The rugby

[BrumJim]

Listened to most of the game and it sounded like a cracker. I arrived at my daughter’s hotel just as they were having what seemed to be the final play and England were holding on for the win. I was a bit surprised to then get in the car about 10 minutes later to hear them talking about France winning the championship. Such a shame Pillock appeared to cost them the game, such a lovely and likeable young man.

Strange game. Like both coaches focused entirely on how to score against the other side, but no time at all on stopping them scoring. Recently there has been concerns that too much effort is spent on defence. England clearly had no plan against Bielle-Biarrey, who was out-Jonah Lomu-ing the big man himself in terms of ripping apart defences. Although he only had one weapon (pace) rather than Lomu's additional weapons of bulk and side-step.

Even stranger, as France clearly had a warning last week that their defence was weak. Unless they thought that England wouldn't have the imagination and penetration that the Scotland side had.

 

[matticus]

Didn't really work in the end though, did it?
I'd rather he put his efforts into proving himself in the game.

Of course it did. You saw all the handbags, right? Unless you think Ramos kicked better due to being riled up, cos that's a well-known way to kick better ...

 

[Dogtrousers]

I sense the ghost of Brian Moore and his 15 Eric Cantonas floating around this thread.

 

[Pross]

Strange game. Like both coaches focused entirely on how to score against the other side, but no time at all on stopping them scoring. Recently there has been concerns that too much effort is spent on defence. England clearly had no plan against Bielle-Biarrey, who was out-Jonah Lomu-ing the big man himself in terms of ripping apart defences. Although he only had one weapon (pace) rather than Lomu's additional weapons of bulk and side-step.

Even stranger, as France clearly had a warning last week that their defence was weak. Unless they thought that England wouldn't have the imagination and penetration that the Scotland side had.

I think teams may have decided that the way to deal with France is to tempt them out of the Shaun Edwards discipline and into a flamboyant battle of egos. It feels like that’s their natural instinct and they want to show they can do the loose running game better than their opponents.

 

[matticus]

I think teams may have decided that the way to deal with France is to tempt them out of the Shaun Edwards discipline and into a flamboyant battle of egos. It feels like that’s their natural instinct and they want to show they can do the loose running game better than their opponents.

... plus perhaps France needed a BP at (almost) all costs. Perfect recipe for a try-fest!

 

[Alex321]

... plus perhaps France needed a BP at (almost) all costs. Perfect recipe for a try-fest!

France didn't need a Bonus Point at all. With it, they won the championship by 2 points. Without it, they would still have won by a point.

If Scotland had beaten Ireland and got a bonus point, then France would have needed a bonus point win.

 

[matticus]

France didn't need a Bonus Point at all. With it, they won the championship by 2 points. Without it, they would still have won by a point.

If Scotland had beaten Ireland and got a bonus point, then France would have needed a bonus point win.

Ah yes, good point.
( Imagine how they'd have played needing the BP :P )

 

[Blazing Saddles]

Glad that the Gallagher is back tonight. Looking forward to watching Bath vs Sarries.
Gave up watching Cardiff getting hammered by the Bulls.
Learning the game in school, our PE teacher used to give penalties for “dull play”. Cardiff are lucky it’s not a thing in the pro leagues, as they deserved quite a few of those, tonight.

 

[Dorset Boy]

Cracking first half at the Rec. Some very good attacking by Salaries, but Bath very clinical when they've had the chance.

 

[Blazing Saddles]

Cracking first half at the Rec. Some very good attacking by Salaries, but Bath very clinical when they've had the chance.

It’s a million miles away from the majority of matches in the URC.

Bath are now drawing away from Saracens. Helps when you can bring on a bench like theirs, en mass.

 

[Blazing Saddles]

Salaries (they are never going to live that down) still contributing a lot to the game.
They could easily have a bonus point try total.

 

[Dorset Boy]

So clinical. Absolutely blown Salaries away, and defence has been awesome

 

[Dorset Boy]

Mark McCall looked shell shocked

 

[Blazing Saddles]

Bath had the Midas Touch tonight. To give Sarries a 10 point start and still beat them by almost 50 points.

 

[Blazing Saddles]

Mark McCall looked shell shocked

He looked like he wanted to be anywhere but the Rec.