Six Nations Rugby Championship 2008

[Banquo's Ghost]

I don't know, I get distracted for a while and no-one gets a thread going about the most important sporting event this spring.

So, after this weekend, is anyone else (yes, I'm talking to you Scots) contemplating early suicide? After the way Ireland played at the World Cup, some of us deluded ourselves that we might, just might have bought a clue and decided to play rugby again in the Six Nations.

Sadly, no-one seems to have told Eddie. How embarrassing was that? I got to the stage where I was secretly hoping for an Italian win so that O'Sullivan would have been given his marching orders. However, I shan't bang on again about the unsuitability of O'Driscoll for the captaincy or Beirut will lock the thread for tiresome repetition.

The England-Wales game was, in contrast, a lesson in pride - pride in the shirt (alien to this Irish team) and pride before a fall. Great rugby, wonderful game.

France's newbies looked intimidatingly full of flair, but it's been a long time since I saw them bullied so comprehensively in the scrum.

So, what of the coming weekend?

[SwordsMaster]

Ah, finally a thread about a real sport. I missed last weekend - trapped in the mountains - but I did hear that Ireland's game was underwhelming. Looking forward to next weekend though. Should be fun. Can't wait to watch France play.

[Louis VI the Fat]

Newbies, what newbies? It's still all about Vincent Clerc!!

This should be a very interesting Six Nations this year, anything can happen!! So I am just dying to find out in which exciting and experimental new ways Lievremont will lead us to victory this time.

[Craterus]

My early pick was Wales. Not too sure why but I'm thinking any team could take it this year so why not?

[LittleGrizzly]

I can't believe we lost to the Welsh ! and being my welsh friends token english guy did i hear about it! everyone of the had to make sure they had a lol at me personally !

Only really watch six nations and world cup in rugby not that into it, GO ENGLAND!

[Strike For The South]

[scotchedpommes]

So, after this weekend, is anyone else (yes, I'm talking to you Scots) contemplating early suicide?

I find myself feeling indifferent. I think it's been this way since the game against
the Italians last year. What's the point? People were saying that they [we] were
favourites to beat France. Of course it wasn't going to happen. Turn it on, quick
check of the mauling scoreline, ok - yes, thank-you and goodbye.

[Louis VI the Fat]

Newbies, what newbies? It's still all about Vincent Clerc!!

I couldn't agree with you more!


Uh, Wales for a Grand Slam!

[Big King Sanctaphrax]

Go on Shane, you tiny little thunderbolt you!

See, even the TMO wants Wales to get a Grand Slam.

[Banquo's Ghost]

Good game from Wales, but should have killed off a frankly awful Scotland long before the disputed try.

Alas poor Ireland. We wouldn't have deserved to win that game, but it was a stunning comeback. Vincent Clerc - what can one say?

It's great to see France playing like France again, even if they do risk comebacks like that. Beautiful back play, gorgeous hand skills and a total refusal to kick just makes the heart glow. Pity about the scrum.

Luckily, the passionate second half doesn't seem to have fooled anyone back home - Eddie O'Sullivan is still on the rack. What a waste of a great team - for the first half, I was actually glad not to be in Paris this year. It should be possible for a talented back division to actually pass the ball to hand once in a while, shouldn't it? Y'know, the French can do it.

[monkian]

France are going to butcher England if Johnnie and his fanboys keep playing the way they do.

I can't believe his comments on the Itallian match - he thinks England played well ?

No offence to the italians (who were powerful but missing decent backs) but a 3 point win isn't any thing to pat yourself on the back about.

Anyway, c'mon Wales ! Gatland is the best thing to happen to us in a loooong time

[Justiciar]

I found myself agreeing with the belisped BBC's comentator on the England-Italy match. Spent the second half kicking things, shouting, calling the England team a bunch of public-school burks, and banging my head against the wall whenever they kicked the ball away. Okay, I got carried away.. but they did seem to be playing as if they were frightened of possession. I just hope they pull their collective fingers out for France.

[Justiciar]

Yay! England aren't entirely rubbish! That said, it's on days like these I wish I were a Welshman. They've been consistantly uber since the beginning.

[Louis VI the Fat]

Gah! Overpowered again by the rosbifs.

Ah well, in two years time these youngsters will stun the world with traditional flair and finesse again, and no amount of gritty British beef will be able to stop them then.


Oh, and Wales for a Grand Slam!

[Caerfanan]

England had a deserved victory against France. I hoped anonther outcome after the semi final of the world cup, but the boys were great at blocking the french where they were good at, and could then use their own strength, especially theiur pack's superiority. I was hesitating between Wales/England and France this year as a winner, Wales is a bit ahead now

[scotchedpommes]

Well, that was more like it today, eh.

[Banquo's Ghost]

Let us pray that yesterday was the death knell of the sterility that has been O'Sullivan's reign. The disease ridden body of Irish rugby must walk the earth once more, to embarrass the nation against the fellow zombies of England, but then let there be an end.

If there is a God, maybe his passing into the night (and I accept that using the word "passing" in any sentence related to Eddie O'Sullivan is a high crime) will mark the final end of coaches that seek to stifle national spirit in the pursuit of mere soulless victory - to snatch from the jaws of talent, merely mediocrity and in the end, failure.

Hearty congratulations to Wales and Mr Gatland. Revenge is best served cold, and at Croke Park. Thank you Warren, despite the way we treated you, you may just have saved Irish rugby from another several years of diminution. Wales for the Grand Slam!

Well done Scotland, too. A dour game, and England in such mindless form (how did they beat France again?) but well taken opportunities.

I am unutterably depressed. There is not even a visit to Thomond Park for the rest of the season to buoy my feeble spirit. Please someone, put him out of my misery.

(Kearney is a find though - not found by the Eejit of course, who would have put Dempsey at full-back if he had been able to, but a find nonetheless.)

[Justiciar]

I watched the Scotland v England game earlier. Why the hell did I do that?

I wouldn't get too worked up over the Ireland team's defeat, BG, they were afterall facing Wales, who continue to own this tournament. At least they moved the bloody ball.

Didn't really see much of France v Italy, though. I was all rugbied out by then.

[Caerfanan]

Well, I could say a few things about the game France vs. Italy. The first thing is that this year the french pack is probably the worst in the tournament. Of course all those guys are big and strong, but a bit less than the other ugys out there. The foot + hand game was brilliant on the french part, but they were stolen the ball way too many times by an eager Italy team. The first half was pretty unfair for the Italians actually, it stops with an undeserved 10-3. Almost scored a magnificient try. A pity they "collapsed" after some 60 minutes. Italy did stand its ground in every match I think...

So now, next problem: go to Cardiff and win against Wales... By 20 points... uuuuh. I know that Cardiff is a lucky place for the French team (quarter final of the world cup), but it's Wales we have there now and they're playing home.

Well, England did beat France TWICE in the Stade de France already this season...

[PBI]

Surely got to be Wales for the win this afternoon, the way they've been playing. Been a while since I saw anyone make Italy look so mediocre. Though a nasty little voice in my head keeps saying they're gonna lose the game and the grand slam but win the championship. Would be pretty bittersweet...

Still, I think if they can keep France from playing the way England did they should be OK. Or maybe just pass the ball to Shane Williams every chance they get. I always forget how much I like rugby, so much better to watch than football.

[Louis VI the Fat]

Surely got to be Wales for the win this afternoon, the way they've been playing. Though a nasty little voice in my head keeps saying they're gonna lose the game and the grand slam but win the championship. Would be pretty bittersweet...

That would be the horror scenario. I am always a big fan of all or nothing. I want either team to have all the glory today. A small French win would be an anti-climax.

Wales obviously deserve to win this tournament with a grand slam. Unless, of course, France puts up such a splendid performance that we destroy Wales by twenty points, in which case we deserve all the glory and the title.

A big win must be possible. Dusautoir and Bonnaire are back in the pack. And if Wales play their game of kicking the ball deep again, Vincent Clerc will be there to destroy them.

I think it's going to be intense. Allez les Bleus! Show these Welsh usurpers who is the real northern hemisphere team that can rip apart its opponents with brilliant forward strength and flashy flair through the backs.

[PBI]

Bravo Italy! No points from five games would have been too cruel given how they've played this year.

Now for England/Ireland, and then the main event...

[Orda Khan]

It was never in doubt

......Orda

[Caerfanan]

A deserved grand slam for Wales, thet owned the game...

Good come back of England that leaves France 3rd... There will be a lot to do: I think that CScotland and France both have "young teams". I'm already eager to see what this will bring next year...

[Louis VI the Fat]

So a Welsh grand slam it is, and deservedly so. Congratulations! Who'd have thought a few months ago...

[Banquo's Ghost]

Congratulations indeed to Wales for a thoroughly deserved Grand Slam! Huge potential for the future too - let's hope you can hold on to Mr Edwards.

Well done England too, for the help in showing Mr O'Sullivan the door. Cipriani is a find, he really stepped up for the game - always inspiring to see a young star emerge, even when he's demolishing one's ego.

France got scrobbled, but there's some incredible potential there - assuming you can find a front row heavier than the average supermodel. (Wales outweighed them by 8 kgs per man! How's that possible?)

Italy is looking really good too - Mr Mallett's going to take them places, as soon as he can find a fly-half who actually dares to kick the ball

Alas poor Scotland. Methinks they are doomed until the border farms reopen and the legendary men of Hawick rise again. Or at least until they get rid of Dan Parks...

By no means a scintillating competition, but very deserved winners and some glimpses of extraordinary teams to come.

[Caerfanan]

(Wales outweighed them by 8 kgs per man! How's that possible?)

I *could* have some hints...