6N 2025

[Leithen]

Alickadoo said:

Leithen said:

I'm in full agreement with the likes of Princess Anne that it has changed the sport fundamentally for the worse.

Where and when did she express that view?

Or have I not been paying attention again?

Near the beginning , about two minutes in;

[Tom8]

Well it was good to see the best team win the six nations. If they hadn't lubed their hands before the match they would have hammered England and have gained a fine grand slam. Either way France were very much the best team and look to be getting better!

Ireland really disappointed this year, maybe a Farrell thing maybe not, who knows, but they have a lot to do to get back up on top of the pile again.

Italy were refreshing this year, competitive in every game despite a couple of the score lines, they are really starting to build a team finally.

Wales? What do you say. I am always delighted when Wales lose, but not like this and not so consistently. I have no idea what the answer is but they need to find something as the downward spiral is exceptionally difficult to get out of with poor performances meaning reduced crowds and less money for the game. A sorry state.

England? Did a great job on Saturday, but second place flattered them after they were beaten by the French and Scots comfortably apart from on the score board. They have solved a few issues though as we now have a long term 10 in Fin Smith. A few others have now also cemented places so progress is being made.

The Lions will help the English and Irish as they can look at the gaps in the squad and unearth a few new players and some to nail down positions. Wales could do with no lions and go on tour to sort some basics and begin the rebuild.

All in not a great tournament this year but some decent rugby played. Only France would be worrying the southern hemisphere sides.

[Skodillac]

DocJock said:

Scotland much as expected. Competitive until the forwards tire/get replaced. The backs continue to be inventive and test defences. I thought we'd struggle without Tuipoloto but Tom Jordan stepped up well. Russell needs to do less moaning to the ref...

Russell needs to do less playing for Scotland. Sorry, but his casual schtick is now getting old. I would like to see Adam Hastings recover fitness and be eased into first pick for 10. Then again, he's a bit of a maverick too.

Please God we have a fully fit squad next season. It will be 27 years since a championship win, which simply isn't good enough in a 5-team (let's be realistic) competition, which has historically been winnable by all teams on a more than once-in-a-generation basis.

[BigBen]

Tom8 said:

England? Did a great job on Saturday, but second place flattered them after they were beaten by the French and Scots comfortably apart from on the score board.

I don't think the word beaten means what you think it does.

[Tom8]

Skodillac said:

DocJock said:

Scotland much as expected. Competitive until the forwards tire/get replaced. The backs continue to be inventive and test defences. I thought we'd struggle without Tuipoloto but Tom Jordan stepped up well. Russell needs to do less moaning to the ref...

Russell needs to do less playing for Scotland. Sorry, but his casual schtick is now getting old. I would like to see Adam Hastings recover fitness and be eased into first pick for 10. Then again, he's a bit of a maverick too.

Please God we have a fully fit squad next season. It will be 27 years since a championship win, which simply isn't good enough in a 5-team (let's be realistic) competition, which has historically been winnable by all teams on a more than once-in-a-generation basis.

Assume you mean excluding Wales?

[DodgyGeezer]

it is interesting how England have gone from 'needing' to import a NZ'er (Brad Shields IIRC) to help out our back-row to the situation now where we have:

B Curry
T Curry
Earl
CCS
Pollock
Underhill
Barbeary
T Willis
J Willis
Hill

and quite a few more I've just missed out - I said it before this last round but (IMO) it bears repeating: given our seeming lack of punch in the mid-field is there any mileage in converting Earl into a centre (given the current penchant for playing people out of position)?

[Tindersticks]

I read today that Borthwick is thinking about using Earl at centre.

[julianm]

I expect a Lions thread will start up before long, but I'm already wondering if no Welsh in the squad is a probability.
Is there a Welshman who might feel confident of making it?

[phil_cardiff]

Tindersticks said:

I read today that Borthwick is thinking about using Earl at centre.

Good shout. It certainly worked well for Sam Burgess.

[phil_cardiff]

julianm said:

I expect a Lions thread will start up before long, but I'm already wondering if no Welsh in the squad is a probability.
Is there a Welshman who might feel confident of making it?

No. But there will be at least one.

[nordboy]

phil_cardiff said:

julianm said:

I expect a Lions thread will start up before long, but I'm already wondering if no Welsh in the squad is a probability.
Is there a Welshman who might feel confident of making it?

No. But there will be at least one.

I think Jac Morgan may have done enough based on his first few games. There's a big but to that though, in that he was totally outplayed by the Currys on Saturday. But it is easier to play when you were as dominant as England were compared to how poor Wales were?

But beyond him, I'm not sure, maybe an outside bet for someone, the 'surprise' player that sometimes get picked?

[phil_cardiff]

nordboy said:

phil_cardiff said:

julianm said:

I expect a Lions thread will start up before long, but I'm already wondering if no Welsh in the squad is a probability.
Is there a Welshman who might feel confident of making it?

No. But there will be at least one.

I think Jac Morgan may have done enough based on his first few games. There's a big but to that though, in that he was totally outplayed by the Currys on Saturday. But it is easier to play when you were as dominant as England were compared to how poor Wales were?

But beyond him, I'm not sure, maybe an outside bet for someone, the 'surprise' player that sometimes get picked?

Nobody looks good when their front 5 are being smashed into oblivion.

Morgan is our standout player and deserves to play in a good team. Lake might go as 3rd choice hooker as he has the athleticism needed at international level.

I'd be unhappy if any other Welshman tours.

[Smollet]

julianm said:

I expect a Lions thread will start up before long, but I'm already wondering if no Welsh in the squad is a probability.
Is there a Welshman who might feel confident of making it?

Already up
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[Googie]

[quote=phil_cardiff]


Morgan is our standout player and deserves to play in a good team. Lake might go as 3rd choice hooker as he has the athleticism needed at international level.

Hooker will be a very competitive selection but agree re Lake but difficult to shine in a beaten pack

[TheDoggingFather]

I really don't get Wales being so inconsistent, they seemed to be really pushing Ireland, then just got utterly ruined by England, with a virtually unchanged squad.

Jac Morgan should be in the Lions, Blair Murray should get an honorable mention too.

[nordboy]

TheDoggingFather said:

I really don't get Wales being so inconsistent, they seemed to be really pushing Ireland, then just got utterly ruined by England, with a virtually unchanged squad.

Jac Morgan should be in the Lions, Blair Murray should get an honorable mention too.

The main issue they have getting selected is that the back row and fullback are probably the positions that have the most depth for the Lions.

[Rockettvr]

France deserved winners a step ahead of all the other 6N sides - should have been a slam
Ireland sliding - need a refresh and Farrell back
Scotland just not the forward power or enough strength in depth
Italy always combative, good to watch but not really not making any ground on the other sides
Wales - echo what others have said, a sad state , no idea what they do about it just not the quality or depth of squad there
England - to give borthwick his due the pack have been immense.it’s the reason they’re competitive and got results v France and Scotland They made yards every time they had possession on Saturday- made it easy for the backs
Still don’t think the back line is there yet - despite Saturdays score line
Fin smith is so assured at 10
Roebuck has staked a good claim for wing
Freeman looked comfortable at 13
Daly played well but he’s knocking on a bit
Marcus is passable at 15 but he’s not a FB
Dingwall at 12 solid
Need to get a few more demanding games behind them to see how they’d be in tighter situations

Really need a proper FB and more depth in the backs

Edited by Rockettvr on Tuesday 18th March 08:18

[the tribester]

I did pull a face when I saw George Ford on the subs bench, able to cover probably just the 10 spot, but his eye for the play and those flat, cut-out passes, were sublime.

[prand]

the tribester said:

I did pull a face when I saw George Ford on the subs bench, able to cover probably just the 10 spot, but his eye for the play and those flat, cut-out passes, were sublime.

Yes i had to eat my words somewhat.

[Smollet]

prand said:

the tribester said:

I did pull a face when I saw George Ford on the subs bench, able to cover probably just the 10 spot, but his eye for the play and those flat, cut-out passes, were sublime.

Yes i had to eat my words somewhat.

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