It looks to me like a stamina issue for the French. Plus their scrum was really creaking. I still make them favourites but it’s quite an open tournament this year.
Rugby 2020 discussion
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Well as soon I as I saw the squad and then starting 15 I had a feeling this would happen. Picking 6 locks and only 5 back rows with no specialist 8 in the squad of 35 is incredibly stupid. Earl, Simmons and Dombrant all young and having great seasons at 8 not picked. Then moving one of England biggest weapons Curry/Underhill to 7/8 to fit in a lock Lawes at 6 who's never look good in that position for England was also stupid. England are spoilt for choice in the back row so pick and lock at flanker is so bad. Pickings Ewels at lock was also odd to me he's ok but far better options available. Then continuing to pick Youngs/Heinz at 9 who both have been past it for a while now and will be 35/38 at next the world cup.
Gutted about Scotland on Saturday, we really did lose that game more than Ireland won it. Hogg dropping the ball and so many errors near the try line was disappointing.
Thought France were brilliant in defence and England really poor in first half. Few players were really bad for England and you can tell they hugely miss the Vunipola's.
All in all enjoyed the first weekend, just sincerely hope Scotland can improve against England next weekend, although I also doubt England will be that poor again...
Thought France were brilliant in defence and England really poor in first half. Few players were really bad for England and you can tell they hugely miss the Vunipola's.
All in all enjoyed the first weekend, just sincerely hope Scotland can improve against England next weekend, although I also doubt England will be that poor again...
I know he had a brain fart at the end but Dupont is some player.
So good. In the best tradition of French 9s.
I thought when Teddy Thomas got a bit tired his defensive duties went out the window. I think if he improves his defensive side he could be different class.
ARU has lost their deal with Fox sports to televise the Super Rugby. Allegedly the deal was worth 50 million AUD a year. The issue of course is that given the state of Rugby in Australia, they will be luck to get 10-20 million per season.
This pretty much puts the nail in the coffin of Rugby Union in Australia at the professional level.
This pretty much puts the nail in the coffin of Rugby Union in Australia at the professional level.
Terrible news. Tahs tooks a beating today as well in front of their lowest ever crowd. Sad to see
Well it has been pissing with rain is NSW over the last few days but even so the crowd was alarming. It was a crowd you'd expect when an SA team rolls into town. The game's problems are being laid bare. The Tahs result was embarrassing in that the Auckland Blues are decent at best even though people like George Gregan will talk them up because they're a Kiwi team.
Expecting a very close game today at Ireland. Not sure it will be loads of points with the conditions.
Yep potentially going to be fairly rotten. The wind is starting to really pick up here in the west now.
I've a bad feeling that we are going to get smashed today. We were good with ball in hand against Scotland but had very little of the ball. Can't et away with that against Wales. I'm happy to see Farrell try to change things but the lack of Cooney at 9 (best 9 in Europe this year) and the lack of bringing in Deegan for Doris is an absolute joke. I love Murray but he needs a kick in the arse at this stage. He's the 3rd best 9 on performances this season in Ireland.
Need to sort out the scrum because that's a disgrace to lose it on their line.
Desperately need James Lowe to be begged to play for us. Stockdale needs to get his act together.
Murray didn't assist in the tackle. Poite is the luckiest guy in the World because he consistently knows nothing about rugby.
Deserved try for Ireland, been a horrible start from us. Tompkins looked good last week but he's started badly here.
Should be 15 points up on the positions we have had. I don't understand how Leinster can make this shit count but Ireland can't.
Embarrassing to be losing to such a shite team. Dominated but can't make it count. I'd thought we'd lose earlier but having seen how useless Wales are I can't accept losing to them.
Got to wrap up their hands when we are tackling. God I can't wait for Dan Leavy to come back. VDF is alright but he's a bit brain dead in defence at times.
Kelleher should be starting hooker. Don't care how young he is when he's clearly better than the rest.
Terrible half from Ireland. No point dominating if you put it on the scoreboard. The 'grand slam' champions are utterly shite but unfortunately we'll likely give them the win in the second half. England are the only true 'top' team in this years competition.
Horrible first half. Defence has been ok, created a lot of turnovers I guess but Ireland deserve to be ahead by more. Their kicking game in particular has been so strong.
You are the champions but you are shite. You'll win this game only because Ireland are even worse. I like Wales so it depresses me to think England are the only real good team in the NH right now. As you said a 'good' team is 20 points up now but we are absolutely useless.Horrible first half. Defence has been ok, created a lot of turnovers I guess but Ireland deserve to be ahead by more. Their kicking game in particular has been so strong.
Cheer up Kidbob.
I wish! 
We're playing like shite right now, sure. Was the quotation marks around grand slam I was rolling my eyes at.
Ah I see mate, apologies I wasn't trying to downplay your achievements from last year. Sorry for that again.
Rugby's VAR is just infinitely better than football's cloak and dagger bullshìt.
Again stupid from Poite there. No clear grounding but he gave the try. Harsh on Wales.
Fair enough. Do think if you play like this in the rest of your games, you've got a decent shot especially since England have already dropped one game.
Hearing the ref/TMO makes all the difference.
The only issue is french referees.
Honestly can't see it. I think we are a couple of years away from a top level again. If we won the whole thing this year I think it would be more about everyone else being bad or underperforming than us being good. Probably the same for Wales in getting used to a new coach. I think we are both capable of being good, with the players both teams have, but are both a bit of time away from being that way consistently.
Surely there are some good ones?
We haven't spotted them yet.
Romain Poite doesn't understand rugby. Shit for both teams.
Worst part about him, he's so bad but I can't complain about him screwing us or anything cos he screws everyone.
It's weirdly almost fair because he screws both teams. The VDF try shouldn't have been given, for example, because there was no grounding that could be seen at all.
Murray has done brilliantly today so I'm happy to eat my words.
Conway massively deserves that.
Definitely, he's a great player and does his job with no frills.