The rugby

[geocycle]

I’m looking forward to another weekend of 6 nations. Ireland are using their squad players but should still beat Wales comfortably. I expect France to bounce back after last round and beat Italy.

England v Scotland is hard to call and could be an epic. I see it as England’s forward advantage v Scotlands excellent back line. If the Scottish forwards can match the English its Scotland’s game, if the English defence doesn’t get outflanked by VDM et al. It will be a home win. Although Scotland have had a great run against England I’m going for the English, just!

 

[AndyRM]

Last night I went to Kingston Park to see England v Scotland in the U20 6 Nations. We took a pasting, but with only one of our lads anywhere near Premiership level it was always going to be a tough ask. Still, a fun evening and the first rugby game I've gone to with my fiancée.

There were a group of lads stood next to us who seemed a little confused, and we decided they'd got tickets thinking they were coming to a football game, especially when they started belting out "Toon, Toon, black and white army"...

Onto the big boys today, and I'm going with Ireland and Scotland. I can't properly decide about tomorrow, but as per the rules of the prediction game I play at home, going with France.

 

[Bonefish Blues]

Wales playing with more spirit today. Hywl I believe it's called in Welshese

 

[AndyRM]

Wales playing with more spirit today. Hywl I believe it's called in Welshese

Been a good game. Be interesting to see what happens with the yellow card.

I like the bunker review system, but I think they need to tighten it up: I'd not allow 10 minutes of endless slow motion replays, 3 angles, six replays total and make a decision based on that.

 

[Dogtrousers]

Well, I wasn't expecting that scoreline at half time!

 

[Bonefish Blues]

Well, I wasn't expecting that scoreline at half time!

Spanish Inquisition levels of unexpectedness

 

[Dogtrousers]

Spanish Inquisition levels of unexpectedness

I missed the start as I've been busy doing this and that. I sat down, coffee in hand, switched on the telly and Ireland scored within 10 seconds. I feared it was going to be a bit of a one way bore but it's been good stuff.

 

[Bonefish Blues]

Oof!

 

[Dogtrousers]

Jeez what a finish. England are making a habit of this. Phew.

Scotland played some nice rugby but didn't put the points on the board. They should have been making England chase the game in the second half.

I thought Scotland were lucky to finish with 15 men after that off the ball barge on Curry. Not dangerous but 100% cynical. But as none of the experts agreed with me I'm probably wrong there.

 

[AndyRM]

Helluva game. Fair play to England.

It's not often Finn is so off point with his kicking.

 

[figbat]

That’s two nail-biting games today! Nice that the home nations are all showing up.

 

[AndyRM]

Jeez what a finish. England are making a habit of this. Phew.

Scotland played some nice rugby but didn't put the points on the board. They should have been making England chase the game in the second half.

I thought Scotland were lucky to finish with 15 men after that off the ball barge on Curry. Not dangerous but 100% cynical. But as none of the experts agreed with me I'm probably wrong there.

I didn't think there was anything in that, but like you I'm not an expert.

 

[Beebo]

As an England fan, they were poor and didn’t deserve that.
3 tries to 1.

 

[Dogtrousers]

I didn't think there was anything in that, but like you I'm not an expert.

Yeah, you're probably right, it just irked me a bit.

But from an England point of view a massive phew, they dodged another bullet there. I actually assumed that final kick had gone over. It was weird - I think I even saw it go over.

Anyway - phew aside - that was a not great but utterly gripping match. A bit like the previous one. I've just done a bit of statting.

Since the end of the pools of RWC 23 England have played 18 games:
5 of them (28%) have been decided by 1 point (W2 L3). Wins vs Sco & Fra and losses to NZ, Irl & RSA
3 (17%) by 2 points (W1 L2). Win v Wales, Losses to NZ & Fra
2 (11%) by 3 points (W2 L0). Wins v Ita & Arg.

That's 8 matches (56%) by a margin of at most 3. (W4 L4).
Throw in the Australia match that they lost by 5 points, but in the very last minute of the game.

If I was Welsh or Italian I'd be fancying my chances right now.

 

[geocycle]

Scotland were very unlucky there, no doubt they were the better team. I thought the English pack edged the scrums and breakdowns but behind the scrum a different story. It is the sort of mugging England have received on many occasions from the Scots. The defence was pretty epic and they kept VDM quiet in the second half until the 79th minute.

Credit to Wales as well today, their best performance for some time. They will fancy their chances against England.