The Rugby Thread

**Tacitus** · 02-05-2017, 03:16 PM

Same shit, different day. All I want is 80 minutes of focus, discipline, and effort. Not 40, not 50, not 60. EIGHTY.

O'Shea better give them the hairdryer treatment.

**Tooting Carmen** · 02-06-2017, 08:08 PM

Originally Posted by Tacitus

Same shit, different day. All I want is 80 minutes of focus, discipline, and effort. Not 40, not 50, not 60. EIGHTY.

O'Shea better give them the hairdryer treatment.

The Italians defended very well in the first half against mounting Welsh pressure, and they took that one try excellently. However, I think the game's turning point was Warburton's massive turnover just before half-time. From then on the Welsh pulled away.

**Graham** · 02-09-2017, 08:44 PM

The first time since childhood that I have more confidence in a Scotland side. Glasgow Warriors having a good effect on the national side.

**Tooting Carmen** · 02-09-2017, 08:45 PM

Originally Posted by Graham

The first time since childhood that I have more confidence in a Scotland side. Glasgow Warriors having a good effect on the national side.

Very true. It is a turnaround for sure.

**Tooting Carmen** · 02-11-2017, 01:58 PM

Italy 3-21 Ireland with just half an hour gone!

**Tooting Carmen** · 02-11-2017, 01:59 PM

Penalty try to Italy!

**Tooting Carmen** · 02-11-2017, 02:11 PM

10-28 HT. First-ever bonus point try in the Six Nations!

**Tooting Carmen** · 02-11-2017, 03:13 PM

Italy 10-63 Ireland! What a farce.

**Tacitus** · 02-11-2017, 03:19 PM

Originally Posted by Tooting Carmen

Italy 10-63 Ireland! What a farce.

And yet the U20s yesterday only lost by a point to the Irish.

I, and other Italian rugby fans, need to remind ourselves that this is a long-term project for O'Shea and there will be more moments like this. If Italy were a Premier League team, they'd be the definition of a yo-yo club – too good for the teams below them, but not quite up for it against the big sides.

**Tooting Carmen** · 02-11-2017, 03:23 PM

Originally Posted by Tacitus

And yet the U20s yesterday only lost by a point to the Irish.

I, and other Italian rugby fans, need to remind ourselves that this is a long-term project for O'Shea and there will be more moments like this. If Italy were a Premier League team, they'd be the definition of a yo-yo club – too good for the teams below them, but not quite up for it against the big sides.

I think Georgia, Japan, Fiji and Samoa could rival or even surpass Italy's performances were they theoretically in the 6N.