Six Nations Thread

[edinatlanta]

Six nations started today.

Yes, I know it is Northern Hemisphere rugby so really, not that great...

but it still is one of the premier competitions in the world.

For those of you who could watch the matches, how did England look in their handy defeat of Italy (the surprise of the year there. /sarcasm)?

Will there be a grand slam this year?

Who do you think will win?

 

[JLibourel]

When I saw "Six Nations" in the title, I thought it was going to be about my people, the Iroquois. (And I am part Mohawk.)

 

[eg1]

Originally Posted by JLibourel

When I saw "Six Nations" in the title, I thought it was going to be about my people, the Iroquois. (And I am part Mohawk.)

That was what I thought the thread was about too!

 

[yerfdog]

me too

 

[Tangfastic]

I haven't watched a lot of rugby in the last few years (shame for someone born and brought up in wales), but watching the france/wales game yesterday it seemed a lot tighter and more intense than in previous years - more like southern hemisphere rugby. There were a lot less handling errors, fewer tackles missed and a greater pace to the game. I don't know if its the new HD tv thing or aerial cameras, but you really got an idea of the force of the impacts.

It looks like Ireland are now favourites, but France were very, very good against a strong Welsh team. I still expect it to between Wales and Ireland as France are inconsistent.

This is the first year I can remember English players and pundits talking about Wales with genuine respect. Normally its the smug platitude 'there are no easy games at this level and I'm sure Wales will be up for it and give us a very tough game' with the full expectation of winning in second gear. I really don't think the England team even believed they could beat Wales this year.

 

[edinatlanta]

Originally Posted by Tangfastic

I really don't think the England team even believed they could beat Wales this year.

Other than Italy, does England think they can defeat anyone this year?

No disrespect toward Wales, I think they are the second best team this year.

Could the North be catching up to the South? As a Wallabies fan I hope not, but there may be parity soon.

 

[merkur]

..

 

[Tangfastic]

Originally Posted by edinatlanta

Other than Italy, does England think they can defeat anyone this year?

No disrespect toward Wales, I think they are the second best team this year.

Could the North be catching up to the South? As a Wallabies fan I hope not, but there may be parity soon.

I think the current six nations table may be the final placings - Ireland winning, then Wales, France and England.

I don't know about the north catching up with the south - Argentina are ranked above any of the northern hemisphere sides, apart from the tri-nations. Wales managed to beat Australia at home last Autumn, but they were the only northern team to do so.

I'm going to make sure I watch the rest of the six nations games. Even if you don't know all the rules its an easily understandable game to watch and test match rugby is about the most consistently thrilling sporting event there is for a spectator. For anyone who doesn't know the game its like American football, but you can only pass the ball behind you and the game is only stopped for infractions of the rules, with no set plays or phases or whatever.