Aftermath

Losing with dignity

Very disappointed with David Strettle. He hasn’t stopped bellyaching about not being given the try and two of his comments border on extreme whinging. The epoitome of the whinging pom!

“the strange thing for me was that I was hoping the touch judge might have seen it because our physio was standing next to him and he says it was grounded.”

Get real son. You don’t expect your team Physio to say the opposite. Is he really suggesting that the Touch Judge should have asked the team Physio?

“If its inconclusive you have to go with the attacking team.”

Since when? If its inconclusive its no try. PERIOD. You could argue Walsh should have gone back for the penalty but he did the same to Wales 6 minutes earlier when he indicated a penalty and then 1 minute later allowed England to clear the line without ever saying “advantage over”. Grow up.

Strettle - you demean your team’s great performance and you shame the famous shirt you are wearing. This isn’t football so lets just grow up and move on. You lost.

Are we watching the same game?

It never ceases to amaze me how “professional” journalists or pundits can watch the same game or group of players and can rate players poles apart. Take the epic England v Wales encounter at Twickenham last Saturday. A fabulous game kept both sets of supporters interested and it wouldn’t be these two teams without some element of controversy at the end.

I bought several newspapers on Sunday to read the relevant reports and see how other people viewed the game. The range of ratings on certain players truly astounds me. Lets pick out a few examples:

Rhys Priestland – he had a shocking game in my eyes a 5 at best. Lets see the ratings:

Wales on Sunday (Delme Parfitt) 5

Sunday Times (Stephen Jones) 5

Sunday Telegraph (Paul Ackford) 7

Sun on Sunday (Steven Howard) 2

An average <5 from 4 columnists. 7 from Ackford? You have to be kidding.

Geoff Parling – Debut start in English 2^nd row. Didn’t look anything special for me. 6 at best.

Sunday Times (Stephen Jones) 6

Sunday Telegraph (Paul Ackford) 8

Sun on Sunday (Steven Howard) 8

Average of 7.33 from 3 columnists although Jones looks about right to me.

Ian Evans – Welsh 2^nd Row. Probably had his best game – worth an 8 for me.

Wales on Sunday (Delme Parfitt) 8

Sunday Times (Stephen Jones) 9

Sunday Telegraph (Paul Ackford) 6

Sun on Sunday (Steven Howard) 7

Real range – average of 4 columnists here of 7.5. Again Ackford looks out of touch.

Sam Warburton – deservedly man of the match. A definite 9.

Wales on Sunday (Delme Parfitt) 7

Sunday Times (Stephen Jones) 7

Sunday Telegraph (Paul Ackford) 9

Sun on Sunday (Steven Howard) 8

Average of 7.75 – not bad consensus.

Chris Robshaw – England Captain. I thought he played okay but was completely outclassed by Warburton. A 6 from me.

Sunday Times (Stephen Jones) 8

Sunday Telegraph (Paul Ackford) 6

Sun on Sunday (Steven Howard) 5

Average of 6.3 sounds about right. Again how Stephen Jones can rate him above Warburton is truly astounding. Was he watching the game?

Conclusion – we all see what we want to see and our national preferences will always play a part. For me I was just delighted to see a close game played in the right spirit on the pitch. No punching, no foul play, just a good tight game of rugby and that can only be good for all of us.

Let's get Ready to Rumble!

Six Nations Week Three – Let’s Get Ready to Rumble!

This weekend’s games see three games, which will probably decide where the title is going this season. The milder weather should see us avoid another fiasco after the ridiculous scenario of week two where the France v Ireland game was called off 7 minutes before kick off. The Six nations committee has shown they have absolutely no interest in spectator welfare. The ludicrous situation where games are being scheduled in February at 9pm in the evening came back to haunt them and now the rescheduled match is on a Sunday! That shows how out of touch they are. That gives both teams the shortest possible recovery, and clearly shows total contempt for the supporters. Its bad enough travelling from Limerick, Tipperary or Galway to Paris without having to travel twice and the second time on a Sunday afternoon.

Anyway rant over its now back to this weekend’s matches.

Ireland v Italy

After not playing in Paris, Ireland will be glad to be back in Dublin to face Italy. Italy had England’s throat in their grasp but let them get away and saw the penalty. Ireland never really got on top of Wales but they were within seconds of winning the match. I believe they will have far too much quality for Italy but expect a bruising encounter upfront. Mike Ross and Cian Healy will have a torrid time with the Italian front row but their line out should be at its metronomic best to give Ireland lots of quality ball. The Irish back row didn’t impress at all against Wales. O’Brien and Ferris were muted and Heaslip also had an off day. They need to do better. As for Italy Burton is a massive disappointment kicking everything away so expect to see a lot of Irish counter attacks with Kearney at the forefront. Expect Parisse to lead the Italian back row charge and for Italy to have any chance of an upset their game will be won or lost in the pack. Sexton will have lots of ball, the Irish threequarters have too much pace and I expect Ireland to run out comfortable winners.

Ireland 23 Italy 9

England v Wales

The game of the tournament and looking like the championship decider. Both teams come here unbeaten, with Wales looking for a Triple Crown. The favorites tag won’t suit Wales at all and they have a dismal record at HQ. They will welcome back Warburton and Alun Wynne-Jones into their pack. The critical areas for Wales will be Line out and scrum. Welsh line outs have been absolutely dire. As someone said the other day “Wales haven’t had a line out since Allan Martin”. Those words are sadly true, and Wales will be concerned to retain the ball. Ken Owens is very raw at hooker. Philips dominated Ireland with his role as a ninth forward but he doesn’t get the Welsh backs moving that well, as the ball is so slow. Priestland has been aimlessly kicking possession away and he if does that again, Wales could be in big trouble. Wales didn’t play well against Scotland but ran out comfortable enough winners due to a few minutes of brilliance. They have that ability that England lack and that could see them home again. Warburton’s skills at Open side will need to be at their best and Wales need to get the ball out to their huge threequarter line. North and Cuthbert are both huge wingers, and Roberts and Davies will severely test the English defense. For England, two “lucky” wins – both by charge down tries. Farrell takes over at 10 and Dickson and Morgan will add considerably more depth to England’s attacking options than Dowson and the bitterly disappointing Youngs. Tuigali is back but how fit is he? Barritt’s defensive skills will be tested to the full and Farrell may be an accomplished goal kicker but is untested at outside half at this level. Robshaw will be either hero or villain depending upon how he marshals Warburton. If he gets on top – then England will grind it out. I think Wales will not secure enough quality possession and will give away a lot of penalties. England won’t score a try but the scoreboard will keep ticking over. The Welsh nation believes they can win and Wales don’t always thrive on high expectations. I think England will pinch it.

England 18 Wales 15

Scotland v France

The dreaded banana skin! France on paper should have far too much power and skill to be threatened by Scotland. However, Murrayfield is the graveyard of broken dreams and many a French Grand Slam has fallen here. For Scotland Stuart Hogg is a brave selection. He looked quality in his brief appearance against Wales and deserves the start. Scotland lack thereequarter pace and look very lacklustre in the centres. The critical thing again will be the amount of quality ball. Richie Gray has been playing very well and the Scottish Back row will welcome back John Barclay alongside the excellent Denton and Rennie. For France, the pack should dominate a weakened Scottish scrum and I think they will run riot with enough ball. The gulf in quality between the backs is as wide as the Atlantic and I don’t see France blowing this one. An unchanged French teams sees Morgan Parra start ahead of Yachvili and that is a positive endorsement of their intent towards a running game. I expect Parra and Trinh-Duc to get those large French centres moving and a hatful of tries.

Scotland 9 France 27

Week two - Sorting Men from Boys!

Week Two – Sorting Men from Boys!

You’d be a rugby pundit? One result right last week – so not the best start to the Six Nations for me! We saw the good, the bad and the ugly last weekend. Let’s start with the good. Two entertaining games saw France see off a much improved Italian side. I had written Italy off but the Azzuri showed real determination and pressured France until the final Whistle. France were France. Spectacular at times, but worryingly weak in set pieces and defensively. They will improve and the visit of Ireland is a stiff test. The other good game was in Dublin where Wales dominated for long periods but couldn’t convert pressure to pints., Goal kicks win matches and Wales almost threw this one away. It wasn’t really close despite the result.

The bad was at Murrayfield. What a woeful, dire, boring game it was. The new look England coming out on top because Scotland were truly awful.

The ugly –p Bradley Davies tip tackle rightly got him a seven week ban. How on earth did that only warrant a yellow card – right in front of the Touch Judge? Scary stuff!

So to week two – and this week we will again see some titanic battles . Let’s assess the matches:

Italy v England

Rugby makes its debut in Rome’s picturesque Stadio Olympico. Italy showed a glimpse of the future with their attempt at a more expansive game in Paris. This week they turn the clock back and will be looking to grind out a forward battle against Lancaster’s new look England. England showed some progress and it is to their credit that this inexperienced side went to Scotland and came away with the Calcutta Cup. Their front row dominated and Youngs had a solid platform for the exciting England backs to show some deft skills. Farrell came through it with flying colours, Barritt less so. He never looked secure and one has to be looking for a rapid recall for Tuigli. Expect England to have a tough time today. The ruck ball was painfully slow in Scotland and Dowson is very lucky to be getting a second start. Ben Morgan will again offer England excitement off the bench and a solid line out platform will enable England to see the ball. Italy will be sensing blood and the last remaining six nations scalp – the biggest of them all England. They have recalled Botolami in the second row and they will push England hard. I think the Rose will hold on but a very tight game. Italy 19 England 23

France v Ireland

The Irish will be pig sick losing to Wales but let’s face reality they really never got on top of Wales and their threequarters looked pedestrian. Sexton is an injury worry but their real problem like England; was a lack of back row dominance and slow ruck ball. Ireland only kicked out for 5 line outs on their own throw. As sure sign they were not on top. The Irish have the best catch and drive line out in world rugby and with France bound to give away a lot of penalties – expect to see a much more attacking Ireland this time. For France, their back line is extremely solid but Trunh-Duc did not have a great game last week. Fly half is clearly a weak area. If France get the ball in the backs, they will dominate the match, Expect scrum dominance from France too. In the end – I can see only one winner. France 33 Ireland 16

Wales v Scotland

On Sunday, the wounded Scots will travel to Wales for a match they must win. Scotland were truly abysmal last week. No ideas, no direction, and a stupid try. Dan Parks avoided public flogging by retiring and Scotland will try and get their mobile back row on top. Wales showed fantastic back play last week. The emergence of George North as one of the World’s most devastating runners caused massive problems for the Irish. The Welsh threequarters are truly frightening. Roberts, Davies, North and Cuthbert are all huge and the problem for a defensive set up is who do you target., Mark up Roberts and you leave large gaps for Jonathan Davies to exploit. Mark the wingers and you leave Roberts with an open card to smash you into submission. Wales get the ball in the backs and its game over. Wales have recalled Jenkins at loose head prop. A move OI don’t support. I felt Rhys Gill had the upper hand over the vastly more experienced Mike Ross. Scotland won’t have Murray available as it’s a Sunday game, so Wales should be looking to build a solid scrum. Their line out was woeful last week and with Bradley Davies banned; it’s an unconvincing Welsh second row. How fit are Warburton and Lydiate? I think Wales will really struggle with Scotland back row. It will be a much tighter game than many expect as Scotland will not want to repeat last week’s horror show. A very tight match. Wales 13 Scotland 12

Six Nations Preview - Enter the Gladiators

The excitement returns this weekend with the start of the Six Nations. This looks one of the more open tournaments of recent years with so many unanswered questions. Can Lancaster fire England back to the top? How will Scotland handle the pressure of being favourites against England? Which Wales will turn up? Can Ireland turn Heineken Cup form to Six Nations glory? Can Saint-Andrew re-fire the Gallic flair? How will Italy fare? I can’t wait for the action to start and looking forward to spending the first week in Dublin’s fair City. Lets see how I see the teams will perform this championship:

ENGLAND

Last year I predicted England would dominate the Six Nations and they didn’t quite live up to that billing but do start this season as defending champions. That’s right – .its not a joke, despite the summer exploits of an England side who resembled Old Huffpuffians 2^nd XV on tour rather than the nation’s finest; England are the remaining champions. These are radical times for England. The World Cup was a well-documented shambolic disaster and other than Saracens, no English club has progressed in the Heineken Cup. It is a new look England side, which will take to the field in a cold and snow swept Murrayfield. The back line looks very exciting if inexperienced. England will be hoping to follow Wales’ example by relying on young flair to see them to victory. Foden, is solid at full back with the ability to snow real attacking flair for the back. Chris Ashton, despite being a total twat; is still a devastating finisher and I am delighted to see the return of the excellent Strettle. The Saracens pair of Owen Farrell and Brad Barritt looks truly exciting and England look to have a real threequarter line capable of threatening anyone. Unfortunately, you have to question whether the ball will reach them with enough time and space for them to be effective. The recall of Hodgson is a backwards step and shows the lack of options at 10. Youngs has had a mediocre season and is lucky that Dickson is not there ahead of him and for Care’s moronic driving exploits. It is in the pack that England look to be struggling. Corbiesero has been unimpressive in his England career to date. What is going to change? . Dan Cole was shown to be not quite as good as everyone thought. The 2^nd row looks bare of talent with the loss of Lawes and Deacon. Tom Palmer will be partnered by the average Botha in Murrayfield. Hardly scary. Croft will cause some issues and Robshaw is a bold if brave choice as captain. England will fare rather better than many pundits wrong with a close run defeat in Murrayfield followed by a tough trip to the Stadio Olympico in Rome. The move to the larger stadium should favour England with their vast travelling support. A narrow win. Return to Twickers for the game of the tournament against Wales. This is going to be a thriller. A first home win for England in a titanic struggle. England will then travel to France with no fear. They have the best record at Stade De France but I can’t see England keeping up that record. Finally back to HQ to face an Ireland side going for the title. More tears for the rose at home and England will finish with a mere two wins.

Predicted Finish: 4th equal with Scotland with two wins

FRANCE

France have had a strange year. Defeat to Italy last year paved the way for what was going to be a tough World Cup. Lucky to get to the knock out stages after an abject display against Tonga, France put England to the sword and stuttered past Wales but surprised everyone with a spirited display in the final; They should have won had they had a referee who didn’t ware a black shirt and their defeat on Auckland will go down as one of the great sporting travesties. Move forward a few months and a new coach in Philippe Saint-Andre gives France great hope after the abysmal coaching of Livermont who clearly lost the dressing room. France have gone back to rely on the trusted players from Clermont and Toulouse who have led the way for France in the Heineken Cup. The back line looks full of class with Clerc, and Medard likely to be rip through many defences. In the pack Picamoles returns ahead of Harinordoquy at the back of the scrum. Traditional French bulk in the front five will dominate several teams and at last we have a traditional - scrum half/fly half combo instead of the crazy experiment with two scrum halves. Yachvili starts the first match and he has been in fine form despite a stuttering Biaritz. Francois Trinh-Duc is back at fly half and he has lots to prove after the terrible abuse he received in the past year. An easy win over Italy will lay to bed the ghost of last season’s shock defeat. Home wins over Ireland and England will be either side of a narrow away win in Scotland. France will arrive in Wales chasing a grand slam. Not to be as Wales will win but France will still end up champions.

Predicted Finish: 1^st – Champions

IRELAND

What is it with Ireland and World Cups? Another summer disappointment where Ireland forgot who was their first choice at fly half. A fantastic win over Australia was followed by a directionless, leaderless team against Wales. Four months on, and we see Irish teams AGAIN dominating the Heineken Cup and few can see beyond Leinster and Munster for Rugby’s second European title. Can Ireland translate that to the Six Nations? An emphatic yes! The loss of Brian O’Driscoll is a positive step for Ireland. He has been carried for the past two season and despite sainthood in the emerald isle, his time is up. Earls has been a man on fire all season for Munster and the excellent Trimble returns. Sexton is back at fly half and will provide the flair to get the backs moving. Conor Murray is the new Peter Stringer! Intensely annoying at scrum half for all opponents and opposition supporters. Ireland have probably the strongest pack in the home nations. The front row is the only place where teams can cause Ireland problems. Healy is a makeweight at the scrum and Ross is hardly visible outside the scrum. Rory Best throws the line out like an Iranian skud missile. However, the “O’” second row of O’Connell and O’Callaghan remain amongst the worlds best and a very strong rampaging back row of Ferris, O’Brien and Heaslip will cause problems for everyone. Ireland will avenge their world cup defeat with a heavy defeat of an injury ravaged Wales. They will easily beat Scotland and Italy before losing in Paris. A Paddy’s day win over England won’t quiet be enough to take the title but it will be close!

Predicted Finish: 2nd

ITALY

"Italy get better every year" - was always one of the great sporting lies - a bit like saying Andy Murray will win one day win a Grand Slam event. That was the line I used last year. Well 12 months on. Andy Murray still wasn’t made that breakthrough but he is getting closer. Italy unfortunately are not showing the same progress. The enforced move to the Stadio Olympico whilst the Stadio Flaminio is rebuild will not help. Vast empty spaces will enable large numbers of travelling support and Italy will badly miss the tight environs of the smaller stadium. The team is based largely around the two Italian premier sides of Treviso and Aironi. Both teams have been causing a few surprises both in the RaboBank Pro 12 and the Heineken Cup. Sadly I don’t see that translating to the national side and I only see one opportunity for success. Scotland will not fancy going to Rome for the final match and it will be a tough match. England will also fear the Italians but will also be victorious. I don’t see an Italian win anywhere and they have gone backwards.

Predicted Finish: 6th – Wooden Spoon

SCOTLAND

Last chance saloon for Andy Robinson. Two years ago, Scotland were a few points away from a Triple Crown Last season we saw Scotland go badly backwards with a poor Six Nations followed by a poor World Cup. However, Edinburgh have played some of the some exciting rugby in the Heineken Cup and deservedly won their group. Glasgow also has shown great improvement. This Six Nations Scotland will be looking for and will see steady progress. The tag of favourites won’t suit them at all against the auld enemy. The retirement of Paterson gives Rory Lamont to cement himself at full back. Lee Jones deserves his chance on the wing after strong showings for Edinburgh. Ansbro will be missed at centre but Da Luca and Lamont are solid if uninspired. Dan Parks return at fly half will be controversial. He is heading away from Cardiff at the end of the season and he hasn’t exactly had the Blues back line firing. He does however have a good rugby brain and his short tactical kicking game is as good as anyone’s. He also has the critical ability to drop goals from anywhere in the 22. So all in all, a solid choice. Cusiter gets the nod at scrum half and it is also good to see him back. The Scottish pack is full of experience although Jacobsen and Murray have not been the force of previous years. Ross Ford is a great selection at captain. Scotland thrives on fast open back row forwards and Denton is an excellent choice as a new cap. Their side is heavily based around Edinburgh and Robbo will be hoping the side will show the same resilience and attacking flair. Scotland will see off England but it will be closer than many expect. They will go to Cardiff full of confidence and lose narrowly to the dragon smarting after Dublin defeat. It is difficult to see wins over either Ireland or France and it will come down to Rome. Scotland will prevail and two wins see them finish third – just ahead of England.

Predicted finish: 4th

WALES

Most exciting team at the World Cup or the most over=-hyped? BOTH. Wales proved me totally wrong last season where I couldn’t see Wales doing anything in the Six Nations. At the World Cup Wales failed to kill teams off. South Africa escaped first game and France should have been beaten despite the controversial sending off of Warburton. Big Sam is now clearly the World’s second best No. 7 and has been an inspired choice as captain. Wales have seen the last of Shane’s dancing feet and hopefully also the last of Gavin’s! His choice in the Welsh squad shows a lack of depth and Wales will be watching their growing injury list with some angst especially as they don’t have anything like the required strength in depth. Halfpenny will establish himself as the Lions full back with some string showings. The giant wings North and Cuthbert have genuine power and will score all day long given enough ball. Roberts’s injury is a worry but Scott Williams and Jonathan Davies are solid choices and Hook is the natural choice at 12 if he gets his head straight. Priestland is another automatic choice and the Welsh physios must have been praying all week he will be fit enough to start against Ireland. Phillips has been playing very well in France and Lloyd Williams is breathing down his neck. In the pack, Jenkins and Rees will be missing but Wales have been here before and got through. Paul James will pushed all the way by Saracen’s Rhys Gill for the loose head spot while Huw Bennett was a solid performer at the World cup. The loss of Chateris and Wynne-Jones is a big loss and Bradley Davies and Ian Evans will struggle to win regular good lien out ball. Lydiate is likely to miss at least one game, so Ryan Jones will likely start alongside Faletau and captain fantastic in a mobile back row. Wales will start with a disaster in Dublin. I can’t see Wales getting close to Ireland and a foresee a very heavy defeat. A bounce back over Scotland will be followed by a trip to HQ. Welsh hearts will again be broken and many a sorrow will be drowned in the Orange Tree after the game. A case of what might have been in London. Wales will rap up Italy and with it all to do they will win a narrow win over France to finish mid table.

Predicted Finish: 3rd

This weekend’s predictions:

France 33 Italy 6

Scotland 24 England 22

Ireland 27 Wales 9