Article: The Original Rugby Championship - Six Nations 2016
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Catogrande" data-cid="555717" data-time="1454337739"><p>
Chubby Boy Barnes has a point. If you are to aspire to be the best you have to measure yourself against all comers. Back in the halcyon days of Woodward running the England show that is exactly the mentality he had. Alas for some time now, despite the odd glimmer provided by a win against the SH teams England have not shown this level of expectation, although as he says they may have talked the game.<br><br>
One thing I disagree with though is that the tournament has "clearly been second rate on the field". We have not had a stand out team in the 6N (a la NZ) but some of the rugby has been bloody good. He is such a bitter man every now and then and he has some serious rugby love for the SH in general and also for Wales. He is very rarely overly complimentary about England. Lack of sufficient caps probably the reason - and to be fair, he did deserve a shed load more.</p></blockquote>
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Never got the love for Andrew. With Barnes you played such good footy. <br><br>
Barnes Guscott Carling Underwood ...<br><br>
As opposed to:<br>
Andrew ... (polite clapping for touch finder ...) -
<p>The thing is Boo, Andrew COULD play decent rugby but rarely did. Much happier playing the percentage game and doing as he's told. In marked contrast to his career as an administrator. Oh wait...</p>
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<p>Sky Sport will broadcast the men's Six Nations:</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>RBS 6 NATIONS LIVE ON SKY SPORT 1 (unless noted)</strong></p>
<p> <br><strong>February:</strong></p>
<p>Sunday Feb 7: 3.15am - France v Italy; 5.40am - Scotland v England </p>
<p>Monday Feb 8: 3.50am - Ireland v Wales </p>
<p>Sunday March 14: 3.15am France v Ireland; 5.40am - Wales v Scotland </p>
<p>Monday 15 Feb: 2.50am - Italy v England </p>
<p>Saturday Feb 27: 8.55am Wales v France</p>
<p>Sunday Feb 28: 3.15am - Italy v Scotland (Note; SKY Sport 2); 5.40am - England v Ireland (Note; SKY Sport 2)</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>March:</strong></p>
<p>Sunday March 13: 2.20am - Ireland v Italy; 4.50am England v Wales </p>
<p>Monday March 14: 3.50am - Scotland v France </p>
<p>Sunday March 20: 3.20am - Wales v Italy; 5.50am - Ireland v Scotland; 8.50am - France v England</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Catogrande" data-cid="555881" data-time="1454400847"><p>
The thing is Boo, Andrew COULD play decent rugby but rarely did. Much happier playing the percentage game and doing as he's told. In marked contrast to his career as an administrator. Oh wait...</p></blockquote>
It's easy to forget that Andrew could play some great running rugby on his day, but generally that was seen for club rather than for country. <br><br>
Being called out as an injury replacement for the 1989 Lions, coinciding with the tide turning with the 2nd Test victory was what I always thought made the difference for Andrew vs Barnes. But reading this extract from "Lions of England", it mentions Barnes making himself unavailable for selection at one point, which I had entirely forgotten:<br><br><a class="bbc_url" href="https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=olnBaea-JNYC&pg=PT72&lpg=PT72&dq=lions+89+andrew&source=bl&ots=2J3jdNDOaR&sig=e1nCvXllhfgCBliEoPrsObRiuSk&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwitp_ih2tjKAhXHhhoKHTf5DNQQ6AEIODAG#v=onepage&q=lions 89 andrew&f=false">https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=olnBaea-JNYC&pg=PT72&lpg=PT72&dq=lions+89+andrew&source=bl&ots=2J3jdNDOaR&sig=e1nCvXllhfgCBliEoPrsObRiuSk&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwitp_ih2tjKAhXHhhoKHTf5DNQQ6AEIODAG#v=onepage&q=lions 89 andrew&f=false</a><br><br>
He was a pretty good cricketer too -
<p>France by 12-17</p>
<p>England by 7-12</p>
<p>Wales by 5-9</p> -
<p>I'd take that thanks Mike!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>For Wales I see George North is happy being back in camp and has come out dissing Northampton's style, saying it doesn't help his game. Sending out a message to other clubs/regions perhaps?</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Catogrande" data-cid="555903" data-time="1454408575"><p>I'd take that thanks Mike!<br>
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For Wales I see George North is happy being back in camp and has come out dissing Northampton's style, saying it doesn't help his game. Sending out a message to other clubs/regions perhaps?</p></blockquote>
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The quote that struck me from that interview was:<br>
"I want to have that space to run at people and have the opportunity, rather than carrying straight into a (defensive) wall"<br><br>
Blimey! He does know that Wales are coached by Gatland and Howley, right? -
Meanwhile in other news, looks like Fofana may be out for a while - ribs. Despite that, I am quite intrigued to see what France bring to this year's tourney.
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Eddie has confirmed that Itoje and Daly will be "travelling reserves", with Itoje most likely to get a bench spot, as Lawes is in doubt, hamstring apparently. Be good to see Itoje get some game time.
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<p>I get why he's taking Itoje (possible injury cover) but what's the story with him being able to take Daly?</p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Catogrande" data-cid="556216" data-time="1454487911"><p>I get why he's taking Itoje (possible injury cover) but what's the story with him being able to take Daly?</p></blockquote>
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Yes, mysterious. No injury rumours re backs are there. Outside chance I know, but maybe he's being considered as a better bench candidate than Goode? -
As I said earlier DoTW, I'd take Daly over either of Devoto or Goode purely to cover 13. However can Eddie take an extra man that is not (potential but likely) injury cover? Otherwise it just seems like he's taking a bigger squad and would that not be against the rules of the competition?
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I've tried to find the rules around squad size, but no joy. You'd have to think it's being justified by injury worries over one or more of the backs - but who?
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<p>Welsh team announced</p>
<p> </p>
<p><img src="https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtf1/v/t1.0-9/12651179_10153494061943722_2391846164338331493_n.jpg?oh=aaffcb653950ead6f9c120481a138406&oe=572D48F8" alt="12651179_10153494061943722_2391846164338"></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues)</p>
<p>George North (Northampton Saints)</p>
<p>Jonathan Davies (ASM Clermont)</p>
<p>Jamie Roberts (Harlequins)</p>
<p>Tom James (Cardiff Blues)</p>
<p>Dan Biggar (Ospreys)</p>
<p>Gareth Davies (Scarlets)</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Rob Evans (Scarlets)</p>
<p>Scott Baldwin (Ospreys)</p>
<p>Samson Lee (Scarlets)</p>
<p>Luke Charteris (Racing 92)</p>
<p>Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys)</p>
<p>Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues, CAPT)</p>
<p>Justin Tipuric (Ospreys)</p>
<p>Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons)</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Replacements:</p>
<p>Ken Owens (Scarlets), Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs), Bradley Davies (Wasps), Dan Lydiate (Ospreys)</p>
<p>Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues), Rhys Priestland (Bath Rugby), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues)</p> -
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="SimonAdd" data-cid="556266" data-time="1454505328">
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<p>Can't see the backs in that picture Mike.<br><br>
How do you feel about the front row? The back 5 of the pack look strong but I'm yet to be convinced by Samson Lee and don't know much about the other 2.<br><br>
Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk</p>
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<p> </p>
<p>Changed. Thanks.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Should be enough to see off Ireland who have their own problems. Good front row cover on the bench.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Baldwin had a great WC, Evans the new kid on the block.</p> -
Strong side Mike. Biggar has really grown into the position IMO and is now pivotal for Wales, especially when the next cab on the rank is Priestland. Did you see the last Bath game at all? He showed a few good touches but quite a few unforced errors and his body language when things go wrong is pitiful<br><br>I have serious back-row envy but like Simon have doubts about the front row. But as you say, a good FR bench.
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Catogrande" data-cid="556269" data-time="1454506005">
<div>
<p>Strong side Mike. Biggar has really grown into the position IMO and is now pivotal for Wales, especially when the next cab on the rank is Priestland. Did you see the last Bath game at all? He showed a few good touches but quite a few unforced errors and his body language when things go wrong is pitiful<br><br>
I have serious back-row envy but like Simon have doubts about the front row. But as you say, a good FR bench.</p>
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<p> </p>
<p>Very disappointed that Priestland is anywhere near the match day 23.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>With Anscombe and Morgan able to play 10 and 15 there's no need for him. Also Sam Davies of the Ospreys waiting in the wings.</p>
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<p>Time to get the young guns involved.</p> -
<p>Ireland's u'20 side to face Wales named:<br>
</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Wales have had the edge in the last two matches.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>J Power (UCD/Leinster); M Byrne (Terenure/Leinster), S Daly (Cork Con/Munster), J Oâ€
Brien (UCD/Leinster), H Keen (UCD/(Leinster); J McPhillips (QUB/Ulster), J Poland (Cork Con/Munster); A Porter (UCD/Leinster), A McBurney (Ballymena/Ulster), C Oâ€Donnell (Sligo/Connacht); P Claffey (Galwegians/Connacht), J Ryan (Lansdowne/UCD, capt); C Gallagher (Sligo/Connacht), W Connors (UCD/Leinster), M Deegan (Lansdowne/Leinster). </p>
<p><strong>Replacements: </strong>S Fenton (Young Munster/Munster), J Bollard (Dublin University/Leinster), C Kenny (Buccaneers/Connacht), S Oâ€Connor (Cashel/Munster), K Brown (Shannon/Munster), S Kerins (Sligo/Connacht), B Connon (Newcastle Falcons), C Oâ€Brien (Clontarf/Leinster).</p> -
<p>
Current 6 Nations champions, Ireland Women, start their SixNations against Wales on Saturday. Captain Niamh Briggs, hopes the newly world-ranked 4th side will continue their success in recent years. <br>
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They have met on 20 previous occasions with Ireland Women winning seven and Wales thirteen, however Ireland have won the last four since Wales' 15-14 victory at Cross Keys in 2011.</p>
