The Rugby Thread

[Donegal Wolf]

Impressive performance by England totally dominated and bullied Wales after the first 10 mins, after half time was only going to be one winner, Gatland's detractors always say that his teams never have a plan B and they would be pointing to last night as an example. Then again 2 years Ireland beat them handy in Cardiff in the first game and Wales still won the championship.

As for the try that was disallowed from a neutral perspective Conor O'Shea (an ex-rfu employee) on RTE called it straight away even before the ref went to the TMO (although his stance did soften when he saw it was one of his own players in Easter who did it). You can throw a dummy pass and use decoy runners but they cant physically impede with the defence which is what Easter did to Bigger, however England were unlucky as every team does it.

Looking forward to Ireland game today will be tough away to the Italians they always seem to do well in their first game, team will have a strange look with no Heaslip, Sexton, D'Arcy or BOD, looking forward to see how young Henshaw performs in the 6N, since he was 18 he has been singled out as the man to take BOD's place, so far he has done well without been spectacular.

 

[jd1981]

Wales were to predictable at times last night and were easy to work out in the end. They can have no excuses this season unlike last when they had a lot of upheaval.
Think Shuan Edwards should have worried about his own teams deficiencies prior to the game than having a snipe at England's tactics because looking at last night Wales have some big headaches.

 

[Donegal Wolf]

Ireland 9-3 up at half time, awful game so far.

 

[Lycan]

Lovely rugby. What a try!

 

[Lord Knows]

I thought England were superb after the initial Welsh whirlwind start, towards the end of the first half you could see the pressure England were exerting. From then it just seemed a matter of time and by how many points they would win by.
It will take a very good side to beat this England machine.

 

[FrankMunro-371]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/31319836

356-3

A bit of a one sided game...

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

It should be struck from the record. The referee not turning up on time, etc, etc

 

[Dinowolf]

Ireland comfortable winners over Italy, once the sin-binning for Italy took place.

France did what was necessary against Scotland, who played well, but it was all forwards play, very little from the French backs.

Englands' 3rd team were superb against Wales, apart from the first ten minutes.

This weekend will give us more information as to how the competition will shape up.
Can't wait.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

England 0 Italy 5 after five minutes

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

We've got very lucky with that Vunipola try.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

They all count mate.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Oh, I'm not complaining! Would be gutted to get a decision like that against us though.

Now that's a better try.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Fairly standard Italy. Barnstorming start and then out of puff after ten minutes.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Hopefully we can rack up the points in the last 20 now. Might be important come the end of the tournament.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

I think it might well be. England are unlikely to get the grand slam with one of Ireland or France surely to have a chance of beating them, and Wales will probably do you a favour by beating one of those two as well. It could all come down to points difference at the top. Not sure Wales will trouble the top three, but might learn a little more about that if we pummel Scotland tomorrow.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Ireland v France is setting up rather nicely.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Ridiculous lack of discipline from Pape. Really should have been a red card.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

That was deliberate and very naughty.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

cracking finish to this game.

 

[Donegal Wolf]

I think it might well be. England are unlikely to get the grand slam with one of Ireland or France surely to have a chance of beating them, and Wales will probably do you a favour by beating one of those two as well. It could all come down to points difference at the top. Not sure Wales will trouble the top three, but might learn a little more about that if we pummel Scotland tomorrow.

Agree with this, and the way points difference is at the moment and the way the fixtures pan out it is looking good for England to win the overall championship on points differnece, unless the French have a mad day which is possible but unlikely with the fool they have in charge now. Fortunate that we have the weeks break before playing England need it after yesterday.

Made harder work then we should have in the last 20 mins after the first 60 but a wins a win (especially against France who we have an atrocious record against). Will have to improve for England but if anyone can come up with a plan to negate England's strengths its Schmidt.