The first round games
Italy v Wales - humiliation for the Welsh team as the Italians register their second ever win in the tournament 30 - 22

England v France - A very poor England performance was far too good for the French - England win 25-17

Scotland v Ireland - Total demolition of the Scots by the Irish
(The Ireland Squad in my opinion being the best performance of the week-end ) Ireland Win 36-6

I have to agree with the TV pundits - it looks like the Ireland v England game could be a Grand Slam decider for both teams.

Appreciate the updates Fosse - keep them coming

Glad to see that the poms are continuing their solid form after the break. Hopefully it will hold up another 6 months.

Any match updates from the weekend Fosse? Were deprived of 6 nations here.

Cheers

Give me a chance and I'll update you with all the matches so far.

After the second week of games
France showed the gallic spirit, threw the ball about and defeated Scotland 38 - 3 (entertaining game but lots of handling mistakes)

Italy couldn't keep the momentum going and Ireland triumphed 31 - 13 (must admit I only saw the highlights of this game and the Irish seemed to dominate)

Wales did show some spirit and at one point I did think they might win, The pundits were certainly wrong with their run away forecasts - again the score doesn't reflect the game (Wales were better than that) England Win 26 - 9
That leaves Ireland and England undefeated
Wales and Scotland without a win.
Looks like a classic encounter for a Grand Slam this year.
I just hope Englands next match doesn't coincide with the next cricket world cup match - finger fatigue (lol)!

Thanks for the update mate.. perfect..

It was a wet old week over here and the lack of ball practice was obvious as they threw it out wide - backs have hands like feet! The Qld/Act clash in the super 12 opener in Queensland was a smashing match. Pouring rain and a tough old forward smash up. 3 yellow cards and a red. Kefu was brilliant in his captains hat. It was eventually won off the boot by Stirling Mortlock for ACT 6/6. Qld had shots late in the game but choked them. The better team didn't take it home but entertaining non the less.

The ref was all over the play the ball like it was his will to live. Any bridging, any hint of delaying the flow - was penalised or yellow carded. It really stuffed the game. Apparently this is the instruction leading into the WC so I hope the northern hem takes note of the breakdown rules....

be good - Bertho

Bertho, the Ref's are getting tough over here as well, when was the last time you saw a scrum half penalised for not putting the ball in straight to a scrum (Three times so far in the six nations), We've also had the obscure "Player in front of the kicker" (both at kick off and drop outs from the 25). They've got really hot on not releasing after the tackle and also on players going over the top to slow down play.
I really do like being able to hear the ref's comments - some of them are quite comical when calming a situation down.

Yeah, ball delivery at the break down is the key. Kefu got yellow carded for bridging when there was no defence there. I thought that was very rough in a crucial part of the game, not even worthy of a penalty. It's near impossible not to seal it of when there's no defence to ruck against and hold you up.

This ref for the local derby was an aussie under instruction that if he didn't see the ball 'loose' the moment the tackle was made he'd use the whistle and/ or the cards.

I just wish some of these refs would understand the physics of the game, like how the hell does a 120kg man at full speed running low over a ruck stop over the ball at a crouch.. it's bloody rubbish reffing and it'll turn the world cup into a whistle fest. There has to be a moments grace for the tackled player to make a decision. There has to be controlled lay back to keep momentum and keep the attacking side with the advantage otherwise we may as well just play 7's rugby.

While I'm bitching, I wish the refs would get into the front row and pack a few scrums as well. perhaps then they may appreciate more of the spoiling tactics that get applied. I'm sick of seeing props penalised for collapsing scrum when clearly the tight head isn't binding properly and bringing their opponent down umongst other things.

Ok. I've had my kent Brockman..

Oh please God don't let the English Grand slam and let my beloved Ireland win (if not Grand Slam). We can do it, we will do it. I believe, I believe!!! For once we have got a full squad with decent players in reserve, should we need them. By the way, Scotland for the Calcutta Cup (come on you can do it). I am not anti English in any way but I have (obvious) links to Ireland and tenuous links to Scotland.

Hi Bertho - Round 3 games played this week-end.(and I made some notes this time round)
First up Ireland v France.
Conditions were really bad - waterlogged pitch in places, swirling wind (at one point you could see both linesmen with their flags up and the flags were pointing in opposite directions. Ireland took the lead after two minutes with a drop goal and from then on it was trading penalty kicks, shows how bad the conditions were both teams hit only 4 kicks from 7. France missed a drop at goal (hit the post) and the Final result was a 15-12 win for the Irish.

Scotland v Wales
To say the Scots team won this at a canter would be an understatement - Wales weren't in the game. The final score belies the fact that Scotland were by far the better team.
20-10 at half time, fairly boring second half till Scotland scored a converted try in the last minute - Wales came back in Injury overtime A try in the 86th minute and another timed at 87.52. Final score Scotland 30- Wales 15.

Today was England v Italy (the bookmakers gave odds of 300-1 for an Italy win) despite this being an England 2nd 15 due to injuries.
After 2 minutes - England Try, then again at 10 minutes, again at 15 minutes, at 21 minutes and 28 minutes Score England 33- Italy 0.
From then on it was all ITALY to the end of the half but they failed to put any points on the board. 2nd half started as first had finished, all Italy resulting in a fumbled ball on the England line, followed by a try (a very good one) in the 59th minute. This was followed by even more pressure and it wasn't until the 70th minute that England scored again with a converted try. Final Score 40-5 which only goes to show the dominance of the England defence over a limited attacking force. An amazing fact in this game - there were no Penalty kicks at goal! I can't remember the last time I saw a game when no-one tried a penalty goal, they were all (from both teams - kicks for the corner)

Thanks for the heads up Fosse. Sounds like a corker of a round of rugby. Wet weather can do funny things to a score line. I would have liked to have seen the Ireland and the Scotland game. Are France fading or rebuilding? They seem to be well off their game.

Not much to report from the Super 12 except the Kiwis are just dominating. It's not going to be easy picking an All Black squad for the Tri Nations. So much talent has come through the ranks this year. To afford that luxury! They hold the top 3 spots and the Aukland Blues are looking unstopable. They demolished a very good Crusaders outfit on Saturday easily.

The Aussie sides are looking ordinary in comparison, perhaps NSW are an exception, only losing to the Blues in the first round in a close match. The Reds (boohoo) are just aweful and are playing with flair but have forgotton how to tackle and clean out a breakdown. The Aussies havent blooded enough new talent over the last 5 years and I am nervous. Tri Nations will be very interesting!

Update Todays games

First up - Wales v Ireland
First half was fairly even, entertaing but not that exciting. Wales missed a penalty after 8 minutes (hold that thought) a try and then 2 penalties and a try by Ireland left the half time score at Wales 7 -Ireland 14 (and it was a very close half) Second half Ireland Try in the first minute and then all Ireland for 10 minutes. Wales score a breaskaway try and convert it to brin g the scores to 14-19, Ireland miss a penalty, Wales Try converted 21-19, Ireland penalty 21-22.Wales Miss penalty. Into Injury Time after 2 minutes Wales Drop Goal 24-22 after 3 minutes Ireland drop goal 24-25 after 4 minutes Wales drop goal attempt charged down. Final score Wales 24 -Ireland 25 and in my opinion Wales were robbed of a well deserved win. Ireland were not at their best but didn't really deserve the win on that performance.

Second game up - The Calcutta Cup - England v Scotland.
Lively start - about even - England penalties on 2 and 11 minutes 6 - 0 . Then something I've never seen before in an international Scotland reduced to 14 men (get this Early Tackle - so early that the ball wasn't even in the TV shot, it arrived after both of them got up (lol) Then less than a minute later Scotland reduced to 13 men (exactly the same offence) AND THEN England down to 14 men eXACTLY THE SAME OFFENCE so now we have England 14 men Scotland 13 men and what happens Scotland Penalty 6-3, Scotland penalty 6-6,(Scotland back to full strength) England try 13-6 then we got back to a full match 15 a side. a Scotland Penalty brought the score to 16-9 at Half-Time In the second half within minutes England have a disallowed try (Couldn't see anything wrong with it but ruled knocked on - Scotland scrum on the 5 metre line, a tap tackle on the scrum half as he attempted to kick for touch resulted in the ball going loose and being collected and dumped over the try line for an England Try (justice seen to be done!). 23-9. Penalties took the score to 26 9 then one of the best solo run Try's I've seen for a long while Jason Robinson collected the ball on the Scots 10 metre line and proceeded to run in for a try under the posts I DON'T THINK A SCOTS DEFENDER ACTUALLY TOUCHED HIM on the way. The Scots missed a penalty, Robinson got another try, Jonny Wilkinson hit 7 kicks from 7 and was substituedand a final England Try gave the final score of 40-9. This was a total demolition job in the second half. Calcutta Cup to England.
Tomorrow we have France v Italy I have my button finger ready
Rugby, Cricket and Motor Racing.

Cheers Fosse. Would have liked to have seen the first half of the England/Scotts game. You should remind the lads that if they're gonna be sent off, make it count

England sound like everything is starting to click. I've noticed that with the S12 here. Balls are sticking, match fitness is having a big effect on basic skill levels. I watched the Reds get carted by Aukland on friday night. The Reds are missing tight head, loose head, hooker and a lock positions. Without intensity from these 4 spots they arent a chance. Even the all wallaby back line is snuffed out immediatly. They have no room and no will to contest. A good find is a utility forward called John Rowe. Even on a loosing team he is looking superb and I hope he is awarded a green and gold contract.

ACT posted a solid thrashing of the inform Bulls. They're hitting their straps now and will contest the finals. I like NSW though. Playing with a lot of purpose. Not the most talented team in the comp, but one of the most commited. I'm feeling a bit brighter now with 2 Aussie teams doing well, even if my beloved Reds are failing.

Hi Bertho - saw some of the ACT- Bulls game last night (whilst waiting for the teams to arrive for a quiz I was presenting - think you might be envious (it was for the Leicester Ladies Football Club (soccer that is so (I was surrounded all night by sporty ladies!))
It's going to be very interesting when North meets South. The current trend up here is keep it tight then break whereas it appears down there it's very open rugby.
Last of this weeks six nations games - Italy v France
All over by half time, France dominated and went into half time 31 points up at 10 - 41, 5 try's and a penalty against 1 try and a penalty. Total domination by the French. an early second half try by the French saw the end of the match but I'll give the Italians their due they didn't give up and on the hour mark scored two try's and then a late try for a final result of 27 - 53! So looking forward to next week and the deciders. On this weeks showing I have to be both patriotic and pragmatic and go for an England Grand Slam. Button finger exhausted as the TV replay of the Grand Prix (First showing too early on a Sunday morning for me), The World Cup Cricket Final and the Rugby games all ended within 15 minutes of each other and I was flitting from channel to channel all afternoon(Claiming it was too hot too do the gardening!). PS Congrats OZ great game in the cricket and comisserations to the Indian Team who didn't give up a lost cause - you must have been worried at 25 overs with D/L result looming and India win (which would have made a mockery of the tournament)

Thanks Fosse, the cricket final was a good one and I think the best two teams did make it to the final. it was a shame it didn't go down to the last over but it was still an impressive specticle and the tournament in whole was just great. It was great to see some new teams posting wins and Kenya making the finals perhaps advanced them 10 years in the cricket abilities that comes with confidence.

As for the rara I prefer the tight five tactic and a deep backline that the northern guys have been showing. You can have all the flash backs you want but they arent worth a lick if the opposition pigs don't give an inch and control the ball with rapid phases. It's been the problem with S12 this year. The rugby has been flamboyant, but for every flick out the back type of pass the scrum halves and fly's seem to love doing these days, there has been an equal amount of handling errors so we get this flashy two phase brilliance followed by a scrum. Being a loose head prop I say get rid of the backs and play the game with two sets of forwards. (just not reds forwards)

PS. I will be tipping the reds this week. They are down and need my support.

Bertho , my short playing career was at scrum-half so divided in my loyalties - The big blokes did on the whole protect me long enough to get rid of the ball. If you get the chance to see any of the England Scotland Game then look out for the wicked tap tackle that lets the ball go loose on the Scotland.
Line, pick up and England Try - one of the best Rugby moves
I've seen in a long long time (If you can't see it I'll try to describe it - Scrum on Scotland 5 metre line - Scotland put in - Scotland win the scrum and Scrum half takes the ball and goes to kick for touch - England scrum half catches his kicking foot preventing the kick - ball bounces free - pick up and easy try - you have to see it to beleive it!
Really looking forward to the Rugby World Cup - I think England have a real chance - Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and England for the Semi's. Then it's a matter of chance who draws who!

But we still have the decider next week - England v Ireland both still (just) undefeated and a grand slam for both on offer. I'm not putting any money on it but my guess is England this year. (as it was last year and the year before!)

Callybub , I have lots of Irish friends and IT IS going to be a grand slam match next week - I'm a sports fan rather than a team fan and I just hope it's an entertaining game of rugby, there certainly won't be any lack of commitment from either side.
.(MAY THE BEST TEAM ON THE DAY WIN!)

Final Week-end report -
1st up France v Wales - Wales looking to avoid a whitewash this year.
Wales started well, 4th minute excellant 3/4's try and in the 6th minute a kick and chase try disallaowed for a knock-on over the try line, a missed penalty apiece and on the half hour a French Try and conversion (7-5) a penalty 5 minutes later, a miss by Wales and a drop goal miss by France,Half time score 10 - 5.
Penalty, Try, Penalty (Welsh player sin binned for persitent offending at the maul) the another Try put the game beyond the Welsh . a Final penalty leaving the score 33 - 5.
(One farcical minute in the second half, a foot into touch signalled by the linesman was missed by the Ref. and play continued for a whole minute with him standing there flag up and shouting into his microphone!)
So Wales ended up without a point, but the score line in this game did not reflect the game and credit where it's due they didn't give up and it was an entertaining if not exciting game.

2nd Game this afternoon was Scotland v Italy.
The Italian Team this year achieved their first ever win and where looking to add their first ever Away win in this fixture.
The Italians came out and took the game to the Scots. and a well worked Try in the 3rd minute opened the scoring.Scotland replied with a Penalty, Italy Penalty then on 11 minutes a Scots pushover try. Scores level 8-8 . A scots 3/4's try and Penalty followed by an Italy Try made the scores 16 - 15. The Scots then had a penalty on the stroke of half-time and a quick thinking tap and run resulted in a try. Half time score 23-15. The second half was all Italy, but only gaining them a penalty goal.The Scots didn't get the ball to the Italian 22 until half way through the half and that from a break away from their own half of the field and a chip and chase resulting in a try.After that it was again it was all Italian pressure resulting in a Try on 70 minutes. A long range penalty in the first minute of extra time ended the scoring at 33 - 25. Both teams attacking was far better than their defending unfortunately that last pass went astray far too many times otherwise I think the Italian score would have been nearer 50 than 25.
I've been well impressed by the Italian Team (admitted there's Springboks, Argentinians and Kiwi's in there) they've not been an easy team to play against this year and none of the other sides (despite the score-lines) have beat them into submission.

So with one game left in the series the table is
( p w pts)
1= England 4 4 8
1= Ireland 4 4 8
3. France 5 3 6
4. Scotland 5 2 4
5. Italy 5 1 2
Wales 5 0 0

So all set for the decider tomorrow (Sunday).

Thanks Fosse. Nothing wrong with scrum halves. I've always called them honorary forwards I'll jump in with the Irish camp if you don't mind. They're obviously showing some real grit this season, but no doubt will be underdogs. I like that aspect of Rugby in that a less skilled side can win on the pure physical aspect of the game by throwing the body on the line and playing with passion. Some teams forget how to lose a game, just as some teams forget how to win. Speaking of that...

The Reds. What a fantastic game for them last night. The winless reds squared up against the in-form NSW side. I was thinking that if the Qld side needed motivation and commitment to win a game, this would surely provide it and it did. Forwards from both sides slammed into the rucks 100 miles an hour in the first 20. Plenty of good old fashioned punches, it was great to watch. The Reds made desperate first up tackles - they were a new side with a purpose and pressured NSW with field position provided by a very motived number 15 in Latham who just threw himself at everything and his huge line finders kept NSW on the back foot. Qld got away to a 9-0 lead off the accurate boot of Elton Flatley when a controversial penalty try was awarded to NSW. It was a joke really. A discretion in a line out about 7 meters out, no more than a penalty (if that) but the ref ran it under the post for a gift 7 points. With an earlier penalty scores at 9-10 NSW.

The second half was up and down the field when league convert Wendall Sailor broke the deadlock with a powerful solo try 3/4 the length of the field. NSW hit back soon after. It was a thrilling match. Qld snuck one in after time to spread the score and pick up a bonus point but it was very close and could have gone either way for 80 minutes.

NSW play down the passion aspect of the game where Qld feed from it. It's like that with the interstate league match series every year as well. I think it proves the point that passion in rugby is the difference. I hope the Reds can go on from here. I'm sure they will. Cheers

The Final Game -
Ireland v England, Ireland seeking their first Grand Slam since 1948 , England losing their final game in the last four years to miss a grand slam. The pundits were all prophesying a close hard fought game.
(Aside - The red carpet is layed for the presentations, England take their place on the right of the carpet, then Ireland line up to the right of them (superstition the team lining up on the right wins) so the Irish Team are nowhere near the red carpet !) Presentations and national anthems took nearly 20 minutes and both teams were having a go at the officials for the delay.
Ireland kicked of with a stiff breeze behind them, bright sunshine and perfect playing conditions. A first minute penalty 5 metres into the Irish half and the Irish take a shot at goal just short it goes under the bar (but was on target) at 8 minute an Irish Drop goal to open the scoring. In a repeat of last weeks game at 8 minutes an Irish scrum is disrupted and a breakaway try results for England (Converted of course!)(Wilkinson) Ireland miss an easy in front of the posts penalty on 15 minutes but land one from about 5 metres inside the Ennglish hal on 26 minutes, a Wilkinsn Drop goal at 29, prolonged Irish pressure into the time added on in the first half but no points, and to add insult to injury Wilkinson drops another goal in injury time to leave the scores 6 - 13.
An entertaining first half, neither team appearing to be on top or playing exceptional rugby.
Second Half - There's only one way to describe this - Leicester Tigers in full flow - 59 minutes England Try, classic forward push and 3/4 cross over, 62 minutes England held up on try line, back pass and held again but standing (the forwards pushed him over the line for a try), 70 minutes outrageous drop goal attempt from Wilkinson (10 metres inside his own half!) missed short and wide, 71 minutes Penalty England at about the same spot he tried to drop the goal, scores. Full time (3 minutes to be added!!!) 81 minutes The Irish try to run out of defence - pass intercepted and run in for England Try (as the commentator said he's run the ball as close to the by line and touch line to make it a hard kick he missed - the ball was actually teed up on the touch line at about 25 metres and only just scraped passed the post.
Remember the three minutes added? well at 86 minutes an exquisite Forward push and move and then a quick down the line for another try.
Converted the Final score Ireland 6 - England 42.
This was a half of total 15 man rugby domination by the England squad. The Irish tried all they could but had no answer on the day, in one 5 minute period of play in the second half they had control of the ball, they took it on their own 10 metre line, I lost count of the numbers of rucks where they re-cycled but when they finally lost possesion they'd just crossed the half way line. It seemed as though there were 3 England defenders to each Irish attacker. This was total domination and while the game wasn't an epic it was a classic example of how the game should be played.
One last mention for my home team - If the Irish full back had been playing With his team-mates instead of against them then I think the score may have been even greater he was the one Irish player who did try the something different and made yards and yards of space,pity he didn't have the back up.
Well that's it for this year - ENGLAND GRAND SLAM well deserved!
and on todays performance justifiably WORLD NO1.
PS Bertho - Testing your knowledge of the rules- (The TV Experts were baffled on this one)
On 43 minutes England had a drop goal (WHICH WENT OVER) disallowed because the linesman was flagging a previous infringement - play was taken back to the spot he indicated and Ireland were offered the choice of a Line Out or Scrum. No-one had any idea what the infringement could have been -ANY IDEAS? It must be a line out infringement for the option of another line out to be offered (The commentators finally came up with the line out wasn't taken from the correct position (But surely the linesman marks the position of the line out!) I'm really going to have to get the rule book out and check the current regulations (I'm glad the decision didn't affect the result of the game but it could have!)

No fairytale ending for the Irish. I'm sorry the game wasn't closer but at least it didn't feature the French. England would have to be top 3 pick for the WC! I love the style of rugby they're playing. Jonny Bravo aka Wilkinson is the key. If he stays fit anything can happen. Incidently, has he learnt to use his arms when tackling yet?

As for the lineout ruling I have no idea. I'm a prop so the only rule I know is 'Thou shall no get caught rucking.' As club captain I'm also fortunate that my 14 team mates also know the rules better than the ref.

Seriously, interesting ruling. Any fowl play infringment would have resulted in a penalty, over riding the field goal, bought back to the mark, and the team awarded the penalty would then have the option of scrum, tap, kick for touch or penalty attempt. NOT a lineout. All I can come up with is that England moved back off the mark and spread a larger gap. The ref saw the throw was straight enough (down the pipe) and played on but the linesman deemed it an unfair advantage. We have practiced for this in lineout drills for opposition that continually close the gap but weve never been caught and I don't know what the counter ruling would be.

Thanks for all your lively updates through the series Fosse, very much appreciated. Do you know what tests England have in the WC build up?

Thanks Bertho, England have New Zealand, Australia and USA in June, then Wales and twice against France.
Don't know if you've ever come across this site but it's excellant for stats, news and fixtures.
http://www.planet-rugby.com/
The disallowed drop goal mystery - according to todays newspapers it was disallowed because an England player had put a foot out of touch during the build up. Why the option of a scrum (which could be clearly heard on the ref mike) remains a mystery.