6 Nations 2020

[Ruckedtobits]

Galtie's selection for Sunday's game against England must be the most "multi-cultural" French selection ever.

An observation, not a criticism.

[Twist]

England going with a back row of Lawes, Curry and Underhill. I can't see the French getting the better of them.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

England going with a back row of Lawes, Curry and Underhill. I can't see the French getting the better of them.

With the power of that French front row I would bet that Curry will struggle at one or two scrums.

The French team is super talented and full of power but in typical French fashion they seem to have picked a great squad and then an odd 23. Maybe I'm just out of the loop because of the Top14 not being on TV though. They have serious power in the front and back rows, arguably the best scrumhalf in the world, arguably the best player in the world in Vakatawa, and two lethal wingers who are brilliant footballers as well as finishers. Really exciting team, hope it clicks.

[Dave Cahill]

I thought Vakatawa was having an immense season. Then the second half of game against Saracens kicked off.

[Dave Cahill]

England won the 2014 JRWC. On the team that started the final were Itoje, who lines up for England this weekend, Nick Tompkins who benches for Wales, and Billy Burns who is in the Irish Six Nations squad

[Ruckedtobits]

Having listened to the latest Molecast #46 from the Demented Mole team, a theory about Ireland's bench selection for tomorrow just entered my brain.

Arguably, two of Ireland's best line-out operators are Toner and O'Mahony, particularly for line-out steals. Having picked Kelleher and Cooney on the bench, Farrell has given his team a real chance of changing up the game from line-outs in the second half with these four players.

On Irish ball, Kelleher will have familiar targets in Ryan and Toner and a really serious, easy to find, specialist in PO'M. Cooney will get a stream of ball from No 4 or 6 positions from which to attack like he does for Ulster. The presence of Porter as Dev's primary lifter also reinforces the theory and the availability of a fresh Henshaw, running at the Scottish centres off flat passes from Cooney, completes the picture.

Hopefully, its not a tactic that we will desperately need when he does decide to unload the bench but it certainly gives a lot of comfort to know that these combinations have a very useful purpose

[Peg Leg]

Having listened to the latest Molecast #46 from the Demented Mole team, a theory about Ireland's bench selection for tomorrow just entered my brain.

Arguably, two of Ireland's best line-out operators are Toner and O'Mahony, particularly for line-out steals. Having picked Kelleher and Cooney on the bench, Farrell has given his team a real chance of changing up the game from line-outs in the second half with these four players.

On Irish ball, Kelleher will have familiar targets in Ryan and Toner and a really serious, easy to find, specialist in PO'M. Cooney will get a stream of ball from No 4 or 6 positions from which to attack like he does for Ulster. The presence of Porter as Dev's primary lifter also reinforces the theory and the availability of a fresh Henshaw, running at the Scottish centres off flat passes from Cooney, completes the picture.

Hopefully, its not a tactic that we will desperately need when he does decide to unload the bench but it certainly gives a lot of comfort to know that these combinations have a very useful purpose

Listened to it yesterday and really appreciate the differing views and knowledge on that podcast. I'm in the same boat RE: the concern about Hendo. Yes, it's his time but my god he needs a good 6N. Ulster's lineout is not very good this season, your point on the bench could be very accurate.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

This is the France I hoped we'd see, brilliant start and hope it continues.

England could be in trouble. Neither Vunipola playing, Tuilagi off, Curry at 8, and Farrell seems to have an arm injury.

[Fan with smartphone]

Brilliant er...TMO-ing there in my book for that France try. And Nigel not blowing it initially too. TMO called it back thinking obvious knock on missed and in the end called it right. Gotta play to the whistle.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Brilliant er...TMO-ing there in my book for that France try. And Nigel not blowing it initially too. TMO called it back thinking obvious knock on missed and in the end called it right. Gotta play to the whistle.

Thought they missed Ollivon being offside from the kick though. Unbelievable that England just stopped playing all the same, they're just not at the races.

Edwards seems to have made a huge difference already, but France have the physicality to cope with England (that we could only dream of) and it's really impressive. They have lots of power on the bench too so it'll be interesting to see if they keep it up.

Farrell clearly injured IMO.

[Schumi]

Thought they missed Ollivon being offside from the kick though. Unbelievable that England just stopped playing all the same, they're just not at the races.

The kick was touched by an England player I think so no outside.

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Thought they missed Ollivon being offside from the kick though. Unbelievable that England just stopped playing all the same, they're just not at the races.

The kick was touched by an England player I think so no outside.

Ah okay, thanks.

The replay on again now...May

[Leinsterimp]

Ford and Farrell combination has been off today. Also naive of EJ not to pick Dombrandt or Simmonds at 8

[Ruckedtobits]

Ford and Farrell combination has been off today. Also naive of EJ not to pick Dombrandt or Simmonds at 8

+1, +1.

Don't think he'll make that mistake again.

[Ruckedtobits]

Doris was out cold and won't be risked IMO. Killer was just a bad tackle / head hit. However, Farrell has Jack McGrath who could be an alternative starter against Wales with Cian to explode off the bench on 55 mins.

[Oldschool]

Doris was out cold and won't be risked IMO. Killer was just a bad tackle / head hit. However, Farrell has Jack McGrath who could be an alternative starter against Wales with Cian to explode off the bench on 55 mins.

Would be great to see Jack McGrath back in the starting 15. It might be just the tonic he needs to get him back to his best.

[Ruckedtobits]

Eddie Jones was the latest Coach to learn the truth of the old adage "you can't mark time in a collison sport. Bill Walsh credited Vince Lombardi with these immortal words and Bill Bellechic has also uttered them.

Jones, without the Vunipolas from the start and losing Tuilagi before half-time, may have instilled his English team with lots of belief during their run to the World Cup Final, but it wasn't enough to overcome an inspired French 50 minute performance which saw the home team 24-0 ahead before Jonny May put two tries on the scoresheet in get England a losing bonus point at 24-17.

In truth the French were in experimentation mode also and their front-five probably won't see service together again. But their back-row, half-backs and three-quarters only needed an occassional supply to tear holes in the much vaunted English defence.

A long way to go yet and France to visit Cardiff, but Shaun Edwards must be pleased with this first step in a new defensive shape by his French Squad.

[blockhead]

Y'know when Eddie Jones is talkin sheeeiite that he is a bit worried about his team. He did it befoe the WC final v RSA and he was doin it all this week.
England wont be enjoyin a GS this year, they did not win the 6N last year or the year before. Tis a while now since the rose lifted a trophy,

[MylesNaGapoleen]

Ford and Farrell combination has been off today. Also naive of EJ not to pick Dombrandt or Simmonds at 8

Agreed. without the vinupolas punching holes in the opposition line and giving lots of space to the backs, ford & farrell. in particular look very average. In fact a lot of the salarysins* players looked average yesterday.

Must admit, that french win made my weekend. England were Brutal, alright. bleedin brutal.
French scrum needs fixing, pronto, if they have designs on a GS or championship win. Their 17 who came on in the second half was exceptionally good at the breakdown.

[Pilotman123]

England going with a back row of Lawes, Curry and Underhill. I can't see the French getting the better of them.

This aged well