6N 2022

[JM2K6]

They can still stay in their bubbles and test on exiting maybe? It wouldn't be perfect, but as everything else is opening up it begins to feel a bit crazy that massive events like the 6N can be cancelled due to a few positives amongst elite athletes

Why do we think the 6n is going to be cancelled? Seems very unlikely to me.

Just not testing people until the end of the tournament seems like a great way to infect everyone.

Dunno, just trying to imagine a scenario when sporting fixtures might get cancelled. Crazy I know.

Countries have a huge number of players to call upon. I can see at worst a fixture being cancelled, but not the tournament.

[TheFrog]

Looks like Omicron has got competition. BA2, it is called.... and early data from the UK (always ahead of the rest of Europe in this pandemic) show that it is much more contagious than Omicron. Hopefully it will be even milder.

[Slick]

Why do we think the 6n is going to be cancelled? Seems very unlikely to me.

Just not testing people until the end of the tournament seems like a great way to infect everyone.

Dunno, just trying to imagine a scenario when sporting fixtures might get cancelled. Crazy I know.

Countries have a huge number of players to call upon. I can see at worst a fixture being cancelled, but not the tournament.

I was originally talking about games being cancelled and used 6N as an example tournament, I don't think the whole thing will be cancelled either. But there is a risk of single games being cancelled and/or the tournament becoming a farce with weakened teams etc. I'm just not sure that there is enough risk to warrant that disruption as we stand

[Torquemada 1420]

England fans get lucky
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/60137445

[Raggs]

Looks like Omicron has got competition. BA2, it is called.... and early data from the UK (always ahead of the rest of Europe in this pandemic) show that it is much more contagious than Omicron. Hopefully it will be even milder.

It's a variant of omicron I believe, already been reinfections of people who had Omicron and now caught BA2. And yep, it appears to be even more transmissible. No reason to assume it's milder though, could just as easily be worse. Hopefully not.

[TheFrog]

Looks like Omicron has got competition. BA2, it is called.... and early data from the UK (always ahead of the rest of Europe in this pandemic) show that it is much more contagious than Omicron. Hopefully it will be even milder.

It's a variant of omicron I believe, already been reinfections of people who had Omicron and now caught BA2. And yep, it appears to be even more transmissible. No reason to assume it's milder though, could just as easily be worse. Hopefully not.

How many 28-0 victories in this 6N?

Can see Wales winning this without paying a game

[TheFrog]

Thibault Flament positive with COVID... How many in the squad will catch the virus now?

[JM2K6]

Looks like Omicron has got competition. BA2, it is called.... and early data from the UK (always ahead of the rest of Europe in this pandemic) show that it is much more contagious than Omicron. Hopefully it will be even milder.

It's a variant of omicron I believe, already been reinfections of people who had Omicron and now caught BA2. And yep, it appears to be even more transmissible. No reason to assume it's milder though, could just as easily be worse. Hopefully not.

How many 28-0 victories in this 6N?

Can see Wales winning this without paying a game

There'll be in-game testing just to ensure they never have to play against 15

[Torquemada 1420]

https://www.rugbyrama.fr/rugby/xv-de-fr ... tory.shtml

Players released back to their clubs from Fra's 6N squad:

Les joueurs remis à disposition de leur club sont Teddy Baubigny, Daniel Bibi Biziwu, Paul Boudehent, Yacouba Camara, Mohamed Haouas, Swan Rebbadj, Florent Vanverberghe, Léo Berdeu, Louis Carbonel, Léo Coly, Jules Favre, Matthis Lebel, Teddy Thomas et Tani Vili.

The most interesting things here are
- that Woki had been brought back in because he has recovered from a minor injury (no surprise as he will be 1st name on sheet after Dupont) but looks like Macalou is retained anyway.
- Thomas has been ejected. Seems despite his great form recently, he simply isn't trusted enough by the defensive coaches.

[Ymx]

Bloody hell I can’t wait for this rugby.

Just 1 week to go. Saturday will be class.

[Ymx]

Dunno, just trying to imagine a scenario when sporting fixtures might get cancelled. Crazy I know.

Countries have a huge number of players to call upon. I can see at worst a fixture being cancelled, but not the tournament.

I was originally talking about games being cancelled and used 6N as an example tournament, I don't think the whole thing will be cancelled either. But there is a risk of single games being cancelled and/or the tournament becoming a farce with weakened teams etc. I'm just not sure that there is enough risk to warrant that disruption as we stand

Since contacts don’t need to isolate any more, there won’t be any games being cancelled. Unlike what we had with baa-baas, etc.

I have that correct don’t I?

[Ymx]

Anyhow …..

Are we doing match threads? Nudge nudge.

[Jock42]

Countries have a huge number of players to call upon. I can see at worst a fixture being cancelled, but not the tournament.

I was originally talking about games being cancelled and used 6N as an example tournament, I don't think the whole thing will be cancelled either. But there is a risk of single games being cancelled and/or the tournament becoming a farce with weakened teams etc. I'm just not sure that there is enough risk to warrant that disruption as we stand

Since contacts don’t need to isolate any more, there won’t be any games being cancelled. Unlike what we had with baa-baas, etc.

I have that correct don’t I?

As long as they're 3x vaccinated and have a -ve PCR I think. It changes that often and my work protocols differ slightly that I lose track.

[TheFrog]

So Galthie and the staff are experimenting ahead of Italy. With a number of first choice players playing for their clubs this weekend, and COVID having hit Toulouse (Dupont, Baille, Flament, Cros N'tamack missing) these are the two teams that played against the U20 in a training game where the U20 were supposed to adopt Italy's patterns of play.


Initially:
15. Jaminet – 14. Penaud, 13. Moefana, 12. Fickou, 11. Villière – 10. Ramos, 9. Lucu – 7. Cretin, 8. Aldritt, 6. Diallo - 5. Willemse, 4. Verhaeghe - 3. Bamba, 2. Marchand, 1. Gros

Bench : 16. Mauvaka, 17. Rey, 18. Taofifenua, 19. Lavault, 20. Aldegheri, 21. Dulin, 22. Vakatawa, 23. Danty


After a few changes:

15. Dulin – 14. Penaud, 13. Vakatawa, 12. Danty, 11. Villière - 10. Hastoy 9. Couilloud, 7. Woki, 8. Macalou, 6. Diallo – 5. Taofifenua, 4. Lavault – 3. Aldegheri, 2. Mauvaka, 1. Rey

[Torquemada 1420]

So Galthie and the staff are experimenting ahead of Italy. With a number of first choice players playing for their clubs this weekend, and COVID having hit Toulouse (Dupont, Baille, Flament, Cros N'tamack missing) these are the two teams that played against the U20 in a training game where the U20 were supposed to adopt Italy's patterns of play.


Initially:
15. Jaminet – 14. Penaud, 13. Moefana, 12. Fickou, 11. Villière – 10. Ramos, 9. Lucu – 7. Cretin, 8. Aldritt, 6. Diallo - 5. Willemse, 4. Verhaeghe - 3. Bamba, 2. Marchand, 1. Gros

Bench : 16. Mauvaka, 17. Rey, 18. Taofifenua, 19. Lavault, 20. Aldegheri, 21. Dulin, 22. Vakatawa, 23. Danty


After a few changes:

15. Dulin – 14. Penaud, 13. Vakatawa, 12. Danty, 11. Villière - 10. Hastoy 9. Couilloud, 7. Woki, 8. Macalou, 6. Diallo – 5. Taofifenua, 4. Lavault – 3. Aldegheri, 2. Mauvaka, 1. Rey

With Ramos practising for FH! Don't want him anywhere near the side in any position.

[TheFrog]

So Galthie and the staff are experimenting ahead of Italy. With a number of first choice players playing for their clubs this weekend, and COVID having hit Toulouse (Dupont, Baille, Flament, Cros N'tamack missing) these are the two teams that played against the U20 in a training game where the U20 were supposed to adopt Italy's patterns of play.


Initially:
15. Jaminet – 14. Penaud, 13. Moefana, 12. Fickou, 11. Villière – 10. Ramos, 9. Lucu – 7. Cretin, 8. Aldritt, 6. Diallo - 5. Willemse, 4. Verhaeghe - 3. Bamba, 2. Marchand, 1. Gros

Bench : 16. Mauvaka, 17. Rey, 18. Taofifenua, 19. Lavault, 20. Aldegheri, 21. Dulin, 22. Vakatawa, 23. Danty


After a few changes:

15. Dulin – 14. Penaud, 13. Vakatawa, 12. Danty, 11. Villière - 10. Hastoy 9. Couilloud, 7. Woki, 8. Macalou, 6. Diallo – 5. Taofifenua, 4. Lavault – 3. Aldegheri, 2. Mauvaka, 1. Rey

With Ramos practising for FH! Don't want him anywhere near the side in any position.

All my Toulousain friends tell me he plays very well for Toulouse though.

I think Ramos is tested in the event that Jalibert is out for the Italian game. The fact that he can play 10 and 15 is a bonus for games when we have 6 forwards on the bench.

I read that Becognée was excellent against LaRochelle. He could be the fetcher we need to supplement Marchand/Mauvaka.

[Torquemada 1420]

All my Toulousain friends tell me he plays very well for Toulouse though.

I think Ramos is tested in the event that Jalibert is out for the Italian game. The fact that he can play 10 and 15 is a bonus for games when we have 6 forwards on the bench.

I read that Becognée was excellent against LaRochelle. He could be the fetcher we need to supplement Marchand/Mauvaka.

Never ask a Toulousain for an opinion of one of their players. He's been rubbish this season.

Hard to read in that game because LaR were really poor. Anyway, would rather as little contaminated by Piglet made the ntl side as possible.

[Line6 HXFX]

Post Lions season, and surprise surprise, Wales have most of their team out as always.

Wales have never won the Six Nations/ and Five nations in a Post Lions season, in the Pro era.
Usually come near the bottom .
The Lions Tours make Wales, a professional top tier Rugby nation btw, only competitive for basically two seasons out of four.

The team put so much effort into being Lions, putting off surgeries and chucking themselves about and wat not, desperate to make a name for themselves, .. they are ALWAYS completely fucked for the following Season. The house is truly burnt to the ground.

Ever since I have been pointing this out (for like 20 years) to angry Welsh Lions fans, ( I was so right one year in a Post Lions season, we had like 12 frontline players gone, and Irelands Call resorted to telling me I actually wanted all the team all injured and wanted my team to fail to be proved right).
I must say, I think it is finally sinking in.

Funny though, this season I actually feel a bit more optimistic, for no logical reason whatsoever. Think when Wales are shit, , know they are, haven't a hope in hell, everyone sure we are going to get humped to buggery, we can be quite surprising.

So Wales I dunno. 4th maybe fluke 3rd
As long as we beat the English..

[Slick]

Anyhow …..

Are we doing match threads? Nudge nudge.

Good question.

Individual match threads for the 6N?

[Ymx]

Anyhow …..

Are we doing match threads? Nudge nudge.

Good question.

Individual match threads for the 6N?

Yep. You want to start one? A big one for the bored. Scotland v England

[weegie01]

England must end reputation of being slow starters - Scotland are favourites for Six Nations opener.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union ... avourites/

BCM trying hard to take the underdog tag for the Calcutta Cup. Given Scotland have 10% of the resources England have, it is a miracle they have won as many as 29 out of 70 games at home to England. England are always favourites.

[Begbie]

England must end reputation of being slow starters - Scotland are favourites for Six Nations opener.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union ... avourites/

BCM trying hard to take the underdog tag for the Calcutta Cup. Given Scotland have 10% of the resources England have, it is a miracle they have won as many as 29 out of 70 games at home to England. England are always favourites.

I'm much happier as the underdog. We always seem to shit the bed when we're favourites, with the exception of the Italy game. Even then I'm never fully comfortable with it.

[Paddington Bear]

England must end reputation of being slow starters - Scotland are favourites for Six Nations opener.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union ... avourites/

BCM trying hard to take the underdog tag for the Calcutta Cup. Given Scotland have 10% of the resources England have, it is a miracle they have won as many as 29 out of 70 games at home to England. England are always favourites.

Yes we've always had challenges getting all of our hundreds of thousands of players on the pitch at the same time.

Have to say I'm not sure I agree with BCM, I think we turned a corner in the autumn and talent wise I back our side. It isn't clear cut and I think it'll be a close game, but I'm happy enough to call us favourites.

[clydecloggie]

Anyhow …..

Are we doing match threads? Nudge nudge.

As you wish.

http://notplanetrugby.com/viewtopic.php ... f79837a128

[SaintK]

England must end reputation of being slow starters - Scotland are favourites for Six Nations opener.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union ... avourites/

BCM trying hard to take the underdog tag for the Calcutta Cup. Given Scotland have 10% of the resources England have, it is a miracle they have won as many as 29 out of 70 games at home to England. England are always favourites.

Recources or not, England have won just one of the last four matches between the the countries so BCM is probably correct in his assertion!

[Slick]

England must end reputation of being slow starters - Scotland are favourites for Six Nations opener.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union ... avourites/

BCM trying hard to take the underdog tag for the Calcutta Cup. Given Scotland have 10% of the resources England have, it is a miracle they have won as many as 29 out of 70 games at home to England. England are always favourites.

Yes we've always had challenges getting all of our hundreds of thousands of players on the pitch at the same time.

Have to say I'm not sure I agree with BCM, I think we turned a corner in the autumn and talent wise I back our side. It isn't clear cut and I think it'll be a close game, but I'm happy enough to call us favourites.

I'm quite surprised by that, but fair enough. I think it looks like a really quite limited squad and team and I think we should be pretty confident going into the game.

In saying that, the 6N is the 6N and it wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if everything clicks on the day for England and they blow us away. And of course we also have the capacity to blow up, and do regularly

[weegie01]

Yes we've always had challenges getting all of our hundreds of thousands of players on the pitch at the same time.

The point about resources, as I am sure you are well aware, is that if Scotland has 30 international class players and England 300 (to pluck figures from the air), it is highly likely that the best 23 out 300 are better than the best 23 out 30.

[JM2K6]

Not this shit again

[JM2K6]

It's fascinating to me how Warburton sees everything in terms of Lions selection when it comes to Welsh players, like it's just a natural progression from Wales caps

[Hal Jordan]

Under Gatland, it has been.

[GogLais]

It's fascinating to me how Warburton sees everything in terms of Lions selection when it comes to Welsh players, like it's just a natural progression from Wales caps

Oh right, he’s said the same about the whole squad then?

[Raggs]

Yes we've always had challenges getting all of our hundreds of thousands of players on the pitch at the same time.

The point about resources, as I am sure you are well aware, is that if Scotland has 30 international class players and England 300 (to pluck figures from the air), it is highly likely that the best 23 out 300 are better than the best 23 out 30.

I'm not sure you're plucking those figures from the air, but rather somewhere else.

Players also get better by playing at a higher level, there's only so many international caps available.

And simply having lots of players means sweet fuck all, because I guarantee you that me playing in the dogshit league as a useless tighthead prop has about as much effect on improving our national team, as me screaming at the tv whilst they're playing.

Scotland have won 3 out of the last 4, that's got to make them favourites, or at the very least, equals.

[weegie01]

Not this shit again

I agree. It must be shit being English and seeing all those resources not resulting in them DOMINATING NH rugby. England produce so many top class players that Scotland have had to bring 12 English cast offs into their 6 N squad just to try and keep up.

[SaintK]

Not this shit again

I agree. It must be shit being English and seeing all those resources not resulting in them DOMINATING NH rugby. England produce so many top class players that Scotland have had to bring 12 English cast offs into their 6 N squad just to try and keep up.

[Paddington Bear]

Not this shit again

I agree. It must be shit being English and seeing all those resources not resulting in them DOMINATING NH rugby. England produce so many top class players that Scotland have had to bring 12 English cast offs into their 6 N squad just to try and keep up.

[JM2K6]

It's fascinating to me how Warburton sees everything in terms of Lions selection when it comes to Welsh players, like it's just a natural progression from Wales caps

Oh right, he’s said the same about the whole squad then?

No, but I've never known anyone to mention the Lions as much as he does when commenting on Welsh players. Of course he hasn't said it about the whole squad, but it is something he says a lot in commentary. It's really strange.

[JM2K6]

Not this shit again

I agree. It must be shit being English and seeing all those resources not resulting in them DOMINATING NH rugby. England produce so many top class players that Scotland have had to bring 12 English cast offs into their 6 N squad just to try and keep up.

It's almost like there's not actually that much difference between players at the top level and coaching & circumstance play a large part. I like it being competitive and sport is shit if it's dominated by money or sheer size, so be happy I guess?

[Torquemada 1420]

England must end reputation of being slow starters - Scotland are favourites for Six Nations opener.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union ... avourites/

BCM trying hard to take the underdog tag for the Calcutta Cup. Given Scotland have 10% of the resources England have, it is a miracle they have won as many as 29 out of 70 games at home to England. England are always favourites.

Didn't Jones state that "England were coming for Scotland"?

[GogLais]

It's fascinating to me how Warburton sees everything in terms of Lions selection when it comes to Welsh players, like it's just a natural progression from Wales caps

Oh right, he’s said the same about the whole squad then?

No, but I've never known anyone to mention the Lions as much as he does when commenting on Welsh players. Of course he hasn't said it about the whole squad, but it is something he says a lot in commentary. It's really strange.

Oh right, I don't have BT or whatever he's on.

[JM2K6]

Oh right, he’s said the same about the whole squad then?

No, but I've never known anyone to mention the Lions as much as he does when commenting on Welsh players. Of course he hasn't said it about the whole squad, but it is something he says a lot in commentary. It's really strange.

Oh right, I don't have BT or whatever he's on.

Fair enough! He's on a lot whenever there's a Welsh side involved and sometimes for the Premiership - when he'll focus on Welsh players - and it's very strange. Obviously every country has one-eyed pundits by the bucket load, it's just really noticeable how much he sees the Lions as a natural progression for the players he likes to talk about (which is mostly Welsh players). In some ways it's actually a credit to him, he genuinely believes it to be the pinnacle; I've just never heard it from other pundits outside of the pre-tour season.