6 nations 2021 Scrum down in the lockdown

[Line6 HXFX]

I like watching Italy V Wales as it is the only time Wales are really allowed to cut loose and you can see what the players can do when they are not up against a crushing killer defence.
Plus the points you pick up are usually important.

[KingBlairhorn]

I watched a Prem game instead of the Ireland - Italy match. I'm so bored of watching Italy do a few good things, but undermine themselves and ultimately get hammered. Not having done so, though, probably accentuates the feeling of it not being a proper 6 Nations weekend and thus being a big lull in the middle of the tournament.

If something doesn't change soon I think the broadcasters may force the Italy issue. I'll probably watch the games in lockdown but no way I'm using up precious TV time capital for their games in normal times. If this is increasingly the view of committed rugby fans I assume the casuals have long since given up.

Particularly when it comes off free to air. I don't think someone who's paid a wedge for the rights, nor their advertisers, will appreciate a sharp drop in viewership that correlates strongly with one particular participating nation.

The writing is already on the wall I think with the SA teams coming into the Pro16. Either the tournament expands, or the Italians are dropped, it will be one or the other.

[Line6 HXFX]

The ball went straight down from Zammit, his hand was touching it and he was in contact with it, and when it left ihis hand, it went straight down, and a bit backwards.
When you watch the video in slow mo, (cannot find it..someone will post it).
But next time you see it..
let's all say it together.

Oooo look he is still in contact with the ball..
Ooooo..yup...he is still in contact..
ohhh.look, it goes straight down when it left his hand.

It was not a knock on.
I realise my point is undermined slightly, by me not posting the video.

[GogLais]

Mentioned it before but it just felt liked a robbed weekend, given the only 'proper' game has become a slanging match about the ref.

I watched a Prem game instead of the Ireland - Italy match. I'm so bored of watching Italy do a few good things, but undermine themselves and ultimately get hammered. Not having done so, though, probably accentuates the feeling of it not being a proper 6 Nations weekend and thus being a big lull in the middle of the tournament.

If something doesn't change soon I think the broadcasters may force the Italy issue. I'll probably watch the games in lockdown but no way I'm using up precious TV time capital for their games in normal times. If this is increasingly the view of committed rugby fans I assume the casuals have long since given up.

I think I said earlier on - I switched off at half time, no idea when I last did that. Usually I watch pretty well every 6N game all the way through.

[SaintK]

The ball went straight down from Zammit, his hand was touching it and he was in contact with it, and when it left ihis hand, it went straight down, and a bit backwards.
When you watch the video in slow mo, (cannot find it..someone will post it).
But next time you see it..
let's all say it together.

Oooo look he is still in contact with the ball..
Ooooo..yup...he is still in contact..
ohhh.look, it goes straight down when it left his hand.

It was not a knock on.
I realise my point is undermined slightly, by me not posting the video.

No, your point is undermined in that we've all moved on from this now.
So should you unless of course you're just trolling?

[Niegs]

One of those blokes who uploads all kinds of interesting highlights to youtube has just shared one from his archives!

[JM2K6]

One of those blokes who uploads all kinds of interesting highlights to youtube has just shared one from his archives!

Funny! But he doesn't tell him to talk to his team. Which is kind of the key point.

[Niegs]

Also, just found this clip of Ben Youngs and Eliot Daly in action....

[clydecloggie]

The Squidge Report is out for the Wales v England game, and it's pretty conclusive about the 'time on' try. England had plenty of time, and managed to cover this exact same scenario on the other side of the pitch - just laziness; Squidge singles out Watson, although he was actually the one most reluctant to go into the huddle, and was looking at Biggar. Once he was in, he forgot all about it, though.

[JM2K6]

The Squidge Report is out for the Wales v England game, and it's pretty conclusive about the 'time on' try. England had plenty of time, and managed to cover this exact same scenario on the other side of the pitch - just laziness; Squidge singles out Watson, although he was actually the one most reluctant to go into the huddle, and was looking at Biggar. Once he was in, he forgot all about it, though.

Eh, the penalty was on one side of the pitch. Covering that side was automatically much easier.

Still, I'm sure the guy who thinks Josh Adams is the best wing in the world definitely has no bias, no matter how interesting his videos

[clydecloggie]

The Squidge Report is out for the Wales v England game, and it's pretty conclusive about the 'time on' try. England had plenty of time, and managed to cover this exact same scenario on the other side of the pitch - just laziness; Squidge singles out Watson, although he was actually the one most reluctant to go into the huddle, and was looking at Biggar. Once he was in, he forgot all about it, though.

Eh, the penalty was on one side of the pitch. Covering that side was automatically much easier.

Still, I'm sure the guy who thinks Josh Adams is the best wing in the world definitely has no bias, no matter how interesting his videos

It was about 5m to the right of the posts. If you check the video, Elliott Daly is already in position on the far right before the first player starts making his way over to the left - and at snail's pace at that. Nothing but laziness on England's behalf.

[JM2K6]

The Squidge Report is out for the Wales v England game, and it's pretty conclusive about the 'time on' try. England had plenty of time, and managed to cover this exact same scenario on the other side of the pitch - just laziness; Squidge singles out Watson, although he was actually the one most reluctant to go into the huddle, and was looking at Biggar. Once he was in, he forgot all about it, though.

Eh, the penalty was on one side of the pitch. Covering that side was automatically much easier.

Still, I'm sure the guy who thinks Josh Adams is the best wing in the world definitely has no bias, no matter how interesting his videos

It was about 5m to the right of the posts. If you check the video, Elliott Daly is already in position on the far right before the first player starts making his way over to the left - and at snail's pace at that. Nothing but laziness on England's behalf.

Well, the guy in charge of the refs thinks it was ridiculous that having asked England to have a chat, the ref in charge decided to put time on while they were still bunched up. That's the long and short of it. England not sprinting to cover because they didn't expect the ref to fuck them is neither here nor there. It makes for plenty of "engagement" on Youtube videos though, I'm sure.

[assfly]

Squidge Rugby's analysis of the game is excellent as usual. And I agree with his take on the Adams try. England had plenty of time to recover and were lazy, just like they were for Hardy's try. It wasn't pot luck by Biggar, but rather a plan they took into the match.

I didn't realise that Wales didn't kick for touch at all during the game (except for penalties) to keep England's lineout at bay.

[sockwithaticket]

I'm going to take the views of recent ex-Wales captain Sam Warburton and current World Rugby refereeing head honcho Joel Jutge ahead of Squidge on this one.

Incidentally, the Saints - Bath game on Sunday had a very similar incident which was handled exactly as I would expect based on other cases over time:
- ref calls time off and tells captain to go have a word with his team
- waits for captain to have the chat
- checks that he's done and allows players to shuffle back into position
- calls time back on

[assfly]

Incidentally, the Saints - Bath game on Sunday had a very similar incident which was handled exactly as I would expect based on other cases over time:
- ref calls time off and tells captain to go have a word with his team
- waits for captain to have the chat
- checks that he's done and allows players to shuffle back into position
- calls time back on

That's exactly what happened in the Wales England game. May was quick to get back into position, but Watson took his time which was noticed by Biggar and Adams.

England were expecting the kick for posts and got caught napping.

Lesson learnt, I'm sure they'll be much more aware of it in the future.

[JM2K6]

I've just watched the video. He's literally just made up a time when he thinks Farrell has stopped talking - even though he's still facing his players and they're in a big group around him, just because two backs have wandered off - and counted 9 seconds from there.

Quality analysis.

[sockwithaticket]

Incidentally, the Saints - Bath game on Sunday had a very similar incident which was handled exactly as I would expect based on other cases over time:
- ref calls time off and tells captain to go have a word with his team
- waits for captain to have the chat
- checks that he's done and allows players to shuffle back into position
- calls time back on

That's exactly what happened in the Wales England game. May was quick to get back into position, but Watson took his time which was noticed by Biggar and Adams.

England were expecting the kick for posts and got caught napping.

Lesson learnt, I'm sure they'll be much more aware of it in the future.

It's been done to death, but, one last time, because I'm bored, Gauzere did not check with Farrell that he was finished and even calls time on after Biggar has kicked. The ball is past the England posts by the time Gauzere actually say the words time on.


It doesn't matter if one or two players have ambled out of the huddle.

[charltom]

I do wonder why there was any need for a huddle at all to deal with this. There were no fans. Farrell could have been heard by all his players if they'd been in position whem he called out to them! And It's hardly a secret, what he would have to say.

[JM2K6]

I do wonder why there was any need for a huddle at all to deal with this. There were no fans. Farrell could have been heard by all his players if they'd been in position whem he called out to them! And It's hardly a secret, what he would have to say.

You're right, but it's a technical point. Teams have huddled for this sort of thing for decades.

[clive]

Great opportunist try by Wales, the English fans and Y tubers are still crying about the Adams try, English dumb cunts but please don't stop complaining its makes for great entertainment .

[GogLais]

I do wonder why there was any need for a huddle at all to deal with this. There were no fans. Farrell could have been heard by all his players if they'd been in position whem he called out to them! And It's hardly a secret, what he would have to say.

It seems the huddle was called by Ford while the ref was having his word with Farrell and asking him to warn his team. Teams don't usually arrange a tactical chat while they're waiting for a kick to be taken do they?

[JM2K6]

I do wonder why there was any need for a huddle at all to deal with this. There were no fans. Farrell could have been heard by all his players if they'd been in position whem he called out to them! And It's hardly a secret, what he would have to say.

It seems the huddle was called by Ford while the ref was having his word with Farrell and asking him to warn his team. Teams don't usually arrange a tactical chat while they're waiting for a kick to be taken do they?

Er, again, that's something that happens now and then and is nothing new.

Christ, the lack of such huddles was used as stick to beat captains with a decade or more ago.

[SaintK]

I do wonder why there was any need for a huddle at all to deal with this. There were no fans. Farrell could have been heard by all his players if they'd been in position whem he called out to them! And It's hardly a secret, what he would have to say.

It seems the huddle was called by Ford while the ref was having his word with Farrell and asking him to warn his team. Teams don't usually arrange a tactical chat while they're waiting for a kick to be taken do they?

Who gives a flying fuck? It's history.

[GogLais]

I do wonder why there was any need for a huddle at all to deal with this. There were no fans. Farrell could have been heard by all his players if they'd been in position whem he called out to them! And It's hardly a secret, what he would have to say.

It seems the huddle was called by Ford while the ref was having his word with Farrell and asking him to warn his team. Teams don't usually arrange a tactical chat while they're waiting for a kick to be taken do they?

Who gives a flying fuck? It's history.

Isn’t everything history unless we're speculating about the future?

[SaintK]

It seems the huddle was called by Ford while the ref was having his word with Farrell and asking him to warn his team. Teams don't usually arrange a tactical chat while they're waiting for a kick to be taken do they?

Who gives a flying fuck? It's history.

Isn’t everything history unless we're speculating about the future?

Thank you Confucius.

[Kawazaki]

This thread has become a circle-jerk for the Welsh to complain about the English who aren't here. They could almost be Irish.

[laurent]

Some good news on French potential recall Vakatawa, Chat, Ntamack are fit.

[Ymx]

Some good news on French potential recall Vakatawa, Chat, Ntamack are fit.

Thanks for the thread Laurent. One of the more successful rugby ones so far.

Any chance you can edit your OP to fix the thread title to be “lockdown” rather than “Locked Down”.

[laurent]

Some good news on French potential recall Vakatawa, Chat, Ntamack are fit.

Thanks for the thread Laurent. One of the more successful rugby ones so far.

Any chance you can edit your OP to fix the thread title to be “lockdown” rather than “Locked Down”.

Looks like I need to go back to English class...

The squad with the 3 above back in the group

[ASMO]

Some good news on French potential recall Vakatawa, Chat, Ntamack are fit.

Thanks for the thread Laurent. One of the more successful rugby ones so far.

Any chance you can edit your OP to fix the thread title to be “lockdown” rather than “Locked Down”.

Looks like I need to go back to English class...

The squad with the 3 above back in the group

That lot are going to ream England sans lube

[laurent]

Leroux is injured so Rebadj comes in

[sockwithaticket]

As an Englishman, that team does not make me happy at all.

[JM2K6]

It's a real test for France's new found mental strength, but you'd have to make them strong favourites. I expect Penaud to do disgusting things to us. I hope he doesn't end Malins' career before it starts!

[laurent]

Les rosbeefs seront t'ils saignants ?

[Lobby]

Team for le Crunch

After England’s performances so far this year, surely Cretin is playing for the wrong side; he’d fit in well with the rest of the England team.

[sockwithaticket]

It's a real test for France's new found mental strength, but you'd have to make them strong favourites. I expect Penaud to do disgusting things to us. I hope he doesn't end Malins' career before it starts!

I agree, it’ll be very interesting to see how both teams perform. Last year it was a brand new team and playing at home, this year they are expected to win something.

Also, I don’t get why Brace is the ref, he was awful last fall ( at least for a French view point )
https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rug ... 69383.html

To spite some of your cuntier fans for the way they attacked him and his dead dad online in the aftermath?

That aside there aren't many non-French or English international refs around at the moment in the Northern Hemisphere.

[laurent]

Brace is not great however I doubt there is a better one available.

Let's hope he improves.

[Slick]

Team for le Crunch

That is a nice looking team.

[sockwithaticket]

I agree, it’ll be very interesting to see how both teams perform. Last year it was a brand new team and playing at home, this year they are expected to win something.

Also, I don’t get why Brace is the ref, he was awful last fall ( at least for a French view point )
https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rug ... 69383.html

To spite some of your cuntier fans for the way they attacked him and his dead dad online in the aftermath?

That aside there aren't many non-French or English international refs around at the moment in the Northern Hemisphere.

Yep, you can choose whatever part of this article you want, I was referring at the many mistakes he made highlighted by the Independent, that costed the French the game.
What happened later in the not so social medias and tweets didn’t change the game. Shameful,I had no idea about this

I know you meant he shouldn't get the game because of his errors. My suggestion about the fans is a little facetious and I'm sure the lack of other options is a bigger part of the decision, but I think it's true also that World Rugby wouldn't want their decision making to look like it was influenced by fan anger and not giving him the fixture could be interpreted as them giving in to it.

[SaintK]

6 Nations has sold 14% of the commercial rights to CVC for the next 5 years. Bye Bye 6N on terrestial TV then?

A decision on whether the Six Nations championship will continue to be broadcast on terrestrial television will be made “within weeks” following confirmation of a £365m five-year investment deal with the private equity firm CVC. Officials are insistent, however, that CVC are “a force for good” and will play a crucial role in broadening rugby union’s global popularity.

Having already bought stakes in Premiership Rugby and the Pro 14, CVC have purchased 14.3% of the Six Nations’ commercial rights, which will yield £95m over five years for the Rugby Football Union. The other home unions have been allocated lower amounts based on their relative audience share, with the Welsh Rugby Union receiving £51m and the Irish Rugby Football Union and Scottish Rugby Union benefiting to the tunes of £48m and £44.5m respectively.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/ ... by-union