RBS 6 Nations Rugby

Ireland lloked the better team but handed the game to a disinterested France. I was surprised that no Irish player was sin binned for not releasing at the tackle. They were pinged for that so many times I'm amazed the referee was so lenient. I also felt sorry for the French loose head props because the referee and assistants were regularly missing the Ireland tighthead binding improperly and droppping the scrum. That penultimate Irish penalty, at the scrum was a classic example of the ref getting it wrong. Brighter signs for the Irish at the ruck and maul and scoring 3 tries in a losing performance was good but I fear they're a declining power not a growing one.

The French are just unfathomable, good players winning despite playing poorly.
 
PlacidCasual said:
Brighter signs for the Irish at the ruck and maul and scoring 3 tries in a losing performance was good but I fear they're a declining power not a growing one.
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Ireland has been trending upward over the long term. In fact it's only been in the last year or so that Ireland has over taken England as the second best team on paper in the six nations (2000-2010) after France. If you break the decade in to halves, quarters or thirds at every section Ireland has improved over the previous one.
 
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PlacidCasual said:
The French are just unfathomable, good players winning despite playing poorly.
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It will be interesting to see what French team turns up at Twickenham. In a world cup year I was suprised to see a distinctly average French team in every aspect, except kicking accuracy. Although France's restart after the first Ireland try was pleasing to English eyes.
 
could be a hell of a 6nations this year to be fair, england have the best chance ive seen in a long time of winning the whole thing (grand slam).. they've been easily the most impressive of the teams. Next game could be a cracking one as i think france are a little nervous when it comes to playing in the uk.
 
Bumpady Bump

Round 3 is this weekend

England vs. France
Scotland vs. Ireland
Italy vs. Wales

I have updated my Fantasy team as well. I am just waiting on the France and England starting line ups for the final couple of changes.

I feel that the French front row will do a right number on the English, but that is because Nicolas Mas is like God in a scrummaging machine. It will be the ultimate test of size vs technique as he will be up against Sheridan, who I maintain couldn't get out of a wet paper bag. It will be interesting to see if Moody will be included in the starting XV considering he is only just back from injury. Would really damage Haskell's confidence if he is dropped as he has played well.

I am really happy to see Yanick Jauzian back for the French as I think he has been the best centre in the world, along with, I grudgingly admit, Brian O Driscol since Will Greenwood retired.
 
dante6491 said:
I feel that the French front row will do a right number on the English, but that is because Nicolas Mas is like God in a scrummaging machine. It will be the ultimate test of size vs technique as he will be up against Sheridan, who I maintain couldn't get out of a wet paper bag. It will be interesting to see if Moody will be included in the starting XV considering he is only just back from injury. Would really damage Haskell's confidence if he is dropped as he has played well.

I am really happy to see Yanick Jauzian back for the French as I think he has been the best centre in the world, along with, I grudgingly admit, Brian O Driscol since Will Greenwood retired.
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Not sure I agree with the scrum. I think the French will have an advantage but not dominate. They didn't really do a number on Ireland did they?? And I've always seen Irelnad being a bit weak up front. Granted they gave Euan Murray a fun afternoon but I've not rated him after his short and somewhat unsucessful stint with the Saints.

Agree with you on the Haskell point. I'm not a massive fan of Moody and I don't think you can drop someone after the game he had last week.

Well up for the game on Saturday though, don't think I've been this amped for a game in a long long time!
 
England team announced. Only change is Sheridan in for Corbisiero who drops to the bench replacing David Wilson.

Ben Foden (Northampton); Chris Ashton (Northampton), Mike Tindall (Gloucester, capt), Shontanye Hape (Bath), Mark Cueto (Sale); Toby Flood (Leicester), Ben Youngs (Leicester); Andrew Sheridan (Sale), Dylan Hartley (Northampton), Dan Cole (Leicester), Louis Deacon (Leicester), Tom Palmer (Stade Francais), Tom Wood (Northampton), James Haskell (Stade Francais), Nick Easter (Harlequins).

Replacements: Steve Thompson (Leeds), Alex Corbisiero (London Irish), Simon Shaw (Wasps), Hendre Fourie (Leeds), Danny Care (Harlequins), Jonny Wilkinson (Toulon), Matt Banahan (Bath).

Interesting to see if Banahan gets on for Tindall at some point as he's been in pretty good form and set up a couple last week.
 
No great hopes for Sunday here, anything other than a dismal capitulation is about the limits of my expectations this time round. Still the game at 5 today should be interesting and we'll find out if either of the teams is as good as they've shown so far.
 
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