2024 Six Nations
Discussion
Boom78 said:
Derek Smith said:
the WRU might get some stick, strong enough that it can't be ignored.
Unfortunately it’s like asking turkeys to vote for Christmas, whilst they’ll agree something needs to change they’d rather keep their roles and benefits, they’re answerable to only themselves and have ruined the game; reduced funding to regions, ripped up the premiership (so the clubs play a fraction of the games reducing gate receipts), zero investment in grass roots etc etc. it says it all when our young age grade players see their playing paths via schools (Cardiff & vale rugby academy, Llandaff cathedral school etc) rather than the club game or by heading over the border to Gloucester, Bristol and Exeter. 
t state and lack proper leadership and have any real wish to change.Proper politician answer lacking any substance at all.
Three more enjoyable matches yesterday.
Great to see Italy finally getting some rewards for all their efforts since joining the 6N.
Good to see England finally looking like they have a plan again. (and executing it)
Frustrated, as a Scotland supporter, that they can play brilliantly in bursts but not sustain it for longer periods.
Sad to see Wales' situation. I feel sorry for the players and fans, who are being let down by the WRU.
Great to see Italy finally getting some rewards for all their efforts since joining the 6N.
Good to see England finally looking like they have a plan again. (and executing it)
Frustrated, as a Scotland supporter, that they can play brilliantly in bursts but not sustain it for longer periods.
Sad to see Wales' situation. I feel sorry for the players and fans, who are being let down by the WRU.
tt601 said:
Been dipping in and out of the discussion but….I can’t recall anyone saying that ‘ my god, England missed Owen Farrell’. 
I quite like the seeming evolution of the current set up.
I thought Wilkinson made a point of saying how good Ford was in the post match discussion….and no nobody has said how much England miss Farrell. I quite like the seeming evolution of the current set up.
Time marches on and England have some reasons to be optimistic, performance more important than the result for England right now I’d say. Ireland have been exceptional fully deserve winning the 6N and will be interesting to see how that team evolves.
I am guessing we’ll see the first Lions squad prediction article in the next couple of days….
cherryowen said:
I'll caveat all of the following with "IMVHO":-
The final score for the WAL v ITA game flattered Wales; in possession, they were directionless headless chickens. Dire.
The final score for the IRE v SCO game flattered Ireland
The penalty that finished off England was 50 / 50 at best, and was a harsh call. But, at least, England seem to have a platform to build on (as opposed to Wales who - for me - only have Wainwright / Winnett / Ferrell as ongoing prospects).
Player of the Tournament?
Can't decide between Earles and Menoncello.
I take it you mean Reffell?The final score for the WAL v ITA game flattered Wales; in possession, they were directionless headless chickens. Dire.
The final score for the IRE v SCO game flattered Ireland
The penalty that finished off England was 50 / 50 at best, and was a harsh call. But, at least, England seem to have a platform to build on (as opposed to Wales who - for me - only have Wainwright / Winnett / Ferrell as ongoing prospects).
Player of the Tournament?
Can't decide between Earles and Menoncello.
dickymint said:
Jordie Barretts sock said:
McGee_22 said:
Jordie Barretts sock said:
But just in case they don't, what's my forfeit?
You buy beers for anyone that can be arsed to stop at Tiverton! 
Jordie Barretts sock said:
Really? Rugby related?
And Southern hemisphere, not back of beyond!
Yes, the chairman is hosting a reunion of the team I used to play in many moons ago. A and S police. He was our full back.And Southern hemisphere, not back of beyond!
Or he might be the president. Initials CB. Do you know him?
Edited by XCP on Sunday 17th March 16:30
Mr Magooagain said:
Link to next years fixtures!
https://www.six-nations-guide.co.uk/2025/
Scotland in the grand slam decider V France in the last game them… https://www.six-nations-guide.co.uk/2025/
Mr Magooagain said:
Link to next years fixtures!
https://www.six-nations-guide.co.uk/2025/
That's harsh!https://www.six-nations-guide.co.uk/2025/
You'd have thought that after this year they might at least have started with a different fixture so that Wales could enjoy not being bottom of the table for a few hours!
Mr Magooagain said:
Link to next years fixtures!
https://www.six-nations-guide.co.uk/2025/
I see they are sticking to the same stupid kick off times?https://www.six-nations-guide.co.uk/2025/
That makes you wonder just how far the poor Welsh could actually drop.
They're so far adrift of South Africa that a loss shouldn't impact their ranking score, but if Australia them twice, they could potentially drop below Fiji, Japan and Georgia by the look of it.
Absolutely criminal really! Rugby without a strong Welsh side just doesn't feel right.
They're so far adrift of South Africa that a loss shouldn't impact their ranking score, but if Australia them twice, they could potentially drop below Fiji, Japan and Georgia by the look of it.
Absolutely criminal really! Rugby without a strong Welsh side just doesn't feel right.
Alickadoo said:
Mr Magooagain said:
Link to next years fixtures!
https://www.six-nations-guide.co.uk/2025/
I see they are sticking to the same stupid kick off times?https://www.six-nations-guide.co.uk/2025/
Starting times seem ok to me. We have plenty of notice to organise ourselves I would say.
Kermit power said:
That makes you wonder just how far the poor Welsh could actually drop.
They're so far adrift of South Africa that a loss shouldn't impact their ranking score, but if Australia them twice, they could potentially drop below Fiji, Japan and Georgia by the look of it.
Absolutely criminal really! Rugby without a strong Welsh side just doesn't feel right.
It looks like an accurate ranking to me, we’ve been rubbish. For the last 20 years we somehow managed to find decent players, they were naturally talented and driven rather than a product of the regions/WRU. Our club/regional structure has always been this bad, these now retired ‘golden generation’ (hate that phrase) players gave a veneer of success to our structure, we’re now seeing the cold reality. To be successful you need the foundations, governance and finances in place, we don’t have any of these. Totally agree on your last point, the 6N does need a strong Welsh team but it must be earned.They're so far adrift of South Africa that a loss shouldn't impact their ranking score, but if Australia them twice, they could potentially drop below Fiji, Japan and Georgia by the look of it.
Absolutely criminal really! Rugby without a strong Welsh side just doesn't feel right.
My worry is the talent will be drawn to the school academy structure then whisked off on scholarships to England, it’s already started to happen a bit. I think Gatland was saying on Scrum V the English schools and clubs are paying 15-20k as salaries/annual sponsorships to these players, we pay nothing.
Edited by Boom78 on Monday 18th March 07:33
Edited by Boom78 on Monday 18th March 07:36
Edited by Boom78 on Monday 18th March 07:37
Boom78 said:
It looks like an accurate ranking to me, we’ve been rubbish. For the last 20 years we somehow managed to find decent players, they were naturally talented and driven rather than a product of the regions/WRU. Our club/regional structure has always been this bad, these now retired ‘golden generation’ (hate that phrase) players gave a veneer of success to our structure, we’re now seeing the cold reality. To be successful you need the foundations, governance and finances in place, we don’t have any of these. Totally agree on your last point, the 6N does need a strong Welsh team but it must be earned.
My worry is the talent will be drawn to the school academy structure then whisked off on scholarships to England, it’s already started to happen a bit. I think Gatland was saying on Scrum V the English schools and clubs are paying 15-20k as salaries/annual sponsorships to these players, we pay nothing.
I think you’re right.My worry is the talent will be drawn to the school academy structure then whisked off on scholarships to England, it’s already started to happen a bit. I think Gatland was saying on Scrum V the English schools and clubs are paying 15-20k as salaries/annual sponsorships to these players, we pay nothing.
National identity is far less of a factor for young people particularly sportsmen and even more so when there’s financial incentives to play for a neighbour which you might have reasonable connection to and your own country isn’t doing well or offering the chance of success.
Mr Magooagain said:
Alickadoo said:
Mr Magooagain said:
Link to next years fixtures!
https://www.six-nations-guide.co.uk/2025/
I see they are sticking to the same stupid kick off times?https://www.six-nations-guide.co.uk/2025/
Starting times seem ok to me. We have plenty of notice to organise ourselves I would say.
Why do we have the odd quarter of an hour kick off time?
"Shall we kick off at 3p.m.?"
'No, that's too obvious, we'll kick off at 2p.m.'
"Hang on, why not make it 2.15p.m.? That will keep everyone on their toes".
'O.K. then 2.15, it is then. What about the evening game?'
"Evening game? Why do we have to have an evening game".
'I don't know. We just do, I suppose it's so that people struggle to get home at that time of night. I gives the hotels some income.'
Right, that's decided then. 2.15, 4.45 and 8p.m., but we will make one of them kick off at 8.15p.m., just to keep everyone on their toes.
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