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 
First of all, can I pedantically point out to everyone that it’s Atonio, not Antonio? ;-)
To SBT – no. I think the threat of losing the match in the here and now is greater than possible future bans for a single player.
Mate … we are not going to make it to the final. Supposing we survive a bruising pool stage, we will face either France or NZ in the QF (and I’m guessing sans Sexton by then). But if that did happen in the QF, then of course I would be furious … with the stupid player who committed a dangerous tackle.*
*I reserve a right to moan if the player with the ball is the aggressor, as I’ve outlined in previous posts.
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Oh, and also agree that southern hemisphere seem more lenient on these things.
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Welsh players are planning a strike. Which song should the WRU ban? Got to be Bread of Heaven.
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Seriously though, it does sound completely shite for them. I hope it gets sorted quickly.
https://www.rugbypass.com/news/strike-threat-leaves-the-wales-versus-england-game-in-doubt/
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The WRU is in absolute disarray. Hopefully these crises will fix it.
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… By getting rid of all the twats currently in charge as a good first step, I should imagine.
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Atonio-duly noted.
Wales- good grief.
The WRU is headed by the President (Gerald Davies), chairman (Ieuan Evans) and acting CEO (Nigel Walker).
Shocked that those three can’t sort out the mess. Davies played in the amateur era, but Evans and Walker should have a bit of empathy for guys that need to pay their mortgages.
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Would thus near a bonus point away win?
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Ffs. Would this mean a bonus point away win?
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Sooooooooo… what to talk about today?
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In a contact sport, card distribution is extremely tricky.
A red card offence merits a red card in the first or last minute of a game.
It is entirely foreseeable that a player will risk a red card offence if it might save the win for his/her team.
Spectators must be educated that the short-term spectacle (for which they will have paid handsomely) must be subject to the rules of fair play – and criticise the player/team not the ref.
Players must be made aware that a red card offence will be punished at the time of action, no matter what.
Everyone needs to remember that rugby is a game of trust, error and beauty/beast and respect each other. That’s what makes it so special.
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SBT – sorry for the delay in replying.
My comment implied nothing about Atonio or Herring as people – they both appear nice guys to me.
I was simply speculating on what a player (carrying the ball) may think in the moments before contact, e.g.
– oh shit, this is going to hurt, I’m set up all wrong
– bugger, no one to lay off to
– bounce, ground, recycle
– whoa! I can get this guy penalised here
I am sure all and others are possible. In many sports ball carriers will seek to buy a foul off an opposing defender.
In the case in point, Atonio was too slow to react to being too upright and adjust and probably not flexible enough anyway. Herring was inviting trouble by being too upright.
Yellow card to Atonio for me as no apparent malice.
But two observations:
1. cards should be applied correctly no matter what the stage of the game – time on the clock
2. as an ex-defender I believe there are circumstances when the defender needs protection from over aggressive attacking players Players flying into rucks, croc. rolls and side entries are already recognised. Also in face-to-face collisions e.g. in my main sport (lacrosse) if a defender is stationery at the start of the attack player’s movement towards collision then impact is a foul by the attacking player.
anecdote: when playing bigger, better, faster attack players I used to invite the collision and then kind of wrap and fall backwards – worked every time because it looked passive! Mind you we were all kitted up with helmets, pads etc and I would never want that in rugby.
I am sure the problem will get sorted, but players and clubs have the primary responsibility to play to the rules. Referees can only apply the laws to what they see.
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If anyone gets the chance have a look at the Premiership Cup match between Exeter and Sale.
Some terrific attacking play throughout the game.
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Nicola Sturgeon stepping down! Didn’t see that coming.
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Deebee, Sturgeon has been relentlessly attacked over recent months on the back of the Gender Reform Bill, in essence it makes getting a birth certificate changed for Trans people a lot easier.
It’s been the basis for stoking up culture wars in the rest of the UK and now it’s been used to get rid of a democratically elected First Minister.
That is the very short version of events.
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Also, Deebs, with Wales proposing to strike, can you think of a team who would be willing to step in?
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Sturgeon says the row over the GRB had nothing to do with her decision, though.
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Also, Deebs, with Wales proposing to strike, can you think of a team who would be willing to step in?
Georgia? With how crap Wales are, losing their last five 6N games, (one to each of the other sides), it’s logical: Wales oot! Georgia in!
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Thaum, the other things in her in tray were all survivable – there is money that was supposed to be ring fenced and to go towards the second referendum that went on advertising the Scot Gov website and services, but that seems to be the worst of it.
Sturgeon’s husband leant the SNP forty seven grand, and it wasn’t declared in time, that isn’t enough to topple the First Minster, I wouldn’t have thought.
There is no accusations even from the Tories that Sturgeon lined her own pockets or those of her friends
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3- match ban for Atonio
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“3- match ban for Atonio”
Possibly cut to two if he goes to tackle school.
La Rochelle have a game this weekend against Brive, so he could only be out for Scotland’s trip to Paris.
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Other exciting news, it looks like the Labour party are doing their best to shoot themselves in the foot again. Are there agent provocateurs in the pay of the Tories at work here ? If so, they are doing a great job, Rishi should give them a bonus.
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“The player admitted that he had committed an act of foul play worthy of a red card,” the Six Nations said.
“Having acknowledged there were no aggravating factors and mitigating factors including the player’s immediate admission of guilt, his exemplary disciplinary record and genuine remorse, the committee reduced the six-week entry point by three weeks, resulting in a sanction of three weeks,” they added.
La Rochelle front-rower Atonio could have his suspension reduced by a week so as to be able to make his 50th Test appearance against Wales on March 18 if he successfully completes a coaching programme.
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If I read this correctly, he will not be allowed to be released back to his club for the La Rochelle game this weekend. If that was the RFU, and it was their captain, they would, so he would be available to play against England in the 4th round. Just saying……
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Ticht – ~75% of Scots are opposed to the GRB and issues surrounding it. I think that’s probably what did it even if she won’t say so.
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If only there had been 6 years of consultation and a democratic vote, in the GRC reform – oh wait, there was.
But then again, we can’t let the scary trans people have their chosen gender in their death certificate made, can we.
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Ticht, this isn’t the RFU and Farrell. As Atonio is commited to France for the entire 6N , he wouldn’t be allowed to play for his club. The citing commission made it perfectly clear they knew it and therefore he gets the 3 full weeks unless he attends (and he will of course) not exactly a tackle school but a session about the consequences of dangerous tackling. So two games only.
Am not opposed to the final decision, I agree it could’ve been a RC, and I said so immediately. But it all smacks of hypocrisy, where everybody pretends to play his part, including Atonio playacting the good remorseful boy and admitting his crime.
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Flair, I was being a little facetious with the reference to how the RFU behaved with the ban :-)
Craigs, do you have a link to that stat?
Most of the people I’ve engaged with online, Scots and non-Scots, on the issue are completely mistaken in terms of what is contained in the bill.
In essence it means that people can change their birth certificate without intrusive medical intervention, also, to make a false application can lead to a criminal conviction with a sentence of up to two years.
That’s about it.
The sky is not going to fall in as a result of the bill.
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“But it all smacks of hypocrisy, where everybody pretends to play his part, including Atonio playacting the good remorseful boy and admitting his crime.”
I really hate that players are not allowed to put forward their case on penalty of an extended ban, it a legal process but there doesn’t seem to be a lot of justice in that process.
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“In essence it means that people can change their birth certificate without intrusive medical intervention, ”
I meant to add, “bringing Scotland in line with countries like Ireland and Portugal and recommendations from organisations like the UN”
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@Ticht – the last survey I saw had ~60% people opposed to the GRC reform. However I don’t really find that surprising as most of the publicity over the last few years, in the mainstream press, is how this will just result in women being assaulted wherever they turn.
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A minority group being disallowed equality because they are potential rapists and paedophiles is a worrying point of view to hold.
There is a good FAQ here
https://www.scottishtrans.org/our-work/gender-recognition-act-reform-2022/gra-faq/
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Add Spain to the list Ticht
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Ticht – actually, having looked at that, I don’t trust the original source (Wings of Scotland). It was in the Scottish Daily Express but when I followed the links it took me there. Not reliable to say the least.
I also think that the different aspects of the bill are supported/opposed differently.
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Have found that 42% of Scots wanted her to resign. That’s from the Spectator.
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Craigs – Wings is a mate of Glinner’s, so treat anything he says with a HUGE hint of caution.
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Refit – I know. Didn’t realise.
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“Have found that 42% of Scots wanted her to resign. That’s from the Spectator.”
45% wanted her to stay.
75% said they thought the GRB presented a danger to women.
The GRB has no impact whatsoever on single sex spaces – from the FAQ
“Will it affect single sex spaces and services?
No, as trans people without a gender recognition certificate can already use single-sex spaces, such as toilets and changing rooms, which align with their gender. The Equality Act 2010, and not the GRA, set out the legal arrangements for how single-sex spaces and services operate, and changes to the GRA will not affect these.
The Equality Act 2010 starts from the position that trans people, with or without gender recognition certificates, can access services and spaces which align with their gender. Trans women can use female-only spaces and services, and trans men can use male-only spaces and services. However, there are exceptions which allow single-sex services to treat trans people less favourably than other people if their particular circumstances mean that’s necessary and proportionate. A service provider can exclude any person (trans or not) if they behave badly.
These arrangements also apply to single-sex services such as prisons, gender based violence services such as domestic abuse refuges, and single-sex wards. There are nothing in the Scottish Government proposals that would change this.”
There has been a deliberate and unrelenting campaign of misinformation on this.
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The turnouts for the vigils for Brianna Ghey are quite something. This is London. In Manchester people are queuing to get into the Gardens, where it’s being held.
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Away from the grimness, have some sublime skills to cheer
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Sublime Skills Scuppers Blog Shocker!
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Sun-Style SCREAMER Scuppers Scupper!
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– you talking about Jimmy Anderson???
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Back to Friday night league action
Soap Dodgers
1 Nathan McBeth (15)
2 Johnny Matthews (39)
3 Lucio Sordoni (10)
4 Lewis Bean (30)
5 Scott Cummings (95)
6 Thomas Gordon (60)
7 Sione Vailanu (10)
8 Jack Dempsey (32)
9 Jamie Dobie (43)
10 Tom Jordan (14)
11 Cole Forbes (31)
12 Sam Johnson (98)
13 Stafford McDowall (C) (48)
14 Sebastian Cancelliere (22)
15 Ollie Smith (25)
Replacements
16 Fraser Brown (134)
17 Jamie Bhatti (81)
18 Simon Berghan (24)
19 JP du Preez (14)
20 Alex Samuel (5)
21 Euan Ferrie (7)
22 Ali Price (122)
23 Duncan Weir (131)
Norn Gibbons
15-9): Ethan McIlroy, Ben Moxham, James Hume, Stewart Moore, Jacob Stockdale, Billy Burns, Nathan Doak.
(1-8): Eric O’Sullivan, Tom Stewart, Jeff Toomaga-Allen, Alan O’Connor (Captain), Kieran Treadwell, Harry Sheridan, Jordi Murphy, Nick Timoney.
Replacements: John Andrew, Rory Sutherland, Andy Warwick, Cormac Izuchukwu, Greg Jones, John Cooney, Luke Marshall, Craig Gilroy.
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Beadle’s Glaws against Quins tomorrow.
Starting XV
15. Lloyd Evans*
14. Jonny May*
13. Chris Harris
12. Seb Atkinson
11. Ollie Thorley*
10. Santi Carreras
9. Ben Meehan
1. Val Rapava-Ruskin
2. Seb Blake*
3. Kirill Gotovtsev
4. Freddie Clarke*
5. Matias Alemanno
6. Ruan Ackermann
7. Lewis Ludlow (c)*
8. Albert Tuisue
Replacements
16. Henry Walker*
17. Harry Elrington
18. Jamal Ford-Robinson
19. Cam Jordan*
20. Jack Clement*
21. Charlie Chapman*
22. Tom Seabrook*
23. Louis Rees-Zammit*
*Denotes academy graduate.
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Against
Harlequins Starting XV
1. Joe Marler (259) – Captain
2. Jack Musk (34)
3. Wilco Louw (60)
4. Dino Lamb (75)
5. Irne Herbst (16)
6. James Chisholm (127)
7. Luke Wallace (192)
8. Tom Lawday (71)
9. Danny Care (351)
10. Tommy Allan (28)
11. Josh Bassett (10)
12. Andre Esterhuizen (62)
13. Oscar Beard (23)
14. Cadan Murley (92)
15. Nick David (25)
Impact Players
16. Sam Riley (22) 17. Fin Baxter (18) 18. Simon Kerrod (91) 19. George Hammond (35) 20. Matas Jurevicius (17) 21. Scott Steele (27) 22. Will Edwards (24) 23. Luke Northmore (52)
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351
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Number of slightly patronising articles in the Guardian about Nicola Sturgeon?
Number of things the Tory government have got wrong this week?
Number of trombones in the hit parade?
Number of ways to leave your lover?
Number of days I have left before retiral?
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Number of times Keir Starmer has made me consider quitting the Labour Party. (Possibly just in the last week.)
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