The Six Nations 2025
Well the first round of games have come and gone with the predictable results. Wales were very poor against the favourites for the Championship, France, who did take a bit to get going but showed much of their class. Scotland once again nearly threw the game away but came good in the end against a steadily improving Italy. England as usual started off with a bang but sadly faded and once more gave away silly penalties and made a couple of stupid choices in defence so handing the initiative to Ireland who duly capitalised.
It will be interesting to go see if Wales can bounced back against Italy and so avoid another humiliating defeat. I expect France and Ireland to win once again.
Comments
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A good summary of the first round, nellie. What is interesting is that the U20 six nations is taking place in parallel with the senior competition. Well worth a viewing in my opinion. Italy certainly seem to be the most improved side showing determination and real threats. France aren’t too bad either, a bit of an understatement there. Shame the home nations, both youth and seniors, aren’t as enthusiastic or fired up, in my opinion that is. We too need to grow the game more and enthuse future young players to the game.
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@Francis I have just watch a very disjointed recording of the U20s England game but from what I saw England were the much better side considering they were one man short for most of the game, if I read it right. I will try and view the highlights of the other matches later.
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Bullied? 😂
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A predictable result in the Wales/Italy match, and although I didn't watch the game listening to the after match report Wales were very poor once again. England's victory against France came as a surprise, and although it was certainly not the best game of rugby , with too many mistakes on both side, it held ones interest to the end and the result came as a very pleasant surprise which throws the whole championship side open. It will uninteresting to see if Scotland can do similar to Ireland which will certainly set the cat among the pigeons!!
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Yes well done to Italy and England, have some sympathy for Wales but they did not play very well, thought towards the end that Italy would have no players left on the field, they were giving away so many penalties and the ref kept giving them yellow cards, i think they had 3 or 4 players in the sin bin during the last few minutes. Surprised France did not blow England away and i thought they played the better rugby, but all credit to England they stuck at it and managed a brilliant final try, bring it on 😀Scotland Ireland today should be a cracker
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It was a lively game and certainly held interest but my prediction proved right.
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That man Ange Capuozzo once again hit Wales where it hurts. Well done Italy. Yes, they gave penalties away and had yellow cards in the last few minutes but all part of that particular game management I think, they could afford to play that way and were still in control of the scorecard at the last. England did well but mostly down to grit and determination, they’ll have to be far more clinical in the coming games. I liked that attitude they adopted. I thought the Scotland - Ireland game was not the best spectacle for the casual spectator, more of an attritional battle which Ireland won rather convincingly.
Still hearing comments by some suggesting that South Africa should join the 6 Nations competition but at whose expense? Can’t wait for the next round. Keep as is for me, a European completion!0 -
I thought that even before the loss of Russell that Scotland were not up to the skill or teamwork required to defeat Ireland. They can only improve on the showing today, but just hope that it isn't enough to trouble England in two week's time. I do feel sorry for Wales in their next match, as I can't see them matching the playing power of the Irish.
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Well, I’ve only just taken breath. What a day! For courage and fortitude the Welsh must be commended but Ireland’s experience provided the winning edge. I do hope that the once proud Welsh Rugby nation now sees a rise in fortunes as a result of this effort and they sort out their domestic dilemmas and confidence grows again. England just made it past the post with determination and stubbornness winning out but they are not filling me with confidence regarding the future. Scotland can be rightly proud of the visit to Twickenham, the luck certainly wasn’t on their side at times and Fin Russell was frequently seen questioning the ref. who I thought had a reasonable game. The ref. however had no influence on that last conversation kick.
The England A v Ireland A fixture this afternoon may provide an insight into the future but how much time I can spend watching games on TV may be out of my control, the supermarkets close at 4pm I’ve just been reminded. I’m turning into a couch potato it seems! Don’t let’s forget the Italy v France confrontation later today, I’d relish an upset there!0 -
I knew England were playing Scotland at some point but don't normally get involved or knew when it was.
However... yesterday I walked in to the Ship Inn (at Melrose) and I noticed there was a match on the large screen but it was deathly quiet. And here's me with an English accent booking Sunday lunch and I noticed people were looking at me. I assumed it was maybe they didn't get many people booking? They also appeared to look at me as I walked out?
I put it together later based in the time I went in it was just after the missed kick. I suppose I was lucky to get out alive?
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Just a few words about yesterday's games.... Resurgent Wales, Resilient Ireland, Restrained Scotland, & Reprieved ( or Relieved) England,
What a a game today!! France were absolutely brilliant against an Italians side that showed what tremendous improvement they have made over the last couple of years.
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The wounded cockerel certainly came back with a vengeance. Italy were caught up in the aftermath of France’s dented pride. Yes, Italy showed instances of competitiveness and flair and hopefully they will grow from that bruising experience.
Finished my day watching the latest round of the HSBC World Sevens, this time from Vancouver. Fantastic games all, the Canadian v USA game was brutal, don’t know what underpinned that degree of fight in this never give in contest! The Brazilian women too, fantastic athletes worthy of mention. The Spanish men once again showed how much progress they continue to make, they are second now in the World rankings but Argentina really are way ahead of the rest.0 -
Looking forward to the penultimate 6Ns weekend. Can Ireland do it? Depends I think on the French who turn up on the day! Scotland too strong for Wales possibly but the fight in them may just throw up a surprise. As for England, it would be a brave person to bet on Italy but I do hope for a closer contest than their last one. I’d rather have that than a walk over, enjoyment every time and good rugby all round is the key for us spectators.
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Rather a turn up for the boks, with France bouncing Ireland with such a dominant second half, not what I expected. Scotland nearly threw it away again, especially when they had such dominance in the first half. Perhaps it will be Italy's time to shine tomorrow, although hope not. England do need a bonus points win and if they do managed a big score there is still a chance that they can win the championship.
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Slip of the tongue there, Nellie? Boks? I know some want them in the future 6N but who should make way?
Let’s hope for a good result today and that faint possibility of England topping the tournament table next weekend! Italy could get that bonus point mind cementing their place in the future contests if they already haven’t done so.0 -
Just a dropped 'o' micky. There are enough South Africans around in the club sides without bringing a full team of them over. After today's match one can't imagine the powers that be swapping them for the Italians. Although they did suffer a rather heavy defeat, again, they played some great rugby and certainly have some excellent players. England were just too strong for them at the start of the second half, but they too fell away for a while when well ahead. Doubt they will win the championship, what with Wales being a bogey side and Scotland probably not yet good enough to challenge the French.
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Only just managed to watch the highlights of the Ireland v Italy match, watched the England game live and what a performance. Adam Rhys Jones despairing demeanour in the changing room corridor after the match was a sad indication as to the state of Welsh Rugby at the present. I do hope they can sort out those issues they face. Scotland almost did England a favour but the French really turned both attack and defence on when really needed. For me Italy again showed the progress they are making, they pushed Ireland all the way and had it not been for those cards and sin binning they may well have pulled of a special result.
Farrell will now have a difficult job selecting the Lions squad and I’m sure controversy and intrigue will follow in these months leading up to the tour.
Now looking forward to the Women’s Six Nations starting next weekend. All games on the BBC. Let’s hope the England women can go one better than the men.
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Agree about the performances by England and Italy. I do feel that the Irish are missing the Farrell factor. Scotland too have come quite a way in the last couple of years, whereas Wales are just a shadow of the team they once were and lack leadership both on and off the pitch. However France deserved the title as they played some brilliant rugby. They will be the team to beat again next season. t
The selections made for the Lions' tour will certainly will be interesting, as there are a few positions where there is a large number of players fighting for their place. I am thinking particularly of the back row and standoff, or should I say No.10, Another contest is for the captaincy, although I think it is between Itoge and Doris.
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After a rather stuttering at start last week against Italy the English Ladies produced the goods today, with an impressive performance against Wales. France also had a comfortable win, in the end, against a Scotland side which had defeated Wales last weekend. It will be see how Ireland get on tomorrow against Italy, as they are England's opponents in two week's time. I do suspect however that the championship decided will be the England/France game on the last weekend of the competition.
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