The Rugby Thread

[pharvey]

This could change things - not only for the Scottish match, but future 6N matches involving Les Bleus...

"Five of the French side who started the Six Nations win over Ireland will miss the match with Scotland next Sunday after testing positive for Covid-19.

Centre Arthur Vincent and hooker Julien Marchand are the latest to return positive test results.

Gabin Villiere, Mohamed Haouas and star scrum-half Antoine Dupont are also in isolation after catching the virus.

France have named a fresh 31-man squad, with the country's rugby authorities insisting they will fulfil the fixture.

The country's health minister said on Thursday that anyone testing positive would need to remain out of contact with others for 10 days, up from seven.

All members of the squad were tested again on Sunday, after wing Villiere and prop Haouas followed scrum-half Dupont in being confirmed cases."

[pharvey]

This New Zealand Herald interview sums it up well.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/rugby- ... NIYPZGZ2M/

Quote from link: -

"The man many would say is the greatest No 10 to have played the game......."

As I've said a class player, but there's only two that could be argued as the best 10 to have played.... Dan isn't one of them

[dtaai-maai]

As I've said a class player, but there's only two that could be argued as the best 10 to have played.... Dan isn't one of them

They wouldn't both be Welsh, by any chance, would they...?

[pharvey]

As I've said a class player, but there's only two that could be argued as the best 10 to have played.... Dan isn't one of them

They wouldn't both be Welsh, by any chance, would they...?

Well, it was tongue in cheek (almost)....

[pharvey]

More problems in the French camp......Will we be looking at an away win for Scotland being awarded if they are unable to play the following week? That really would have a big effect on the title race......

If they do manage to play, you'ld have to think the French players effected must be a way off full fitness....

Six Nations: France v Scotland in Doubt Because of Positive Coronavirus Tests

"Scotland's Six Nations match in Paris on Sunday has been thrown into further doubt after five more France players tested positive for coronavirus.

Captain Charles Ollivon will miss the game after contracting the virus, along with the nine other France players who have tested positive so far.

Les Bleus are top of the Six Nations table after winning their opening games against Italy and Ireland.

The BBC has contacted Six Nations organisers for comment.

If the match at the Stade de France cannot go ahead, it is thought they will try and re-arrange it for the following weekend when there are no games currently scheduled.

Ollivon, Brice Dulin, Cyril Baille, Romain Taofifenua and Peato Mauvaka tested positive on Monday.

Mauvaka is the only one of the 10 players to have contracted the virus who did not feature in the matchday 23 for the round two win over Ireland.

The French Rugby Federation said two members of backroom staff were also considered "suspicious cases" after their tests.

The players and staff involved will return home to isolate and the rest of the side will return to training on Wednesday with testing taking place every 24 hours.

Star scrum-half Antoine Dupont, centre Arthur Vincent, hooker Julien Marchand, wing Gabin Villiere, and prop Mohamed Haouas are already isolating after returning positive tests last week.

Head coach Fabien Galthie and assistant William Servat also tested positive earlier this week and have been isolating.

Uncapped players Gaetan Barlot, Thierry Paiva and Cyril Cazeaux have been called up to the squad, along with Baptiste Pesenti and Thomas Ramos.

Scotland are fourth in the Six Nations table after winning their opening game against England before losing to Wales."

[pharvey]

Starting with the HHF 6 Nations: -

Need we say no more, a Welshman topping the charts, an Englishman not
Joking apart, not the results expected!!
.

6N-Round2.JPG (73.14 KiB) Viewed 312 times

.

ANYWAY, here we go! The third Round of the 6 Nations .... And come on - it's the Lillywhites, Beelzi (shit, sorry).. "THAT XV" vs "Us" .....

Not to mention Les Bleus vs The Sweaties and the Paddies going for an Italian....

In all seriousness, I'm amazed that the France vs Scotland game is going ahead as planned. The politics involved are quite frankly gonads. Safety (IMHO RE: Covid) says delay the match one week and play the next (no internationals), but as that week would be "international free", both English and French club sides are insisting on recalling their players (Welsh & Irish sides have not done so). So... Play this weekend, France are witout +/- 10 (through Covid), play it the following weekend, Scotland are without +/- 10 due to club "recall"!

Wales vs England - hell, who knows. Personally I still have little faith in the coaching team, but at least the players are trying.. England have not looked good, but quite frankly will come back and will have too much for Wales up front, which with Wales not being great so far defensively worries me....... I shall of course still go for a Welsh win!!

Italy vs Ireland....... TBO not too sure I'll even bother. Might just get some Brownie Points and help the LHG with gardening!

Games On ROUND 3: -

R3.JPG (32.08 KiB) Viewed 312 times

[pharvey]

A day after the 6N announced that the France vs Scotland game was to go ahead as planned, it's again under threat and "unlikely" to take place after all....

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/56196639

[dtaai-maai]

^^But postponed, rather than written off as a loss for France, which is lucky for France and a shame for everyone else...

[EDIT: TBO, Pietro? To Be 'Onest...?? ]

[pharvey]

[EDIT: TBO, Pietro? To Be 'Onest...?? ]

Posting in the early hours does have it's drawbacks....

[pharvey]

^^But postponed, rather than written off as a loss for France, which is lucky for France and a shame for everyone else...

Well, I guess when it's postponed to and whether clubs are required to release players - as mentioned previously "if" played next weekend (unlikely), Scotland would be down 10 or so top players due to club commitments. Playing outside the club season, you're into international tour dates.....

Awarding the match and points to Scotland if the game cannot be re-scheduled "could" make the title null & void.

Anywho, here's to a good game in Caerdydd!!

[dtaai-maai]

Anywho, here's to a good game in Caerdydd!!

Whaaaat? I thought they were playing in Cardiff!

[pharvey]

Anywho, here's to a good game in Caerdydd!!

Whaaaat? I thought they were playing in Cardiff!

Damn my spelling!!

[dtaai-maai]

Tsk, you didn't give anyone the chance to take the bait...

[pharvey]

Full digital programme - Wales vs England

https://wru.wales/wales-v-england-digitalprogramme/

[dtaai-maai]

^^What a splendid idea! Thanks, pharvey