The rugby

[Pross]

Costelow’s injury was also key. I’ll freely admit I was wrong about his selection and he really controlled the game. He should have probably been on the MoM selection rather than James.

 

[midlandsgrimpeur]

Scotland Ireland to decide the triple crown then.
Just had to wait longer than I expected for the inevitable.
Panned out much like the Welsh regions in the RUC games. They just can’t close out tight games.

On the positive side, they actually got themselves in a position to win, huge improvement from anything we have seen over the last two years. As an Englishmen I have taken no pleasure at all from the Welsh demise, I want to see all the home nations in a position of strength.

 

[biggs682]

Scotland v Wales was an awful lot closer than Ireland v England's match

 

[Pross]

Strange seeing Italy playing in red (looks a bit rubbish with the blue shorts too).

 

[Blazing Saddles]

Strange seeing Italy playing in red (looks a bit rubbish with the blue shorts too).

It obviously doesn’t suit them. France totally dominating the opening exchanges.

I really hate ITV’s coverage. Too much analysis during commentary and then there’s those adverts.

 

[Pross]

ITV sports coverage in general is poor.

Great attack for Italy just now but they really have to score with that sort of opportunity

 

[Blazing Saddles]

I thought Lynagh’s yellow card was harsh, but then I don’t like Brace.
Ultimately, it gave France the space to break the second half deadlock. Until then, it had been pretty dull.

 

[Dorset Boy]

I thought Lynagh’s yellow card was harsh, but then I don’t like Brace.
Ultimately, it gave France the space to break the second half deadlock. Until then, it had been pretty dull.

I agree - I thought he was wrapping his arm to make the tackle, not a deliberate knock on at all.

Scoreline ended up flattering France a bit, Italy came a lot closer to France than Ireland or Wales.

Italy can be confident of getting their first win ever against England in 2 weeks if both sides play like they did this weekend.

I like the red and blue.
Also fair play to Brace for using 3 languages during the game.

 

[rualexander]

They need to stop doing the pyrotechnics before the games, whole place was full of smoke until half time. Spoils the picture quality on TV and spoils the view live in the stadiums.
Murrayfield was the same in the autumn.

 

[Beebo]

They need to stop doing the pyrotechnics before the games, whole place was full of smoke until half time. Spoils the picture quality on TV and spoils the view live in the stadiums.
Murrayfield was the same in the autumn.

It also can’t be great for their lungs.

 

[Pross]

A quick technical / law question. At what point does charging down a kick become a knock on? There was a kick in the Cardiff game just now where the ball went at a low trajectory and a player 2 or 3 metres from the kicker tapped it down to the ground which was called as a charge down. I don’t think I’ve seen a charge down so far from the boot. Is it basically OK to charge down at any point on the upward trajectory?

 

[Dogtrousers]

A quick technical / law question. At what point does charging down a kick become a knock on? There was a kick in the Cardiff game just now where the ball went at a low trajectory and a player 2 or 3 metres from the kicker tapped it down to the ground which was called as a charge down. I don’t think I’ve seen a charge down so far from the boot. Is it basically OK to charge down at any point on the upward trajectory?

Interesting question. I did a quick Google and found the appropriate law. I don't think it answers the subtlety of your question but it does have a cute picture.

https://passport.world.rugby/laws-of-the-game/laws-by-number/11-knock-forward-or-throw-forward/
11.5There is no sanction, and play continues, if:

a. A player knocks the ball forward immediately after an opponent has kicked it (charge down).

Charge down