Discussion
Welshbeef said:
part of the issue is simply wanting big men in every position.
Instead the guile pace lower inertia of a small player offers a lot.
Kickers too are an issue generally speaking a penalty is more of less a banker these days so maybe dropping the points for a penalty kick?
Upping the points for a field goal/drop goal would be fun.
Super fast defence is also an issue everyone is so drilled it's now purely an error or chance which leads to a victory over two similarity talented sides.
Game plan change- doesn't really happen. I liked what Gatland used to do years ago 55/60 mins gone change the half backs bang utterly changes the game.
The problem with 6 for a try and 2 for a penalty is that teams will be even more inclined to cheat to prevent a try.Instead the guile pace lower inertia of a small player offers a lot.
Kickers too are an issue generally speaking a penalty is more of less a banker these days so maybe dropping the points for a penalty kick?
Upping the points for a field goal/drop goal would be fun.
Super fast defence is also an issue everyone is so drilled it's now purely an error or chance which leads to a victory over two similarity talented sides.
Game plan change- doesn't really happen. I liked what Gatland used to do years ago 55/60 mins gone change the half backs bang utterly changes the game.
It will only work if the referees are stricter with their use of the yellow card for deliberate foul play.
In terms of quality rugby, and preparing teams to play the game as it should be played, the 6N is essentially irrelevant. Average teams playing average teams over and over again leads to little in terms of real improvement in conceptual or technical approaches to the game. Basically, the 6 N is there as a combination of giant piss up/tourist trail, and while appealing in many ways I think it's a relic, at least in its present format.
Murph7355 said:
OK weekend of rugby but easy to see why the Southern Hemisphere sides were so dominant.
England back to their best with giving away penalties - with Hartley and especially Cole in the side that was no surprise. Farrell...I was more supportive of him than most at the World Cup. I must have been drinking based on Saturday's showing!
Shame Italy didn't squeeze the win. France were....France. Great in flashes, dire for the rest.
Not sure what to make of Ireland/Wales. I could see either winning the tournament. I could see either scrapping for 5th place. Or worse.
Actually RBS 6 nations stats show that Dylan Hartley didn't give away any penalties, but Dan Cole did give away 3. Considering the way the scrum gets policed today, and that Dan Cole is in the front row and loose head, and played all 80 minutes that's not bad, not saying its acceptable but it could have been worse. However there were still to many penalties conceded by England (12 versus Scotlands 9), it is a perennial failing that hopefully EJ will get on top of.England back to their best with giving away penalties - with Hartley and especially Cole in the side that was no surprise. Farrell...I was more supportive of him than most at the World Cup. I must have been drinking based on Saturday's showing!
Shame Italy didn't squeeze the win. France were....France. Great in flashes, dire for the rest.
Not sure what to make of Ireland/Wales. I could see either winning the tournament. I could see either scrapping for 5th place. Or worse.
Joey Ramone said:
In terms of quality rugby, and preparing teams to play the game as it should be played, the 6N is essentially irrelevant. Average teams playing average teams over and over again leads to little in terms of real improvement in conceptual or technical approaches to the game. Basically, the 6 N is there as a combination of giant piss up/tourist trail, and while appealing in many ways I think it's a relic, at least in its present format.
Great Observation, you only need to look at how well Argentina have come along since inclusion in the Rugby Championship. There has been no progression in NH rugby as we don't play the best teams often enough. 
Pinky and Perky said:
Actually RBS 6 nations stats show that Dylan Hartley didn't give away any penalties, but Dan Cole did give away 3. Considering the way the scrum gets policed today, and that Dan Cole is in the front row and loose head, and played all 80 minutes that's not bad, not saying its acceptable but it could have been worse. However there were still to many penalties conceded by England (12 versus Scotlands 9), it is a perennial failing that hopefully EJ will get on top of.
Dan Cole is a tight head.
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