The Six Nations 2009

[Louis VI the Fat]

Good game. Well done Ireland.


Amazing, how sixty years could hinge on two minutes and two meters. Destiny is cruel and beautiful. Five hundred votes can decide between immortality as the most powerful man on the planet or fading away into anonimity forever. A fever, a kiss has decided the fate of empires.
And one drop goal in just before the final minute plus one penalty missing the goal by the narrowest of margins in the dying seconds are the difference between good and historical.

Exciting stuff.

[Banquo's Ghost]

I will never have a day like that again.

My great thanks go to Wales, not just for a thrilling game but for two more important reasons:

a) Proof positive that telekinesis works, as 30,000 Irish minds pushed that penalty kick under the bar.

b) The wonderful kindness and congratulations, warmth and good sportsmanship shown by the Welsh fans before, and especially after the game. It was a fantastic celebration, worthy of the outgoing champions, and I wish I remembered half of it.

(I have a vague wish to know quite how I got back from Cardiff to Cork - I'm assuming there was some kind of vehicular mechanisation involved, since I woke up dry, but for the life of me, I don't recall).

[gaelic cowboy]

Me and my Dad were still steamed up till this morning because of the win but I have to say It was absolute torture to watch.

Still two trys in my book the game on balnace deserves to be yours.

Nice touch the President handing the cup to the BOD as well sweet

[The New Che Guevara]

Evidently, there's quite a rugby fanbase here...

just wondering has anyone apart from me seen the Alternative Rugby Commentary?

[Louis VI the Fat]

Congratulations to Leinster! Although I fear that avid followers of Irish rugby here had hoped for a Munster semi-final win...


When oh when will the dictatorial Irish stranglehold of world rugby end? We are brutally opressed by their iron fist! This global green menace must be stopped!!

[The New Che Guevara]

When oh when will the dictatorial Irish stranglehold of world rugby end? We are brutally opressed by their iron fist! This global green menace must be stopped!!

When the world turns to face the rugby sevens where Ireland doesn't even play! No idea why...
On this note, did anyone apart from me watch the London Sevens this weekend? Sky Sports 2 were covering it.

Excellent cup final England VS New Zealand. Golden try...

PS: I was there in the stands, both days, tunnel side, and now it hurts to speak...

[Banquo's Ghost]

Congratulations to Leinster! Although I fear that avid followers of Irish rugby here had hoped for a Munster semi-final win...

I hate you with a passion you can barely imagine.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Yes, really.

[Louis VI the Fat]

Anybody following the 2010 Six Nations?

[Strike For The South]

Les Blues!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Louis VI the Fat]

Les Blues!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Two more games.

First a traditional hammering of the Ritals. And then taking the grand slam as we show the Americans how to beat the Limeys.
20th of March. France-England in Paris. The Pom team doctor becomes famous as he discovers new scientific definitions of pain.

[Strike For The South]

Two more games.

First a traditional hammering of the Ritals. And then taking the grand slam as we show the Americans how to beat the Limeys.
20th of March. France-England in Paris. The Pom team doctor becomes famous as he discovers new scientific definitions of pain.

What happend to Chabal? Why is he not playing?

[Louis VI the Fat]

Back injury.

Chabal is also getting a bit older. He's been in the team on and off.

[naut]

Anybody following the 2010 Six Nations?

I saw Wales - France. But, other than that I haven't really been following, it's too hard to catch the matches here.

Me and my Scot friend usually watch the Scotland - England game.

[Louis VI the Fat]

France - England next week.

We had a great warming up against the Ritals. Six tries as we waltzed straight past them.
I was away yesterday - how did England fare against the ever dangerous Scots?

[johnhughthom]

You edited that description of Scotland just as I was going to WTF???!! you on it there. You'll batter England next week.


edit: gah, darn Frenchies and their editing, MAKE UP YOUR MIND!!!

[naut]

I was away yesterday - how did England fare against 'wooden spoon' Scotland?

Drew 15 - 15. Pretty funny though. I'm glad they didn't lose, I'd never hear the end of it from my Glaswegian mate if the Scots had won.

[Louis VI the Fat]

edit: gah, darn Frenchies and their editing, MAKE UP YOUR MIND!!!

[johnhughthom]

Put's Louis on ignore after making me look silly twice in 5 minutes.










We shoulda stayed at home on D Day.

[gaelic cowboy]

Bit late posting on the Welsh game but have to same it was poor enough fare from Wales methinks Gatland will go soon enough what with all the extraneous commentary on his previous Irish relationship or lack thereof.

Still we totally deserved the win the BOD amazes me how he can put himself around that pitch so much disapointed with Sextons shooting but I would still have him before O'Gara bit to up and down that man.

[Banquo's Ghost]

What a marvellous game of rugby played by France last weekend. Sublime, beautiful, cruel and magical - just what the game should be.

Andreu looks like quite a find. Acceleration, mazy running and the tenacity of a terrier. I was spellbound. Scotland - England exemplified everything that is wrong with the modern game, and had me gounging my own eyes out. France restored my faith in the greatest of games.

Gentlemen, I think we just saw the World Champions at work.

[Banquo's Ghost]

Well, maybe not World Champions just yet.

But very deserved Grand Slam Champions! Well done France. By far the best team in the Six Nations this year, brought back to something like human beings by jitters and a resurgent England. The latter showed signs of what a force they might be if they got a manager who knew something about coaching and could make selections (unforced) based on ability rather than choosing his mates like a pub team.

Ireland have disappointed. Too much ambition, too little practice and application. Some good signs, but worrying penalty counts and a scrum (I use the word loosely) that is better suited for truffle hunting than serious rugby. I love John Hayes like a brother, but he needs to be dropped now.

Scotland however, were the revelation of the tournament. It should have been they who fought for (and would have won) the Triple Crown. A moment of generosity against Wales, a draw that deserved better in the Calcutta Cup and a great win in Dublin. It's good to see.

Italy are looking better and better - tries being scored, some flashes of inspiration. A bit too much reliance on third rate Kiwis whose grandmothers had a fling in Naples backalong.

I won't analyse Wales - best they are left in their own private misery.

Good tournament, though very patchy. Maybe the IRB will stop tinkering with the rules (fat chance) and leave the Southern Hemisphere referees where they can do damage to their own teams' confidence, instead of confusing us so much.

[gaelic cowboy]

Well done France nuff said really

[Louis VI the Fat]

Yay, Grand Slam!


A rather underwhelming perfomance yesterday. Too much rain in the first half, too defensive in the second. England were excellent, very committed. How did they not win?* If anything, yesterday showed there is still room for growth by this England team.

Scotland was great. Massive performances.


* Poor Ashton got all panicky and kicked the ball ahead, when there was so much support.

[Meneldil]

I feel bad for the english. For once they offered a nice, offensive rugby, while France's play was rather boring. It looks like the two teams switched roles.

Even though there's nothing better than the smell of a defeated englishman on french soil, I feel victory was hardly deserved.