In the exciting battle for the wooden spoon between Ireland, Wales, Italy and England, coaches have not learninged much from their previous selection errors. To be fair to Italy, they don’t have a huge range of players from which to select, and they have played brilliantly; they could and possibly should have beaten Ireland, so we’ll let Quesada off.
As for Ireland, it seems that Farrell has at least learninged that the Prendergast experiment has woefully failed after watching him splash around in the shallow part of the pitch in the first match, and create his own wadi in the second. While Crowley, like his other possible replacements, is dubious with the kicking tee (and by the way, kicking points is only HALF YOUR FUCKING JOB as a fly-half), he’s clearly much more effective on the pitch.
The inclusion of more Ulster players made a clear difference in the second match with Player of the Match being narrowed down to a choice between McCloskey, Baloucoune, Fischetti and Zuliani: two Ulstermen, and two Italians. So of course Farrell drops Izuchukwu, who also performed well, and Timoney remains on the bench.
As for England, the inclusion of Stewart continues to please ABE supporters, and Genge is always on a hair trigger for a card. Maro is looking less saint-like these days. Boris Johnson’s illegitimate son, the Pillock, provides a figure one loves to hate, sadly also because, like most super-villains, he’s pretty effective.
On to Wales. Well. Their set-pieces are functioning well, and I reckon they can beat Ireland. Also first-week Scotland, but not brilliant second-week Scotland. Probably not Italy either, especially if they keep kicking possession away, although possession is often coughed up anyway.
France obviously don’t need any learnings*.
*Have I mentioned how much I hate this horrendous evisceration of the English language?
Ovally Balls 
Andy Uren having a good start for Benetton. Thanks to the commentators, I’ve now been told 4 times he’s an ex-Bristol player and they’ve pronounced his surname in even more variations.
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Shaping up for a fab second half!
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BB, I hope Franco says “nice try” repeatedly and wistfully at Ellis Park next weekend.
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Thanks for that, Ticht. Interesting that the wee clip about the Borders was talking about replacing sheep farms with forestry, as that was the reason we moved there! The hill dad worked on near Lesmahagow was sold for forestry by the farmer. That hill now has a wind farm as well as forestry.
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I wonder if our Slade has any finger nails left?
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Ohhh, I’m gutted for Treviso.
Slade can be proud of t’other Slade.
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No …… adrenalin still pumping!
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A lot to like in both teams.
A great warm-up for my settee appointment to watch BB vs Toulouse
wine, saucisson and nibbles at the ready!
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Nothing for almost 25mins and then a try apiece. Bonkers game.
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Lucu just casually slotting a 50m pen 🤷♂️
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This is bonkers.
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Lucu was excellent today.
Well done UBB.
Aldegheri really stuffed his team with the shoulder on Penaud.
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Great game – Willis fantastic for Toulouse as was Lamothe for UBB.
In the first half I thought UBB would lose because their passing and play was not as accurate as Toulouse – costing them precious time in attacking movements, but they stuck at it.
Terrific commitment from both teams throughout.
What a weekend – now for the Masters!
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