really enjoyed the Wales game.

I watched the highlights (after several beers I might add) and couldnt see anything wrong with the disallowed try at around the 70 minute mark - any ideas anyone?

I will be honest Dingbat - I havnt seen the Ireland game - by the time I got in no highlights available - but I was not surprised by the score

Can I be a bit controversial and ask your opinion on something -
Talk over here and in Wales (I live a few miles from the Welsh border) is that Ire are at the point where they will NOT win without BOD - no we all know its a touch tongue in cheek - but how close do you feel it is?

I was pleased with the game yesterday - you summed it up pretty well - both teams had a lot to be happy with - but Englands defense yesterday was absolutely SHOCKING - it was the worst defensive display in at least 4 years - I liked the approach though - you know my thoughts on playing to win - and I was more than happy to see an on form JW kicking goals - make the game safe and then start replacing players and tinkering with things - pretty much how it happened - although I think they underestimated how good Wales were and nearly got their comeuppance.
Wales decision not to kick their first penalty was foolish if you ask me.

Positives - JW, Armitage, Manu, Flutey, Shaw, the Pack as a whole was ample and still understrength which is good.
Negatives - Cueto, Moody
Unanswered - Bananaman, Care,

Next week will reveal a greater picture

Word is that England want their strongest team for Dublin

Finally - if Scotland keep a good positive run going they will be giving it Braveheart when they play us - and it could be tight

Did you really think Tuilagi impressed?

I'll give him credit for finishing that try and I'm not saying all he had to do was walk it in, but I'd expect most internationals (in any position) to finish that off - did anyone see the Stephen Moore try against the Saffas a couple of weeks back? Other than that I thought his defensive limitations were glaring, and too often his tackles were above the shoulder. He's got form for indiscipline and I can see him being a liability.

That Sharples looked like a flier. I haven't seen much of him to date, but I'd keep an eye on him if I was opposite him on the wing. Wilkinson was very solid and dependable, and was quite annoyingly on-target with his kicking boots.

For Wales I was impressed by Jamie Roberts. He was always making his presence known. Sam Warburton did well too - particularly as the game went on. The front row were quite quiet, and Mike Phillips service looked fairly innacurate - I really felt for Priestland and some of the boys outside him who were being set up to get clobbered. I'm hopeful that these things can be ironed out for next week.

p.s. I missed the Scotland/Ireland game. Eagerly awaiting highlights.

Well the talk in wales is wrong. This is not just my opinion but a simple matter of fact. And also at the risk of being controversial... noting makes a welsh man more happy then to have a reason to slate BOD.

Truth is, in the past we were always hurt by the absence of BOD when it happened but 2010, 2011 and the performances of leinster when playing without him have shown us that it is no longer the case. He has lost much of his pace and its showing, most notably against England in the 6Nations where he was stepped quite easily by Foden. TWICE hahaha

That said, he's still a class apart and any team is better for having him in it but were not sunk without him.

Once upon a time he was the only truly world class operator on the team sheet but now we can look and admire the likes of Heaslip, O'Brian, Sexton, Bowe Ferris, and others. We don't have to rely on BOD for the spark of magic to save us. As above are all capable and indeed likely to do something outstanding in 80mins.
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Ye banahan didn't show much... really hard runner but seems bereft of ideas and with talent around him he misses them preferring to take the contact.

Care Bear... well if not him who else? Hes got to travel in my opinion.

Armitage on the other hand was superb. Fair dues to him. Im not gona admit im wrong about him because i still have doubts but he went along way to proving me wrong.

Now if he can go through the England Ireland match without the Late hits to BOD i will accept him

Ye Scotland should do well, they just have one more build up game against the italians but they got a nice draw in the WC so they have the easy games to start so they are banking on that to be part of their build up and aiming to peak come playing the big boys.... cough cough.... who are the big boys in that group anyway... hehehe

The Scotland game is on the beeb iPlayer but i would say watch it with alot of beer because you will need something to entertain yourself

Gecko - well it was a debut for Manu - he is young - and he played ok and scored a try - it can only reaqlly get better with some experience - I have had issues with our centres for a while - so all in all Im happy with his performance.
Sharples is excellent - I steer clear of going on about him too much cos Im a gloucester lad - and people say "well you would say that wouldnt you" I would give him a start in Cardiff.

J Roberts is fast becoming MR Dependable for the Welsh

Ding - all fair points - like I said - the BOD thing is tongue in cheek - no-one doubts the players in green at the moment although............................... did you notice that we leapfrogged you into 4th in the world this weekend

The Eng scrum half issue - you are right Care does need to go - he is not as good as youngs imo - but youngs was out of form then injured at the end of the season - they are the best we have and both will travel

Ive decided to give the Scotland/ire game a miss - dont be offended - Im gonna take your word on all matters concerning it

"Im gonna take your word on all matters concerning it"

one word MERDE

is that french or an impression of Taggart

Touché