6 Nations Rugby thread

[T_i_B]

Seeing as the 6 nations tournament starts on Saturday, anyone else here interested in Rugby? As I'm sure you are aware England are the World Champions but the team I fancy to win it this year is Brian O'Driscoll's Ireland.

http://www.6nations.net/splash.htm
http://www.6-nations-rugby.com/
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/international/default.stm

[Anarcho-Socialist]

1. I wonder if France will win it

When people think the French team is down and out they seem to spring up and suprise people.

[rooboy]

2. England may be the world champions...

but that was 2003, and they're down to about no. 3 in the world now, aren't they? I fancy France to be the team to beat this season, but Ireland and England are certainly close rivals. I laughed when I saw some early odds on Scotland at 200-1... in a tournament of only 6 countries that's pretty sad!!!

[T_i_B]

3. The general view...

...is that it's going to be between Scotland and Italy for the wooden spoon. Scotland had that dubious honour last year after being whitewashed.

Once upon a time the Scots used to be good at sport you know.

[rooboy]

4. Yep, Scotland used to be pretty good.

In fact, when the Wallabies went on their 1984 Grand Slam tour, Scotland was the game they feared the most.

I remember watching the legendary Andy Irvine and Jim Renwick and Finlay Calder when I was a younger fella. A few years later, Scott and Gavin Hastings were great players...Gavin was a fantastic hard runner, imo.

I have no idea what has happened to Scottish rugby... you'd think the professionalism of the code would have developed several dozen really elite players, but it just hasn't happened. Boy, they really struggled at the RWC2003. I went and saw them in the qtr final vs Australia in Brisbane.

As for Italy....sheesh. There's a lot of progress still to be made before they become a serious contender for the title...

[T_i_B]

5. Not just Rugby

Scotland is facing decline in all sports bar curling. Indeed, it's quite common for English football fans to sing "Are you Scotland in disguise?" at any international team playing badly.

[MaineDem]

6. As an All Blacks fan I prefer Tri-Nations

But I'm an American rugby fan so I take what I can get. There isn't much demand for international rugby around here on tv. :(

Here's hoping for a gret 6-Nations series! I'm pulling for Ireland.

[T_i_B]

7. The weekend's results

France 16 Scotland 9 (and France were lucky to win this one!)

Wales 11 England 9 (Wales deserved it! Any Welsh DUer's fancy a wee gloat here?)

Italy 17 Ireland 28 (Ireland rode their luck here as well, Italy were actually quite decent, although the difference between the two sides was undoubtedly Brian O'Driscoll.)

[muriel_volestrangler]

8. And this weekend's

Italy 8 Wales 38 (Wales looked pretty good, especially their backs; Italy's pack wasn't as impressive as it had been against Ireland)

Scotland 13 Ireland 40 (despite losing their first choice centres, Ireland looked very good - the team to beat this year, I think)

England 17 France 18 (who'd have thought England would score 2 tries, France none, and yet France wins? France looked more like an old boring England team - get into the other half, force a penalty, and your kicker gets them over. England scored nothing in the 2nd half - no shape to them, and indisciplined.)

[T_i_B]

9. Thanks Muriel

Shane Williams looks like he'll be great for the Lions, and England need Jonny Wilkinson back ASAP.

I can't see us winning at Lansdowne Road in 2 weeks time at all. :-(

[T_i_B]

10. Wales for the Grand Slam anyone?

The results from week 3

France 18-24 Wales (France palyed the best they have all tournament, but Wales were up to the challenge! The best game of the tournament so far.)

Scotland 18-10 Italy (I fell asleep in front of the TV during this match, which is a good indication of how dull it was. It looks like the wooden spoon will be stirring pasta rather than porridge this year.)

Ireland 19-13 England (So it looks like Wales v Ireland for the Grand Slam then.)

[T_i_B]

11. Week 4 results

Scotland 22-46 Wales (Wales were as brilliant in the first half as Scotland were dreadful.)

Ireland 19-26 France (That's Ireland out of grand slam contention, although they can still win the championship if they stuff Wales)

England 39-7 Italy (England have finally won a match! hooray! Although I'm still not convinced by Ian Balshaw)

[MaineDem]

12. I was bummed that Ireland lost

Hopefully, they'll "stuff Wales" and win the whole deal. :)

[muriel_volestrangler]

13. It's going to be a tight finish

France just beat Italy by 43 points. I think that means that:
If Ireland beat Wales by 17 points or more, they win the championship
If Ireland beat Wales by between 10 and 15 points, France win
If Wales win, or lose by 8 points or less, they win

But if the points difference end up equal, it goes to who scored the most tries in the championship. Who knows who that will be.

Kick-off for Wales v. Ireland is in half an hour ...

[MaineDem]

14. Wow...that's close!

This is going to be an interesting match.

Come on, Ireland!!!

[T_i_B]

15. It's Wales!

Wales have won the Grand Slam after beating Ireland 32-20. It was a great match, Wales have played the best, most attractive Rugby of the tournament by far and they deserve the title!

While we are on the subject, notice the referee's action after the fist fight between Paul O'Connell and Robert Sidoli. In football the tabloids would have been talking about it for weeks but in Rugby even the ref hardly batted an eyelid!