Yet another scrum reset required
First thing first
Rome
Saturday afternoon. Dry and warm. 19°C.
Weather should favour the Italians, who like to run the ball more and more incisively than Wales.
A solid scrum will get parity and may even create problems for Wales.
The Cannone brothers, Lamaro, Polledri are fast and mobile, all excellent poachers. But the Italian line-out might be a weakness. Garbisi is back and despite his young age will provide experience and vista. He’s surrounded by seriously good backs, Morisi at center and Bruno and Padovani.
Their big loss, though, is Capuozzo who would’ve kept the welsh defence on their toes. Allan is not in the same league.
As long as they do not attack crazily from their own 22 (it was suicide vs France) and show patience, they could create what wouldn’t be a surprise anymore vs a team deflated both on and off the pitch. Wales’ problems are well-documented. New coach but old horses, lack of confidence that leads to unusual mistakes, lack of a clear style or game plan….
Will the fear of a new defeat at the hands of Italy and the real prospect of a wooden spoon inspire a fight back or paralyse them?
I can’t tell. On one hand I wish Italy could win this so as to put an end to the boring discussions about their so-called unwarranted place in the 6N. On the other it’s sad to see Wales so down and out. True, Wales were boring for years but at least they won. Is Gatland really the answer? I doubt he can reinvent Warrenball, at least not until the emergence of a new generation of players. The U20 results – three losses out of three – do not bode well. Prediction: a very narrow win for Italy.
London
Saturday afternoon. Cold and wet. Very wet around 6pm.
I read the English press. It seems England, after years of playing ten-man rugby, have discovered a new version of the game: the one-man squad. It’s all about Smith and /or Farrell. Slade will tell you all you need to know.
My prediction? France by a score.
Edinburgh
Sunday afternoon. Cold, windy and wet. Quelle surprise.
For me the game of the week-end.
Both teams at their peak and full of confidence. Never seen a Scottish team so consistently good, and of course Ireland have been camping on the Everest of rugby for yonks now. For too long?
Not many weaknesses in any of them. A bit more structure with Ireland, wonderfully effective, regardless of who is on the pitch (not enough Northern Irishmen, I know), maybe to the point of having a hard time changing to plan B, if plan A does not work? But what won’t work? They do the basics better than anybody else, so a meltdown is quite unlikely.
Scotland seem a bit more flexible. They also do the basics well, except maybe at the line-out. They also showed their mettle as they reacted well to the early French onslaught. I poked fun at the English press for turning all their attention to the FH debate, but it’s hard in a post about Scotland not to mention Finn. I love the way he plays with a smile on his face and I’m convinced it helps him play better as he seems to feel no pressure. But it is a double-edged sword, isn’t it? He was dreadful with Racing last Sunday and literally cost them a must-win game, by missing several easy conversions and a kick into touch two minutes before the end when Racing was trailing by 4 points. Is it a question of concentration? He cannot afford these sorts of lapses vs Ireland.
My prediction: Ireland by a score. Or not.
Match predictions by Flair99
Firewood and the Art of Rugby Commentary
Last week I took delivery of our second annual (New Year) delivery of firewood; everyone in our countryside burns oak/hornbeam/cherry from local woodlands for heating and cooking. Nearly every commune contains a farmer who also cuts and delivers wood to local inhabitants. We use up to 15 cu. metres (or steyres) per annum.
The obliging and cheerful tractor driver, a chap in his mid-twenties, is a keen ‘rugbyman’ and plays 10 or 15 for the local club, Marciac.
This SW area of France is completely rugby mad and, whilst famous club names like Dax, Tarbes, Auch have faded in recent years, every large village / small town upwards has its rugby club. Typically, the pitch, premises and facilities belong to the local council, are usually multi-functional and therefore relatively grand for their surroundings. Marciac’s stadium is the base for our annual Jazz Festival and the rugby club benefits from the pitch being re-surfaced every August.
Marciac play in Regionale 3, Pool 5 and were lying second prior to last weekend’s fixture against local rivals Bassouse, lying first. Our team won 16 – 13 and are now top dog!
The French club structure is: Top 14 (who have now completed 20 rounds of fixtures this season); Pro D2; Nationale 1; Nationale 2 (2 pools); Federal 1 (4 pools); Federal 2 (8 pools); Federal 2b (8 pools); Federal 3 (20 pools); Federal 3b (20 pools); Regionales (lots of pools!). It’s no wonder the national team is pretty good!
So, anyway, we talked rugby whilst stacking wood. He knows Antoine Dupont and Claud Jelonche from neighbouring villages and these friendships reflect the pyramidal structure of the clubs.
Our local top teams are Toulouse, Bayonne, Bordeaux and Pau. My wood-man’s views on England is that they are always tough to beat at Twickenham, the toughest fixture in the two-year cycle. Farrell and Marler are the most highly rated English players: dour, unforgiving opponents with the necessary skills and combative spirit. Ntamack is considered to be similar to Farrell but Jalibert rated more highly skilful. Olivon now getting too old. Jelonch (now injured), Dupont and Alldritt are the grannies’ favourites – and they know what they are talking about!
France have won 11 times at Twickenham since 1911 and the prospect weighs heavily. It’s 18 years since the last victory, when the little devil Dimitri Yachvili was at the helm.
Since taking control, Fabien Galthié has not won there and Yachvili holds the strong belief that for England, France c’est l’équipe à battre absolument.
Imanol Harinordoquy (remember him?) believes that England are never stronger than when facing France at home.
But Yachvili sees reason for optimism: since seeing 10 minutes of interesting attack play by England facing the All Blacks in the 2019 semi-final, he has seen nothing notable, the team not having evolved since then.
So, just to win one over the irritating (as a player) Yachvili, I go for an England win. They are usually successful when they score early and hard and put on the squeeze. If it opens up, then France will win.
Interesting match-ups are: the front rows, the 9s/10s and the back threes: Thomos Ramos is a much better all-round player than Steward and the French wings are a real handful. However, key may be the back-row forwards – an English weakness so far.
Any red cards and all bets are off. I think there will be at least one as the intensity will be immense.
The view from the southwest of France by sladeis#42
Onna telly this week
Friday 10th March
| Italy v Wales (U20s) | 19:15 | BBC iPlayer / S4C |
| Scotland v Ireland (U20s) | 19:15 | BBC iPlayer / RTÉ2 |
| Northampton v Bath | 19:45 | BT Sport 1 |
| England v France (U20s) | 20:00 | BBC iPlayer |
Saturday 11th March
| Italy v Wales | 14:15 | ITV1 / S4C |
| England v France | 16:45 | ITV1 |
Sunday 12th March
| Gloucester v Leicester | 13:00 | BT Sport 1 |
| Scotland v Ireland | 15:00 | BBC1 / RTÉ2 |
Ovally Balls 
My own personal bet on future England scrum half is currently in the NRL. Tom Deakin is on the books at Sydney Roosters and is part of the Deakin dynasty who seem to have largely moved to Australia in the last couple of decades. His great uncle was the late great Peter Deakin who invented the Fez at Saracens, and his grandad is a long standing RL coach who speaks fluent French
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hey Flair, thanks for the heads up. Will look out for Charlie Bracken. Kieran Bracken had a superb pass on him, but somehow he always ended up playing second fiddle to Matt Dawson.
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Fuck’s sake. It’s Scotland v Ireland, so obviously we’re going to talk about England.
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Christ, is Inverdale back?
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To be fair, they also talked about Italy and Wales. We’re on to the proper match now.
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watching snippets of LI vs Sale and Glosvs Leics – the best league in the world ™
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Oooh. Messy
He’d be a step up on Smith or Farrell by all accounts.
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If you need me in the next couple of hours I’ll be behind the couch
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Room behind there for two?
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I’ve only seen highlights of the match that shall not be mentioned in the build up to the 6N Decider, but wow!, France were immense. It doesn’t matter what’s wrong with England, France were magnificent!
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Now, c’mon Scotland!
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Predictions: Aki will get a card, and Finn will do something really stupid (and probably also something utterly brilliant).
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What the hell was that lineout, by Scotland?
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Scotland saved blushes, by using the wrong ball for a quick lineout.
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OUTFUCKINGRAGEOUS! How come Ireland are always on the losing side of the new ball in 6N games?
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Good try, dammit.
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YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYE$EEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
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Huw bach, you beauty.
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Cor, what a finish.
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Bugger.
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That was a cracking first half between two excellent teams.
Not often I could say that in a game between Scotland and Ireland.
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Exciting half of rugby that. Great finish by the Irish winger.
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Great game. breathless. Tired bodies +Blair Kinghorn last 30 minutes???
Amazing just how fast and accurate both sides are at the breakdown. Why on earth can’t English players do the same ?
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Was thinking we’d end up with 5 a side by the end. Just vicious!
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This is a great watch for the neutral (is anyone neutral when Ireland play?) – the rhythm of play is so much faster than England’s.
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Irish loosehead was driving at almost 90 degrees to the touch line in that last scrum!
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Great. We have no hooker.
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…said the bishop to the nun.
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Finn is having a very mixed game!
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Scrum penalty just after Scotland change their props and with a prop playing hooker!
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YEEESSSSSSS!!!!
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The last two Irish lineouts haven’t gone 5m. That’s basic refereeing.
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COOOOOOOOONAN!
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Fuck.
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We’ve gone backwards this half. McDuhan not going up for a high ball and then missing his tackle there.
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Looks like Ringrose knocked himself out there.
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Yes; hope he’s okay. Looks like he’s getting stretchered off.
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Holy cow
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What a try that could have been!
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Well done to the Brizzlies!
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Healy, you idiot! But forgiven for stepping in effectively as a hooker.
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Well, my prediction was correct. One team wearing blue has won this weekend.
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No argument with Hansen getting MotM this time; he was everywhere, doing everything.
Hard luck, Scotland. It was a very good match.
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Bugger. Never really in the game during the second half. Ireland showing why they’re number 1. Unlike some previous years, Ireland at least had to play in a higher gear to win.
Finn limping off, Kinghorn limping, Richie might be out, might struggle next week.
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I reckon Ireland for the Grand Slam (because if they can’t beat this England side, they don’t deserve it). But they will. Porbably by lots.
France to beat Wales – unless Gatland goes full Gatball and brings EVERYBODY back for one last hurrah. They might just beat France up with their zimmer frames.
We should beat Italy – but it’ll be nervy. Even though Italy haven’t won against us in something like 8 years. As long as we don’t bring Phil Godman out of retirement we should be OK.
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BB – just heard Warburton say ‘Hang on, my phone’s ringing … it’s Warren.’
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I wouldn’t count on us winning at Twickenham after yesterday, but fortunately it’s at Lansdowne Road.
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My thanks to Scotland and Ireland for providing some excellent entertainment today. Ireland showed their game management and cohesion today even if we may have seen the future of hookers!
Yesterday the Mrs and I were suffering at HQ seeing the worst performance we have ever seen from England , certainly since the SA game . France were immense and played some delightful rugby
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Two massive statements this weekend for the World Cup. Not sure we’ll get many more before the tournament, with the SH sides likely to keep some powder dry with the 4N being quite close to the Big Event. Gonna be an intriguing next few months!
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Congratulations to Ireland.
They kept up the level and intensity where we fell off it after 50 minutes. No complaints, that shows where the teams are respectively, but that is the next step for Scotland, to mimic the way Ireland keep on it for the whole game, executing under pressure, accuracy, execution, TCUP, call it what you will, but Ireland are a terrific side atm.
Good luck for next week, it will be quite the Paddy’s weekend if (when) you can pull it off
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