The Rugby Thread

[Arnoldtoo]

If I had to put my house on it then I’d obviously go for an Ireland win but it should be a close game and I’ve got a feeling in my gut Scotland will nick it.

You know we’re playing a totally different team, right? Wainright, Young, Watkins, Aled Davies, Ball etc. Not to mention a 9,10,12 combo that’s never played together. Add that into the fact Italy are much better at home. That’s before you even consider that our “first team” didn’t exactly cover themselves in glory last weekend. That first half was probably the worst I’ve ever seen us under Gatland

Then consider the performance you put in last week, unchanged side (more or less) and you’re at home and I don’t think it’s ludicrous to think that you’ll win by a bigger margin than us.

We’ve also had troubles in Italy, on occasion, over the years.

Fair comments.

I don't think England will perform as well as they did last week. (I'll be bloody impressed if they do!) And I think France will perform better than they did in the second half against you.

Maybe the 14 point win over Italy is not as far off the mark as your usual don't-jinx-it predictions but I'll got for England by single figures, and Ireland by double.

 

[E17yid]

Fair comments.

I don't think England will perform as well as they did last week. (I'll be bloody impressed if they do!) And I think France will perform better than they did in the second half against you.

Maybe the 14 point win over Italy is not as far off the mark as your usual don't-jinx-it predictions but I'll got for England by single figures, and Ireland by double.

To be honest I wouldn’t be surprised to see us stumble to a 5-10 point win but, changes aside, that team should be putting 14 plus on Italy (with some decent options on the bench to bring on when Italy tire)

Confidence must be sky high in your camp, though. Like any sport, team or individual, confidence is key. We all know what France are going to be doing off the first few phases with Basteraud in and you should cope with that.

That all said I’m not going to be shocked if France make a really good go of it (I’m expecting that in the first 60 bit see you pulling away last 20 min). Like I say though I’m not going to be shocked if you win by 5-10


Ireland could win by 10 plus and I’d be going for that all day in Ireland but can see this one going close. Mind you SOB being back for Ireland is huge. Especially with Leavy out.

 

[teok]

Not a fan of sunday afternoon rugby I want another friday night game. That was so much fun last week.

 

[mpickard2087]

All the teams seem to have one eye on the world cup and trying out different combinations (as well as the usual injury enforced changes too), when there isn't that much between five of the teams to start with it's quite hard to call a lot of the results, which is how you want it.

 

[E17yid]

All the teams seem to have one eye on the world cup and trying out different combinations (as well as the usual injury enforced changes too), when there isn't that much between five of the teams to start with it's quite hard to call a lot of the results, which is how you want it.

Agreed, though with Wales Gatland obviously has 1 eye on the England game. And if you beat us then the GS is in the bag so Jones and the players will be prioritising that as anyone would.

One thing that our team selection has revealed is that Cory Hill (who isn’t in the squad this weekend) will 100% be on the bench against England so it’s between Ball and Beard for that final 2nd row starting spot. There’s still a few more positions up for grabs but for your team has pretty much already been decided after that Ireland performance.

 

[Japhet]

Agreed, though with Wales Gatland obviously has 1 eye on the England game. And if you beat us then the GS is in the bag so Jones and the players will be prioritising that as anyone would.

One thing that our team selection has revealed is that Cory Hill (who isn’t in the squad this weekend) will 100% be on the bench against England so it’s between Ball and Beard for that final 2nd row starting spot. There’s still a few more positions up for grabs but for your team has pretty much already been decided after that Ireland performance.

I'm disappointed Nowell has been benched. Thought he did a good job for us v Ireland.

 

[E17yid]

I'm disappointed Nowell has been benched. Thought he did a good job for us v Ireland.

Yeah. This is what Eddie said. Bit weird but I guess he’s not going to say exactly what’s on his mind.

We have gone for Chris Ashton on the wing; we think he might sneak us a try early in the game," Jones added.

"Jack Nowell was brilliant against Ireland and he'll play a significant role for us off the bench."

 

[Japhet]

Yeah. This is what Eddie said. Bit weird but I guess he’s not going to say exactly what’s on his mind.

We have gone for Chris Ashton on the wing; we think he might sneak us a try early in the game," Jones added.

"Jack Nowell was brilliant against Ireland and he'll play a significant role for us off the bench."

I always thought Ashton was a knob, even when he was playing for Northampton.

 

[E17yid]

You can rest easy re the England/France game tomorrow as I’ve just put a cheeky tenner on France to win at 6/1

 

[Arnoldtoo]

You can rest easy re the England/France game tomorrow as I’ve just put a cheeky tenner on France to win at 6/1

I was wondering whether to do the same thing, just to make sure!

 

[E17yid]

I was wondering whether to do the same thing, just to make sure!

My mate said you can get 7/1.

 

[E17yid]

Terrible miss by Sexton.

 

[E17yid]

Hogg off. That’s Scotland done.

 

[E17yid]

Lol. Didn’t take long.

 

[mpickard2087]

Scotland killing themselves with soft errors.

 

[Arnoldtoo]

Lol. Didn’t take long.

This is going to be a famous victory by the Scots!

 

[E17yid]

This is going to be a famous victory by the Scots!

That joke would work better if Scotland didn’t beat Ireland 2 years ago

 

[E17yid]

Interesting last 10mins to the half now.

 

[spurs mental]

Cracking bit of defending there

 

[mpickard2087]

Scotland didn't do enough there to break them down, structures were a mess.

Overall a bit of a cripple fest so far, which makes it entertaining both teams threatening to throw it away with errors - especially the Scots. I'm not even sure Ireland have had any possession in the 22 that half yet lead!