Gimme Hope Jo'anna: Rugby in 2021

[Antepli Ejderha]

WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK?!

My thoughts exactly. How the fuck have we got two wins?

[Bill Bones]

Scotland should have buried the game by not fucking up the try before the card even happened. Would have been three scores ahead and then they could have just tactically strangled the Welsh to death. As it was, they did a Scotland.

A real shift in momentum, that moment. Peak Scotland to blow it though. Defeat means I have to brave the weather and pick up dinner from the chippy.

[Antepli Ejderha]

Was thinking that in the week and again today watching Varney.

He looked good until being taken out by Farrell.

How did Hardy look?

[Ray de Galles]

My two regular Six Nations attending mates and I were due our annual weekend taking our wives for this match.

Imagine walking out of Murrayfield for a night out in snowy Edinburgh after that!

Commiserations to Scotland, they really could have won that game quite comfortably.

[Ray de Galles]

My thoughts exactly. How the fuck have we got two wins?

I'm hoping for a Red Card Grand Slam. Hopefully Farrell will be England's.

[Antepli Ejderha]

I'm hoping for a Red Card Grand Slam. Hopefully Farrell will be England's.

He should have had one day today.

[Ray de Galles]

He looked good until being taken out by Farrell.

How did Hardy look?

He moved the ball cleanly, quickly and incisively and kicked well.

Nothing spectacular but he and Sheedy upped the tempo even before the red card and then helped capitalise on it. Though the BBC analysis showed Sheedy was hugely at fault for Hogg's second try.

Halaholo had a great all round game too, needs to start against England.

[Antepli Ejderha]

Cheers Ray.

Says a lot that Wyn Jones had to complete the 80 today, our reserve front row looks very weak.

Edit: He went off after 77.

[Antepli Ejderha]

Adams is back, I expect him to return to the wing and Liam Williams to move back to full back.

I also expect George North to return.

Will they gamble on Hardy then? I presume not but they should start blooding these youngsters with starts as well.

[Ray de Galles]

I think Liam may get a citing for the incident the BBC panel highlighted post-match. The angles I've seen aren't conclusive but he may have lead with the forearm/elbow while being tackled. May have been a yellow but we'll see.

[Antepli Ejderha]

I think Liam may get a citing for the incident the BBC panel highlighted post-match. The angles I've seen aren't conclusive but he may have lead with the forearm/elbow while being tackled. May have been a yellow but we'll see.

With Halfpenny potentially injured that leaves us short again.

Adams to 15, McNicholl to the wing and Ioan Lloyd called up. Or North onto the wing again.

[Antepli Ejderha]

Lots of kicking so far with Ireland shading it in the early stages.

[Ray de Galles]

France haven't had an attack yet!

A minor point but Ireland appear to throwing these line outs at something like 45 degrees, nowhere near straight.

[Ray de Galles]

Earles took a fucking dive there! Clipped his own ankle.

[Antepli Ejderha]

Earles took a fucking dive there! Clipped his own ankle.

You reckon? I didn't think there was anything in it, Le Roux didn't change his line.

Toe in touch saves France but then a stupid long throw puts them in trouble again.

Edit: the reply showed a clear right boot after the left toe.

[Antepli Ejderha]

France haven't had an attack yet!

A minor point but Ireland appear to throwing these line outs at something like 45 degrees, nowhere near straight.

And on their first attack they score. With 14.

Some try that.

[Ray de Galles]

He definitely clipped his own ankle which is what brought him down, I am doubtful there was any contact at all with Le Roux and certainly not deliberate.

France have come to the party now though, great try.

[Antepli Ejderha]

Half time and France with two half chances lead, a try on their first visit and a knock on in their second visit to the 22.

Is BOD on the bog?

Benjamin Keyser is a decent analyst and really needs to be given more time to express his points.

[Ray de Galles]

I love the French line out, simple quick ball to the scrum half to distribute and attack. No buggering about with endless driving mauls.

[Antepli Ejderha]

I presume Joey Carbery is still injured.

Ireland have 3 players off for HIAs at the moment. That must be a record.

[Antepli Ejderha]

I love the French line out, simple quick ball to the scrum half to distribute and attack. No buggering about with endless driving mauls.

Very old school in what they do and very effective.

[Ray de Galles]

Well, France played some phenomenal attacking rugby on the rare occasions they could break free of Ireland's suffocating play.

The Irish had absolutely no attacking game plan of their own apart from Lowe's repetitive kicking and he too often displays no rugby brain whatsoever.

Only a fluke try, Ireland's fantastic defence and great work on the floor & counter-rucking kept it close.

[Antepli Ejderha]

Couldn't agree more Ray, anti rugby really.

France win away, always a big thing in the 6N.

The defence and discipline shown by France in the last minutes had Shaun Edwards stamped all over it.

[jameswba]

As Barclay has just pointed out, Scotland's choice of line and movement is making our tackling look very poor.

Who is the (former?) PL keeper this ref looks like?

I meant to put a suggestion forward yesterday. Maik Taylor?

[Ray de Galles]

Oh thank you so much, that had really been bothering me. Spot on!