Women's 6 Nations (Official Thread)

[npradmin]

I thought it would be good to have an official thread for this as i am quite a fan of the women's game.

Honestly can't see anyone beating England again but i think the other games will be a lot closer, the standards are certain rapidly improving.

[Slick]

Tickets booked for the France game at mini Murrayfield. Decided against taking the kids to the England game to watch a tanking.

[Raggs]

Quite a few of our youth rugby club are going to see the Eng Ire game I believe. Whilst I probably won't watch all nations games, (well, maybe if it gets juicy towards the end) I will make an effort to watch the England games.

[Lobby]

England Team is up

15 Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins, 38 caps)
14 Abby Dow (Trailfinders Women, 40 caps)
13 Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 28 caps)
12 Emily Scarratt (Loughborough Lightning, 108 caps)
11 Jess Breach (Saracens, 33 caps)
10 Zoe Harrison (Saracens, 46 caps)
9 Lucy Packer (Harlequins, 16 caps)
1 Hannah Botterman (Bristol Bears, 42 caps)
2 Lark Atkin-Davies (Bristol Bears, 54 caps)
3 Kelsey Clifford (Saracens, 3 caps)
4 Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury, 48 caps)
5 Abbie Ward (Bristol Bears, 61 caps)
6 Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning, 13 caps)
7 Marlie Packer (Captain - Saracens, 99 caps)
8 Sarah Beckett (Gloucester-Hartpury, 34 caps)

REPLACEMENTS
16 Connie Powell (Harlequins, 14 caps)
17 Mackenzie Carson (Gloucester-Hartpury, 10 caps)
18 Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury, 25 caps)
19 Maddie Feaunati (Exeter Chiefs, uncapped)
20 Alex Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury, 62 caps)
21 Natasha Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury, 67 caps)
22 Holly Aitchison (Bristol Bears, 25 caps)
23 Megan Jones (Leicester Tigers, 16 caps)

Scarratt and Zoe Harrison straight back in after long injury lay-offs. That's a very strong team!

[Ovals]

It'll be interesting to see if the 'others' can make any headway against England and France. Wales (who have 12 players at the Gloucester-Hartpury club) are the most likely to close the gap a bit - but their key tussle will probably be with the Scots - 3rd place is a prize in itself, carrying automatic qualification to the WC proper - albeit they'll get a further chance via the 3 level WXV where there are 6 places up for grabs.

The games between Italy, Scotland and Wales should be competitive - Ireland have a bit of ground to make up.

[laurent]

France already lost their Fly half (Caroline Drouin is out)

[Slick]

It'll be interesting to see if the 'others' can make any headway against England and France. Wales (who have 12 players at the Gloucester-Hartpury club) are the most likely to close the gap a bit - but their key tussle will probably be with the Scots - 3rd place is a prize in itself, carrying automatic qualification to the WC proper - albeit they'll get a further chance via the 3 level WXV where there are 6 places up for grabs.

The games between Italy, Scotland and Wales should be competitive - Ireland have a bit of ground to make up.

Scotland have been improving very, very quickly since the pro contacts came in. Not enough to be challenging obviously, but agree it should be a good battle for third - I have a small hope they might do the French at home.

[SaintK]

England Team is up

15 Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins, 38 caps)
14 Abby Dow (Trailfinders Women, 40 caps)
13 Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 28 caps)
12 Emily Scarratt (Loughborough Lightning, 108 caps)
11 Jess Breach (Saracens, 33 caps)
10 Zoe Harrison (Saracens, 46 caps)
9 Lucy Packer (Harlequins, 16 caps)
1 Hannah Botterman (Bristol Bears, 42 caps)
2 Lark Atkin-Davies (Bristol Bears, 54 caps)
3 Kelsey Clifford (Saracens, 3 caps)
4 Zoe Aldcroft (Gloucester-Hartpury, 48 caps)
5 Abbie Ward (Bristol Bears, 61 caps)
6 Sadia Kabeya (Loughborough Lightning, 13 caps)
7 Marlie Packer (Captain - Saracens, 99 caps)
8 Sarah Beckett (Gloucester-Hartpury, 34 caps)

REPLACEMENTS
16 Connie Powell (Harlequins, 14 caps)
17 Mackenzie Carson (Gloucester-Hartpury, 10 caps)
18 Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury, 25 caps)
19 Maddie Feaunati (Exeter Chiefs, uncapped)
20 Alex Matthews (Gloucester-Hartpury, 62 caps)
21 Natasha Hunt (Gloucester-Hartpury, 67 caps)
22 Holly Aitchison (Bristol Bears, 25 caps)
23 Megan Jones (Leicester Tigers, 16 caps)

Scarratt and Zoe Harrison straight back in after long injury lay-offs. That's a very strong team!

Just the three players from
My little club in the starting XV for this one

[shereblue]

France already lost their Fly half (Caroline Drouin is out)

Out for the tournament. She was the only 7s player joining the XV, so that may also be worrying news also for the 7s national team.

[laurent]

France already lost their Fly half (Caroline Drouin is out)

Out for the tournament. She was the only 7s player joining the XV, so that may also be worrying news also for the 7s national team.

On the 7's side We had Chloé Pelle Ref our U18 Girls last week

here is the team

[Insane_Homer]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/68624927

Marlie Packer's ton

[Tichtheid]

Have any of our Edinburgh residents seen the statues of players in Castle St?

https://scottishrugby.org/fanzone/galle ... hnmicnc14k

[Slick]

Have any of our Edinburgh residents seen the statues of players in Castle St?

https://scottishrugby.org/fanzone/galle ... hnmicnc14k

Not yet, but planning to go and have a look tomorrow

[Slick]

Clicked on an Instagram post this morning about the tournament and quite depressing to see all the shit and agro comments, literally every one, was from men. The reason I really like the women's game is that there isn't any of this shit.

[ASMO]

Clicked on an Instagram post this morning about the tournament and quite depressing to see all the shit and agro comments, literally every one, was from men. The reason I really like the women's game is that there isn't any of this shit.

Yep a lot of that about and honestly, some of the women's games i have watched this year are every bit as skillful and competitive as the men's game...probably people who have never picked a rugby ball in their life.

[laurent]

Clicked on an Instagram post this morning about the tournament and quite depressing to see all the shit and agro comments, literally every one, was from men. The reason I really like the women's game is that there isn't any of this shit.

Yep a lot of that about and honestly, some of the women's games i have watched this year are every bit as skillful and competitive as the men's game...probably people who have never picked a rugby ball in their life.

agreed (our club has more girls than boys in age group level, only one senior so far).

[Niegs]

Clicked on an Instagram post this morning about the tournament and quite depressing to see all the shit and agro comments, literally every one, was from men. The reason I really like the women's game is that there isn't any of this shit.

Yep a lot of that about and honestly, some of the women's games i have watched this year are every bit as skillful and competitive as the men's game...probably people who have never picked a rugby ball in their life.

Or uber bros who'd rather see the ladies in 'feminine' pursuits, not 'invading their space'. In my experience, though, the lads here are happy to have women players at the club. Just a few dinosaurs among the older contingent, but also some of the strongest supporters are among the Boomer gen.

[laurent]

Not a great showing for France winning 38 - 17

Too many handling errors. Too many silly passes (the irish second try is a direct shit pass in 22).

I doubt they can challenge England from this showing.

[Slick]

Have any of our Edinburgh residents seen the statues of players in Castle St?

https://scottishrugby.org/fanzone/galle ... hnmicnc14k

Not yet, but planning to go and have a look tomorrow

They had taken them down

[laurent]

French TV has the Other game on streaming :)

[Slick]

Scotland defending well and Wales look like they could play all day and not score. Scotland mistakes stopped them scoring 2 or 3 earlier in the first half.

Ref missed a fairly obvious knock on by Wales before the final penalty

6-10 at half time

[laurent]

Scotland the better attacking side but wales causing them a lot of issues in the ruck.

[Slick]

What on earth was the Welsh 9 thinking!

Scotland win

[Raggs]

Scotland with the better attack, Wales with the better defence. Fun match up. Madness from the 9 at the end though, why on earth was she allowed to do that. The caterpillar forwards, the chasers etc should have all been telling at them.

[ASMO]

Scotland defending well and Wales look like they could play all day and not score. Scotland mistakes stopped them scoring 2 or 3 earlier in the first half.

Ref missed a fairly obvious knock on by Wales before the final penalty

6-10 at half time

I though in general the ref had a poor game, missed a lot of obvious stuff.

[Blackmac]

Clicked on an Instagram post this morning about the tournament and quite depressing to see all the shit and agro comments, literally every one, was from men. The reason I really like the women's game is that there isn't any of this shit.

Agree with this. Much the same with ladies international football, no cynicism, cheating and pre Madonnas, although that is slowly changing.

[Blackmac]

Scotland defending well and Wales look like they could play all day and not score. Scotland mistakes stopped them scoring 2 or 3 earlier in the first half.

Ref missed a fairly obvious knock on by Wales before the final penalty

6-10 at half time

I though in general the ref had a poor game, missed a lot of obvious stuff.

The Welsh knock on which turned into a penalty against Scotland was the worst but watching the Welsh try scorer crawling under the breakdown like she was trying to escape from Stalag Luft X11 was also bizarre when she had been so quick to penalise double movements throughout the game.

[shereblue]

Not a great showing for France winning 38 - 17

Too many handling errors. Too many silly passes (the irish second try is a direct shit pass in 22).

I doubt they can challenge England from this showing.

As the tournament continues, I would expect that the extent of silly passes and handling errors to reduce. I thought Bourdon had a reasonable game alongside her forwards who created a platform for a better scoreline. Credit to the Irish women who were fully committed throughout, organised in defence and pragmatic in possession.

WRWC blip aside, England are the best side in the world and are improving with the momentum of their domestic setup. Wales and Scotland too, to a lesser degree and, on yesterday's evidence, so also Ireland. France have slipped back since their unlucky WRWC. I don't do predictions but my instinct is that this 6N will see Fra closer to the Celtic nations than to England.

Legends of the stature of Sansus, Tremouliere and N'Diaye are not yet sufficiently replaced. Although the likes of Escudero and now Feleu seem to be establishing themselves, many of the newer fringe players like Chambon, Bourgeois, Queyroi etc still seem to need plenty more top-level minutes under their wing.

[inactionman]

Did anyone see the red card for the dangerous clearout in the England Italy game? The England 8 cleared out the jackaling Italian (think she was a back?) and rolled her over sidewards but ending up folding her over her leg and being her leg the wrong way. Looked very painful indeed.

First thoughts were that it was harsh red, but it's the sort of action that can cause huge damage - women's sport has a notable incidence of ACL and knee ligament injuries so it might be they're really making a pint of protecting lower limbs.

[ASMO]

Did anyone see the red card for the dangerous clearout in the England Italy game? The England 8 cleared out the jackaling Italian (think she was a back?) and rolled her over sidewards but ending up folding her over her leg and being her leg the wrong way. Looked very painful indeed.

First thoughts were that it was harsh red, but it's the sort of action that can cause huge damage - women's sport has a notable incidence of ACL and knee ligament injuries so it might be they're really making a pint of protecting lower limbs.

I am completely fine with it being red, it may not have been intentional but it was bloody dangerous.

[Slick]

Did anyone see the red card for the dangerous clearout in the England Italy game? The England 8 cleared out the jackaling Italian (think she was a back?) and rolled her over sidewards but ending up folding her over her leg and being her leg the wrong way. Looked very painful indeed.

First thoughts were that it was harsh red, but it's the sort of action that can cause huge damage - women's sport has a notable incidence of ACL and knee ligament injuries so it might be they're really making a pint of protecting lower limbs.

I am completely fine with it being red, it may not have been intentional but it was bloody dangerous.

Can't find it anywhere online.

[inactionman]

Did anyone see the red card for the dangerous clearout in the England Italy game? The England 8 cleared out the jackaling Italian (think she was a back?) and rolled her over sidewards but ending up folding her over her leg and being her leg the wrong way. Looked very painful indeed.

First thoughts were that it was harsh red, but it's the sort of action that can cause huge damage - women's sport has a notable incidence of ACL and knee ligament injuries so it might be they're really making a pint of protecting lower limbs.

I am completely fine with it being red, it may not have been intentional but it was bloody dangerous.

Can't find it anywhere online.

It'll probably be in the short highlights on the beeb (although I'm too lazy to check!)

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/rugby-union/68646307

It looked painful, her knee went at an awful angle with a lot of weight going into it. Think she managed to carry on for a bit with some heavy strapping but vaguely recall she got subbed - I'd certainly not have risked it. Her knee will no doubt look like a balloon today.

[Slick]

I am completely fine with it being red, it may not have been intentional but it was bloody dangerous.

Can't find it anywhere online.

It'll probably be in the short highlights on the beeb (although I'm too lazy to check!)

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/rugby-union/68646307

It looked painful, her knee went at an awful angle with a lot of weight going into it. Think she managed to carry on for a bit with some heavy strapping but vaguely recall she got subbed - I'd certainly not have risked it. Her knee will no doubt look like a balloon today.

It was. Weirdly it wasn't earlier. Thanks.

She was probably a bit unlucky with how it played out at the tackle, but we can't have that so fair enough

[laurent]

Clear red for me.

It’s dangerous play to start with. The result is expected. It won't happen every time but often enough.

[shaggy]

But the action (croc roll) is carried out many times in each and every game and is deemed acceptable. The only difference here is outcome and a lot of bad luck.

The red card is right but there is a massive lottery here.

[Raggs]

But the action (croc roll) is carried out many times in each and every game and is deemed acceptable. The only difference here is outcome and a lot of bad luck.

The red card is right but there is a massive lottery here.

It's a reckless action. Much like tackling upright will see you sent off if you're unlucky enough to end up clashing heads. If you perform a reckless action and it goes wrong, you pay the price.

[inactionman]

But the action (croc roll) is carried out many times in each and every game and is deemed acceptable. The only difference here is outcome and a lot of bad luck.

The red card is right but there is a massive lottery here.

It's a reckless action. Much like tackling upright will see you sent off if you're unlucky enough to end up clashing heads. If you perform a reckless action and it goes wrong, you pay the price.

I'm in general agreement, but I can see the point that it goes unpunished a lot of the time, so we're reffing to outcome and not to the act itself.

It's either an offence or it isn't, we can't wait until someone gets injured as otherwise we're allowing a player to essentially take a risk with someone else's safety hoping they get away with it.

It's dangerous so it should really be a strict liability offence.

[Niegs]

I've heard it's under review for a complete ban, long overdue imo. 8/10, it's already too late as defender has hands on ball so should be a steal or pen (though I also think long reaches for jackals should be banned too as most can't actually pick up the ball).

I've seen a clip of it and it's nasty. Couldn't find but an Italy tweet says Sillari's tournament is over (and likely WXV too?)

[laurent]

I've heard it's under review for a complete ban, long overdue imo. 8/10, it's already too late as defender has hands on ball so should be a steal or pen (though I also think long reaches for jackals should be banned too as most can't actually pick up the ball).

I've seen a clip of it and it's nasty. Couldn't find but an Italy tweet says Sillari's tournament is over (and likely WXV too?)

Likely cruciate (I am an expert ;) ) so yes season is well over.

[Raggs]

Broken bone I believe, at least that's what I've read.