Rugby

[firehazard]

Yes, Aled, I'm most looking forward to the Ireland-NZ match this weekend, should be a cracker.

Well done to Wales on finally getting a win against Australia last Saturday. But I think the Wallabies will be too strong for Italy.

Reckon Scotland could get the better of SA.

[soulfinger]

Ireland! Wow! Fantastic.

[firehazard]

Ireland! Wow! Fantastic.

Sums it up perfectly.

World Cup in less than a year now... this could get very interesting.

[Welshie]

Sorry I haven't been on. On the whole a pretty good series for most of the Home Nations, a clean sweep for Wales and Ireland and England came close, Scotland had their moments against SA. France lost to Fiji a good result fro the global game! Italy also laid to rest, the threat of Georgia....for now. Roll on the 6 Nations!
Cheers
Aled

[firehazard]

Good summary, Aled. Was at Twickenham for the Australia game, which was fun. A few photos:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/15437467@N07/albums/72157698105800200

Some good club rugby coming up in the next few weeks, and the European competitions. Then roll on 6N...

[Welshie]

Yes the EU cup on the way. I think most of the international coaches will be hoping for an injury free time for their key players!

[Welshie]

2 weeks and Dry January ends and the 6 Nations begins! Roll on.

[firehazard]

2 weeks and Dry January ends and the 6 Nations begins! Roll on.

Looking forward to it... some interesting 6N squad selections.

We have tickets for the France and Scotland matches at Twickenham

[firehazard]

Well an intriguing first weekend:

France-Wales... that was just strange. France looked great in the first half, then literally threw the match away. Well done to Wales for taking coming back in the second half and taking their chances. Wales could win this....

Scotland-Italy... Italy looked poor, until the last 10 minutes or so. Scotland probably are disappointed it wasn't a bigger margin in the end.

Ireland-England... did not see that performance coming from either side. Next weekend could be very interesting now...

[firehazard]

So, last weekend:

Scotland-Ireland: Ireland bounced back from the defeat in Dublin well. Wondered is Sexton going off would affect them, but Carbery is good.

Italy-Wales: With largely a second-string Welsh side, hard to say much.

England-France: England were impressive, but France were mostly terrible. My French friend Patrick said a heavy defeat was needed to shake up French rugby from the top... Twickenham was brass monkeys, but fun. A few pics:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/15437467@N07/albums/72157689600229763

[firehazard]

Congratulations to Wales on a deserved grand slam. Gatland is some coach.

I was at Twickenham for probably the strangest match I've ever witnessed...

[Welshie]

Right then, apologies for my sabbatical, Rugby World Cup in full flow....
Cheers
Aled

[firehazard]

Likewise, Aled, I haven't been around much here in recent weeks. for various reasons...

Tough luck to Wales on their loss to SA. So close... SA are strong, they were my tip to win the whole thing before it started...

and now for the final. Never expected England to get there, but it's too close to call

[soulfinger]

It's been a funny old month of Rugby. England losing to SA was a shame but I'm glad the world cup is over so I no longer have to listen to people who know nowt about Rugby giving us the benefit of their lack of expertise.

Meanwhile in proper rugby, Salford got the expected tatering from Saints in the Grand Final but, given I was 17 when they last won anything of significance, we've enjoyed some lively days out this season. The atmosphere at Old Trafford for the final was the best I've experienced there since the Glazers stole my football club.

[firehazard]

Well it was bubble burst for England in RWC final. But it's (mostly) a young team... SA were simply brilliantly brutal, and deserved their win. And good to see Kolisi lifting the trophy.

Interesting times in the EPL... wonder how the Saracens thing will play out....