Six Nations

[Somerset]

The South comprehensively win 54-19 in the charity match.

For the North:
Tries: Titterrell, Sanderson, Bergamasco
Cons: Humphreys, Sweeney

For the South:
Tries: Umaga, Lima, Latham 2, Burger, Sititi 2, Fourie
Cons: Mehrtens 6, Latham

 

[Piper]

The South showed how much better they are compared to the North they won it convincingly and showed that they are the Nations to be beaten in the years to come. But the player i was pleased with was Cohen, hes starting to get back in form, and should be back in the team in no time

 

[BoyBrumby]

Men against boys, especially second-half. Latham played a blinder & Burger finally justified a little of the hype.

Couple of decent breaks by Ollie Smith, but Cohen looks a shadow of the player he was. Well, metaphorically at least, he actually looks physically bigger than I've ever seen him! Based on that performance I think Simpson-Daniel or Balshaw are definitely the better bet to replace Jase Robinson.

As a Saints fan it was nice to see Shane Drahm get on for The South. I don't think he ever represented Oz so I still think he might be worth a look for England. His qualification period must nearly be complete.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Well, it's now a moot point about Cohen; the poor guy's bust his jaw!

Just what Northampton need too!

 

[BoyBrumby]

Balshaw it is.....

The only change from the team that played Ireland, which is probably fair enough. Simpson-Daniel is solid, possibly slightly quicker & probably better defensively, but Balsh can (very occasionally) produce a moment or two of sublime magic.

I'm hoping Ollie Smith gets a good half-hour, finally.

1) G Rowntree (Leicester)
2) S Thompson (Northampton)
3) M Stevens (Bath)
4) D Grewcock (Bath)
5) B Kay (Leicester)
6) J Worsley (Wasps)
7) L Moody (Leicester)
8) M Corry (Leicester, capt)
9) H Ellis (Leicester)
10) C Hodgson (Sale)
11) J Lewsey (Wasps)
12) O Barkley (Bath)
13) J Noon (Newcastle)
14) M Cueto (Sale)
15) I Balshaw (Leeds)

Replacements : A Titterrell (Sale), D Bell (Bath), S Borthwick (Bath), A Hazell (Gloucester), M Dawson (Wasps), A Goode (Leicester), O Smith (Leicester).

 

[Somerset]

The only change from the team that played Ireland, which is probably fair enough. Simpson-Daniel is solid, possibly slightly quicker & probably better defensively, but Balsh can (very occasionally) produce a moment or two of sublime magic.

I'm hoping Ollie Smith gets a good half-hour, finally.

1) G Rowntree (Leicester)
2) S Thompson (Northampton)
3) M Stevens (Bath)
4) D Grewcock (Bath)
5) B Kay (Leicester)
6) J Worsley (Wasps)
7) L Moody (Leicester)
8) M Corry (Leicester, capt)
9) H Ellis (Leicester)
10) C Hodgson (Sale)
11) J Lewsey (Wasps)
12) O Barkley (Bath)
13) J Noon (Newcastle)
14) M Cueto (Sale)
15) I Balshaw (Leeds)

Replacements : A Titterrell (Sale), D Bell (Bath), S Borthwick (Bath), A Hazell (Gloucester), M Dawson (Wasps), A Goode (Leicester), O Smith (Leicester).

Not exactly the strongest English side ever but it should be enough for a victory over the Italians.

Anyone got predictions for this weekend's round of matches?
Ireland v France
England v Italy
Scotland v Wales

 

[BoyBrumby]

Not exactly the strongest English side ever but it should be enough for a victory over the Italians.

Anyone got predictions for this weekend's round of matches?
Ireland v France
England v Italy
Scotland v Wales

I'll be opening a vein if it isn't!

Anyway, after my impressive 1/3 last time:

Ireland by 7-10; I think Wales' second half performance will have knocked the stuffing outta yer Frogs.

England by 20-25; we actually looked ok agaianst Ireland, garnered the lion's share of possession, but our lack of penetration in the backs was shown up a bit. We'll be far too good for Italy tho.

Wales by 10-12; pains me to say it, but yer Taffs are looking the best team in it. The Sweaties are game, but limited.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Wow, it looks like Ireland have caught the New Zealand disease (choke, choke!): 18-9 to France at the break.

Ireland have never really been @ the races, they need a 2nd half like The Taffs produced a fortnight ago to rescue this one. Unfortunately France will have a very strong wind behind them...

 

[BoyBrumby]

& that's yer lot Ireland, thank you & goodnight.

26-19 to France. Ireland had got themselves back to 21-19 with a wonderful try from O'Driscoll, but Dominici sealed it with his second try with about 3 mins to go.

Now, can the minnows from England overcome the mighty Italians?

 

[BoyBrumby]

Whoah.

Credit where it's due; the Welsh have almost literally torn the poor old Scots a new one in the first half. 38-3!

It's looking like slam time over on the wrong side of Offa's Dyke. Good news for The Lions that at least one one the home nations is playing well!

 

[BoyBrumby]

Wilko crocked (again)....

Well, Scotland at least made a game of it in the second half, but 46-22 is still an ar$e-whupping of the first order.

With an eye on the Lions this news depresses me no end (but really not a surprise tho):

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/english/4337673.stm

 

[marc71178]

Whoah.

Credit where it's due; the Welsh have almost literally torn the poor old Scots a new one in the first half. 38-3!

To be fair - I think the key moment was that breakaway - the Scots looked liked scoring for themselves and suddenly it's 14-0.

 

[Tim]

You shouldn't read anything into that North/South match...although it appears the Southern hemisphere have better depth at the moment.

 

[BoyBrumby]

16-6 to yer Leek Abusers @ HT. Looking like slam time.

Come on Ireland!

 

[Scaly piscine]

Ironic how O'Gara was whining about/to the referee, bet he wasn't whining when the ref handed them a victory against England.

 

[BoyBrumby]

Well, Grand Slam to Wales it is. Certainly the best team in this year's tournament, so fair play to 'em. England have only won 5 Grand Slams since their last one!

I just thank my lucky stars I don't actually work with any Taffs; think they'd be unbearable.

 

[Scaly piscine]

heh @ England's second try. Absolutely hilarious defending from Scotland.

 

[Tom Halsey]

Pfft, Grand Slam to The Taffs... meh.

 

[marc71178]

Have to say that for me that last game was the most entertaining of the Championship.

 

[superkingdave]

yes but some of the defence was laughable, and some of Hodgson's kicking was also.

Though the lack of Johnie's almost guaranteed points does lead our play to be a bit more adventurous