International Rugby

[paul_e]

Italy are a tough one, they generally have 5-6 very good players, it's just that the rest aren't international class and they get overwhelmed.

Ref has gifted the game to Ireland at the end though, the turnover on the line with 2-3 minutes to go was never legal, Irish player lying in the way and Stander was no way supporting his weight.

[Jon Crofts]

They beat us every now and again.

Can’t see that happening for a good while. You should have got something out of today.

[Jon Crofts]

Just read that Italy’s winless run in the 6N is now 23 games. They need removing and replacing with Georgia sharpish.

[Meanwood Villa]

Do you think Georgia would do any better?

It's fair to say that the idea Italy would improve by regular 6N competition hasn't worked though. Mind you, Scotland aren't much better and no-one talks about booting them out.

[luke:lamf]

I think Scotland are just unfortunate that Ireland and Wales seem to have really kicked on, and sustained it, in the last 20 years. And England and France just have sheer comparative size and numbers to make sure they're more-or-less competitive most years.

The Scots aren't getting beaten out of sight every time like Italy, but they just seem to lack a little bit of pace/precision which means they can't beat the others.

I can see why Georgia are an interesting proposition for some, but they don't seem much better than Italy for my money, certainly not in terms of results against the big boys which suggest they're knocking on the door (only beat Uruguay in RWC and were fair battered by Fiji and Wales). Plus it's miles away and without a lucrative TV / sponsorship market to make it interesting financially.

[taylorsworkrate]

However bad villa fans feel today spare a thought for CD who's just had to watch Hogg make one of the worst mistakes I've ever seen at international level.

The worst part about it was the way that Hogg still decided to give it the big celebration!!!!!

Maybe he thought that would be enough to fall the TMO?

[cdbearsfan]

Do you think Georgia would do any better?

It's fair to say that the idea Italy would improve by regular 6N competition hasn't worked though. Mind you, Scotland aren't much better and no-one talks about booting them out.

Yes please!

[paul_e]

However bad villa fans feel today spare a thought for CD who's just had to watch Hogg make one of the worst mistakes I've ever seen at international level.

The worst part about it was the way that Hogg still decided to give it the big celebration!!!!!

Maybe he thought that would be enough to fall the TMO?

Yeah, it was a bold choice to celebrate rather than curling up in a ball and rocking in the corner.

[Jon Crofts]

Do you think Georgia would do any better?

It's fair to say that the idea Italy would improve by regular 6N competition hasn't worked though. Mind you, Scotland aren't much better and no-one talks about booting them out.

Can't see them being any worse, Italy simply haven't progressed in the last 5 competitions, maybe introducing a relegation in 2 years time and then every 5 years based on average points/places might improve the standard because right now it's the 5 Nations again.

[paul_e]

It's really hard to work out a good way to handle the 6N. I think expand to 8, 2 groups of 4 and then semi and final with top 2 per group in the cup and bottom 2 into a shield. Could add Georgia and Russia (or Romania) and give the smaller sides something to aim for even if it's just to get into the shield final. The negative is that you'd have years where you don't get some of the big matches but it would, in my opinion, be better for the sport in general.

[taylorsworkrate]

Poor poor start. Basic handling errors in their 22, and then a non existent defence.

[PaulWinch again]

Insipid. Dreadful stuff so far.

[taylorsworkrate]

Nothing short of a fucking disgrace of a start. Completely unprepared and France look far far more up for it than our players.

[paul_e]

Poor start but the ref and TMO have got it wrong for their 2nd try, first contact was definitely the french 7s right hand.

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