Rugby matters

[Narnia]

Mick Mac Wrote:

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> Friend at work who knows his rugby pretty well has

> tipped England this year.

He wouldn't be English by any chance Mick?

[????]

England (and Wales)5/1 generally

[Mick Mac]

david_carnell Wrote:

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> Interesting article in the Guardian today

> highlighting the rarity of Wales worrying about

> the English backs and England worrying about the

> Welsh front-row in the scrum.

>

> I think Tait might provide the inventiveness

> England have been lacking. Wilkinson still tackles

> like a lion and is good for 12 points a game

> thanks to his kicking. Monye was devastating on

> the wing for the Lions and Armitage had better be

> good to keep the inventive Foden out of the

> line-up. Cueto will be playing for the jersey with

> Strettle, Banahan and Ashton all gunning for the

> second spot.

>

> But an all-Lions Welsh front row up against an

> inexperienced English pack might cause havoc.

>

> I'll call an England win though.

>

> As for the rest of the

> tournament....hmmm....closest one in years with

> only Italy not likely to cause too many upsets.

> Scotland could shock a few people with Any

> Robinson turning them into a Wallaby-beating

> outfit of late. In Phil Godman they have one of

> the most inventive and dynamic fly halves in

> Europe and Chris Paterson is still the world's

> best goal kicker. If their pack can hold up they

> could be up there.

>

> So....I have no $$^%^"? idea.

Well said David - But you managed to do that whole analysis without mentioning Ireland. The bookies favourites, reinging champions and the form team of the last 6/7 years....

[david_carnell]

I took that as a given Mick. They're not favourites for no reason.

Will this be O'Gara's swansong. I think he'll hit his 100 caps if he plays all 5 games and with Sexton nipping at his ageing heels it might be time for him to step down gracefully at the end of the tournament. Especially if Ireland win.

[Narnia]

I'm not sure O'Gara would have been selected if it weren't for Sexton getting injured. He will have to play/kick very well to keep his place for the next match.

[Mick Mac]

It was slightly in jest - I don't think they will win - France away has always been a problem for them. And England were tough enough to beat in Dublin last year. But they have a winning mentality now so who knows, I will cheer them on obviously.

[Narnia]

Rugby Stats

For all your stats this is the site to settle an arguement or show how much you know!

[Narnia]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/8500298.stm]

This is nice if like this sort of thing. It isn't if you don't!

[brum]

Very disappointed. Wales gave the game to England, who were there for the taking. Exciting come-back in 2nd half though.

[Narnia]

Brum.....are you Welsh? At least the 2nd half was decent and Wales could/should have closed it out. Still better viewing than watching scrum halfs in Dublin having tea with their grannies before deciding to have a look around and decide to pass the ball......far too late.

[????]

Aren't brummies welshies who made it over Offas dike?

[brum]

Yes Declan. Grew up in Brum, but my heart still belongs to Wales!

[brum]

???? Wrote:

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> Aren't brummies welshies who made it over Offas

> dike?

Quids - you are quite right to a degree. The Welsh, I believe, are descended from the Ancient Britons, who occupied our fair isle before the Romans/Saxons/Angles/Jutes/Danes etc etc.

[Muley]

brum Wrote:

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> Very disappointed. Wales gave the game to England,

> who were there for the taking. Exciting come-back

> in 2nd half though.

Too right Brum. Bunch of arse. Especially Alun Wyn Jones pulling such a daft stunt and getting himself sin-binned.

[brum]

Still, there'll be the next time... though I'm doubly disappointed coz I got a ticket for the final match against Italy, hoping it would be to see us win the Grand Slam!

[Mick Mac]

ha ha. You have got to be joking. England ireland france in any order. Poor old wales.

[Muley]

Yeah, we'll bounce back, it's just that next time seems more of an uphill battle after... well, y'know.

The Grand Slam was optimistic, though!

[brum]

I like it when people write Wales off, only to see them get their bottoms singed by the dragon's hot breath... :-$

[????]

Mick have you been in the pub since the Ireland game?

[Mick Mac]

still out.

[????]

Propa session

[Narnia]

Mick Mac Wrote:

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> ha ha. You have got to be joking. England ireland

> france in any order. Poor old wales.

You've got to be joking Mick. England are no great shakes. France should beat Ireland and stuff England in Paris.

[matthew123]

Was unable to catch the first half but from what I saw Wales were very impressive and Hook's jinking try was quite simply superb. Hopefully Wales can go on and beat the other nations to set them up for their summer tour of New Zealand.

[Mick Mac]

Declan Wrote:

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> Mick Mac Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > ha ha. You have got to be joking. England

> ireland

> > france in any order. Poor old wales.

>

> You've got to be joking Mick. England are no great

> shakes. France should beat Ireland and stuff

> England in Paris.

See the betting thread - I agree with you Declan - have backed France for the grand slam. Think England are improving and it will be tough for Ireland to beat them at Twickenham. England might pip Ireland to second place.

[matthew123]

England have to play the Blues away - I reckon they'll struggle to even beat Italy, and Ireland too strong not to win at Twickenham (which Wales should have done yesterday from what I saw)