2012 6 Nations

[the plastic paddy]

A draw 17-17 but it feel like a defeat after that effort. Still plenty of improvements to make for Ireland and not much new talent brought through. Still an excellent game and very exciting.

Disappointing result but on Monday morning it is a draw in Paris which is not to be sniffed at. CM was outstanding before the injury, which early reports indicate does not rule him out of scotland on saturday, hope that is correct!!! Would still have McFadden at 12 but am not going to get my wish. Sexton was immense in defence as was the Earl. Trimble tries his heart out but I just don't think he is up to top class international rugby, alright against the poorer International teams but it just happens a bit quickly against France and the SH teams. The game highlighted how fucking dreadful Ireland were against Wales with our positively geriatric defensive line speed. Much better yesterday and in the Earl we have a successor to BOD. France will win in Cardiff by keeping it tight and making use of their awesome lineout, the best in the world IMO. Most important player in the Ireland team is Mike Ross whose fitness is a matter of seismic national importance. Don't know about you Bardon but I would love to see Zebo unleashed on the sweaties instead of Trimble, he is a remarkable talent IMO, as fast as anyone in world rugby, with natural size and balance. Was kept with the squad right up to the last minute this week so maybe he is in the plans. If CM does not make saturday would like to see Boss start and wee Marshall drafted in for experience with the squad. Final word for Tommy Bowe and Rob Kearney who are back to their world class best. Hope they don't get fecking injured playing for the Murdoch sideshow next summer.

 

[Cardiffblue]

So I take it we're back to talking about the mythical world-beating superstar French team again- not the bunch of clueless jokers who turned out yestersday. Seem to remember France tried keeping it tight and playing to their forward strength last time they played Wales in RWC- that worked!

Rearrange the following to form a rugby truth

'play Rougerie for can't centre Aurilien shit'

can't help thinking that Marc Lievremont is perhaps really a misunderstood rugby genius. He realised well before the rest of us that F, Trinh Duc is a complete clown.

 

[the plastic paddy]

So I take it we're back to talking about the mythical world-beating superstar French team again- not the bunch of clueless jokers who turned out yestersday. Seem to remember France tried keeping it tight and playing to their forward strength last time they played Wales in RWC- that worked!

Rearrange the following to form a rugby truth

'play Rougerie for can't centre Aurilien shit'

can't help thinking that Marc Lievremont is perhaps really a misunderstood rugby genius. He realised well before the rest of us that F, Trinh Duc is a complete clown.

You are quite right it did work and France were very unlucky not to win the final as well.

 

[Bardon]

Don't know about you Bardon but I would love to see Zebo unleashed on the sweaties instead of Trimble, he is a remarkable talent IMO, as fast as anyone in world rugby, with natural size and balance. Was kept with the squad right up to the last minute this week so maybe he is in the plans. If CM does not make saturday would like to see Boss start and wee Marshall drafted in for experience with the squad. Final word for Tommy Bowe and Rob Kearney who are back to their world class best. Hope they don't get fecking injured playing for the Murdoch sideshow next summer.

Yes I said when we were talking about the squad on here before the 6Ns started that I hoped Zebo would get a go against either Italy or Scotland. I would also like to see Donnacha Ryan and Peter O'Mahony get starts in the pack and McFadden in the centres with Earls. Then unleash O'Brien from the bench with 20-25 minutes to go.

Judging by recent 6Ns if we go down the road of don't change a winning team there's a real chance of complacency leading to us allowing Scotland to stay close to us the entire game. Freshening things up with some new blood would combat that. Also with 3 tests against NZ in the summer Scotland is a better option to blood people.

Hopefully the 6 day turn around will force Deccie to make those changes.

Connor Murray was having his best game of the 6Ns by far before he went off and I echo your sentiments in hoping he's fit for Saturday.

Sexton was immense in defence and I was also impressed with how well Earls dealt with the big guys running at him. I'd love to see a backs coach with a clue in the Ireland set up so we could see what Earls can really do in green.

 

[Bardon]

I see Danny Care's been an idiot again. Coulld be a real waste of talent unless someone gets a hold of him and tell him to cop on. As he's English I'm sure there wont be much sympathy.

 

[daz]

can't help thinking that Marc Lievremont is perhaps really a misunderstood rugby genius. .

I saw him only yesterday sitting at the Martin Johnson bar in the Discarded Coaches pub in the Prague, just a short stroll from the UN War Crimes HQ.

He was talking animatedly with PdV...something about cowards and back stabbing. I didn't bother to stop.

Rugby genius? Lievremont? Really? Wow, that's like saying the Welsh are only a little bitter at being one of England's bastard children.

 

[Cardiffblue]

Point taken, but you have to say he noted Trinh Duc's lack of talent long before the rest of us.

BTW who are the other bastards?

 

[Cardiffblue]

You are quite right it did work and France were very unlucky not to win the final as well.

Have to say Paddy that going on your track record for predictions in this 2012 6N thread, I'm taking some comfort from the fact that your backing the frogs to win in CAP

 

[the plastic paddy]

Have to say Paddy that going on your track record for predictions in this 2012 6N thread, I'm taking some comfort from the fact that your backing the frogs to win in CAP

Think the only two predictions I have made on here are that Ireland will win the GS which was just me being my usual optimistic self and that the first France V Ireland game would not go ahead. I suggested that Spala might turn the Welsh squad's play around from the franchise's performances which the players themselves have said to be true. I suggested that England had a chance of beating Wales because the Welsh would not be allowed to blitz from an offside position which proved to be true. That's it for the predictions as far as i could find. So not that bad a hit rate, France to win in Cardiff could yet happen; then there will be Welsh tears at bedtime especially as we can be sure that any reversal will be blamed entirely on the referee being biased/ a cheat etc.

 

[Cardiffblue]

Yew shewer? could've sworn you predicted we'd lose to Ireland, Scotland and England and now France. And if we're talking about cr@p refs French supporters will be a tad disappointed their team took 40 mins to realise Pearson had suspended the offside laws for the day.

 

[Dai bando]

Cardiff Blue you're right of course the plastic paddy said Ireland would beat us, I think he just hoped that England would, Me personally think the French have a good side, it will be a cracker at the MS, I think also Paddy may be a little envious of this Welsh side too.

 

[the plastic paddy]

Yew shewer? could've sworn you predicted we'd lose to Ireland, Scotland and England and now France. And if we're talking about cr@p refs French supporters will be a tad disappointed their team took 40 mins to realise Pearson had suspended the offside laws for the day.

I don't talk about crap refs, I am not welsh. I said England had a chance against Wales and a single score game would indicate they were close enough to your wonder team. I did not predict Scotland would beat Wales as I am not half witted. As for being envious of the Welsh side, think the team is great it is the childish supporters, who blame every reversal on the referee, I tend to have a problem with.

 

[Bardon]

Paul O'Connell and Connor Murray are out of the rest of the 6Ns. POC will be out for 6 weeks with medial ligament damager and Murry for 3 with bruised knee joint.

Rory Best is the obvious candidate for captain. Would expect Ryan and Reddan to come into the starting 15. Tomas O'Leary and Mike McCarthy have been called up to the squad.

These enforced changes probably mean we'll less likely to see other changes to the starting team.

 

[the plastic paddy]

Paul O'Connell and Connor Murray are out of the rest of the 6Ns. POC will be out for 6 weeks with medial ligament damager and Murry for 3 with bruised knee joint.

Rory Best is the obvious candidate for captain. Would expect Ryan and Reddan to come into the starting 15. Tomas O'Leary and Mike McCarthy have been called up to the squad.

These enforced changes probably mean we'll less likely to see other changes to the starting team.

Don't know what you think Bardon but would make a rake of changes now as frankly nothing to lose. Think rest of the six nations should be about experimentation with a view to the NZ tour which has to be the priority now. Should play Court, bring in Tuohy, Henry, Faloon, Marshall, Gilroy, Spence and think about resting Ryan, DOC, Peter O'Mahony, The Earl. Maybe I humpreheys for ROG.

 

[Cardiffblue]

I don't talk about crap refs, I am not welsh. I said England had a chance against Wales and a single score game would indicate they were close enough to your wonder team. I did not predict Scotland would beat Wales as I am not half witted. As for being envious of the Welsh side, think the team is great it is the childish supporters, who blame every reversal on the referee, I tend to have a problem with.

O Diar! There's telling us for you.

 

[Cardiffblue]

Am actually stuggling with the idea that I'd like to see an England win this weekend. Some cynics might say this is based on blatant self interest. However, as much as it hurts to say, I actually like this current English set up. Seem finally to have broken with the 'England uber alles' years. Coach seems genuinely top bloke and the w@ankers are nearly all banished. Believe that irrational loathing will return soon (particularly if they do win) but for the moment I'd really like them to put an end to the idea that this French side is any good.

 

[Cardiffblue]

Tim Cymru

Halfpenny, Cuthbert, Davies, Roberts, North, Priestland, Phillips, Jenkins (c), Rees, Jones, AWJ, Evans, Lydiate, Tupric, Faletau

Interesting that Breadman is rested and Matthew Rees is back. Not sure he's even had a come back game for the Scarlets but admit I am glad to see him. Melon as captain too

 

[Cardiffblue]

aparrently Lewis Moody has retired with immediate effect. Crohns got the better of him I heard. One of england's best- oops there you go I'm at it again!

 

[qwerty51]

If Warburton is rested why on earth is Roberts not rested as well? Wasn't he in doubt for this match?

 

[the plastic paddy]

If Warburton is rested why on earth is Roberts not rested as well? Wasn't he in doubt for this match?

Tipuric is some understudy. Surprising to rest a BR against the Italians, the one area they are genuinely competitive, must be carrying a knock. Won't make any difference although I would piss myself if it did!!!