come on shire

That's a strong team. Hogg has passed the HIA after the Wales game to be fit. Harsh on Luke Crosbie however perhaps Hamish Watson's experience gives him the nod as we're away to the No2 side in the world who won the grand slam last season. I'm surprised that there's no place for Luke Crosbie or George Horne but it show's the talent and the competition that's there now. Having said that, it'll be a tough ask in Paris.

The game's in Cardiff and the Wales team have reached a settlement. However their training and prep has been affected. It's the game between the 2 new head coaches but England's issues is just getting the national team playing better. With Wales the issue is down at the grassroots with an ageing squad.

He had a lot of success at Crusaders but he was an assistant to Scott Robertson. In his own right he's not won silverware but credit's due as he was head coach of Tasman in the NZ domestic league. 2 finals in a row then SF in his 3rd year. All 3 times losing to Canterbury who feed the traditionally successful Crusaders so he must have impressed Robertson to get onto his coaching team. "If you can't beat them, join them". Poor in his first season with the Blues in 2019 Super Rugby. Then Covid got in the way. However in the 2022 he got them to the final. Lost to Crusaders.

I wonder if the Wales players will really strike? Their game's in the doldrums ATM...

Yes. However I stand corrected. I thought it was Price. I'm in the West stand so I was at the other end of the ground. I'll take that win with a weakened side and poor weather though there may be disappointment that we gave them a losing bonus point. It's maybe not a great sign for Irish rugby that the Ireland squad is mainly Leinster players in green shirts and Ulster were able to field such depth during the 6N. Ulster and Munster seem to be well behind Leinster.

I'm at the game so I'm quiet on this tonight obviously but I must pop on to ask: What was Ali Price trying with that kick there?

Very strong Ulster team. The 6 Nations is on but Ireland is approx 80% Leinster players I'd reckon so Ulster have the big guns.

Strong team considering the 6 Nations is on. However a bit light up front maybe but a quality back line and great to see Cummings back.

Dan Biggar getting stick for blowing up at Rio Dyer in the 1st half for giving him a poor passe. However am I alone in thinking it wasn't the best of pass catches from Biggar himself?

Lots of Wales fans stay around the central belt and elsewhere when Wales play at Murrayfield. I thought it's because Edinburgh was too expensive but a lot of the time it's Welsh clubs who play Scottish clubs on the Friday. In my local area Grangemouth beat Llandbyie and New Maesteg beat Falkirk. Any other games where the regular posters live?

I'm still nervous about Italy coming to Murrayfield. If the ref that day doesn't penalise them off the park and Capuozzo is on form... Still, we SHOULD be ok... However I could see Italy beating Wales in Rome this year.

We're doing our best to let Wales back into the game here.

"Have a go lads". Jeezo...

DuPont's last ditch tackle was poetry. However I'm getting the impression France are trying to push the self destruct button.

Penaud took out Sexton there. Commentators shouting about it.

That was tight but I'm just on the ref's side here.

How does James Lowe do that?

Am I the only person who saw a hint of a forward pass for Ireland's try?

The Wales team for Saturday.

Strong team. The only change is Nel on the bench with Fagerson starting. I thought it would be the other way about as Zander's just back from long term injury and Nel has credit in the bank after Twickenham. However Nel is mid 30's...

Rugby is the 2nd sport in Scotland which wouldn't be an issue but we're not a big country so we need to be open to our national players wanting to play outside Scotland or the URC. Other countries probably choose to have an internal selection as it makes it easier for coaches to keep track of players form and injury. Also, they'll have sway in managing game time ahead of international games. NZ could probably afford to select overseas players as rugby competes with cricket to be the first sport there...

It'll be tricky. However if we keep Capuozzo quiet we should be ok at home. I subscribe to Rugby World magazine. They're regular contributors and Jones has his own column. What's annoyed me in the media is what an improving England got wrong. Not much about what Scotland did right apart from Tom English's BBC piece...

Ange Capuozzo scored a fine try against France. I don't mean to be away with the fairies but I'm a bit nervous for the Italy game at Murrayfield on the final weekend.

What's pleasing is we went toe to toe with them all game long. Attack was on point. Townsend wasn't happy with aspects of the performance. Discipline and defence in the 1st half was the concern for me. However we still produced a huge team effort to win at a tough away venue which is the main thing. I noticed that England played with an aggressive attack close to our defence line. That shows Steve Borthwick's tactics as being far less conservative than Eddie Jones. It'll be hopeless if we don't back this up next weekend. Wales's issues are deeper than just their national team. However they looked like an ageing team with poor organisation. AWJ looks finished imo. We have to be merciless next weekend.

In the 6N squad but Toony said it's a form issue. However he started for Glasgow last weekend so he's getting back there.