Only two games this weekend, with Ireland treating Italy like a Welsh prop’s face and England facing their sort of nemesis in Cardiff. France and Scotland have had their game postponed as a result of an outbreak of lurgies in the French camp which was due to Galthié being a messiah very naughty boy. Craigsman, of course, would never do this.
Italy vs Ireland – Rome
Gonna be a spanking. I was going to leave it there but to be honest I should explain why. Ireland will be hurting after a disappointing run against Wales and France and will be keen to get back on track by putting a lot of points on Italy (who last won against them in 2013). Ireland also have an almost full strength squad too. They are just missing Cooney who, for some reason isn’t included. No one apart from Big Faz knows why this is and it really needs to be a talking point on the notablog. Has anyone mentioned that? Someone should mention that.
Italy will score one or two tries but are always a few years behind the curve and they don’t have the players. I can see them holding out for the first quarter before the floodgates open and we can all talk about whether they should make way for Georgia.
13 – 45 to Ireland
Wales vs England – Cardiff
I’m not sure about this one. Have Wales been spawny this year or have they been tenacious when behind and fought back valiantly to win? I think it’s both. You have to be good enough to capitalise on your luck and some of the tries have been great. They have fielded a team with a mix of old and new heads and seem to be finally getting to grips with Pivac’s style of play. If they can get it right and build an early score, then it will be tough night for the Saes.
England seem to be wobbling a bit. With Eddie emphasizing defence and several players out of form they haven’t set the world on fire recently. That said, they should be tough to beat and I’m hoping that they will have a bit more confidence about them this week. Expect a lot of kicking and muscle which hopefully will see them home in a tight game. Some might complain about this, but not me.
30 – 22 to Wales or 20 – 15 to England
France vs Scotland – Paris(ish)
So this has been postponed. What a bunch of les muppets, eh (who I hope will fully recover)? I can’t even ask ‘which France will turn up’ just to sound like a knob. Ah well, let’s pretend that it’s going ahead and look into my crystal ball…
I reckon France at a canter. They are looking very good at the moment and will likely stuff the Scots up their holes. There will be some nice stuff from the visitors but ultimately France are becoming more and more evil every year. It started with some strange glasses, then came a blunt talking defence coach and a change of culture a few thought would be unpalatable and then selection of form players and a sensible game plan going forwards. Who’d have thunk it? Witchcraft, I tell you.
I could be wrong. No good ever comes from a postponed game. None at all.
35 – 15 to France
As foretold by Britney Spears
Onna telly this week
Friday 26th February
| Treviso v Connacht | 17:30 | Premier Sports 2 |
| Sale v Exeter | 19:45 | BT Sport 1 |
| Cardiff v Munster | 20:00 | S4C / Premier Sports 2 |
| Ulster v Ospreys | 20:00 | Premier Sports 1 |
Saturday 27th February
| Edinburgh v Scarlets | 12:00 | Premier Sports 1 |
| Bristol v Leicester | 13:00 | BT Sport Extra |
| Italy v Ireland | 14:15 | ITV |
| Newcastle v Harlequins | 15:00 | BT Sport Extra |
| Wasps v London Irish | 15:00 | BT Sport Extra |
| Gloucester v Worcester | 15:15 | BT Sport Extra |
| Wales v England | 16:45 | BBC1 / S4C |
| Zebre v Dragons | 17:15 | Premier Sports 1 |
Sunday 28th February
| Northampton v Bath | 13:00 | BT Sport 2 |
| Leinster v Glasgow | 17:30 | Premier Sports 1 |
Ovally Balls 
Daly’s scoring the winning points in this game.
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Nice grubber
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Omg. I can’t believe they’re even checking this
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Curry will get sent off now
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Read the script, Pascal, Baby.
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@Ticht – the way this match is going, it would have been George that would have been carded for that.
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Itoje with a Captain Jack Sparrow move there.
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Haha, cute by Itoje there.
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All over.
Fml
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Can’t say England deserve to be any better off. They are their own worst enemies. Comforting to have the moral victory though.
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Sheedy should start for Wales
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How many penalties have England coughed up?
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Coughed up? About 6.
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Comedy play by Robson.
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That’s the game
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Wales up to 19. Bonus point territory.
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Fuck me he is quick
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LRZ is shit.
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Oh my dog. Heart in mouth.
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It’s all part of a cunning World Cup plan…………….
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Who has played worse – England or the ref?
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Who is Taloopy Faletau?
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Jiffy: Player of the match? I’m not going to give it to the referee….
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OT, yes?
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Bosh.
Eddie out?
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Bonus point. 40 points. Oh, yeah.
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@Ticht – if I had my way, yes.
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Well done Wales, that is a bit of a battering on the scoreline
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Well done Wales! Maybe if England had had a player sent off it would have been closer?
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Played Wales. Pivac coming good.
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Well played Wales. Poorly played England.
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Well done Wales – you know your business.
England, on the other hand………………………………do not use the ref as an excuse for your own actions.
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Good one Wales. England being England again.
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England’s discipline was awful, just like us against Wales, it was a similar match in that respect
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Congrats Wales.
My poor mood and ‘dummy out of pram’ moments actually nothing to do with rugby. Guess I invested too much in the possibility it might cheer me up generally.
Not a healthy place to be.
I blame the ref.
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I’ve been there Dova.
Hope things pick up for you.
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Oh, I’m absolutely livid about the reffing decisions in the first half, but more more about the England discipline throughout the whole match.
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Oh, fuck off Sonia. You’re not gonna make Faz say something.
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When does Itoje stop being a ‘great player’ and start becoming a bloody penalty liability? Or has he already passed that point?
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Actually we both think Farrell handled the post-match interview very well.
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Drop George, drop Hill, drop Youngs, drop Farrell, drop Slade, drop Daly, drop Robson, bench Itoje.
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There’s a proper dodgy dynamic between Jonno and Guscott. Is there a specific history anyone knows about? I’m guessing it’s to do with those tries in the first half.
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I think there is a general malaise in the England camp. Whether it is Farrell being captain, and not a good one, or the coaching, or something else I couldn’t say, but they look like a team of individuals who don’t really like each other.
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@dova it’s always risky hoping for your team to bolster yourself when times aren’t so great. I have plenty of experience with watching Glaws. Hope things get better soon.
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Dab, I would give Robson a chance. Daly needs gone, George and Mako aren’t firing, Billy actually had some go forward today for a change, I would have dropped Faz by now too. Slade doing Ok, faults lie elsewhere.
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Far more enjoyable than I expected.
Bravo les Gallois, much helped by England ineptitude. Great defence, quick thinking, a bit of luck (that try?!), excellent new players , SH/FH, LRZ, great old ones AWJ, Faletau, Navidi, good to see them back. Prior to the 6N, I thought Wales were stale and mediocre, now my face covered with eggs.
Never saw England that poor ( except may be in the 80s?). Possibly too many unfit players (Saracens?), they were lucky not to get a couple of YC for the team lack of discipline, super Maro must have been penalised 6 times all by himself.
And it’s a pity because whenever they bring speed to their game, they’re so dangerous, except they’re their worst enemy as the lack of basic handling skills show. Why is Daly- among several others- still in the team is a mystery. Farrell is too slow for an IC, and Slade probably also retains his place thanks to his big boot. As for Young, his well taken try shouldn’t hide his poor decision making. Lots of work for Eddie.
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There we are then.
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As usual, Clyde gets right to the point.
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Maybe it’s been because I’ve been away from rugby for a bit but Jerry is being exceptionally arseholish at the minute.
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Is this the year that no English players make the Lions squad?…………………………asking for a friend
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