The Rugby Thread

[Big Boy]

The 6N at least for this year is on the BBC and ITV, so with a VPN you should be able to get it BB?

Oh, right, when Pete said not televised, I was expecting that to be across board. However, I still find the VPN for streaming live football quite limited (other stuff is fine), so it might still not be all good news.

[pharvey]

^ Best of luck - in watching obviously, not for the results!!

[404cameljockey]

Six Nations approaches , hopefully going to be one of the most competitive for ages, makes selection for the Lions even more interesting.

1 It's
2 Too
3 Early
4 To
5 Predict
6 Wales

(posting for a friend)

[pharvey]

^ Yeah, yeah... We may just surprise everyone!

[pharvey]

Just as an add-on, the "6 Nations U20's Tournament" kicks off tonight with Ireland playing host to England: -

Thursday 30.01
Ireland U20 vs England U20 (KO 7:45pm (UK) - Shown Live on BBC iPlayer/S4C).

Friday 31.01
Scotland U20 vs Italy U20 (KO 7:15pm (UK) - Shown Live on BBC iPlayer/S4C).
France U20 vs Wales U20 (KO 8:15pm (UK) - Shown Live on BBC iPlayer/S4C/ITV/ITVX/STV).

[PeteC]

The yearly problem with the 6 Nations here is that it's not televised on the normal TRUE rugby channel, meaning you need a subscription to something to view it, or pick it up after the fact on YouTube or similar. TRUE will start showing the Super Rugby season about at the same time.

CORRECTION ON THIS: This year TRUE is televising all the matches live on channel 669. Replays as well later in the day and for a few days afterwards.

[Dannie Boy]

I suppose it’s not a good idea to talk about the Welsh Rugby Team

[404cameljockey]

I suppose it’s not a good idea to talk about the Welsh Rugby Team

I think you'll find no tears, just sad resignation! A match report will be a tough assignment for our boy from the valleys.

[pharvey]

I suppose it’s not a good idea to talk about the Welsh Rugby Team

I think you'll find no tears, just sad resignation! A match report will be a tough assignment for our boy from the valleys.

No it's not and yes it will be!!

[Dannie Boy]

Well just be positive - I’m sure that next weeks result against Italy will be better!!

[dtaai-maai]

But it's not all doom and gloom, I understand pharvey has been drafted into the squad for next week's game.

[pharvey]

But it's not all doom and gloom, I understand pharvey has been drafted into the squad for next week's game.

Not quite true (but thankyou for the acknowledgment DM ), I've simply been asked to advise on my "Side Step" and literally "Invisible Foot Actions" - something we Welsh are missing at No. 10 these days

Well just be positive - I’m sure that next weeks result against Italy will be better!!

I'm certainly positive with the Forwards, but if we don't change 10,12,13 (and Howley at Coach or his direction), we can't possibly move forward.

I think you'll find no tears, just sad resignation! A match report will be a tough assignment for our boy from the valleys.

No, no real tears, but not "Just a sad resignation" either. There is still a way forward... As for my "Non-biased Report" - My appologies, it's long

France vs Wales 43-0

The embarrassment of being "Nilled" for the first time in the history of the 6 Nations, added to a 13th straight loss is pretty devastating. The latter of course was expected against France in Paris - the favourites for the 6N Title vs the favourites for the Wooden Spoon. Being "Nilled" was not good however - and further on that is the WRU pissed off the now French Defence Coach Shaun Edwards.... The guy that helped Wales to MULTIPLE Grand Slams and Championships and the WRU treated like crap.

Well, my “Rugby Adversary” DM (amongst others) will disagree no doubt, but there were some pretty crappy decisions from the refereeing group. Of course, this had zero impact on the result (but possibly points scored (2 Tries)). Wales were dismantled by Dupont and a French team not at their best. We were clueless and ineffective at 10,12,13 (and their replacements) – selection and coaching (Gatland/Howley) must take the brunt there. Subsequently, the Back Three were constantly under pressure in defence and “Attack” is a word from years past. To make things even more depressing is a Scottish Center scoring a hattrick of tries is named Huw Jones!! Yes – he is Scottish DM , I’m not leaping at things….
To be fair, we were playing against a simply enormous pack (and some larger replacements), but fought our corner. Despite the stats, we did far better there than I truly predicted. We’re certainly not going to face a pack that size in other games…. Neither will England or Ireland (or any others). The Backrow did wonders quite frankly…
Changes at 10,12,13 have to be made – Anscombe (10) and Llewelyn (13) at least coming in. Can’t believe they were left out of the squad in the first place. I’ll stick with the pack as best we can, they gave their utmost and basically through injuries and complete lack of depth/players we have little choice in the Front Five. The Backrow did well IMHO.
An absolute pointless Red Card for Ntamack late on in the match did nothing but possibly stuff France in the coming weeks – what a tw@t. Perhaps the French still have that temperament which has proven to be their “Achcilies Heel” in the past?

Scotland vs Italy 31-19

I honestly thought it was going to be a repeat of France vs Wales after the first 15 minutes or so, with Italy being on the receiving end.
Italy seem to be minus a few players (will have to check), but they were lacking and out of sorts for the first 30-40 mins. Big come back from them in the 2nd Half (19-19 at one point), but this also to do with errors from Scotland and their “Co-Captain” Finn Russell. I’m a huge fan of the latter, but people (and commentators) need to remove their collective heads from his backside – he’s beginning to believe the hype!!

VDM and Scotland were cracking in the first half, but Italy came back well - Wales certainly need to put in a good display (and new backline) when facing these guys in Rome next week.

Ireland vs England 22-17

Not the way I thought the match was going to go and at 5 – 10 at Halftime, England deserved more of a lead. However, they capitulated in the 2nd Half and quite frankly didn’t deserve to be within 5 points of Ireland at Fulltime 22-17 or deserving of a Bonus Point (Though Curry did deserve his try for his contribution throughout).

The Lillywhites looked far better in defence than they did in 2024 with their then ludicrous attempt at the “Rush Defence” which simply didn’t work - Girly No Knob Smith played his bit (to an enjoyed DM) – some great moments but a needless Yellow Card. Ollie Lawrence had a great game for once throughout. New cap Murley, however had an absolute ‘mare – “Caught in the Headlights” of international rugby perhaps…? The Curry Twins in the Backrow did worders - full respect.

The Plastic Paddies were not the same side they have been in the last couple of years – something missing in the Front Row. Lowe on the wing was class as much as I hate to say it, but Ireland lost a lot with Prendergast at 10. Didn’t really bring the backline into play and didn’t kick well out of hand. Not too sure dropping him after 1 match is the best thing to do though for Ireland.

Next Up...

Hard to bet against the French. Absolutely enormous pack and an incredible Backline (though missing Ntamack at 10 for England). Wales MUST change things at 10,12,13, I don't think England will live with France, and Scotland do stand a chance (if team selections remain).... You never know!!

[dtaai-maai]

New cap Murley, however had an absolute ‘mare –

A 1-cap wonder, I fear, never to be seen again in an England shirt.

[pharvey]

New cap Murley, however had an absolute ‘mare –

A 1-cap wonder, I fear, never to be seen again in an England shirt.

I seem to remember a report saying he was injured which I can't I can't seem to find now - either way, he drops out of the squad entirely.

Will be interesting to see how Fin Smith does at 10 with dear little Marcus at 15 and Lawrence needs another big game in the Center. This of course means nothing if the Lillywhites don't get decent ball from that juggernaut of a French pack.

I don't have a clue what Gatland and co. are doing with their selection for Wales.... I just hope they do!! At least Faletau is back from injury though - his experience and skill level will be welcome... As will a fecking gameplan from the coaches!!

Anywho, some very decent rugby on again this weekend: -
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R2 of the 6N U20's will be kicking off this evening with England hosting France at Bath's Recreation Ground (KO 8pm, BBCiPlayer)

Italy U20 vs Wales U20 - Saturday 08/02 KO 2:15pm (BBCiPlayer, ITV, S4C)
Scotland U20 vs Ireland U20 - Saturday 08/02 KO 7:45pm (BBCiPlayer, RTE)

All Times Shown UK.

[dtaai-maai]

New cap Murley, however had an absolute ‘mare –

A 1-cap wonder, I fear, never to be seen again in an England shirt.

I seem to remember a report saying he was injured which I can't I can't seem to find now - either way, he drops out of the squad entirely.

Yes, I saw it too, but my first thought was how convenient. Maybe an attempt to save his blushes? It really was a truly dire performance.