Just saw it's in Rome as I thought we were at HQ, 16 looks about right I'd say. We usually pull away in the last 20 minutes...
This weekend, I'm going to go for Ireland (predictably) to beat France, Wales to beat Scotland and England to beat Italy.
Not so sure about the French game, France usually pick up their game once in the tournament and this could be the one, home advantage too.
30 years ago today Paul Thorburn kicked this penalty against the Scots, still stands as the longest kick ever......oh and Bill McLaren's commentary adds to it.
Couldn't beat the old Arms Park for atmosphere........ To think that kick was done with the old style leather ball and a tee made up of mud......none of the modern tees and synthetic rounder rugby ball they use these days.......just put the ball down, run up and belt it.......too much of this getting in the zone rubbish these days......
Stade France packed but pretty quiet. I'm hoping for a draw. But if France play like they did for most of the game against Italy, it has to be Ireland's win. Ireland not making the most of a fair degree of dominance so far, and have lost Sean O'Brien, a top class number 7, to injury. Not a great game, French on top at the moment, Ireland just trying to defend a 6 point lead. Penalty try coming for the French if Ireland aren't careful. France get legitimate try when at last they go for quick ball rather than push over. Now in the lead, let's see if Ireland have got anything left in them, 1 point down and momentum gone. France win. Ireland a bit unlucky with injuries meaning their subs could not be used for impact, but they really let France attack in the second half. Perhaps Nuts is right and they are crap.
Wales v Scotland, and I seem to be the only one watching with an iPad humming away. Wales looking strong already, rousing rendition of 'Delilah' pre match. Stuart Hogg looks a decent player, but for some reason I don't like him. Sorry Stu, it may be the haircut. Breakaway try for Wales. Before the game they showed some truly impressive stats showing that Toby Faletau is best at just about everything - carries, tackles, yards made, offloads etc etc. Then I noticed he was only being compared to northern hemisphere players. Scotland score an excellent 23 phase try. 7-7. Game on. Very open game, Scotland on top, glad they didn't play like this against England. Expect Wales to get stronger the longer it goes though. 10-7 Scotland, winger Seymour taking high catch after high catch, but they have lost Hogg to injury. Wales had 92% possession in the first ten minutes. Second half a bit messy, but Scotland ahead by a penalty. And it turns out the Welsh try was offside, but allowed. Welsh try after 7 or 8 minutes of massive pressure, sat within 5 yards of the line. Still only lead by 4 points though. Best game of the tournament so far. Welsh open up an 11 point lead with ten minutes to go, as the Scots let North run through them.
Scots have far too many players with hipster beards to be taken seriously. Jamie Roberts get man of the match, but he's still going bald.
Can England join France at the top of the table? Usually comfortable against Italy and I expect another win today...
Wasn't George North's try fantastic yesterday Taff.... The only light in a pretty awful 24hrs for me ...roll on Monday
Let's be really honest here. This English team is average at best. If a lions team was being picked tomorrow morning they're wouldn't be more than a handful of English players on the team. In saying that, I'm sure Jones will build an exciting team over the next few years if given a chance. Sorry for any bubble bursting but that's the truth.
Spot on. The worst thing that can happen for England this year is to win the Six Nations, they need to know how far they have to go. Other than Brown, no world class players, though a few have potential.
The fixture list suits England this year. That will help. Jones can't shape this team in a couple of months. It will take at least a few years. There is potential there but Lancaster was clueless. Wales and Ireland are a couple of notches ahead of England but Ireland are decimated with injuries this year. We don't have the strength in depth with rugby effectively being a minority sport in this country.
