6 nations 2021 Scrum down in the lockdown

[clive]

Well played Wales, give it their all but came up short but very proud of that performance.

[Slick]

Well played Wales, give it their all but came up short but very proud of that performance.

Hard luck mate, feel for you

[Torquemada 1420]

Good game that.

Really weak defensively Going back every impact for most of the game. Thankfully the Welsh had a bit of a meltdown

I tell you what that really showed: the loss of Le Roux as a 4th back row is huge. Failed to slow Eng ball down as well in his absence. The whole point of a defensive backrow with Aldritt and Ollivon is primarily defensive. If not going to defend then I'd rather see attacking 3eme with the likes of Woki or Macalou.

[Slick]

Great to see the pundits in the studio, legends of the game, so caught up in the match

[Mr Tim Buktoo]

France are my second team and i have been supporting them since i was a nipper, but they let you down constantly.
I never trust them but when you see them winning a game like this then maybe they have it in them to finally get that WC that they are obviously building to.

They have great players, they have a great coach in galthie, but edwards might be the difference to get them over the line.
Marrying the french flair to the english mentality.

Dupont is the best in the world. They have alldritt, Jalibert, Fickou, etc etc.
Role on the WC.

[GogLais]

This one is making Sonia look good.

Indeed. How disappointed are you?

[Torquemada 1420]

France are my second team and i have been supporting them since i was a nipper, but they let you down constantly.
I never trust them but when you see them winning a game like this then maybe they have it in them to finally get that WC that they are obviously building to.

They have great players, they have a great coach in galthie, but edwards might be the difference to get them over the line.
Marrying the french flair to the english mentality.

Dupont is the best in the world. They have alldritt, Jalibert, Fickou, etc etc.
Role on the WC.

I'm not the greatest fan of Jalibert (because I think Carbonel is better) but he was playing well and a rusty Ntamack was nowhere near as effective.

[Slick]

This one is making Sonia look good.

Good call!

[Biffer]

God Inverdale is a prick. Grand Larceny. Fuck off you arsehole.

[Yr Alban]

Well, that was quite a game for the neutral.

I thought France did just about enough to edge it, though I didn’t think they were going to. How many times did they not-quite-score the third try? I thought their chance had gone after the disallowed try and red card, and thought it had really gone with the knock-on a few minutes later. It’s not over till it’s over though.

One thought from today: kickers get far too long to take their shot at goal. France converted their 3rd try in about 5 seconds flat, and it wasn’t an easy kick either. I’d support 30 secs max.

[And 1 guest]

Don't know who I wanted to win at the start, and equally torn at the end. But what a game that was.

[And 1 guest]

Don't know who I wanted to win at the start, and equally torn at the end. But what a game that was.

[Mr Tim Buktoo]

France are my second team and i have been supporting them since i was a nipper, but they let you down constantly.
I never trust them but when you see them winning a game like this then maybe they have it in them to finally get that WC that they are obviously building to.

They have great players, they have a great coach in galthie, but edwards might be the difference to get them over the line.
Marrying the french flair to the english mentality.

Dupont is the best in the world. They have alldritt, Jalibert, Fickou, etc etc.
Role on the WC.

I'm not the greatest fan of Jalibert (because I think Carbonel is better) but he was playing well and a rusty Ntamack was nowhere near as effective.

Yeah i hadnt been too impressed with jalibert early on but i think he has been great in the last 3 games. And he is only a young lad. As is Ntamack.
I like what galthie is trying to do.
Alldritt has to be my fav french player currently. He is class.
Thought baille and marchand had great games today also.

[tcc_dc]

Well, that was quite a game for the neutral.

I thought France did just about enough to edge it, though I didn’t think they were going to. How many times did they not-quite-score the third try? I thought their chance had gone after the disallowed try and red card, and thought it had really gone with the knock-on a few minutes later. It’s not over till it’s over though.

One thought from today: kickers get far too long to take their shot at goal. France converted their 3rd try in about 5 seconds flat, and it wasn’t an easy kick either. I’d support 30 secs max.

Major League rugby this year in the US has some trial laws, and one is 60 seconds to kick versus 90, and if the try is scored under the post, automatic 7 and get on with it.

[Biffer]

Well, that was quite a game for the neutral.

I thought France did just about enough to edge it, though I didn’t think they were going to. How many times did they not-quite-score the third try? I thought their chance had gone after the disallowed try and red card, and thought it had really gone with the knock-on a few minutes later. It’s not over till it’s over though.

One thought from today: kickers get far too long to take their shot at goal. France converted their 3rd try in about 5 seconds flat, and it wasn’t an easy kick either. I’d support 30 secs max.

Major League rugby this year in the US has some trial laws, and one is 60 seconds to kick versus 90, and if the try is scored under the post, automatic 7 and get on with it.

Other thing I’d like to see is if the attacking team is given a penalty inside the 5, you can opt to go straight to a lineout from the 5 rather than having to kick it.

[Begbie]

Galthie calls the Welsh divers.

"If you really watch the reaction of the Welsh players, they specialise in making the opponents get red cards."

"Their body language is quite clear. I hope the referee takes that into consideration. I don’t think Paul deserves a sanction."

[laurent]

Galthie calls the Welsh divers.

"If you really watch the reaction of the Welsh players, they specialise in making the opponents get red cards."

"Their body language is quite clear. I hope the referee takes that into consideration. I don’t think Paul deserves a sanction."

Galthier is in a really bad place right now.

French media has been rather pressing on the waffle gate...
His answer to Cécile Grès have been terrible.
His body language shows this.

I'm afraid he's digging a hole

[Torquemada 1420]

One thought from today: kickers get far too long to take their shot at goal. France converted their 3rd try in about 5 seconds flat, and it wasn’t an easy kick either. I’d support 30 secs max.

Pretty sure Sexton was well over a minute when he was running the clock down against Eng.

[Torquemada 1420]

Yeah i hadnt been too impressed with jalibert early on but i think he has been great in the last 3 games. And he is only a young lad. As is Ntamack.
I like what galthie is trying to do.
Alldritt has to be my fav french player currently. He is class.
Thought baille and marchand had great games today also.

Baille is a hell of a player in open play. I may have to admit to being wrong about Marchand in favouring Chat and Bougharit over him. Huge depth at hooker.

The weakness is at tighthead where Haouas adds little but indiscipline and Atonio must be the least fit player in world rugby. Desperately needs Bamba back.

[Biffer]

Galthie calls the Welsh divers.

"If you really watch the reaction of the Welsh players, they specialise in making the opponents get red cards."

"Their body language is quite clear. I hope the referee takes that into consideration. I don’t think Paul deserves a sanction."

Galthier is in a really bad place right now.

French media has been rather pressing on the waffle gate...
His answer to Cécile Grès have been terrible.
His body language shows this.

I'm afraid he's digging a hole

He's right though

[Torquemada 1420]

Galthie calls the Welsh divers.

"If you really watch the reaction of the Welsh players, they specialise in making the opponents get red cards."

"Their body language is quite clear. I hope the referee takes that into consideration. I don’t think Paul deserves a sanction."

Galthier is in a really bad place right now.

French media has been rather pressing on the waffle gate...
His answer to Cécile Grès have been terrible.
His body language shows this.

I'm afraid he's digging a hole

Ridiculous. Willemse behaved recklessly (not for the 1st time) and that was always yellow/red depending on how you read the eye part (personally I don't think he could have known he was going to end up with the eye contact).

He has a kinda tangential point on last night. Wales played Pearce superbly right up to their yellow card in frustrating France to the point of losing the plot.

[Torquemada 1420]

Anyone want to tell me why pretty much every side has saved its best performance for France?

Maybe one could argue Ire were better against Eng but I think that was exaggerated by how poor Eng were.

[Torquemada 1420]

I think towards the end of the game Pearce could and should have reviewed a probable French try

From Kaplan. Like I said in the match, Fickou was right: France had scored.

He also ignored Adam's blatant neck roll to prevent another French try (although where the f**k was Barnes for that one. He had plenty of intervention for any Fre foul play).

[Slick]

One thought from today: kickers get far too long to take their shot at goal. France converted their 3rd try in about 5 seconds flat, and it wasn’t an easy kick either. I’d support 30 secs max.

Pretty sure Sexton was well over a minute when he was running the clock down against Eng.

The ref told Sexton to get on with it, I went for a piss then to the fridge to get a beer, poured the beer, wandered back to the TV and it was still another 20 seconds until he kicked it

[laurent]

Galthier cannot be right when saying that the Welsh dive.

The truth is Winn Jones has a magnet in his ugly mug that diverts elbows shoulders and stray hands straight to it.

Galthier communication has deteriorated like that if a kid caught doing something stupid. That keeps denying rather than admit and move on.
This is exacerbated by Laporte's silly communication on the waffle gate.

There is no way out because they antagonised the whole rugby press .

The rugby is quite good however the management is going into a wall.

[Torquemada 1420]

Every Grand Slam ranked - and why Wales would be the 'worst' ever winners if they beat France

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union ... es-france/

[Torquemada 1420]

Galthier cannot be right when saying that the Welsh dive.

The truth is Winn Jones has a magnet in his ugly mug that diverts elbows shoulders and stray hands straight to it.

Galthier communication has deteriorated like that if a kid caught doing something stupid. That keeps denying rather than admit and move on.
This is exacerbated by Laporte's silly communication on the waffle gate.

There is no way out because they antagonised the whole rugby press .

The rugby is quite good however the management is going into a wall.

Needs to be sorted because they are getting most stuff on the field right. I am torn here. Don't like Galthie much but he is clearly the man for the job.

[Butterfingers]

Anyone want to tell me why pretty much every side has saved its best performance for France?

Maybe one could argue Ire were better against Eng but I think that was exaggerated by how poor Eng were.

I think we played better against England. Completely bossed them in the last 20 minutes whereas last night it all went to pot in the last 20.

Whats more annoying is at 30-20 I put my feet up thinking job done. I assumed French fitness would be an issue and we'd coast the end like we did against England.

[Lobby]

One thought from today: kickers get far too long to take their shot at goal. France converted their 3rd try in about 5 seconds flat, and it wasn’t an easy kick either. I’d support 30 secs max.

Pretty sure Sexton was well over a minute when he was running the clock down against Eng.

The ref told Sexton to get on with it, I went for a piss then to the fridge to get a beer, poured the beer, wandered back to the TV and it was still another 20 seconds until he kicked it

I did wonder what was the point of the Ref warning Sexton he had 40 seconds left, and then doing nothing when he took another two minutes to take the kick.

[Yr Alban]

Anyone want to tell me why pretty much every side has saved its best performance for France?

Maybe one could argue Ire were better against Eng but I think that was exaggerated by how poor Eng were.

I wouldn’t worry. Scotland haven’t had our nightmare performance of the season yet

[GogLais]

Anyone want to tell me why pretty much every side has saved its best performance for France?

Maybe one could argue Ire were better against Eng but I think that was exaggerated by how poor Eng were.

I think we played better against England. Completely bossed them in the last 20 minutes whereas last night it all went to pot in the last 20.

Whats more annoying is at 30-20 I put my feet up thinking job done. I assumed French fitness would be an issue and we'd coast the end like we did against England.

Same here and even when France came back there were so many little incidents in the last few minutes that made me think we had it. The last play reminded of us against Scotland in 2010 (?) scoring against 13. It seemed inevitable.

[Lemoentjie]

From watching this 6 nations, I would agree with Galthie, but also add Scotland to the list. All 3 teams are experts in 'appealing' to the referee and making it very obvious. Italy, France, England, not so much. Doesn't exist in the southern hemisphere (yet).

[Slick]

I see the Walrus is on the wind up with his Lions team/squad again.

Maitland, Russell, Youngs, Beard, Itoje at 6 all starting

Tuilagi, B Vunipola, Daly in the squad

[JM2K6]

Regular reminder that it's not a windup, he's fucking thick, doesn't know shit about modern rugby, and is stealing a living.

[I like neeps]

Anyone want to tell me why pretty much every side has saved its best performance for France?

Maybe one could argue Ire were better against Eng but I think that was exaggerated by how poor Eng were.

I wouldn’t worry. Scotland haven’t had our nightmare performance of the season yet

Not sure about that. The Welsh game was a nightmare. To somehow lose that one was tough.

France will win but it's a great test for Scotland to go to France who need to win by a bonus point. Good test of the defence.

[Paddington Bear]

I see the Walrus is on the wind up with his Lions team/squad again.

Maitland, Russell, Youngs, Beard, Itoje at 6 all starting

Tuilagi, B Vunipola, Daly in the squad

His continued employment is proof that rugby doesn’t have huge traction with the public. Cannot believe a football writer for the Times would get away with this nonsense for 25 years.

On the other side though he did used to write match reports for Maidenhead and was once highly critical of PB snr’s refereeing, so broken clocks and all that

[I like neeps]

I see the Walrus is on the wind up with his Lions team/squad again.

Maitland, Russell, Youngs, Beard, Itoje at 6 all starting

Tuilagi, B Vunipola, Daly in the squad

His continued employment is proof that rugby doesn’t have huge traction with the public. Cannot believe a football writer for the Times would get away with this nonsense for 25 years.

On the other side though he did used to write match reports for Maidenhead and was once highly critical of PB snr’s refereeing, so broken clocks and all that

Alternatively a reflection of the calibre of Sunday Times readers!

It's not just the Times though I notice with the BBC: Butler, Guscott, Davies are all awful and clearly don't want any club rugby. For some reason given the six nations games. I can only presume it's familiarity.

[sockwithaticket]

I see the Walrus is on the wind up with his Lions team/squad again.

Maitland, Russell, Youngs, Beard, Itoje at 6 all starting

Tuilagi, B Vunipola, Daly in the squad

His continued employment is proof that rugby doesn’t have huge traction with the public. Cannot believe a football writer for the Times would get away with this nonsense for 25 years.

On the other side though he did used to write match reports for Maidenhead and was once highly critical of PB snr’s refereeing, so broken clocks and all that

Alternatively a reflection of the calibre of Sunday Times readers!

It's not just the Times though I notice with the BBC: Butler, Guscott, Davies are all awful and clearly don't want any club rugby. For some reason given the six nations games. I can only presume it's familiarity.

This is a huge part of it. The casual audience who don't really watch rugby outside the 6 Nations is massive and there is definite trepidation from broadcasters about swapping out the familiar pundits and commentators.

[Yr Alban]

Anyone want to tell me why pretty much every side has saved its best performance for France?

Maybe one could argue Ire were better against Eng but I think that was exaggerated by how poor Eng were.

I wouldn’t worry. Scotland haven’t had our nightmare performance of the season yet

Not sure about that. The Welsh game was a nightmare. To somehow lose that one was tough.

France will win but it's a great test for Scotland to go to France who need to win by a bonus point. Good test of the defence.

It wasn’t a nightmare like Twickenham 2017, or Cardiff 2019, though.

[I like neeps]

I wouldn’t worry. Scotland haven’t had our nightmare performance of the season yet

Not sure about that. The Welsh game was a nightmare. To somehow lose that one was tough.

France will win but it's a great test for Scotland to go to France who need to win by a bonus point. Good test of the defence.

It wasn’t a nightmare like Twickenham 2017, or Cardiff 2019, though.

It's interesting, I'd argue a game you somehow lose when you should win is worse than when you just get embarrassed. Find it easier to laugh it off and get on with life.