Will leave this here......
2 4 1 on england and Ireland shirts,
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Anyone got anywhere for good quality shirts, I'm after a Welsh one without spending £120+!
Scotland could and should have won that game, I have absolutely no idea why the referee didn't send off a number of Welsh players in the final 20 or so minutes - kicking the ball away after the whistle had blown, a high tackle on Hidalgo-Clyne (I'm assuming the penalty that went Wales' way after that was for him dropping the ball?), hands in at the ruck etc. And then at the end to not even take the kick-off after the conversion? I know they said at the start that the referee promised not to be biased for Scotland after working with Vern Cotter before but he didn't have to go so far out of his way to prove he helping Scotland.
Well done to Wales on the win and being experienced enough to close it out but it feels rather like the referee somewhat helped them along the way there. On the bright side Scotland made some excellent attacking play and created a number of good try-scoring opportunities, still too high in the penalty count for my liking though.
Gotta agree with most of your points, but if he were to yellow several of the Welsh players (a hard call that late in a match) then he would be seen as being biased towards Scotland as 2-3 of them should've gone off in the first half not to mention the clear red card 'incident'.
The tackle would've been high, if it would've made contact!
Looking at replays there was very little/no contact made so the scottish player was diving and dropped the ball. Tough one to call and it could've been taken either way. Still not convinced ref made the right decision, but unsure if there was a right one to make
Wales deserved the win, mostly because of the poor attacking play by Scotland, errors and overall tactics. Wales were not much better in the second half (which is why the game was so close) but there were several points where Scotland looked static, like they had no plan/direction on attack. That coupled with the poor kicks lost them the game, not any amazing play from Wales. Both teams soaked up incredible pressure, but equally neither showed much flair in attack.
It's only that one eyed **** Jiffy who hasn't a clue on the modern rules of the game that started any doubt, here's a hint when that happens..... He's a biased idiot who is still sulking about last weeks capitulation at the Millennium.
He's not that biased, not as bad as Guscott anyway, but I think it's quite wrong that the BBC seem to treat him as 'the oracle' and they take his word as gospel. He's good at pointing out plays/tactics from any side, not many of the others seem to do this - but he's certainly doesn't have an unbiased opinion like they seem to treat him. Don't get me started on Gabby, she's a waste of airtime, has no idea about the sport and not even eye candy
I do think it's about time the wrong kind of "Professionalism" being instilled in the Welsh squad by Gatland and co needs to be called to task because it is starting to get beyond a joke and when it finally pees off John Jeffery & Joël Jutge completely will truly come back to haunt them, and it is masking the talents of a very good group of players who are being forced into one dimensional Rugby and on pitch histrionics.
Webb should be cited (if you can in this instance) for un-sportsman like conduct. Shocking
'Playing the ref' is quite an old rugby tactic, previously it was part of the game but with TMO and action replays I don't think it belongs quite so much in the professional game. You see again and again players 'trying it on' (hands in scrum, collapsing mauls, not rolling away are prime examples). I don't think Wales are any more to blame at this than any other, just it tends to be more obvious/we all look for it more!
If you're citing Webb for that then the Scottish player should also be cited for moving/touching the scrum half as he's equally to blame...
France, physical but disjointed and to many players in average form, missing an X-factor even more than most. I can see the Battle with Wales being the crunch one for third/fourth.
Agree to a certain extent although I think the France/England game will decide second place as I'm fairly confident in Ireland winning it. Wales may find some form and pressure 3rd place (if they beat France) but I don't see many teams topping Ireland, certainly not England with their injury list. The 'the B team' are playing fantastically at the moment, but I don't think they're in the same class as Ireland so things will be decided before the final game of the series.
Robshaw continues to lead from the front and no one offers the all round work rate he puts in each game so it's only right that he now has the Captaincy until after the WC, although I was dubious at his appointment under Lancaster he's now my first name on the sheet, Hasks and Big Billy are giving the back row a good balance as well so at the moment it doesn't need to change.
Robshaw is an amazing captain, he can control a game much like a 10 can but from the front, amazing vision considering his workrate and play. I don't rate twelvetrees at all, he has good moments but equally has bad ones. Totally overrated IMO. Watson and Joseph are really on form at the moment when Brown doesn't quite seem to be. When he is the England backs will really make or break the Irish game (as they rely on Sexton's kicking so much).
Disclaimer: I'm Welsh and generally follow Wales but equally follow Ireland and England, certainly this 6N
Things do not look good for Wales this RWC, England will do well if they can players come back from injury (except Farrel who loses them games) and I think Ireland will do well as they're looking very 'polished'. But I think they'll all find it hard to beat NZ/Oz/SA.
, which I know is only a bit of banter but it does demonstrate the strength in depth in the pack). Robshaw continues to lead from the front and no one offers the all round work rate he puts in each game so it's only right that he now has the Captaincy until after the WC, although I was dubious at his appointment under Lancaster he's now my first name on the sheet, Hasks and Big Billy are giving the back row a good balance as well so at the moment it doesn't need to change.
