Six Nations 2015

[Brumby Runner]

Napoleon?

 

[Shelts89]

I just fail to see how anything to do with Napoleon has anything to do with Irelands record against France. Ireland was part of the UK at the time, and the UK (along with a few other countries) won the wars against Napoleon.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

^^^ Some would say that Napoleon Bonaparte, as a native of Corsica of Italian parentage, wasn't even French. It is also claimed that he was a decidedly average halfback for the Lucciana Colts team, because he could not effectively pass to the right, and often went missing on defence.

Others would contend that, while his forces won a number of short lived military victories in some decisive battles against various coalitions, he didn't win the 1803-1815 European War.

I'm with @Shelts89. What has Napoleon Bonaparte to do with Les Blues vs Ireland 6N rugby?

 

[Wilson]

1798 was the year of the Irish rebellion, the French were on the side if the Irish, though they didn't manage to show up. Still not sure how its relevant.

 

[the plastic paddy]

It isn't remotely relevant but it provides for a bit of whimsical distraction from this increasingly prosaic game.

 

[Wales Fan]

Wales need to get Amscombe and Scott Williams into their back line and Tipuric and Baker into their pack. Still think their front 5 isn't good enough but it would give them a more dynamic pack with more creativity in the backs.

I fancy the Scots to get over Wales this weekend if they can keep their discipline

Still remain to be convinced on Anscombe but he looks to have potential, still some way behind Biggar though for me. Scott Williams' continued ommission is bizarre for all but Gatland- Jon Davies is a very good player at 13 but hasn't played too much in France and looks very, very rusty. Gatland doesn't seem to believe in match fitness just how players perform in training. Odd.
The pack needs freshening up, poor old Gethin Jenkins has never been the best of scrummagers but is getting worse. Young Rob Evans of the Scarlets is playing well & is a powerful scrummager but very raw.
Josh Navidi has been in superb form but continually overlooked in favour of a one-dimensional Lydiate.

 

[JSRF10]

I remain to be convinced about Amscombe too but Wales need another play maker in the back line if Gatland is going to insist on only picking the biggest lads possible

 

[the plastic paddy]

Samson Lee out now for 'the fish in the sea with the biggest dick'. Adam Jones might have a point to prove against Munster in Cork on Saturday night now which is a bollix.

 

[Shelts89]

1798 was the year of the Irish rebellion, the French were on the side if the Irish, though they didn't manage to show up. Still not sure how its relevant.

Could have had something to do with him being stuck in Egypt after his navy got smashed at the battle of the Nile?

 

[Wales Fan]

Oh dear god ! Aaron Jarvis starting at tighthead for Wales. Gatland thinks Adam Jones is past it & picks this joker instead. Too make it even better his cover on the bench is Scott Andrews who's 4th choice for Cardiff Blues.
We're going to get minced up front

 

[BabyBlueElephant]

It really is a bit clueless to pick a player all the way up to the world cup year and suddenly drop them. Lee had an awful game before but give the lad a chance he's been on form domestically/pro 12 .

 

[Shelts89]

It really is a bit clueless to pick a player all the way up to the world cup year and suddenly drop them. Lee had an awful game before but give the lad a chance he's been on form domestically/pro 12 .

He can't be picked as he is concussed though. But yeah Gatlands treatment of Jones is pretty stupid.

 

[JSRF10]

Scotland looking even more attractive now. Question is do they really believe they can win France were thew for the taking last week and they couldn't do it

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

I notice that in the latest World Rugby Rankings England have gone fractionally ahead of Ireland & are now 3rd, Scotland have dipped below Argentina & are now 9th, again fractionally.

Wales, France & Italy remain 6th, 7th & 14th respectively.

http://www.worldrugby.org/rankings

 

[mxyzptlk]

If he is Welsh he will come from somewhere in Wales and the accusation of bias will be bandied about if he selects someone from there. EDIT much the same as in Ireland I should add.

I think that happens in England as well. You hear noise out of Sale that northern players are almost never considered, and from the midlands that London teams trump the rest of the country -- whether it's true or not. I suppose it's a matter of perspective and degree. (BBC Rugby Union Extra, Leicester Tigers Podcast)

 

[mxyzptlk]

How far into the match before Hartley gets carded?

There ought to be a betting market opened on this.

 

[mxyzptlk]

Scotland v Wales really does look like it's going to be one to remember. The Scots will want to harness all the positivity that Cotter has brought and produce a result to go along with improved performance. Wales really need a win to keep any hope of a tilt at the title alive. I can see this one possibly being one of those see-saw games where neither team holds anything back.

Throughout the week, I heard pundits and coaches tipping Wales at first, but near the end of the week, more support came in for Scotland. I wouldn't sleep on Scotland at this point.

 

[the plastic paddy]

I think that happens in England as well. You hear noise out of Sale that northern players are almost never considered, and from the midlands that London teams trump the rest of the country -- whether it's true or not. I suppose it's a matter of perspective and degree. (BBC Rugby Union Extra, Leicester Tigers Podcast)

Lancaster is outside of that loop although there has been plenty of chat about the Farrells. If the wheels start coming off for Schmidt, which I hope they don't, there will be a big interprovincial bust up. Munster supporters are very unhappy about TOD and Keatley's omission from the bench. Ulster supporters are muttering away about Cave and Hendo being on the bench. If Henshaw leaves Connacht, which is rumoured, the West will awake, I will be disgusted if it happens. But essentially, so long as Ireland keep performing and winning, Schmidt could pick Gerry Adams to start and no one would be in a position to criticise his selection.

 

[Shelts89]

I think that happens in England as well. You hear noise out of Sale that northern players are almost never considered, and from the midlands that London teams trump the rest of the country -- whether it's true or not. I suppose it's a matter of perspective and degree. (BBC Rugby Union Extra, Leicester Tigers Podcast)

But what players from Sale deserve to be in the team other than Cipriani? Who is on the bench behind Ford (Who is the form 10). Overall I think that the England squad is actually a decent reflection of player quality among the teams.

 

[Dctarget]

If anyone is still wake I highly recommend watching England V Italy right now. The Italians are giving it their best shot with Parisse opening the scoring with a try in the fourth minute. Could be a great upset.