Rugby Union

[RavenBish]

only 17 minutes in but this Wasps/Bath game is as phenomenal as you'd expect with Cipriani, Ford, Beale, Daly, Wade, Joseph, Roko, Faletau & Hughes all on the pitch.

 

[Super_horns]

2 of the best attacking sides in the league?

Wasps have an average of 35 points this season I understand.

 

[RavenBish]

Tuilagi's injured himself again, just a day after being named in the England 33 for Brighton. Henry Slade not making the 33 is astounding, does that suggest Jones rates Lozowski ahead of him?!

Watched a repeat of the 2nd half of the Exeter/Bath game earlier - Jack Nowell looks to be in great form, good sign ahead of the 6 Nations - May, Daly, Yarde and Roko all did a good job in the autumn but I'd still have Nowell and Watson starting if they're both fit. Wing options now do open up the debate of moving one of those to full-back to try and get something more dynamic from the position than Mike Brown can offer.

 

[Super_horns]

Change been coming for a while?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/38489596

Mind you still close to the top 4 despite a poor European season.

 

[RavenBish]

Not surprised, they've made some poor signings and the academy has been failing recently which Leicester has always been built on. Seems like the right time for them to change - should be a club always competing for the top spot but they're nowhere near Sarries and Wasps at the moment

 

[RavenBish]

Denny Solomona is such a talent, not sure he's Issy Folau type special but if I was Eddie Jones I'd be having serious looks. I wouldn't be surprised if the money being dished out to England Test players even played a part in Solomona switching codes.

 

[Super_horns]

Guess they must have some serious evidence despite Bristol's claim.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/38644896

Last round of the Champions cup this weekend..

Looking at the potential quarters looks like 3 Irish teams might be in the last 8 but are Sarries and Clermont still the favourites?

 

[RavenBish]

strength in depth for England at the moment is scary - seem to be able to stick together a great squad regardless of injuries. Should easily have the strongest bench in the competition. Just a shame we can't put that strongest possible pack together for once with Robshaw, Billy and Mako all out.

The versatility of Lozowski, Daly and Slade provide some great options in-game (if you assume Ford - Farrell - Joseph with Nowell - Brown - Watson as set in stone).

Will I spend the next 2 months discussing alternatives to playing Mike Brown at full-back? Probab...Absolutely.

 

[Super_horns]

Another legend from the 90s passes away tragically young.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/38882762

 

[Super_horns]

Not too often a forward gets 3 tries but the Irish have battered Italy.

 

[kieran_vale]

Lots of possession and territory for England so far but some silly handling errors. Iron them out and we should get the win.

 

[kieran_vale]

5 points down and 20 minutes to go. England can consider themselves fortunate it's still this close. The backrow have been absolutely dominated. Got no idea why Wales took off Moriarty, he was the best player on the pitch alongside Tipuric.

Oh and can we please move on from Mike Brown regardless what happens in the next 20 minutes.

 

[RavenBish]

Brown's inability to kick or pass has to see him get the chop at some point - England have too much young back 3 talent. I'd love to see them sculpt Daly into a top class full-back - as ironic as that would be after Lancaster told him to move to 13.

Also seems like we have to address the idea that do England finish strongly because the players coming on are fresh role players or are they just...better? You can easily make a case for George/Sinckler being better than Cole/Hartley - Joseph hasn't done anything so far this tournament despite being an obviously great player so should Te'o be in on merit? (Haskell probably starts when he's fully fit anyway) France and Wales are both sides whereby the gap in quality meant a slow start didn't equate to an unattainable lead - not sure we'll get away with it against Scotland and Ireland.

 

[RavenBish]

can't watch a game now without the possibility of a soft card ruining the contest. The new rules allow referees now room for common sense and the outcome dictates the punishment rather than the intent/recklessness of the offence.

 

[kieran_vale]

Stuart Hogg is an outrageously talented player, great to watch.

Very entertaining first half this. Scotland doing a good job at the breakdown.

 

[RavenBish]

This France side is marvellous to watch - just need to replace Spedding with that scumbag Huget and they'll be as fun as it gets.

 

[kieran_vale]

France just got completely mugged by the bounce of the ball there. Very unlucky. Beautiful pass from Finn Russell in the lead up to it though.

That conversion

 

[RavenBish]

That's a try! Crazy TMO decision

 

[kieran_vale]

That's a lucky escape for the Scots there. Looked a Try to me.

Easy be wise after the event but France really should have taken the three points on offer.

 

[Super_horns]

Another close physical game.

Both teams performing well - maybe better than expected?

 

[kieran_vale]

French set-piece just proving the difference now. Kick this and don't see the Scots coming back. Great weekends entertainment only ruined by the Italians ineptitude.

 

[Super_horns]

How many will England win by today?

Strong performance from Ireland in a pretty physical match against France whilst the Scots were pretty impressive coming back against a Wales side maybe missing the organisational and tactical nous of Gatland?

 

[RavenBish]

Entire front row needs dropping. Very hard to make a case for any of them over Mako, George and Sinckler at the moment

 

[hodge]

Anyone else think the no contesting the ruck meaning no offside is a complete farce? It's very clever from the Italians but kills the game as a spectacle when players can just stand blocking the 9 from passing the ball.

 

[RavenBish]

It's bordering on being against the spirit of the game but that all depends how much you care about that stuff - probably would be giggling like a schoolgirl if we were doing this to the All-Blacks. England just aren't being very smart to counter it either - there must be space in behind if Italy are all stood in England's backfield - Care and Ford just need to be a bit cuter with exploiting it.

 

[Super_horns]

This isn't in the script!

 

[RavenBish]

Badly need George Ford to fuck off. Might as well be playing with 14

 

[hodge]

Would rather Ford be allowed to kick at the posts than Farrell though 1 kick in 5 is it?

 

[RavenBish]

I'd rather let Mako kick than Ford.

There can't be a less skilful full back in the country than Mike Brown. Can't pass, kick or step.

 

[hodge]

I'd rather let Mako kick than Ford.

There can't be a less skilful full back in the country than Mike Brown. Can't pass, kick or step.

If he weren't being so successful on the wing wouldn't mind Daly playing FB