6Ns team of the week

First topic message reminder :

From the last round of fixtures, who would you have in your 6Ns team of the week?

This is NOT a lions thread by the way so feel free to pick any French or Italian players you like.

There is a lot of truth in what you are saying and that really is my point. Not sure why so many people are falling for the spin. England were dire for a lot of the game.

Scottrf wrote:

GunsGermsV2 wrote:The funniest will be when the English media inevitably turn on him. He is setting himself and England up for a hilarious collapse.

Focus on hilarious collapses in Murrayfield not hypothetical ones

I have no issue with that at all. Scotland were very good and deserved the win. I predicted they would win that game and the championship and they still could. Ireland weren't too bad in that game either so it was more a case of Scotland playing really well.

Dont forget a misfiring England side who have struggled to win all three of their games still have to play the 2nd and 3rd sides in the championship. So perhaps their hardest tests are yet to come.

England's performance against Italy was amusing enough to keep me ticking over.

GunsGermsV2 wrote:Dont forget a misfiring England side who have struggled to win all three of their games still have to play the 2nd and 3rd sides in the championship. So perhaps their hardest tests are yet to come.

Fully aware. Will see what they are made of.

GunsGermsV2 wrote:

Scottrf wrote:

GunsGermsV2 wrote:The funniest will be when the English media inevitably turn on him. He is setting himself and England up for a hilarious collapse.

Focus on hilarious collapses in Murrayfield not hypothetical ones

I have no issue with that at all. Scotland were very good and deserved the win. I predicted they would win that game and the championship and they still could.

Dont forget a misfiring England side who have struggled to win all three of their games still have to play the 2nd and 3rd sides in the championship. So perhaps their hardest tests are yet to come.

England's performance against Italy was amusing enough to keep me ticking over.

To be fair England beating Wales away has been the most impressive result so far. Wales were pumped up.

Scotland have won 2 games at home but that's what every side should do - win your home games.

Now if Scotland had beaten France that would be just as impressive but they got physically overpowered by France.

England are one of the most physical sides in the competition for the full 80. Scotland haven't faced a side like England yet.

GunsGermsV2 wrote:There is a lot of truth in what you are saying and that really is my point. Not sure why so many people are falling for the spin. England were dire for a lot of the game.

5 tries in the second half is as good as Ireland managed and obviously more than the Welsh got in the entire game. England won that half 31-5, which is pretty much bang on half the Ireland score.

It was the first half that let us down. I can't see England starting that badly again.

robbo277 wrote:

GunsGermsV2 wrote:There is a lot of truth in what you are saying and that really is my point. Not sure why so many people are falling for the spin. England were dire for a lot of the game.

5 tries in the second half is as good as Ireland managed and obviously more than the Welsh got in the entire game. England won that half 31-5, which is pretty much bang on half the Ireland score.

It was the first half that let us down. I can't see England starting that badly again.

England were winning by 2 points with 11 minutes to go. They turned it around in the last ten minutes when Italy were tired. As I said England were terrible for most of the game.

beshocked wrote:
England are one of the most physical sides in the competition for the full 80. Scotland haven't faced a side like England yet.

Fully agree, Enlgand's physicality is a worry. However England haven't been tested out wide the way Scotland test them. It will be a great test match.

If Englands opponents could choose when the game ends we'd be in real trouble. 0 wins from 3.

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:

beshocked wrote:
England are one of the most physical sides in the competition for the full 80. Scotland haven't faced a side like England yet.

Fully agree, Enlgand's physicality is a worry. However England haven't been tested out wide the way Scotland test them. It will be a great test match.

I think France are close enough to being as physical as England this year and that was a great match albeit France shaded it.

GunsGermsV2 wrote:

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:

beshocked wrote:
England are one of the most physical sides in the competition for the full 80. Scotland haven't faced a side like England yet.

Fully agree, Enlgand's physicality is a worry. However England haven't been tested out wide the way Scotland test them. It will be a great test match.

I think France are close enough to being as physical as England this year and that was a great match albeit France shaded it.

I agree, but most of our team spent the night in Paris hospitals. Strauss and Laidlaw's tournaments ended in Paris and we had 4 HIAs for Barclay, Hardie, Brown and Dunbar. Only one of those was allowed to return.

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:

beshocked wrote:
England are one of the most physical sides in the competition for the full 80. Scotland haven't faced a side like England yet.

Fully agree, Enlgand's physicality is a worry. However England haven't been tested out wide the way Scotland test them. It will be a great test match.

I fully expect JJ to be back in the side for that exact reason.

GunsGermsV2 wrote:

beshocked wrote:tigertattie surprised you wouldn't have Russell in at 10. Odd to think the MOTM wouldn't feature....

Russell was exceptional but I think Sexton should have been MOTM for Ireland. He was outstanding for Ireland too and shaded Russell IMO. I think Russell followed by Sexton have been the best 10s of the tournament so far followed by Biggar.

Biggar? Good God!

Now that Wales have finally removed the attacking road block that is Roberts they need to lose Biggar.

If Scotland beat England there is a very good chance that they will be 2017 champions. This game could be an absolute belter.

Hammersmith harrier wrote:You care far too much what Eddie Jones says, is it a fun life getting riled so much by something so insignificant?

However, this media storm he has caused the laws to be looked at and possibly changed

This could be a very dangerous precedent and I worry that we are sleep walking into a world of trail by media

(Ok, we have that in the real world, shame we might see that happening in the even realler world of rugby)

GunsGermsV2 wrote:

robbo277 wrote:

GunsGermsV2 wrote:There is a lot of truth in what you are saying and that really is my point. Not sure why so many people are falling for the spin. England were dire for a lot of the game.

5 tries in the second half is as good as Ireland managed and obviously more than the Welsh got in the entire game. England won that half 31-5, which is pretty much bang on half the Ireland score.

It was the first half that let us down. I can't see England starting that badly again.

England were winning by 2 points with 11 minutes to go. They turned it around in the last ten minutes when Italy were tired. As I said England were terrible for most of the game.

Ireland buried Italy first half, but also had a 20 minute period in the second half without scoring. Italy can frustrate, they can shut you out for periods, but you know it won't last.

England had a terrible first half and went in behind. They also didn't control possession, didn't force Italy to make enough tackles and didn't wear them out as much as they would have wanted.

But then England scored two tries in 6 minutes, never relinquished the lead and ended with 6 tries and a bonus point.

That second half performance is pretty much the template for playing Italy - score multiple times when you're on top and keep them out when they're on top - it was just a bit tighter on the scoreboard because of the poor first half.

I was never worried for the result of the game, not at half-time and certainly not after Daly's try. Campagnaro's try gave them a sniff, but other than that they didn't look like scoring in the second half.

To put it another way, I'd be far more concerned if England had dominated 60-70% of possession and territory and only won 36-10, as that would indicate a different set of problems.

GunsGermsV2 wrote:If Scotland beat England there is a very good chance that they will be 2017 champions. This game could be an absolute belter.

will depend on the score!

If Scotland beat England by more than 7 then that could rule england out. If England get a bonus point then I think it's even stevens with England and Ireland going into the last weekend and Scotland would be looking for the bonus point win over Italy.

tigertattie wrote:

GunsGermsV2 wrote:If Scotland beat England there is a very good chance that they will be 2017 champions. This game could be an absolute belter.

will depend on the score!

If Scotland beat England by more than 7 then that could rule england out. If England get a bonus point then I think it's even stevens with England and Ireland going into the last weekend and Scotland would be looking for the bonus point win over Italy.

First thing will be Wales vs Ireland on the Friday night.

If Ireland beat Wales and Scotland beat England, then all 3 teams go into the final weekend on 3 wins. Currently Ireland have 2 BPs, England have 1 and Scotland have 1, although Scotland will probably take a second when they play Italy on the last weekend.

Scotland will beat Italy, and then the winner of Ireland vs England will join them on 4 wins and therefore contest the Championship.

To overtake Scotland, England would need to take a bonus point against Scotland AND a bonus point win against Ireland. If England only get one of those things, it comes down to points difference. This is assuming England also deny Scotland the try bonus point in Week 4. The only thing that would rule England out before they take the field in Dublin is Scotland taking a 5-0 match point win at Twickenham, then beating Italy with a TBP.

From an Irish perspective, to topple Scotland they'd need a third bonus point - assuming Scotland didn't get one against England, so that would be a try bonus point against Wales or England. However, Ireland have the advantage of a very good points difference at this stage, so unless Scotland can overhaul that against Italy, Ireland would know simply winning against England would be enough.

I guess the ideal situation for the tournament/neutral is that Ireland beat Wales (no try bonus point), Scotland beat England (4-1 on match points) and then Scotland beat Italy by 100 points. Then Ireland and England are both playing for a try bonus point win in the last game, and we get something similar to the 55-35 served up by England and France a couple of years ago.

tigertattie wrote:

GunsGermsV2 wrote:If Scotland beat England there is a very good chance that they will be 2017 champions. This game could be an absolute belter.

will depend on the score!

If Scotland beat England by more than 7 then that could rule england out. If England get a bonus point then I think it's even stevens with England and Ireland going into the last weekend and Scotland would be looking for the bonus point win over Italy.

I dont think it really would depend that much on the score. Say Scotland beat England by only 3 points. England will then only have a 8 point points difference on Scotland. Even if they beat Ireland by 15 points Scotland only need to beat Italy by 23 points and get a BP.

That is very doable for this Scotland side. They are very much in the hunt.

GunsGermsV2 wrote:

tigertattie wrote:

GunsGermsV2 wrote:If Scotland beat England there is a very good chance that they will be 2017 champions. This game could be an absolute belter.

will depend on the score!

If Scotland beat England by more than 7 then that could rule england out. If England get a bonus point then I think it's even stevens with England and Ireland going into the last weekend and Scotland would be looking for the bonus point win over Italy.

I dont think it really would depend that much on the score. Say Scotland beat England by only 3 points. England will then only have a 8 point points difference on Scotland. Even if they beat Ireland by 15 points Scotland only need to beat Italy by 23 points and get a BP.  

That is very doable for this Scotland side. They are very much in the hunt.

If England lose 4-1 to Scotland, England will be on 14 points and Scotland will be on 13. It will be in England's hands, but they'd probably have to get the TBP against Ireland or a big points difference win.

England's best hope is definitely to not lose to Scotland!

How would they win 4-1

Scottrf wrote:How would they win 4-1

That should be 4-1 on match points. So Scotland don't get a TBP, England get the losing bonus point.

robbo277 wrote:

Scottrf wrote:How would they win 4-1

That should be 4-1 on match points. So Scotland don't get a TBP, England get the losing bonus point.

robbo277 wrote:

If England lose 4-1 to Scotland, England will be on 14 points and Scotland will be on 13. It will be in England's hands, but they'd probably have to get the TBP against Ireland or a big points difference win.

Correct but Scotland are much more likely to get a try BP against Italy on the last day than England getting one against Ireland.

So far Ireland have only conceded 4 tries in total albeit 3 against Scotland. Under Schmidt no team has ever scored 4 tries against Ireland in the six nations. The most England have managed is 2. Scotland twice have scored 3 and are the only team to have scored more that 2 v Ireland under schmidt in the 6N.

An England BP win against Ireland in Dublin is unlikely but not impossible.

robbo277 wrote:

GunsGermsV2 wrote:

tigertattie wrote:

GunsGermsV2 wrote:If Scotland beat England there is a very good chance that they will be 2017 champions. This game could be an absolute belter.

will depend on the score!

If Scotland beat England by more than 7 then that could rule england out. If England get a bonus point then I think it's even stevens with England and Ireland going into the last weekend and Scotland would be looking for the bonus point win over Italy.

I dont think it really would depend that much on the score. Say Scotland beat England by only 3 points. England will then only have a 8 point points difference on Scotland. Even if they beat Ireland by 15 points Scotland only need to beat Italy by 23 points and get a BP.  

That is very doable for this Scotland side. They are very much in the hunt.

If England lose 4-1 to Scotland, England will be on 14 points and Scotland will be on 13. It will be in England's hands, but they'd probably have to get the TBP against Ireland or a big points difference win.

England's best hope is definitely to not lose to Scotland!

Not losing is often a good tactic.

A grand slam would solve all the problems, give England the world record winning run and wind the kiwis up all in one go. Perhaps they should do that.

GunsGermsV2 wrote:

robbo277 wrote:

If England lose 4-1 to Scotland, England will be on 14 points and Scotland will be on 13. It will be in England's hands, but they'd probably have to get the TBP against Ireland or a big points difference win.

Correct but Scotland are much more likely to get a try BP against Italy on the last day than England getting one against Ireland.

So far Ireland have only conceded 4 tries in total albeit 3 against Scotland. Under Schmidt no team has ever scored 4 tries against Ireland in the six nations. The most England have managed is 2. Scotland twice have scored 3 and are the only team to have scored more that 2 v Ireland under schmidt in the 6N.

An England BP win against Ireland in Dublin is unlikely but not impossible.

Completely agree, it's not very likely at all. Obviously no team has gone there chasing a 4 try bonus point which would alter the dynamic slightly, especially if Ireland were also in contention, but England would be facing a real uphill struggle.

If Ireland and Scotland win in week 4 with neither taking a try bonus point, I think I'd still make Ireland marginal favourites for the Championship. Assuming they both won by the same number of points, Scotland have to go +44 points against Italy before they start to worry Ireland on points difference, which is still some way to go. England would be third favourite at this stage.

Exiledinborders wrote:

robbo277 wrote:

GunsGermsV2 wrote:

tigertattie wrote:

GunsGermsV2 wrote:If Scotland beat England there is a very good chance that they will be 2017 champions. This game could be an absolute belter.

will depend on the score!

If Scotland beat England by more than 7 then that could rule england out. If England get a bonus point then I think it's even stevens with England and Ireland going into the last weekend and Scotland would be looking for the bonus point win over Italy.

I dont think it really would depend that much on the score. Say Scotland beat England by only 3 points. England will then only have a 8 point points difference on Scotland. Even if they beat Ireland by 15 points Scotland only need to beat Italy by 23 points and get a BP.  

That is very doable for this Scotland side. They are very much in the hunt.

If England lose 4-1 to Scotland, England will be on 14 points and Scotland will be on 13. It will be in England's hands, but they'd probably have to get the TBP against Ireland or a big points difference win.

England's best hope is definitely to not lose to Scotland!

Not losing is often a good tactic.

A grand slam would solve all the problems, give England the world record winning run and wind the kiwis up all in one go. Perhaps they should do that.

I take your point, it sounds ridiculous.

I think even though we'd be level with Ireland and a point ahead of Scotland in this scenario, we'd be quite a long shot for the Championship. That's what I meant, just expressed really poorly!

Why are people assuming Ireland will win in Cardiff?

I'd say it's much more likely that Wales will beat Ireland than Scotland will beat England.

I think there could be dead rubbers in the final weekend for the first time in a while.

Cyril wrote:Why are people assuming Ireland will win in Cardiff?

.

Well you now what this boards like Cyril, full of anti-Welsh trolls

Gooseberry wrote:

Cyril wrote:Why are people assuming Ireland will win in Cardiff?

.

Well you now what this boards like Cyril, full of anti-Welsh trolls

Of course. We can't say that mikey chap didn't warn us.

Cyril wrote:Why are people assuming Ireland will win in Cardiff?

I'd say it's much more likely that Wales will beat Ireland than Scotland will beat England.

I think there could be dead rubbers in the final weekend for the first time in a while.

Anything can happen of course - sure we might even be late for the game? Stranger things were tried this year

But why, Cyril? Why is it more likely?

And the answer has to exclude the name Itoje....

Cyril wrote:Why are people assuming Ireland will win in Cardiff?

I'd say it's much more likely that Wales will beat Ireland than Scotland will beat England.

I think there could be dead rubbers in the final weekend for the first time in a while.

By first time in a while, do you mean first time since last year?

SecretFly wrote:

Cyril wrote:Why are people assuming Ireland will win in Cardiff?

I'd say it's much more likely that Wales will beat Ireland than Scotland will beat England.

I think there could be dead rubbers in the final weekend for the first time in a while.

Anything can happen of course - sure we might even be late for the game?  Stranger things were tried this year

But why, Cyril?  Why is it more likely?  

Wales record vs Ireland in Cardiff: 36W 20L 2D
Scotland record vs England at Twickenham: 14W 44L 7D

I have a really bad feeling about our fortunes against the Welsh on the Friday night.

Then again my predictions so far have been utter gash so hopefully my gut feelings are just as accurate

SecretFly wrote:

Cyril wrote:Why are people assuming Ireland will win in Cardiff?

I'd say it's much more likely that Wales will beat Ireland than Scotland will beat England.

I think there could be dead rubbers in the final weekend for the first time in a while.

Anything can happen of course - sure we might even be late for the game?  Stranger things were tried this year

But why, Cyril?  Why is it more likely?  

There will be a happy alignment of the stars in Cardiff where a ball boy (who is also Wayne Barnes' son, schooling in Wales) scores the winning try following an interception from a Sexton loop.

In Twickers Jonny will come out of retirement and score a try in the corner. He will probably be mostly in touch but the TMO will be enjoying drinks with Prince Harry.

In other news Italy will try to no-ruck France but will be outdone by Atonio who will begin a slow march down the field with Italians hanging off him like Lilliputians.