The 6 nations

[Deleted member 37751]

I’ll give Wales their dues; although they’re not pretty to watch, they are grinding out results through sheer will and if they can get up for the other games like they did today for the English then they should get the Grand Slam.

 

[AMGeed]

^ England didn't seem to have a plan B when the kicking into space didn't work.
A few England players off their best today too, but taking nothing away from Wales.

 

[Swotty]

^ England didn't seem to have a plan B when the kicking into space didn't work.
A few England players off their best today too, but taking nothing away from Wales.

Agree with that summary. Youngs in particular was kicking too long for his kick-chasers and Williams is a specialist (and world class) full back, unlike in the first 2 England matches where opposition wingers were playing out of position. Also, Mako Vunipola was sorely missed; he takes so much steam out of the opposition.

Biggar made a huge difference when he came on. He, Finn Russell and Danny Cipriani blow hot and cold but, when on form, are exciting to watch. For those of an older persuasion, I would add Gregor Townsend, Thomas Castaignede and perhaps Stuart Barnes. Other older players are also available.

I think Ireland will turn Wales over. England to win the 6 nations by either a bonus point or points difference for/against.

 

[AMGeed]

^ Without checking, are Ireland home or away for the Wales game?
If they are away, I think Wales will win and go on to the slam.
Who'd have thought after the first 40 mins against France.

May and Tuilagi didnt see enough of the ball today. Slade was anonymous and Sinkler was a penalty machine.
Felt sorry for Tom Curry and Lawes who were both outstanding.

 

[GeeJayW]

Congrats to Wales. If they don't go on to get the Grand Slam, they will have given up a great opportunity. England not good enough today.

 

[Chrishazle]

Very poor England performance today compared to the first 2 matches. When did the wingers see the ball? Too much pick and crunch and nowhere near enough going through the phases and using the backs. Felt really sorry for the Bath winger (Coposinaga or some such) who I think did not even touch the ball! That's the triple crown and grand slam out the window, and if they play that way against Italy and then Scotland it could easily be the Calcutta Cup and the 6 Nations as well.

Unfortunate for Scotland that the proper French team turned up today - France blow hot and cold, and have done for years, they were cold 2nd half against Wales and whole match against England, but hot today as Scotland discovered - although missing Hogg, Russell made a difference.

 

[Deleted member 6183]

...

 

[Swotty]

^ Without checking, are Ireland home or away for the Wales game?
If they are away, I think Wales will win and go on to the slam.
Who'd have thought after the first 40 mins against France.

May and Tuilagi didnt see enough of the ball today. Slade was anonymous and Sinkler was a penalty machine.
Felt sorry for Tom Curry and Lawes who were both outstanding.

Wales host Ireland, but I still fancy an away win. I agree with your other comments and also Chris', but still think they will do enough to get bonus point wins in the last 2 games to sneak the title.

 

[AMGeed]

I still think they will do enough to get bonus point wins in the last 2 games to sneak the title.

I hope so, but I can see Wales getting a winning bonus point away to Scotland, they are that poor.

 

[Dryce]

I'm not inherently a fan of the bonus point system.

However much as I was dismayed by Scotland's loss to France on Saturday - it was fascinating to see both teams taking the match beyond the wire by nearly 10 minutes - with Scotland trying to keep the ball in play to narrow the gap on a game that they could not win and get an extra point - and when France got possession they didn't just kick it away to finish it but kept it in play and went after the extra point as well.

 

[AMGeed]

I rather like the BP system as it encourages attacking play and tries to be scored.

 

[Doodle]

I'm not inherently a fan of the bonus point system.

However much as I was dismayed by Scotland's loss to France on Saturday - it was fascinating to see both teams taking the match beyond the wire by nearly 10 minutes - with Scotland trying to keep the ball in play to narrow the gap on a game that they could not win and get an extra point - and when France got possession they didn't just kick it away to finish it but kept it in play and went after the extra point as well.

Scotland should have gone for the drop goal, they were within range and had opportunity.

Sinckler strikes me as a liability. He put in some heavy work today but not enough to offset the problems he causes.

 

[Dryce]

Scotland should have gone for the drop goal, they were within range and had opportunity.

I've been surprised in the past that teams don't fashion more of a strategy around drop goals.

Arguably a team like Scotland which seems to be able to get close to the try line but lacks the final strength and momentum to get over it should be more willing to fashion a fallback strategy where the drop goal is used as a main option when they fall behind.

 

[Swotty]

The same could be said about England .... no chance of winning, but a drop goal would have given us a losing bonus point.

The more I reflect on the match, the more I see that Farrell - as good as he is - is not strategic and clear thinking under pressure. They were obviously following a game plan but, if it's not working, the senior players on the pitch have to adapt. As I said before, I think we missed Mako and Maro more than we thought we would, though Kruis had his best England game for some time. We were out-thought more than out-played imo.

 

[AMGeed]

^ I'm of the same opinion re Farrell.
If he is getting an armchair ride from his forwards he can control a game, but on the back foot he is not a great decision maker. I'd put him on the bench for the next match.
Ford should be used at 10 against the Italians and Robson, Genge and Big Joe need at least 60mins to see if they are RWC material.

 

[Peter103]

 

[Deleted member 37751]

I think Sinckler has been getting unnecessary stick - he was the best player on the pitch in the first half - it was only once the Welsh starting chelping on to the ref about him did they get anywhere with him.

Farrell should have been putting his point across as captain but he simply accepted all what the ref was telling him; once he saw the Welsh captain could manipulate him he should have done the same.

At this level, it’s the 1% extra you pinch that can win you games - England bottled it by subbing Sinckler off and it contributed heavily towards their defeat.

 

[Doodle]

Therein lies the problem - Sinckler rises far too easily to it and then gives away penalties, which gives the 1% extra (and more) to the opposition. It's not just in internationals, he's just as bad at having a short fuse in the domestic games. If he can get it under control he's got the potential to be spectacular.

 

[Swotty]

I think Sinckler has been getting unnecessary stick - he was the best player on the pitch in the first half - it was only once the Welsh starting chelping on to the ref about him did they get anywhere with him.

Farrell should have been putting his point across as captain but he simply accepted all what the ref was telling him; once he saw the Welsh captain could manipulate him he should have done the same.

At this level, it’s the 1% extra you pinch that can win you games - England bottled it by subbing Sinckler off and it contributed heavily towards their defeat.

Agree with most of that, but imo it was a toss up between him and Curry for best player in the first half.

Be interesting to see how the ref copes in Wales and Ireland, as both captains - and lots of the players - are complainers. It's the Aussie Angus Gardner, who's running the line in Ireland-France the previous week.

 

[Deleted member 6183]

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