MichaelRobartes

2 minutes ago, Northern Red said:

Should be carded for diving there.

He was clearly clipped to be fair. Think Peyper got it right again as Bristol player is just running a line but not a dive for me.

Bristol done well to get back into it. Both sides making a huge amount of errors. Great fun for the neutral.

Think Peyper got that right. Lee is lucky though. Arm at your side like that is asking for trouble. Lucky the carrier dipped enough for there to be any mitigation.

Penaud. Good god.

This is nothing like Steward's. High, direct shoulder to head, no attempt to wrap. Easy for the officials. Use your arms and get lower or pay the price.

By the way, Newcastle still won.

17 minutes ago, Rob k said:

But it’s getting more and more boring - how many games are Completed 15 v 15 for the whole game. Too many yellows and reds, too many substitutions, i hardly watch these days compared to 5-10 years ago. 

You're entitled to your opinion. I don't think the game has been this exciting or dynamic since professionalism. The days of endless kick tennis and scrum resets seem a long time ago when you watch the top club or national sides these days.

2 hours ago, Rob k said:

Rugby union is doing its upmost to ruin the game - so many yellows and red cards now. It’s a hard physical sport, if your getting a red card for that then the games done.  i know it’s been rescinded but let’s not forget 3 or 4 people agreed on the day that the player should have been sent off. 

I don't agree. I think that what they're doing to lower the tackle height is absolutely essential to the survival of the game. That doesn't mean that I agree with every decision (I certainly didn't agree with this one) but you can't have it both ways. Referees and TMOs make mistakes. That's sport. 

It was a very long weekend. I always love super Saturday however we get on. That's definitely one that will live in the memory though. We don't win many grand slams so you have to enjoy them.

10 hours ago, Slacker said:

It was a harsh call.I honestly think Ireland would have probably still won a 15 vs 15 game,but I thought England were causing them problems and  the supporters of both sides were robbed of what could have been a very good,competitive game of rugby. Yellow card towards the end of the game was a little bit questionable too.Fair play to Ireland but I think the deck was stacked a bit against England. 

I don't think England can complain about the yellow to be honest. Fickou was a bit lucky to avoid one earlier in the day but it was a sin bin for me.

1 hour ago, TonyTonyTony said:

If the draw was favourable to Ireland they would have a great chance. As you say their route to a final is very difficult and I can’t see them doing it. France for me

If we do win it, we'll have done it the hard way.

Lots can go wrong for everyone between now and then as well. Injuries, loss of form, etc. 

I could see a team like Aussie doing well. They're on the nicer side of the draw and caused us a lot of problems in the autumn.

28 minutes ago, B1ackbird said:

Ireland remind me of England pre 2003.

Can you go on and win the world cup?

 

Who knows. We're on the harder side of the draw and have Scotland and SA in our group. Then we'd have to play NZ or France in the QF if we get out of the pool. This team definitely could do it, but I'd have France as favourites given that they're at home. They're also a brilliant team.

Great day. Think Ireland would have found a way without the red card but we'll never know. Fair play to England, they made it tough and looked miles better than last week. Lots of uncharacteristic errors from Ireland.

Think the red was really harsh. If you look at the laws, several of the no fault guidelines seem to apply.

Hard luck Italy. They should have won that. Once they develop a bit more composure in the 22, they'll be a proper good side.

30 minutes ago, cityexile said:

Really thought at half time it was going to the wire, and given Irelands injuries would have had Scotland slight favourites. In the end Ireland only maybe slightly disappointment is not getting the bonus point messing up a couple of chances late on. Got to hope Ringwood's injury looked worse than it turns out to be.

Given the feeding in to the scrum misses the front row entirely now, more often than not, wonder if three props in the front row could become a thing.

Have to say I don't give a hoot about the BP. I thought (but didn't say) that anything but winning the GS this season would be a failure.

We've ruined a couple of English GS parties against the odds and have a ton of injuries so let's see.

Nothing went right for us there. Pete, Josh and Mack all immense. Huge guts from Ireland.

Tough game for us tomorrow. Really looking forward to that one.

Absolute puke from England. Dreadful.

No shame at all in losing to this great French side but that's not acceptable at home.

That was better. Good finish from Steward.

Is that quick ball typical of Mitchell? I saw him twice for Saints against Munster this season and he was poor.

4 minutes ago, Kid in the Riot said:

I honestly have no idea what the plan is under Borthwick. Expected France to win but this is humiliating for England. 

I think you can see they were trying to keep the ball in play. Ireland showed you can gas the French that way. Some early kicking success but too many errors and frankly awful defence today.

France look good but not perfect. Even Dupont made a few errors. That said, their scrum looks frightening and their backrow are destroying England's. Aldritt looks like a man with a point to prove.

To be fair to Borthwick he's only been there five minutes.

Good strike from Smith. Should have gone for goal last time imo.

Then they cough up a penalty from the restart. Brutal.

2 minutes ago, Barrs Court Red said:

England slowly becoming less and less competitive in the modern game, both in internationals and at European level. 
 

 

Long way to go yet.

England have the right idea in a way. Vital to keep the ball in play against this French side. They're not at all easy to contain once they get in the 22. Unbelievable show and go then 50/22 from Dupont. He's a freak.

France carving England up early here.

2 minutes ago, Maltshoveller said:

Joshua wont fight anybody who might beat him

He's lost three of his last five fights...