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User20205
Money List Winner
Who would you replace them with Homer?
HomerJSimpson
Hall of Famer
Personally I wouldn't as I don't think the next level down would be any more competitive than Italy.
Foxholer
Blackballed
Close, but I think Mourinho had more than 1 tactic - which he could change if the initial one wasn't working!
Foxholer
Blackballed
Certainly should! For 2 reasons.
1. It's not simply about finding a champion. but developing the game - which has certainly happened in Italy.
2. 6 teams means that the championship is 'even' with no-one getting a bigger break for the last weekend - and potentially several possible winners.
User20205
Money List Winner
Yep there isn’t anyone else. Not sure back to 5 nations would work especially with the new world league. The only replacement may be Georgia. Nobody wants to go to tiblisi in February 😱😱😱
Old Skier
Tour Winner
Yes because Rome is a great place to go and see international rugby.
bladeplayer
Money List Winner
Yes look at Argentinas improvement un world rugby since they joined the tri nations .
Other nations now know they have to b wary of Italy wher as before it was how many point u score ..
GB72
Money List Winner
Italy were unlucky in that they had a decent squad in the build up to the 6 nations entry then lost a numer of good players to retirement and were not the team that they were a couple of years prior. They are, however, building and the 50 point thrashing are not common now. If you ignore teams then they will die out. Remember Romania were a decent side playing test level rugby before they disappeared due to lack of high profile matches. Same could be said for Canada.
The lack of wider development is pretty much down to the greed of the rugby unions. There needs to be spots for the B teams from bigger nations to play developing nations on a regular basis and there needs to be a goal for emergin nations to aim for to take a further step up. This will never happen in the current, overcrowded rugby calendar but the RFU etc will not give up the cash cows that are the autumn internationals. If is not just a northern hemisphere thing either. Look how the southern hemisphere treat the island nations, kept poor and used as a breeding ground for the next group of kiwis or wallabies.
What happens if rugby starts developing at pace in a few other nations, do you then have to expand the existing european tournaments at club level. If so, where to you fit in the extra matches.
The whole rugby calendar needs looking at but the bigger nations have no interest in development or player welfare as that impacts the amount of money that they can bring in at HQ every year which they continue to fritter away (the RFU is one of the richest but is still having to make large scale redundencies).
In contrast, look how many nations are now getting involved in 7s at a high level as there are nowhere near the number of blocks to entry.
The lack of wider development is pretty much down to the greed of the rugby unions. There needs to be spots for the B teams from bigger nations to play developing nations on a regular basis and there needs to be a goal for emergin nations to aim for to take a further step up. This will never happen in the current, overcrowded rugby calendar but the RFU etc will not give up the cash cows that are the autumn internationals. If is not just a northern hemisphere thing either. Look how the southern hemisphere treat the island nations, kept poor and used as a breeding ground for the next group of kiwis or wallabies.
What happens if rugby starts developing at pace in a few other nations, do you then have to expand the existing european tournaments at club level. If so, where to you fit in the extra matches.
The whole rugby calendar needs looking at but the bigger nations have no interest in development or player welfare as that impacts the amount of money that they can bring in at HQ every year which they continue to fritter away (the RFU is one of the richest but is still having to make large scale redundencies).
In contrast, look how many nations are now getting involved in 7s at a high level as there are nowhere near the number of blocks to entry.
Val
Ryder Cup Winner
Still coming to terms with the last 50 minutes of that crazy game on Saturday, I haven't seen anything like it. First team ever to put 6 tries on England at Twickers.
The 6N was all about could/should have's for Scotland. Could/should have beaten Ireland, should have broken through before half time in that multiple phase play and we lost 7 points after O'Mahonys assault on Hoggy. The welsh defensive effort in the second half against us was extraordinary, another could have/should have won game. Crippled by back row and backs injuries but emergenc e of Darcy Graham a massive plus, also step ups from Jamie Ritchie and Magnus Bradbury bode well for the future.
The 6N was all about could/should have's for Scotland. Could/should have beaten Ireland, should have broken through before half time in that multiple phase play and we lost 7 points after O'Mahonys assault on Hoggy. The welsh defensive effort in the second half against us was extraordinary, another could have/should have won game. Crippled by back row and backs injuries but emergenc e of Darcy Graham a massive plus, also step ups from Jamie Ritchie and Magnus Bradbury bode well for the future.
Doon frae Troon
Ryder Cup Winner
Fin Russell played the match with a fractured cheekbone, brave lad.
Val, I recalled you pointed out Graham a while ago.
Good spot.
Rugby 7s and Women's football are the next big things.
Val, I recalled you pointed out Graham a while ago.
Good spot.
Rugby 7s and Women's football are the next big things.
fundy
Ryder Cup Winner
Sarries Sarries Sarries 
Stunning final today to complete the double. Harsh on Exeter Chiefs who were excellent and did everything bar get over the line, but the big players stood up in the last 20 minutes and dragged Sarries to victory
George, Itoje and Vunipola especially were immense at the finish
Stunning final today to complete the double. Harsh on Exeter Chiefs who were excellent and did everything bar get over the line, but the big players stood up in the last 20 minutes and dragged Sarries to victory
George, Itoje and Vunipola especially were immense at the finish
MegaSteve
Tour Winner
Sarries Sarries Sarries
Stunning final today to complete the double. Harsh on Exeter Chiefs who were excellent and did everything bar get over the line, but the big players stood up in the last 20 minutes and dragged Sarries to victory
George, Itoje and Vunipola especially were immense at the finish
I hope Farrell finds his kicking boots for the World Cup...
fundy
Ryder Cup Winner
he'll be fine, not his best kicking day today. plenty of them need some decent rest before they go again thats for sure! the Leinster game and then this one at the end of a long season are so demanding on already tired bodies. Cotton wool job for a lot of them until the WC now, be a while until Sarries see many of them!
Sarries Sarries Sarries
Stunning final today to complete the double. Harsh on Exeter Chiefs who were excellent and did everything bar get over the line, but the big players stood up in the last 20 minutes and dragged Sarries to victory
George, Itoje and Vunipola especially were immense at the finish
The atmosphere was great.
Can’t believe nowell walked off the pitch after the way he landed
fundy
Ryder Cup Winner
looked horrible didnt it, seemed in good spirits albeit on crutches afterwards, real shame as he'd had an excellent game (and an excellent season)
He’s a slippery little bugger and always seems to find a gap to attack
