The Rugby Thread

[lindosfan1]

Ireland v Italy, game ruined by bad refereeing and daft rules. This is not only happening in Rugby.
IMO Italt did well paying with 13 men most of the game and finishing with 12 men. Well done Italy.

[pharvey]

Ireland v Italy, game ruined by bad refereeing and daft rules. This is not only happening in Rugby.
IMO Italt did well paying with 13 men most of the game and finishing with 12 men. Well done Italy.

Very harsh red card IMHO and absolutely ludicrous to reduce Italy to 13 men - killed the game totally when Italy were actually looking quite good. Rugby Union is suffering enough as it is without these ridiculous rulings.... and yet again poor refereeing!

This is a young Italian team full of fight and they deserve some time. However, I'll stick with what I've said previously in that the likes of Georgia also deserve a chance - there should be promotion/relegation.

[lindosfan1]

Bath no longer bottom of the premier league. Cipriani needs replacing and Bristol need better discipline.

[pharvey]

Bath no longer bottom of the premier league. Cipriani needs replacing and Bristol need better discipline.

Bath have a shed load of work to do and several "personnel" need replacing. To win by single points when the opposition is down to 14 players for the majority of the match and 13 players for 20 odd minutes is disgraceful for the talent that Bath do have. Seems they have the same disease as the Welsh national side!!

Cipriani didn't do an awful lot for Gloucester and has done pretty much zip for Bath - a spent force. Bath's loss in Priestland is without doubt Cardiff's and Wales' gain. Dan Biggar is out of contract next season - who knows, Bath is a little closer to home, have the money and need a decent flyhalf!!

[EDIT] As for Bristol's discipline, it's been a concern for a while now - not too sure what's happening there. On the Flyhalf front, I'm not keen on Callum Sheedy and today's display proved a point for me - he should be nowhere near the Wales squad.

[pharvey]

Well, we come to Week 4 of the Six Nations......

The Lillywhites were lucky, Wales hard done by, Les Bleus possibly on for the Grand Slam but Ireland chasing hard for the Championship......

I'm biased obviously, but Wales are going to sneak a cheeky win against all odds and scupper a French Grand Slam!!

Ireland will embarrass the Lillywhites and put 15 odd points on them (sorry DM/lindos/BB). Italy will go down to the Sweaties by 15-20 points, possibly more.

Wales to finish 3rd in the Six Nations.....

[lindosfan1]

Well, we come to Week 4 of the Six Nations......

The Lillywhites were lucky, Wales hard done by, Les Bleus possibly on for the Grand Slam but Ireland chasing hard for the Championship......

I'm biased obviously, but Wales are going to sneak a cheeky win against all odds and scupper a French Grand Slam!!

Ireland will embarrass the Lillywhites and put 15 odd points on them (sorry DM/lindos/BB). Italy will go down to the Sweaties by 15-20 points, possibly more.

Wales to finish 3rd in the Six Nations.....

pharvey, those comments remind me of that supertramp hit in 1974. Wales to finish 5th England to beat Ireland, France to beat Wales

[lindosfan1]

Well, we come to Week 4 of the Six Nations......

The Lillywhites were lucky, Wales hard done by, Les Bleus possibly on for the Grand Slam but Ireland chasing hard for the Championship......

I'm biased obviously, but Wales are going to sneak a cheeky win against all odds and scupper a French Grand Slam!!

Ireland will embarrass the Lillywhites and put 15 odd points on them (sorry DM/lindos/BB). Italy will go down to the Sweaties by 15-20 points, possibly more.

Wales to finish 3rd in the Six Nations.....

pharvey, those comments remind me of that supertramp hit in 1974. Wales to finish 5th England to beat Ireland, France to beat Wales

[pharvey]

Wales to finish 5th England to beat Ireland, France to beat Wales

One can only dream lindos, one can only dream - what odds are you getting?

Urine extraction aside, many think the Lillywhites are due a "Big Game" - personally, I believe they have similar issues to Wales in their coaching department! Whilst missing key players through injury etc., Wales are still a decent side on paper - unfortunately seem to be clueless in what tactics (if any) they have. Literally criminal how we let go of Shaun Edwards - look at the difference to France since he arrived! Obviously heart over head for a Welsh win!

Ireland are a different team without Sexton and much could be said for their loss to France on that basis - he's back for the clash against England, so that could change matters. Could be a great game though!

Scotland can be completely hit and miss - great win against England, loss against Wales and a stuffing by France.They'll be incredibly p'd off and will come back incredibly hard against Italy (unfortunately for the Pasta Munchers).

Anywho, enjoy the weekend of rugby!! Not forgetting to put your picks on as Wales play France on Friday!!

[lindosfan1]

To be honest I find these two matches difficult, form suggest Ireland and France to win, but I believe a return to form for England and Wales is on the cards. Home advantage for both teams has to be accounted for 2 passionate sets of fans.

[lindosfan1]

England lost today Ewels got sent off after 82 seconds, the "man" is a twunt letting his team down with a tackle loke that. Ok England lost but at one point in the 2nd half the score was 15 -15. With a full team England may have won.
Ewels should never be picked again. I will not pass further comments pharvey does a far better job, Wales could have won as well.

[pharvey]

England lost today Ewels got sent off after 82 seconds, the "man" is a twunt letting his team down with a tackle loke that. Ok England lost but at one point in the 2nd half the score was 15 -15. With a full team England may have won.
Ewels should never be picked again. I will not pass further comments pharvey does a far better job, Wales could have won as well.

Well, as a Welshman, it's hard to admit but England did incredibly well despite the scorline . The forwards in particular stood up and bettered the Irish pack for much of the game despite Ewels' "Muppet Moment". Absolutely clear Red Card on 82 seconds FFS!! Comments from Dallaglio in that the decision was debatable were utterly ridiculous - simply no attempt to tackle correctly and zero mitigating circumstances.
I honestly thought that after +/- 5 mins the match was over at 0-8, but was proven well wrong. Teams can front up when down to 14, but at international level, players are dead on their feet in the last quarter - as it showed with Ireland scoring two tries.
But England will take a lot away from this I think before their trip to Paris. Can they win? I honestly don't think so with the French at home and playing for the Grand Slam - but it looks like being one hell of a game!!

Wales were their own worst enemies against France - what a chance that was!! Wales actually had some tactics for once - unfortunately not line breaks!! That said, the French defence under Shaun Edwards ( ) was superb - the Welsh defence wasn't that bad either mind. The loss really, was due to silly mistakes and a lack of attacking ability - it's the first time in something like 15 years that Wales have failed to score a try at home in a test match.... Still, much like England we can take a lot from the match.

As for Italy, I thought that was an impressive display from them overall. Yes, many mistakes but some impressive plays and the big point being they truly lasted the full 80 mins - a couple of tries scored in the second half where they haven't scored a point in previous matches in this championship.
Wales certainly need to mindful for next week, whereas Scotland need to be concerned over their trip to Dublin!!

[pharvey]

As for the tables after Round 4: -

SIX NATIONS
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6N-R4-Table.jpg

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HHF - PREDICTIO LEAGUE
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I'm still going for Wales for 3rd (outright now ), with England 4th taking Scotland 5th on points difference. Italy unfortunately the perennial Wooden Spoon winners...

[pharvey]

"Super Saturday" is here!! - Come on, even you Wendyballers and Cricketers have to admit it's got to be a great day!!

The Lillywhites possibly stopping a French Grand Slam..... Or possibly finishing 5th themselves (Tee Hee )
Ireland with the chance of the Championship if England do them a favour and France capitulate....
Wales could finish 3rd outright with a bonus point win - hardly the greatest, but we'll finish above England
England could finish 5th...... Ooops!
Scotland could finish 5th - a little sad to see after their start in the Championship.

Bonus Points and Points Difference will settle 3rd, 4th, 5th. Ireland and France take 1 and 2 obviously.

Unfortunately, Italy will finish 6th regardless.

Anywho, enjoy!!

[dtaai-maai]

^^"Tee hee"? "TEE HEE"? Seriously???

[pharvey]

^^"Tee hee"? "TEE HEE"? Seriously???

I was simply getting in touch with my feminine side. You can be so hurtful at times DM!!