This is a thread about the 2020 Six Nations, formerly the Five Nations

Squidgy Black · 20-01-2020 2:31pm

Youngs and Heinz as their two scrumhalves, Umaga over the likes of Smith or Sheedy, Dombrant and Simmons left out too with no real 8 (assuming Earls is going to play there).

Some really questionable stuff there.

jr86 · 20-01-2020 2:37pm

In fairness the Vunipola injury has knocked them for 6, given it has happened on the eve of the squad selection

Youngs had a very good world cup semi and is experienced, so until someone else comes along he'll be picked

I still think they'll have too much nous for an inexperienced France first up, but I think it could be their toughest game. They then have a re-building wales and Ireland with new coaches to come at home as their only real barriers to the Grand Slam

Still think they'll get it done, but if France do upset them in Paris I could very well see a French slam

sydthebeat · 20-01-2020 2:38pm

ionadnapokot wrote: »

Umaga?
Any relation?

yes, nephew

Kevski · 20-01-2020 2:39pm

ionadnapokot wrote: »

Umaga?
Any relation?

Yep, nephew.

Bazzo · 20-01-2020 3:52pm

awec wrote: »

Hughes is no good. Way too soft.

He's had a bit of a resurgence since moving to Bristol, quite a few outstanding performances for them.

Dog Botherer · 21-01-2020 5:27am

awec wrote: »

Hughes is no good. Way too soft.

this has been Hughes best ever season, and he was phenomenal before his international debut.

no natural 8 in that entire squad. would they risk going without a natural ball carrier in the backrow and leave that to Mako V, Itoje, and Lawes? seems risky.

AdamD · 21-01-2020 10:25am

Is it a coincidence that his best ever season is when hes only playing in the Premiership? Has always looked below par at European and International level

awec · 21-01-2020 11:19am

Whenever I hear Nathan Hughes my first thought is always when Faf de Klerk drove him back about 10 metres in a tackle.

He's not up to it at that level.

swiwi_ · 21-01-2020 11:46am

I say it every year, but it would be nice if France could be competitive for a change. An annual tri-nations between England, Ireland and Wales, with the rest making up the numbers is just not quite as interesting. A win in Paris vs the English would be a good start.

ionadnapokot · 21-01-2020 12:06pm

Luca Bigi new Italy captain
https://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2020/0120/1109642-luca-bigi-italy-captain/

sydthebeat · 21-01-2020 12:11pm

i think italys big goal this year will be to reduce their overall points difference, and be challenging for LBPs in a couple of games.

No harm in Parisse taking a back seat (his legs are gone) but i think it will be a while before Italy produce a player of his standard and career.

ionadnapokot · 21-01-2020 1:07pm

Id think Argentina probably played more of a role in his rugby development. Think he moved to Italy the year before he won his 1st cap at 18.

Conor O'Shea talked allot about developing the game in Italy. His greatest gift to Italy was Jake Polledri...actually i think he was already playing for Italy u20s.

Will they ever be competitive in the 6N? Certainly not without the Argentinian and Italy qualified players.

jr86 · 21-01-2020 1:22pm

swiwi_ wrote: »

I say it every year, but it would be nice if France could be competitive for a change. An annual tri-nations between England, Ireland and Wales, with the rest making up the numbers is just not quite as interesting. A win in Paris vs the English would be a good start.

It would be great to have 4 genuine 6 nations title contenders in the one season

Since it began in 2000 I can't ever recall a year where there was more than 3 strong sides at a given time. Italy and Scotland have never been contenders, while Wales were relatively poor from 2000-2004 and 2006-2007, England were relatively poor from 2005-2010, France relatively poor from 2011-

Ireland in fairness have been definitely the most consistent side throughout with only an odd off season

jr86 · 21-01-2020 1:24pm

ionadnapokot wrote: »

Will they ever be competitive in the 6N? Certainly not without the Argentinian and Italy qualified players.

You never know I suppose

The clubs used to be pure whipping boys in Europe but Treviso in particular have really become a decent side.

Like with anything they could just stumble across a golden generation some time.

ionadnapokot · 21-01-2020 1:30pm

the greatest team to ever play rugby
https://www.the42.ie/eddie-jones-greatest-4973421-Jan2020/

Brilliant

fitz · 21-01-2020 1:36pm

ionadnapokot wrote: »

the greatest team to ever play rugby
https://www.the42.ie/eddie-jones-greatest-4973421-Jan2020/

Brilliant

Guff like that would make a win by France in their opener even more delicious.

FACECUTTR · 21-01-2020 1:39pm

fitz wrote: »

Guff like that would make a win by France in their opener even more delicious.

Italy beating them would be even better.

21-01-2020 2:03pm

FACECUTTR wrote: »

Italy beating them would be even better.

That's not rugby mate

shootermacg · 21-01-2020 3:50pm

Looks like the Billy V and friends team will be missing Billy V.

BonnieSituation · 21-01-2020 5:27pm

ionadnapokot wrote: »

the greatest team to ever play rugby
https://www.the42.ie/eddie-jones-greatest-4973421-Jan2020/

Brilliant

I remember being in a bar in Kyoto watching that game, fervently cheering on the Tans (the Kiwis in the bar were their usual chirpy selves), and then I was listening to that yesterday and I felt all dirty.

Bleugh.

swiwi_ · 21-01-2020 6:22pm

BonnieSituation wrote: »

I remember being in a bar in Kyoto watching that game, fervently cheering on the Tans (the Kiwis in the bar were their usual chirpy selves), and then I was listening to that yesterday and I felt all dirty.

Bleugh.

That's what birds do, they chirp

ionadnapokot · 22-01-2020 11:49pm

The Dominant Tackle stat are back

and the new
Ruck and turnover locations stats
Visits to the 22
Kick predictor
& Power game stat
"this stat determines the direct impact of a team dominating particular action areas, assessing its effectiveness at reaching and getting over the gain line, producing dominant tackles, and creating line breaks."

https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/2020/01/22/aws-launches-five-new-stats-to-bring-fans-closer-to-the-guinness-six-nations-action/

Not really a fan of any of these "developments".
But at least its a step away from the moronic commentary we used to be subjected to e.g Nugent "& now its Irelands turn to attack"

ionadnapokot · 23-01-2020 2:41am

https://twitter.com/gavancasey/status/1220006795705552897?s=21

lawrencesummers · 23-01-2020 8:18am

I think the bookies have France very over priced at 7/1 And they are my pick to win the 6 nations but no grand slam. Having Ireland and England in Paris is a big help, as is having England up first.

England losing Billy V is huge because they have nobody to replace him that will give the back row the same balance. They are also missing slade and the midfield
Options are limited a bit.

France have some serious talent and the ability to rack up big scores, the question is how good their Defense is gonna be. Penaud or vakatawa for top try scorer me thinks.

Wales are an unknown quantity with their new coaching ticket so they will
Probably spring some surprises.

If Johnny sexton can last the entire competition then we have a chance, but I’m not confident that he can, or that his understudy is good enough yet.

Gonna be interesting.

sydthebeat · 23-01-2020 8:28am

I have France at 12/1 to win the competition.

I just think the squad are a little too young yet to be consistent over five games, and could be turned over by a free flowing Scotland if they had an off day....while wakes away could be difficult too.

But France have ****ed up twice in a row versus Wales now, and I think they will be foaming at the mouth to get at them again

Bazzo · 23-01-2020 8:31am

For real though can we fix the title

stephen_n · 23-01-2020 8:39am

sydthebeat wrote: »

I have France at 12/1 to win the competition.

I just think the squad are a little too young yet to be consistent over five games, and could be turned over by a free flowing Scotland if they had an off day....while wakes away could be difficult too.

But France have ****ed up twice in a row versus Wales now, and I think they will be foaming at the mouth to get at them again

It will be interesting to see how quickly they adjust to their new defence. Things often get worse before getting better when you bring in a new defensive coach.

prawnsambo · 23-01-2020 8:59am

Bazzo wrote: »

For real though can we fix the title

Can't thank this post enough.

Edit: Have created a poll to back this request up.

jr86 · 23-01-2020 8:59am

sydthebeat wrote: »

I have France at 12/1 to win the competition.

I just think the squad are a little too young yet to be consistent over five games, and could be turned over by a free flowing Scotland if they had an off day....while wakes away could be difficult too.

But France have ****ed up twice in a row versus Wales now, and I think they will be foaming at the mouth to get at them again

I think they're getting England at the worst time

Very inexperienced side which is more likely to grow as the tournament progresses. I could see them winning their last 4, they owe Wales one, and I think Scotland are going to be a complete non-entity

It just has to be an England tournament win, and most likely the slam, they're in a far better and more assured place at the present moment than every other side

stephen_n · 23-01-2020 10:53am

jr86 wrote: »

I think they're getting England at the worst time

Very inexperienced side which is more likely to grow as the tournament progresses. I could see them winning their last 4, they owe Wales one, and I think Scotland are going to be a complete non-entity

It just has to be an England tournament win, and most likely the slam, they're in a far better and more assured place at the present moment than every other side

You’d have to wonder how much the fall out of the Saracens debacle will affect them. There seems to be a lot of animosity between them and the other clubs. Also not having Billy V has badly affected them before, they’re a very different team with him playing.

Banner2theend · 23-01-2020 11:07am

For me Wales are the unknown, which for many might think is daft, when you consider they are the defending 6N and Grand Slam champions.

Wayne Pivac is the ultimate 360 degrees from Warren Gatland. While the latter wanted his team to play a very attritional game, win the collisions with very little guile or creativity, the former Scarlets coach, has a far different philosophy to his predecessor. Pivac wants his teams to play high tempo, quick taps from penalties, more offloads, and in general will put more emphasis on skill and playing a more expansive, attacking game.

IMO outside of Ireland, I'm most interested in the transition of Wales' approach. What do other posters think about how Wales should approach the 2020 6N? Personally the Pivac way is the right way, and it will be most interesting in how their game develops throughout the coming months.

thomond2006 · 23-01-2020 11:08am

sydthebeat wrote: »

I have France at 12/1 to win the competition.

I just think the squad are a little too young yet to be consistent over five games, and could be turned over by a free flowing Scotland if they had an off day....while wakes away could be difficult too.

But France have ****ed up twice in a row versus Wales now, and I think they will be foaming at the mouth to get at them again

If France were 4 from 4 going to Twickenham, maybe.
Going to Twickenham on Week 1 is going to be a loss and they're not going to compete from there.

2020Vision · 23-01-2020 11:14am

thomond2006 wrote: »

If France were 4 from 4 going to Twickenham, maybe.
Going to Twickenham on Week 1 is going to be a loss and they're not going to compete from there.

Why have France agreed to play their home game V England in Twickenham?

23-01-2020 11:14am

thomond2006 wrote: »

If France were 4 from 4 going to Twickenham, maybe.
Going to Twickenham on Week 1 is going to be a loss and they're not going to compete from there.

France don't go to Twickenham at all

thomond2006 · 23-01-2020 11:42am

Ah fup it anyway!

jr86 · 23-01-2020 12:20pm

stephen_n wrote: »

You’d have to wonder how much the fall out of the Saracens debacle will affect them. There seems to be a lot of animosity between them and the other clubs. Also not having Billy V has badly affected them before, they’re a very different team with him playing.

They have won the championship without Vunipola before although I do agree it'll be a blow to them

However France are picking a very inexperienced side, Wales have a new coach, their clubs are struggling, the two 'big guns' away and a French side coming to Cardiff who will certainly not be lacking in motivation. Ireland traditionally always struggle after a world cup year and again have a new unproven coach at the helm, and are coming on the back of a poor season

England have both the 'big guns' at home and they get France at the best time also. They've the most continuity from the world cup. The saracens thing might have an effect but all the Sarries guys are in good form anyway so I don't think it'll be a huge issue. These things can tend to actually galvanise teams anyway

interestingly the last 4 six nations after a world cup year have had a grand slam winner. I'd expect england to continue the trend, the quality of the tournament is always that bit poorer in post-RWC years due to teams rebuilding and so on

swiwi_ · 23-01-2020 12:40pm

Spot the lad with "Gallic flair"

sydthebeat · 23-01-2020 12:50pm

disappointed with Andys boring tie.

scott1974 · 23-01-2020 12:54pm

swiwi_ wrote: »

Spot the lad with "Gallic flair"

Nothing says "Jouer, Jouer" like a pair of pristine trainers.... France by 100!!!

Sinbad_NI · 23-01-2020 2:17pm

Russell looks to have fallenen out with Scotland

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/51222874

Utah_Saint · 23-01-2020 2:48pm

Yeah - seems like Russell and Townsend maybe don't work well together...?

Also there was the whole fall out with Russell's father and the SRFU last year.

Looking at Russell's stats for Scotland. No doubt he is a great player but he's only averaging 3 points per game for Scotland. Sexton avg 9 points per game. Maybe Russells is offset by Laidlaw kick sometimes?

razorblunt · 23-01-2020 2:52pm

There's chat around Scottish Rugby there's a few concerns regarding him.
I've heard it from two different unconnected folk.

23-01-2020 2:58pm

Bazzo wrote: »

For real though can we fix the title

I don't even understand it. Is it supposed to be a star wars reference

Utah_Saint · 23-01-2020 3:01pm

Deleted User wrote: »

I don't even understand it. Is it supposed to be a star wars reference

maybe a play on a Soda Farrell and Star Wars ?

RugbyLover123 · 23-01-2020 5:14pm

razorblunt wrote: »

There's chat around Scottish Rugby there's a few concerns regarding him.
I've heard it from two different unconnected folk.

What kind of concerns? Physical? Mental?

23-01-2020 5:26pm

From reading a variety of media and social media there is a suggestion that it wasn't a fallout with Townsend that precipitated this departure but a fallout with the senior playing group.

There is also a suggestion that he is a bit of a piece of work and has fairly serious notions about himself.

He's only ruled out of the opening game. He may be back for the remainder of the tournament.

typhoony · 23-01-2020 5:33pm

so I came into this thread to see the reason and so far there's about 6 different ones

23-01-2020 5:40pm

I heard all of Scotland are out for the first round because it was Finn Russell's ball

Tommybojangles · 23-01-2020 6:39pm

I heard W P Nel went into a restaurant and he ate everything in the restaurant and they had to close the restaurant

prawnsambo · 23-01-2020 7:48pm

So this apparently.

This is a thread about the 2020 Six Nations, formerly the Five Nations

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