The rugby

[Dogtrousers]

I cannot understand the feeling of almost shame from players and commentators about England losing to Italy. Italy have beaten every other top international team other than NZ so England had no divine right to win.

It's not so much the identity of the teams that England have just lost to (although a first ever loss to Italy adds statistical interest). The problem is that the team is performing so badly.

 

[matticus]

Any predictions on the eye-gouging investigation?

Can France lose any points? [I presume not, from the gossip I've read so far.]

Personally I think it's an offence that should attract the most severe of penalties - it's violence with no sporting/tactical purpose even in a contact sport, and potentially life-changing results.

 

[Alex321]

Any predictions on the eye-gouging investigation?

Can France lose any points? [I presume not, from the gossip I've read so far.]

Personally I think it's an offence that should attract the most severe of penalties - it's violence with no sporting/tactical purpose even in a contact sport, and potentially life-changing results.

No, France can't lose any points, but the player can be banned for quite a long time.

If t had been seen at the time, it would have been a straight red card, no bunker nonsense. And several months ban, not just a few games.

 

[laurentian]

England to face France:

Daly; Roebuck, Freeman, S Atkinson, Murley; F Smith, Spencer; Genge, George, Heyes, Itoje (capt), Coles, Chessum, Pepper, Earl

Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Rodd, Davison, Cunningham-South, Underhill, Pollock, Van Poortvliet, M Smith