Six Nations 2007

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It begins again. Leinster and Munster both on poor form this past while but we have a young David Wallace and Isaac Boss waiting in the wings. Paul O'Connell is in good form and hopefully Brian O'Driscoll will remain injury free. All in all, feels like a good year for Ireland.

So come on people of the 5 future runners up, tell me how you think that you stand a chance compared to Ireland?

― Kv_nol (Kv_nol), Thursday, 25 January 2007 14:45 (nineteen years ago)

I fancy England's recent poor performance to improve. We should at least be more entertaining to watch under Ashton. Third, I reckon. We're better than Scotland and Italy (though not by much, and they should both be close games) and you're never sure which version of Wales is going to turn up. Can't see past Ireland at the moment (though ~~Ireland B~~Leicester's win in Munster bodes well for the England forwards)

― Matt (Matt), Thursday, 25 January 2007 14:59 (nineteen years ago)

As the representative of the Italian camp, I should say that THIS IS OUR YEAR. Fear us, o traditional rugby-playing countries, or we will smite you!

― === temporary username === (Mark C), Thursday, 25 January 2007 15:00 (nineteen years ago)

x-post to Kvn. Well you've got 3 away games, but 2 of them are Scotland and Italy, which obv you'll win. Wales is your other away game and I think you'll lose to us - narrowly. France at home is your other tough test, but they haven't travelled well recently.

I see Flannery is fit again - he's a nasty little sod and I think will strengthen your pack. Boss looked good the one time I saw him (vs Australia in the autumn?) and looks a much better bet now than Peter (the worst international to get 50 caps) Stringer. I hope the refs enforce the scrummaging laws to make sure your two cheating props don't continue to get away with murder, but I don't think they will.

Wales will beat Italy and Scotland, could beat Ireland, England and France, but I think will only win 1 or 2 of those.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Thursday, 25 January 2007 15:00 (nineteen years ago)

Flannery is a monster, brilliant on the old line outs! Unfortunately he's going to be injury-shy so I doubt we'll see him getting involved in any of the major rucks which will be a major weakness. I have high hopes for Murphy as well.

Wales seem to have lost Shanklin and Williams which will make it all the harder for them to perform which is unfortunate as I always support them as well!

Ah now, Stringer it must be said was a little weak, but since he bulked up and learned that he can't tackle everything he's improved no end. My bugbear has always been O'Gara but that's less to do with his playing (which I amn't a huge fan of, he can't complete a pass for toffee) but a commentator here called Ryl3 Nug3nt who sounds like he's playing with himself whenever O'Gara is near. It has gotten to the stage where I can only watch the matches on BBC and switch back to RTE for the pundits.

I shall ignore the untrue and frankly slanderous comment about our props, thank you!

It's great that it's the last match (iirc) meaning that it'll add even more excitement to proceedings!

Mark C, many years ago ('01 I think) I saw Italy play Ireland in Flaminio. While the team were crap the fans were great, I don't think I've ever enjoyed being at a match so much. The healthy margin of victory helped of course!

― Kv_nol (Kv_nol), Thursday, 25 January 2007 16:08 (nineteen years ago)

Yes Shane Williams is out. We really have no other wingers, so expect to see some backs starting out of position. Shanks is not definitely out - he's missing the Cardiff game this wkend though.

I think the problem with Stringer is his appalling pass, which has never seemed to get any faster, longer, more accurate.

It's the last match of the FIRST weekend.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Thursday, 25 January 2007 16:13 (nineteen years ago)

haha I'm playing
fantasy six nations but
I do not know shit!

― Haikunym (Haikunym), Thursday, 25 January 2007 16:28 (nineteen years ago)

france will win, england,
wales, scots to disappoint,
ireland anyone?

― to scour or to pop? (Haberdager), Thursday, 25 January 2007 16:31 (nineteen years ago)

Stringer's passing isn't the worst by any means! It's fairly low down on my list of faults. He's great for the odd stolen try.

Damn my inaccurate speed reading of papers! It'll still be exciting.

(xxpost)

― Kv_nol (Kv_nol), Thursday, 25 January 2007 16:35 (nineteen years ago)

Boss is better now anyway, I reckon. Your pack looks very useful as always. O'Driscoll and Trimble apart I don't rate the backs. D'Arcy looks busy, but goes sideways.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Thursday, 25 January 2007 16:38 (nineteen years ago)

Boss is fantastic! A lot bigger than Stringer and just as keen to get stuck in.

Regarding our backs I can't Girvan Dempsey and Denis Hickie are in fine form! Horgan's a bit slow but strong. Geordan Murphy used to be a contendah but now, I dunno... Seems less focussed. Could be just that he hasn't seen enough action. Our coach is particularly cold when it comes to players who have headed across the water to play. That and player's wages are paid by the IRFU or something. Anyway, it's all very complicated and I'm sure someone's making lots of money somewhere along the line!

― Kv_nol (Kv_nol), Thursday, 25 January 2007 16:49 (nineteen years ago)

Looks like Thompson could be missing for a couple of matches.

How hard is it to get tickets in the other 5 nations? Here they're like gold dust! We are now using (for the first time garrison sports are to be played on the hallowed republican grounds etc.) Croke Park and I'll be damned if I don't get to see a match there!

― Kv_nol (Kv_nol), Friday, 26 January 2007 09:30 (eighteen years ago)

Thompson - England hooker? Even though he's crap he's the best they have, so could be a blow. The big problem for England is who the number 10 shirt. Hodgson out, too early for Wilko, Goode appalling, Flood and Gerahty untried.

To get tickets for Wales or England games you need to be a member of a rugby club really.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Friday, 26 January 2007 09:39 (eighteen years ago)

Sorry, yes the hooker. Well at least they have the choice of two anyway! What's interesting for us is that we have a new generation, as it were, pushing through while the older team is still doing well. We're getting spoiled for choice!

The same set up here and even then it's not much of a guarantee sadly enough. I've a friend who gets them through the London Irish. I was tempted to join one here but won't. I think you have the same breed of people, kind of like hooray henry's but worse! That said, I'd love to have gone to the Ireland v France match *sigh*

― Kv_nol (Kv_nol), Friday, 26 January 2007 09:44 (eighteen years ago)

You have to be careful to join a club which doesn't have many hooray henrys. I rarely go to internationals because my club is so far down the pecking order that they get a couple of tickets a year at best. I only get tickets if someone with a better source gets them for me.

― Dr. C (Dr. C), Friday, 26 January 2007 10:03 (eighteen years ago)

I think that the problem is with the hooray henrys is that they so rarely go to matches but still get tickets. They make all this fuss about going and then get leathered around the corner (Baggot Street and it's environs here, for example). Drives me spare!

― Kv_nol (Kv_nol), Friday, 26 January 2007 11:29 (eighteen years ago)

I miss going to internationals - my Dad (an ex Welsh International himself, a very long time ago) always used to manage to get tickets for the Wales games. Or at least, he always managed to get us *in* to the matches, even without tickets :) I haven't been to a match since he died.

Cracking Wales v Ireland match on telly yesterday though I am wearing a black armband today, natch.

― C J (C J), Monday, 5 February 2007 09:10 (eighteen years ago)

Wales were fantastic! The fans were seriously loud, poor Best!

O'Gara should be shot, try or no try! Didn't get to watch the other matches (except the first half of England v Scotland. What an awful scoreline for Scotland)but I hear France were wobbly which leads me to feel a teensy bit of confidence. O'Gara out though, what a woejus game.

― Kv_nol (Kv_nol), Monday, 5 February 2007 09:30 (eighteen years ago)

Fuck a Jonny Wilkinson.

That is all.

― ailsa (ailsa), Monday, 5 February 2007 18:27 (eighteen years ago)

Fair nuff... The Commentator went on and on about Wilkinson I can only imagine how painful that was if the match wasn't going well. It is important to mention that I am not being patronising! It would piss me off no end as well!

― Kv_nol (Kv_nol), Monday, 5 February 2007 18:55 (eighteen years ago)

Apparently we shouldn't mind that his foot was in touch when he scored that "try", because he's a national fucking hero and that. Coming back from injury and kicking one vital drop goal once apparently gives you a free pass on breaking the rules the rest of the time.

(we were getting horsed anyway, but losing random extra points just for being up against a noble and bruised and battered returning hero kind of sucks. ~~also I'm just jealous~~)

― ailsa (ailsa), Monday, 5 February 2007 19:06 (eighteen years ago)

I hate that kind of thing! Time to resurrect that England Flags thread and have a good rant!

― Kv_nol (Kv_nol), Monday, 5 February 2007 19:51 (eighteen years ago)

Haha :-/

― ailsa (ailsa), Monday, 5 February 2007 19:54 (eighteen years ago)

tournament decider, this, and it's been a cracker. France snatching it at the very last in the most dramatic of circumstances...

― to scour or to pop? (Haberdager), Sunday, 11 February 2007 16:51 (eighteen years ago)

So who is up for this then? Ireland shall win. It is our destiny. France will probably conquer as well. If Dr. C. is still about what are your predictions?

― kv_nol, Thursday, 22 February 2007 10:27 (eighteen years ago)

I think it will be pretty close between England and Ireland - no doubt I will be getting into an argument with my irish boyfriend at some point...

I'm not sure what the other matches are this weekend. I have a soft spot for France and am sure they will win their match

― markco, Thursday, 22 February 2007 11:41 (eighteen years ago)

If he is Irish then he is right. I'm sorry, that is just the way it it. Have the English press made any fuss about God Save the Queen being played in Croke Park? It's fairly heated the debate about it here for all these depressing reasons and yet I can see everyone's side. V sad altogether.

France are all bastards and should be shot. This is nothing to do with the robbery two weeks ago. Nothing at all. Okay, it's all about that. Bastards.

― kv_nol, Thursday, 22 February 2007 17:25 (eighteen years ago)

Have the English press made any fuss about God Save the Queen being played in Croke Park?

Not that I've seen but rugby in the news makes me glaze over a bit. I suspect if my best mate wasn't a rugby nut - eponymous grandson of legendary Wales captain, so fair enough - I'd only have a passing interest. Though Italy's presence has definitely perked me up - and when the year comes that we actually have a chance of winning the damn thing I'm sure I'll immerse myself even more.

― Mark C, Thursday, 22 February 2007 17:32 (eighteen years ago)

I think Oirland will beat England, regardless of whether Wilkinson and Robinson are fit. If they can spin it out to the backs often enough they'll score tries. On the other hand if they try and keep it tight, that will favour England.

Wales will lose narrowly to France. We have a good record in Paris - 3 wins out of the last 4 IIRC, but I am quite liking the look of the nu-France. It's a bit more pragmatic and less flamboyant than the France we're used to, but they're linking forwards and backs better than they often do. I like the look of Mignoni at scrum half. Wales have picked a decent pack - thank god Sidoli is replaced by Gough, and the props needed to change after the Scotland debacle - but I worry about our ability to get through the defence.

Scotland will beat Italy.

― Dr.C, Friday, 23 February 2007 11:14 (eighteen years ago)

<i>Oirland</i> ?

thatsracist.jpg

The Wales match should be exciting! I hope they win anyway, serve the French right!

Why so sure about Scotland v Italy?

― kv_nol, Friday, 23 February 2007 11:33 (eighteen years ago)

Sorry.

― Dr.C, Friday, 23 February 2007 11:36 (eighteen years ago)

― markco, Friday, 23 February 2007 11:47 (eighteen years ago)

England - Ireland - prolly the Irish. And well, I do feel a bit sad for them for not winning against France and hope they will finish second :p

France - Wales - France to win, but it will be a close match. For some reason I kinda expect Wales to score a try after a French fuckup in defense, though I have no clue as to why that is

― Jibe, Friday, 23 February 2007 11:57 (eighteen years ago)

[i]There has been minor fuss in the media re the national anthem brouhaha - it seems a bit ott to me as it is in the context of a sporting event where anthem playing is fairly well established. I wonder if all the countries in eastern europe get arsey when the german or austrian anthem is played at a footy match? [i/]

Someone explained this to me the other day.. There are a couple of tricky things about it. One is that the match is taking place at Croke Park - home of Proper Irish Sports (ie specifically not rugby or football) - which has caused a bit of a fuss in itself. The other is that Croke Park was the scene of the first Bloody Sunday..

And yes of course, those days are gone [i]but[i/].. Mix the above factors, throw in 20,000 England fans singing God Save The Queen in the stands and - well, it's going to take some swallowing, isn't it?

― Nicholas Passant, Friday, 23 February 2007 12:04 (eighteen years ago)

(ha - see how I mock yr formatting rules)

― Nicholas Passant, Friday, 23 February 2007 12:06 (eighteen years ago)

You like rugby, Nick? Am I wrong to be surprised?

― Mark C, Friday, 23 February 2007 12:11 (eighteen years ago)

How do you think I got my face?

― Nicholas Passant, Friday, 23 February 2007 12:17 (eighteen years ago)

Oh right, that is all a lot clearer re the anthem controversy. I hope their isn't any trouble at the match anyway

I have heard that both wilkinson and robinson are injured so I think Ireland will win after all :(

― markco, Friday, 23 February 2007 13:39 (eighteen years ago)

Andy Murray! Alexander Graham Bell! Stet! Lady Macbeth! Sean Connery! The Queen Mother! Colin & Justin! Your boys etc. etc.

― Mark C, Saturday, 24 February 2007 16:48 (eighteen years ago)

Wow. Just wow.

― Penelope, Saturday, 24 February 2007 19:48 (eighteen years ago)

"Ireland" and "win" in the same sentence!

― SeekAltRoute, Saturday, 24 February 2007 20:18 (eighteen years ago)

haha, I got into the pub at ten past three and looked at the TV and, um, it was not pleasant. Italy? WTF?

― ailsa, Sunday, 25 February 2007 10:58 (eighteen years ago)

Well I didn't expect the comedy start by Scotland, but well done Italy! Mauro Bergamasco, Troncon, Scanavacca and the whole pack were magnificent. Has there ever been a more awful performance by a fly-half than Godman's?

Also terrific performance by Ireland - every player did his job.

Wales? I'm not TOO disheartened. 3 tries in Paris is good. The backs looked more lively with Shane and Shanks back. Stephen Jones still kicking away a lot of posession, but again the pack had their arses soundly kicked. What the hell happened to the hard-scrummaging pack of 2005? Milloud and Mas (and Marconnet later)had our front-row heading upwards and backwards at virtually every scrum. Is it the props, or is it the second rows? Whatever - we have to get this sorted before the Italy game or I fear we could get humped again. And the line-out - Rees is even worse than Thomas and clearly coudn't hit a cow's arse with a banjo. Do they ever practice?

― Dr.C, Sunday, 25 February 2007 12:21 (eighteen years ago)

There has been minor fuss in the media re the national anthem brouhaha - it seems a bit ott to me as it is in the context of a sporting event where anthem playing is fairly well established. I wonder if all the countries in eastern europe get arsey when the german or austrian anthem is played at a footy match?

It's very different. The stadium was built as a reaction to 'garrison [ie foreign] sports'. Nicholas Passant OTM basically. Markco in my bad books now, especially as Italy played so well and we're up against them in a couple of weeks!

It went well though, no booing in my pub and no aggro at any point. Total carnival atmosphere afterwards, Dublin was manic. Terrific fun altogether. Ireland played like I've never seen before and that cross pitch kick was just sexy rugby!

Wales did well! Scotland oth: Oh dear. Ireland is in a very uncomfortable position of facing a team that need to redeem themselves (Scotland) and another team that are on a high (Italy).

That said, best try in the 6 Nations this year? I think either that one or Boss at the very end. Strettle is v good altogether! Will watch out for him in future, he was everywhere on that pitch.

― kv_nol, Monday, 26 February 2007 14:35 (eighteen years ago)

I do understand the whole Croke Park thing now - though there was a foreign match there the other week when France BEAT Ireland ha ha.

Yes, well that is all the gloating I can do - we watched the match in a v old-fashioned irish bar in mixed english /irish group and it was very very embarrassing. I did think Ireland would win but i never thought they would totally kick Eng's arse.

― markco, Monday, 26 February 2007 14:49 (eighteen years ago)

Ireland were really awesome on Saturday...I've never seen an Irish team tackle so well or turnover possession so well. To do it against England made it all the more surprising.

And yeah, that Horgan try...unbelievable! Almost Gallic!

― Ronan, Monday, 26 February 2007 15:18 (eighteen years ago)

I do understand the whole Croke Park thing now - though there was a foreign match there the other week when France BEAT Ireland

Foreign was probably not the best choice of words but this is not the thread for the clarification (though I am amazed there needs to be any!) required.

― kv_nol, Monday, 26 February 2007 15:31 (eighteen years ago)

two weeks pass...

IT'S DOWN TO THE WIRE PEOPLE!

CAN YOU FEEEEEEEL IT?????

Bets please? I have to watch with same French friend. I will try not to kill him should we lose. NO PROMISES!

Was actually at a pub quizz last week and the question was: who scored the winning try against ireland in the France match. We answered "a bastard". Don't think we got the point though.

― kv_nol, Thursday, 15 March 2007 11:58 (eighteen years ago)

Don't talk to me about the fucking 6 nations. At least we'll beat England on Saturday.

― Dr.C, Thursday, 15 March 2007 11:59 (eighteen years ago)

Wales did not have a good one, sorry Dr. C. I'm bricking it about Italy, they are on fire at the moment! France need to fuck up again, please Scotland prove yourselves more than a joke in this tournament...*

*NB this is a joke. Ireland were beyond lucky last week. I know this, Ireland knows this and Scotland DEFINITELY knows this.

― kv_nol, Thursday, 15 March 2007 12:07 (eighteen years ago)

How do you decide which team wins the Six Nations if England, France and Ireland win their games? Three winners or is it like football with goal difference or rather score diff? Also, France please do not fuck up again I've had enough of watching teams im rooting for being defeated last week, thanks in advance.

― Jibe, Thursday, 15 March 2007 12:10 (eighteen years ago)

More info.

― kv_nol, Thursday, 15 March 2007 12:25 (eighteen years ago)

yes, it's score difference, so it's highly unlikely england will take the crown even assuming ireland and france win by 2 points each england would still have to put about 40 past wales, which seems unlikely...

also, and i apologise to my scottish friends here, the first 6 minutes of Scotland v Italy was the FUNNIEST sporting thing i've ever witnessed.

― CarsmileSteve, Thursday, 15 March 2007 12:28 (eighteen years ago)

I'm bricking it about Italy, they are on fire at the moment!

I'd love to agree with you but Scotland's "here, we'll give you a 21-point head start" and Wales's inability to tell the time were responsible for our two victories. Ireland are a class apart, and I reckon something like 30-13 is more likely.

― Mark C, Thursday, 15 March 2007 12:46 (eighteen years ago)

Much as I'd love to believe (and trust me, I do) I can't help but feel that our team will throw it away. It wouldn't be the first time they've bottled it at an important match.

― kv_nol, Thursday, 15 March 2007 12:48 (eighteen years ago)

No, Ireland will win. You're probably the equal of the Italian pack (also remember Bergamasco senior is out, along with Castrogiovanni, their best prop) and far superior in the backs. O'Gara is I think overrated, but can control a game. Neither Pez nor Scanavacca can really dictate the game well enough.

Wales-England. If it was away, I'd say England, but I think that we'll just be able to hold on at home. It requires a massive effort from the pack though - so far we have been lightweight at winning and retaining ball. I'm counting on them to show enough pride to avoid the whitewash. James Hook at 10 is a good move.

― Dr.C, Thursday, 15 March 2007 12:57 (eighteen years ago)

O'Gara is I think overrated, but can control a game

He also is finding it nigh on impossible to find touch! Also plz 2 note Jonny Wilkinson!

No, I know we stand a good chance against Italy but it's the points I would like, I would love to 'steal' the six nations back from France after that try!

Wales will win. I'd actually bet on it, I'm so sure!

― kv_nol, Thursday, 15 March 2007 13:14 (eighteen years ago)

Looking dodgy at half-time but a riotous second half from Ireland.

― Matt, Saturday, 17 March 2007 15:11 (eighteen years ago)

come on Scotland/Ireland! so close...

Wales will win. I'd actually bet on it, I'm so sure!

what is it about their 0pts so far in the tournament that gives you so much confidence?! I honestly can't call it, more because of how Wales are playing at the moment that anything to do with England, but I have to admit, I would derive a certain satisfaction from us handing the wooden spoon to the Welsh.

― Roberto Spiralli, Saturday, 17 March 2007 17:09 (eighteen years ago)

NOOOOO!!

poor old Ireland. they didn't deserve that.

this is getting on to be the craziest day of sport EVER! i'll be scouring youtube later for Paul Robinson's freekick goal.

― Roberto Spiralli, Saturday, 17 March 2007 17:15 (eighteen years ago)

OUI!!!!!!!!!

― baaderonixx, Saturday, 17 March 2007 17:29 (eighteen years ago)

Hell yeah!! Go France! Well deserved victory, nail-biting end (that try where they needed video-ref, I was so anxio... ok i wasn't, i was explaining rugby rules to a Brazilian sitting next to me at the bar), sorry Ireland it just wasn't your year.

― Jibe, Saturday, 17 March 2007 18:44 (eighteen years ago)

Ireland should have kicked the penalty in the dying mins against Italy. Tho it's easy to say that in hindsight.

― Ronan, Saturday, 17 March 2007 18:45 (eighteen years ago)

I didn't see the Ireland match. Did thay play a penalty instead of kicking it? Anyways, if they taken that kick and made it, France and Ireland would be tied right? Would that mean they'd tie for first place?

― Jibe, Saturday, 17 March 2007 18:52 (eighteen years ago)

Well...not quite. The game was over and we ran a penalty looking for another try while 31 points up. If we'd kicked the penalty we'd have been 34 points up. We lost possession and conceded a try which Italy converted, so we lost 10 points on that decision. Easy to say afterwards of course.

If it was a points tie Ireland would have won since they'd scored more tries. To be honest it wasn't today that France won the 6 Nations by pipping Ireland in the dying seconds!

― Ronan, Saturday, 17 March 2007 19:10 (eighteen years ago)

What did I say, eh?

WALES!!!

― Dr.C, Sunday, 18 March 2007 10:14 (eighteen years ago)

Ronan O'Gara should be shot. I've said it before and I'm sure I'll say it again. He dropped so many vital points. Three conversions and a couple of spots but that end. Could France please stop thieving tries in the last few seconds of injury time? Fuck's sake, I am gutted I have to say.

Couldn't bring myself to watch Wales Dr. C, I take it they were in flying form. Good on them!

― kv_nol, Sunday, 18 March 2007 13:27 (eighteen years ago)

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