This is a thread about the 2020 Six Nations, formerly the Five Nations

Dog Botherer

stephen_n wrote: »

I wouldn’t write Wales off, a win this weekend and they’re back in there.

it’d have to be a pretty good win. they strolled over an awful Italy side and looked very poor against us.

molloyjh

stephen_n wrote: »

I wouldn’t write Wales off, a win this weekend and they’re back in there.

They're away to England in round 3 so I think they're the most likely of the 4 remaining contenders to fall away. They could do us all a favour by beating France this weekend though.

Squidgy Black

molloyjh wrote: »

They're away to England in round 3 so I think they're the most likely of the 4 remaining contenders to fall away. They could do us all a favour by beating France this weekend though.

Are we not the ones away to England in round 3 this weekend?

stephen_n

Dog Botherer wrote: »

it’d have to be a pretty good win. they strolled over an awful Italy side and looked very poor against us.

They’re at home to an as yet untested French side in terms of playing away from home. France are a young exiting team, but French teams often struggle away from home, the lack of experience won’t help with that. Besides that I’d expect a big response from the Welsh in front of their own fans.

molloyjh wrote: »

They're away to England in round 3 so I think they're the most likely of the 4 remaining contenders to fall away. They could do us all a favour by beating France this weekend though.

The poster included us though and we are away to England and France. I’d fancy Wales to get 5 points against Scotland and four against France. That would leave the England game as pivotal for them. If England beat us and Wales they’re going to win it anyway I’d say. Unless France beat Wales of course, but I just don’t see that happening. Bonus points could have a major impact on deciding the championship this year though.

irelandrover

molloyjh wrote: »

At this stage I think England have to be favourites. You'd have to imagine they'll win their remaining games. And a final day trip to Rome knowing what they'll have to do will def help.

Isn't the Ireland France game the last match? So England wont know what they need going into the Italy game.

molloyjh

Squidgy Black wrote: »

Are we not the ones away to England in round 3 this weekend?

Typo. Round 4.

irelandrover wrote: »

Isn't the Ireland France game the last match? So England wont know what they need going into the Italy game.

Not exactly, but by then they'd know points and PD situation so they'd know if the TBP alone would do it or what kind of level PD they'd need to build up.

irelandrover

irelandrover wrote: »

Isn't the Ireland France game the last match? So England wont know what they need going into the Italy game.

They're going to get 5 points from that game so it's almost an irrelevance.

Mako Vunipola out of the game at the weekend apparently for personal reasons, has travelled back to Tonga.

We're gonna win the world cup Grand Slam

prawnsambo

Deleted User wrote: »

We're gonna win the world cup Grand Slam

Tuilagi and Slade are in the 33 man squad.

prawnsambo

prawnsambo wrote: »

Tuilagi and Slade are in the 33 man squad.

We're gonna win the world Cup grand slam beat italy

cameramonkey

Mako Vunipola out of team for family reasons.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/feb/18/mako-vunipola-out-england-six-nations-showdown-ireland-rugby

prawnsambo

cameramonkey wrote: »

Mako Vunipola out of team for family reasons.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/feb/18/mako-vunipola-out-england-six-nations-showdown-ireland-rugby

For future reference, if you've come across a piece of rugby news that's more than an hour old, assume it's already been posted here.

Everly Clumsy Troop wrote: »

Mako Vunipola out of the game at the weekend apparently for personal reasons, has travelled back to Tonga.

Dubinusa

I fancy France this week! I know they're young and raw, but Wales are transitioning from Gatland and were shyte last time out! France are also capable of playing like crap and if they can win this one they'll have confidence going forward. But, France being France...who knows?
I reckon Scotland will win comfortably. They were unlucky at the Aviva and England squeaked by them. Scotland appear to have upped their physicality and I think have looked improved.
Our match is a tough call. No Vunipola brothers levels the field. But, home advantage could swing it for England.

With two more sleeps to go, I'm around here:

Not excited at all |<

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0

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>| Too excited

AbusesToilets

Dubinusa wrote: »

I fancy France this week! I know they're young and raw, but Wales are transitioning from Gatland and were shyte last time out! France are also capable of playing like crap and if they can win this one they'll have confidence going forward. But, France being France...who knows?
I reckon Scotland will win comfortably. They were unlucky at the Aviva and England squeaked by them. Scotland appear to have upped their physicality and I think have looked improved.
Our match is a tough call. No Vunipola brothers levels the field. But, home advantage could swing it for England.

Wales were lucky to beat them last time out, a bit of composure and the French should have too much for them

prawnsambo

AbusesToilets wrote: »

Wales were lucky to beat them last time out, a bit of composure and the French should have too much for them

We've yet to see this French team play a tough away match. Away fixtures have always been the achilles heel of French teams. Even how they played against Italy at home was a bit of a mess.

stephen_n

AbusesToilets wrote: »

Wales were lucky to beat them last time out, a bit of composure and the French should have too much for them

They lacked composure against England and nearly let them back in the game. They lacked composure against Italy and almost did the same. Both of those were at home, there’s nothing to suggest so far that this team can bring composure.

ionadnapokot

stephen_n wrote: »

They lacked composure against England and nearly let them back in the game. They lacked composure against Italy and almost did the same. Both of those were at home, there’s nothing to suggest so far that this team can bring composure.

I think fatigue is an issue for them with their new defensive line speed.
However, If they get another good lead on Wales I expect them to hang on this time.
After all Vahahahamina won’t be there this time.

Granny15

Any sign of the Welsh, Scottish teams?

penybont exile

Wales: Halfpenny; North, Tompkins, Parkes, Adams; Biggar, G Davies; W Jones, Owens, D Lewis, Ball, AW Jones (capt), Moriarty, Tipuric, Faletau.

Replacements: Elias, R Evans, Brown, Rowlands, Wainwright, T Williams, J Evans, McNicholl.

France: Bouthier; Thomas, Vakatawa, Vincent, Fickou; Ntamack, Dupont; Baille, Marchand, Haouas, Le Roux, Willemse, Cros, Ollivon (capt), Alldritt.

Replacements: Chat, Gros, Bamba, Taofifenua, Cretin, Serin, Jalibert, Ramos.

stephen_n

penybont exile wrote: »

Wales: Halfpenny; North, Tompkins, Parkes, Adams; Biggar, G Davies; W Jones, Owens, D Lewis, Ball, AW Jones (capt), Moriarty, Tipuric, Faletau.

Replacements: Elias, R Evans, Brown, Rowlands, Wainwright, T Williams, J Evans, McNicholl.

France: Bouthier; Thomas, Vakatawa, Vincent, Fickou; Ntamack, Dupont; Baille, Marchand, Haouas, Le Roux, Willemse, Cros, Ollivon (capt), Alldritt.

Replacements: Chat, Gros, Bamba, Taofifenua, Cretin, Serin, Jalibert, Ramos.

Tompkins against Vakatawa might be fun.

fitz

stephen_n wrote: »

Tompkins against Vakatawa might be fun.

Might?

aloooof

penybont exile wrote: »

Wales: Halfpenny; North, Tompkins, Parkes, Adams; Biggar, G Davies; W Jones, Owens, D Lewis, Ball, AW Jones (capt), Moriarty, Tipuric, Faletau.

Replacements: Elias, R Evans, Brown, Rowlands, Wainwright, T Williams, J Evans, McNicholl.

France: Bouthier; Thomas, Vakatawa, Vincent, Fickou; Ntamack, Dupont; Baille, Marchand, Haouas, Le Roux, Willemse, Cros, Ollivon (capt), Alldritt.

Replacements: Chat, Gros, Bamba, Taofifenua, Cretin, Serin, Jalibert, Ramos.

Is that Fickou on the wing?

Dog Botherer

aloooof wrote: »

Is that Fickou on the wing?

yes

swiwi_

penybont exile wrote: »

Wales: Halfpenny; North, Tompkins, Parkes, Adams; Biggar, G Davies; W Jones, Owens, D Lewis, Ball, AW Jones (capt), Moriarty, Tipuric, Faletau.

Replacements: Elias, R Evans, Brown, Rowlands, Wainwright, T Williams, J Evans, McNicholl.

France: Bouthier; Thomas, Vakatawa, Vincent, Fickou; Ntamack, Dupont; Baille, Marchand, Haouas, Le Roux, Willemse, Cros, Ollivon (capt), Alldritt.

Replacements: Chat, Gros, Bamba, Taofifenua, Cretin, Serin, Jalibert, Ramos.

When was the last time a French coach showed selection consistency like this? Galthié seems like a proper coach for a change.

prawnsambo

swiwi_ wrote: »

When was the last time a French coach showed selection consistency like this? Galthié seems like a proper coach for a change.

Laporte I think.

Yeah_Right

Dog Botherer wrote: »

yes

Has Fickou ever played on the wing before?

aloooof

Yeah_Right wrote: »

Has Fickou ever played on the wing before?

He played there in that disastrous game against England last year, where Huget played full back.

sydthebeat

Yeah_Right wrote: »

Has Fickou ever played on the wing before?

he played wing in the 2018 6 nations

Clegg

Tuilagi back as expected. Joseph on the wing and Daly at 15 can be exploited by good kicking.

15 Elliot Daly (Saracens, 41 caps)
14 Jonny May (Leicester Tigers, 54 caps)
13 Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers, 41 caps)
12 Owen Farrell (Saracens, 81 caps) C
11 Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby, 49 caps)
10 George Ford (Leicester Tigers, 67 caps)
9 Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 97 caps)
1 Joe Marler (Harlequins, 69 caps)
2 Jamie George (Saracens, 47 caps)
3 Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins, 33 caps)
4 Maro Itoje (Saracens, 36 caps)
5 George Kruis (Saracens, 43 caps)
6 Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 83 caps)
7 Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 17 caps)
8 Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 21 caps)

Finishers
16 Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, 22 caps)
17 Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, 16 caps)
18 Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 1 cap)
19 Joe Launchbury (Wasps, 63 caps)
20 Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, 13 caps)
21 Ben Earl (Saracens, 1 cap)
22 Willi Heinz (Gloucester Rugby, 11 caps)
23 Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 27 caps)

Yeah_Right

I obviously completely blanked that Fickou played wing that much. I always thought of him as a midfielder and I figured the French were trying to give George North the opportunity to find some form.

Clegg

Have to thank Eddie Jones tbh. If he picked a proper backrow we'd be in real trouble. Lawes at 6 isn't a good selection despite it maybe boosting their lineout. And Curry is a world class flanker but only a decentish 8.

There are 5 centres and 5 locks in that 23. Jones is yakked off his face.

Clegg

Clegg wrote: »

Have to thank Eddie Jones tbh. If he picked a proper backrow we'd be in real trouble. Lawes at 6 isn't a good selection despite it maybe boosting their lineout. And Curry is a world class flanker but only a decentish 8.

There are 5 centres and 5 locks in that 23. Jones is yakked off his face.

Joseph, Farrell, Tualigi, Slade and... ?

Bridge93

Daly. Although if he's a centre then farrell is a 10. A lot of guys playing out of their normal remit. big gamble from Jones

Clegg

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Joseph, Farrell, Tualigi, Slade and... ?

Daly. He's probably more of a wing now though. And even he's being picked out of position at fullback.

molloyjh

It's an odd selection all right. Why have 2 locks on the bench? I dont get that at all.

RugbyLover123

molloyjh wrote: »

It's an odd selection all right. Why have 2 locks on the bench? I dont get that at all.

Especially when one is Ewels, who is fairly average.

stephen_n

molloyjh wrote: »

It's an odd selection all right. Why have 2 locks on the bench? I dont get that at all.

Totally brutal, I mean total brutality.

Sangre

I think we can expect a lot of bombs with Joseph and Daly in the back three.

Buer

Given their injuries, the continued refusal to involve Alex Dombrandt in the English match day squad is the 8th wonder of the world.

Squidgy Black

Buer wrote: »

Given their injuries, the continued refusal to involve Alex Dombrandt in the English match day squad is the 8th wonder of the world.

True Jones fashion though. Any time the media/fans push for a player to be included he just buries his head further in the sand and says no.

stephen_n

Looking at his selections, I’d wonder if he is trying to evolve something else and sacrificing the 6n to do so. Their power game last year evolved out of an off year with some strange selections. Wonder are the current games less important than what he learns from them.

RugbyLover123

They had a power game because they managed to keep both Vunipola’s, Tuilagi and Underhill fit for the year (3 of them being very injury prone). And Curry coming out of nowhere. Why play any other way when you’ve that power? It was more a case of Eddie putting them all on the field together then having a master game plan imo.

steves2

Usually I wouldn't bother watching Scotland Italy but I think Italy could win today, I thought they played well against France.

flazio

I wasn't even looking at the line outs I was just impressed with the folding operation of the banners on the pitch.

swiwi_

Might have to get me a pair of those welsh socks. Perfect for military boot camp.

PhlegmyMoses

There is no way Faletau was legal there

PhlegmyMoses

You beauty.

razorblunt

5 mins in.


“Numbers” shouted by Davies
POC drinking the soup calling the try “lucky”
Wales turnover from a guy who was on his belly