The Rugby Thread

[pharvey]

Welcome back, Warren Gatland...

Sorry, but that's bollocks.

You're going to have to clarify that for me. It didn't look like much of a welcome to me...

The first half was clear - Ireland were superb, Wales were crap. Nothing to do with Wales' (or coach's) tactics, we had individuals in significant positions that played very poorly and made terrible mistakes... As was mentioned in the post above. Gatland made changes required at Half-Time (should have been made earlier perhaps), which made a difference.

Let's see what the Lillywhites do against this Irish team.... After all, worrying times against Scotland just now?

Ho Hum

[lindosfan1]

Sorry, but that's bollocks.

You're going to have to clarify that for me. It didn't look like much of a welcome to me...

The first half was clear - Ireland were superb, Wales were crap. Nothing to do with Wales' (or coach's) tactics, we had individuals in significant positions that played very poorly and made terrible mistakes... As was mentioned in the post above. Gatland made changes required at Half-Time (should have been made earlier perhaps), which made a difference.

Let's see what the Lillywhites do against this Irish team.... After all, worrying times against Scotland just now?

Ho Hum

Agree with that Wales had a couple of players I thought were excellent, Wales were playing against a team that are rated number 1.Wales were hammered in the first half but one the second half could do well the year.
England need to improve, Scotland seemed to play with more passion.

[pharvey]

England need to improve, Scotland seemed to play with more passion.

TBH I only saw the final 20 odd minutes from the stage where England were 20-19 up. In those 20 minutes, the Scots tackled ferociously and Finn Russel showed his class once again - great distribution, miss passes (one huge pass creating the overlap that lead to VDM's 2nd try).

Looking at the stats, the tackle count against Scotland was huge - England's attack may need improvement (as has been mentioned in the press), but when you are playing against a brick wall....

One thing is for sure, and that's Scotland will always raise their game against England - they're a passionate bunch!!

Another sure thing, is that Wales need to make the changes and bring a huge improvement to their game before visiting Murrayfield next week..... Or it'll be game set and match within the first half an hour. I'm hoping Wales actually get enough clean ball that we can see what Gatland and co.'s game plan is!!

[pharvey]

Italy vs France: -

Christ, that was a hell of game and certainly gave the French a scare! Italy made some poor defensive errors and Varney (at Scum-half) kicked the ball away a few times too often - but ultimately played extremely well IMHO. The French need to sort their discipline out before next week or will get punished by the Irish - 18 penalties and a Yellow Card..... Mr Edwards will not be a happy man! It certainly wasn't a case of the French playing badly - some huge turnovers won, great tries.....

Wales find themselves at the bottom of the table after Round 1 and looking at the displays of other teams are in danger of finding themselves there at the end of the tournament unless they sort things out quickly!

As to the HHF Prediction League on Superbru...... Congrats to JJBones on the Yellow Cap after R1 - I, like Wales find myself at the bottom of the table
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[pharvey]

Coming up for Round 2 of the Six Nations - first come the Under 20's on this Friday evening (UK Time). Ireland all to powerful for Wales in the 1st Round, but hey - at least the U20's managed a bonus point!! Italy just missed out against France with a single point in it and the Lillywhites narrowly beating the Scots 41 - 36 in a high scoring and entertaining game....

All matches (U20's & Seniors) again televised on (UK) Terrestrial TV, so should be fairly easily viewed for those with a VPN or Expat TV - also available on the usual suspects such as cricfree.tv or footybite : -
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[pharvey]

Well, teams named for Round 2 of the 6 Nations......

Wales with significant changes to the pack but zero in the backline which is a suprise and I thought 1 or 2 were needed.... As for the forwards, a very interesting (but young/inexperienced) Backrow with Christ Tshiunza, Tommy Reffell and Jac Morgan - personally, looking forward to how Tshiunza does!

Unsurprisingly Scotland making only one change and that's strengthening the team!! A return from injury for Fagerson (Prop).

The Lillywhites drop Youngs, Curry and Watson - the latter I thought a tad harsh. Could be an interesting match at Lah-de-dah HQ, but I suspect England will have too much for Italy.

The BIG GAME though has to be Ireland vs France..... Ireland without Sheehan (Hooker) because of injury, but have very decent cover. Ireland are quite big favorites, but I think the French are going to bounce back big style after a disappointing trip to Italy.... Plus Wayne Barnes is refereeing!

As mentioned in the Post above, all matches will be shown on Terrestrial TV (UK), so pretty much easy to access: -
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ENJOY!!

[dtaai-maai]

The Lillywhites drop Youngs, Curry and Watson - the latter I thought a tad harsh.

The Bath player dropped?? Unbelievable!!
To be fair, he's also dropped his Leicester mate Youngs. And while we're on the no. 9 spot, I'm still not totally convinced by Van Poortvliet.

Yes, if Italy can repeat the performance against France, they'll be no pushover. All 3 matches this weekend will be very interesting.

[pharvey]

The Lillywhites drop Youngs, Curry and Watson - the latter I thought a tad harsh.

The Bath player dropped?? Unbelievable!!
To be fair, he's also dropped his Leicester mate Youngs. And while we're on the no. 9 spot, I'm still not totally convinced by Van Poortvliet.

Yes, if Italy can repeat the performance against France, they'll be no pushover. All 3 matches this weekend will be very interesting.

After watching the (recorded) match, I thought Watson played fairly well, Youngs kicked away possession a tad too much (similar to Williams of Wales), Curry - fairly decent game, but the less said about the winger Colins, the better! Anyway, will definately be interesting to see how Italy fare - I'm guessing this lad is hoping for something more from the team and the English crowd!!
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[pharvey]

Rugby has lost one of it's true, great characters R.I.P. Charlie

Wales and Pontypool Front Row Rugby Legend Charlie Faulkner Dies Aged 81

Wales and Pontypool rugby great Charlie Faulkner has passed away aged 81.

"The news will prompt huge sadness throughout the sport, with the former loosehead prop known as one of the game’s great characters.

He rose to fame in the 1970s as part of the legendary Pontypool front row alongside Bobby Windsor and Graham Price. The trio attracted global fame, renowned for their ability on the pitch, with all three touring together with the British and Irish Lions in 1977, as well as their exploits off it.

Faulkner won 19 Wales caps between 1975 and 1979 as part of teams that won four Five Nations titles during that period, including two Grand Slams.

Charlie’s attitude to scrummaging was expressed in his mantra ‘up, down, inside out — anywhere but backwards’.

He came to Test rugby late, just shy of his 34th birthday, amid widespread uncertainty among the public and the Welsh selectors about his true age.

But there was no doubt about what he could bring on the field.

His debut as one of six new caps saw him help Wales to their first away win over France in 24 years.

And he went on to gain huge respect for his scrummaging and ability to stand firm under pressure."

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rug ... y-26202314

[pharvey]

Well, strangely enough I watched the Wales vs Scotland game - although at times I wished I hadn't!!

Truly a case of the "Good, Bad and the Ugly".......

"The Good" - Once again, some moments of brilliance in the backline, wonderful offloads and vision. Some great defence also. Some stand out performances in the forwards - Morgan Morse at Openside had a hell of a game, and one to watch out for.

"The Bad" - [Bloody refereeing!! ]... Inconsistency yet again - moments of brilliance followed by complete and utter stupidity/headless chicken time!! Poor tactics, for one - not commiting to the ruck at times and losing turnovers because of it, defensive errors. Team selection - not too sure moving Captain Woodman from the Backrow to the Second Row was the best choice, although I guess options were limited with Green bein unavailable..... Simply didn't work and Woodman was easily Riled.

"The Ugly" - One thing and one thing only stands out beyond all..... DICIPLINE!!! 18 Penalties and FOUR YELLOW CARDS!! Added to the Yellow Card against Ireland in Round 1, that's FIVE in TWO GAMES FFS!! For God's sake, heads need to roll, players' positions within the squad questioned and collective bollockings given over this shameful stat!! An embarrassment to a proud Nation quite frankly!



As for the other matches, unfortunately have not had the chance to watch yet, but judging by the score lines could well be worth a watch - I shant post results in case.....

[dtaai-maai]

England-Italy well worth a look. I was just looking at the squad details. Most of these lads are 19, with about half a dozen just 18, so it's probably not surprising that there's a certain amount of inconsistency and indiscipline. That's the age I was when I left school, and I'm in awe of the physical development and condition of these youngsters.

[pharvey]

I'm in awe of the physical development and condition of these youngsters.

Well yes, and it was not my intention to be disrespectful to them with some of my comments. BUT ultimately these guys are professional players representing Pro Regions/Clubs week in week out - George North for example made his senior debut against SA at 18 (and scored a try too I might add). Wales today are giving caps to a quartet of "youngsters" in Tshiunza aged 21 (Exeter Chiefs), Reffell aged 23 (Leicester Tigers), Morgan aged 23 (Ospreys) and Jenkins aged 20 (Exeter Chiefs) who replaces "Grandfather" Alun Wyn Jones (some 17 years his senior)...

How well they'll do against a very impressive Scottish side is another question, but ultimately it's great experience for them and hopefully the beginnings of long and successful international careers.

As for today's matches, both Scotland and Ireland will be firm favorites, playing at home on the back of powerful displays in Round 1. Both Wales and France must sort out their discipline, or it's going to be game over. Personally I think we'll see big improvements in both teams' displays and I'm looking forward to a cracking afternoon of rugby...... Must admit though I'm a tad concerned with Dyer marking VDM at Murrayfield!!

[dtaai-maai]

Ireland-France: hugely entertaining, both sides showed immense class at times, justifying their 1 & 2 positions.
Scotland-Wales: pretty tedious stuff in the first half, before Scotland turned up the heat. Van der Merve, what a player! And Russell really turned it on in the 2nd half too.

[pharvey]

Well, Wales have moved from "Absolute Shite" to "Extremely Poor (bordering on Absolute Shite)" - some refereeing decisions didn't help, but Jesus, they hardly changed the outcome!!

Giving a Yellow Card against Wales in the 3rd minute of stoppage time and 2-3 seconds from the end of the match pretty much sums the twat up though!!

Tactics? Poor to say the least. Forwards standing off Rucks - good God, Patchell (Outside Half) had to jump in on one occasion to secure ball... WTF?

Wales absolutely toothless in attack, defense at times a joke for international level - Mike Forshaw the Defense Coach stated he was "His own man" after the defeat to Ireland last week..... Cracking start, 2 games in 69 points and 9 Tries conceded (- 52 Points Difference)

Positives for Wales were few and far between, but the so-called "New Guard" of Jenkins, Tshiunza, Reffell, and Morgan did very well - especially Jenkins who at 20 and winning his first cap was exceptional quite frankly. Based on their display(s) today, they all have a long and bright future at international level. I honestly thought Gatland would fight in this 6N, but it's obvious he has one eye (and more) on the future.

The time has come now to look at other options within the backline - although Wales do not have the strength in depth of other nations, this unfortunately down to the WRU and the idiotic running of the sport. Pivac and co. also took us back a number of years though I do have "some" sympathy.....

Liam Williams can be a class act, but his discipline historically is quite frankly dire. This 6N, two matches in, two Yellow Cards!! At 32 there's a couple more seasons left in him, but quite frankly he's not worth the points he gives away (with the cards) - Wales need to look for new blood.

Biggar has played poorly so far in this 6N, I've been a strong supporter of him when others have called for him to be dropped in the past as he's played well and played with passion, but I honestly think it's now time for a change.

George North? Well, we need to keep him for now (lack of alternatives), but utilize him properly - we certainly don't do so at the moment!

A shed load of work to do and not long to do it (before RWC 2023)!!

As for Ireland vs France, WOW what a game!! Ireland once again showing why they are No. 1 in the IRB World Rankings - that said, France are No. 2!! France uncharacteristically made numerous handling errors and loose passes, but credit must be given to the Irish defense for putting the pressure on (Wales need to approach their coach!!).

After the match, a number of "new angles" were shown for Lowe's try - quite frankly I don't believe it was a try, but hell - he deserved it purely on that "finish". Make your own minds up https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/64610568



Let's see how England fare tomorrow, but it's certainly looking like Ireland for the Grand Slam and dead last for Wales!!

[pharvey]

Russell really turned it on in the 2nd half too.

Would have been interesting if roles were swapped with Biggar..... Russell an absolute class act.