Historic loss to the French like 30 odd to 7 i think...was humiliating considering we won the whole thing last week,

we made more errors than England, and for whatever reason, seemed to lack a bit of intensity,
===================

no way Ireland lacked intensity ! they were bang up for it.

cant believe that blue getting on everyone

Hi Rugger fans.
As this match( Ireland v England) was built up by the media as the showpiece of the six nations championship, probably the deciding fixture, I was keen to watch as an infrequent follower of the fifteen man code.
I saw the whole of the second half, having followed the first half on the radio.
The game seemed always just a moment away from providing a clean break or run for the line, but ended with far too many stuttering phases of play, mauls and rucks leading to penalties or a kick upfield.
I really wanted to be drawn in to the emotion of it all, but the game just didn't take off.
Two teams of quality players and well drilled defences, but oh for the attacking side of the game- where were the wingers?
Last weekend there were plenty of tries, but in one sided games.
The games v southern hemisphere teams are far more open and entertaining.

conditions played a huge part

Hi RiD,

I've been moaning on this forum all day about the weather...I'm convinced today would have been an amazing game in dry conditions. Ireland's brilliant backs versus England's offloading forwards.

You have to remember that games aren't always easy on the eye this time of year as pitches are usually muddy and the rain is heavy. But the pitches at least are slowly getting better (except Paris!!!).

Given enough time these forward dominated games can become enjoyable to rugby purists...or fatties like me!

Morning folks,

The first two weekend's of this year's Six Nations have been completed. Since we've got 12 days to kill before the next round of matches, has anyone got any discussion topics they'd like to bring up in the time we've got before 23 February?

Obviously this weekend we've had the pitches in both France and Ireland, plus the ball debate for wetter conditions.

We'll keep across all the latest team news throughout this next fortnight too.

the ball ?

I just thought Ireland's handling was poor yesterday - the conditions didn't help but you've just got to adapt and get on with it.

RKW
Yep the handling was shocking and i know the conditions were awful for a rugby game, but that said England managed the conditions pretty well compared to Ireland. I knew that was going to be the case i said it here before the game that the weather was crap and it would suit England. That said the reasons we lost have nothing to do with the conditions - here are the reasons England were better and won.

Their kick chase was superb!
Their line speed in defense was outstanding
They stopped us having quick ball
Their kicking game was better than ours.

And Jamie Heaslip gave away 9 points by ignoring the REF who was screaming over and over to roll away. Some bloody captain Heaslip is. What a total donkey.

Fact is England were carded for not rolling away, Heaslip should have been carded also! So we hade a rub of the green there and still he managed to C*** it up.

"England were carded for not rolling away"

-----

Haskell was sin-binned for playing the ball on the ground.

The fact that he was carded is the point. Heaslip in particular could and should have been carded for repeat offences of the same penalty not rolling away. It was unforgivable.

DingBatMan - true about the conditions and although I think they did play some part it wasn't a major factor. I agree with your reasons as to why England won and it ended up being a game of kicks at goal which ultimately England were better at.

afternoon all

Mex

has anyone's minds changed in the last 2 weeks as to they would pick for a lions 15. i know my mind has been changed in quite a few positions

i haven't got a fakin clue about a lions team tbh. i hardly know any of the players these days.

ive changed my mind on about 5 or 6 players already

Jenkins
Hartley
jones
parling
lawes
wood
croft
morgan


care
flood
twelvetrees
odriscoll
bowe
north
halfpenny


tbh I haven't got a clue though.

i can tell

it's not that bad is it ?

maybe stick a couple of jocks in

Is there a rule on maximum number of players from one nation or not?

15. kearney
14. Visser
13. o'driscoll
12. tuilagi
11. north
10. farrell
9. youngs

8. faletau
7. robshaw (c)
6. wood
5. AW Jones
4. Lawes
3. Cole
2. Best
1. A. Jones