2025 6N thread

[fishfoodie]

Some nice hands being shown.

Italy have been a huge disappointment the last couple of games of the 6N.

Not just the last couple

Don't worry, I think we'll struggle against you

[Punter15]

Watched the game on the sofa with a cup of tea - we can disagree on how you shipped 20 unanswered points against *that* Wales team and I have not sought to argue about it. If you’re happy with how your team finished that game then fine, it’s your team not mine

Now you're making up more stuff out of nowhere.

Did I say I was happy? No.

I outlined where we went terribly wrong.

Showboating means players showing off, it doesn't mean losing control of a match - we weren't throwing stupid passes or trying to play from our own goal line

As I’ve said throughout this exchange, we’re going to have to agree to disagree

Why? You are talking complete bollocks and Tichtheid is spot on. It’s down to Toonie picking a not very good bench and then using it badly.

[Enzedder]

Just watching the England game now. Marcus Smith has more than a touch of the Farrell showboat about him now.

[Rhubarb & Custard]

I've seen Farrell accused of many things, showboating would be a new one. It doesn't seem especially fair of Smith either as it happens, he works very hard, he just also likes a step, really likes a step, and has a silly haircut.

[Gumboot]

I like Smith. He's a good attacking 10 and about the only exciting thing about this England team, but... his defence at 15 is virtually non-existent. The failure to even attempt a tackle when Italy scored their second try was comically inept.

[Rhubarb & Custard]

He's not a great 15, probably not even a good one, but in that situation with Vincent being chased by Genge the carrier isn't about to get tackled, Smith buys the possible pass and that sits him back on his heels, and that's all the time Vincent needs. If Vincent was being tracked by a back I'd have more issue with Smith.

Really if we want to stop that try we can look at the kick to touch that's taken quickly and then Earl not dealing with Lamaro blocking him opening up space inside George that Capuozzo is more than quick enough to exploit. Waiting until there's a fullback looking at defending a 3 on 1 (okay it tapers to 2 on 1) and then decrying their efforts seems a little misplaced

I suppose in an ideal world make the carrier make the pass, but Smith isn't the first player presented with multiple threats to get sat on their heels, and I'd assume he'll not be the last. And I doff my cap to Lamaro

[Gumboot]

Furry muff... but it's not like he doesn't have form for flakey defence. Not Cipriani bad, but pretty damn bad. Joe Schmidt must be licking his lips at the prospect of him starting for the Lions.

Edit: just watched it again, and while I'm still not impressed with Smith's indecision, as you say there were a few other England players who should've done much better before Smith was even put in that situation. Still, the fullback is literally your last line of defence, so he needs to be a damn good defender. I'm a bit confused as to why Borthwick likes to play him there so much?

[Torquemada 1420]

Watching the Ireland v France game yesterday I have to make my views known about the horrendous clear-out incident that saw the great Antoine Dupont leave the field with a suspected ACL injury.

For years Ireland and Leinster have been getting away with reckless and wild clearing at the breakdown. It’s co-ordinated chaos in their eyes, but in the eyes of other professional players they consistently go way beyond what’s acceptable on the pitch.

Let’s be honest, Ireland have form for this. For years they’ve pushed the breakdown chaos well past what is either acceptable or safe – just ask Malcolm Marx, a victim of a similar and possibly even worse incident in the summer for South Africa against Ireland. We saw Josh van der Flier flying into a ruck two years ago in the EPCR Champions Cup, clash heads with one of the opposition props and then have the temerity to play the victim to the referee! So I don’t buy Irish innocence in this instance simply because of the amount of previous, proven or unproven, that they have.

World Rugby have to act; protecting its assets – the players – is a key tenant of their safety protocols and there’s no way that, in a contact situation with 125kg athletes piling in, that players should avoid scrutiny for consistent reckless behaviour that endangers careers.

[Paddington Bear]

Bielle-Biarrey has a chance to equal or break what I’d imagine is one of the last ancient Championship records standing.

He’s on 7 tries this year, 8 have been scored twice before, by Cyril Lowe (England 1914) and Ian Smith (Scotland 1925). Lowe followed on from that season by becoming a decorated fighter ace.

Can’t imagine anyone would suggest LBB would be an undeserving record breaker or equaller, but there would be something a little sad at losing perhaps the last record to stand for a century

[Tichtheid]

Bielle-Biarrey has a chance to equal or break what I’d imagine is one of the last ancient Championship records standing.

He’s on 7 tries this year, 8 have been scored twice before, by Cyril Lowe (England 1914) and Ian Smith (Scotland 1925). Lowe followed on from that season by becoming a decorated fighter ace.

Can’t imagine anyone would suggest LBB would be an undeserving record breaker or equaller, but there would be something a little sad at losing perhaps the last record to stand for a century

I believe records are there to be broken. Having said that, there were only four games for the earlier two players to score 8 tries.

[Rhubarb & Custard]

Furry muff... but it's not like he doesn't have form for flakey defence. Not Cipriani bad, but pretty damn bad. Joe Schmidt must be licking his lips at the prospect of him starting for the Lions.

Edit: just watched it again, and while I'm still not impressed with Smith's indecision, as you say there were a few other England players who should've done much better before Smith was even put in that situation. Still, the fullback is literally your last line of defence, so he needs to be a damn good defender. I'm a bit confused as to why Borthwick likes to play him there so much?

He's not flaky as such, but he'd like to use his pace and knows he's going to struggle in collisions because of his size, and that's a problem if he's given 1 scenario to solve never mind the 2/3 he was given in that try. Once you've got that hesitation there are problems, but there's a reason Toulouse and Italy so often pick Capuozzo on the wing, no matter he as with Smith might like the space to run into the position affords. Actually if England are going to pick Smith at 15 he needs to be getter better results on kick return, I'm not even quite sure what we're trying to do, are we wanting to set up box kicks, yawn, is Smith targeting centre field carrying the ball back to split the pitch, but then you've lost Smith to the tackle and it negates having a 10 at 115 to then work that split pitch. And if we are working to the middle to split the pitch and negate the blitz it's striking barely anyone is blitzing, so did we have an idea whose time has already (for now) passed?

With Smith at 15 we need plays like the Lamaro one to open holes for Smith to more effectively carry into, and we then need to be able to support those plays and then attack again. We're miles off that, and as a result we're getting more of the negatives in not picking a fullback than the positives of his pace carrying the ball back and then having a 2nd 10 in the backline once a defence is stressed or even forced into a scramble.

[Paddington Bear]

Bielle-Biarrey has a chance to equal or break what I’d imagine is one of the last ancient Championship records standing.

He’s on 7 tries this year, 8 have been scored twice before, by Cyril Lowe (England 1914) and Ian Smith (Scotland 1925). Lowe followed on from that season by becoming a decorated fighter ace.

Can’t imagine anyone would suggest LBB would be an undeserving record breaker or equaller, but there would be something a little sad at losing perhaps the last record to stand for a century

I believe records are there to be broken. Having said that, there were only four games for the earlier two players to score 8 tries.

Yeah of course and there’d be few more deserving candidates to do it. Doesn’t mean it wouldn’t be a bit of a shame at the same time, there’s barely another record dating back to before 2001.

Yep definitely 8 tries in four matches in an era where tries were less common will retain some prestige

[Torquemada 1420]

Bielle-Biarrey has a chance to equal or break what I’d imagine is one of the last ancient Championship records standing.

He’s on 7 tries this year, 8 have been scored twice before, by Cyril Lowe (England 1914) and Ian Smith (Scotland 1925). Lowe followed on from that season by becoming a decorated fighter ace.

Can’t imagine anyone would suggest LBB would be an undeserving record breaker or equaller, but there would be something a little sad at losing perhaps the last record to stand for a century

I believe records are there to be broken. Having said that, there were only four games for the earlier two players to score 8 tries.

And no Italy, nor a shadow Wales.

[Yeeb]

Bielle-Biarrey has a chance to equal or break what I’d imagine is one of the last ancient Championship records standing.

He’s on 7 tries this year, 8 have been scored twice before, by Cyril Lowe (England 1914) and Ian Smith (Scotland 1925). Lowe followed on from that season by becoming a decorated fighter ace.

Can’t imagine anyone would suggest LBB would be an undeserving record breaker or equaller, but there would be something a little sad at losing perhaps the last record to stand for a century

I believe records are there to be broken. Having said that, there were only four games for the earlier two players to score 8 tries.

Won’t those ancient records still stand for being 5 nations records ?

[Rhubarb & Custard]

Bielle-Biarrey is playing so well he has an outside chance of making Stephen Jones' team of the tournament

[Slick]

Furry muff... but it's not like he doesn't have form for flakey defence. Not Cipriani bad, but pretty damn bad. Joe Schmidt must be licking his lips at the prospect of him starting for the Lions.

Edit: just watched it again, and while I'm still not impressed with Smith's indecision, as you say there were a few other England players who should've done much better before Smith was even put in that situation. Still, the fullback is literally your last line of defence, so he needs to be a damn good defender. I'm a bit confused as to why Borthwick likes to play him there so much?

I don't think anyone can question Marcus Smiths courage, but he's just a ragdoll at this level and I think there is zero chance Farrell takes him on tour because of that. There was that period yesterday when he lost his head and just went charging into rucks and throwing himself about and it made absolutely no difference to anyone, he just bounced off. In saying that, and despite trying, he also does miss a lot of fairly regulation tackles, often because of how he sets himself up for them.

[Sandstorm]

In saying that, and despite trying, Smith also does miss a lot of fairly regulation tackles, often because of how he sets himself up for them.

Wait, are you saying the hitch-kick is NOT a part of proper tackle technique?

[Hal Jordan]

Furry muff... but it's not like he doesn't have form for flakey defence. Not Cipriani bad, but pretty damn bad. Joe Schmidt must be licking his lips at the prospect of him starting for the Lions.

Edit: just watched it again, and while I'm still not impressed with Smith's indecision, as you say there were a few other England players who should've done much better before Smith was even put in that situation. Still, the fullback is literally your last line of defence, so he needs to be a damn good defender. I'm a bit confused as to why Borthwick likes to play him there so much?

I don't think anyone can question Marcus Smiths courage, but he's just a ragdoll at this level and I think there is zero chance Farrell takes him on tour because of that. There was that period yesterday when he lost his head and just went charging into rucks and throwing himself about and it made absolutely no difference to anyone, he just bounced off. In saying that, and despite trying, he also does miss a lot of fairly regulation tackles, often because of how he sets himself up for them.

Mind you, whatever was in his halftime orange had the effect of sorting him out.

[ScarfaceClaw]

Bielle-Biarrey is playing so well he has an outside chance of making Stephen Jones' team of the tournament

Not even DAC would be mad enough to suggest the Walrus would do that. You’ve crossed a dangerous line of sanity here.

[Blackmac]

Just watching the England game now. Marcus Smith has more than a touch of the Farrell showboat about him now.

I laugh at the effort he makes to be in the picture. Every stop in play, say for an England penalty or free kick he runs in to get the ball even though he isn't going to be kicking it

[Blackmac]

In saying that, and despite trying, Smith also does miss a lot of fairly regulation tackles, often because of how he sets himself up for them.

Wait, are you saying the hitch-kick is NOT a part of proper tackle technique?

The hitch kick, 20 yards from the nearest defender always gets me.

[Biffer]

In saying that, and despite trying, Smith also does miss a lot of fairly regulation tackles, often because of how he sets himself up for them.

Wait, are you saying the hitch-kick is NOT a part of proper tackle technique?

The hitch kick, 20 yards from the nearest defender always gets me.

Yeah, if you want to se a hitch kick done for proper effect, look at Kinghorn's first try on Saturday.

[Uncle fester]

What the hell is a hitch kick?

[Sandstorm]

What the hell is a hitch kick?


[/

[Blackmac]

What the hell is a hitch kick?

Goose step

[Tichtheid]

Wait, are you saying the hitch-kick is NOT a part of proper tackle technique?

The hitch kick, 20 yards from the nearest defender always gets me.

Yeah, if you want to se a hitch kick done for proper effect, look at Kinghorn's first try on Saturday.

BK was flying, he covered a lot of ground with that hitch kick. Likewise the pace he put on the ball with his second try was terrific

I remember Toonie saying BK was the quickest player in the squad, this was before big Duhan got there, I wonder if it is still the case?

[Torquemada 1420]

Just watching the England game now. Marcus Smith has more than a touch of the Farrell showboat about him now.

I laugh at the effort he makes to be in the picture. Every stop in play, say for an England penalty or free kick he runs in to get the ball even though he isn't going to be kicking it

And sweeps his hair back whilst trying hard to put on that manga inspired, infuriated look.

[SaintK]

Just watching the England game now. Marcus Smith has more than a touch of the Farrell showboat about him now.

I’ve watched Farrell since he was 18 and have never seen him showboat
I don’t think it’s in his nature

[duke]

Just watching the England game now. Marcus Smith has more than a touch of the Farrell showboat about him now.

I’ve watched Farrell since he was 18 and have never seen him showboat
I don’t think it’s in his nature

Agreed, I can't see his Dad tolerating any of those sort of antics

[Ovals]

Just watching the England game now. Marcus Smith has more than a touch of the Farrell showboat about him now.

I’ve watched Farrell since he was 18 and have never seen him showboat
I don’t think it’s in his nature

Agreed, I can't see his Dad tolerating any of those sort of antics

Agreed - I don't think Marcus does either.

[Paddington Bear]

I’ve watched Farrell since he was 18 and have never seen him showboat
I don’t think it’s in his nature

Agreed, I can't see his Dad tolerating any of those sort of antics

Agreed - I don't think Marcus does either.

Smith doesn’t showboat, he does love the limelight and whilst that is generally not a problem it is a factor behind him not doing well as a second playmaker

[SaintK]

Good news if confirmed.

The Irish Independent reports that RTE and Virgin Media will continue to share the rights in Ireland, while the BBC and ITV will do the same in the rest of the United Kingdom.
The deal, which is said to represent a significant uplift in the existing one of £90 million per year, will see ITV broadcast 10 games per Championship with the BBC showing the remaining five games, including Wales and Scotland home games as long as England are not involved.
The report claims that the new agreement, which will run for the rest of the decade, will maintain the status quo dating back to 2022 and end fears that the tournament could end up on pay television.

[Tichtheid]

Good news if confirmed.

The Irish Independent reports that RTE and Virgin Media will continue to share the rights in Ireland, while the BBC and ITV will do the same in the rest of the United Kingdom.
The deal, which is said to represent a significant uplift in the existing one of £90 million per year, will see ITV broadcast 10 games per Championship with the BBC showing the remaining five games, including Wales and Scotland home games as long as England are not involved.
The report claims that the new agreement, which will run for the rest of the decade, will maintain the status quo dating back to 2022 and end fears that the tournament could end up on pay television.

It’s on the SRU site now good news

[westport]

Good news if confirmed.

The Irish Independent reports that RTE and Virgin Media will continue to share the rights in Ireland, while the BBC and ITV will do the same in the rest of the United Kingdom.
The deal, which is said to represent a significant uplift in the existing one of £90 million per year, will see ITV broadcast 10 games per Championship with the BBC showing the remaining five games, including Wales and Scotland home games as long as England are not involved.
The report claims that the new agreement, which will run for the rest of the decade, will maintain the status quo dating back to 2022 and end fears that the tournament could end up on pay television.

All confirmed

The BBC will provide live TV coverage, TV highlights and digital clips of the championship, including five matches involving Scotland and Wales each year. ITV will broadcast 10 live games each season including every England fixture for the duration of the deal, which starts in 2026.

[SaintK]

Good news if confirmed.

The Irish Independent reports that RTE and Virgin Media will continue to share the rights in Ireland, while the BBC and ITV will do the same in the rest of the United Kingdom.
The deal, which is said to represent a significant uplift in the existing one of £90 million per year, will see ITV broadcast 10 games per Championship with the BBC showing the remaining five games, including Wales and Scotland home games as long as England are not involved.
The report claims that the new agreement, which will run for the rest of the decade, will maintain the status quo dating back to 2022 and end fears that the tournament could end up on pay television.

All confirmed

The BBC will provide live TV coverage, TV highlights and digital clips of the championship, including five matches involving Scotland and Wales each year. ITV will broadcast 10 live games each season including every England fixture for the duration of the deal, which starts in 2026.

That is good news. Apart from the fact that ITV have got the England matches and their presentation is shite!!!!

[Paddington Bear]

Good news if confirmed.

All confirmed

The BBC will provide live TV coverage, TV highlights and digital clips of the championship, including five matches involving Scotland and Wales each year. ITV will broadcast 10 live games each season including every England fixture for the duration of the deal, which starts in 2026.

That is good news. Apart from the fact that ITV have got the England matches and their presentation is shite!!!!

The hope has to be with a larger pool of matches they take it more seriously to reflect their investment.

Glad common sense prevailed

[Slick]

All confirmed

The BBC will provide live TV coverage, TV highlights and digital clips of the championship, including five matches involving Scotland and Wales each year. ITV will broadcast 10 live games each season including every England fixture for the duration of the deal, which starts in 2026.

That is good news. Apart from the fact that ITV have got the England matches and their presentation is shite!!!!

The hope has to be with a larger pool of matches they take it more seriously to reflect their investment.

Glad common sense prevailed

They are so tabloid and shite

Looks like the 6N leaking worked!

[Torquemada 1420]

Sco in the game for 20 seconds.

{EDIT} Fre discipline + 2nd team selection trying hard to even things up

[laurent]

Sco in the game for 20 seconds.

well ...

[Blackmac]

Sco in the game for 20 seconds.

{EDIT} Fre discipline + 2nd team selection trying hard to even things up

Very lucky to only get a yellow.