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 
I was very pleased with the first ten minutes, but then it went to hell for us.
LikeLike
Wales showed up again, good to see. Not far off. Foxy and Cuthbert the other week were talking about Zammo back on the wing, with maybe Blair Murray at 15, so he could do what he does. He looks good at 15, but not getting the chances to finish.
Taidgh Furlong is one of my favourite props over the years, but he currently looks done. Crowley should be there for a while, but he needs to practice off the tee a bit.
LikeLike
Good performance by Wales, I feared there would be a big step backwards but this was far from that. Watched it round at a friend’s house. We both felt the final score was pretty representative, but that with a fair wind Wales might have won but for a couple of refereeing decisions that didn’t go our way, the dropped ball over the try line and the yellow card which seemed harsh. We both also felt that we got some decisions our way that we didn’t take advantage of and the main reason we lost was that despite defending a lot better we weren’t as sharp attacking in the 22 as we have been, credit to Ireland’s defence for that of course. Quite a lot to be said for not disgracing ourselves and scoring one of the great prop tries along the way…
LikeLiked by 3 people
LikeLiked by 1 person
It really is a helluva try! His legs just don’t move fast enough, but once he’s got a head of steam up, the momentum drags them along! đŸ˜‚
LikeLike
See Banjamin’s got his oven gloves on…
LikeLike
This could be anything, but it will probably be a France win. Hope I’m wrong.
Still…
‘Mon Scotland!!!!!!!
LikeLike
Finn looks focused.
LikeLike
Duncy with the ball! Looks slimmer than when he played….
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ramos blinded by the Scottish sun…
LikeLike
Yessssss!!!
LikeLike
Wee Darcy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LikeLike
Scotland playing some wild stuff so far, great start.
LikeLike
Great start from Scotland! A wee bit lucky, but you’re not gonna beat France without taking those half chances.
LikeLike
Thats brilliant heads up rugby by Scotland, trying lots of different options. Nice try.
LikeLike
Finn, ya dirty get.
LikeLike
Refit – it was quite funny, though!
LikeLike
Bugger.
LikeLike
Ooh, ripped frward by Dupont? oh well, its on the board.
LikeLike
Oh, that was horribly easy for Attisogbe.
LikeLike
Double bugger.
LikeLike
Really needed to hold out for a bit longer. Have hardly been in their 22 since we scored.
LikeLike
Scotland need to keep the ball for a while. Not winning the kicking game. Not winning the collisions either.
LikeLike
YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LikeLike
Double yesssss!!!!
LikeLike
Ah! Great score from Steyn! What a move!
LikeLike
Even Dupont hasn’t read that.
LikeLike
SCHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
LikeLike
Triple and indeed quadruple (for the card) yesssss!!!!
LikeLike
Try and yellow, nice.
LikeLike
Scotland playing some stunning stuff!
LikeLike
Best game of the tournament by quite a long way.
LikeLike
And what gloves!
LikeLike
France are still in the bus, losing all the aerial battles, the scrums and even the line out. They haven’t won a tournoyer yet, besides Dupont’s.
Scotland great fun to watch, taking all their chances as usual. If they have enough gas left in the tank, the game is theirs.
LikeLike
Against most teams Scotland would be further ahead. France doing the NZ thing of even when they don’t play well they score two tries in no time so are still in it ready for when they get it together.
LikeLike
What the hell is happening???!!!! This isn’t like us.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great stuff Scotland! They’re on fire! France do seemcto make pretty easy yards ball in hand though. Scotland can’t give them space!
LikeLike
Flair, I think you’re right. Although only a fraction off the pace, it’s a helluva pace that Scotland have set.
LikeLike
That’s not what you expect from Dupont.
LikeLike
Wow!
LikeLike
Getting a bit one-sided now, Ireland-Wales was better.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dupont throughs an interception! He IS human!
Rugby. Bloody Hell. As someone almost said.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well. Not sure what to say! I’ll drone on anyway! This is amazing!
LikeLike
Aaargh! That was the match!
LikeLike
France, frankly, are being Franced!
LikeLike
Scotland need another try here. Check check on shoulder ????
LikeLike
Fantastic!!!!!
LikeLike
Looks a bit like a gouge there too?
LikeLike
French hand close to Ashman’s eye there. Still, don’t care.
LikeLike
Magnifique. and a yellow. WOW.
LikeLike