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 
Oh Jesus, I’ve just seen the replay of the Curry incident. That looks awful.
LikeLike
So, the ref’s just ignoring head contact then. Awesome.
LikeLike
Doris with the choice of Smith or Ford to run into!
LikeLike
Don’t think the Curry thing is foul play. Looked horrible though.
That surely is game over.
LikeLike
TRY Sheehan!
Refit, it was less the head contact – which was there – and more the folding of the body back over itself. I did that last summer, and have still not properly recovered.
LikeLike
England losing the plot a bit. Not sorry to see them getting on the wrong side of this particular referee.
LikeLike
That was quite the generous advantage for England.
LikeLike
Two more Ulstermen on. Watch out, England!
LikeLike
Another unforced error by England.
LikeLike
Finds a penalty in every passage of play this chap.
LikeLike
Bugger!
LikeLike
Finally we don’t drop it. I’d love to know which Irish player got a yellow ITV.
LikeLike
Refit – yeah, me too!
LikeLike
Osborne, apparently.
LikeLike
Clearly heard the ref say “Fifteen” when showing the card to Ireland.
LikeLike
Clyde – maybe he was making a restaurant recommendation.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hell of a cover tackle by Balacoune there.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great Baloucoune tackle! I thought there was no hope there.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Remember when England were good?
LikeLike
Not a lot of cheering from Ben today. And I think I’d even rather see Kate in the crowd than James Lowe gurning on the sidelines.
LikeLike
Told youse! Four Ulstermen! (Nobody mention Monty Python.)
LikeLike
When they play Wales?
LikeLike
The Four Ulstermen of The Apocalypse
LikeLiked by 2 people
OSBOOOOOORNE!
LikeLike
I’m so glad I’m not listening to the main commentary
LikeLiked by 2 people
Steady on BB, your lot haven’t played the mighty Wales yet…
LikeLike
More worried about that game than the England one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
McCloskey outruns Smith for a try-saving tackle!
LikeLike
Big Stu has been excellent today, Thaum
LikeLiked by 2 people
What hope have they got of a LBP?
LikeLike
None. But maybe a TBP?
LikeLike
Not surprised JGP got man of the match. McCloskey, McCarthy, Beirne must all have been close and probably a few others.
LikeLike
England do look a lot better with JvP at 9. Much better pace on the play.
LikeLike
Well, you can only beat what’s in front of you and Ireland didn’t mess around. I think we can call that comprehensive.
LikeLike
HOOOORAAAAYYYY!
I really, really did not expect that.
LikeLike
Well. Who was that was talking about England heading to Paris for a Grand Slam decider?
LikeLike
Well, Steve,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,what are your effing learnings now??
p.s. well done Ireland; comprehensive and McCloskey intimidating throughout.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Find a Plan B. Or even a competent Plan A.
LikeLike
Refit, normally Mitchell looks quicker. Ireland did a great job slowing English ball down early on, until England started resourcing the breakdown.
Ford looked hesitant all game, and Dingwall I think has reached his ceiling.Time to go with someone who can kick on.
Shocked by McClosky running down Smith, that was interesting.
England obviously are unable to play an aerial game, it seems that every team is better at it, so why do we do it ?
Ireland looked fantastic all round, Gibson-Park deservedly MoM, but Crowley was excellent, as were McCloskey, Balacoune, and just about everyone else really.
The Curry incident was a non wrap forearm to the head. The George croc roll wasn’t. A lot of decisions went Irelands way, but they would have still won easily.
LikeLiked by 1 person
George Ford was shockingly bad.
Also, I did not expect our scrum to more or less stand up.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Now we just need Italy to beat France tomorrow, preferably without a BPT.
LikeLike
Didn’t see this coming. I never bought the England hype, the ” young” team with 12 wins in a row ( mostly vs tier 2 teams) and yet I expected them to win today. But they can neither play a structured game Ă la Ireland nor a more improvised one like France or Scotland. Contrats Ireland, with among others a rejuvenated Gibson Park and the always excellent McCloskey. BTW, I saw him in Paris about 10 years ago vs Racing ( or was it Stade Francais?) , he was fast and powerful, and I never understood why he did not play more often for Ireland.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Right, declaring for Granny Jones’ side here. Think the aim for a moral victory is to keep within 30 points, look good in a few areas, and score a couple of nice tries.
LikeLike
Sam’s story about Ted the collie was top-notch!
LikeLike
Flair – you know I’ve been banging on for years about McCloskey’s lack of picks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
The two best anthems in the world! (La Marseillaise is the third-best.)
LikeLike
Okay, here goes…
‘Mon Scotland!!!!!!
Let’s make sure last week wasn’t a fluke.
Still nervous, though
LikeLike
I don’t know why ( besides obviously Irish pressure) but I don’t think any English player played to his potential. Some of them are average at best, but the excellent ones had a nightmare, Maro, Ford, Genge, Mitchell, Earl, even the Pillock were far from their best.
The French commentators also noticed the lack of leadership: during the change of refs, apparently the English players did not regroup to find a way out of trouble.
LikeLike
Flair – agree; I don’t think we were especially good, particularly at first, but England were unexpectedly very bad. We then grew in confidence.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Y’know how you get those matches where you want both sides to lose?
This is one where I want both to win. But actually, a draw would be a nice enough result for us!
LikeLike