6 Nations 2014

BT Bob

So, at the end of the first weekend, 3 home wins.

According to the media, Wales were stunned by Italy's second half comeback, but I felt they were never really in danger of losing.

England were pretty unlucky, I thought - but I don't see Farrell as at match-winning 10.

Ireland play well in parts, but then so did Scotland. They (Scots) just seem unable to finish off moves and actually score tries with any regularity. It would be really helpful if the Irish back-row actually spent some game-time onside

One thing we did learn - the bounce of a rugby ball can be desperately unfair at times.

chrisgal

Very true, the best side definitely did lose in Paris because of it, the Welsh will only get better as will the Irish (my team). Scotland and Italy to fight over the wooden spoon and France....who knows???

gibbsy

I thought Italy played very well, certainly played for the full 80 minutes, that can only be good for them and for the championship as a whole. Wales got off to their traditional slow start, perhaps with one eye on Dublin next week.

Best game of the weekend was without doubt Le Crunch. Great comeback from England but they lacked direction from 10 to 13. Twelvetrees squandered chances and I felt could have and should have put the game to bed with 15 minutes to go. I know the pain of losing in the last 10 minutes, I'm Welsh afterall. One thing that did stand out in that game was the way Nigel Owens officiated it. Watch a game with Nigel in charge and it is always exciting, he has a great empathy for the game, got to be the best ref in world rugby at the moment.

Scotland. Just no cutting edge. Played well for the first half hour and then looked completely lost. Ireland played some pretty rugby, mixing up the moves from the backs ala Leinster but they were able to do this because Scotland could not get parity in the collision contest. Will certainly be a bigger test against Wales with Jamie Roberts looking in great form, I think Drico will find him hard to handle. The great man looked a little jaded on Sunday.

BT Bob

I think it's no coincidence that 2 of the 4 best games of last year were reff'd by Nigel. The Championship "final", SA v NZ and the Ireland NZ game were both incredible matches and outstanding entertainment.

BT Bob

Great interview with Nige......

Six Nations 2014: Nigel Owens will have the clearest head in the Stade de France - Telegraph

tonyrees687

Totally agree with Nigel Owens being the best ref out there. Just the way he delt with  Brown & Huget " You finished? You're both acting very immature. Get on and get on with the game, both of you" Brilliant. Now if Allain Rowland was the ref it would have been 2 yellow cards , red even.

Donnacha

[quote="gibbsy, post: 20296083, member: 195913] think Drico will find him hard to handle. The great man looked a little jaded on Sunday.[/quote]
Personally I thought BOD defended superbly on Sunday. His attacking game is not what it used to be but he doesn't shirk a tackle!

BT Bob

Gatland has announced the Welsh team for Saturday...

Rhys Priestland retains the 10 shirt.

The Welsh media made a huge deal of the virtually non-exitant "abuse" Sam Warburton allegedly received for signing a central contract, but the slating RP is getting all over Facebook gets completely ignored.

It's incredibly depressing......

gibbsy

Personally I thought BOD defended superbly on Sunday. His attacking game is not what it used to be but he doesn't shirk a tackle![/quote]
BOD is one of the greatest players EVER to have pulled on a rugby shirt. His rugby brain is tremendous, but his attack is getting a yard or so slower. What worries me is that he is so committed to the tackle that he may get hurt just that once too often. The man has to be dragged off the field even when he doesn't know if he playing in Dublin, Cardiff or Rome, he just doesn't know the phrase 'give up'.

Wales has massive backs who employ the South Seas Side Step. Drico will do his level best to stop them. I hope he comes through the test match unhurt.

Dony

Surperb display from Ireland.....we dedicate that win to you Mr Gatland.