Re: Rugby Union
 

Yes it will be a day long remembered as you don't get many of these against the mighty All Blacks.:)

Re: Rugby Union
 

Yes - an historic victory I'd call it and against a first choice XV too. Given the massive difference in caps between the two squads, I'd say it's an exceptional win and let's hope it bodes well for the future of this young squad under Lancaster's leadership.

Re: Rugby Union
 

Scotland being put to the sword at Twickers by the look of it, 31-11 after 57 mins.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/21237375

Re: Rugby Union
 

Making my day,

Re: Rugby Union
 

And mine too.:)

---------- Post added at 17:38 ---------- Previous post was at 17:36 ----------

Wales 22-30 Ireland

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/21285946

Not the start Wales wanted.

Re: Rugby Union
 

A late break away try from the Scots doesn't matter as, after being camped out on their line for some time, England score the final points of the match with a converted try. Man of the match Owen Farrell - much deserved! Who'd have thought we'd find someone like him so soon after losing the legend that was Jonny Wilkinson.

Final score 36-18.

A long time ago I had a client who was a very proud man and told me all about his son's exploits within the England rugby league team. How much prouder he must be now knowing his son and now grandson have played such a key role for England, albeit in the 'wrong' code... :D

:clap:

Re: Rugby Union
 

I watched that game and was hoping Wales would pull it back

Re: Rugby Union
 

Indeed as it was a brave fightback given their chronic injury problems.

Re: Rugby Union
 

Was a good match to watch :tu:

Re: Rugby Union
 

Especially as an Englishman! :D

Re: Rugby Union
 

:LOL:

Re: Rugby Union
 

Azzurri beating Les Bleus 23 - 18 with 10 minutes to go...

Re: Rugby Union
 

Yes indeed if this scoreline stays the same that will be some shock.

Re: Rugby Union
 

Yes - well a strong Italian side will be good for the 6 Nations - we need the tournament to be tough if we're to compete with the best.

I'm happy with England's progress. They're playing good rugby and would have hit a cricket score had the timing of their passes been better. Winning is great but the best sides know that losing a game you've played well probably teaches you more than winning a game you've played badly.

Anyway, a calculated penalty and unexpected yellow card may just have cost the Azuris with a minute to go
...

Italy win 23-18 :)

I expect a mutiny in the dressing room lol

Re: Rugby Union
 

A brilliant result for the Italians.

Re: Rugby Union
 

Six Nations 2013: Scotland 34-10 Italy

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/21345281

Re: Rugby Union
 

Six Nations: France 6-16 Wales

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/21375720

Oh dear it seems the French have been tucking into too much horsemeat.:D

Re: Rugby Union
 

And England beat Ireland 12-6 :D

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/21372581

Tough conditions too from what little I saw so they'll be delighted with a win.

Re: Rugby Union
 

A excellent win for a England side that despite their inexperience is growing in stature all the time.:)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/21388817

Re: Rugby Union
 

Wood's a pillock. He tried defending it live, now Cian Healy's been rightly banned.

Backtracked in the after game commentary:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/21435761

Re: Rugby Union
 

England beat France 23-13 at Twickenham after Wales beat Italy 26-9 in Rome.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/21530890

A hard fought win by England and that's all that counts.:clap:

Re: Rugby Union
 

Not unexpected but no - a win for Wales counts too.

Re: Rugby Union
 

Indeed it does and its just what the doctor ordered for a team that has had considerable injury problems lately.

Re: Rugby Union
 

England labour to victory against Italy.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/21714953

Well a wins a win at the end of the day.


Wales battle past Scotland at Murrayfield.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/21692234

All set for the big clash next week.

Re: Rugby Union
 

Yep http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AILI4KEvNgw

Re: Rugby Union
 

l am ordering my tissues now.:bigcry::bigcry::bigcry:

Re: Rugby Union
 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/21755778


The best rugby players are from Wigan :p:

And from rugby league :)

Re: Rugby Union
 

l wonder what Sirius thinks of that.;)

Re: Rugby Union
 

:blah::blah: .:D

:LOL:

Re: Rugby Union
 

Loving the game..come on wales :D

Re: Rugby Union
 

It's safe to say things are lively around here right now :D

Re: Rugby Union
 

There not here :(

Re: Rugby Union
 

A bad day just got a whole lot worse.:bigcry::bigcry::bigcry:

---------- Post added at 18:39 ---------- Previous post was at 18:38 ----------

Sirius l need some more of those tissues.:bigcry::bigcry:

Re: Rugby Union
 

lol :)

Re: Rugby Union
 

The sweetest of all victories ;)

Re: Rugby Union
 

Depends which end of the pitch your at

Re: Rugby Union
 

The winners' end ;)

6 Nations? ONE Nation :D

Re: Rugby Union
 

Well winning can sometimes be tempered by the defeat of a certain Welsh football team today.;):D

Re: Rugby Union
 

England were useless. No passing game, too many penalties conceded & too many mishandles...

Re: Rugby Union
 

Today's activity - spot the Welshman:

Re: Rugby Union
 

Roffle :D

Re: Rugby Union
 

Is there a cash prize for guessing the right one.:D

Re: Rugby Union
 

Excellent :)

Re: Rugby Union
 

Yes, you get £5 cockaleekie pounds. On the negative side, it isn't legal :D

Re: Rugby Union
 

Then you can stuff your cockaleekie pounds up your kilts then.:D;)

Re: Rugby Union
 

Have they not heard of studs in Australia? :D

Re: Rugby Union
 

i thought the lions were let off...I suspect a different game in the next test

Re: Rugby Union
 

At the end of the day we won and methinks we will only improve as the series moves on.

Re: Rugby Union
 

MAYBE, AND i HOPE SO..BUT WE WILL NEED TO IMPROVE (sorry for caps..too lazy to retype)

Re: Rugby Union
 

Five Premiership players tested positive for recreational drugs

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/24626491

Re: Rugby Union
 

I honestly feel there should be a lifetime ban for any sportsman found to be using any ILLEGAL drug.

Re: Rugby Union
 

Absolutely as this sets a very bad example as so called role models to younger fans of the game.

Re: Rugby Union
 

or castration...don't rule that out :)

Re: Rugby Union
 

Are you going to try and castrate a Rugby player, there a bit bigger than most sportsman :LOL:

Re: Rugby Union
 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/24779192

Another much needed win fro England against SH opposition. Haven't seen any of it yet but it sounds like it was a pretty scrappy affair. Another defensive error from Ashton led to their first try but I reckon we did well to stop them scoring at all in the second half.

Anyway a win is what matters most and we got that. Can't see us repeating the result against NZ for the second year in row and even Argentina may give us more than a stern test.

Re: Rugby Union
 

As you say a win is a win but the mighty All Blacks are waiting in ambush to gain revenge for last year..

Re: Rugby Union
 

Yep, and on this performance we'll do well to avoid being outclassed. Having said that, a win against Australia is always nice and won't do any harm for our confidence and, as we proved against NZ last year, confidence is very important.

Re: Rugby Union
 

Interesting to hear some Aussies whingeing about Mike Brown's foot being in touch and leading directly to England's first try. Well it was around 3 minutes after he kept the ball in just a few yards from England's try line and Australia had possession of the ball twice before England eventually scored so it's a bit rich blaming that incident for the try.

As regards the second try, anyone who's ever watched NZ will see them routinely do exactly the same as the England forwards did immediately prior to Farrell's try. Somehow, when it's NZ, it's consummate timing and professionalism yet when it's England it's cheating. Well for once a marginal decision went our way. Tough luck Australia. Now stop whingeing like 'Poms' eh? :D

Re: Rugby Union
 

Another win for England, albeit scrappy in places. If they'd chosen to kick their penalties they'd probably have made it easier but going for the corner and tries was understandable. The defence was good like last week - aside from the Aussie try that is.

Anyway, I can see the All Blacks being in no mood for a repeat of last year and England, at this stage in their development, will do well to avoid a beating next week. Still, I'd have taken 2 out of 3 a couple of weeks ago... :D

Re: Rugby Union
 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/24949390

I'll settle for that, especially given the injuries and lack of experience - c. 300 caps (Eng.) v c. 800 caps (NZ) IIRC.

From what I've heard, after a dire first 20 mins or so England clawed the game back but just couldn't hold onto the lead. Finishing was the difference - NZ really make the most of their chances and if we're going to beat their likes more often we need to do the same and be much more clinical.

Re: Rugby Union
 

BBC Sport seems to have (again) forgotten that Wales played too, and won quite convincingly...

Re: Rugby Union
 

Indeed a superb performance against Argentina.

Re: Rugby Union
 

It was on tele wasn't it???

I watched the half- time analysis.

Re: Rugby Union
 

On the sport forums it was almost ignored in favour of England's game and Five Live barely gave it a mention.

I'm not bitter though, happy with the result :)

Re: Rugby Union
 

Well if nobody else is going to mention it.....

Re: Rugby Union
 

Better mention this then just to be fair.:)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/25971756

---------- Post added at 12:27 ---------- Previous post was at 12:25 ----------

From the clutches of victory came defeat with a touch of flair.

Re: Rugby Union
 

It was very unlucky for England yesterday.

Am I the only one who supports Italy during the 6 Nations? I always do, whoever they are playing. It seems to me that, like America with 'soccer', if they put the money and training into rugby they could be quite good at it and maybe win the 6 Nations one year.

Re: Rugby Union
 

If they are playing England, i tend to favour them too :)

Re: Rugby Union
 

Well not much has changed then.:D

Re: Rugby Union
 

Whereas I always support anyone against Scotland. ;)

Re: Rugby Union
 

Now now Mark we must be nice to our Scottish friends.:D

Re: Rugby Union
 

I have no issues with that. Life would be boring if we all did the same thing

Re: Rugby Union
 

I'm a mongrel, and have ancestors from all 6 Nations apart from Italy. So probably why I support Italy, as I wouldn't know which one to cheer one!

Re: Rugby Union
 

Ireland gave their Six Nations title hopes a huge fillip with a surprisingly one-sided victory over a poor Wales in Dublin.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/26059090

Now this will be displeasing for those Welsh Rugby Union fans.

Re: Rugby Union
 

Re: Rugby Union
 

Yes that was quite disappointing but bad memories do dim in time thankfully.:)

Re: Rugby Union
 

And England won the Calcutta Cup with a 20-0 win over Scotland. So if France beat Italy tomorrow (as they probably will) only them and Ireland will have the chance of a Grand Slam this year.

Re: Rugby Union
 

l am sure somewhere along the line both will be tripped up though Mark.

Re: Rugby Union
 

How to survive Sunday if you’re English and in Wales...

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifesty...-wales-6774079

Re: Rugby Union
 

They will be crying in those valleys at the end of Sunday Russ.:)

Re: Rugby Union
 

This made me laugh

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbvbQPq4LXk

Its nice to be hated :)

Re: Rugby Union
 

And even better to be a little late ;)

http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/20...i-english.html

Re: Rugby Union
 

Meh, didn't think it would be in current affairs so only looked for it in this thread.

Re: Rugby Union
 

England seized their first Triple Crown in 11 years and set up a tilt at the Six Nations title as they out-ran and out-fought reigning champions Wales at Twickenham.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/26489336

Revenge is a dish best served cold.:D

Re: Rugby Union
 

Shame really. I was hoping Wales could make it three championships in a row, not only because I support them but for the record but they aren't playing well enough to do warrant it.

I used to really dislike England as they trundled over the opposition, I prefer fast open Rugby, moving the ball around.

Re: Rugby Union
 

A very good win by a young side from what I saw and despite the penalties given away and missed chances. The future's looking good too with a 62-7 win over Wales in the U20's and a fantastic try from Zach Kibirige to watch out for @ 1min 30s. Enjoy, with the sound turned down though... :D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRUR6LFCScg

Re: Rugby Union
 

Couldn't have asked much more of England as they demolished Italy.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/rugby-union/26352467

Thrilling climax to the championship.

Re: Rugby Union
 

A excellent win which will put the pressure on the other countries.

Re: Rugby Union
 

The staggered kick offs are the most ridiculous idea ever and completely unfair. Prepare for France to roll over this evening, they know they basically have no chance of winning it so all passion and determination to win the game will have gone. If the games had all kicked off at the same time this wouldn't have been an issue.

Re: Rugby Union
 

I agree. Only fair that all teams play same time

Re: Rugby Union
 

The French won't roll over. They may be shambolic, they may be sublime but they won't roll over.

---------- Post added at 18:56 ---------- Previous post was at 17:04 ----------

Sounds like a great match. Well done BOD on a great career. Fitting send off.

Re: Rugby Union
 

Rolled over! He threw that pass forward delibrately at the end there :P

Re: Rugby Union
 

Absolutely because as Shadow says its completely unfair and l cannot believe the authorities cannot see that but there again that's the 57 old farts for you.:(

Re: Rugby Union
 

They stagger it like that because they would lose out on money. What would make sense to me is (for yesterday anyway) put the Italy/England game on BBC1, France/Ireland on BBC2 and on red button the Wales/Scotland game.

Re: Rugby Union
 

Well I'm a whole lot happier about England's prospects now than I was at the start of the championship. We have a good squad and strength in depth with some sensational future talent in the U20 ranks. We now need to focus on cutting out the silly mistakes/penalties and being more clinical with the chances we create if we're to really compete in the RWC. The real test of a great side is being able to string together wins against the likes of NZ and SA and we've yet to do that.

Re: Rugby Union
 

Sounds like it's been a hell of a game and well done to a young England team for running a great side very, very close indeed. Far better than I'd hope for I must admit but I reckon Lancaster is building something very very special.

No full match report yet:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/rugby-union/26883105

Re: Rugby Union
 

Yes it was only a try late on that beat us so it looks very encouraging for the future.

Re: Rugby Union
 

Tell you what Den, that result will focus the minds of a few of the first choice players who weren't available for selection for one reason or another.

When Lancaster took over from Johnson I must admit I was underwhelmed but I've been eating humble pie ever since. I like the way he goes about his business without any fuss and think he's finally exorcised the last remnants of that self destructive attitude (and ill-disciplined behaviour) which some of the top players had sadly fallen into.

Looking forward to the RWC back on home soil. :)

Match report here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/27746459

Re: Rugby Union
 

As a Welsh man I have to concede that England, despite key player loss, looked awesome.

They looked in control, and were by no means fearless on the big tackles.

Having said that, that last minute try is a classic southern hemisphere move that proves yet again that NZ are ahead by a country mile in the bragging stakes.

Was a little disappointed with Nigel Owen though, thought he could have relied more on the panel of referees around him for some of the penalty decisions - not his best match to date.

Re: Rugby Union
 

Another close result, just 1 point in it this time and that after the AB's would have been smarting from last week.

I was expecting a heavy defeat this time out but once again the lads played some great flowing rugby and scored 3 tries, the last 2 coming late in the game when other teams might have given up. There were mistakes and missed opportunities of course but to have run NZ so close at home and away in recent years I reckon the future's looking quite bright.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/27844114