NPR

Torquemada 1420 wrote: Sun Mar 21, 2021 7:11 am

Yr Alban wrote: Sat Mar 20, 2021 10:29 pm 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

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.

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/

laurent wrote: Sun Mar 21, 2021 7:36 am 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.

Torquemada 1420 wrote: Sun Mar 21, 2021 7:19 am 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.

Slick wrote: Sun Mar 21, 2021 7:28 am

Torquemada 1420 wrote: Sun Mar 21, 2021 7:11 am

Yr Alban wrote: Sat Mar 20, 2021 10:29 pm 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.

Torquemada 1420 wrote: Sun Mar 21, 2021 7:19 am 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

Butterfingers wrote: Sun Mar 21, 2021 8:06 am

Torquemada 1420 wrote: Sun Mar 21, 2021 7:19 am 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.

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).

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

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

Yr Alban wrote: Sun Mar 21, 2021 8:44 am

Torquemada 1420 wrote: Sun Mar 21, 2021 7:19 am 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.

Slick wrote: Sun Mar 21, 2021 10:03 am 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

Paddington Bear wrote: Sun Mar 21, 2021 10:22 am

Slick wrote: Sun Mar 21, 2021 10:03 am 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.

I like neeps wrote: Sun Mar 21, 2021 11:14 am

Paddington Bear wrote: Sun Mar 21, 2021 10:22 am

Slick wrote: Sun Mar 21, 2021 10:03 am 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.

I like neeps wrote: Sun Mar 21, 2021 10:16 am

Yr Alban wrote: Sun Mar 21, 2021 8:44 am

Torquemada 1420 wrote: Sun Mar 21, 2021 7:19 am 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.

Yr Alban wrote: Sun Mar 21, 2021 11:29 am

I like neeps wrote: Sun Mar 21, 2021 10:16 am

Yr Alban wrote: Sun Mar 21, 2021 8:44 am

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.

I like neeps wrote: Sun Mar 21, 2021 11:14 am

Paddington Bear wrote: Sun Mar 21, 2021 10:22 am

Slick wrote: Sun Mar 21, 2021 10:03 am 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.

Noted.

JM2K6 wrote: Sun Mar 21, 2021 10:07 am Regular reminder that it's not a windup, he's fucking thick, doesn't know shit about modern rugby, and is stealing a living.

Must be something about rugby journos. Jake makes money with ritin skillz too.

Lemoentjie wrote: Sun Mar 21, 2021 10:01 am 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).

That can't be right. Scotland fans often moan that the Scottish team never does this enough.

Meanwhile, Farrell and Itoje are always doing it.

Ireland & Wales biggest culprits though.

Don't know why refs don't slap down all but the Captain in the pro game.

Slick wrote: Sun Mar 21, 2021 11:36 am

I like neeps wrote: Sun Mar 21, 2021 11:14 am

Paddington Bear wrote: Sun Mar 21, 2021 10:22 am

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.

Noted.

I was being disingenuous Slick!

Jones is just awful.

Italy are routinely on the receiving end of some scandalously bad decisions but there seems to be an air of "ah well they are going to lose anyway" regarding this.

You see it at the world cup. Tier 2 teams get laughably poor calls against them.
Best example for me was 2015 where Canada should have beaten Italy and just got taken for a ride.

Uncle fester wrote: Sun Mar 21, 2021 12:45 pm Italy are routinely on the receiving end of some scandalously bad decisions but there seems to be an air of "ah well they are going to lose anyway" regarding this.

Scotland suffered from this for years as well. You can almost see into the ref’s head at times - if he has decided one side is the stronger of the two, it makes it very hard indeed for the weaker side to get marginal decisions. It has stopped now, more or less - my rage at referees has been considerably reduced anyway.

Whoever it was that said Scotland were brilliant at appealing to the ref, this is the literal opposite of the truth. We are easily the worst T1 nation at playing the ref. Our players seem to lack any guile whatsoever.

Uncle fester wrote: Sun Mar 21, 2021 12:45 pm Italy are routinely on the receiving end of some scandalously bad decisions but there seems to be an air of "ah well they are going to lose anyway" regarding this.

Not from me. The game is still far too often decided by the ref and not the players.

I like neeps wrote: Sun Mar 21, 2021 11:14 am

Paddington Bear wrote: Sun Mar 21, 2021 10:22 am

Slick wrote: Sun Mar 21, 2021 10:03 am 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.

ITV is as bad. Woodward had the neck to say he hadn’t heard of some of the Italian players. He’s getting fucking paid for that, could at least make an attempt at competency.

Woodward should be fired into a black hole, let alone the sun. He knows nothing about modern rugby, he spews out half formed, ignorant opionions based on what he vaguely remembers from when he was last involved in rugby 16 years ago. The number of times he advocates for making no subs despite it being common knowledge that coaches have real time data letting them know when players' are physically falling off...

Clive Woodward and Michael Vaughan as pundits is a real ‘never meet your heroes’ scenario

I wonder if Woodentop is showing early signs of dementia.

https://actu.fr/sports/rugby/xv-de-fran ... 20283.html

Get your french dictionnaries :)

Deal between PRL and Six Nations for Scotland players for France game, 5 player limit so no Maitland or Jonny Gray (if fit) - this is fucking disgraceful why should Scotland field a weakened team.

Deveron Boy wrote: Mon Mar 22, 2021 9:00 pm Deal between PRL and Six Nations for Scotland players for France game, 5 player limit so no Maitland or Jonny Gray (if fit) - this is fucking disgraceful why should Scotland field a weakened team.

Six figure sum involved as well by all accounts. That better not be coming from SRU funds.

Pesenti, Leroux and Carbonel are back in the squad for Friday.

Pesenti to take on The Heavy enforcer I think with Rebadj back on the bench.

Leroux straight back to start.

PS It is now appearing that Sean Edwards mother passed away and he was assisting his father last week. :(

Deveron Boy wrote: Mon Mar 22, 2021 9:00 pm Deal between PRL and Six Nations for Scotland players for France game, 5 player limit so no Maitland or Jonny Gray (if fit) - this is fucking disgraceful why should Scotland field a weakened team.

I'm not too happy either as an interested third party.

Deveron Boy wrote: Mon Mar 22, 2021 9:00 pm Deal between PRL and Six Nations for Scotland players for France game, 5 player limit so no Maitland or Jonny Gray (if fit) - this is fucking disgraceful why should Scotland field a weakened team.

Welcome to the world of commercial reality when your Union doesn't hold central contracts for international players
The RFU have paid £M's for the release of Prem players for England matches over the years. Not hard to imagine if Scotland had coughed up more money then PRL may have authorised the clubs to release more!
A sorry state of affairs.

SaintK wrote: Tue Mar 23, 2021 9:44 am

Deveron Boy wrote: Mon Mar 22, 2021 9:00 pm Deal between PRL and Six Nations for Scotland players for France game, 5 player limit so no Maitland or Jonny Gray (if fit) - this is fucking disgraceful why should Scotland field a weakened team.

Welcome to the world of commercial reality when your Union doesn't hold central contracts for international players
The RFU have paid £M's for the release of Prem players for England matches over the years. Not hard to imagine if Scotland had coughed up more money then PRL may have authorised the clubs to release more!
A sorry state of affairs.

I think it's the 6 nations paying up not Scotland.

at any rate thank you FFR ...

laurent wrote: Tue Mar 23, 2021 9:50 am

SaintK wrote: Tue Mar 23, 2021 9:44 am

Deveron Boy wrote: Mon Mar 22, 2021 9:00 pm Deal between PRL and Six Nations for Scotland players for France game, 5 player limit so no Maitland or Jonny Gray (if fit) - this is fucking disgraceful why should Scotland field a weakened team.

Welcome to the world of commercial reality when your Union doesn't hold central contracts for international players
The RFU have paid £M's for the release of Prem players for England matches over the years. Not hard to imagine if Scotland had coughed up more money then PRL may have authorised the clubs to release more!
A sorry state of affairs.

I think it's the 6 nations paying up not Scotland.

at any rate thank you FFR ...

That's odd if the 6N negotiated the release of the Scotland players rather than the SRU or did they just pay?

SaintK wrote: Tue Mar 23, 2021 10:41 am

laurent wrote: Tue Mar 23, 2021 9:50 am

SaintK wrote: Tue Mar 23, 2021 9:44 am
Welcome to the world of commercial reality when your Union doesn't hold central contracts for international players
The RFU have paid £M's for the release of Prem players for England matches over the years. Not hard to imagine if Scotland had coughed up more money then PRL may have authorised the clubs to release more!
A sorry state of affairs.

I think it's the 6 nations paying up not Scotland.

at any rate thank you FFR ...

That's odd if the 6N negotiated the release of the Scotland players rather than the SRU or did they just pay?

Not Sure I know FFR had an agreement with the league and that this included Scottish players however I don't see how SRU could have negotiated with the English clubs I guess through RFU or via 6 nations.

SaintK wrote: Tue Mar 23, 2021 10:41 am

laurent wrote: Tue Mar 23, 2021 9:50 am

SaintK wrote: Tue Mar 23, 2021 9:44 am
Welcome to the world of commercial reality when your Union doesn't hold central contracts for international players
The RFU have paid £M's for the release of Prem players for England matches over the years. Not hard to imagine if Scotland had coughed up more money then PRL may have authorised the clubs to release more!
A sorry state of affairs.

I think it's the 6 nations paying up not Scotland.

at any rate thank you FFR ...

That's odd if the 6N negotiated the release of the Scotland players rather than the SRU or did they just pay?

Don't see why - the 6 Nations would be interested in maintaining the integrity of the competition, would they not?

laurent wrote: Tue Mar 23, 2021 10:46 am

SaintK wrote: Tue Mar 23, 2021 10:41 am

laurent wrote: Tue Mar 23, 2021 9:50 am

I think it's the 6 nations paying up not Scotland.

at any rate thank you FFR ...

That's odd if the 6N negotiated the release of the Scotland players rather than the SRU or did they just pay?

Not Sure I know FFR had an agreement with the league and that this included Scottish players however I don't see how SRU could have negotiated with the English clubs I guess through RFU or via 6 nations.

Or more likely with PRL, the body that represents the clubs?