2015 RBS Six Nations General Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread

heybaby · 28-01-2015 4:24pm

France

My primary concern for Ireland's 6 nations campaign is the fitness of Sexton, this cannot be overstated. He's been out for 12 weeks now, he'll be nowhere near match fit and the chances of him being taken off if he ships any kind of blow to the head in contact are very high.

Sexton is light years ahead of either Madigan or Keatley in just about every aspect of the game. You also have to consider whether mentally Sexton will be avoiding tackles / collisions for fear of damage. So its the lack of fitness and the fear factor for Sexton which for me have the potential to contribute to a subpar Sexton . and by extension the ability to hurt our chances of a second six nations title in a row.

I hope I'm wrong.

awec · 28-01-2015 4:33pm

.ak wrote: »

I dunno....

What is that photo even about?

.ak · 28-01-2015 4:38pm

Aliens.

28-01-2015 4:41pm

France

awec wrote: »

What is that photo even about?

all reaching for the goal i guess but rugby players may not be the best actors

irishbucsfan · 28-01-2015 4:44pm

England

Paulie is going with both hands. Typical Munster commitment. All them other countries lack ambition.

Zzippy · 28-01-2015 4:48pm

England

POC needs to watch Zoolander to work the camera better... Robshaw has clearly studied the documentary many times.

Peregrine · 28-01-2015 4:48pm

England

Teferi wrote: »

Look at this cringefest.

I can just imagine Paul there: "No, I'm not doing any of that **** thanks.".

Sam Warburton still on the phone with French clubs?

awec · 28-01-2015 4:49pm

Azariah Orange Oats wrote: »

all reaching for the goal i guess but rugby players may not be the best actors

They look like they're dancing the drunk uncle wedding dance.

vienne86 · 28-01-2015 6:29pm

England

heybaby wrote: »

My primary concern for Ireland's 6 nations campaign is the fitness of Sexton, this cannot be overstated. He's been out for 12 weeks now, he'll be nowhere near match fit and the chances of him being taken off if he ships any kind of blow to the head in contact are very high.

Sexton is light years ahead of either Madigan or Keatley in just about every aspect of the game. You also have to consider whether mentally Sexton will be avoiding tackles / collisions for fear of damage. So its the lack of fitness and the fear factor for Sexton which for me have the potential to contribute to a subpar Sexton . and by extension the ability to hurt our chances of a second six nations title in a row.

I hope I'm wrong.

I doubt very much the Sexton will 'hold back' in any way when he comes back into the team. I believe that it is not in is DNA. But I agree that his lack of match fitness is a big worry.

molloyjh · 28-01-2015 6:59pm

Nim wrote: »

Sam Warburton still on the phone with French clubs?

Looks more like he's recording a charity single with that Feed The World pose...

thomond2006 · 28-01-2015 7:41pm

8 players have been released from the French camp.

RR is reporting the following probable 23:

Menini, Ben Arous,
Guirado, Kayser,
Mas (ou Slimani), Atonio (ou Slimani),
Papé, Maestri, Taofifenua,
Dusautoir, Le Roux, Goujon, Chouly.

Kockott, Tillous-Borde (ou Parra),
Lopez, Talès,
Bastareaud, Fofana, Dumoulin (ou Lamerat),
Thomas, Huget, Spedding.

English Lurker · 28-01-2015 8:32pm

.ak wrote: »

Never really like to see a squad decimated before the 6N, takes away from it a bit.

I'm not that bothered about it. The list largely consists of long-term absentees that we've been coping (sorta...) without anyway, players who I desperately wanted to see dropped, and Morgan and Launch, which I might cry about. Not that I'm too positive; there's a solid chance of this being England's worst 6N for some time. But that was true before the injuries.

awec · 28-01-2015 8:35pm

I actually think Farrell is pretty over rated and it will do England no harm to get a proper look at the alternatives.

aimee1 · 28-01-2015 10:15pm

.ak wrote: »

I dunno....

is this some kind of 6n haka they are rehearsing?

English Lurker · 28-01-2015 10:49pm

awec wrote: »

I actually think Farrell is pretty over rated and it will do England no harm to get a proper look at the alternatives.

I'd say 5% of England fans I know are disappointed to see him injured, 80% guiltily happy, 10% not at at all guilty for being happy, and 5% are absolutely ecstatic.

Cheese Wagstaff · 29-01-2015 11:27am

England

thomond2006 wrote: »

8 players have been released from the French camp.

RR is reporting the following probable 23:

Menini, Ben Arous,
Guirado, Kayser,
Mas (ou Slimani), Atonio (ou Slimani),
Papé, Maestri, Taofifenua,
Dusautoir, Le Roux, Goujon, Chouly.

Kockott, Tillous-Borde (ou Parra),
Lopez, Talès,
Bastareaud, Fofana, Dumoulin (ou Lamerat),
Thomas, Huget, Spedding.

Brice Dulin still injured? He was arguably France's most impressive player last year, I'd be surprised if he was dropped.

thomond2006 · 29-01-2015 11:28am

Cheese Wagstaff wrote: »

Brice Dulin still injured? He was arguably France's most impressive player last year, I'd be surprised if he was dropped.

Injured

Scott Spedding was pretty good in the autumn.

errlloyd · 29-01-2015 12:57pm

England

PSA seems very complimentary of Ireland in some of these excerpts. Maybe he's just making excuses.

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/international/ireland-players-better-protected-by-irfu-philippe-saint-andre-1.2083233

Fireball07 · 29-01-2015 3:01pm

England

Are France going to be good this year?

CatFromHue · 29-01-2015 3:03pm

Fireball07 wrote: »

Are France going to be good this year?

They won all their November games but they were against Fiji, Arg, and Oz.

Bridge93 · 29-01-2015 3:04pm

England

CatFromHue wrote: »

They won all their November games but they were against Fiji, Arg, and Oz.

France lost to Argentina

29-01-2015 3:06pm

English Lurker wrote: »

I'd say 5% of England fans I know are disappointed to see him injured, 80% guiltily happy, 10% not at at all guilty for being happy, and 5% are absolutely ecstatic.

This ratio is absolutely spot on.

CatFromHue · 29-01-2015 3:08pm

Bridge93 wrote: »

France lost to Argentina

So they did :eek:

Akrasia · 29-01-2015 4:55pm

England

Fireball07 wrote: »

Are France going to be good this year?

I'd say France will be a bit ropey this year. They tend to prioritise the RWC and will be using the 6N to try out different player combinations and strategies.

There will be some excellent individual performances, but I'd say they won't be playing as a solid team.

aimee1 · 29-01-2015 5:19pm

Akrasia wrote: »

There will be some excellent individual performances, but I'd say they won't be playing as a solid team.

like every year really then

heybaby · 29-01-2015 6:29pm

France

Akrasia wrote: »

I'd say France will be a bit ropey this year. They tend to prioritise the RWC and will be using the 6N to try out different player combinations and strategies.

There will be some excellent individual performances, but I'd say they won't be playing as a solid team.

Even not playing cohesively France are still very dangerous and i'll only breathe a sigh of relief once they are leaving Dublin on an Air France flight with a defeat under their belt.

corkoian · 29-01-2015 10:48pm

Is the tickets for the Ireland France match sold out?

George Hook · 29-01-2015 10:50pm

England

heybaby wrote: »

Even not playing cohesively France are still very dangerous and i'll only breathe a sigh of relief once they are leaving Dublin on an Air France flight with a defeat under their belt.

I'm not that concerned by them as long as we start well - they really have not played well away from home the last while.

total former · 30-01-2015 8:25pm

England

10940559_1035576889789490_4315524761628394359_n.jpg?oh=ca3990817e75fa3c15b687dc7a775348&oe=5557DBAC&__gda__=1432331157_3ab9bce4826b6fddd1fefc0050a993e6

Paul O'Connell (@Paul_OConnell) tweeted at 1:04pm - 30 Jan 15:

@BrianODriscoll A little piece of me died during that photo. (https://twitter.com/Paul_OConnell/status/561189282501885952?s=17)

mfceiling · 30-01-2015 8:29pm

total former wrote: »

Paul O'Connell (@Paul_OConnell) tweeted at 1:04pm - 30 Jan 15:

@BrianODriscoll A little piece of me died during that photo. (https://twitter.com/Paul_OConnell/status/561189282501885952?s=17)

thomond2006 · 01-02-2015 12:37pm

French squad preparing for Scotland:

Eddy Ben Arous(Racing-Métro), Alexandre Menini (Toulon),
Nicolas Mas (Montpellier), Rabah Slimani (Stade français), Uini Atonio (La Rochelle),
Guilhem Guirado (Toulon), Benjamin Kayser (Clermont),
Alexandre Flanquart (Stade français), Yoann Maestri (Toulouse), Pascal Papé (Stade français), Romain Taofifenua (Toulon),
Damien Chouly (Clermont), Thierry Dusautoir (Toulouse), Loann Goujon (La Rochelle), Wenceslas Lauret (Racing-Métro), Bernard Le Roux (Racing-Métro), Yannick Nyanga (Toulouse).

Rory Kockott (Castres), Morgan Parra (Clermont),
Camille Lopez (Clermont), Rémi Talès (Castres),
Mathieu Bastareaud (Toulon), Gaël Fickou (Toulouse), Wesley Fofana (Clermont), Rémi Lamerat (Castres),
Sofiane Guitoune (Bordeaux-Bègles), Yoann Huget (Toulouse), Noa Nakaitaci (Clermont), Teddy Thomas (racing-Métro),
Brice Dulin (racing-Métro), Scott Spedding (Bayonne).

01-02-2015 2:19pm

Is Picamoles injured or just out of favour?

thomond2006 · 01-02-2015 3:33pm

Mabel Freezing Silver wrote: »

Is Picamoles injured or just out of favour?

He went off with a thigh injury against Castres.

penybont exile · 01-02-2015 3:54pm

Scotland

Just read Brendan Fanning's team by team guide to the 6N in the Indo.

Laughable at best.

The over confidence of the media here never ceases to amaze me. It's not inconceivable that a big dose of reality could be administered by a very physical and fired up Italian team next weekend.

Obviously no one is giving Wales a chance once again. I suspect that will remain the same even if we prevail on Friday. If we do IMO we'll be in the box seat and it will take a good team to dislodge us.

.ak · 01-02-2015 3:59pm

penybont exile wrote: »

Just read Brendan Fanning's team by team guide to the 6N in the Indo.

Laughable at best.

The over confidence of the media here never ceases to amaze me. It's not inconceivable that a big dose of reality could be administered by a very physical and fired up Italian team next weekend.

Obviously no one is giving Wales a chance once again. I suspect that will remain the same even if we prevail on Friday. If we do IMO we'll be in the box seat and it will take a good team to dislodge us.

God I love the 6n...

irishbucsfan · 01-02-2015 5:07pm

England

penybont exile wrote: »

Just read Brendan Fanning's team by team guide to the 6N in the Indo.

Laughable at best.

The over confidence of the media here never ceases to amaze me. It's not inconceivable that a big dose of reality could be administered by a very physical and fired up Italian team next weekend.

Obviously no one is giving Wales a chance once again. I suspect that will remain the same even if we prevail on Friday. If we do IMO we'll be in the box seat and it will take a good team to dislodge us.

Well certainly noone could ever call Welsh rugby fans over confident...

Tox56 · 01-02-2015 5:18pm

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Well certainly noone could ever call Welsh rugby fans over confident...

:pac: Even if we do the slam and win the World Cup we'll be accused of overconfidence this time next year

penybont exile · 01-02-2015 7:23pm

Scotland

.ak wrote: »

God I love the 6n...

It would be boring if we're all backing the same horse .........

Scythica · 01-02-2015 7:59pm

penybont exile wrote: »

It would be boring if we're all backing the same horse .........

True... we can't all be winners :P

01-02-2015 8:45pm

thomond2006 wrote: »

He went off with a thigh injury against Castres.

Thanks. Just saw he wasn't in the squad and thought it would be inconceivable for a player of his quality to not make the squad in this country. But the French are mental.

WoollyRedHat · 02-02-2015 2:40am

England

Does anyone know when The Guardian will be doing its Six Nations preview for each team and finishing predictions?

02-02-2015 10:31am

England

So its finally six nations opening round week. Who are we cheering for on Friday? The memories of that early morning in 2011 still make it difficult for me to support Wales and Gatland dropping cough Heaslip for the final Lions test was unforgivable.

Still its England who they are playing who ran us to the wire last year. 9 all draw?

Bridge93 · 02-02-2015 10:59am

England

[Deleted User] wrote: »

So its finally six nations opening round week. Who are we cheering for on Friday? The memories of that early morning in 2011 still make it difficult for me to support Wales and Gatland dropping cough Heaslip for the final Lions test was unforgivable.

Still its England who they are playing who ran us to the wire last year. 9 all draw?

A draw would probably be a poor result for us unless we are going for the Slam. It would require both teams to lose another game instead of just one.
I'm inclined to say it may be more beneficial for us if Wales lose. We have to go there whereas we have England in Dublin, hopefully with all their injury woes. If you're not going to win your home games you probably aren't going to win the competition so on all that is maybe just rather England.

thomond2006 · 02-02-2015 12:05pm

aimee1 · 02-02-2015 12:06pm

Deleted User wrote: »

So its finally six nations opening round week. Who are we cheering for on Friday? The memories of that early morning in 2011 still make it difficult for me to support Wales and Gatland dropping cough Heaslip for the final Lions test was unforgivable.

Still its England who they are playing who ran us to the wire last year. 9 all draw?

I think England by 7-10. Warrenball has been found out.

.ak · 02-02-2015 12:09pm

Very early to be announcing teams. Then again, not much video analysis to be done there.

aimee1 · 02-02-2015 12:15pm

.ak wrote: »

Very early to be announcing teams. Then again, not much video analysis to be done there.

so you are not expecting Wales to change tactics?

irishbucsfan · 02-02-2015 12:16pm

England

.ak wrote: »

Very early to be announcing teams. Then again, not much video analysis to be done there.

Mind games. Lancaster's squad is ravaged by injury and they have tough calls to make.

.ak · 02-02-2015 12:27pm

aimee1 wrote: »

so you are not expecting Wales to change tactics?

Not with that team. He'd be mad not to play to it's strengths, which is very direct runners and try to wear England. He's picked some good ball distributors on the bench, so you'd imagine it'll be the typical Welsh display of over power the opposition and then move the ball around when they're tired.

RobbieRuns · 02-02-2015 12:28pm

France

The 12 is the big question, unless he sticks Robbie in there as he did when playing Payne, but Fitz I just do not see as a 12. Robbie has the bulk now to play that position whereas in the past I would not have said so ( I actually think that he needs to be careful not to get too big ). Fitz would be my first choice 13, gifted runner and he has the space out there. My worry with him is always fitness, the boy (and Luke Marshall) is a car crash. Just hope that he stays fit for a full season.

The sad part for me is that I would not have D'arcy involved at all. He is probably my fav player of the last 10 years, he has made Drico look so good over his career, he has been class in all that he has done, I am not saying that he can't do a job, just he is not the player of old. He is trying to get to that World Cup for sure and part of me hopes that he does, while other parts of me would love him to go out on a high. If he does not retire from international rugby after the 6N it is a given that he will after the RWC.

2015 RBS Six Nations General Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread

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