The rugby

[Pross]

Was at the park in Pontypool last weekend pitting for my son in his cyclo-cross race.

I watched the Five Nations avidly from the early '70s onwards, and despite being English and still feeling the pain from watching the Welsh regularly pummel us in those first two decades, it felt like I was on a pilgrimage as I watched my son race around the park surrounding the rather modest rugby ground there, with signing-in occurring in the club itself, in the shadow of the Honours Board.

Found very few people there who understood my sense of awe at being very much within touching distance of such an iconic venue and club. One of whom was a Kiwi - understandably!

Viet Gwent.

Sadly, no sight of the two remaining ones all afternoon.

I’ve been watching Pooler since 1984 and still a season ticket holder. I also do parkrun there quite regularly that finishes in front of the stand. Pricey still attends all the games and is club president.

 

[Pross]

France are getting minced in the scrum and if they can't cope then I can't see any NH team managing either. It's ridiculous.
It's getting to the stage teams will be trying to tactically try and get uncontested scrums

Italy did OK against them in the scrum (but not in any other aspect).

 

[Beebo]

I think scrum infringements should be a free kick. A penalty is too harsh.
And teams should be encouraged to play the ball if they can.
Clearly regular infringements can still be yellow carded.

On a separate note, did you see the pitch turf just fold up at the final scrum.