And, to be fair, I don't think England are winning it this year...

^^^ Obvious statement of the year?

Interesting day. Scotland are a team in form, and Ireland looked formidable. Wales are poor. France are not quite what they were hyped up to be.

Right now I would put money on an Irish Grand Slam, with Scotland coming in second. The scrap for the wooden spoon is probably between England, Wales and Italy, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Italy win one of those games. Scotland are good enough right now to take France, and I think England on a good day could give them something to think about.

I don't think there's a scrap for the wooden spoon. Wales are nailed on for it. We will not beat Italy in Rome.

Although they lost today, France were excellent, I thought. Ireland were just even better. I would expect France to beat everyone else, including Scotland. But who knows? I like watching Scotland (apart from when they play Wales), and I hope they do well.

Ireland v France and Scotland v Wales were both excellent games, outstanding coaching to bring out the best in the players. This is worth watching, it’s where the game changed forever and for the better. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00136pq

Expected a little bit more from Italy

kiter65 wrote: ↑Sun Feb 12, 2023 7:15 pm Expected a little bit more from Italy

Italy made England look good at the same time they exposed the gap that England must close if they are to defeat Ireland or France, let alone Wales.

^^^ Agreed. Their backs are good but never got a real platform. They struggled all day with England’s lineout. England were sloppy in defence twice but did the needful. Good to see some punch in midfield with Lawrence getting POM. And if this kid Arundell is that good, why not start him?

It’s Ireland’s to lose…I can’t see Scotland taking them.

There were plenty Welsh folk in Edinburgh when my wife and I were out and about on Saturday morning. It reminds me when I used to work in the City Centre c 20 years ago. When Wales were playing at Murrayfield at the weekend, from the Monday before I'd see quite a few Welsh fans on Rose Street (plenty of pubs there) as I went for a sandwich for my lunch. For many of them it was clearly a week long holiday touring the pubs of Edinburgh, rounded off by the match at the weekend

Anyway, I felt sorry for the Welsh fans at the weekend as Scotland won quite easily in the end. When we were down to 14 men just before half time Wales scored and probably should have had another on the stroke of half time that would have brought them level, however they didn't take the chance and it was all Scotland in the second half, Finn Russell in magical form.

Clearly Scotland have two massive challenges ahead in Paris in a fortnight and then against the Irish at Murrayfield in 4 weeks. I guess they are the top 2 ranked sides in the world so we've nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Sat at home listening to the anthems at Murrayfield which is not too far from here. Even if I’m not watching the rugby I can usually tell when Scotland are doing well

Irish Slam, then. There could be a few points in Dublin next week!

Hope Ringrose is ok, looked bad

Well done Jonny and Ireland

Very well done Ireland. I hope they or France can show up against the SH teams in RWC in the autumn.

Yes, well done Ireland. A fully deserved Grand Slam. Any team that can beat France at the moment is a bl**dy good team! It should make the World Cup in France later this year very interesting.

welshlad wrote: ↑Sat Mar 18, 2023 8:14 pm Yes, well done Ireland. A fully deserved Grand Slam. Any team that can beat France at the moment is a bl**dy good team! It should make the World Cup in France later this year very interesting.

Scotland have drawn Ireland and South Africa in our five team group, top 2 to qualify for the QFs