Ireland just about shaded the weekend, though Wales' first half performance was probably the best 40 minutes. France were a close third. The other three were way back. England just about edged out Scotland for fourth. Italy came in last. The best game was Ireland/France - by a long way. After Scotland's terrific performance against S Africa in the autumn, I was not confident of victory in Edinburgh. But Wales were terrific for an hour. And since our game against Ireland is in Cardiff, today's performance was enough to make us favorites for the Six Nations Championship, and the Triple Crown. Too soon to talk 'Grand Slam' yet. What did we learn this first weekend.
The Twickenham game demonstrated that no team can play without a scrum half. In the second half, Italy looked a match for England, even with their fifth choice scrum half. Most surprising aspect of the game was the domination of Andrew Sheridan by the Italian prop, who's just returned from injury. England were woeful. I cannot understand why a collection of such strong talented players can produce such a c*** performance.
The Ireland/France game at Croke Park was just fantastic. Pace, power and skill all over the field. Ireland were on fire, and had to be to beat France yesterday. The Lions captain is going to be an Irishman - but I'm not sure which. O'Driscoll was back to best.
Wales played like champions for an hour. The pack were awesome. Pushing the Scots off the try line, on their put-in was the best moment of the match for me. Lee Byrne is easily the best full back in the world. I can see Jamie Roberts and O'Driscoll pairing up as Lions centres. Lets hope Ryan Jones is back next week. Despite all the above, every Welshman will be nervous about next weekend. However well we played today, and however badly the Old Enemy played yesterday, next week's showdown is going to be the big one. I'm feeling tense already.
10 comments:
I think we can all just about endure the word 'crap' being published in a blog without being censored. If you're going to write it, at least write it properly and don't treat your readers like children.
Wales let things slip a bit today (a lot actually!) in the last 30 mins, which may in fact be a good thing, if they'd hammered the Scots out of sight they may have got complacent next week - and we don't want that!!
Pretty fair summation of the matches - and also your feelings for next week. I will be watching the match at a friend's house up in a valley farm near Bridgend drinking nice Rioja from the Wine Society.
It could be a Valentine's Day massacre ...
But who of?
Anon - Sorry but if I ever use a word like c***, or make a comment with sexual innuendo, the BBC in Wales would be down on me like a lorryload of bricks. They reported me to the Shadow Secretary of State's Office once. And 'Spin Doctor' in the Wales on Sunday would start going on about the water in Montgomeryshire.
JPT - I can't imagine going into a game against England burdened with complacency.
Unixman - And I'll be at home preparing for a celebratory dinner at home. Lets hope the result gets the night off to a good start.
Glyn .. rather like the ambiguities of the Oracle at Delphi ("there will be a great victory") I forgot to mention who I supported!
Born & bred in Oswestry with a mother from a well known Welsh family, Welsh university (Aberystwyth) I still am an England supporter !!
Unixman - What terrible thing happened to you to make you the person you have become?
No one objects to Wellington boot or Macintosh but it seems to honour the inventiveness of that great Victorian Mr Crapper is beyond the pale for some.
A lady, Glyn, a lady ...
Pierre - I understand that Thomas Crapper did not invent the toilet, but did much to popularise it. However he did invent the Ballcock.
Unixman - And will be treated with appropriate coutesy in future
http://redemptionsson.blogspot.com/2009/02/wales-v-ireland-wolfe-tones-are.html
Any interest to you?
I think the Wales v Ireland game is going to be one hell of a game based on the weekends clashes!
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