The Annual Egg Chasing Thread.

[Daggers]

GWLAD! GWLAD! PLEIDIOL WYF I'M GWLAD!

That would be impressive for just over a month's worth of studying.

[Finnegan]

That would be impressive for just over a month's worth of studying.

I'll teach you the rest of it next time I see you.

I'm not sure about us deserving it over 80 minutes. Over the last 30, maybe! Wales' first half performance was the single most embarrassing thing I've ever seen... until England's second half performance! I'd love to rant for ages about how much better we were, but it just wasn't so. When our backs finally got the ball and a little bit of confidence it was obvious to see we had the more skillful runners, but we knew that before the game. England dominated upfront for large periods. Six turn overs from attacking positions in the first twenty five minutes?

We will have to have a noticable improvement in confidence and concentration before the next game if we want to play for this championship.

I did think, though, that while our backs were better and your forwards were better, the general difference was psychological and it told in both halves. They'll heap praise on Edwards and Gatland, but England were the merchants of their own demise in the second half. Emotional brittlety completely shattered Gomars and Wilko to pieces.

[Finnegan]

(It's all gone quiet over there.)

[Sparky]

well done finners , the heart and desire the welsh showed 2nd half was awesome , if Balshaw ever plays again i wont be happy , absolutly distraught to lose that but fair doos well done the welsh. Hook was a diffrent level to anybody on that pitch

[Finnegan]

Yeah I'm impressed with Hook, he grows and grows and grows. Even when we play badly he seems composed and intelligent, he's going to be a real asset. I think he'll be a bigger player than Jones has been, and that's coming from a big Jonesy fan.

Disappointed with the Scots, they were terrible. Nervous maybe, I don't know, but so many errors. I thought their wings looked dangerous but just never really got enough use, tbh. They made France look a lot better than they were, with the exception of one great try (that had a forward pass) and some good running from Clerc, they didn't show championship winning form at all for me. Ireland, Wales and even England will still be licking their lips (and wounds, in England's case) and seeing this as wide, wide open.

[Hullfox]

Just got back from Twickenham, what a brilliant weekend.

Took my dad who is Welsh and we were sat behind a right set of nobs who were trying to goad him. It was poetic justice to see the game turn on it's head and we were both up singing our hearts out as the tide turned.

It was amazing to see how quickly the nobs lost their sense of humour when the abuse was returned.

I absolutely loved it.

[Sparky]

Just got back from Twickenham, what a brilliant weekend.

Took my dad who is Welsh and we were sat behind a right set of nobs who were trying to goad him. It was poetic justice to see the game turn on it's head and we were both up singing our hearts out as the tide turned.

It was amazing to see how quickly the nobs lost their sense of humour when the abuse was returned.

I absolutely loved it.

Real shame when the minority spoil it , i had problems with a few llanelli fans at the walkers last year

[Finnegan]

Really hope the press isn't full of "oh robbed by that Shane Williams try" tomorrow. Andy Nichol and friends just LOVE a good moan but realistically Scotland lost to a team who doubled their score. They never, EVER looked like scoring a try and only poor Welsh discipline gave them any hint of points at all. We might have had a bit of luck on the officiating, but given the mugging we took against Italy and Ireland last year from referees it can only be called karma.

One of the most one sided games of the tournament so far. I thought we were fairly poor, to be really honest, but Scotland were just not at the races.

This game looks fantastic at the moment. Cedric Heymans and Vincent Clerc are absolutely, unfathomably brilliant. How we're going to stop them is absolutely beyond me.

[Brainy]

Fantastic win for England last night

[Sparky]

Fantastic win for England last night

Was chuffed to bits for us , dogged and determined forwards alongside the backs showing ambition and having a go at France , good shows from many including Tom Croft making a fantastic debut . Admittedly it was hardly the French strongest ever side but to go and win in Paris takes balls

Shame is we tend to do ok in games we are expected to lose and lose when we are well fancied , we gotta cut complacency out of our game.

In terms of the championship i suppose its still Wales title to throw away , they have been impressive so far and carry the momentum to have a real go at the Irish and French

[Finnegan]

If we beat Ireland then it's ours to throw away, let's not get too carried away yet. Keep in mind that we've not played either of the "Big Two", so to speak. Of course winning in Twickhenham was a massive win and we weren't favourites, but you'd have highlighted our last two games as the hardest to win even before the tournament.

I think we can, if we really, really focus get a result in Croke Park but we'll go back to being the underdogs again and it'll be interesting to see how we cope. I also have mixed feelings about the France England game as France are generally prone to drop the ball about once per tournament and I wish they'd have saved their bottling for us! Haha. Still, it shows they've got weakness and if you can slow down the flair of their attack they'll get frustrated. The thing is, we're likely to LET them have the flair of their attack because an expansive game will suit us as much as them. We'll have to see. For me the tournament's really just started, now.

I thought the France England game was poor, for a neutral. But then that's really unsurprising, heh. I was impressed with Vainikolo defensively, he really is a lot more solid than people thought he'd be and Rougerie/Clerc/Heymans is about the toughest test in international rugby at the moment. That said I thought he was a massive anti-climax going forward, he was partly wasted but what he did do was just uninspiring. To me, it highlights the difference in quality between League and Union.

Oh and another thing, when will Balshaw get dropped? Seriously!

Oh. And also keep in mind, our huge points difference looks great at the moment - but France haven't played Italy yet.

[Father Ted]

If we beat Ireland then it's ours to throw away, let's not get too carried away yet. Keep in mind that we've not played either of the "Big Two", so to speak. Of course winning in Twickhenham was a massive win and we weren't favourites, but you'd have highlighted our last two games as the hardest to win even before the tournament.

I think we can, if we really, really focus get a result in Croke Park but we'll go back to being the underdogs again and it'll be interesting to see how we cope. I also have mixed feelings about the France England game as France are generally prone to drop the ball about once per tournament and I wish they'd have saved their bottling for us! Haha. Still, it shows they've got weakness and if you can slow down the flair of their attack they'll get frustrated. The thing is, we're likely to LET them have the flair of their attack because an expansive game will suit us as much as them. We'll have to see. For me the tournament's really just started, now.

I thought the France England game was poor, for a neutral. But then that's really unsurprising, heh. I was impressed with Vainikolo defensively, he really is a lot more solid than people thought he'd be and Rougerie/Clerc/Heymans is about the toughest test in international rugby at the moment. That said I thought he was a massive anti-climax going forward, he was partly wasted but what he did do was just uninspiring. To me, it highlights the difference in quality between League and Union.

Oh and another thing, when will Balshaw get dropped? Seriously!

Oh. And also keep in mind, our huge points difference looks great at the moment - but France haven't played Italy yet.

I really don't see you beating the Irish at Croke Park - Do you seriously think Shanklin is good enough to compete with O'Driscoll??? And with possibly Shane Horgan on the opposite wing to Williams - Williams won't get a look in. The only place I can see you winning it is in the forwards , and Hook and Phillips play as the half-backs TBH it is wide open at the moment and it is all in the players hands. And how Balshaw can be picked ahead of the world's best tackler - Josh Lewsey I don't know Oh, and finally a big applause goes to Richard Wigglesworth but more so to Tom Croft

[lildave3]

:laugh: Richard Wigglesworth. What a name

[Father Ted]

:laugh: Richard Wigglesworth. What a name

I'm sure there was a prop called Condom

[Brainy]

Do France play Wales home or away?

[Sparky]

pretty sure Wales play France at the millenium

[Finnegan]

I really don't see you beating the Irish at Croke Park - Do you seriously think Shanklin is good enough to compete with O'Driscoll??? And with possibly Shane Horgan on the opposite wing to Williams - Williams won't get a look in. The only place I can see you winning it is in the forwards , and Hook and Phillips play as the

1. Yes, I think Shanklin is more than good enough to compete with O'Driscoll. Shanklin's one of the best defensive centers in the Northern hemisphere, he's strong, he's fast and he's focused. You cannot compare him to Brian O'Driscoll as a player at all, other than the numbers on their shirts. O'Driscoll is a play maker, Shanklin is a bruiser. He's there to break the gain line with his running lines and his force.

2. Don't forget that Shanklin has Gavin Henson inside of him. Gavin Henson's playing some of his best rugby at the moment. A good inside center is very often like a good midfielder in football, he's often at his best when you don't notice he's there. The loss of Gordon D'arcy is a huge blow for Ireland and the difference in the midfield between Wales and Ireland is that Wales will have BOTH of their first choice centers available (presumably.) Henson is another strong, powerful defensive player. You remember what happened last time O'Driscoll tried to best him?

Sit down, Brian.

3. Shane Horgan is a replacement. He's a strong runner, I like him, but he's starting to be past his best. They've said Dempsey will be back to fitness for the Wales game and I imagine Dempsey, Murphy, Kearney and Trimble would all be preferred in the back three to Horgan. And anyway, so he's strong, so he's big? Did you watch the Lions tour of New Zealand? The All Blacks are stronger and faster and Shane Williams was still the Lions back that gave them the most to think about. Shane Williams is a world class player and is well and truly used to using his strengths and playing around his weaknesses.

Of course Ireland will be favourites and of course all of these players are class acts in their own right, but to dismiss Wales' chances and to then point out that O'Driscoll and Shane Horgan are going to dominate? That's madness. But then from someone who expects the Welsh pack to be their main strength and chance of victory, I suspect I may be arguing with someone who's not a regular rugby supporter.

Do France play Wales home or away?

The Temple, my good man.

[Bert]

1. Yes, I think Shanklin is more than good enough to compete with O'Driscoll. Shanklin's one of the best defensive centers in the Northern hemisphere, he's strong, he's fast and he's focused. You cannot compare him to Brian O'Driscoll as a player at all, other than the numbers on their shirts. O'Driscoll is a play maker, Shanklin is a bruiser. He's there to break the gain line with his running lines and his force.

2. Don't forget that Shanklin has Gavin Henson inside of him. Gavin Henson's playing some of his best rugby at the moment. A good inside center is very often like a good midfielder in football, he's often at his best when you don't notice he's there. The loss of Gordon D'arcy is a huge blow for Ireland and the difference in the midfield between Wales and Ireland is that Wales will have BOTH of their first choice centers available (presumably.) Henson is another strong, powerful defensive player. You remember what happened last time O'Driscoll tried to best him?

Sit down, Brian.

3. Shane Horgan is a replacement. He's a strong runner, I like him, but he's starting to be past his best. They've said Dempsey will be back to fitness for the Wales game and I imagine Dempsey, Murphy, Kearney and Trimble would all be preferred in the back three to Horgan. And anyway, so he's strong, so he's big? Did you watch the Lions tour of New Zealand? The All Blacks are stronger and faster and Shane Williams was still the Lions back that gave them the most to think about. Shane Williams is a world class player and is well and truly used to using his strengths and playing around his weaknesses.

Of course Ireland will be favourites and of course all of these players are class acts in their own right, but to dismiss Wales' chances and to then point out that O'Driscoll and Shane Horgan are going to dominate? That's madness. But then from someone who expects the Welsh pack to be their main strength and chance of victory, I suspect I may be arguing with someone who's not a regular rugby supporter.

The Temple, my good man.

Twickenham? Bizarre, that.

[Finnegan]

Twickenham is "HQ."

[SOCCERROO FOX]

Love you too.

I fancy Scotland, actually. Like I was saying to Masters on Satdee, form and momentum make such a difference in the Six Nations. If they beat the French (and what better place than Murrayfield?) it could have the same catalyst effect on them as it did t Wales in Cardiff against England in 05. Their away games are Wales (who, if we get hammered by the English, will be there for the taking) and Italy (who they should thrash) and the Calcutta Cup this year is in Scotland.

This makes their hardest game Ireland in Croke, and with the Irish being so greatly unpredictable that could really be a close one. Their regions, well Edinburgh at least, have been really improved as of late and are a tough, tough nut. They've turned over the Scarlets and the Tigers in recent times. They really shouldn't be doubted.

I don't think I'm backing this theory enough to bet on it, but if I weren't such a manic Welshman I think it'd be worth a wager. Y'never know, though, they might get mauled by France.

Damn you Finners

[Finnegan]

I'd like to point out I said IF they beat France and told you to wait until the after first game as the tournament's especially hard to predict before the start.

I don't think I'm backing this theory enough to bet on it, but if I weren't such a manic Welshman I think it'd be worth a wager. Y'never know, though, they might get mauled by France.

[SOCCERROO FOX]

I'd like to point out I said IF they beat France and told you to wait until the after first game as the tournament's especially hard to predict before the start.

Yeah i know mate, Thats punting for you just hope Wales don't win

[Finnegan]

Now. NOW it's our championship to throw away.

Just... I... I just can't find the composure to write a full post. Amazing.

[Sparky]

oh was there some rugby on today

*runs off never to return to this thread till Ashton gets the boot*

[Milky]

Do you think when Wales win this they'll be the worst team ever to win the tournament?

The six nations have never been so poor surely.