The Rugby Thread

[Irishnev]

I love the 6 Nations and building nicely towards the weekend. Ireland have a **** recent away run to Wales + Gatland back so here are the boys who’ll start the inevitable grand slam winning season for the Welsh

[ame="https://twitter.com/murray_kinsella/status/1620392151992393737"]https://twitter.com/murray_kinsella/status/1620392151992393737[/ame]

[Buzzo]

That is a very early team announcement, Will be interesting to see what difference Gatland makes, but it seemed as though the Welsh regions had even improved since he came in. Never a team to take lightly, especially away.

You lot should have far too much for them.

Cant believe they still rely on AWJ, North and 1/2p..

[Irishnev]

That is a very early team announcement, Will be interesting to see what difference Gatland makes, but it seemed as though the Welsh regions had even improved since he came in. Never a team to take lightly, especially away.

You lot should have far too much for them.

Cant believe they still rely on AWJ, North and 1/2p..

Wales are an enigma - provincial sides ****e, supposed unrest and bang….. grand slam. On paper we should win but this will be a ****ing nightmare - Ospreys going well so confidence will be up

[Buzzo]

I'll feel a lot better when we face them week 2 if you lot have spanked them week 1.

The best thing about the 6Ns is you just dont know what sort of form (other than Ireland and France I suppose) the teams are going to be in.

England are a really interesting proposition this year. Who knows what to expect from them? New coach. new brand of Rugby and a couple of weeks to implement it.

[Irishnev]

I'll feel a lot better when we face them week 2 if you lot have spanked them week 1.

The best thing about the 6Ns is you just dont know what sort of form (other than Ireland and France I suppose) the teams are going to be in.

England are a really interesting proposition this year. Who knows what to expect from them? New coach. new brand of Rugby and a couple of weeks to implement it.

Right now anyone can beat anyone - France look v strong but are away to us and England (I think). I suspect all home wins and anything away from home gives you a shot at the championship (Italy aside). I don’t envisage any grand slam and 4 wins should be enough

[Buzzo]

Yep. It’s a tough one to call. England have a new coach and a ton of injuries. But they were so stale with EJ. Agree on Frances schedule. Very tough.

Who knows what to expect from us. Some good signs in the autumn but we have a few key injuries.

The team that suffers the least injuries, gets off to a good start will do well. Even France v Italy is intriguing for once.

[Buzzo]

Quite excited by this team. Loads of big calls but it is a team picked on form.

Edinburghs performances v Saracens noted. Ali Price drop off in form noted, with Ben White having experience playing SH in England a big bonus. Glasgows recent resurgence and the form of the centres noted. Luke Crosbie has also been in great form.

Just a shame Darcy Graham and Zander Fagerson injured.

[ame]https://twitter.com/Scotlandteam/status/1621063347083911170[/ame]

[Irishnev]

No Furlong or Henshaw for Ireland

Ireland: 15-Hugo Keenan; 14-Mack Hansen, 13-Garry Ringrose, 12-Stuart McCloskey, 11-James Lowe; 10-Johnny Sexton (capt), 9-Jamison Gibson-Park; 1-Andrew Porter, 2-Dan Sheehan, 3-Finlay Bealham, 4-Tadhg Beirne, 5-James Ryan, 6-Peter O'Mahony, 7-Josh van der Flier, 8-Caelan Doris

Replacements: 16-Rob Herring, 17-Cian Healy, 18-Tom O'Toole, 19-Iain Henderson, 20-Jack Conan, 21-Conor Murray, 22-Ross Byrne, 23-Bundee Aki

It’s still a side with 5 Lions on the bench but this game has a smelly feeling to me. First up, closed roof, Galtland and do many other narratives

If we keep playing our game and take the early sting out of them then we should win. Wales will be chomping at the bit and they’ve plenty of quality in their team. Nonetheless I’m really looking forward to see how Ireland perform and see where we are at when the pressure is on

[Buzzo]

It’s a strong Ireland team.

You are playing basically the 2008 Wales team. I dunno about them, I was listening to a podcast last night and convinced myself they will be crap. Gatland and Cardiff can only take them so far.

[Irishnev]

It’s a strong Ireland team.

You are playing basically the 2008 Wales team. I dunno about them, I was listening to a podcast last night and convinced myself they will be crap. Gatland and Cardiff can only take them so far.

2 years ago they were in disarray and being openly laughed at pre tournament and bam they won it. Momentum and away wins are massive - Gatland will simplify their game and you slow our ruck ball down and we struggle. We should win but I genuinely think it’s 50/50 given our form over there.

I also looked at your ride and again it’s like - wow they look really strong on paper. A team I don’t fancy playing in Murrayfield or a WC - with the exception of Italy then any team can genuinely beat any team in the 6 Nations. It’s putting if together consistently is the challenge

4 wins gets your the tournament IMO - we need to “just” beat Eng and France at home…….Italy surely plus either you or Wales away. Simple

[Buzzo]

2 years ago they were in disarray and being openly laughed at pre tournament and bam they won it. Momentum and away wins are massive - Gatland will simplify their game and you slow our ruck ball down and we struggle. We should win but I genuinely think it’s 50/50 given our form over there.

I also looked at your ride and again it’s like - wow they look really strong on paper. A team I don’t fancy playing in Murrayfield or a WC - with the exception of Italy then any team can genuinely beat any team in the 6 Nations. It’s putting if together consistently is the challenge

4 wins gets your the tournament IMO - we need to “just” beat Eng and France at home…….Italy surely plus either you or Wales away. Simple

It is an amazing tournament.

I just cant see it with Wales. AWJ up againt your guys, he is in his 50's now right? The only way you lose to the Welsh is in your minds I think.

getting off to a good start is also crucial. Pressure is on after even one defeat.

I think we are light up front, as always. One or 2 injuries and we are FKD. Outwith that we have depth in all positions other than 10.

Englands team is fascinating. I can convince myself it is both incredible and beatable. The issue is who runs their game? Smith or Farrell. 2 completely different players.

Edinburgh dominated Saracens in the scrum line out and breakdown twice recently and that gives me cause for optimism. Its at twickenham instantly removes that optimism.

[Irishnev]

Are you ready Buzzo

[ame="https://twitter.com/bewarmers/status/1621808815325716480"]https://twitter.com/bewarmers/status/1621808815325716480[/ame]

[Buzzo]

I want to see more boot cut jeans in there.

[Buzzo]

[ame]https://twitter.com/thistlerugbypod/status/1621773527551442946[/ame]

[Buzzo]

Gibson-Park a late Irish withdrawal- Connor Murray instead.