Bad news for Scotland if this is the case
Article paywalled ?
I extracted the bit about the aviation tragedy:
the tragedy many Welsh fans and their families endured shortly after the match in Ravenhill.After leaving Belfast, Welsh supporters who had chartered a Tudor V plane to Dublin for the match embarked on the same plane for the return journey the following day, Sunday March 12.It left Dublin airport at 2.10pm and was due to land in Llandow at 3.05pm. Llandow Aerodrome was used for civilian flights before facilities were developed at what is now Cardiff Airport.One eyewitness saw the plane arriving at the airport, attempting to land, climb again, appearing to stall and then nose-dive into a field about half a mile away near the small village of Sigingstone.It did not catch fire. It “just crumpled up”, as another eyewitness described it. The plane broke in half as it hit the ground. Fragments of the wreckage were scattered everywhere, as were clothing and suitcases. Of the 83 on board (78 passengers and 5 crew), only three survived. Seven of the fatalities were women. Two of the survivors – brothers-in-law Handel Rogers and Gwyn Anthony – walked from the rear of the aircraft with only superficial injuries. Rogers went on to manage the Welsh rugby tour to New Zealand, Australia and Fiji in 1969 and became president of the Welsh Rugby Union in 1975.As with the recent aviation crash in Washington DC, there was much speculation as to who or what was at fault, with some suggesting that the pilot accidentally moved the controls as he was about to land. A court of investigation subsequently ruled that the most probable cause was that loading conditions gave a centre of gravity that was too far aft (towards the back) and outside the limit permitted for airworthiness. What started as a weekend of triumph for Welsh rugby after winning the Triple Crown in Belfast ended in deep tragedy as the lives of 80 people were ended so calamitously just a day later.
the tragedy many Welsh fans and their families endured shortly after the match in Ravenhill.After leaving Belfast, Welsh supporters who had chartered a Tudor V plane to Dublin for the match embarked on the same plane for the return journey the following day, Sunday March 12.It left Dublin airport at 2.10pm and was due to land in Llandow at 3.05pm. Llandow Aerodrome was used for civilian flights before facilities were developed at what is now Cardiff Airport.
One eyewitness saw the plane arriving at the airport, attempting to land, climb again, appearing to stall and then nose-dive into a field about half a mile away near the small village of Sigingstone.It did not catch fire. It “just crumpled up”, as another eyewitness described it. The plane broke in half as it hit the ground. Fragments of the wreckage were scattered everywhere, as were clothing and suitcases. Of the 83 on board (78 passengers and 5 crew), only three survived. Seven of the fatalities were women. Two of the survivors – brothers-in-law Handel Rogers and Gwyn Anthony – walked from the rear of the aircraft with only superficial injuries. Rogers went on to manage the Welsh rugby tour to New Zealand, Australia and Fiji in 1969 and became president of the Welsh Rugby Union in 1975.
As with the recent aviation crash in Washington DC, there was much speculation as to who or what was at fault, with some suggesting that the pilot accidentally moved the controls as he was about to land. A court of investigation subsequently ruled that the most probable cause was that loading conditions gave a centre of gravity that was too far aft (towards the back) and outside the limit permitted for airworthiness. What started as a weekend of triumph for Welsh rugby after winning the Triple Crown in Belfast ended in deep tragedy as the lives of 80 people were ended so calamitously just a day later.
From Wiki :
The Tudor V was a modified version of the stretched Tudor II equipped with 44 seats.
The article cited states that there were 78 passengers aboard.
Such a discrepancy occuring nowadays would have seen litigation, at the least.
Tragic for all the families involved, but seriously questionable.
Just reading around on this and it appears that the increased seating wasn't the main problem, it had an airworthiness certificate for 72 seats. But they'd added another six seats at the back which affected the plane's centre of gravity and that's what they believe caused the crash. Ironically the extra seats at the back were bolted in place and this is believed to be the reason that two of the survivors escaped serious injury. The third survivor was in the toilet but was badly injured.
The whole mess of these planes was caused by the British authorities insisting that post war spares be used to build civilian aircraft. The Avro Tudor was built using parts from Lancaster bombers.
BBC reporting that Fin Smith is due to start against France, with Marcus Smith at 15
https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/articles/cpvmx03n9ngo
Good decision in my opinion. The only way England will beat France is to kick the leather off the ball and stay controlled and on script. While M Smith will face a torrid time in the air in defense, hes quicker across the park than F Steward and offers a different point of strike in attack. Also allows England to go 6-2 again.
Maybe go with Steward and Roebuck on the wings and just pepper Ramos with bombs.
He was bulldozed in defence a couple of times which would be a concern.
I can't believe the English don't have a credible alternative to Steward at FB. France are going to exploit the two of them all day long. The thought of Steward defending against Penaud is laughable, he'll be doing laps of him on the way to the try line
Is Penaud back this week?
Big gamble. Not sure it's an experiment to be trying when you have a hungry France to face. Could be a long afternoon for England. If England can't keep the intensity going for 80 mins they are toast no matter who is playing tbh.
Dunno, just assumed, but it's not like his replacement is a mug either.
the have george furbank who is injured unfortunately, and undoubtedly would have started ahead of slow freddy.
They could go with elliot daly, and have the benefit of his massive boot for pens, but hes probably no longer a top level player.
I like Marcus at 15, 2nd playmaker & all that. Some of his better contributions against us came from him being in backfield anyway. Can't see any benefit in having Steward on the pitch. Wingers = Freeman & Roebuck (for Murley). Could see Slade being surplus to requirement this week. Lozowski might partner Lawrence.
Yeah, I don't watch much Premiership but that Steward is a regular starter is insane. Good in the air but he is far too slow and lumbering to offer any security at the back in defense. Seems like a flanker. They back 3 defense was well below par at the weekend, France would eat them alive with their speed.
What do people think of the rebranding of the Six Nations this year with the new logo and everything?
Have to say I think it is very tacky, and doesn't reflect on what the tournament is for me at all. It looks like something you'd see for a darts tournament, or maybe rugby league.
It's complete shite.
Puke inducing
I can't remember the last time I saw Italy as favourites over another 6N team.
Currently 6 point favourites with the bookies.
Reflects the sad state of Welsh rugby unfortunately.
Were they not favourites last year after beating Scotland and drawing with France?
Very possibly! I'm just not sure I've ever seen it 😀 (might not have been looking last year!)
No, Italy were 2/1 for that game, wales 2/5, mainly because they were away from home.
they were, however, slight favourites in 2023 at home in this fixture. They were 10/11 and wales were 21/20
Wales Italy not exactly a game to get the heartbeat racing.
For some light hearted chat with ex Wallaby players and Mack Hansen, the latest koko podcast/video is an entertaining 30 minutes.
Has the potential to be an absorbing and knife edge game. Will definitely be giving it a watch.
Ah I'll definitely watch some of it yeah. Could be very exciting with lots of scores. On the other hand could be a low quality bottom of the table scrap
It is what it is, and nonetheless interesting. If 'quality' was the only thing that made a game interesting or entertaining, think of all the sport that would have zero support. You've obviously never been at a Fermanagh v Cavan hurling massacre! 😁
It won't affect the winner of the tournament but it's potentially the biggest game for both teams and a must win for them. It could be every bit as good as any other match.
I do fancy Italy, they weren't bad last year and look decent enough again..
Ha ha!! I get you.
a lot of tickets available now on https://www.eticketing.co.uk/scottishrugby
Daffyd Jenkins and Liam Williams are late withdrawals from the Wales squad.
The latter isn't the player he was, but highlights the bizarre decision to not include Cam Winnett in the Six Nations squad. Jenkins out is a hammer blow.
