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Post by newby on Mar 11, 2024 9:17:58 GMT
It's well set up for next Saturday though I expect Ireland to beat Scotland and take the title. France v England, who knows which French side will turn up so there's some glorious uncertainty there, and it will certainly be viva Italia from me as they take on Wales in Cardiff.
Now if only the fixtures were reversed and the away teams were at home in all 3 games, that would be a days Rugby.
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Post by davemorton on Mar 17, 2024 10:20:38 GMT
I thoroughly enjoyed the final day, beginning with Italy's superb win over Wales. I thought Wales would at least put up a fight, though I did have Italy to win.
Ireland v Scotland was pretty much a foregone conclusion, though the Jocks did put up aa fight, which left France v England just as a game to enjoy. And how enjoyable it was, despite the late penalty, committed by number 7, according to the referee, though Underhill was not actually on the field at the time.
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Post by newby on Mar 17, 2024 11:45:49 GMT
I like the final day format and I didn't even mind that France won with a crowd pleasing, nail biting, last few minutes. It could have gone either way and losing Furbank so early was unfortunate. Lots of penalties unfortunately spoilt the flow of the game but at least no red cards.
It's a much better tournament with Italy being competitive at last. If this goes on for another season I will start feeling sorry for Wales, which will never do.
Ireland deserved winners but it wasn't as easy as many thought it would be.
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Post by donnylad on Mar 17, 2024 17:02:14 GMT
It was the TMO who 'spotted' the no-arms tackle by Earl.
The (Aussie) ref and the (Welsh) TMO chose not to review.
It looked a soft penalty and no different from numerous other challenges throughout the series let alone this game.
Earl was going for a chop tackle and you get down first and then wrap your arms round the ankles. The French forward fell or was pushed downwards and landed on Earl.
Enough said, Great game, but the whole rugby world knows what will happen if you give French backs free ball in broken play ........ and that is just what they did.
All those Ford haters should be made to watch that match again and again in order to see a proper number 10 at work.
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Post by slowleftarmer on Mar 18, 2024 7:22:56 GMT
for me it was the earlier huge slice of luck that won it for the French when the line out throw went beyond everyone bounced a couple of times, and a French player just hoofed at the ball to kick it forwards with no skill or direction but he sliced it nicely into the path of his backs running forward. If that was deliberate i have never seen it so well executed before, but I think it was a huge slice of French luck.
Enjoyed all the games although disappointed the Jocks could not have put up more of a fight. Where was van der Merwe when we needed him most? I think he may have gone back to South Africa to see his family he was that invisible
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Post by davemorton on Mar 18, 2024 11:02:24 GMT
Ford has played very well, better and better as the comp progressed. But we have to have Smith on the field. Full-back is fine, but you would want Furbank there, too. Nice problem to have. Lovely touches from the Ford 10 throughout, no doubt.
My preference is always for runners in the backs, real footballers who can handle and beat opponents with footwork and speed. Care/Mitchell/Spencer is fine at 9 (all better than Youngs), Slade and Lawrence are great at centre (but Tuilagi isn't and Farrell wasn't), and Feyi-Waboso and Freeman are terrific footballers as well as fast wingers. I don't see how Daly gets close to this XV, even in IFW's absence.
We could have had Louis Lynagh who, no doubt, had three-way eligibility...but now only one!
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