Finnegan Posted 29 January 2009 Posted 29 January 2009 I don't like this one bit. We're favourites. I can't see anyone doing a Grand Slam this year unless France are terrible when we play them away and I don't like Murrayfield first off. The Scots, in every sport, are hugely galvanized playing at home and it's our traditional bogey ground. I'd rather be playing at Twickers than Murrayfield! Still, if we win that then I think we'll be well on our way to topping the table. England and France are being given the same odds of winning the 6N, which is as much a reflection on poor Heineken Cup form from the French as it is the state of the English side, currently. Still, I find that somewhat surprising and wouldn't at all be shocked to see France challenging for the tournament if Lievermont settles down and starts churning out a consistent starting 15. The French went largely unnoticed in the Autumn, but managed wins over the Argies and impressively thumped the Pacific Islanders before missing out (narrowly) to the Oz. I can't see Ireland being anything other than average, to be honest, unless Declan Kidney has some sort of Gatland effect and sky-rockets their form which frankly seems unlikely. Sooooo. Who's interested? Sparky and dandaniel, no doubt, but after recent cries for a pinned rygbi thread it might be quite nice to not see this vanish off the bottom page by the time England play their first game in a week or so. Interestingly, should Wales win this year's tournament - they'll tie England's all time outright-wins record and take a marginal lead in total wins (when the old tied victories are factored.)
Uncle Albert Posted 29 January 2009 Posted 29 January 2009 I am tipping Ireland for the win. Like you say nobody will do the Slam, Scotland may surprise a few people this year.
Miquel The Work Geordie Posted 29 January 2009 Posted 29 January 2009 Ooooo, I can't wait for English people that know fuck all about rugby to start moaning when the inevitable happens and they go out with a wimper. Great.
Finnegan Posted 29 January 2009 Author Posted 29 January 2009 I am tipping Ireland for the win. Like you say nobody will do the Slam, Scotland may surprise a few people this year. The Irish last game against us could be a crucial repeat of 05. Unlikely to have the same potential ramifications but it could very well decide the title. If we lose in France it's unlikely we'd top the table with two defeats, Ireland could very well be poised to nick it after our loss of momentum. They're in the fortunate position of playing both England and France at home, mind. Ooooo, I can't wait for English people that know fuck all about rugby to start moaning when the inevitable happens and they go out with a wimper.Great.
Bert Posted 29 January 2009 Posted 29 January 2009 Only joking I know little about Rugby so I won't have too much to say, but always enjoy the six nations. I always want England to win, but it wouldn't matter to me if they didn't, say, as much as if the English football team lost.
dandannieldanok Posted 29 January 2009 Posted 29 January 2009 Massive tournament for Johnson, who should be looking to develop a consistent line-up and set of tactics rather than pin all hopes on winning it which is seemingly unrealistic at this time. That might be a negative viewpoint, but I just cannot see England being able to match the likes of Wales and France at the minute.
Miquel The Work Geordie Posted 29 January 2009 Posted 29 January 2009 So many part time fans it's unreal. England reach the World Cup final, the flags come out. England fail to beat some of the best teams in the world this Six Nations, people inevitably moan about how shit the team is as if they know every single detail. I'm not a massive rugby fan but I do understand that Johnson's not a miracle worker. Nothing happens overnight, there's a whole mentality that needs changing, and he needs to impose himself / his set up on the players. Obviously I want them to win, but I'm not going on a killing spree if they don't. Football is more important.
Finnegan Posted 29 January 2009 Author Posted 29 January 2009 Massive tournament for Johnson, who should be looking to develop a consistent line-up and set of tactics rather than pin all hopes on winning it which is seemingly unrealistic at this time. That might be a negative viewpoint, but I just cannot see England being able to match the likes of Wales and France at the minute. If Johnno gets it right, and expectations aren't too high, then the English have the potential to enjoy this tournament more than anyone else. Even if you lose two games and finish somewhere about third then it could be massive. It's about what goes on on the pitch and how much progress you're seen to have made. Of course, the above-mentioned morons will be ranting anyway, but if defeats to (say) Wales or France are at least inspiring then even the media may get behind a third place finish. If I were an England fan I'd be cautiously eager for the tournament. Focus not on winning it, but seeing some genuine progress and hoping for a few emerging stars. So many part time fans it's unreal. yes, the rent-a-fans are one of the things that annoy me most about the Six Nations. Now, don't get me wrong, I love to see rugby embraced by as many people as possible. I love watching people pay attention and get excited for the Six Nations, people like Bert who say they'll enjoy watching a few games and take a bit of pride if England win - fantastic. What I hate is the gobby pricks that, once a year (even worse, once every four years), presume they know what they're talking about. And this isn't just an English failing - I used to live with a [the least Welsh] Welsh lad [i've ever known] in London who would spout some of the most ridiculous drivel at the telly every February. The sort of morons that hang on the every word of tools like Moore and Barnes and recite their stupidity over a beer. Rugby is a fairly complex game but it can be enjoyed even without a maticulous understanding of the rules. People should just accept that, chill out, and watch a few big guys stomping each other. You don't have to pretend to be Jonathan Davies annually to get into it!
Uncle Albert Posted 29 January 2009 Posted 29 January 2009 I really enjoy Rugby, great sport and is really entertaining. There is alot more pride I think for your club/country than there is in Football and thats something that attracts me to it. In the last World Cup the Argentine boys cried when it was their national anthem in the semi's would Argentina footy do it? Great sport and I always enjoy going to games as much as I can. Millennium Stadium and Twickenham are absoultely awesome.
Finnegan Posted 29 January 2009 Author Posted 29 January 2009 I get really sad when I see how little international football means to most players (and even fans) these days. It's one of the best things about rugby. The passion that goes into the anthems from the players and fans alike is just brilliant to see.
Miquel The Work Geordie Posted 29 January 2009 Posted 29 January 2009 yes, the rent-a-fans are one of the things that annoy me most about the Six Nations. Now, don't get me wrong, I love to see rugby embraced by as many people as possible. I love watching people pay attention and get excited for the Six Nations, people like Bert who say they'll enjoy watching a few games and take a bit of pride if England win - fantastic. What I hate is the gobby pricks that, once a year (even worse, once every four years), presume they know what they're talking about. And this isn't just an English failing - I used to live with a [the least Welsh] Welsh lad [i've ever known] in London who would spout some of the most ridiculous drivel at the telly every February.The sort of morons that hang on the every word of tools like Moore and Barnes and recite their stupidity over a beer. Rugby is a fairly complex game but it can be enjoyed even without a maticulous understanding of the rules. People should just accept that, chill out, and watch a few big guys stomping each other. You don't have to pretend to be Jonathan Davies annually to get into it! Exactly what I'm saying. I'm not a massive fan of rugby but I'll watch it if it's on, I'm not going to go mental if England don't win though, I've got next to no knowledge. And Moore is a woeful commentator, he doesn't help sell the sport at all, iTV's coverage of the World Cup was so much better than anything the BBC have put out recently.
Finnegan Posted 29 January 2009 Author Posted 29 January 2009 Exactly what I'm saying. I'm not a massive fan of rugby but I'll watch it if it's on, I'm not going to go mental if England don't win though, I've got next to no knowledge.And Moore is a woeful commentator, he doesn't help sell the sport at all, iTV's coverage of the World Cup was so much better than anything the BBC have put out recently. Mmmh, I disagree. With the exception of Moore I think the BBC coverage is excellent. They've people on there I don't like (FUCK YOU JEREMY GUSCOTT) but generally speaking it's pretty good. The ITV was just another showcase for that bigshitwat Barnes.
Miquel The Work Geordie Posted 29 January 2009 Posted 29 January 2009 Mmmh, I disagree. With the exception of Moore I think the BBC coverage is excellent. They've people on there I don't like (FUCK YOU JEREMY GUSCOTT) but generally speaking it's pretty good.The ITV was just another showcase for that bigshitwat Barnes. Don't like Barnes, but Miles Harrison is excellent. On the BBC, I can cope with Jonathan Davies, and Austin Healy, when he's on, that's it. John Inverdale
Finnegan Posted 29 January 2009 Author Posted 29 January 2009 I like Lynagh, Pienaar and Fitzpatrick, they talk a lot of sense, but I can't stand Barnes and Morris. I really can't. And as they're EVERYWHERE on Sky it's difficult for me to enjoy it.
dandannieldanok Posted 29 January 2009 Posted 29 January 2009 If Johnno gets it right, and expectations aren't too high, then the English have the potential to enjoy this tournament more than anyone else. Even if you lose two games and finish somewhere about third then it could be massive. It's about what goes on on the pitch and how much progress you're seen to have made. Of course, the above-mentioned morons will be ranting anyway, but if defeats to (say) Wales or France are at least inspiring then even the media may get behind a third place finish. If I were an England fan I'd be cautiously eager for the tournament. Focus not on winning it, but seeing some genuine progress and hoping for a few emerging stars. Agreed, depending on performances against the lesser teams and the favourites (basically everyone! ), 3rd could be a decent finish. Basically, the worst-case scenario would be to finish up with more questions than answers which the autmun internationals provided. <_< I get really sad when I see how little international football means to most players (and even fans) these days. It's one of the best things about rugby. The passion that goes into the anthems from the players and fans alike is just brilliant to see. I'm not a massive follower of rugby but unlike football, I'd much rather watch an international game than a club game so I share the same view. Rugby, and especially the six nations, is much more encapsulating as an event than football is on the international stage. John Inverdale That man is the incredible hulk!
CosbehFox Posted 29 January 2009 Posted 29 January 2009 And Moore is a woeful commentator, he doesn't help sell the sport at all, iTV's coverage of the World Cup was so much better than anything the BBC have put out recently. I like him a lot because he's says what he thinks. He doesn't toe the party line, I dislike the Welsh commentator but enjoy the banter of the pair of them. I get very high-rate watching Rugby (very mardy in fact maybe the pride in it) which is strange because when I played Rugby for 4 years on a consistent basis week after week I struggled to find the same passion for it as I do playing Football. England have just got to build this 6N, keep with the same players and apply some tactics to per each team. Very weak 6N this year, can't look beyond the Welsh. Nice bonus of BBC coverage tho.
Finnegan Posted 29 January 2009 Author Posted 29 January 2009 I really get annoyed by the phrases "poor Six Nations" or "weak Six Nations" which is basically an English phrase meaning "we're going to be shit this year." Wait and judge the tournament on the quality of the games played instead of by how dominant one or two sides are. Basically the last two Grand Slams we've won there's been some moody, English tit repeating some worn cliché implying we didn't ACTUALLY deserve it. Give over! It should be quite competitive and fairly even this year, there's no clear winner and the biggest three teams are all fairly equal. Not only that but England, France, Ireland and Wales should all be posting a few unknown but exciting players who'll be well worth looking out for. I'm pretty excited!
Tommeh Posted 29 January 2009 Posted 29 January 2009 So many part time fans it's unreal.England reach the World Cup final, the flags come out. England fail to beat some of the best teams in the world this Six Nations, people inevitably moan about how shit the team is as if they know every single detail. I'm not a massive rugby fan but I do understand that Johnson's not a miracle worker. Nothing happens overnight, there's a whole mentality that needs changing, and he needs to impose himself / his set up on the players. Obviously I want them to win, but I'm not going on a killing spree if they don't. Football is more important. You're telling me, was there a final in '07 of something? I remember coming home from s****horpe which was a 5.15 ko and stopping in a harvester style place to watch England play somebody....but I'd never heard the guys I went with talk about Rugby before and was shocked when we stopped and watched it. All I remember is that England lost and I was bloody happy.
CosbehFox Posted 29 January 2009 Posted 29 January 2009 I really get annoyed by the phrases "poor Six Nations" or "weak Six Nations" which is basically an English phrase meaning "we're going to be shit this year." Weak in comparison to the teams that the Tri-Nations is serving up. Nothing more meant by it. There's been Six Nations where you'd have 4 really competitive teams with a decent shout of winning....currently doesn't possess that. Probably two Wales and France. I personally reckon the Wales team is a shadow of the 2005 team who were more exciting and better to watch IMO.
Finnegan Posted 29 January 2009 Author Posted 29 January 2009 True, but the Wales team of '05 was probably the most exciting team we've seen in the Six Nations for years and years and years. It was like a work of fiction, really. You can't expect that every year. Nor really can you be down on the Six Nations purely because the Tri Nations teams are superior - they might have the strongest sides in the world but we've certainly got the most entertaining championship. I think we've got Wales, France and Ireland all there or there abouts. The Scots may turn a few heads and as much as I want to you can never ACTUALLY write off the English.
Sparky Posted 30 January 2009 Posted 30 January 2009 I think Wales have the best balanced side but whether they can live with the favorites tag is a big ask . England are a long way from having a settled side and if we can win 3 out of our 5 matches then id say that was decent progress from an awful autumn . Scots are improving and the French can be hit and miss . Im tipping the Irish
dandannieldanok Posted 30 January 2009 Posted 30 January 2009 Have to say I'm increasingly worried by England the more I think about, the captain Steve Borthwick is undoubtedly a good club player but he's never really produced on the international stage, especially with the captaincy. Can't say the forwards Johnson has had to select from are as a formidable bunch as others like Robinson and Ashton both had to choose from either. Whatever you say about England rugby since the turn of the millennium, you cannot deny the forwards as a collection have been as solid and tough as any other international team, now I just don't see the fear factor for other teams when scanning the list of names.
Sparky Posted 30 January 2009 Posted 30 January 2009 England Saxons play Portugal tonight , A decent performance from Harry Ellis will see him back amongst the senior squad as he is already named in the elite squad
Ultra Posted 1 February 2009 Posted 1 February 2009 Most of the Tigers players had decent games for the Saxons. Ellis and Varndell did surprisingly well, given that it was their first game of the year. As for the Six Nations, I'm going for France this year. Wales will shade Ireland for second place and England will be crap again.
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