2024 Six Nations
It all kicks off again tomorrow with France v Ireland.
It's difficult to guess what might happen this year with so many familiar faces not taking part and new ones appearing. It’s good, mind, that things move on and new blood gets a chance but Ireland without Sexton is almost unthinkable.
Let's hope for a good tournament. 👍🏻
Comments
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Just getting ready to watch it. It should be an interesting year what with all the new faces and 5 new team captains.
What a match to start off the tournament, with the two favourites going head to head tonight.
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Now that was an unexpectedly comfortable victory for Ireland yesterday, with some excellent power rugby.
Today England struggled, albeit with a new and very young team, against a greatly improved Italy side, coming from behind at half time, but missing out on a bonus point.
After a dominant first half display Scotland nearly threw it away against a resurgent Wales in the second half to hold on to a single point victory, their first in Cardiff for 22 yrs.
Hope next weekend's game are as entertaining.
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Round 1 was certainly entertaining. Ireland still look impressive and today's 2 matches were both close calls.
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IMO I think we could hand the trophy to Ireland straight away! They looked disciplined, organised and powerful. Their new side had no hangovers from the departed stalwarts we have enjoyed watching this past decade. I fully expect them to trounce all who stand before them, possibly setting new scoring levels.
For me the most fascinating game was the second half of the Wales/Scotland encounter. I'm not sure what they put in the half time tea at Cardiff, but it certainly did the trick and a tremendous fight back ensued!
Italy looked better, but England still look 'Boring-under-Borthwick' We have talented young men who don't get enough game time, along with a front row with a combined age of 102. Experience is fine, but why play them instead of looking to build a team for the next World. Cup?
RIP the 'King" Barry John.
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Not able to watch either of today's games but it would appear that England were fortunate to beat Wales after a poor first half display, and Scotland were unfortunate not to be awarded that try at the end to defeat France. Tomorrow's game should result in an Irish victory even against a much improved Italian side.
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You didn't miss much, Nellie!
Apart from a couple of moments of French brilliance, there was little to get worked up about in either match. The second half of Scotland v France was particularly dire with long exchanges of kicking backwards and forwards. As the commentator said it looked like both teams were simply looking to avoid defeat rather than going for a win. Scotland can ultimately count themselves unlucky, listening to the exchange between the on field ref and the TMO it did appear that the latter changed his mind after saying that a try could be awarded.
As for England v Wales it was a very poor match, a questionable penalty try for Wales and a try for England when down to 13 men which should have been easily defended.
I think, apart from Ireland and possibly Italy who have little to lose, the countries are suffering from post World Cup blues - hopefully things will improve and I'm looking forward to today's game.
Oh, and I thought the awful "caterpillar ruck" tactic was to be outlawed, but it now seems to be the go to tactic whenever a ruck is formed - slows the game down dreadfully.
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M, today's game turned into a rather one sided affair, especially as Italy missed that penalty to open the scoring, which might have inspired them. Ireland are certainly the outstanding team at the moment. We will have to wait two weeks now to see if the Welsh can complete against them.
I think the "caterpillar ruck" isn't to be outlawed until next season, giving teams a chance to work out some other way to shield their ball at rucks. Let us hope that it will put a stop to this tit for tat kicking. ( although it certainly worked in Ireland's favour today)
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I know there has been some discussion about the replacement of Italy in the Six Nations or the possibility of relegation/promotion to and from the European Championship. Just watched Rumania V Portugal and what a contest it was. Portugal’s young side are to be reckoned with, brilliant running game and a fine win away from home. Those performances in the World Cup were not a flash in the pan. Worth watching extended highlights. Don’t know if the home Nations would agree to promotion and relegation from the 6 Nations mind! The Spain V Georgia game was good too.
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Obvious not on BBC, as they do not even list the results on their RFU page!
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No, not BBC
Free, live and replay matches here. The quality of the games yesterday were fabulous and the whole website is very good.
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Thanks, micky, I have just signed up and watched the Romania/ Portugal game! What a contest with some great tries.
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Well, another Rugby filled weekend is almost upon us. For those interested, the Under 20s 6 Nations continues tonight on various TV channels and platforms, watch the next generation making their bids for our National teams. Also the next round of the World Sevens starts this evening. DuPont making his debut on the 7s scene at 8pm our time on BBC iPlayer & BBC Sport Website.
Tomorrow the big boys 6Nations games will delight us I hope and the evening will culminate in the RL World Club Challenge game between Wigan and Penrith which is on BBC 2.
More other live games and replays here free of charge too.
I’ll need a holiday after all this!
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Well that didn't got to plan for England ( & Wales ) at least!! Far too many mistakes early on, by the English backs in particular, when they had the Scots on the back foot, and deservedly were punished for them. I cannot understand the selection of Furbank, in place of Stewart, at fullback even though he did score a fine try.
The Irish were just much too good for the Welsh in both attack and defence for most of the game.
I can't see the English having any answer against them in a couple of week's time.
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School boy rugby, that man Russell had the measure of England 30 mins in and strolled around the park like he owned it, and the refereee, i liked the way he handed the ref the water bottle just before kicking, so cool, well done Scotland. back to the drawing board for England
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Interesting game today, the proverbial "game of two halfs"! Shame about that last kick striking the post, as I think that Italy just about edged the game. What has happened to the French, not a patch on the team from the World Cup?
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Having watched yesterday’s England A v Portugal game on YouTube I’d suggest swapping the A side with the senior side which played on Saturday. They looked far more hungry and inventive. Yes, it was against what could be considered the Portuguese 2nd XV but a shake up is really needed, a bit like the French require. Shame about that last Italian kick but at least not loosing on French soil is a real accomplishment. They had a cracking 2nd 40.
In Vancouver the Argentinian 7s looked excellent but let’s wait for Dupont to really find his feet next weekend in LA.0 -
Wow, England won 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
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It just goes to show how unpredictable the championship is, although I think home advantage has had quite a lot to do with the results. Really good for the game all round that the (albeit slight) underdogs are able to upset applecart. Two fine contests with not too much "tactical" kicking, for a change. A Wales win, in another exciting game, tomorrow would put the icing on the cake. Could it be that France finish at the bottom of the table this year....that would be a real humiliation for them after their success in the World Cup?
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Fantastic result for Italy, who were very unlucky a couple of weeks ago against France. To these untrained eyes, it looked like England finally turned up against Ireland, in what was, a thrilling game. TBH, I didn’t give England a chance as the Irish looked unstoppable.
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The best weekend (so far) of the tournament without doubt!
Scotland seem to be a great 40 minute team - not sure whether it's arrogance or simply lack of common sense which ruins their second half displays - Italy certainly deserved their win and their young team are now proving the doubters wrong, they deserve their place in the tournament.
England were a revelation, at last living up to their reputation with two superb running moves for their tries. Ireland will run their missed chances but will almost certainly go on to retain the title next week. And is there any better player in the tournament than James Lowe - just unstoppable at the moment.
Hoping for a Wales win today, but fearing that, sooner or later, France are going to explode, so anything could happen!
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"Ireland will run their missed chances but will almost certainly go on to retain the title next week."
i wouldnt put money on this, 2 great matches yesterday and a great outcome for England and Italy, at least we have something to be happy about this week
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Hoping for a Wales win today, but fearing that, sooner or later, France are going to explode, so anything could happen!
Well France certainly produced the goods today, although I think Steamrollered is a more apt description of their play today. Their pack was just too big and heavy for the Welsh to contend with in the end, although Wales put up a solid performance com the first half, especially with such a relatively inexperienced and young team.
Roll on next weekend, and fingers crossed that the games live up to the performances of this round of matches.
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Having digested those fabulous games of this last weekend it appears to me that Ireland choked, the expectation got to them. Italy pulled through with that grit and determination driving their efforts. Scotland had a plan but it just didn’t work, in fact it was their downfall. Wales did punch through a poor French defence on occasions but that creative French flare and strength won though. Oh, how exciting next weekend will be. From outright winners to wooden spoon avoiders it’s going to be fun.
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Italy pulled out all the stops again, good for them they have been the underdogs since joining the tournament, i thought Englad played a reasonable game to be robbbed in the last couple of minutes, Ireland did what they had to do well, hope you won lots of money ADP1963.
My OH was fuming yesterday, sport on ITV and BBC until almost bed time
, i am having some probs with my ears just now, so cant here the tv too well so sport is good for me i can just watch. 1 -
Enjoyed every game yesterday but Italy winning in Cardiff has to be the best fo me. They really have improved immensely over the years but particularly over this 6 Nations. England, although they narrowly lost put up a good fright in France.
Today is the finals of the second tier European Rugby Nations Competition with three games being shown live and for free or later as highlights. Watch and then consider if relegation/promotion should be introduced. It would be Wales relegated this year if it happened mind!
Watch here.
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Thank you Rufs, I did win lots and lots but it was at Cheltenham on Champion Hurdle Day it was our 56th visit my old mates and me. The 6 Nations was a good series again for Ireland but a sad demise for Wales. But hats off to Italy what a step forward.
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