Guinness SIX Nations 2021

Digifriendly

aloooof wrote: »

It's almost incredible how well Scotland's entire backline played, considering how poorly Russell did.

I think we could have expected it from Maitland and Hogg, but I was extremely impressed with their new 12, Redpath, who I knew nothing about before that game. Some performance for your debut in Twickenham.

I agree. Bizarrely not only did BBC make Russell MOTM but Maggie Alphonso had him in 6 N team of the weekend in today's Telegraph!

crossman47

Digifriendly wrote: »

I agree. Bizarrely not only did BBC make Russell MOTM but Maggie Alphonso had him in 6 N team of the weekend in today's Telegraph!

Ask yourself who was better? Not Farrell, Sexton or Biggar so he gets it for the good things he did.

Trey13

Thought Russell was better than people make out. He had a few moment of madness which will always stand out unfortunately. But he got the backline moving reasonably well, better than Farrell did. Farrell just kicked up and unders, even inside the 10m line whereas at least Russell will try something inventive. Poor execution on a few kicks and the drop kick was bizarre. But I’d have him as the best 10 this weekend. Or do people think Sexton, Biggar or Farrell were better? Very hard to win away at Twickenham and the 10 usually is at the forefront.

On 9, probably not a lot between Murray and Price’s performances this week. Standard wasn’t amazing but I think people are being very critical of a guy who clearly knows the sport well.

aloooof

Trey13 wrote: »

Thought Russell was better than people make out. He had a few moment of madness which will always stand out unfortunately. But he got the backline moving reasonably well, better than Farrell did. Farrell just kicked up and unders, even inside the 10m line whereas at least Russell will try something inventive. Poor execution on a few kicks and the drop kick was bizarre. But I’d have him as the best 10 this weekend. Or do people think Sexton, Biggar or Farrell were better? Very hard to win away at Twickenham and the 10 usually is at the forefront.

On 9, probably not a lot between Murray and Price’s performances this week. Standard wasn’t amazing but I think people are being very critical of a guy who clearly knows the sport well.

I think there's a small bit of confusion here. The OP said it was McGeechan's Team of the Week (in which case having Murray and Russell ahead of Dupont and Jalibert would be crazy) but it was actually his Lions selection.

Digifriendly

crossman47 wrote: »

Ask yourself who was better? Not Farrell, Sexton or Biggar so he gets it for the good things he did.

French OH was definitely better than Russell.

Trey13

aloooof wrote: »

I think there's a small bit of confusion here. The OP said it was McGeechan's Team of the Week (in which case having Murray and Russell ahead of Dupont and Jalibert would be crazy) but it was actually his Lions selection.

Sorry I thought it was Lions too. But yes, the French two were better if it was a team of the weekend.

sydthebeat

Garbisi was the best outhalf of the weekend

crossman47

Digifriendly wrote: »

French OH was definitely better than Russell.

Yes but this was a Lions selection

Paul Smeenus

Thought Redpath was really assured on a debut vs England.

Saw elsewhere that Russell turned over the ball five times. I thought Scotland won despite him.

hahashake

Russell is a Scottish Carlos Spencer/Quade Cooper, I can see why people fawn over him even when he doesn't have a great game.

Digifriendly

crossman47 wrote: »

Yes but this was a Lions selection

I was referring to Maggie Alphonso's Team of the 6N first weekend not to Sir Ian McGeechan's Lions selection. See Post 452 above.

tmc1963

Trey13 wrote: »

Thought Russell was better than people make out. He had a few moment of madness which will always stand out unfortunately. But he got the backline moving reasonably well, better than Farrell did. Farrell just kicked up and unders, even inside the 10m line whereas at least Russell will try something inventive. Poor execution on a few kicks and the drop kick was bizarre. But I’d have him as the best 10 this weekend. Or do people think Sexton, Biggar or Farrell were better? Very hard to win away at Twickenham and the 10 usually is at the forefront.

On 9, probably not a lot between Murray and Price’s performances this week. Standard wasn’t amazing but I think people are being very critical of a guy who clearly knows the sport well.

Agreed re Russell - several of those that played in his position at the highest level were very complimentary. Suspect they know a bit more than the detractors.

Tommybojangles

sydthebeat wrote: »

Garbisi was the best outhalf of the weekend

Delighted someone said it! Looking forward to the Italy game Saturday to get another look at him

Paul Smeenus

Tommybojangles wrote: »

Delighted someone said it! Looking forward to the Italy game Saturday to get another look at him

Dunno if he was the best, but I thought he was great. Twenty years old!

I think Italy might start really punching their weight in a year or two - that was a very young team. And composure looked to be their number one issue.

Digifriendly

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

Dunno if he was the best, but I thought he was great. Twenty years old!

I think Italy might start really punching their weight in a year or two - that was a very young team. And composure looked to be their number one issue.

Back in 2000 when Italy first participated in 6N it was being predicted that within 10 years they would win a GS. 21 years on and they have never won more than 2 matches in any Championship, they have never beaten England home or away and and have still to taste victory in Dublin and Cardiff in the 6N. We live in hope but positive predictions have been made in the past and they remain bottom of the pile.

lawred2

Digifriendly wrote: »

Back in 2000 when Italy first participated in 6N it was being predicted that within 10 years they would win a GS. 21 years on and they have never won more than 2 matches in any Championship, they have never beaten England home or away and and have still to taste victory in Dublin and Cardiff in the 6N. We live in hope but positive predictions have been made in the past and they remain bottom of the pile.

was it?

Podge_irl

lawred2 wrote: »

was it?

Not by anyone remotely sensible, no.

Paul Smeenus

Digifriendly wrote: »

Back in 2000 when Italy first participated in 6N it was being predicted that within 10 years they would win a GS. 21 years on and they have never won more than 2 matches in any Championship, they have never beaten England home or away and and have still to taste victory in Dublin and Cardiff in the 6N. We live in hope but positive predictions have been made in the past and they remain bottom of the pile.

Yeah, we've thought they'd turn the corner before. No guarantees this time, certainly. But I'm hopefully - they've some good young players (youngest squad overall this 6N I believe?) in key positions like Garbisi.

.ak

.ak wrote: »

Join Boards.ie 6N Pool, my Six Nations Fantasy league on @Superbru! You can find my pool here:

https://www.superbru.com/sixnationsfantasy/pool.php?p=12303299

Actually just setup a boards pool if anyone fancies joining. Just bragging rights, unless I go ahead after rd1....

EDIT: Sorry, just seen your pool LO, I'll join that!

So I had a few let downs (Itoje's penalty count hurt my score, O'Mahony had an impressive -5 and Ryan / Williams departing early).

Jalibert, Dupont and Tomas really delivered, Lowe, Hogg and Stander were decent enough.

Going to be some enforced changes this week, might bring in a few more English players as Italy (albeit better than are being given credit) are still likely to cough up a good few scores away in Twickenham.

Digifriendly

lawred2 wrote: »

was it?

Yes it was and that's why I remember it. IIRC it came from rugby pundits at the time.

Ardillaun

May’s dropped catch at around 15 minutes against Scotland was described as uncharacteristic by the commentators. Is he great in defence? We know what he can do with ball in hand but he used to be regarded as a bit vulnerable under the ball.

Looking for positives, I thought Italy’s passing against France was crisp enough.

Pudsy33

I'm quite excited about the Italy vs England game. I know Italy shipped 50 points but the majority of them came after periods of broken play. I don't think England have the same capacity to create chaos as the French, and their attacking performance was arguably the worst of all 6 teams this weekend. If Italy are more clinical in attack and structured in defence I reckon they'll get closer than people think.

UAEguy2020

Italy were brilliant going forward, it’s their defense that was a shocker. That’s not a surprise as the entire Italian backline had 24 caps combined (less caps than Jordan Larmour has for Ireland to put that in perspective) and it showed as you could see from the communication to positioning it was a disaster. They will be exciting to watch but I still expect the inexperience to show again.

It does have to be said the big the France have over everyone is taking their chances, yes Italy were terrible defensively but I don’t think anyone else would have punished them as brutally as France did.

.ak

Deleted User wrote: »

So I had a few let downs (Itoje's penalty count hurt my score, O'Mahony had an impressive -5 and Ryan / Williams departing early).

Jalibert, Dupont and Tomas really delivered, Lowe, Hogg and Stander were decent enough.

Going to be some enforced changes this week, might bring in a few more English players as Italy (albeit better than are being given credit) are still likely to cough up a good few scores away in Twickenham.

tl;dr.

I'm gunning for you.

.ak

.ak wrote: »

tl;dr.

I'm gunning for you.

thomond2006

WALES TEAM TO PLAY SCOTLAND (SATURDAY FEBRUARY 13, KO 16.45)

1. Wyn Jones (31 Caps)
2. Ken Owens (78 Caps)
3. Tomas Francis (53 Caps)
4. Adam Beard (22 Caps)
5. Alun Wyn Jones (CAPT) (144 Caps)
6. Aaron Wainwright (27 Caps)
7. Justin Tipuric (81 Caps)
8. Taulupe Faletau (82 Caps)

9. Gareth Davies (58 Caps)
10. Dan Biggar (88 Caps)
11. Liam Williams (67 Caps)
12. Nick Tompkins (9 Caps)
13. Owen Watkin (26 Caps)
14. Louis Rees-Zammit (5 Caps)
15. Leigh Halfpenny (94 Caps)

Replacements:

16. Elliot Dee (33 Caps)
17. Rhodri Jones (18 Caps)
18. Leon Brown (13 Caps)
19. Will Rowlands (6 Caps)
20. James Botham (3 Caps)
21. Kieran Hardy (2 Caps)
22. Callum Sheedy (5 Caps)
23. Uilisi Halaholo (*Uncapped)

Players unavailable for selection:

Dan Lydiate (released), Josh Navidi, Josh Macleod, Tomos Williams, Johnny Williams, George North, Jonathan Davies, Hallam Amos, Josh Adams.

UAEguy2020

Wales accidentally picked their best team for the weekend it seems. On paper they should have a decent chance but it’s hard to feel confident in backing them.

Squidgy Black

Both Navidi and Lydiate being out is a huge blow, Wainwright's no slouch but it's being said that it's an achilles injury for Navidi.

thomond2006

Scotland team to play Wales at BT Murrayfield, 2021 Guinness Six Nations

Saturday 13 February (kick-off 4.45pm) – live on BBC Sport

15. Stuart Hogg CAPTAIN (Exeter Chiefs) – 81 caps

14. Darcy Graham (Edinburgh) – 15 caps
13. Chris Harris (Gloucester) – 24 caps
12. James Lang (Harlequins) – 5 caps
11. Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh) – 6 caps

10. Finn Russell VICE CAPTAIN (Racing 92) – 52 caps
9. Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors) – 38 caps

1. Rory Sutherland (Edinburgh) – 12 caps
2. George Turner (Glasgow Warriors) – 13 caps
3. Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) – 35 caps
4. Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors) – 18 caps
5. Jonny Gray VICE CAPTAIN (Exeter Chiefs) – 62 caps
6. Blade Thomson (Scarlets) – 9 caps
7. Hamish Watson (Edinburgh – 37 caps
8. Matt Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) – 10 caps

Substitutes:
16. David Cherry (Edinburgh) – 1 cap
17. Oli Kebble (Glasgow Warriors) – 6 caps
18. WP Nel (Edinburgh) – 41 caps
19. Richie Gray (Glasgow Warriors) – 66 caps
20. Gary Graham (Newcastle Falcons) – 3 caps
21. Scott Steele (Harlequins) – 2 caps
22. Jaco van der Walt (Edinburgh) – 1 cap
23. Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors) – 27 caps

Flanker, Jamie Ritchie, centre, Cameron Redpath and winger, Sean Maitland are unavailable through injury.
That is a big deal.

sydthebeat

a 30 year old halaholo straight to the bench is a terrible marker of the lack of depth in wales backs

penybont exile

sydthebeat wrote: »

a 30 year old halaholo straight to the bench is a terrible marker of the lack of depth in wales backs

Not sure who Ireland's 6th choice centre would be .....if Henshaw, Ringrose, Aki, AN Other, SO Else were out through injury .....

sydthebeat

penybont exile wrote: »

Not sure who Ireland's 6th choice centre would be .....if Henshaw, Ringrose, Aki, AN Other, SO Else were out through injury .....

is Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler injured?

penybont exile

sydthebeat wrote: »

is Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler injured?

Not sure .....

Also not saying Halaholo is an inspired pick ..... Kieran Williams is another option & possibly the one I would have called up.

Saying that Halaholo is unpredictable .... Scotland / Wales is generally an open game so it might suit him.

Digifriendly

Actually think Scotland Wales could be a tight match. Scotland obviously favourites after their win at Twickenham and with home advantage but Wales know how to win at Murrayfield and there's no Scottish crowd to contend with.

Teferi

Digifriendly wrote: »

Actually think Scotland Wales could be a tight match. Scotland obviously favourites after their win at Twickenham and with home advantage but Wales know how to win at Murrayfield and there's no Scottish crowd to contend with.

I think this game will be a much better marker of where Scotland are currently. They've somewhat had England's number over the last few years and it's probably the game they are most up for in every Six Nations, so I find it a bit hard to make a judgement on them without seeing more of them. They spent a huge amount of emotional energy in the win over the weekend, which is another issue to overcome.

molloyjh

penybont exile wrote: »

Not sure who Ireland's 6th choice centre would be .....if Henshaw, Ringrose, Aki, AN Other, SO Else were out through injury .....

To be fair, it doesn't have to be a centre. By my count your down to your 12th in line in the back line. So for reference, in Ireland that's probably someone like a Shane Daly or Stuart McCloskey.

.ak

Yeah, realistically I think the Wales/Scottish game will be tightest game on the weekend. Hard to call that one. I'd imagine England and France will win their games respectively.

The real question however, is Venjur panicking about over loading loaded Irish players into his fantasy squad?

.ak

molloyjh wrote: »

To be fair, it doesn't have to be a centre. By my count your down to your 12th in line in the back line. So for reference, in Ireland that's probably someone like a Shane Daly or Stuart McCloskey.

thomond2006

https://twitter.com/RickyHarries/status/1359844209549836295

UAEguy2020

Surely that’s treason!

.ak

.ak wrote: »

The real question however, is Venjur panicking about over loading loaded Irish players into his fantasy squad?

Ha. I never panic.

.ak

So...

Was 4 transfers enough?

schmoo2k

Interesting take by the great Squidge: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ob4ulx7H4Jg

.ak

.ak wrote: »

So...

Was 4 transfers enough?

Four transfers was not enoughhhhh
But it was such a perfect place to start, my love....

Team feels a bit 'garbage' this week. All enforced changes and have banked a bit on England racking up some scores on Italy in terms of captain / kicking choices which going by the Scotland game might be a mistake. Didn't have much choice but to back the boys in green due to last weeks selections and having to use transfers elsewhere.

.ak

In the interest of fairness, here's mine below.

Last night I swapped Dupont and May as my captain about 16 times... Can't call that one, but I've noticed they don't reward MoTM as a score multipier or anything... and I think Ireland will be focused on him (and probably lose elsewhere). Still think the match will have key performers on both sides though, so went 50/50 split.

I think England will carry on from here, and improve their fitness. So happy enough to keep their players in there.

Can't call the Wales/Scotland game either, reckon Scotland will pip it but think we can see a bit of a gutsy performance from Wales also with Scotland shading it in the final quarter. Too much quality in that backline.

Hogg

Bazzo

I decided to sub out Rees-Zammit for May.

And captain May.

And sub out Porter for Fagerson.

sydthebeat

Bazzo wrote: »

I decided to sub out Rees-Zammit for May.

And captain May.

And sub out Porter for Fagerson.

Don't cross a busy street today

Should have made Hogg my captain or picked Watson over May albeit May did well enough. Bulk of my squad playing tomorrow and today's efforts did well enough.

Very random six nations so far.

degsie

Wales are good when faced with 14 players