Six Nations 2018
Comments
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Great news, I love the 6 nations tournament. I will need to see each team play at least once before I can predict any winner.
Visiting a rugby ground, it's nice to see Rugby fans of both teams mixing and congratulating good play no matter which team is successful. Rugby fans are decent, well adjusted, friendly people.
Absolutely no segregation of fans required at Rugby Union matches
K
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I have noticed Scotland's improved performances in the last two years and after watching Glasgow Warriors beating Exeter Chiefs last weekend, I think that Scotland are my favourites for the Six Nations. Not sure about the Grand Slam though.
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I'm busy reading all those Oh So Clever Sports Writers in this week-ends rags to see what their ( not so ) humble opinion is
.Then in a few weeks time I'll repeat the reading to see what, if any, apologies for writing a load of +++++++++ might be in the same papers
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Apart from England not beating Scotland by 40 points this year, I cannot see results differing too much from last year, albeit England and Wales are fielding their second teams, due to injuries.
Odds-on Italy for the spoon with zero wins. Ireland & England fighting for top spot, Scotland third, Wales fourth, France fifth.
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Not the dominant performance from Ireland that was expected. In fact rather fortunate to win in the end.
Wales played well but Scotland handed them two tries with those interceptions. However that win will have put Wales' tail up and they'll be hard to beat now.;
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Well, what a first day! Not the firecracker game expected in the Principality though. As far as points were concerned this game was a bit of a one sided contest. In France that final 40+ phase play, all from Ireland, was the most thrilling event of the weekend so far. Quite amazing really as Sexton who provide the final kick to win the game was down receiving attention from the medical team half way through this push. Now bring on Engalnd, let's hope for a running expansive game and a hard fought contest to the end with a narrow points advantage to England. That bonus point would be a bonus too.
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To my mind, the most amazing part of that 40+ end of match run was the fact that one of the most undisciplined teams ,generally speaking, kept their opponents at bay with solid, highly disciplined defensive play. May I say that I hope all the following games show the same qualities. Now off to get a hot Bovril & watch England, England, England !!
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A good opportunity to put those training moves into action and blood new players. Having said that Italy proved worthy opposition, they just need a few more Sergio Parisses, he's not getting any younger. That bonus point win will stand them in good stead for later in the tournament. Next week at Twickenham against the Welsh should be fun and games!
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Interesting opening weekend. However, I thought it would come down to the final weekend with England's game against the Irish being the decider. Now I really cannot see anyone getting near England. They have so much strength in depth and their fourth or fifth choice at 8 (Sam Simmonds) in my view, was Man of the Match. He was outstanding and showed blistering pace, akin to an All Black. Even if you factor in Billy Vunipola's return, this guy could be a world class openside flanker.
The only downside was Ben Young's injury. Hopefully it won't be too serious.
Wales deserved credit for their handling of the Scottish "organised chaos" rugby, which, whilst exciting to watch, proved too high risk when not executed perfectly. The gifting of two tries didn't help their cause and the Welsh took their chances well.
Did the Irish deserve their win? Certianly their overtime 40 plus phase rugby, culminating in Sexton's astonishing drop goal, was edge of the seat stuff, but I think they were lucky and the French deserved a draw.
The Irish are renown for their disruptive rugby at the breakdown, often bordering on illegal. Very similar to the Blacks. The overhead cameras highlighted why their front row is so effective and feared at the set piece - they line up 'illegally' in an "arrow" formation. (I must email Eddie Jones!) Healy and Furlong are amonst the best in the world at prop. Clever.
The Italians were better organised, but will they take any scalps this year? Can't see it, but then that's the beauty of the wonderful game and the Six Nations.
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I've not made up my mind who the eventual winner might be. So far everything has gone as predicted during the first set of games.
I would be happy to see the eventual winner come from one of the Keltic countries of France, Wales, Scotland or Ireland.
K
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That for me was the most impressive Italian display. They are improving steadily. I was concerned about England's defence out wide. As the commentators said, Wales would have noted it. Does anybody on here agree or do you think Eddy will have the answers?
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Totally agree with you JD and the scoreline betrayed a fine Italian performance.
Your point "out wide" is a valid one, which I think stems from the fact that Englands' back row are not a cohesive unit yet, due in part to injuries. Lawes playing at blind side and a new No.8 in Simmonds put more pressure on Robshaw (who imho is only just hanging on to his shirt)
I'm sure Eddie will get it sorted and now that another pivotal player (Ben Youngs) has been sidelined for up to 4 months, it will make for interesting selection and competition for places.
Cant wait till Saturday!
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Don't be coy K just say you don't like England and the English. I'm guessing you have a sign somewhere that says you support Scotland and anyone who plays England.
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What a strange post Oneput You have absolutely no idea about my, or anybody else's likes or dislikes. ( A bit of Anti - Scottish spite perhaps).
I have often said on here that I like most areas of England and find them to be very scenic. For Example - Cumbria, Cornwall, Yorkshire, Devon, East Anglia, Dorset, Lancashire, Cheshire, Linconshire, Northumbria as well as others.--- All infinitely tourable, with friendly local people.
We are all members of the United Kingdom and as such should share a common liking for our fellow countrymen and women no matter where in the country they live. Most of us do !, Give it a try sometime !
K .
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Very good K. Do you remember your thread in hobbies entitled 'Cricket' only UK team playing at the time was England, just another (not so sly) dig at an English team.
PS I lived and worked for 3 years in Scotland and spent 3 weeks on holiday in Scotland last year and very enjoyable it was to
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You should be a politician Kennine
Yet another answer that doesn't answer the question
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Batten down the hatches time here in Twickenham. I shall hear the roar of the crowd tomorrow and don't need to watch the match on TV to know when England have scored. Even though we get to go into a residents ballot for tickets, we still have to pay full price and these days that is too prohibitive. But at least this year, we have only 2 Six Nations matches here , tomorrow and one in March. However, the crowd is good natured and we rarely get any trouble. Good luck to all teams anyway.
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Second weekend of excitement is about to start and for the first time in years I'll miss the fun! Just sitting in Charles de Gaulle airport waiting for a conecting fight to Costa Rica. Will have to catch up on the results later tonight! Oh the suspense and anticipation is building!
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