Article: The Original Rugby Championship - Six Nations 2016
-
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="rich1927" data-cid="565404" data-time="1458285853">
<div>
<p>The WRU comment was issued in response to them being asked to provide statements about their position on racism in the game by the Welsh press. Just like everyone else it was an attempt to avoid being dragged into the "was it racism" argument. After all, it was a surprising decision given the guidance on verbal abuse and if the WRU wanted to sidestep the question and put the focus elsewhere then so be it. Also, if you read Gatland's retraction all he is really saying is that he's sorry he used the word "banter" but otherwise wants to move on.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Eddie Jones' baiting of the WRU on this was and is naive. I can see he's trying to deflect attention off his player but he's only keeping the story alive. </p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>OK fair enough re the WRU comments. I hadn't seen the whole thing just as reported on the BBC. Totally agree re Gatland, I thought his first comments were pretty good but then the apology for using the word banter, to me that smacks of political pressure. I'm not bagging Gatland for it though.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Agree Eddie is being a cock with the continuation although again this was in response to some persistent questioning which he did try to deflect several times by saying he'd said all he had to say on the subject already.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>This was all sort of my point though, that the whole thing is getting bigger and bigger - much more than is warranted and much more than any dirty play. So much for the old saying of sticks and stones may break my bones...</p> -
<p>Just watched the Ireland Under-20 v Scotland Under-20 fixture. Good to see a Hastings back in Scotland colours - Adam.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Scotland were rather unfortunate in that the clock in the ground was showing that the 40 minutes of the first half were up, so Hastings blimped the ball into touch. But it transpired that the clock was wrong so Scotland found themselves defending an attacking line-out, which Ireland duly scored from!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Also, good to see the referee wearing a Wales shirt. This used to be a nice tradition in the old Five Nations, that the referee would wear his country's shirt.</p> -
That was a very enjoyable match - both sides really up for it. Finished 26-18 to Ireland but wouldn't have been surprised if Scotland had come back and nicked it in the end. <br><br>
U20 rugby is very refreshing to watch. Moves a lot faster and less of the interminable breakdowns in play that seem to occur so often at senior level. <br><br>
Match was held at Leinster's old home ground, Donnybrook. Whatever about the match clock being wonky, the new synthetic pitch is superb and a very popular ground for U20s, Ireland Women's and schools cup games. -
<p>It's being legally streamed for free on the european rugby website if anyone's interested:</p>
<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' href='http://www.rugbyeurope.tv/en/content/160319-enc1a-georgia-romania'>http://www.rugbyeurope.tv/en/content/160319-enc1a-georgia-romania</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Georgia lead 7-0 after 4 minutes.</p> -
<p>Understrength Romanian team doing reasonably well considering.</p>
-
Kickoff here in 25 mins. Both sets of fans looking forward to a loosening of the reins with not a lot to play for - except a million quid between 5th and 3rd spot - but that's for the unions to sweat over. <br><br>
Cotter & Schmidt used to work together, now they're rivals. So far, Schmidt has had the upper hand, will Vern get a turn? -
21-10 to Ireland with 32 mins gone.
-
<p>Ireland have improved as the tournament wore on. McCaw-esque levels of cynical play today though, which the ref didn't ping. When we (NZ) play Ireland we will need to be ready for the boxkicks and the up 'n' unders, stop those and mauls, and Ireland will have to find other ways to score.</p>
-
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="ras1927" data-cid="565934" data-time="1458413550"><p>
Johnny Sexton showing his class in this game by feigning injury and getting lippy with Scottish players now the game's won. <br><br>
And he's just been yellow carded. Good. Pathetic man.</p></blockquote> He didn't feign injury. He got a blow to the head from Dunbar's knee - by accident - as he arrived at breakdown and then Dunbar threw him. -
Agreed. Congrats England on the Grand Slam. Well deserved overall. <br><br>
Some outstanding players in the side tonight. <br><br>
Enjoy the celebrations. -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Mokey" data-cid="565980" data-time="1458429445">
<div>
<p>Oh nooooooo. My English boss is going to be unbearable tomorrow. (He made a Welsh dude at work wear an English rugby jersey for two days after that game)</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Writers have bosses ?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Aw and fuck the irish, continually tackling Scottish players who were only trying to score tries.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="566007" data-time="1458430671">
<div>
<p>Writers have bosses ?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Aw and fuck the irish, continually tackling Scottish players who were only trying to score tries.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>It's a bitch, huh?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The fucking Sassenachs were doing the same to us, though, the other weekend.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>As for the French...</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Not quite sure what the Welsh were doing however.....</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="MN5" data-cid="566007" data-time="1458430671">
<div>
<p>Writers have bosses ?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Aw and fuck the irish, continually tackling Scottish players who were only trying to score tries.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p> </p>
<p>Ha, yes. Editors and publishing houses. But in this case I was talking about my dayjob boss.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Pot Hale" data-cid="565957" data-time="1458425486"><p>
Agreed. Congrats England on the Grand Slam. Well deserved overall.<br><br>
Some outstanding players in the side tonight.<br><br>
Enjoy the celebrations.</p></blockquote>
So England rise from the ashes of their embarrassing RWC showing to win the GS for the first time in over a decade, ushering in a new era and rediscovered sense of hope and optimism that they can rise to the top of world rugby again. Well Fuck you and thanks for nothing Eddie Jones
I can watch both.</p>
