Agree, Nutso, no way are England going to beat Italy by 50 points +. They should win though and that sets things up nicely for the 5pm kick-off, and game of the day, France v Ireland. Ireland consistently playing high class but not invincible rugby. The French with the usual Gallic unpredictability, having taken a lot of stick over the last week. They'll have something to prove. It won't be easy but The Championship is there for Ireland to take, and if they beat France in Paris today, no one can dispute they deserve it.
Agree, Nutso, no way are England going to beat Italy by 50 points +. They should win though and that sets things up nicely for the 5pm kick-off, and game of the day, France v Ireland. Ireland consistently playing high class but not invincible rugby. The French with the usual Gallic unpredictability, having taken a lot of stick over the last week. They'll have something to prove. It won't be easy but The Championship is there for Ireland to take, and if they beat France in Paris today, no one can I wouldn't rule out England winning by 50+ points at all. I just think that to to so, they must play differently than they have to date. England have been impressive at ball retention and bashing it up the middle but this won't work IMO against the italians. I think England will have to change their approach at some stage in the game and go for it. dispute they deserve it.[/QUOTE]
[/QUOTE] I'm not sure I see the emerging England in quite the same way mate. I think they are trying to play a more expansive game and have two promising young wingers and a World class full back. As for today, I think England will win, but it won't be by a huge score imo. As for the French, they really have little to play for but pride and I'm not sure they will turn up. The Irish have it all to play for and I suspect that they will overwhelm the French to take the Championship. A fitting end for BOD.
I'm not sure I see the emerging England in quite the same way mate. I think they are trying to play a more expansive game and have two promising young wingers and a World class full back. As for today, I think England will win, but it won't be by a huge score imo. As for the French, they really have little to play for but pride and I'm not sure they will turn up. The Irish have it all to play for and I suspect that they will overwhelm the French to take the Championship. A fitting end for BOD.[/QUOTE] Col I think we'll have to agree to disagree on this. I'm in no way criticising this England team. They're very impressive. Lancaster seems to be a very good coach who is building both on and off the pitch. He's building a structure that is robust and combative. I'm not having a pop off the players themselves just pointing out what I've seen. I counted how many times English backs tried to run the ball out of hands against the welsh and it was five times, in the whole game. It's not easy on the eye Col but it's damn effective. That's why I genuinely believe that to win by the required margin today England will have to change their game plan and allow these young backs to cut loose and show us what they can do.
Which France will turn up. There's no pressure on them, might just be the very exciting one....... I have a challenge - will be boarding a flight to Japan in an hour, and have found in my wallet a voucher for an hours worth of wi-fi on the plane (I think this one is internet enabled). These things are usually so slow and frustrating that I would never pay for it, or even get my company to pay for it...but if its free.......problem is which hour do I pick? Tempted to wait for the last hour of France -Ireland and pick up the other scores, including QPR, at that time. Adivice, including the UK time I should log on, welcome. Of course high chance that I'll be asleep anyway, I've had 2 breakfasts and am on the second beer now....
QPR result might make it worth tuning in for Stan Rugby is Irelands to lose. The pressure is on them and the French won't roll over.
The Italians will play hard at home and nothing can be taken for granted. It just depends how determined they are. England will surely go for it and if we can get a significant early lead the Italians may just crumble but I think we'll be happy with a win to put Ireland under pressure. The only French hope would be a win and England failing in Italy. Wouldn't it be ironic if we beat Italy by 50+ and Ireland scrape home by just enough, they have the advantage of knowing exactly what they will need before they kick-off, a big advantage...
Depends if the Italians can last longer than an hour without blowing up in the last 20 minutes.....If England launch attack after attack then it will eventually wear the Italians down and the final 20 minutes could see a lot of points scored...... The French are so unpredictable and Irelands record in Paris is awful.....but IMO Ireland will do this for BOD and being Paddy's weekend Paris will be painted Green....
Just read on the beeb website that although it is a glorious day in Cardiff for some reason they are closing the roof at the Millenium Stadium for the Wales match......why?
I don't hold up too much hope of the frogs trying to hard to beat Ireland. It would be like QPR beating citeh on the last day to hand the title to the scum. I'm happy either way as long as the frogs don't score 60 points to take it.
I honestly don't think England will have to concern themselves about cricket scores against Italy, can't see Ireland winning in Paris.
Good 1st half from England, almost half way to the 50 point+ winning margin they need......Italy not getting much of a look in and as long as England avoid having to scrummage they could run in a hat full of points 2nd half....
They'll be pretty demoralised after that first half, if England score early in the 2nd that 50 point target will be looking easy...
Well that was a decent attempt by England pity about the interception try by Italy but to put 50 points on any side is good going...... Up to Ireland now to avoid defeat....
Ireland need to win don't they, not just avoid defeat? A good effort by England although their desperation for points led to a lot of mistakes. Ireland will win comfortably imo.
A good effort by England although their desperation for points led to a lot of mistakes. Ireland will win comfortably imo.[/QUOTE] You're at it again Col
The French have proved in this Championship that they are no mugs and play the full 80. England are in the box seat at the moment and Ireland have it all to do. Swing Low.
You're at it again Col[/QUOTE] I actually do think that Ireland will run out as comfortable winners mate. France have nothing to play for now England have won.
