Six Nations 2015

[Bairdy]

And true to form, the Italians capitulate after I'm guessing the 60 minute mark.
Checked the scores just before half time (13-5 I think it was), and I come back and its 47 to 17

If Italy are at home for France or Scotland, I reckon they could do them over

 

[BabyBlueElephant]

Italy played very well. Seemed like the awful place kicking of their 10 fed through the team and made them give up, England got a few tries then and that really sapped them.

England played quite averagely in the first half, I wouldn't say bad, I would say Italy are playing much better offensively that they've been in some time.

A word for Joseph, the guy is such a talent. He really is delivering his fantastic club form internationally.

 

[Bairdy]

Italy played very well. Seemed like the awful place kicking of their 10 fed through the team and made them give up, England got a few tries then and that really sapped them.

England played quite averagely in the first half, I wouldn't say bad, I would say Italy are playing much better offensively that they've been in some time.

A word for Joseph, the guy is such a talent. He really is delivering his fantastic club form internationally.

I don't know if either Tuilagi or Joseph have played 12 before, but a English midfield of say 12. Joseph, 13. Tuilagi is a frightening prospect.

Both can break the line, but where Tuilagi uses his brute strength and size, Joseph uses his speed to manoeuvre around defenders and create half breaks

Let's hope it never eventuates

 

[Shelts89]

As far as I am aware Tuilagi has played 12 a fair few times. He just needs to not be injured!

 

[Bardon]

Ireland have done well in the first half but 6 points isn't that safe a lead. Will need an early try in the 2nd half to put a bit of daylight between the teams. Last thing we need is France to score one and get their tails up.

 

[Bardon]

On the England midfield Joseph and Burrell have played really well as a combination rather than just individually. I'd want Tuilagi to win his place back in the team rather than just slot him in and then possible be left scratching your head when the combination doesn't deliver. It's a great headache for Lancaster to have though.

 

[Shelts89]

Looked accidental to me, think the crowd played a part in getting him sent off there.

As for Tuilagi, I agree he has to play his way back in but he does offer more than Burrell in attack for me.

 

[Bairdy]

Thought Ireland were withholding their plans/tactics in attack? Seems their attack is generally one dimensional to me.

France and Ireland seem inept in attack despite the personnel they have available to them. France especially

Also, Pape - what a cheap shot merchant. This guy never learns does he.

 

[Shelts89]

Not helped by some dodgy refereeing imo. French discipline, or lack of, is the only difference here.

 

[Shelts89]

Good try. France look better with Parra on than they did with Kockett. Faster, sharper service

 

[BabyBlueElephant]

Barnes is really having an awful game. Some very odd decisions against both teams. Breakdown, scrums, you name it.

 

[Bairdy]

MOTM Barnes with 24 points

 

[Bardon]

Ireland got the win in the end but their inability to stretch away is still worrying. The attack looked a little better this week but it couldn't have gotten any worse. Still a lot of improvement to come from this team.

France are a perfect example of the fact that it doesn't matter if you have the players if you don't play to their strengths. What are the odds on another player revolt during a RWC?

 

[Shelts89]

France would probably play better if they had a revolt though. So here is hoping they don't

 

[BabyBlueElephant]

Who cares about our attack I say. Schmidt's winning us games on the back of a collosal injury crisis including back to back French wins and SH clean sweeps. That is enormous considering our rugby history.

I would argue our defence is arguably the best around right now, possibly our breakdown nuisance too. These are our strengths and we play them superbly. We're averaging 3 tries a game too, although this may be skewed by Georgia and Italy games.

If we get more of a run together with less injuries maybe the flashy stuff will come along then.

 

[JSRF10]

Good win for Ireland, could have been a lot more comfortable has Sexton gone wide instead of chucking the ball at Paynes face just before Best got yellow carded.

Its a strange feeling as an Irish fan complaining that we didn't beat France by enough is a nice feeling. Going to be a huge game against England in two weeks. Its a Grand Slam decider IMO, two of the best teams in the world going head to head both relatively evenly matched does it get any better?

 

[boyo]

France would probably play better if they had a revolt though. So here is hoping they don't

They've already tried that.

 

[the plastic paddy]

As far as I am aware Tuilagi has played 12 a fair few times. He just needs to not be injured!

I wouldn't hold your breathe, he has got the dreaded Osteitis pubis which can go on for months if not years.

 

[the plastic paddy]

Looked accidental to me, think the crowd played a part in getting him sent off there.

As for Tuilagi, I agree he has to play his way back in but he does offer more than Burrell in attack for me.

Pape's 'accidental' knee looks like it has broken Heaslip's vertebrae. Just out of interest, what do you think Pape was trying to do? He should be banned for eight weeks longer than Heaslip is out injured. Barnes bottles another red card decision against Ireland, he should be stood down from international duty like the last time.

 

[Shelts89]

Its a strange feeling as an Irish fan complaining that we didn't beat France by enough is a nice feeling. Going to be a huge game against England in two weeks. Its a Grand Slam decider IMO, two of the best teams in the world going head to head both relatively evenly matched does it get any better?

It'll certainly be a good hard, physical game. Obviously I want England to win, but I should say Ireland are favourites at home in this one. Pretty excited.

I wouldn't hold your breathe, he has got the dreaded Osteitis pubis which can go on for months if not years.

I'll keep my fingers crossed at least! We'll never see the next best combination of Eastmond and JJ simply because Lancaster probably thinks its too small, especially with Ford at 10.

Pape's 'accidental' knee looks like it has broken Heaslip's vertebrae. Just out of interest, what do you think Pape was trying to do? He should be banned for eight weeks longer than Heaslip is out injured. Barnes bottles another red card decision against Ireland, he should be stood down from international duty like the last time.​

I'll see if I can find the incident and take another look, I was several pints in at the time of writing that. Looked accidental then but beer isn't great for helping your perspective. And I presume he wanted to shift Heaslip out of the way because he was holding a French player up if I remember correctly?