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Super Rugby's using the regular system, right? 4 points for a win, 2 for a draw, 1 bonus for 4 tries or more, 1 bonus for losing by 7 or less. That' hasn't changed, has it?

Just something I'm toying with: The last few years there has been a steady debate about whether the 6N should employ a bonus points system or not. The argument for is it would promote more attacking, attractive rugby, like we saw on the last day of the 2015 tournament. The big bugbear against...

Did you see Nick Bishop's review of Wales' wide-wide attempt on the main page? Pretty astute.

I don't think so? But Pat Blair's on the team, and his club is listed as USA 7s.

Wales seemed to play the same game, except with two opensides, but Ireland definitely changed up a few things. First, they kicked far, far less than they're known for -- they had the fewest kicks from hand of any team this weekend. By the 60th minute, they hadn't chipped, grubbered and sent I...

Trimble had 9 carries and one clean break, but he turned over some ball as well (4). Need to look at those again, but I hope that doesn't relegate him to the bench, because his defense was key. He and Tom James shut each other down, but Wales defense was as good as anyone's this weekend.

Lydiate is a better Lydiate than Warburton, but Tipuric might be the best openside in the Northern Hemisphere. That's a conundrum, because you can't really take out your captain. Roberts had a target on Henshaw all game, and Henshaw took it. Payne coordinated the backline defense very well...

Well, there's Dan Lydiate, a B&I Lion and blindside specialist. He came in off the bench Word is he may not have been fully fully fit, but the counter to that is if you're fit enough to be on the bench, you're fit enough to start. He came on and made a couple tackles and 3 carries, but didn't...

Just went through the game again quickly, and Toner did have a good game. Played sharp, really heads-up, broke up loose ball and deflected kicks, and he carried well -- 18 meters on 4 carries, vs. Wyn Jones 13 meters on 14 carries.

Most were from club sides in Argentina; 3 are on the Jaguares side for the upcoming Super Rugby season. Similar with the USA, with 8 of their players playing in Europe, and the rest belonging to American clubs (one at Trinity). Have to double-check, but it was something like 5 or 7 first-caps...

Both Scotland and Wales went with the Australian double-openside experiment. It yielded all of two total turnovers, both by Tipuric. Conversely, England went with two blindsides, and they manage bupkis on the turnover charts. Two opensides works best when those opensides are absolutely...

Yeah, they moved the ball with more intent, just not always that effectively. Feel bad for Parisse, trying to carry it all on his shoulders. He probably did need to recycle the ball if he were tackled, but the tackle was around his ear, so it should have been a penalty to Italy, not France. And...

And some of that Italian squad are essentially semi-pro.

It took 43 minutes before any kick at goal went over (save for an early drop goal).

*crickets*

Yeah, but look who's saying it.

Ireland team to face Wales: 15. Simon Zebo 14. Andrew Trimble 13. Jared Payne 12. Robbie Henshaw 11. Keith Earls 10. Jonathan Sexton 9. Conor Murray 1. Jack McGrath 2. Rory Best 3. Nathan White 4. Devin Toner 5. Mike McCarthy 6. CJ Stander 7. Tommy O’Donnell 8. Jamie Heaslip Replacements: 16...

Yeah, and Ranger hasn't been skipping leg days.

Ireland team: 15. Simon Zebo 14. Andrew Trimble 13. Jared Payne 12. Robbie Henshaw 11. Keith Earls 10. Jonathan Sexton 9. Conor Murray 1. Jack McGrath 2. Rory Best 3. Nathan White 4. Devin Toner 5. Mike McCarthy 6. CJ Stander 7. Tommy O’Donnell 8. Jamie Heaslip Replacements: 16. Sean Cronin...