NPR

JM2K6 wrote: ↑Mon Jan 31, 2022 2:38 pm

GogLais wrote: ↑Mon Jan 31, 2022 2:30 pm

JM2K6 wrote: ↑Mon Jan 31, 2022 1:56 pm

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.

It’s possibly because his international career coincided almost exactly with Gatland’s tenure as the head coach of both Wales and the Lions, and once he had started playing for Wales, he was always picked for the Lions (and indeed was also picked as Captain for both tours he went on).

In his experience therefore it was entirely natural for there to appear to be a natural progression of playing for Wales and then the Lions, and for the Welsh Captain to also be the Lions Captain, hence his comments about current and future Welsh players. Over the last 10 years players from the other home nations couldn’t take being picked for the Lions for granted in the same way, so it won’t automatically seem like the pinnacle of rugby for them.

The first algorithm has had its say:



Sounds about right, to be honest. Although as a certified statto myself, it's ridiculous that the expected margin for the Calcutta Cup is 1 point yet the probability of a draw as presented in the table is 0%.

Torque will be delighted. Rumour has it that Leroux will start against Italy.

Good news from the BBC 6 Nation coverage...............they've got rid of Guscott!!!
Bad news....................they've retained Eddie Butler and Jonathan Davies and ffs have given Monye his own highlights show

SaintK wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 1:38 pm Good news from the BBC 6 Nation coverage...............they've got rid of Guscott!!!
Bad news....................they've retained Eddie Butler and Jonathan Davies and ffs have given Monye his own highlights show

Only 1 match a week on the Beeb as well I think, with the rest being shown on ITV.

SaintK wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 1:38 pm Good news from the BBC 6 Nation coverage...............they've got rid of Guscott!!!
Bad news....................they've retained Eddie Butler and Jonathan Davies and ffs have given Monye his own highlights show

To be honest, I actually quite like Eddie Butler's dulcet tones. As long as you don't actually attempt to process what he's saying.

clydecloggie wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 9:10 am The first algorithm has had its say:



Sounds about right, to be honest. Although as a certified statto myself, it's ridiculous that the expected margin for the Calcutta Cup is 1 point yet the probability of a draw as presented in the table is 0%.

If the margin of victory was 3 the chance of a draw would be higher?

The algorithm obviously isn't designed to consider a draw when assigning percentage possibilities.

SaintK wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 1:38 pm Good news from the BBC 6 Nation coverage...............they've got rid of Guscott!!!
Bad news....................they've retained Eddie Butler and Jonathan Davies and ffs have given Monye his own highlights show

I like Eddie. Jiffy is terribly biased and Ugo just puts me to sleep.

Punter15 wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 6:36 pm

SaintK wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 1:38 pm Good news from the BBC 6 Nation coverage...............they've got rid of Guscott!!!
Bad news....................they've retained Eddie Butler and Jonathan Davies and ffs have given Monye his own highlights show

I like Eddie. Jiffy is terribly biased and Ugo just puts me to sleep.

Need to get rid of the old wood, bye bye to Moore, Nicol and Davies. I really like the BT rugby lineup apart from Ferris. ITV are pretty good if they got rid of Woodward. Big fan of Scarritt and Maggie Alphonsi.

Ideal combo would be along the lines of

Craig Doyle - host
Jonny, Dayglo, BOD, Thomas, Benjamin Kayser, Barclay, Maggie, Hartley - studio
Kay, Austin, Emily, Bayfield - pitch side
Mullins/Cotter - commentator
Sara or Flats - pre/post interviews

I haven't been following the thread but I assume we are all in agreement that this is Scotland's best chance this century to win the 6N/make it into the top half of the table?

The domestic sides are doing well and the national side seem to be playing with a bit of purpose. Having England and France at home will be advantageous and their hardest away game on paper will be the final day, by which time they will hopefully have a bit of momentum behind them.

There seems to be the usual optimism among Scottish pundits/media that "this year it will be different," but the fundamentals are actually backing it up for once.

paddyor wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 4:51 pm

clydecloggie wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 9:10 am The first algorithm has had its say:



Sounds about right, to be honest. Although as a certified statto myself, it's ridiculous that the expected margin for the Calcutta Cup is 1 point yet the probability of a draw as presented in the table is 0%.

If the margin of victory was 3 the chance of a draw would be higher?

Actually asked the question on Twitter and they replied. Chance of a draw when the predicted margin is 1 point is roughly 2.5%. But they don't give draw probabilities so both Scotland and England received a 1.25% boost to their probability of victory in the table.

And the model is mathematical rather than based on rugby scoring so presumably the max probability of a draw is when the model predicts a 1 point margin.

Madness wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 7:18 pm

Punter15 wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 6:36 pm

SaintK wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 1:38 pm Good news from the BBC 6 Nation coverage...............they've got rid of Guscott!!!
Bad news....................they've retained Eddie Butler and Jonathan Davies and ffs have given Monye his own highlights show

I like Eddie. Jiffy is terribly biased and Ugo just puts me to sleep.

Need to get rid of the old wood, bye bye to Moore, Nicol and Davies. I really like the BT rugby lineup apart from Ferris. ITV are pretty good if they got rid of Woodward. Big fan of Scarritt and Maggie Alphonsi.

Ideal combo would be along the lines of

Craig Doyle - host
Jonny, Dayglo, BOD, Thomas, Benjamin Kayser, Barclay, Maggie, Hartley - studio
Kay, Austin, Emily, Bayfield - pitch side
Mullins/Cotter - commentator
Sara or Flats - pre/post interviews

Thankfully he only emerges for Europe when they need more bodies, but why anyone pays him for an opinion eludes me.

Alphonsi is the female Dallaglio, lots of empty platitudes and rugby cliches. Danielle Waterman or Natasha Hunt have been much better when I've heard them.

Alistair Ekyn's a great comms guy too.

sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Wed Feb 02, 2022 8:55 am

Madness wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 7:18 pm

Punter15 wrote: ↑Tue Feb 01, 2022 6:36 pm

I like Eddie. Jiffy is terribly biased and Ugo just puts me to sleep.

Need to get rid of the old wood, bye bye to Moore, Nicol and Davies. I really like the BT rugby lineup apart from Ferris. ITV are pretty good if they got rid of Woodward. Big fan of Scarritt and Maggie Alphonsi.

Ideal combo would be along the lines of

Craig Doyle - host
Jonny, Dayglo, BOD, Thomas, Benjamin Kayser, Barclay, Maggie, Hartley - studio
Kay, Austin, Emily, Bayfield - pitch side
Mullins/Cotter - commentator
Sara or Flats - pre/post interviews

Thankfully he only emerges for Europe when they need more bodies, but why anyone pays him for an opinion eludes me.

Alphonsi is the female Dallaglio, lots of empty platitudes and rugby cliches. Danielle Waterman or Natasha Hunt have been much better when I've heard them.

Alistair Ekyn's a great comms guy too.

Watermans commentary makes me want to throw puppies in a shredder, she has the most god awful voice and her observations are pretty much telling us what we already know

Many things annoy me. One of them is commentators agreeing that they know nothing about what goes on in the scrum. Well find somebody who bloody well does then. I don't hear cricket commentators saying they've no idea what's going on. Well apart from Fred Trueman of course.

I think this could be the tightest 6N in a long time.

Ireland looked untouchable during the autumn tour. But with trips to France and England, they have a challenging year.

England, with a much rotated team in the autumn tour, were impressive and beat the world champion. Without Farrell, this could be the dawn of a new era. Much will hang on their ability to beat France in Paris on the last day, and not stumble upon the Scottish test up first.

France have the best team they could rely upon in a long time. Their only real weakness is at tighthead prop, and... their mental. They seem to still have up and down with brilliance following mediocrity and a few brain farts. With home games against Ireland and England, this is a favorable year for France though Wales and Scotland stand in their way too. A big question mark on the Toulousain fitness after a number of weeks without playing. Dupont looked short of form against Racing last weekend.

Wales... well, last year they were shit and won... this year, they are weakened by injuries so they are even more dangerous.

Scotland are at their best in a long time and capable to beat any team. While I doubt they could win it, I can see them deciding the winner.

This is a tournament that will be won on a red card (by Wales), a lucky bounce for a try (France) or lost on a missed penalty (England or Ireland) or injuries (Scotland).

Farrell is doing well with Ireland. What's the English fans' view of him nowadays, with some distance to the disappointment at the 2015 World Cup?

I always thought he had done a great job with England and that Jones ripped the rewards.

Really enjoying this U20 performance.

TheFrog wrote: ↑Fri Feb 04, 2022 1:48 am Farrell is doing well with Ireland. What's the English fans' view of him nowadays, with some distance to the disappointment at the 2015 World Cup?

I always thought he had done a great job with England and that Jones ripped the rewards.

I credit Lancaster more than Farrell. He's clearly grown with Ireland, but he was only the defence coach with us.

sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Fri Feb 04, 2022 8:41 pm

TheFrog wrote: ↑Fri Feb 04, 2022 1:48 am Farrell is doing well with Ireland. What's the English fans' view of him nowadays, with some distance to the disappointment at the 2015 World Cup?

I always thought he had done a great job with England and that Jones ripped the rewards.

I credit Lancaster more than Farrell. He's clearly grown with Ireland, but he was only the defence coach with us.

I think they both got offered the opportunity with England too early; they needed more time at the full International level; but at a deputy level. Ireland, & Leinster, gave them that second chance.

After 6 years of mad Eddie's hubris and general bollocks, I think most England fans would welcome Lancaster and Farrell back with open arms.

fishfoodie wrote: ↑Fri Feb 04, 2022 8:49 pm

sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Fri Feb 04, 2022 8:41 pm

TheFrog wrote: ↑Fri Feb 04, 2022 1:48 am Farrell is doing well with Ireland. What's the English fans' view of him nowadays, with some distance to the disappointment at the 2015 World Cup?

I always thought he had done a great job with England and that Jones ripped the rewards.

I credit Lancaster more than Farrell. He's clearly grown with Ireland, but he was only the defence coach with us.

I think they both got offered the opportunity with England too early; they needed more time at the full International level; but at a deputy level. Ireland, & Leinster, gave them that second chance.

Definitely. In another timeline the RFU back Bomber as the NZRU did Henry after '07. I'd have him back in a heartbeat, though I'd imagine luring him away from a Leinster set up where he's loved will be a tough ask.

Farrell definitely should've had to cut his teeth somewhere other than an English Prem club before stepping up to national duty.

Kawazaki wrote: ↑Fri Feb 04, 2022 8:53 pm After 6 years of mad Eddie's hubris and general bollocks, I think most England fans would welcome Lancaster and Farrell back with open arms.

I doubt it !

I think fans have a very long memory; & it's very,very rare for a National Coach that was fired; to ever be offered that job again.

fishfoodie wrote: ↑Fri Feb 04, 2022 8:55 pm

Kawazaki wrote: ↑Fri Feb 04, 2022 8:53 pm After 6 years of mad Eddie's hubris and general bollocks, I think most England fans would welcome Lancaster and Farrell back with open arms.

I doubt it !

I think fans have a very long memory; & it's very,very rare for a National Coach that was fired; to ever be offered that job again.

I'd take Eric Elwood over Eddie Jones now. Anyone, just get that twat out.

Kawazaki wrote: ↑Fri Feb 04, 2022 8:58 pm

fishfoodie wrote: ↑Fri Feb 04, 2022 8:55 pm

Kawazaki wrote: ↑Fri Feb 04, 2022 8:53 pm After 6 years of mad Eddie's hubris and general bollocks, I think most England fans would welcome Lancaster and Farrell back with open arms.

I doubt it !

I think fans have a very long memory; & it's very,very rare for a National Coach that was fired; to ever be offered that job again.

I'd take Eric Elwood over Eddie Jones now. Anyone, just get that twat out.

Rassie Erasmus next England coach.

OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Fri Feb 04, 2022 9:02 pm

Kawazaki wrote: ↑Fri Feb 04, 2022 8:58 pm

fishfoodie wrote: ↑Fri Feb 04, 2022 8:55 pm

I doubt it !

I think fans have a very long memory; & it's very,very rare for a National Coach that was fired; to ever be offered that job again.

I'd take Eric Elwood over Eddie Jones now. Anyone, just get that twat out.

Rassie Erasmus next England coach.

Maybe not anyone...

fishfoodie wrote: ↑Fri Feb 04, 2022 8:55 pm

Kawazaki wrote: ↑Fri Feb 04, 2022 8:53 pm After 6 years of mad Eddie's hubris and general bollocks, I think most England fans would welcome Lancaster and Farrell back with open arms.

I doubt it !

I think fans have a very long memory; & it's very,very rare for a National Coach that was fired; to ever be offered that job again.

The casuals and plenty of the blazer brigade will never forgive the 2015 world cup, which is a crying shame.

22 - 0 HT, Ireland v Wales in the U20s

The U20s games are infinitely more entertaining than the main events

sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Fri Feb 04, 2022 9:03 pm

fishfoodie wrote: ↑Fri Feb 04, 2022 8:55 pm

Kawazaki wrote: ↑Fri Feb 04, 2022 8:53 pm After 6 years of mad Eddie's hubris and general bollocks, I think most England fans would welcome Lancaster and Farrell back with open arms.

I doubt it !

I think fans have a very long memory; & it's very,very rare for a National Coach that was fired; to ever be offered that job again.

The casuals and plenty of the blazer brigade will never forgive the 2015 world cup, which is a crying shame.

That would require them to admin the monumental fuckup of giving Johnson the job first; & everything just flowed from that decision !

Ahhh. Normal Fre service resumed.

OomStruisbaai wrote: ↑Fri Feb 04, 2022 9:02 pm

Kawazaki wrote: ↑Fri Feb 04, 2022 8:58 pm

fishfoodie wrote: ↑Fri Feb 04, 2022 8:55 pm

I doubt it !

I think fans have a very long memory; & it's very,very rare for a National Coach that was fired; to ever be offered that job again.

I'd take Eric Elwood over Eddie Jones now. Anyone*, just get that twat out.

Rassie Erasmus next England coach.

* anyone bar that cunt.

42 mins gone, & the rather attractive Canuck Ref has been on her arse twice; I think she needs to work on her positioning; but otherwise she hasn't been too bad (disallowed try not-withstanding)

fishfoodie wrote: ↑Fri Feb 04, 2022 9:09 pm 42 mins gone, & the rather attractive Canuck Ref has been on her arse twice; I think she needs to work on her positioning; but otherwise she hasn't been too bad (disallowed try not-withstanding)

RULE 1 FFS.

Mods

Torquemada 1420 wrote: ↑Fri Feb 04, 2022 9:16 pm

fishfoodie wrote: ↑Fri Feb 04, 2022 9:09 pm 42 mins gone, & the rather attractive Canuck Ref has been on her arse twice; I think she needs to work on her positioning; but otherwise she hasn't been too bad (disallowed try not-withstanding)

RULE 1 FFS.

Mods

There's a nice looking, tiny, French AR too, ....

Sweaties have folded.

Meantime Ire are annihilating Wal. This is a really bad portent for Welsh rugby who normally look good at grade level.

Torquemada 1420 wrote: ↑Fri Feb 04, 2022 9:16 pm

fishfoodie wrote: ↑Fri Feb 04, 2022 9:09 pm 42 mins gone, & the rather attractive Canuck Ref has been on her arse twice; I think she needs to work on her positioning; but otherwise she hasn't been too bad (disallowed try not-withstanding)

RULE 1 FFS.

Mods

Here ya go



Julianne Zussman, former Canuck FB

fishfoodie wrote: ↑Fri Feb 04, 2022 9:39 pm

Torquemada 1420 wrote: ↑Fri Feb 04, 2022 9:16 pm

fishfoodie wrote: ↑Fri Feb 04, 2022 9:09 pm 42 mins gone, & the rather attractive Canuck Ref has been on her arse twice; I think she needs to work on her positioning; but otherwise she hasn't been too bad (disallowed try not-withstanding)

RULE 1 FFS.

Mods

Here ya go



Julianne Zussman, former Canuck FB

I take it back

No tits. Looks like a bloke.


3/10 WNB

Torquemada 1420 wrote: ↑Fri Feb 04, 2022 9:38 pm Meantime Ire are annihilating Wal. This is a really bad portent for Welsh rugby who normally look good at grade level.

Since when? They've been shit as long as I can remember.