6 Nations 2020

[Ye Olde Boomer]

At least 15 stone is all that padding they have to wear!

It's essentially the same padding that we wore as 8-year-olds in Pop Warner League...can't weigh that much.

On a more serious note, fewer and fewer parents are allowing their young boys to play youth-football, especially in more progressive Blue states.
My state is contemplating banning the game for kids under fourteen. Things can only progress from there.
[I was quite relieved that my own son was an accomplished baseball player.]
Some locals schools are having trouble fielding a team and dropping the game.

This serves well for the American future of boring-ass association football which currently thrives as a youth activity albeit not as sports entertainment.
Easier on spinal cords and brains (if you don't hit too many headers).

While the professional game will endure as a money-making, colosseum-gladiator-like attraction, all of the players will eventually come from the same few socially-regressive states.

 

[hairball_89]

American footballs are made of cotton wool so the big Jessie’s don’t hurt themselves

Whilst I understand, and assume, this is a largely tongue in cheek comment, it is simply not true and one of the most ridiculous of the criticisms the sport faces in this country and one trotted out time and time again by those who don't understand it at all. Fabulous sport, wonderful to watch... Just not so much if you're a Washington fan, as I am!

Back to the rugby, I actually really enjoyed the game and at 3-3 couldn't remember a low scoring game I'd enjoyed as much at all. England's kicking game was simply stupid. Heinz showed himself up as a distinctly average non-thinking no9 constantly kicking out on the full and not adjusting at all. Were they brilliant? No, not at all - big areas to improve on across the pitch. I'm not sure France and then Scotland away are the games to blood a new full back and 2 squads in a row without a recognised no8 aren't brilliant signs. But tbh, any England win at Murrayfield will do!

 

[Dando]

Whilst I understand, and assume, this is a largely tongue in cheek comment, it is simply not true and one of the most ridiculous of the criticisms the sport faces in this country and one trotted out time and time again by those who don't understand it at all. Fabulous sport, wonderful to watch... Just not so much if you're a Washington fan, as I am!

Back to the rugby, I actually really enjoyed the game and at 3-3 couldn't remember a low scoring game I'd enjoyed as much at all. England's kicking game was simply stupid. Heinz showed himself up as a distinctly average non-thinking no9 constantly kicking out on the full and not adjusting at all. Were they brilliant? No, not at all - big areas to improve on across the pitch. I'm not sure France and then Scotland away are the games to blood a new full back and 2 squads in a row without a recognised no8 aren't brilliant signs. But tbh, any England win at Murrayfield will do!

not sure I’d call it a wonderful sport to watch unless you have a weak bladder then the stops in play every 5 seconds are useful.

 

[Leftie]

I would imagine, without knowing for sure, that rugby balls at one time must have been leather with an internal inflatable bladder and laces on the outside.

Correct, and when wet they doubled in weight. Trying to kick a conversion (Field goal to you) could seriously damage one's knee and foot.

Footballs (soccer) were the same and heading those was not a good idea.

 

[Val]

Nice that the Scots ignore “respect The kicker”

Let he who is without sin and all that

 

[Deleted member 1147]

Let he who is without sin and all that

<Throws stone>
?
?

 

[Ye Olde Boomer]

Correct, and when wet they doubled in weight. Trying to kick a conversion (Field goal to you) could seriously damage one's knee and foot.

Footballs (soccer) were the same and heading those was not a good idea.

Interesting. We (American football) still use the old technology.
I would suspect that a smaller, pointier rugby-style-constructed ball would work well for our game too.
I suppose we didn't absolutely have to change is because the ball is indeed smaller, and with more natural stoppages in play, new balls are regularly substituted in foul weather.
This is fine for the highly prosperous NFL, but for amateur teams, not so practical when the balls cost roughly a hundred bucks apiece.

 

[Val]

<Throws stone>
?
?

https://www.facebook.com/1237041632977916/posts/3250755454939847

??

 

[Doon frae Troon]

All a bit quiet on the 6 nations this year.
Seems like a walk in the park for the French now with the four home nations not playing at their best.

 

[GB72]

All a bit quiet on the 6 nations this year.
Seems like a walk in the park for the French now with the four home nations not playing at their best.

In all honesty, the schedule has meant that I have not really got into the 6 Nations as much as I would normally. 2 Sunday matches out of the first 3 has meant that I cannot follow my usual routines and traditions and as such it has felt a bit flat. Add to that a final match against Italy meaning that the tournament for England as far as being a spectacle ends in 2 weeks and the tournament has not been the same to me this year. Really cannot see anyone beating the French in any event, especially as they play Ireland in Paris in the last match. May have been a chance if it was in Ireland. Edwards has added some grit and organisation to the team whilst Wales and Ireland have taken steps backwards this year as new coaches and players bed in. Aside from the first half against Ireland, England are not showing the form that they showed in parts of the World Cup and some of Eddie Jones' selections still confuse.

Still, even a bad 6 Nations is better than most other tournaments in sport

 

[MegaSteve]

All a bit quiet on the 6 nations this year.
Seems like a walk in the park for the French now with the four home nations not playing at their best.

The oval ball really only matters in the valleys...
Where, even there, [after Saturday] I suspect it's gone quiet...

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

In all honesty, the schedule has meant that I have not really got into the 6 Nations as much as I would normally. 2 Sunday matches out of the first 3 has meant that I cannot follow my usual routines and traditions and as such it has felt a bit flat. Add to that a final match against Italy meaning that the tournament for England as far as being a spectacle ends in 2 weeks and the tournament has not been the same to me this year. Really cannot see anyone beating the French in any event, especially as they play Ireland in Paris in the last match. May have been a chance if it was in Ireland. Edwards has added some grit and organisation to the team whilst Wales and Ireland have taken steps backwards this year as new coaches and players bed in. Aside from the first half against Ireland, England are not showing the form that they showed in parts of the World Cup and some of Eddie Jones' selections still confuse.

Still, even a bad 6 Nations is better than most other tournaments in sport

Not really getting that into it myself - usual watching from behind the sofa stuff for me on Saturday with Scotland - and I can't be bothered with the stupid 'look at me' garb and headwear of too many Welsh supporters in particular. Is it me or is it that the female of the sexes who are the primary offenders on this front (though blokes also seem to suffer from the same malaise)- maybe they don't really get what they are watching (like a lot of blokes) and instead decide to go along for the craic and wear stupid gear for the best selfie photos and TV opportunities ...(and yes - I know that sounds a bit sexist but it is only an observation).

In any case. Male or female equally at fault and it irritates the bejeezus out of me...spoils my watching pleasure...(grump over)

 

[USER1999]

I thought England played ok, but the score line was a bit flattering, as without 2 lucky bounces they might not have scored much.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Not really getting that into it myself - usual watching from behind the sofa stuff for me on Saturday with Scotland - and I can't be bothered with the stupid 'look at me' garb and headwear of too many Welsh supporters in particular. Is it me or is it that the female of the sexes who are the primary offenders on this front (though blokes also seem to suffer from the same malaise)- maybe they don't really get what they are watching (like a lot of blokes) and instead decide to go along for the craic and wear stupid gear for the best selfie photos and TV opportunities ...(and yes - I know that sounds a bit sexist but it is only an observation).

In any case. Male or female equally at fault and it irritates the bejeezus out of me...spoils my watching pleasure...(grump over)

The low voice Eddie Butler monologues really peeve me off.
Utter USA imported rubbish

 

[Imurg]

Is it me or is there much more backchat to the ref these days..?
Farrell, Bigger, Hogg and many others are always giving the ref an earbashing.
In my day that would have been a 10 yard penalty...
I know the Captain can ask reasons but didn't think they could argue...

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Is it me or is there much more backchat to the ref these days..?
Farrell, Bigger, Hogg and many others are always giving the ref an earbashing.
In my day that would have been a 10 yard penalty...
I know the Captain can ask reasons but didn't think they could argue...

Good point - I can't recall seeing any dissent 10yd penalties this last weekend? Maybe I wasn't paying attention.

 

[GB72]

Is it me or is there much more backchat to the ref these days..?
Farrell, Bigger, Hogg and many others are always giving the ref an earbashing.
In my day that would have been a 10 yard penalty...
I know the Captain can ask reasons but didn't think they could argue...

Agree, Farrell was like a petulant child. Held on to a leg in the ruck to try and draw a penalty from the player trying to push him off and was not happy when the ref told him he started it and got what he deserved.

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Harder to get excited about this tournament as it comes so soon after a very good World Cup. After the Lord Mayors show etc

 

[Deleted member 15344]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1233892898799837185

Thought it worked well across BBC and ITV - would be a shame to see it go to Sky

 

[sussexhacker]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1233892898799837185

Thought it worked well across BBC and ITV - would be a shame to see it go to Sky

Embarrassingly this is how all sport will be eventually

The likes of itv and bbc can’t keep up with the ridiculously rising costs of live sport broadcasting

Cricket was my first love before golf and that’s gone downhill since sky took over (not the actual broadcast they do a very good job of it)

There’s really not a lot of major sports events on free to air tv these days