The Rugby Thread

[SLA]

The point I was making was in the last sentence of that paragraph, which you have ignored. I didn't say England weren't worth their win, I'm just disappointed at the apparent lack of any progress in their performance towards the World Cup.

I didn't ignore anything, my last sentence was just my own assessment of the match in general. I was only arguing against the idea that one decision/event going in the other direction midway through the match would mean that the end result would definitely have been different. It's something I've read a lot since the game and I think it's a false argument. For all we know, had England gone behind at any point they would have upped their game and run in three tries before the end.

 

[Dinowolf]

I didn't ignore anything, my last sentence was just my own assessment of the match in general. I was only arguing against the idea that one decision/event going in the other direction midway through the match would mean that the end result would definitely have been different. It's something I've read a lot since the game and I think it's a false argument. For all we know, had England gone behind at any point they would have upped their game and run in three tries before the end.

I should have used the word 'could' instead of 'would' because as you rightly say, who knows what the outcome would have been. It was a lot closer than it should have been and Englands tactics in the 2nd half really frustrated me.

England need to up their game for the rest of the 6N.

 

[Dinowolf]

England team to play Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday

15 Mike Brown, 14 Anthony Watson, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Owen Farrell, 11 Jonny May, 10 George Ford, 9 Danny Care, 1 Mako Vunipola, 2 Dylan Hartley, 3 Dan Cole, 4 Joe Launchbury, 5 Maro Itoje, 6 Courtney Lawes, 7 Chris Robshaw, 8 Nathan Hughes.

Replacements: 16 Jamie George, 17 Joe Marler, 18 Harry Williams, 19 George Kruis, 20 Sam Underhill, 21 Richard Wigglesworth, 22 Ben Te'o, 23 Jack Nowell.

Only change is Nathan Hughes comes in at no.8 for the injured Sam Simmonds.
Joe Marler returns to the bench following his ban.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Quite looking forward to this Ireland Wales match. If both teams play to their potential, it could be a cracker.

(Now I expect a dour penalty-fest)

 

[Tredman]

Quite looking forward to this Ireland Wales match. If both teams play to their potential, it could be a cracker.

(Now I expect a dour penalty-fest)

Nah, the dour game should be later on today. Looking forward to this one, I think Wales might shade it if they play with freedom.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

I'm not sure. Ireland are a VERY decent unit. I fancy them to win by 5 to 9 points. Obviously a Wales win would help England out enormously so we will do our best to help you out.

 

[Tredman]

Thought never crossed my mind! Wales look like a team on the up to me.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

We won't win with suicide passes like that!

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

That is a lovely Irish move.

 

[Tredman]

Wales not going to win anything giving away all these penalties.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

True - but Sexton seems to have left his kicking boots at home, which is very unusual.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Ah - we seem to have woken up.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Take note football, that is how you use technology. Video ref watching in real time, spots the offence, tells the on field ref, blow whistle, penalty. We don't need an endless conference on it when it's bloody obvious after one replay.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

Agreed

BTW - How on earth are Wales ahead? Ireland have had all of the game, and should be well clear.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

And that is a MUCH more just half time score.

 

[Tredman]

Really good game this. Seeing as I will be missing the England and wolves game later I'm very glad this is good!

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

It is good stuff, but Ireland are making all the running. Wales have to be a lot better in the second half. A half time lead would have been an absolute travesty.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

What an impressive start to the second half by Ireland. We are past saving this now.

 

[Tredman]

Ireland will be looking for the bonus point now. Can't work out whether Ireland have the been *that* good or Wales have just been sloppy.

 

[Paddingtonwolf]

I think we have been pretty rubbish. Not to take anything away from a decent and clean Irish performance, but we have stunk the Aviva out.