Lowe followed on from that season by becoming a decorated fighter ace.

Can’t imagine anyone would suggest LBB would be an undeserving record breaker or equaller, but there would be something a little sad at losing perhaps the last record to stand for a century

[Tichtheid]

Bielle-Biarrey has a chance to equal or break what I’d imagine is one of the last ancient Championship records standing.

He’s on 7 tries this year, 8 have been scored twice before, by Cyril Lowe (England 1914) and Ian Smith (Scotland 1925). Lowe followed on from that season by becoming a decorated fighter ace.

Can’t imagine anyone would suggest LBB would be an undeserving record breaker or equaller, but there would be something a little sad at losing perhaps the last record to stand for a century

I believe records are there to be broken. Having said that, there were only four games for the earlier two players to score 8 tries.

[Rhubarb & Custard]

Furry muff... but it's not like he doesn't have form for flakey defence. Not Cipriani bad, but pretty damn bad. Joe Schmidt must be licking his lips at the prospect of him starting for the Lions.

Edit: just watched it again, and while I'm still not impressed with Smith's indecision, as you say there were a few other England players who should've done much better before Smith was even put in that situation. Still, the fullback is literally your last line of defence, so he needs to be a damn good defender. I'm a bit confused as to why Borthwick likes to play him there so much?

He's not flaky as such, but he'd like to use his pace and knows he's going to struggle in collisions because of his size, and that's a problem if he's given 1 scenario to solve never mind the 2/3 he was given in that try. Once you've got that hesitation there are problems, but there's a reason Toulouse and Italy so often pick Capuozzo on the wing, no matter he as with Smith might like the space to run into the position affords. Actually if England are going to pick Smith at 15 he needs to be getter better results on kick return, I'm not even quite sure what we're trying to do, are we wanting to set up box kicks, yawn, is Smith targeting centre field carrying the ball back to split the pitch, but then you've lost Smith to the tackle and it negates having a 10 at 115 to then work that split pitch. And if we are working to the middle to split the pitch and negate the blitz it's striking barely anyone is blitzing, so did we have an idea whose time has already (for now) passed?

With Smith at 15 we need plays like the Lamaro one to open holes for Smith to more effectively carry into, and we then need to be able to support those plays and then attack again. We're miles off that, and as a result we're getting more of the negatives in not picking a fullback than the positives of his pace carrying the ball back and then having a 2nd 10 in the backline once a defence is stressed or even forced into a scramble.