The French are coming, you say? Jesus, Mary Joseph and the wee donkey.
Ireland vs France tomorrow is – in the view of many people – the match to decide the destination of the 6 Nations championship and put the winners on course for a Grand Slam. These are not so common in Irish rugby history to be sniffed at, so while other nations experiment with an eye on the autumn’s RWC, Ireland keep with the tried-and-tested and changes are very much enforced. Sheehan’s hard autumn and winter has finally caught up with him, so Herring gets a chance with the returning Kelleher looking over his shoulder. Bealham continues in place of Furlong.
Ireland had a nice tune up last week – as they say in GAA circles “to blow out the dirty petrol” in preparation for sucking diesel. The game vs Wales was won to all intents and purposes after 30 mins. Wales fought back after half time but Ireland – if not completely at ease – rode out the storm and closed the game out with a BP try. In many ways, reminiscent of Ireland’s trip to Paris in 2022: in command at half-time, France rode out Ireland’s 2nd half comeback and won comfortably enough.
France had a nasty scare last week and any complacency is probably now long dispelled – so we can assume no chance for Ireland to catch France cold. It could also be said that given the big changes in the Welsh panel that maybe the win last week wasn’t as impressive – did Gatland really decide to let this one go and give AWJ and Tipuric a farewell at home before making changes for the remainder of the tournament? Who knows? Maybe we overthink these things.
The big doubt about Ireland, expressed in many places, is that their “kryptonite” is a big pack. Leinster have come unstuck repeatedly against big packs (La Rochelle x 2 and Bulls) and the signing of Jason Jenkins was intended to give them a heavier presence. Ireland won out vs South Africa in the autumn, but they lucked out with SA’s choice of experimental halfbacks and no reliable kicker. So the jury remains out. Beirne and Ryan are not a traditional type of second-row pairing, and in many ways Beirne is something of a hybrid. Many would put him at 6, and have Henderson, who is more of a traditional second row – to bring heavyweight ballast. Of course, back row is where Ireland are pretty well stocked, so the question then becomes how to fit in a player with Beirne’s gifts into the team and not disturb a settled and effective backrow.
On the other games, Scotland followed last year’s win over England with a fairly dreadful performance against a Wales team that had been soundly defeated by Ireland – and here we are again. Lightning doesn’t strike twice, does it? Scottish fans will hope not and that they can build on the promise of last week. Huw Jones looks to back to the form of 2017/2018. Wales will be looking to start a bit quicker and maybe still be competitive at half-time. The regions had shown an upswing in the matches in the weeks running up to the 6N, notably the Ospreys in the Heino.
England vs Italy – England have tended to make hard work of this in recent years but they were forewarned by the Italy / France game. One would expect a backlash from last week’s defeat from England.
From the crystal ball of Mystic Triskaidekaphobia
Onna telly this week
Friday 10th February
| England v Italy (U20s) | 19:00 | BBC iPlayer |
| Scotland v Wales (U20s) | 19:15 | BBC iPlayer / S4C |
| London Irish v Northampton | 19:45 | BT Sport 3 |
| Ireland v France (U20s) | 20:00 | BBC iPlayer / RTÉ2 |
Saturday 11th February
| Ireland v France | 14:15 | ITV1 / RTÉ2 |
| Scotland v Wales | 16:45 | BBC1 / S4C |
Sunday 12th February
| Exeter v Sale | 13:00 | BT Sport 3 |
| England v Italy | 15:00 | ITV1 / RTÉ2 |
Ovally Balls 
Really want to hear Peat and Diesel on the PA .
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I’ve seen a few comments about some interview Dan Biggar made before the game, it seems to have backfired on him. I Haven’t seen anything, does anybody know what he said? Or was he just shouting at people again?
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BB, Biggar was just saying that he thought Wales didn’t get much credit for their record from the press, whereas Scotland got talked up.
He was having a go at the media rather than anyone else, and that was fair enough.
What wasn’t fair enough was the part in the match I’ve just got to (we had a birthday celebration today so I miss it live) where it looks like Turner has scored and Biggar is saying to Ben White, “Get your hands off me, who the fuck do you think you are?”
White was trying to calm everyone down in a heated moment, Biggar was being a ring piece.
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Congratulations Scotland. Slam is still on!
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This is it apparently. Don’t see what the fuss is about
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Well, judging by that, we seemed to go OK.
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Who cares what Biggar said? Scotland are very good at the moment and Wales (and Biggar) aren’t. These things are cyclical and soundbites shouldn’t be our concern. Both Ireland and Scotland were very good, France a bit less so and Wales even less.
Rugby was good though. Few injuries ( I hope the guy Atonio hit is OK), great moves ( Ireland first try was so good ), Finn delivered beautifully ( so he won’t in a fortnight, right?), Dupont was his usual outstanding ( unfortunately mostly in defence), and Scotland played better without Hogg.
Please, don’t anyone tinker with the 6N.
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Not really bothered by what Dan said, just that I had seen a lot of comments about it. Hoggy hasn’t played much since December, so wasn’t surprised that he went off against England, plus failing the HIA today. Might see how the enxt couple of weeks go, but at the moment Kinghorn may well be the better option.
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Thought Scotland were very good in the second half. Wales only really competitive while both teams couldn’t get it together. Some of the newer forwards seemed to do OK though.
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It was great, when watching Ireland and Scotland today, to see two NH teams know exactly what they are trying to do, and what they are trying to do not being just bosh it up the middle or roost it and chase hard.
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It’s the hope that kills ye…
Nice to see Scotland put the dragon to the sword but there’s a couple of obstacles in Gallic and Hibernian guise so I’ll keep the enthusiasm tempered for now.
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Again, in my humble view, it was the quality of Irish and Scottish team play that won:
– passes at correct height and pace for receiver, so that he is balanced and ready for the next step (contact, run, pass)
– kicks properly weighted and directed to unbalance defences
-speed of plays
Accuracy is everything
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I’m just catching up with IreFra
Penaud’s try – what a thing of beauty, French Flair is alive and kicking, or alive and passing through the hands and finding space,
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And then Lowe!
Oh wait oof, that was close as to whether his foot touched the ground
You’ve probably had this conversation alrea
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It’s going to be difficult for this afternoon’s game to reach the heights of yesterday (of which there were many).
Easiest route is for Italy to play out of their skins; harder is England to look like a smooth outfit that’s been together for 2 or 3 years – I just hope they do the basics really well
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Should say, well done Ireland! Have to say that Scotland vs Ireland could be a cracker. If Scotland can stand up to the Irish pack then anything is possible.
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Yep, was out Ticht. Good job win was more than a try.
Any news on how Hamish Watson is coming along ? Kind of figure him fit is pretty much the only area for obvious improvement. Been very impressed with Tuipolatu, when you look at Harris not getting a start, Hutchinson and Bennett looking good but not in the squad, Darcy Graham injured , its all apples. Thought Zander F played well yesterday too, no major brain farts.
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It feels weird, seeing England players taking the ball at pace, in midfield. Who’s come up with these fancy new tactics?
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Jack Willis with the first score – off the back of an England maul.
7-0 14 mins.
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The Italy scrum is going very poorly. I think they’ve coughed up a penalty every time so far.
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Yellow card for Cannone (8) after repeated team infringements at the lineout/maul.
Chessum scores in the phases after. 14-0 ~30mins
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Too much reffing going on here.
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England being disappointingly competent here.
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Absolute bullshit decision. Fucking rubbish. Absolute fucking garbage. Fuck off.
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That was lovely by Malins, deception with the ball to make space, then he gives it to Van Poortvliet to score.
Nope, apparently there was obstruction in the buildup. Boooo.
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England bung it in the corner, this time George has the ball at the back and scores.
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19-0 to England after 37 mins. Italy back to 15 players.
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*just cooked our first barbecue of the year. Might have drink a bit too much wine too early.
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Italy don’t appear to have turned up, for the first half. England going through the motions and trying to get the patterns to flow.
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Well I’d have bitten your hand off for that scoreline and performance an hour ago. Hoping they keep it up. Lawrence making Eddie look a right prat.
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Why don’t ITV have any Italian punditry? You’ve just got two dinosaurs (Clive & Dayglo) and Wilkinson.
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Sounds like just the right amount, Dab, old chap. Wished I had. It’s all a bit meh so far. Lots of positives for England, back row going really well, Lawrence making an impression. Italy a little off after last week, think the ref was far too pro England at the scrums early one, game never got flowing. Better later, when he said just play it, as England again shoved too early and the scrum went down. Still too much kicking going on, surely better to run thru the phases instead of constantly dabbing it in behind the line ?
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This feels more how an England team should play – I like it.
Players in their natural positions – who’d have thought it?
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My god, Haskell looked like a knob in the clip of him DJing.
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Faz has looked very dischuffed in the 1st half – wonder why?
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Yay! Italy score!
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Italy have woken up. Capuozzo making a little break in mid-field, forwards making metres, then Riccioni reaching out an arm to score.
19-7 45 mins
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Hands in the face on Faz – that’s a red, isn’t it?
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How is that not a stronger sanction against Italy?
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So contact with the eye area is fine if it’s Faz’s eyes then? Cool.
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This ref can fuck off back to being a touch judge, for the next match.
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Jesus this commentary team are appalling.
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Italy drop an England maul and it’s a penalty try & yellow for the new prop Ferrari.
26-7 50 mins
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Vern Cotter gives a good half time talk, apparently.
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With a fair referee England would be another 20 points on by now.
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TRY Fusco!
Much better second half from Italy. Some actual rugby on display.
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Dab – the ref has been rubbish, but both sides have suffered. Italian players tripped/pushed at least twice, with nothing done, etc.
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So we can disallow an England try for a bullshit obstruction but not an Italian try for a blatant one. Cool.
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Soz. It’s just the wine.
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@Thaum – I can only watch with one eye or I see double!
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