Guinness SIX Nations 2021

aloooof · 08-02-2021 02:31PM

Trey13 wrote: »

Thought Russell was better than people make out. He had a few moment of madness which will always stand out unfortunately. But he got the backline moving reasonably well, better than Farrell did. Farrell just kicked up and unders, even inside the 10m line whereas at least Russell will try something inventive. Poor execution on a few kicks and the drop kick was bizarre. But I’d have him as the best 10 this weekend. Or do people think Sexton, Biggar or Farrell were better? Very hard to win away at Twickenham and the 10 usually is at the forefront.

On 9, probably not a lot between Murray and Price’s performances this week. Standard wasn’t amazing but I think people are being very critical of a guy who clearly knows the sport well.

I think there's a small bit of confusion here. The OP said it was McGeechan's Team of the Week (in which case having Murray and Russell ahead of Dupont and Jalibert would be crazy) but it was actually his Lions selection.

Digifriendly · 08-02-2021 02:32PM

crossman47 wrote: »

Ask yourself who was better? Not Farrell, Sexton or Biggar so he gets it for the good things he did.

French OH was definitely better than Russell.

Trey13 · 08-02-2021 02:34PM

aloooof wrote: »

I think there's a small bit of confusion here. The OP said it was McGeechan's Team of the Week (in which case having Murray and Russell ahead of Dupont and Jalibert would be crazy) but it was actually his Lions selection.

Sorry I thought it was Lions too. But yes, the French two were better if it was a team of the weekend.

sydthebeat · 08-02-2021 02:36PM

Garbisi was the best outhalf of the weekend

crossman47 · 08-02-2021 02:36PM

Digifriendly wrote: »

French OH was definitely better than Russell.

Yes but this was a Lions selection

Paul Smeenus · 08-02-2021 03:01PM

Thought Redpath was really assured on a debut vs England.

Saw elsewhere that Russell turned over the ball five times. I thought Scotland won despite him.

hahashake · 08-02-2021 04:38PM

Russell is a Scottish Carlos Spencer/Quade Cooper, I can see why people fawn over him even when he doesn't have a great game.

Digifriendly · 08-02-2021 07:22PM

crossman47 wrote: »

Yes but this was a Lions selection

I was referring to Maggie Alphonso's Team of the 6N first weekend not to Sir Ian McGeechan's Lions selection. See Post 452 above.

tmc1963 · 09-02-2021 05:32PM

Trey13 wrote: »

Thought Russell was better than people make out. He had a few moment of madness which will always stand out unfortunately. But he got the backline moving reasonably well, better than Farrell did. Farrell just kicked up and unders, even inside the 10m line whereas at least Russell will try something inventive. Poor execution on a few kicks and the drop kick was bizarre. But I’d have him as the best 10 this weekend. Or do people think Sexton, Biggar or Farrell were better? Very hard to win away at Twickenham and the 10 usually is at the forefront.

On 9, probably not a lot between Murray and Price’s performances this week. Standard wasn’t amazing but I think people are being very critical of a guy who clearly knows the sport well.

Agreed re Russell - several of those that played in his position at the highest level were very complimentary. Suspect they know a bit more than the detractors.

Tommybojangles · 09-02-2021 10:08PM

sydthebeat wrote: »

Garbisi was the best outhalf of the weekend

Delighted someone said it! Looking forward to the Italy game Saturday to get another look at him

Paul Smeenus · 10-02-2021 11:45AM

Tommybojangles wrote: »

Delighted someone said it! Looking forward to the Italy game Saturday to get another look at him

Dunno if he was the best, but I thought he was great. Twenty years old!

I think Italy might start really punching their weight in a year or two - that was a very young team. And composure looked to be their number one issue.

Digifriendly · 10-02-2021 11:54AM

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

Dunno if he was the best, but I thought he was great. Twenty years old!

I think Italy might start really punching their weight in a year or two - that was a very young team. And composure looked to be their number one issue.

Back in 2000 when Italy first participated in 6N it was being predicted that within 10 years they would win a GS. 21 years on and they have never won more than 2 matches in any Championship, they have never beaten England home or away and and have still to taste victory in Dublin and Cardiff in the 6N. We live in hope but positive predictions have been made in the past and they remain bottom of the pile.

lawred2 · 10-02-2021 12:07PM

Digifriendly wrote: »

Back in 2000 when Italy first participated in 6N it was being predicted that within 10 years they would win a GS. 21 years on and they have never won more than 2 matches in any Championship, they have never beaten England home or away and and have still to taste victory in Dublin and Cardiff in the 6N. We live in hope but positive predictions have been made in the past and they remain bottom of the pile.

was it?

Podge_irl · 10-02-2021 12:32PM

lawred2 wrote: »

was it?

Not by anyone remotely sensible, no.

Paul Smeenus · 10-02-2021 12:48PM

Digifriendly wrote: »

Back in 2000 when Italy first participated in 6N it was being predicted that within 10 years they would win a GS. 21 years on and they have never won more than 2 matches in any Championship, they have never beaten England home or away and and have still to taste victory in Dublin and Cardiff in the 6N. We live in hope but positive predictions have been made in the past and they remain bottom of the pile.

Yeah, we've thought they'd turn the corner before. No guarantees this time, certainly. But I'm hopefully - they've some good young players (youngest squad overall this 6N I believe?) in key positions like Garbisi.

10-02-2021 06:50PM

.ak wrote: »

Join Boards.ie 6N Pool, my Six Nations Fantasy league on @Superbru! You can find my pool here:

https://www.superbru.com/sixnationsfantasy/pool.php?p=12303299

Actually just setup a boards pool if anyone fancies joining. Just bragging rights, unless I go ahead after rd1....

EDIT: Sorry, just seen your pool LO, I'll join that!

So I had a few let downs (Itoje's penalty count hurt my score, O'Mahony had an impressive -5 and Ryan / Williams departing early).

Jalibert, Dupont and Tomas really delivered, Lowe, Hogg and Stander were decent enough.

Going to be some enforced changes this week, might bring in a few more English players as Italy (albeit better than are being given credit) are still likely to cough up a good few scores away in Twickenham.

Digifriendly · 10-02-2021 07:27PM

lawred2 wrote: »

was it?

Yes it was and that's why I remember it. IIRC it came from rugby pundits at the time.

Ardillaun · 10-02-2021 07:50PM

May’s dropped catch at around 15 minutes against Scotland was described as uncharacteristic by the commentators. Is he great in defence? We know what he can do with ball in hand but he used to be regarded as a bit vulnerable under the ball.

Looking for positives, I thought Italy’s passing against France was crisp enough.

Pudsy33 · 10-02-2021 07:56PM

I'm quite excited about the Italy vs England game. I know Italy shipped 50 points but the majority of them came after periods of broken play. I don't think England have the same capacity to create chaos as the French, and their attacking performance was arguably the worst of all 6 teams this weekend. If Italy are more clinical in attack and structured in defence I reckon they'll get closer than people think.

UAEguy2020 · 10-02-2021 08:02PM

Italy were brilliant going forward, it’s their defense that was a shocker. That’s not a surprise as the entire Italian backline had 24 caps combined (less caps than Jordan Larmour has for Ireland to put that in perspective) and it showed as you could see from the communication to positioning it was a disaster. They will be exciting to watch but I still expect the inexperience to show again.

It does have to be said the big the France have over everyone is taking their chances, yes Italy were terrible defensively but I don’t think anyone else would have punished them as brutally as France did.

.ak · 10-02-2021 08:30PM

Deleted User wrote: »

So I had a few let downs (Itoje's penalty count hurt my score, O'Mahony had an impressive -5 and Ryan / Williams departing early).

Jalibert, Dupont and Tomas really delivered, Lowe, Hogg and Stander were decent enough.

Going to be some enforced changes this week, might bring in a few more English players as Italy (albeit better than are being given credit) are still likely to cough up a good few scores away in Twickenham.

tl;dr.

I'm gunning for you.

10-02-2021 11:37PM

.ak wrote: »

tl;dr.

I'm gunning for you.

thomond2006 · 11-02-2021 01:12PM

WALES TEAM TO PLAY SCOTLAND (SATURDAY FEBRUARY 13, KO 16.45)

1. Wyn Jones (31 Caps)
2. Ken Owens (78 Caps)
3. Tomas Francis (53 Caps)
4. Adam Beard (22 Caps)
5. Alun Wyn Jones (CAPT) (144 Caps)
6. Aaron Wainwright (27 Caps)
7. Justin Tipuric (81 Caps)
8. Taulupe Faletau (82 Caps)

9. Gareth Davies (58 Caps)
10. Dan Biggar (88 Caps)
11. Liam Williams (67 Caps)
12. Nick Tompkins (9 Caps)
13. Owen Watkin (26 Caps)
14. Louis Rees-Zammit (5 Caps)
15. Leigh Halfpenny (94 Caps)

Replacements:

16. Elliot Dee (33 Caps)
17. Rhodri Jones (18 Caps)
18. Leon Brown (13 Caps)
19. Will Rowlands (6 Caps)
20. James Botham (3 Caps)
21. Kieran Hardy (2 Caps)
22. Callum Sheedy (5 Caps)
23. Uilisi Halaholo (*Uncapped)

Players unavailable for selection:

Dan Lydiate (released), Josh Navidi, Josh Macleod, Tomos Williams, Johnny Williams, George North, Jonathan Davies, Hallam Amos, Josh Adams.

UAEguy2020 · 11-02-2021 01:16PM

Wales accidentally picked their best team for the weekend it seems. On paper they should have a decent chance but it’s hard to feel confident in backing them.

Squidgy Black · 11-02-2021 01:18PM

Both Navidi and Lydiate being out is a huge blow, Wainwright's no slouch but it's being said that it's an achilles injury for Navidi.

thomond2006 · 11-02-2021 01:21PM

Scotland team to play Wales at BT Murrayfield, 2021 Guinness Six Nations

Saturday 13 February (kick-off 4.45pm) – live on BBC Sport

15. Stuart Hogg CAPTAIN (Exeter Chiefs) – 81 caps

14. Darcy Graham (Edinburgh) – 15 caps
13. Chris Harris (Gloucester) – 24 caps
12. James Lang (Harlequins) – 5 caps
11. Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh) – 6 caps

10. Finn Russell VICE CAPTAIN (Racing 92) – 52 caps
9. Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors) – 38 caps

1. Rory Sutherland (Edinburgh) – 12 caps
2. George Turner (Glasgow Warriors) – 13 caps
3. Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) – 35 caps
4. Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors) – 18 caps
5. Jonny Gray VICE CAPTAIN (Exeter Chiefs) – 62 caps
6. Blade Thomson (Scarlets) – 9 caps
7. Hamish Watson (Edinburgh – 37 caps
8. Matt Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) – 10 caps

Substitutes:
16. David Cherry (Edinburgh) – 1 cap
17. Oli Kebble (Glasgow Warriors) – 6 caps
18. WP Nel (Edinburgh) – 41 caps
19. Richie Gray (Glasgow Warriors) – 66 caps
20. Gary Graham (Newcastle Falcons) – 3 caps
21. Scott Steele (Harlequins) – 2 caps
22. Jaco van der Walt (Edinburgh) – 1 cap
23. Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors) – 27 caps

Flanker, Jamie Ritchie, centre, Cameron Redpath and winger, Sean Maitland are unavailable through injury.
That is a big deal.

sydthebeat · 11-02-2021 01:23PM

a 30 year old halaholo straight to the bench is a terrible marker of the lack of depth in wales backs

penybont exile · 11-02-2021 01:48PM

sydthebeat wrote: »

a 30 year old halaholo straight to the bench is a terrible marker of the lack of depth in wales backs

Not sure who Ireland's 6th choice centre would be .....if Henshaw, Ringrose, Aki, AN Other, SO Else were out through injury .....

sydthebeat · 11-02-2021 01:54PM

penybont exile wrote: »

Not sure who Ireland's 6th choice centre would be .....if Henshaw, Ringrose, Aki, AN Other, SO Else were out through injury .....

is Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler injured?

penybont exile · 11-02-2021 02:00PM

sydthebeat wrote: »

is Tiaan Thomas-Wheeler injured?

Not sure .....

Also not saying Halaholo is an inspired pick ..... Kieran Williams is another option & possibly the one I would have called up.

Saying that Halaholo is unpredictable .... Scotland / Wales is generally an open game so it might suit him.

Guinness SIX Nations 2021

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