I was vaguely interested in rugby as a child; we used to play it in the playground, although we didn’t have a rugby ball (any kind of ball would do), none of us knew the rules, and it resembled a particularly vicious bout of British Bulldogs more than the game we know and love today.
Then, in my twenties, I found myself in Detroit working with a load of Brits and French, and there was a local Irish pub, Dick O’Dow’s, that put on all the Five Nations matches. Of course they started at an unreasonable time in the morning, and of course this did not deter us from assembling to watch them, and downing the Guinness in camaradic rivalry.
It starts like that: you think you’re just getting together with some colleagues for a little fun, then you start watching other Test matches, maybe a few European Cup matches, and before you know it, you’re obsessively watching obscure dead rubbers in the Pro-infinity and desperately starting a rugby blog because the one you’ve become addicted to has suddenly disappeared.
As a footnote, during the last World Cup but one, we went to a pub in Cardiff after one of the matches (possibly that horrible one where Ireland were knocked out by Argentina), and there was a bloke there who we overheard mentioning Detroit.
“Oh,” I said, “I used to live in Detroit. I went to watch all the matches at Dick O’Dow’s.”
Turned out the bloke was the one who’d brought the television rights to Detroit, so responsible for my addiction. Small world.
Right, on to the matches!
Italy v France
Teams
Italy: Jacopo Trulla, Luca Sperandio, Marco Zanon, Juan Ignacio Brex, Montanna Ioane, Paolo Garbisi, Stephen Varney, Cherif Traorè, Luca Bigi (c), Marco Riccioni, Marco Lazzaroni, David Sisi, Sebastian Negri, Johan Meyer, Michele Lamaro
Replacements: Gianmarco Lucchesi, Danilo Fischetti, Giosué Zilocchi, Niccolò Cannone, Federico Ruzza, Maxime Mbandà, Guglielmo Palazzani, Carlo Canna
France: Brice Dulin, Teddy Thomas, Arthur Vincent, Gaël Fickou, Gabin Villière, Matthieu Jalibert, Antoine Dupont, Cyril Baille, Julien Marchand, Mohamed Haouas, Bernard Le Roux, Paul Willemse, Dylan Cretin, Charles Ollivon (c), Grégory Alldritt
Replacements: Pierre Bourgarit, Jean-Baptiste Gros, Dorian Aldegheri, Romain Taofifenua, Anthony Jelonch, Baptiste Serin, Louis Carbonel, Damian Penaud
Blog ‘wisdom’
Anything but finishing first will be considered a failure in France. I doubt there’ll be a Grand Slam, given that France will travel to both England and Ireland, albeit in empty stadia. (Flair99)
France by 13 over Italy – the Italians will have their customary strong start to the 6N before injury and lack of depth give those following bonus point chances. (Deebee7)
That’s about all anyone had to say about this match.
England v Scotland
Teams
England: 15. Elliot Daly, 14. Anthony Watson, 13. Henry Slade, 12. Ollie Lawrence, 11. Jonny May, 10. Owen Farrell (C), 9. Ben Youngs, 1. Ellis Genge, 2. Jamie George, 3. Will Stuart, 4. Maro Itoje, 5. Jonny Hill, 6. Mark Wilson, 7. Tom Curry, 8. Billy Vunipola.
Replacements: 16. Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17. Beno Obano, 18. Harry Williams, 19. Courtney Lawes, 20. Ben Earl, 21. Dan Robson, 22. George Ford, 23. Max Malins.
Scotland: 15. Stuart Hogg (C), 14. Sean Maitland, 13. Chris Harris, 12. Cameron Redpath, 11. Duhan van der Merwe, 10. Finn Russell, 9. Ali Price, 1. Rory Sutherland, 2. George Turner, 3. Zander Fagerson, 4. Scott Cummings, 5. Jonny Gray, 6. Jamie Ritchie, 7. Hamish Watson, 8. Matt Fagerson.
Replacements: 16. David Cherry, 17. Oli Kebble, 18. WP Nel, 19. Richie Gray, 20. Gary Graham, 21. Scott Steele, 22. Jaco van der Walt, 23. Huw Jones.
BLOG ‘WISDOM’
There was a bit more interest in this match.
Full-strength Scotland at Twikkers confident of catching England cold, anticipating many England players off the pace.
As it turns out, Scotland, as usual, force the game and surrender numerous knock-ons in promising attacking positions.
Ford, Farrell, Slade, Daly kick, kick and kick. May secures two kick-chase TDs (Hogg missing his tackles) and Farrell doesn’t miss a kick – conversion or penalty. Slade intercepts a long, telegraphed Russell flat pass for England’s 3rd try. LC-D barrels over late in the game for the fourth.
Final score 40 – 10 as Ritchie gets the consolation and Genge gives up 3 points and a yellow card for lamping Watson.Dream on……………………………………………………. (SladeIs42)
My dark horse, as often, are Scotland, specially as they start with England. With a bit of wind in their sails, they could go pretty far. But then, that’s what we say every year. (Flair, ibid)
Dayboo for young Redpath, and probably Cherry off the bench
Hope Turner can keep the heid & his darts are a worry. Not convinced yet by Fagerson junior at 8 but hope he steps up a bit. Bigger Gray back is good, he’s been looking back in form.
England by 20. (Chimpie)
” Daly = Hogg in many ways.”
Good lord, Slade. What pills have you been taking ?
Was going to announce Ford to bench before the team came out, Eddie just couldn’t play Ford ahead of Faz after Squidge report. Could this be the day a total Owen meltdown costs England the game? Dunno about chipping in behind Farrell, I think running thru him is a better option, with a nifty little offload down low.
So, the scene is set for George to come on with 20 mins to go, and England 20 points behind, will he secure the comeback win ? Has Owen been practicing spiral bombs ??? Nope, cos Eddie rarely brings on subs until its too late for them to change the game.
Scotland by 10. (SunbeamTim)
England by 12 over Scotland – Scots passion, fury and flingaboutery will keep them close until the 65 minute mark when George Ford comes on to change gears and get the spluttering engine purring. (Deebee7, ibid)
Wales v Ireland
Teams
Wales: 15. Leigh Halfpenny, 14. Louis Rees-Zammit, 13. George North, 12. Johnny Williams, 11. Hallam Amos, 10. Dan Biggar, 9. Tomos Williams, 1. Wyn Jones, 2. Ken Owens, 3. Tomas Francis, 4. Adam Beard, 5. Alun Wyn Jones (capt), 6. Dan Lydiate, 7. Justin Tipuric, 8. Taulupe Faletau.
Replacements: 16. Elliot Dee, 17. Rhodri Jones, 18. Leon Brown, 19. Will Rowlands, 20. Josh Navidi, 21. Gareth Davies, 22. Callum Sheedy, 23. Nick Tompkins.
Ireland: 15. Hugo Keenan, 14. Keith Earls, 13. Garry Ringrose, 12. Robbie Henshaw, 11. James Lowe, 10. Jonathan Sexton (capt), 9. Conor Murray, 1. Cian Healy, 2. Rob Herring, 3. Andrew Porter, 4. Tadhg Beirne, 5. James Ryan, 6. Peter O’Mahony, 7. Josh van der Flier, 8. CJ Stander.
Replacements: 16. Ronan Kelleher, 17. Dave Kilcoyne, 18. Tadhg Furlong, 19. Iain Henderson, 20. Will Connors, 21. Jamison Gibson Park, 22. Billy Burns, 23. Jordan Larmour.
BLOG ‘WISDOM’
The Irish have been shy on this one. Not surprised, because I honestly don’t have any idea either.
Wales by 2 over Ireland – early season burglary by Wales over a fancied Irish side. (Deebee7, ibid) (boo, hiss)
I had the grizzles with Pivac’s Autumn teams, but this feels a tick better. Amos back (as NostradamIks predicted) is alright, not too bothered one way or the other. I much prefer Beard to Seb Davies, especially for his Aardman features.
I’m glad those run-outs for Botham and the Other-backrower-who’s-name-I-can’t-remember-but-it-was-hyphenated, are over for now. Don’t know much about the next big thing at centre called Williams since the last big thing at centre called Owen Williams, who turned out to be overrated and over-hyped – except by me of course. I hope to see what the fuss is about on Sunday.
Lydiate coming back is an odd one. I should be horrified, but I’m not, for some reason. I’m more curious to see how it goes than anything.
Positives are mainly a good pair of 9s, the usual suspects in Faletau and Tips, and two Drags to liven things up off the bench.
What I’m expecting is a stodgy attacking display, an improved set-piece, a mix of iffy and whiffy defending, and a right-good rogering at the breakdown.
Ireland’s to lose. (MisterIks)
I think we’d take them in a packed-out stadium. In a empty echoing cavern it’s theirs all day long. (TomPirracas)
My flabber is gasted by the absence of Wainwright. I simply overlooked it. Says to me that Pivac’s pendulum has swung from adventure to stolid, and Lydiate is there to stop the opposition, rather than start a bit of Welsh rugby.
Pivac out! (Iks again)
Some more general thoughts on the tournament:
Both England and Ireland seem rather stale at the moment, with little threat in attack but they can defend. It will be tight.
Wales look mediocre, Italy pffft…
England will probably bully every team but France, so should finish 1st or 2nd.
Wooden spoon beckons for Italy while Ireland and Wales should fight within the soft belly of the tournament. (Flair99, ibid)
Wales’ matches will in all probability be tedious affairs with depressing results. Or depressing affairs with tedious results. With it being the last hurrah for the Six Nations on proper telly and the unlikely occurrence of Test cricket on Channel 4 I expect to spend February watching an inordinate amount of sport from which I will glean no satisfaction whatsoever.
They’ll probably score the odd nice try either before hopelessly capitulating or more likely after the game is done as a contest. (ClydeMillarWynant)
Don’t think we’ve got a hope in hell, really. Haven’t played a Test since lifting the Webb Ellis trophy, half of our players are being denuded of their skills and enthusiasm by playing in England, we’ve got a long injury list and our domestic competitions have been pretty poor fare. (Deebee7, who frankly seems to be confused about which tournament we’re on about.)
Let the games begin! We all have the HOPEFEAR.
Onna telly this week
Friday 5th February
| Dragons v Connact | 19:35 | TG4 / Premier Sports 1 |
| Bristol v Sale | 19:45 | BT Sport 1 |
Saturday 6th February
| Wasps v Northampton | 13:00 | BT Sport Extra |
| Italy v France | 14:15 | ITV |
| Bath v Harlequins | 14:15 | BT Sport Extra |
| Leicester v Worcester | 15:00 | BT Sport Extra |
| London Irish v Gloucester | 15:00 | BT Sport Extra |
| England v Scotland | 16:45 | ITV |
Sunday 7th February
| Newcastle v Exeter | 13:00 | BT Sport 2 |
| Wales v Ireland | 15:00 | BBC1 / S4C |
Ovally Balls 
Only two of the bands mentioned are prog, Chimpie.
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Sturgeon > Drakeford by 5
LePennMacron > Adams by 10Bojo > Berlusconi by 15
I was just going to include far right politicians / arseholes. I managed a few arseholes but couldn’t be bothered to Welsh political arseholery.
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Soz. Not up to speed on the finer points of proggery.
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*Google
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Neil Hamilton.
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Haha, didn’t know he is Welsh.
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Hamilton used to be MP for Tatton. Handforth is in Tatton.
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Just so I can post this bit, I’ll offer Saunders Lewis for Welsh candidate:
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IRELAND (v France):
Hugo Keenan,
Keith Earls, Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, James Lowe;
Billy Burns, Jamison Gibson Park;
Cian Healy, Rob Herring, Andrew Porter;
Tadhg Beirne, Iain Henderson;
Rhys Ruddock, Josh van der Flier, CJ Stander.
No Murray, Ryan, or Sexton.
Subs: Kelleher, Ed Byrne, Furlong, Dillane, Connors, Ross Byrne, Casey, Larmour
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@TomP = oddly exactly the name that sprung to mind when reading Craigs original post….
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‘Billy Burns, Jamison Gibson Park’
I take it back. France by 10.
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And the French:
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Looks weak. Ireland by 20
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I know his brother MacArthur
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…..and his cousin Trafford
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Howard, Heseltine and Howe are all Welsh as well as Hamilton. Going to have to do something about the ‘H’ people when I become Dictatwr, sorry TomP.
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Henry VII too of course.
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CMW, Will you be sending Operation Condor style Assassination Squads to off those ‘H’ people residing in other countries?
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Asking for a friend.
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I’ve just subscribed to Marquee TV[1] (because they have loads of full-length performances from the RSC, Donmar, Glyndebourne and loads of other big names) and over 4 days watched the RSC’s Richard II, Henry IVx2 and Henry V sequence.
Apart from the excellent performances (e.g. Anthony Sher as Falstaff), the big takeaway was a reminder how much Old Bill loved taking the piss out of the Welsh. And the Scots. And French. But mainly the Welsh.
[1] They’ve got a free trial on if anyone’s interested. https://www.marquee.tv.
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Is Casey the scrum half on the Ireland bench? Don’t really know anything about him at all if so, take it he’s young?
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He is. Under 20s half back in 2019. Very promising player.
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CMW, Henry V claims to be Welsh as well in that play what Shakespeare wrote about him.
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Billy Burns, Jamison Gibson Park;
*Gasps in utter horror*
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@tomp
Which one was that?
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Looks like Big Faz realises that France are going to hammer Ireland whichever way, so has thrown in a 9 and 10 as sacrificial lambs to protect young payers. End of JGP and BB’s International careers ?
Very enthusiastic about all the talk of how disgraceful Italy are, and how they should be thrown out of the comp, and how its a non game for a proper side. I see Italy as being fitter and more coherent than they have ever been, and one step off defensively is all it takes to be hammered by a Tier one side. Setting someone up for a big fall somewhere this season.
Scotland and Wales both hammered by injuries, too close to call, game of the weekend.
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I think we all know who this is, and that they’ve broken lockdown rules more than they let on to the coppers:
(From the Mothership’s live blog.)
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Enland by 29
Scotland by 7
France by 11.
Don’t harrumph me, I was wrong twice last week.
Not sure the omission of Sexton and Murray is a good thing for France but it is certainly a good thing for them. Enough of these concussed players blaming the doctors. I hope they recover soon.
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Harrumph
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https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/feb/12/dramatic-discovery-links-stonehenge-to-its-original-site-in-wales
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May have to beat Brookter and OT and force them to eat raw leeks.
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It’s all Wales this, Wales that.
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“Shakespeare adheres to his seemingly common principle of portraying Welsh characters in his plays as basically comedic, offering the audience an opportunity to mock the manners, language, temperament and outmoded attitudes of their Celtic neighbours; compare with Glendower in Henry IV, Part 1 and Sir Hugh Evans the Welsh Parson in The Merry Wives of Windsor. All are wordy ‘Welsh windbags’, with amusing speech patterns, pronunciations and reactionary, over sensitive and pedantic to a degree.”
I object to ‘reactionary’.
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That’s terrible. At least the WRU has been able to change these perceptions over the years by having Max Boyce as the pre-match entertainment.
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@flair
Ryan and Sexton are out as they’ve not progressed far enough in the RTP – Murray seems to be a muscle injury.
I take your point about the rush to get these lads back on the field – at our amateur level it’s 21 days and 23 days for U18s and below – thankfully we’ve had few in last couple of seasons and none in the lads I’ve coached.
Pretty excited to see Casey play – he will surely get a chance on Sunday. Real old school 9 – quicks to rucks, quick pass and will try to rile up anyone bigger than him – which is everyone.
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* Exhibits outmoded attitude towards OT *
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I think they way the squad was structured – this was the only course. Casey was probably added with the aim of giving him a run vs Italy and rest Murray (otherwise it’d be Murray/Gibson Park). I’d bet the intention at 10 was Sexton and AN Other – Burns and Byrne alternating as sub in 4 games with Sexton rested vs Italy.
I hope Burns has a a good game – so that even if he didn’t get another chance he could leave with a good feeling. I think esp after Sunday he deserves a chance to show what he can do.
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Education for the last couple of weeks has comprised getting youngest chimplet to psych out a cockerel to stop it pecking him. Think he’s finally mastered it and achieved dominance.
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Trisk, I like Billy, Hope he has a stormer, just France……
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Well, I hope he does too, but I’m not a complete fantasist.
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@CMW, in the RSC Henry 1V.b, this involved actual leeks. Also, an incomprehensible Scotsman.
On the plus side, Pistol, Nym and Falstaff are all utterly English and utterly twattish.
Coincidentally, I watched the BBC Shakespeare version of the Merry Wives of Windsor the other night and apart from the fact that TV programs from 1982 don’t look good on modern computer monitors, the Welsh Daft Falstaff Fat Twat theme was well represented. Falstaff was Richard Griffith and I don’t think he was wearing the fat suit Anthony Sher had used.
You’ll be glad to know Yorkshire was given the honour of Alan Bennett as Justice Swallow, and Gandhi was Master Ford.
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SBT
I love the Stonehenge story = Second-hand Monument.
A bit like the Elgin Marbles – shameful not to give them back!
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Test
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Can someone point me to a FAQ page for doing quote blocks etc?
Fanks.
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English Premiership news update:
“After a vote passed on Friday with a “strong majority”, the league will expand to 13 teams next term, with one side promoted from the Championship.”
Good news for Ealing Trailfinders………tee-hee
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Beadle
Some issues with staying logged into the blog preventing me from LRZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZing.
I have just found those posts in the spam bin, along with a similar one from BB. Now restored to their rightful glory.
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“Scotland shed 6 Nations underdog tag and take step into unknown”
…………you just know what’s going to happen?
squeaky bum time
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Slider: just swap angled-brackets for the square brackets in the following:
[blockquote]This is a blockquote [/blockquote]
Italics:
[em] Italics [/em]
Bold
[strong] Bold [/strong]
Strike through[strike] Strike through [/strike]
Are there any others you want to use?
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Slade, that’s good news for Glaws whose only consistency remains being a team that is made up of less than the sum of their parts. Now I can enjoy us being roasted tonight by players whose reputations have increased since leaving the club.
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Cheers, Brookter! I should put up a FAQ page some day, when I get a round tuit.
You can do [i] italics [/i] as well.
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