International Rugby

[paul_e]

Marler now also cited for striking so I think it's a given he's missing next week and probably out for most of the rest of the season if there's reasonable evidence against him.

Where this becomes a big deal is that I just don't trust Mako V, he's terrible in the scrum and will be a big weakness for us.  Matt Mullan is likely to come onto the bench, which i'm ok with I really would like us to have a prop who is decent in the scrum as an option as well, particularly against France.

[paul_e]

I'm amazed that Marler has been given a green light, the striking citation I agree with their verdict, there was nothing in it but the 'racism' (in quotes because I don't think he was intentionally being racist, I think it was a badly considered joke and it was taken that way by Lee) one seems pretty controversial.  As said, I think it was intended as a joke and I think everyone involved knows that but it was picked up on a mic and widely reported and therefore became bigger than that.  That World Rugby have asked the 6 Nations to explain the decision suggests that this might not be over because I think the credibility of the sport in regards to anti-racism is something that will be heavily considered.  It does mean that Marler and Lee will be, in my opinion, turned into pawns but a minimum 4 week ban (with the standard clause to reduce on 'character so probably 2-3 weeks) and a slap on the wrist would've seen it dealt with and should've been the verdict, something like:

"in reaching this decision we have taken in to consideration the intention behind the comments and his character and disciplinary record but we felt it necessary to remind the player of his responsibility as a professional sportsman and to ensure that we remain committed to opposing racism in all forms."

[Richard E]

I'm just trying to imagine what the reaction would have been from the rugby fraternity and the tabloids if an England footballer had punched someone during a match and made a potentially racist comment. 

[Dante Lavelli]

Excited by this.  Scotland v Ireland was a great warm up, a cracker in fact (the score should have been closer imo). 
Now the main event.

[paul_e]

Owens has got that penalty against Itoje wrong, should've been the other way for holding on, Itoje's initial shape and position was perfect.

[paul_e]

Brown shows again why I don't rate him, Watson should've been in to score under the posts there but instead he threw it away into midfield.

[DaveD]

Care makes up for a couple of piss poor box kicks

[paul_e]

Sucker punch that but it's fucking awful defence from France.

[Dante Lavelli]

Agree with both of those posts Paul-e.  Brown lacks awareness.

That said, I was about to slag Care off on here for his poor box kicks and then he snipes a try under the posts.

[paul_e]

I don't think you can give Care all that much credit, a gap that wide 25 yards out I suspect any professional 9 scores.  I'm not belittling him scoring but it was an absolute gift.

That Trinh-Duc injury is nasty, not sure it needed 2 replays.

[PaulWinch again]

Very open game this.

[paul_e]

Fair play to Dan Cole but should be disallowed, definite blocking.

[paul_e]

Another appalling box kick, Care, despite the try, has been poor.

[PaulWinch again]

Giving away careless penalites at the moment. We need to get our heads together.

[Dante Lavelli]

could be a crucial 3 points here.  12-20 feels a significantly better than 12-17.