RBS 6 Nations 2017

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/scotla...r-slams-trump-style-jones-171615778--spt.html

Scotland's rugby great Telfer slams Trump-style Jones

London (AFP) - Scotland rugby union great Jim Telfer has blasted England coach Eddie Jones for acting the "big man" in a manner similar to that of US President Donald Trump.

Ahead of this weekend's start of the Six Nations Championship, former international back-row Telfer was also witheringly critical of England fans.

Telfer also dismissed England's headquarters ground in the southwest London suburb of Twickenham -- where Scotland have not won since 1983 -- as a "concrete jungle", saying an afternoon there strengthened the case for Scottish independence.

"Eddie Jones doesn't want to beat teams, he wants to demolish them, which I find a bit disappointing," Telfer told BBC Sport as he gave his view on the Australian's approach on Monday.

"To me he's building his whole team on set-piece and the building of the attack comes secondary," Telfer, Scotland's coach when they last won the Championship in 1999, added.

"Having coached Australia and Japan you would have thought the opposite would be the case," insisted the former British and Irish Lions assistant coach.

"The way he speaks, it's a bit like Donald Trump. He wants to be the big man, you know?

"His (Jones's) goal is to win the World Cup in 2019 and so far it's gone well, but I think he could be a little more circumspect, show a bit more respect for the opposition.

"He doesn't seem to show much respect and it could come back to bite him."

Continued
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https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2017/jan/31/england-ireland-scotland-six-nations-preview

Six Nations predictions: back Scotland if you’re brave but Ireland are in box seat

Ireland are the favourites to win the 2017 tournament but face competition from England, with Scotland an outside bet

Who will win the title?

Robert Kitson Ireland. Hard to see them folding at home to England on the final weekend with a potential title and Lions tour berths up for grabs.

Paul Rees Ireland have home advantage over injury-hit England and travel to Cardiff where they have lost only three times since 1983 and they were the most impressive European side in the autumn.

Andy Bull Ireland. They improved hugely in the autumn, and all those injuries mean England surely aren’t going to be quite as strong as they were in 2015.

Michael Aylwin Scotland. A long shot, and we’ve been excited about Scotland before. Then disappointed. Again. But confidence is high. England and Ireland also contenders, obviously.

Gerard Meagher England. They comfortably boast the greatest strength in depth and are still improving under Eddie Jones. And if all else fails, Owen Farrell’s goal-kicking will not.
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http://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-un...es-scotland-timely-six-nations-fitness-boost/

Huw Jones gives Scotland timely Six Nations fitness boost

Huw Jones, the Scotland outside centre who made a huge impression in the autumn by scoring two tries against Australia on his Murrayfield debut, has recovered from injury and is likely to face Ireland on Saturday.

The coaches have yet to decide, however, whether fellow centre Duncan Taylor is fit enough to be considered.

“Huw is ready to play,” said Scotland assistant coach Jason O’Halloran. “Huw has brought us pace, great footwork, he can grubber kick and he can distribute either way – he’s got one of the most rounded skill-sets I’ve seen.”
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Remarkable player, young and talented leaving much more room to improve at his game. A player WP was inadequate to nurture.
 
A reminder that it is the start to the RBS 6 Nations 2017 cup this weekend. Schedule and MyGaming SuperBru links in the 1st post.
 
Looking forward to it. England/France ought to be a great game!
 
http://www.express.co.uk/sport/rugb...s-Conor-Murray-a-message-ahead-of-Six-Nations

Greig Laidlaw sends Conor Murray a message ahead of Six Nations clash

SCOTLAND captain Greig Laidlaw has warned Conor Murray he will be targeted again when he runs out at Murrayfield on Saturday.

The Ireland scrum-half was critical of Glasgow’s tactics when he last played in Scotland for Munster a fortnight ago, accusing the Scots of deliberately trying to injure him by aiming for his standing leg as he launched his trademark box-kicks.

Laidlaw, his opposite number this weekend, denied any underhand intent from his countrymen but has told Murray to expect more close attention in the Six Nations opener.

“Will we be putting pressure on him? For sure. He’s not going to get an armchair ride,” said Laidlaw.

“Glasgow got a charge-down on him but they were trying to get the ball back – they weren’t trying to deliberately injure the player.

“As a No9 you are always going to get teams putting pressure on you. We need to do that to every Irish player but we can expect the same back.”

The responsibility on Murray’s shoulders increased yesterday when Ireland ruled out half-back partner Johnny Sexton after he failed to recover from a calf strain.
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http://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-un...ame-team-face-france-six-nations-opener-live/

England name team to face France in Six Nations opener - Maro Itoje and Elliot Daly start

England XV: M Brown (Harlequins); J May (Gloucester), J Joseph (Bath), O Farrell (Saracens), E Daly (Wasps); G Ford (Bath), B Youngs (Leicester); J Marler (Harlequins), D Hartley (Northampton, capt), D Cole (Leicester), J Launchbury (Wasps), C Lawes (Northampton), M Itoje (Saracens), T Wood (Northampton), N Hughes (Wasps).

Replacements: J George (Saracens), M Mullan (Wasps), K Sinckler (Harlequins), T Harrison (Northampton), J Haskell (Wasps), D Care (Harlequins), B Te'o (Worcester), J Nowell (Exeter).
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http://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/38841642

Scotland team to face Ireland: Stuart Hogg, Sean Maitland, Huw Jones, Alex Dunbar, Tommy Seymour, Finn Russell, Greig Laidlaw (capt), Allan Dell, Fraser Brown, Zander Fagerson, Richie Gray, Jonny Gray, Ryan Wilson, Hamish Watson, Josh Strauss.

Replacements: Ross Ford, Gordon Reid, Simon Berghan, Tim Swinson, John Barclay, Ali Price, Duncan Weir, Mark Bennett.
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French team to face England. Glad to see Serin starting. Think he's an exciting player who is going to be a nuisance around the fringes on Saturday. Itoje better not pull a du Toit at flank or he's going to be in for a long afternoon

15-Scott Spedding, 14-Noa Nakaitaci, 13-Remi Lamerat, 12-Gael Fickou, 11-Virimi Vakatawa, 10-Camille Lopez, 9-Baptiste Serin, 8-Louis Picamoles, 7-Kevin Gourdon, 6-Damien Chouly, 5-Yoann Maestri, 4-Sebastien Vahaamahina, 3-Uini Atonio, 2-Guilhem Guirado (captain), 1-Cyril Baille.

Replacements: 16-Clement Maynadier, 17-Rabah Slimani, 18-Xavier Chiocci, 19-Arthur Iturria, 20-Loann Goujon, 21-Maxime Machenaud, 22-Jean Marc Doussain, 23-Yoann Huget
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Ooft, what a half. Scotland look like scoring every time they get into the Ireland half while Ireland are making heavy work of it. Great defence though form the Scots.

21-8 to Scotland but still anyones game if you ask me. Scotland making a lot of tackles but can they keep up this defence?
 
I'm surprised Scotland saw out that second half, but what a game. If Ireland played the first half like they did the second then it would have been a 20 point game. But well done Scotland. A great victory.
 
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