congratulations to the blue thistle

It's been a long time coming.

 

Deserved it too. Wales were dreadful

 

Over to ITV now. Busy day.

 

They certainly were.

 

Not the best game ever but well done from an english man.
Channel changed aready

 

So how many points will england need to make the Irish struggle at least 4 scores and a angry french side to help

 

I'm hoping somebody's going to work that out for us.

 

So far they are terrible shocking game plan of short kick and standing off the Italian attacks. The second half better be better

 

Nor did Wales, Scotland or Italy!
The France Ireland game at least had a point.

 

They’ve won the Six Nations three times in the last five years, so they must have some sort of plan.

 

Same here. Feels weird.

 

God - what a pair of dire matches.

Scotland were poor, but were worthy winners, far more energy and hunger, just bad execution against a fragile Welsh defence. Given the possession and territory that should have been a 20+ gap - but first win away in 18 years is significant for them.

Wales were passionless, disappointing. Missing a fair few players from last season in important positions and it will take time to align to the new coaching team. Might see a clearing of the old guard, a lot of the older players have played a lot of rugby e.g. Geroge North is actually still only 28 but has struggled for consistency, might start to lose him from the squad - pity as when he is on form he's a fantastic player. But it does feel like we are underpowered and reliant on 'magic' from 2 or 3 of our really special players to win matches and we don't have that at the moment.

England under Eddy - can't knock the record, big highlight was the semi final of the World Cup. That was a performance for the decades.

Usually, I just think he doesn't pick the right players from what he has available and the backline remains effective rather than watchable.

Youngs is a pretty average 9 with 100 caps, were you picking a worlds best he would be in the top 10 at best - behind a very good pack this is not good. Spencer at Bath has been lighting the fields up, so Eddy chooses Youngs and an aging Kiwi from Gloucester - facsimile players. Most of the home nations have better 9's, some one or two and he couldn't tie the laces of Faf De Clerk or Cobus Reinach, leave alone Arron Smith.

There are some mega players in England, especially in the backs that simply never get a look in - I suspect its because England under Jones still don't have an identifiable attack strategy. You have super talents like Slade and Joseph but don't build a game around them, its not even built around Farrell or Ford from what I can see. Can't deny effectiveness - but anyone English that says England perform under Jones to even 90% of their true capability really knows bobbins about rugby. And we are back to the mystery of what Exeter players have ever done to Jones - both Simmonds brothers now, after years of ignoring Armand.

Italy have all the right plays, all the right game strategy and apart from Poledri, no one talented enough to execute it. They were mostly dire yesterday.

Ireland have started their transition earlier that Wales - but the team is now too aligned to Sexton and they need to come away from that reliance.

France - if you want a £10 on them being dominant over the next few years I'd take it. Dupont and Ntemack (sp) - what a fantastic pair of players. If they can keep the french flair/madness and learn to defend and concentrate they will match anyone on earth - they remain NZ's true bogey team and hopefully they won't morph in to something the Kiwi's can cope with too easily as that would spoil the fun for everyone.

 

France where the only team that turned up to win yesterday. They deserved the win after all the other stuff they are putting up with.