The 6 nations 2014

**Bobcock** · 25-02-2014, 12:46 PM

The Saes will beat Wales sadly, they don't need to worry about that one.

It was cast in stone as soon as we dumped all over them last year. It will just mean toooooo much to them.

**jamiejambos** · 25-02-2014, 12:57 PM

Oh ye of little faith, at least show a teensy-weensy spot of patriotism. Call yourself a Welshman?

**Bobcock** · 25-02-2014, 01:14 PM

how does being realistic about the outcome make you unpatriotic?

You sound like you come from the "with us or against us" school......

I mean are you unpatriotic when you know the All Blacks will beat Scotland?

**jamiejambos** · 25-02-2014, 01:29 PM

I might hope against hope but i'm never unpatriotic.
Wales might still spring a few surprises again this year but no one will know until
that final whistle is blown. You just have to take an example of the match between Scotland and Italy last Saturday to realize that.
Let's hope Wales have a little more faith and belief in themselves than you do.

**chassamui** · 25-02-2014, 02:23 PM

Originally Posted by jamiejambos

And let's not make the same mistake as last year of counting your chickens' before they've hatched old bean, very unwise.

I'm expecting another tough game, just like the Irish. Still believe we are capable of getting the win.

**Bettyboo** · 25-02-2014, 02:28 PM

Originally Posted by chassamui

Chance for Morgan to step up and maybe Kvesic off the bench.

Yep, Billy V is top class, but he will be back for the EC, so let's test out some others.

Originally Posted by chassamui

The summer tour, AIs and 6N 2015 will be perfect preparation for the RWC. Lancaster will have a young squad with experience against the top sides at test level.

True. It's excellent preparation. I still don't think we are quite good enough, but we are progressing, good management (not so happy with the coaching, but...) and a nice lead into the WC.

Neither of our next 2 games will be easy. &, I see Ireland's big win over Wales as setting them up with enough points to win this championship. Our hope is that France beat Ireland.

**chassamui** · 25-02-2014, 02:44 PM

Brian Moore neatly sums up where I think England are right now.

Six Nations 2014: England remained calm when chaos was all around

Little by little, coach Stuart Lancaster’s team are growing in maturity and taking the difficult road from good to great.

Calming influence: England captain Chris Robshaw looks up from the back of a scrum during the heat of battle Photo: GETTY IMAGES

By Brian Moore

10:00PM GMT 23 Feb 2014

316 Comments

A team winning because they 'wanted it more’ is sometimes true; more often it turns out to be the team that 'needed it more’. It was thus with Wales, Scotland and England, the three winning teams, at the weekend. For different reasons these teams had to win and found a way to do so.

Wales’s players responded to the direct threat of wholesale deselection by coach Warren Gatland and gave a physically dominant performance, the standard of which is difficult to judge given France’s contrasting sloth.

Scotland simply had to win and found a way, via Duncan Weir’s last-gasp dropped goal, to do so. Of more import for their supporters was the fact that Alex Dunbar crossed Italy’s try-line twice. It was hard on the Italians, who have been much improved in open play this season. But nobody said life, let alone sport, was fair.

You could not say either team wanted it more at Twickenham. The melancholy face of Brian O’Driscoll as he left the fray reflected the fact that he and his team were about to lose their chance to pursue their desire of a Grand Slam.

England had to win to prevent mid-table mediocrity and that they did so after conceding 10 points in as many minutes at the start of the second half was noteworthy.

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In a compelling match the tactical approach from both teams was fascinating.
Ireland did not drive a line-out in the first half nor did they use their customary rush defence with O’Driscoll leading the line in an advanced position.
Instead they went off the top at the line-out and flooded the pitch with defenders. England ran Billy Vunipola wider out than normal and opted to restrict the kicking from their back three.
Ebb and flow; to-and-fro; this was a game that held the attention of the whole crowd even though it was not high-scoring.
A constant thread in this column is the premise that small, seemingly insignificant, happenings often turn out to be of the greatest import. It was so again on Saturday.
The brilliance of the runs of both Rob Kearney and Mike Brown which resulted in tries came, ultimately, from an unnecessary shove of an opposition player and a failure to reach the 10-metre line from a restart. The margins are so fine in games like this that cutting out the unnecessary mistakes goes a long way to deciding the outcome.
The discipline shown by England when they were under pressure in the first half was illustrated by the fact that they did not give Ireland a successful penalty-kick at goal. If they can replicate this or anything close to it in future games they will be a difficult side to beat.
Their line-out was, again, outstanding and the growing presence of Courtney Lawes as a dominant jumper was confirmed by the fact that Paul O’Connell could not best him.
Lawes’ partner, Joe Launchbury, augmented his acknowledged technical set-piece skills with an overtly physical contribution in loose play. He, like Lawes, is addressing the areas that need work to become the complete player.
Last week I posed the question of whether England’s more experienced players would make the transition from good to great players. The hallmark of great players and teams is an ability to recognise when and why momentum has swung against you; then knowing how and being able to reverse it and then doing it.
For a frenetic five-minute spell after Ireland scored their 10 points England looked as though they were about to implode. Wild passes were thrown; sideways runs into traffic were made as well as aimless kicks. Yet, in the maelstrom of a full-blooded Test match Chris Robshaw and his decision-makers managed to replace calamity with clam. Through good direction from their half-backs, England set about working their field position and, above all, did not panic.
The benefit of hindsight might make this seem facile but from personal experience I can testify that it is, perhaps, the hardest thing to do in a game. Many teams can excel in the cosy climes of calm; few can cope with chaos.
Coach Stuart Lancaster’s incremental goals are slowly being reached. The normally taciturn Lancaster smiled throughout post-match interviews because he knew that his team leaders had accepted responsibility and sorted out the problems that threatened to lose England the match.
It was not without meaning that he chose the word maturity to sum up the aspect which had pleased him most. So, while England are far from a great side, as of yet, they are moving steadily in the right direction and if this continues have every chance of becoming one.

**jamiejambos** · 25-02-2014, 06:17 PM

Originally Posted by chassamui

Originally Posted by jamiejambos

And let's not make the same mistake as last year of counting your chickens' before they've hatched old bean, very unwise.

I'm expecting another tough game, just like the Irish. Still believe we are capable of getting the win.

That's the spirit chass and you have my fullest respect for exactly that,

Unlike bobcock who seems to have given up before the ball has been even kicked.

Bobcock is starting to remind me of a loser's loser. Sorry.

**Bruce Bayliss** · 25-02-2014, 06:18 PM

Originally Posted by chassamui

Brian Moore neatly sums up where I think England are right now.

He always writes well does Brian...I liked this bit in particular...

Originally Posted by chassamui

A constant thread in this column is the premise that small, seemingly insignificant, happenings often turn out to be of the greatest import.

Too true...but they still have a way to go...if they can take a test off the All Blacks in June that will sound warning bells for their RWC opponents

**Marmite the Dog** · 25-02-2014, 06:28 PM

Originally Posted by jamiejambos

Bobcock is starting to remind me of a loser's loser. Sorry.

He's Welsh, not Scottish.

**jamiejambos** · 25-02-2014, 06:39 PM

No shit Sherlock , what ever gave you that idea. Was it a brain-storm or a revelation when the lights came on? Tube.
obviously LAST YEARS defeat by wales has mellowed you somewhat,Yes?

**Bobcock** · 26-02-2014, 08:23 AM

Originally Posted by jamiejambos

Unlike bobcock who seems to have given up before the ball has been even kicked.

Bobcock is starting to remind me of a loser's loser. Sorry.

AhahahahahahHahahah..... That is just too funny......

Jamie you seem to be confusing me with I would guess Rhys Webb because he plays the same position........

But no, sadly I haven't been selected for this years game so I actually have no say in the outcome, no way of influencing the outcome in any way shape or form......

I haven't given up on anything, because I'm not involved in anything. I'm certainly not supporting the Saes and I certainly don't want them to win even to prove me right. I'm just giving an honest opinion as to who I think will win.

I've never had any desire to be one of these people, like you and Marmite who are illogical in their thoughts of how Scotland or England are the best team in the NH, nay.... The world. I tend to rely on facts and my judgement based on years of watching international rugby and Wales in particular (who results have proven are clearly the best team in the NH as they go for their third consecutive Championship).

I tend to take an adult approach to my comments actually knowing that what I am saying I believe will happen will not affect the result, but will generate an adult debate about the event we are all looking forward to watching.

So, I believe that this year with England at home it is their turn! we've got by far the better 6N record against them in the last 10 years, but this is their turn. They will remember the humiliation of what happened to them in Cardiff last year, I mean who could forget watching Robshaw and Croft get repeatedly treated as Sam and Justin's bitches, but every dog has it's day and Wales are just not firing on all cylinders at the moment. If Wales do play their best there is clearly only one winner.

I'd be offended by your comments if they didn't combine a wonderful lack of logic and stupidity.

Yours

Not Rhys Webb. x

**Bobcock** · 26-02-2014, 08:32 AM

Oh and no last years man shaming did not mellow him, remember England has THE best pack in the world no matter what the combination........ He just ignores what has actually happened and looks at the positives. It's kind of the way they do things.

A few wins, a few good performances and Lawes is the greatest until he does something stupid (another of his pathetic cheap shots, remember Argentina in the RWC) and gets dropped. Then he comes back as the replacement is no good, a few wins a few good performances and he's the greatest second rower there is. Then he gets turned over by little Scott Williams and off he goes back to the wilderness. But not to worry, Parling gets injured and lo and behold, Courtney Laws is back! a few wins and a few good performances and there he is, on the edge of the precipice......... Waiting for the next time they build him up only to knock him down again.

I suspect New Zealand is where he'll get his next dose of life as an England hero.

**jamiejambos** · 26-02-2014, 09:03 AM

Glad your little rant has maybe made you feel better and bolstered your fading support for your national side as it looked to me that it had hit rock-bottom.
READ my post#829 again.
There is no- where on this thread or any other thread that I have implied that Scotland & England are the best teams in the NH but marmite maybe has ?
Sorry to disagree with you but it's not set in stone as you seem to think it is.
Wales might just play a game at Twicker's that will go down in rugby union history
or maybe not but lets not write them off just yet. Agreed.

**Bobcock** · 26-02-2014, 10:05 AM

Rock bottom.......55555555555...... You sounding a bit Bruce like..... You a Multinick?

**Bobcock** · 26-02-2014, 10:07 AM

5555555 of course they might.......let's hope they do...... I've just given an honest opinion.

I won't be betting against them if that'll make you feel better......

Btw.... Saying they will gin doesn't constitute supporting a team, turning up and cheering them on is supporting them.

As a Jock you should be able to see the difference.

**chassamui** · 26-02-2014, 10:09 AM

Originally Posted by Bobcock

A few wins, a few good performances and Lawes is the greatest until he does something stupid (another of his pathetic cheap shots, remember Argentina in the RWC) and gets dropped. Then he comes back as the replacement is no good, a few wins a few good performances and he's the greatest second rower there is. Then he gets turned over by little Scott Williams and off he goes back to the wilderness. But not to worry, Parling gets injured and lo and behold, Courtney Laws is back! a few wins and a few good performances and there he is, on the edge of the precipice......... Waiting for the next time they build him up only to knock him down again. I suspect New Zealand is where he'll get his next dose of life as an England hero.

I can see where you are going with this and I hope you are wrong.
Lancaster has invested quite a lot of time and effort into the bad boys. Lawes, Hartley and Care spring to mind. You may be right because all is going well for them at the moment. The Lawes Hartley combo has been near unbeatable at the lineout and Lawes is no longer the wild bish bash bosh merchant he was.
I look at the line ups and it is pretty evenly matched, except at second row where Wales have had too many top players missing.
Are you sure the isn't a hint of reverse psychology in your prediction?
Just askin like.

I agree the big test for self discipline will come against the Kiwi in the summer. Not just for lawes, but for all of them.

**Bettyboo** · 26-02-2014, 01:55 PM

Lawes and the other fresh faced second row were top class against Ireland. Just sayin...

If Wales play to their full potential, at Twickenham, I'm still not certain that they will win. Home advantage is worth 5 points, plus this England team is better than they were last year, whereas I think Wales have dropped down a notch. Thus if England and Wales both play at their best (a bit like last week against Ireland where both teams played very well), in Wales, Wales win, but at Twichenham, I reckon England just win. We have gone a fair way to bridging the gap between us and the best NH teams, not all the way, but made good strides, imho.

I'm also looking forward to the Wales/Scotland game, could be a great game this time around.

NZ are dirty cheating bastards. Our WC winning team were treated extremely badly on their NZ tour; shameful behaviour on the pitch by the dirty cheating kiwi bastards, but that England team were tough and could deal with it. Not sure this lot will be able to... If they come through it with anything approaching parity it'd've been an exceptional effort. I suspect we might keep one game close, but...

**Marmite the Dog** · 26-02-2014, 02:26 PM

Originally Posted by jamiejambos

There is no- where on this thread or any other thread that I have implied that Scotland & England are the best teams in the NH but marmite maybe has ?

That's slander! I would never imply that Scotland are anything other than a joke.

**Bobcock** · 26-02-2014, 02:56 PM

Funny Betty, I only remember England players getting the reds and yellows during that period......

**Bobcock** · 26-02-2014, 02:57 PM

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

Originally Posted by jamiejambos

There is no- where on this thread or any other thread that I have implied that Scotland & England are the best teams in the NH but marmite maybe has ?

That's slander! I would never imply that Scotland are anything other than a joke.

Long hop drifting down leg side......BOOM!!! 6!!!!!

**Bettyboo** · 26-02-2014, 03:00 PM

Originally Posted by Bobcock

Funny Betty, I only remember England players getting the reds and yellows during that period......

We did have some tough and some dirty players.

But, I've watched the Kiwi tests a few times, and they were dirty as any team I've ever seen. They got away with a lot from the ref - disgraceful it was.

Nonetheless, I hope Wales bring their A game. I'd rather be beaten by a good team than beat a team out of form - we are after all aiming for the WC.

**jamiejambos** · 26-02-2014, 03:15 PM

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

Originally Posted by jamiejambos

There is no- where on this thread or any other thread that I have implied that Scotland & England are the best teams in the NH but marmite maybe has ?

That's slander! I would never imply that Scotland are anything other than a joke.

Tell it to bobcock , I didn't write it but I will take issue with you over Scotland being a joke, so much so that we finished third in the 6 nations last year just behind another joke team engerland who were placed second......OK ok I concede you were a slightly better joke than us. Happy?

**jamiejambos** · 26-02-2014, 03:55 PM

Originally Posted by Bobcock

The Saes will beat Wales sadly, they don't need to worry about that one.

It was cast in stone as soon as we dumped all over them last year. It will just mean toooooo much to them.

You said pretty much said the same thing last year in reply to marmites post when he wrote:-

'' Only Wales can prevent a Grand-slam ".......To which you replied.

''No way, Wales are shite. France are the only team to stop England and they may
be worse. The grand-slam is nailed on already. Anyone who believes otherwise
is an idiot. "
Methinks you give up just a tad too easily. Ireland were narrowly beaten by 3 points
by England, nothing to stop Wales reversing that result and winning by 3 points.

**Bobcock** · 26-02-2014, 03:57 PM

Hmmmmm.... I didn't bank on you researching my MO.......

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