Rugby Six Nations

Really bad decision from Ireland to not kick to the corner and instead kick a penalty goal. ( minutes to go and 6 points behind, they may well have taken the game.

Wales were less dire than last week, but they still weren't great.

Still and all, as you said, a good days rugby.

I may even go and watch the England match down the pub tomorrow.

Well Wales v France on Friday evening was a great match. Can't complain about the result, it was fair, but I really enjoyed the game. There is a French Rugby Club out here, so even though they outnumber us terribly, their supporters are proper rugby lovers and great fun to watch a match with.

Italy v. Scotland was also a great match. I do not subscribe to the view that Italy should be replaced, I think their attitude alone should be sufficient to keep them in there, and on Saturday they played some great rugby. The Irish Deputy PM, Leo Varadkar, had shown up to watch the England v. Ireland match, it was unfortunate that he decided to came over and introduce himself 2 seconds before Italy scored their hard fought for try, so I missed it. [doh]. Really nice bloke actually, though I don't know how he got to be both Irish PM and Deputy PM given that he looks about 19 - he's actually early 40s, which whilst still young perhaps means I am getting very old. One of the most pleasant politicians I've met in a long while.

England v. Ireland was a disappointment actually. The early red card was excessive, the referee was a pain, and the rugby was grinding uninspiring stuff mostly.

Really looking forward to next Saturday, both Ireland/Scotland and France/England should be good matches, and at least Wales/Italy shouldn't be too stressful - though the way the Welsh are playing this year, who knows.

Certainly the French in the second half were not the force they have been in previous games this year. I think Wales changed the style of rugby they were playing, certainly in the first half, and a lot of France's difficulties came from trying to change theirs to combat that. It would seem they are comfortable playing in one way. In the end Wales lost because their attack simply wasn't sharp enough.

England could beat France, if they take a similar tactical approach and don't simply run at them. Ireland/Scotland should be a good game, but I'd be surprised if Scotland won it.

The ignominy of it all. I've been asked to help out hosting the Scottish Rugby team in Chile.

Don't mind that, in fact I'll quite enjoy it.

But I've been offered a Scotland shirt as a gift. That's the mortifying bit.

I guess I just have to hope the family don't find out.

…or, in Scotland, indistinguishable from it.

Isn’t the blue of the Scotland shirt the same tone of blue as Humph’s bruises?!

Always thought that their away kit should be in Irn Bru orange….