6 Nations 2020

[Banquo]

I think France have been fortunate in twogames now. Both ourselves and the Welsh failedto covert a lot of chances. They don't have to get lucky for much more though...

I think there is a lot of head room for them to improve though; if and when they get fitter, their defence will improve, and they will convert their own chances. Impressive turn around I think, and its still a callow team.

[Timbo]

I think France have been fortunate in twogames now. Both ourselves and the Welsh failedto covert a lot of chances. They don't have to get lucky for much more though...

Agreed. Reading a couple of analysts that I follow on Twitter, clear that the French have had 2 smash & grab wins so far. I doubt this forum would be too enamoured if England were performing and winning like the French currently are tbh.

As said, feel like they’re on a bit of a mission this year and seem much more emotionally charged than anyone else. Making their own luck and hanging in under huge amounts of pressure. These wins and experiences will be brilliant for their long term development.

[Oakboy]

I think France have been fortunate in twogames now. Both ourselves and the Welsh failedto covert a lot of chances. They don't have to get lucky for much more though...

I think there is a lot of head room for them to improve though; if and when they get fitter, their defence will improve, and they will convert their own chances. Impressive turn around I think, and its still a callow team.

Just finding a better right winger would have given them two easy extra tries yesterday. If their youngsters develop on track and if Edwards can continue to improve their consistency, they will take some stopping.

[Banquo]

I think France have been fortunate in twogames now. Both ourselves and the Welsh failedto covert a lot of chances. They don't have to get lucky for much more though...

I think there is a lot of head room for them to improve though; if and when they get fitter, their defence will improve, and they will convert their own chances. Impressive turn around I think, and its still a callow team.

Just finding a better right winger would have given them two easy extra tries yesterday. If their youngsters develop on track and if Edwards can continue to improve their consistency, they will take some stopping.

Yes, Teddy was toilet. Fitness is what they really need.

[Timbo]

I think there is a lot of head room for them to improve though; if and when they get fitter, their defence will improve, and they will convert their own chances. Impressive turn around I think, and its still a callow team.

Just finding a better right winger would have given them two easy extra tries yesterday. If their youngsters develop on track and if Edwards can continue to improve their consistency, they will take some stopping.

Yes, Teddy was toilet. Fitness is what they really need.

Cohesion/consistency of selection as well. Going to be a massive challenge for their coaching team to achieve those things and with it consistency. Their system is even less aligned for national team success than ours.

[p/d]

I must be missing something. I think they were deserved winners against us and Wales. Yesterday you could see an improvement in their fitness and ‘unity’ as a side. Yes they have Terry Thomas bringing comedy gold out wide but across the pitch they have a good mix of physicality and skill.

[Oakboy]

I must be missing something.I think they were deserved winners against us and Wales.Yesterday you could see an improvement in their fitness and ‘unity’ as a side. Yes they have Terry Thomas bringing comedy gold out wide but across the pitch they have a good mix of physicality and skill.

I certainly agree with that.

[Timbo]

I must be missing something. I think they were deserved winners against us and Wales. Yesterday you could see an improvement in their fitness and ‘unity’ as a side. Yes they have Terry Thomas bringing comedy gold out wide but across the pitch they have a good mix of physicality and skill.

There’s a direct correlation between things like controlled entries into opposition 22, setpiece a in oppo 22 and other territory stats. They were largely dominated in those stats by both England and Wales.

That said, while Eng and Wal blew a number of great opportunities, the French goal line defence in both games was brilliant, and they were very clinical with their chances.

[Banquo]

Just finding a better right winger would have given them two easy extra tries yesterday. If their youngsters develop on track and if Edwards can continue to improve their consistency, they will take some stopping.

Yes, Teddy was toilet. Fitness is what they really need.

Cohesion/consistency of selection as well. Going to be a massive challenge for their coaching team to achieve those things and with it consistency. Their system is even less aligned for national team success than ours.

yep- though they seem more bold and less skittish than normal French mgt; Edwards will bring some common sense. I think the cohesion will come- it helps having an ace 9.

[Banquo]

I must be missing something. I think they were deserved winners against us and Wales. Yesterday you could see an improvement in their fitness and ‘unity’ as a side. Yes they have Terry Thomas bringing comedy gold out wide but across the pitch they have a good mix of physicality and skill.

Yep to a degree, but they did look exposed a lot against Wales in defence, whilst deserving to win. I'm amazed Davies did explode whilst shouting 'numbers' at least 4 times.

As a side note, POC is a brilliant pundit. His tactical observations are succinct and thoughtful.

[p/d]

I must be missing something. I think they were deserved winners against us and Wales. Yesterday you could see an improvement in their fitness and ‘unity’ as a side. Yes they have Terry Thomas bringing comedy gold out wide but across the pitch they have a good mix of physicality and skill.

Yep to a degree, but they did look exposed a lot against Wales in defence, whilst deserving to win. I'm amazed Davies did explode whilst shouting 'numbers' at least 4 times.

As a side note, POC is a brilliant pundit. His tactical observations are succinct and thoughtful.

Davies and his bloody 'numbers!!'

POC is excellent, even if he did mix up Karl & Lee

[Timbo]

Davies doesn’t seem to understand how the pendulum in the back 3 works. A 4 on 3 with the winger or fullback sat back ready to come up if needed is not really an overlap.

[Scrumhead]

France definitely did a lot more in possession than Wales and played the more attractive rugby.

I still think Wales would have won if the penalty try had been awarded though. Still their own point for failing to take their chances in the first half.

[francoisfou]

I’m far from convinced that Willemse’s “attempt at interception” was deliberate. From what I remember, and my memory is rather clouded due to excessive intake of Scottish medication, he had both arms prepared to flatten the Welsh player. Perhaps other posters can confirm my point of view, or otherwise. However, it’s the result what counts, and I’m very happy!!

[Digby]

Just about every player tries to wrap that outside arm in a way that accidentally blocks a pass, so unless Willemse is the exception that proves the rule he knew what he was doing, but he was just about close enough in that there were no obvious movements that were only about a block and not making the tackle. I can understand the ref not wanting to ping it, but you've seen them given too

[Danno]

I thought at the time it was a coin flip of a decision, and none of the discussion I've seen since has changed my mind. Smart play + lucky the ref gave him the benefit of the doubt.

[Banquo]

I thought at the time it was a coin flip of a decision, and none of the discussion I've seen since has changed my mind. Smart play + lucky the ref gave him the benefit of the doubt.

agree, but he outsourced the benefit of doubt to dickson- but i quite like the instinctive real time decisions having weight.
I thought the ref was mostly good.

[Scrumhead]

‘Smart’ or otherwise it was still cheating and should have been punished. From the replays I’ve watched it’s pretty clear to me that his left arm moves towards the ball too obviously for it to have been accidental. I rate Dickson so I was a little disappointed with his decision.

I was surprised that France looked as composed as they did in Cardiff as I expected them to wilt away from home so fair play to them for a good performance. That said, I can’t stand the thought of a French Grand Slam so I’m really hoping one of Scotland or Ireland can beat them!

[Stom]

‘Smart’ or otherwise it was still cheating and should have been punished. From the replays I’ve watched it’s pretty clear to me that his left arm moves towards the ball too obviously for it to have been accidental.

I was surprised that France looked as composed as they did in Cardiff as I expected them to wilt away from home so fair play to them for a good performance. That said, I can’t stand the thought of a French Grand Slam so I’m really hoping one of Scotland or Ireland can beat them!

TBH, I'm actually quite happy to see clever, skilful acts of cheating work. If we applaud anything that happens in the scrum, we should appreciate more black arts in open play, too.

[Puja]

‘Smart’ or otherwise it was still cheating and should have been punished. From the replays I’ve watched it’s pretty clear to me that his left arm moves towards the ball too obviously for it to have been accidental. I rate Dickson so I was a little disappointed with his decision.

I was surprised that France looked as composed as they did in Cardiff as I expected them to wilt away from home so fair play to them for a good performance. That said, I can’t stand the thought of a French Grand Slam so I’m really hoping one of Scotland or Ireland can beat them!

I'm not convinced. It was close quarters, the arm was plausibly going for the tackle, and I can't really see any unnatural movement where the arm is actively going for the ball and away from the tackling motion. If it is deliberate, he's done it perfectly to disguise it.

One of those decisions where if it went for or against my team, I'd probably shrug my shoulders and concede it was 100% ref's call.

Puja

[fivepointer]

‘Smart’ or otherwise it was still cheating and should have been punished. From the replays I’ve watched it’s pretty clear to me that his left arm moves towards the ball too obviously for it to have been accidental. I rate Dickson so I was a little disappointed with his decision.

I was surprised that France looked as composed as they did in Cardiff as I expected them to wilt away from home so fair play to them for a good performance. That said, I can’t stand the thought of a French Grand Slam so I’m really hoping one of Scotland or Ireland can beat them!

I'm not convinced. It was close quarters, the arm was plausibly going for the tackle, and I can't really see any unnatural movement where the arm is actively going for the ball and away from the tackling motion. If it is deliberate, he's done it perfectly to disguise it.

One of those decisions where if it went for or against my team, I'd probably shrug my shoulders and concede it was 100% ref's call.

Puja

That the way i saw it. He's wrapping his arms to make a tackle. How else is a player supposed to prepare to make a tackle if not by opening up their arms? Things happen far too fast for him to have deliberately played the ball.

[Banquo]

‘Smart’ or otherwise it was still cheating and should have been punished. From the replays I’ve watched it’s pretty clear to me that his left arm moves towards the ball too obviously for it to have been accidental. I rate Dickson so I was a little disappointed with his decision.

I was surprised that France looked as composed as they did in Cardiff as I expected them to wilt away from home so fair play to them for a good performance. That said, I can’t stand the thought of a French Grand Slam so I’m really hoping one of Scotland or Ireland can beat them!

I think a penalty was the worst it could be- his arm would have to move where it did to complete the tackle (as I think he did), and there was a player covering; assume you mean his right arm, too? As I said, real time looked fine, and I think slo-mo distorts reality- Owens is particularly hot on that as an aside.

[Timbo]

I think Willemse definitely knew what he was doing. But also not sure you can say his arm movement was especially unnatural.

[Tigger]

Slightly off topic but what happens if the Italy England game gets called off due to the coronavirus? Osprey and Ulster games have been called off on 29th Feb and we play over there two weeks later.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/51615577

[francoisfou]

Slightly off topic but what happens if the Italy England game gets called off due to the coronavirus? Osprey and Ulster games have been called off on 29th Feb and we play over there two weeks later.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/51615577

The match could be postponed. Weren't some matches postponed several years ago due to a Foot and Mouth outbreak and were eventually played the following Autumn?