Six Nations

[pauldominic]

If you ask who the best team is in the 6 Nations are the answer is usually France for the majority of people and then the rest of the answers vary.

Almost every I know can't really call it the answers usually ''if they show up then France' but a team that's as inconsistent as they are can't really be held up as the best.

The 3 SH teams are the best in the world and you'd expect them all to be in the semi's of the world cup. The draw's worked quite nicely for England though so I think we end up facing the Aussies in the semi all going to plan and we've got a good recent record against them so I wouldn't bet against England being in the final...

SH = Southern Hemipshere...

What about Argentina?

 

[Rahart]

If you ask who the best team is in the 6 Nations are the answer is usually France for the majority of people and then the rest of the answers vary.

Almost every I know can't really call it the answers usually ''if they show up then France' but a team that's as inconsistent as they are can't really be held up as the best.

The 3 SH teams are the best in the world and you'd expect them all to be in the semi's of the world cup. The draw's worked quite nicely for England though so I think we end up facing the Aussies in the semi all going to plan and we've got a good recent record against them so I wouldn't bet against England being in the final...

France are a bit inconsistant but they'll usually get their result, they might play shite but if they do they usually still win it, even if it's just. This year hasn't been great for them but that is mainly because of what's going on inside the camp.

Ireland in my opinion are better than England, a lot of people agree, and we've backed that up, year in, year out for the past few years. We've not been great this season, no excuses, but we've learned from our mistakes (eventually) and that was evident from the performance today.

Wales are hit and miss, just like England. Wales have had a bit of trouble inside their camp as well apparently and that's impacted on their campaign as well.

Scotland are soul crushing for their managers, always look like they might get going but never do.
Italy are improving just like Scotland, but like Scotland the gap is still a bit big to close in on the the top teams.

I think that the SH will do a lot more damage at the WC than the NH, they are in general better, but also play naturally to the new interpretation of the game.
Will it finally be the AB's year? At home? Could well be.

England for the WC final? I doubt it, that said obviously it's a possibility. The Aussies will be a very tough task, and while you lot have done well against them in the past, it really doesn't mean anything. I mean Munster have an excellent record against the SH teams, I'd fancy them anyday. But it'll be a long tournament, anything can happen, the last WC people seriously fancied Ireland as a dark horse, but things went so badly belly up in the camp, we were appauling and it just turned into one big bad memory and an embarasment.

Anything can happen, and it's a WC, so it probably will, but I still fancy New Zealand to finally do it.

EDIT: What about Argentina? That is an excellent question, what about Argentina. They're an excellent side, at a huge disadvantage, so God knows what they'll turn out come WC.

 

[leighton]

My ten pence worth. England arent what the media make them out to be. Yes you can run in a number of trys against Italy at home most teams do. Get a win over a French team that 1 week is brilliant the next is bobbins. Beat the Scots by the skin of your teeth. Then when you have a real test you fall flat on your arses and were lucky not to be beaten by a wider margin. I know a lot of teams had players injuried in this 6 Nations the Welsh missing a few players and Ireland missing a number of key players doesnt help. Ireland will be stronger come the World cup I think with a fit Ferris Ireland may well have 1 of the best back row 3 of Ferris , O' Brien and Heaslip with a great replacement in Wallace England dont have that power in there pack.
Our back line today worked well Tommy Bowe since his return from injury has been brilliant and we missed him while he was out. Earls to fullback was a great move but even in the backs we still have Kearney to bring back into the fold. Its not Ireland raising the game to play England Ireland over the last 8 years have been consitantly playing to a higher level than England it more of England not being able to raise there game when they play against Ireland. For poor reffing decisions that went against Ireland this 6 Nations Ireland could of well won the championship. I cant wait for the World Cup I will be interested to see how Ireland get on against the SH teams and I would be happy over the moon if we get a semi final but its a big ask. My player of the 6 Nations was O' Brien the lad is some talent strong runner good in the tackle and breaks tackles for fun at times.

 

[mrcunny]

gave the irish too much respect,dire performance indeed...

 

[leighton]

gave the irish too much respect,dire performance indeed...

It wasnt a dire preformance you were out played by a better team its simple as that. Ireland upped there level and England couldnt cope with it. All through the 6 Nations Ireland didnt click passing wise at times and mistakes but once it clicks Ireland has got a great team. Your flyhalf in the first half got fuck all ball and was targeted by Ireland in the game no wonder Johnny came on for him.

 

[pauldominic]

My ten pence worth. England arent what the media make them out to be. Yes you can run in a number of trys against Italy at home most teams do. Get a win over a French team that 1 week is brilliant the next is bobbins. Beat the Scots by the skin of your teeth. Then when you have a real test you fall flat on your arses and were lucky not to be beaten by a wider margin. I know a lot of teams had players injuried in this 6 Nations the Welsh missing a few players and Ireland missing a number of key players doesnt help. Ireland will be stronger come the World cup I think with a fit Ferris Ireland may well have 1 of the best back row 3 of Ferris , O' Brien and Heaslip with a great replacement in Wallace England dont have that power in there pack.
Our back line today worked well Tommy Bowe since his return from injury has been brilliant and we missed him while he was out. Earls to fullback was a great move but even in the backs we still have Kearney to bring back into the fold. Its not Ireland raising the game to play England Ireland over the last 8 years have been consitantly playing to a higher level than England it more of England not being able to raise there game when they play against Ireland. For poor reffing decisions that went against Ireland this 6 Nations Ireland could of well won the championship. I cant wait for the World Cup I will be interested to see how Ireland get on against the SH teams and I would be happy over the moon if we get a semi final but its a big ask. My player of the 6 Nations was O' Brien the lad is some talent strong runner good in the tackle and breaks tackles for fun at times.

Professionalism has suited Ireland more than any other country because you have a provincial system where the natural home for a professional is playing for his province.

It would be interesting to do the same thing in England

Four provinces: -

London - Wasps, London Irish, Harlequins, Saracens
Midlands - Northampton, Leicester, Worcester,
Northern - Sale, Newcastle, Leeds
South West - Bath, Gloucester, Exeter

I can imagine quite a few tasty Heineken Cup matches if that happened, but of course it won't!!

It was blatantly obvious that England had a huge leadership problem yesterday. We need to get SCW replacing Rob Andrew as director of Elite Performance to take the next step.

Nonetheless, well played Ireland ...

 

[u2fme2]

Bloody hell England, that wa a big let down,
Irland beat us again

 

[lloydie]

Well played Ireland, but that's as good as it gets. England were poor although Ireland deserve the credit. If it was a WC game my money would be on England.
Oh and stop bleating about poor reffing leighton, you've had plenty go for you too. Wales beat you because they were better than you on the day, as did France.

 

[mrcunny]

gave the irish too much respect,dire performance indeed...

It wasnt a dire preformance you were out played by a better team its simple as that. Ireland upped there level and England couldnt cope with it. All through the 6 Nations Ireland didnt click passing wise at times and mistakes but once it clicks Ireland has got a great team. Your flyhalf in the first half got fuck all ball and was targeted by Ireland in the game no wonder Johnny came on for him.

Look here it was a dire performance,toby flood was shocking our forwards were well below par the side lacked any experience. so dont go blowing ya trumpet because ireland pulled out a decent game. remember you were only a few seconds from losing to italy but i presume ireland wasnt dire then but italy upped their game and ireland couldnt cope...

 

[JoeMercer'sWay]

typical pro-irish "yay we beat england so are automatically superior"

england won the 6 nations because they were the best team, Ireland just got up for last night as they had the chance to stop the Grand Slam on home turf.

England will keep improving to the World Cup, and I back them again to be the best Northern Hemisphere team.