Rugby

[Caomhaoin]

I imagine Pollard will be given the nod come World Cup time, he's in the Sexton mould. Kolbe was just as bad when he took over, that was one of the worst attempts at a conversion I've ever seen.

Six Nations is always important, but it has extra significance in 2023. France and England at home, a grand slam is well achievable. Cardiff though, the taffs have a knack for bringing high flying Irish teams crashing down to earth.

[Carnage]

Sexton missed a couple of bread and butter (for him) kicks too TBF. Fantastic game of rugby, despite the best efforts of the ref - should have been two reds instead of that yellow, knock on in the line out, forward pass to the try scorer.

Thing is, Ireland always peak the year before a world cup and don't carry the form into the tournament. Hopefully this squad can buck the trend.

[Caomhaoin]

Sexton wasn't perfect but even Willemse's kicking from hand was quite poor, cost them the initiative at least twice that I can remember.

Hope the Argies get one over on 'dem across de water' later on.

[Cailleach]

Sexton missed a couple of bread and butter (for him) kicks too TBF. Fantastic game of rugby, despite the best efforts of the ref - should have been two reds instead of that yellow, knock on in the line out, forward pass to the try scorer.

Thing is, Ireland always peak the year before a world cup and don't carry the form into the tournament. Hopefully this squad can buck the trend.

Or is it that other top sides show their real form come World Cup time? One difference this time around seems to be Ireland do have strength in depth, although If the likes of Van De Flier gets injured it would be a huge blow.

[Don Gately]

I thought we were lucky to win. Still relying on our first 15 too much for my liking. Hope to feck we see different out half v Aus. Sexton nothing to prove.

[Blizzard Beast]

Hanging on a bit near the end but a nice scalp to beat the world champions.
Im surprised Sexton wasnt subbed early he took a huge hit early second half.

[Caomhaoin]

Wayne Barnes had a shocker last night in France v RSA. Du Toit deserved his red card but he let France away with murder. Sealing off (several times),wonky line outs (one in which a SA player got a knee to the head and French TV cut out of the replay). Kolbe took a shoulder to the head, a french lad planted a stiff forearm on De Allende's head earlier too, not penalised. The winning try was a clear double movement.

Dupont decision correct, but how many fuck ups/hometown decisions did he make? I don't want to sound the Rugby Alex Jones but it bodes poorly for the World Cup if the Parisian crowd can rattle refs like that. Barnes is regarded as the best of the best, and he shat the bed completely.

The French cunts are always whistling like pricks for opposition kicks too.

Anyways.

[Carnage]

Was at the Connacht-Munster game in Thomond earlier, great game. Some stadium there, and a great atmosphere. The Sportsground is really amateur by comparison (and I'm saying that as a Connacht man). Heading there next week for the Benetton game, looking forward to it.

[Caomhaoin]

Clinical from Ireland in the first half. I thought they'd push on and punish Wales badly but in fairness they came out fighting for the second half. Coughed up a lot of chances though, worryingly. Biggar not releasing with the line at the wings mercy etc.

England v Scotland ridiculously entertaining match.

[Carnage]

Two great games of rugby.

Ireland always come out a different team for the first 20 mins. of the second half and that was no less true today. Credit to them that they held it together in the face of a riled up Wales, they played how you'd expect the world no. 1 team to.

Scotland very impressive, fully deserved the bonus point win against a floundering England.

[Caomhaoin]

Great result for the Scots, Van Der Merwe is some beast of a wing. South Africa have an unbelievable conveyer belt to allow the likes of him, Stander etc to leave for Europe and not really miss them.

[open face surgery]

Spectacular game today. Had it all.

[Blizzard Beast]

Only managed to see the first half but we played brilliant.Looks like it lived up to the hype judging by the ft reports.

[Carnage]

Fantastic game alright, Ireland's to lose now. Scotland annihilated Wales too.

[Caomhaoin]

Anyone heading to the World Cup in the autumn? Got two tickets for Ireland v Tonga, I was lucky to get accommodation there in Nantes. Very saucy prices and it's only February and it's not even a big game!