International Rugby

[PaulWinch again]

Selecting Farrell as captain is a mistake from Borthwick. You can argue the merits of selecting him, but picking him as captain means he has to play. So you’re either saying Smith won’t play or Farrell plays in the centres, which just doesn’t feel right now.

[paul_e]

Selecting Farrell as captain is a mistake from Borthwick. You can argue the merits of selecting him, but picking him as captain means he has to play. So you’re either saying Smith won’t play or Farrell plays in the centres, which just doesn’t feel right now.

I agree, I just hope that Farrell, along with 2-3 others, have been kept as a leadership group whilst he settles others into the squad and we'll see them phased out. I doubt it'll be before the world cup though.

Either way there's still a decent chance Farrell doesn't start the first game at least because he won't have played for the best part of a month. He's actually very lucky to not have had a longer ban and to get 1 game dropped off with an awareness course, when you've made as many high tackles in your career as he has, to the point where it's become a meme, then it's weird to get that sort of leniency.


Oh and quick edit, Lawes is the obvious choice as captain for me (and first name on the team sheet).

[Villa Lew]

Eddie Jones new Australia head coach

[PaulWinch again]

Interesting that Marchant starts and Tuilagi isn’t in the squad.

[paul_e]

I'm mostly happy with the team but Farrell at 12 and Youngs on the bench bothers me still and I can't get behind how many tigers players are in given they've had a fucking awful season. This is the problem of changing coach so late, he just doesn't have time to reshape the squad.

[Villa Lew]

Ireland leading 27-3

[Brazilian Villain]

Ireland leading 27-3

I was a bit nervous about this one beforehand but Wales have been very poor.

[paul_e]

Ireland leading 27-3

I was a bit nervous about this one beforehand but Wales have been very poor.

I predicted (at my club) that Wales could finish bottom this 6N, they look in a lot of trouble. Ireland on the other hand should be one of the 4-5 in the mix to win the world cup.

[paul_e]

Good game so far but what the fuck was Dombrandt doing in defence for their 2nd? I'd be embarrassed to get done like that and I'm 43 and playing in the 9th tier.

Aside from that things are going about as I'd expect, looking a bit disjointed with new coaching and a few players who look like they're only in to keep some continuity. I reckon the team for next years 6N will look very different to this.

[Brazilian Villain]

Ireland leading 27-3

I was a bit nervous about this one beforehand but Wales have been very poor.

I predicted (at my club) that Wales could finish bottom this 6N, they look in a lot of trouble. Ireland on the other hand should be one of the 4-5 in the mix to win the world cup.

We'll know more next week after France, and then the Grand Slam decider against England on Paddy's weekend.

Very happy with a BP win in Cardiff no matter how poor they are given our recent record there.

Enjoying the Scotland-England game so far.

[paul_e]

Ireland leading 27-3

I was a bit nervous about this one beforehand but Wales have been very poor.

I predicted (at my club) that Wales could finish bottom this 6N, they look in a lot of trouble. Ireland on the other hand should be one of the 4-5 in the mix to win the world cup.

We'll know more next week after France, and then the Grand Slam decider against England on Paddy's weekend.

Very happy with a BP win in Cardiff no matter how poor they are given our recent record there.

Enjoying the Scotland-England game so far.

Of course, I think this will be the tightest 6N for years though, Italy look a much better side than they have for a while and everyone else looks like they can give anyone a game, except the welsh.

[PaulWinch again]

Oh dear.

[paul_e]

Oh dear.

Our attacking play has fallen apart since Youngs came on, everything is just too slow. I'm also not sure why you'd kick back like he did against a team that have shown they want to run it back every chance they get.

[PaulWinch again]

England’s start to the 6 Nations has been woeful for years now.

[PaulWinch again]

Fair play to Scotland, real quality and composure but again it’s weak from England.