Starters:
The U20s play on Friday.
The first amuse-bouche will be Ireland vs Wales at 7:15 pm
The second one will be Scotland vs England at … the same time!
Duh! The bloody Six Nations Committee have not understood yet that some of us would like to see all the games. And VCRs aren’t cheap these days. But if you still have one, and you can avoid the recap at half-time, then you might enjoy both games without knowing the result in advance.
I must say I often prefer watching the U20s games to the senior ones. More invention, more naivety therefore more risks, fewer shackles. I didn’t see any of Wales nor England but my money is on Ireland (they got a superb result in France a fortnight ago) and England, as Scotland seemed quite brittle vs France.
The third one, France vs Italy, kicks off barely an hour later. Thanks, dear committee!
France will be much changed as usual (T-14 and ProD2 take precedence over the 6N), but they have far more experience than the Italians. Yet they should be on their guard: Italy were tonked by England but they pushed Ireland to one point. Watch out for their monster tight-head, Gallorini.
For a short pause half way through the feast, pause with what the French call “un trou normand”. That’s a shot of calvados, meant to make room in your stomach, “trou” being a hole of various proportions. As your appetite.
Main dish:
The Six Nations committee having failed to mingle with the schedule, a well-organized selfish rugby lover should be able to watch all games.
Saturday will see Ireland take on Wales at 2:15 pm.
Despite missing the terrific Keenan and with obviously too few Ulstermen in the team, Ireland should win this at a canter. Don’t see many weaknesses in this Irish squad with the possible exception of Murray on the bench. Wales are rebuilding as they say but they may have the foundations (and some player in Reffell) but neither the walls nor the roof yet. I expect Ireland to get the bonus point early on.
Plâteau de fromages:
Scotland / England at 4:45 pm.
Scotland vs England, at least on paper, seems the most balanced game. England have had little success lately versus the men in dark blue, whether up north or in Twickenham. England are rebuilding, as they say. They may have the foundations and the roof but they don’t have the walls. Wheel-cart, horses…. Quick defence but ponderous attack. We should see a true opposition in style. If Scotland’s pack can hold its ground – and let’s be honest, the English pack does not terrify the opposition these days as it used to – the Scottish backs should have fun. Borthwick’s limited game plan should spring few surprises, even with Furbank at full-back. On the other hand, Kinghorn back from injury, and from Toulouse where he nicely boosts his confidence, will be a threat hard to contain.
Dessert:
France / Italy on Sunday at 3:00 pm.
Italy are rebuilding, as they say. They have been rebuilding for aeons now. At this rate, they should have built the great wall of China.
France, still smarting and still hung-over from the WC, are also rebuilding. What the British call a hospital pass, the French call “une passe de maçon”. No wonder we get so much building.
Italy are missing Tommaso Allan, so I guess they’ll have to rely on Garbisi for their kicks, and that’s not good news for them. But they shouldn’t get the spanking they received at the WC. Their pack may not be as scary as when Castrogiovanni led them, but their backs are much improved.
France are trying to change their style. From a team that did not mind being dominated and relished defending and scoring from lethal counter-attacks, they now want to hold onto the ball more. It’s not an easy change as the best clubs (Toulouse, Bordeaux…) don’t play like that. They’ll be missing half a dozen major players, but they should have enough firepower to get a bonus point. Or else Galthié will be in trouble.
Finally, with the help of several “trous normands” the gluttons may even enjoy a ProD2 round on Friday night, and a full T-14 round on Saturday, from Montpellier vs Bayonne at 2:00 pm all the way to Sunday night, when Racing will host Stade Français at 8:05 pm. Be reasonable, plan to stay in bed on Monday.
Your maître d’hôtel this evening has been Flair99.
Onna telly this weekend
Showing matches that are televised in the UK and Ireland or on popular subscription services. Bold indicates that it’s on a free to view channel. Times are in the UK zone, so adjust as necessary.
Friday 23rd February
| Scotland v England U20s | 19:15 | iPlayer |
| Ireland v Wales U20s | 19:15 | S4C / iPlayer |
| France v Italy U20s | 20:00 | iPlayer |
Saturday 24th February
| Montpellier v Bayonne | 14:00 | Viaplay Sports 2 |
| Ireland v Wales | 14:15 | ITV1 / S4C / iPlayer / RTÉ2 |
| Pau v Toulon | 16:00 | Viaplay Sports 2 |
| Scotland v England | 16:45 | BBC1 |
| Racing 92 v Stade Français | 20:00 | Viaplay Sports 2 |
Sunday 25th February
| France v Italy | 15:00 | ITV1 / STV / RTÉ2 |
Ovally Balls 
Thanks guys!
England for a shock win or McDuhan to finally start performing in this tournament?
If it is evens at 60 minutes, England’s stronger bench might clinch it, especially as Scotland have developed a fear of scoring in the last 20. Would love Furbank to have a great game, but….
Ireland and France to win fairly easily, but Ireland/Wales might get messy/niggly nonetheless.
Happy weekend!
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Indeed, Slade – I think Ireland/Wales might be closer than anyone thinks.
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Happy weekend!
One of us is going to be unhappy, and the other is going to be trying with greater or lesser success not to gloat.
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Ireland 17-3 up against Wales and Scotland behind 18-0 at half times.
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TRY by Ulsterman from QUB! (Alma mater of sibling, father, grandfather, and I think both grandmothers too!)
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*Ulsterboy.
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BP try for England in the 59th minute. 7-30
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Italy beating France 8-13 at their half time.
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Commentators on the Ireland/Wales match have said something about an Italian U20 prop being one to watch.
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I’m watching the snooker and idly wondering if they test they players for cocaine.
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Norn Irishman wins!
(Not the one I was wondering about, of course.)
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Although, thinking back, Mr Hurricane might have indulged.
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This might be the worst edited and commentated highlights video I’ve ever seen.
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Proper push over try in that, nice. Should have to do that rather than get a penalty try at the drop of a hat.
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@Refit
I watched the first half of Fr/Italy – commentary was poor but Italy looked good and I am glad they won out. They looked better all-round than France whose big lads did cause problems but Italy remained resolute. The Italian pack were all over the French at the scrums but France bossed the lineouts.
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Who was co-comms on the Fr/Ita game? They should never be let near a mic again. Was it Dewi Morris?
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I also watched Fr U20s vs Italy. There is no doubt Italy were the better team: A monstrous pack (they were awarded a penalty at almost every scrum) a wonderful defence, an excellent 9, and a very good winger. And that TH, Gallorini, wow. Worth his weight in gold!
I thought France were on top during the 2nd half but a few knock-ons close to the line, a maul held up beyond the try line and mostly a completely dominated scrum meant Italy got their richly deserved first win in France. Their future is bright.
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Are we all ready? The dog and I have got the mister outnumbered, as she’s wearing her Ireland coat, me my shirt, and him, well … he’s in red.
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Shocking! The mister was mumbling along to the Welsh anthem and, when I accused him, admitted he had forgotten most of the words.
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Thaum – summat about sheep, isn’t it?
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Sheep, leeks and dragons, I think.
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The dragons are handy for roasting the sheep and the leeks. I think gwlad means ‘feast’.
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Excellent maul defence by Wales.
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TRY someone under the maul!
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Irish have the Welsh scrum on toast at the moment – just inviting Irish mauls – inevitable try
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Ah, it was Sheehan, as you’d expect.
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It kinda feels like Ireland are only playing at 80%, at the moment.
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dastardly Irish technique of knocking-on to get a scrum / penalty for once didn’t work
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Bloody hell, penalised for feeding.
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TRY Lowe, but Ireland might have been better off taking the inevitable yellow card & penalty try, ‘cos this’ll be hard to convert.
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But he’s done it!
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Not the most interesting half of rugby I’ve ever watched – and to make matters worse we get the Dayglo Inna Towel advert.
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I look away for one second, after the whistle, and when I look back it’s the bloody towel.
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Thank fuck for the towel, mind you.
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Bit of a yawn really which has been true for the entire tournament this year with the exception of the second half of Wales-Scotland. Wales defended quite well but coughed up possession every time they got it. Ireland rather lacking in inspiration but with so much possession and territory they were bound to rack up a few points eventually.
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Thaum – I just threw up in my mouth a little.
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Yep, as expected, at a canter.
Ireland, besides the line outs, are doing everything so well! Can’t fault Wales defence, which is terrific, but they’re a bit sloppy in attack.
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Dang, I so wish we also got the Dallaglio towel ad!
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If we’re going to miss all the line-out throws, we might as well have one of the Ulster hookers on the pitch, who I think are rather handier around the park.
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@Thaum – I thought the Ireland hooker was more or less your biggest running threat in the first half! Maybe apart from Lowe, but definitely up there.
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Clyde – you want to see Stewart with ball in hand.
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Points for Wales, via the skull-duggery of Beirne.
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No, I think I mean John Andrew.
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Hell of a gather, turn, kick & chase by Flt Lt Wainwright.
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Wales are putting together a decent penalty try highlights reel this year if nothing else.
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Who would believe it. It is so much easier to play if you are not giving penalties away all the time. Wales defending well and finally attacking as well
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Seem to be getting some little decisions our way now too.
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If I were Dictator, only the BBC would be allowed to do sport.
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Thaum – and Cotter would commentate everything.
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Refit – exactly. Including curling. And, indeed, hurling.
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