Six Nations 2011

[redzonerocker]

In your excitement RZR you missed that I beat you to that one in my post - complete with !

i didn't miss it, i just added the score

despite the overall game being quite closely matched, the welsh attack was so toothless i wasn't really on the edge of my seat like i usually am when we play in cardiff.
i was unusually relaxed throughout the game, thinking the only way we would lose was if we made a mistake (which is always a possibility ).

i won't be getting carried away though, there won't be any easy games for anyone in this years tournament

[Arcadian]

Does anyone else remember the days of Cliff Morgan, Richard Sharpe, Dickie Jeeps, Marks and Currie and many others when 3 nil or 6 3 was often a result, and then only from penalties. The game is much more of a spectacle now.

[Jaime]

I don't remember those days but I am aware of them - remember that the origin of the word 'Try' in the game of rugby football is that getting over the line meant that you got to 'try' and kick a goal. Hence the term 'goal' for a converted try, which has fallen out of use in recent years. There were originally no points awarded for a try - just the opportunity to go for goal. It gives an indication of the original forward emphasis of the game some time before the era of Jeeps et al. Ironic given Wales' toothless backline on Friday that the 8 forwards and 7 backs format was originated in the late 19th century by Frank Hancock of Cardiff RFC and Wales..... Although he was born in England!

[richard]

Does anyone else remember the days of Cliff Morgan, Richard Sharpe, Dickie Jeeps, Marks and Currie and many others when 3 nil or 6 3 was often a result, and then only from penalties. The game is much more of a spectacle now.

All too well Sign of old age I guess

JPR was my hero

[redzonerocker]

Does anyone else remember the days of Cliff Morgan, Richard Sharpe, Dickie Jeeps, Marks and Currie and many others when 3 nil or 6 3 was often a result, and then only from penalties. The game is much more of a spectacle now.

bit before my time

i can just about remember the barry john, gareth edwards era.
now that was proper rugby team

[Arcadian]

I remember seeing an interview with Barry John and the reason he retired at his peak. He was so revered in Wales that a lady actually curtsied to him, that for him, was that.

[pharvey]

Barry John and family were very close friends of ''neihbours'' across the road from us in Porthcawl. Unfortunately for me (unlike my elder brothers), I was too young to remember his visits..... or more to the point, his rugby!! Of course, like many others we have the videos!!

I have however been extremely lucky in meeting some class players as a kid - I even played in a game of touch rugby against guys including the great (and late) Ray Gravell at Porthcawl RFC.......... and dislocated my fingers tackling the man!! Seriously, a great guy, wonderful player, ad a great, great loss to rugby.

As a family, we lived around 500m from the Seabank Hotel, where at the time all touring sides stayed..... New Zealand, Australia etc. My Grandfather also owned a small hotel, come B&B which some great Welsh players also frequented...... good, good times.

[Jaime]

Porthcawl, eh?

I suppose you know that there are 'big' development plans for Porthcawl...? How long you been away?

As for:

Of course, like many others we have the videos!!

You really are showing your age! 'Videos' indeed! (The correct spelling is vidyos btw )

Wales team announcement for Scotland game at 1pm GMT today btw.

[cookmanchef]

I have to say Jaime that to suggest that an Irish ref with a French father favoured England in a test match against Wales is really stretching it. We play against 16 in at least half of our matches especially when Owens, Rolland, Dickinson or Poite are officiating.

[richard]

The ENGLAND grand slam is on course

Italy massacred

[Big Boy]

Yes, quite a reflection on how poor Ireland must have been last week.

[lindosfan1]

I think the main danger is the french.but we play them at Twickenham which puts the odds in our favour.

[pharvey]

Very promissing 1st quarter, twin muppets yellow carded in 2nd quarter, but Wales keep Scotland to 3 points.... 3 vs 16 HT

Scrappy, dire, pretty bl**dy clueless at times in the 2nd half, but a WIN!!! Finally, 1st win in 9 games..... Scotland 6 vs Wales 24

Congrats to the Lillywhites on their demolition of Italy..... couldn't get a stream so didn't see how either side really played.

Oh well, Wales will just have to take the tournament on points difference this season

[Jaime]

I have to say Jaime that to suggest that an Irish ref with a French father favoured England in a test match against Wales is really stretching it.

Ha ha nice one Cookie! Is that the best you can do? I didn't suggest that Rolland was biased - just incompetent! Failure to referee the same infringements consistently whilst taking account of field position is the bane of rugby. Never mind - Match of the Day is on for you in half an hour....

We play against 16 in at least half of our matches especially when Owens, Rolland, Dickinson or Poite are officiating.

Awww... and I thought it was us Celts with the persecution complex and chips on our shoulders....

Fair play though, the 'best scrummaging side in the world' really took it to the Italians today. I really thought the Azzuri would put up a much better showing but England were just too powerful all round for them and are on a roll. I just hope the Italians haven't had their one good game for this season against Ireland and that they continue to develop and improve to make the Six Nations even more competitive - not until after they play Wales though!

Well done to Wales today as well. An immense defensive performance - which is in itself a bit worrying as Scotland had so much of the ball in the second half. However, the Scots were forced into error after error by very aggressive Welsh tackling and counter rucking. The centres were superb, as were Lydiate and Man of the Match Warburton.

Which brings me back to refereeing inconsistencies - I agree that Byrne should have gone but Bradley Davies' yellow carding was as a result of conceding a penalty which was the FIRST that Wales had committed in the whole match! Don't think I've ever seen that before and Scotland had prevented three or four phases 'in the danger zone' in the lead up to that before even getting a warning. And why didn't Southwell go? Tackling a player in the air is a yellow card every time. Maybe Clancy felt sorry for him after he ran into Byrne's boot!

[JimmyGreaves]

I think the main danger is the french.but we play them at Twickenham which puts the odds in our favour.

Nah, Ireland won't let you win in Dublin. It's been a few years since you beat us and we should have a few more players back by then :-)