England have a four point points difference advantage over Ireland; they've got France and we've got Scotland. Are you seriously ruling Ireland out of this?!

I do like the way the England BBC has not given Scotland a mention since the end of the match, even though they played well.

Not an interview, pictures or comment on Scotland.

Well it certainly sets up an exciting last weekend anyway. I think England have probably done enough but you'd never know with Wales they can completely throw caution to the wind, if they win by 40+ it gets very interesting

Ireland never have it easy in Murrayfield always a tough hunting ground for us

He did say 'think'

England are probably justified favourites, and it helps them playing last

My point was that the post I quoted ONLY considered Wales scoring highly against Italy as standing in the way of an England win.

I'd say it was decent.Whilst you've decided England let Scotland off with 30points, how about considering the chances the Scots couldn't finish off in the first half.

Some supporters seem to think line breaks or ignored overlaps are 'butchering of guaranteed scores'. There are far more variables to consider within a game i.e. speed of defence,knock ons and forward passes which can all still occur.

I think he's Welsh though, so probably speaking from his own country's perspective more than anything

I actually think Scotland away (especially for Ireland who never have it easy in Edinburgh) is potentially tougher than France at home, though there isn't much in it. Over the years England have always been far more comfortable in Twickenham v France than we have in Scotland

I would expect both Irl and Eng to win, but it just helps England a lot knowing exactly how much they'll need

Ideally they'd be played simultaneously but obviously it wouldn't work with tv

It's very interesting though. Wales win by 40+ (far from impossible) and it's far more interesting. Even 30+

If England themselves see that as decent I'd worry about them heading into RWC

They've really had a poor tournament. They're probably going to win it but they've been so inconsistent it's not even funny. Very limited team still. They have a ridiculous amount of work to do

The defeat in Dublin could've had a destructive effect on their psyche for the rest of the tournament.Bouncing back in any winning way is a positive after losing such a key game.

They are also putting in a run of wins at Twickenham now, making it a fortress with home advantage at the World Cup is huge.

In 2004 they hadn't lost at Twickenham in over 2 years!

Seriously if you can't beat Italy followed by Scotland there is something very wrong

they were beaten by a couple of points by a very good Irish side, not absolutely demolished losing all their players in the process or something!! Think you're very much overestimating that win today, Lanacster will rightfully be furious after it

Indeed

It's anything but a fortress now! Lost two very key matches in it in the Autumn. They're the key matches and tests, not ones against (with respect) lower opposition like Italy and Scotland

And they do have every right to worry. Wales are now playing with huge confidence again, and Australia will be dangerous. The group stage alone is far from a formality

Contrasting 2 games. Wales and Ireland showing how to retain possession and defend. England unable to do the basics at times, fortunately playing Scotland, it didn't matter whereas against top teams...
What is it with the scrum? A very rare free kick for a crooked feed, yet many of them are 30-45 degree ones - try that at the line out.
Do any refs know how to ref a scrum? There seemed a lot of scrums that went down in both matches but there was no consequence. England were dominant in the first 2 or 3 but then Marler decides to push illegally?? I don't see that. And what happened at the end of the Wales Ireland game? Looked like a collapsed maul v Wales then a penalty for offside - but how was offside and how?
Of course this can't be reviewed as we have to listen to Inverdale wet himself in anticipation of England scoring 50 points.

Much as I would like England to win I don't think they deserve it. They lost to Ireland because they were poor, Ireland wernt playing good.

The game rarely plays out on the reputation of teams beforehand.Unless you're New Zealand who win the majority of their fixtures.


It's been good to see England and Ireland knocked off the rails over the last two weekends.I'd read countless opinions saying they were a cut above the rest in the tournament.Ireland deserve great credit for their 10 win streak but the majority of those victories were at home. Not the advantage they'll have in Edinburgh next weekend or at the World Cup.

England still seem to blow hot and cold under Lancaster.They can vary their style against different opposition but lack the clinical edge when it counts during 6nations tournaments.

Could say that about Ireland against England last year.

Ireland did play well though, it's all well and good one team not being at the races, the other team still has to capitalise on it.

First choice Wales props Gethin Jenkins and Samson Lee definitely out of the Italy match.The home side will have decent momentum going into that one if they can beat France tomorrow.Would be quite a fillip if they win tomorrow and next week as it would see Italy win three out of five games for the first time in the Six Nations.

Wales defence was outstanding. I think at one point they resisted 30 odd phases in and around the 22. I was wondering if Ireland's emphasis on kick and gather and mauls has lost them the ability to move the ball in hand in more open play.

Wales know what they have to do, it'll be interesting to see can they beat them by over 30. That's the minimum requirement really. They'll have to decline any 3 points surely and just try and run in try after try. Should be fascinating to watch, quite like England in Rome last year

Has there ever been a more exciting finish to the 6n?

Cannot wait for next week. I actually think each team has a very live chance. It could honestly go to any of them

I really wish they wouldn't keep interspersing the tournament with two weekends of no action. It drags it out and spoils it, I'd like to see it over 5 consecutive weeks.

Ireland weren't a very good side, it was England that were very poor. It didn't help the referee giving Ireland a penalty every 5 minutes either.

France will probably let the English down again in the last week, like they did last year letting a poor Irish team win in Paris just to spite us.

Funny that because I seem to remember France scoring an illegal try last year and they were pretty disappointed that the try at the end wasn't (rightly) allowed. Doesn't sound like letting them win to me.

Um interesting debating going on here.

I'll side step all that and congratulate England on the win and Scotland on the performance. The match wasn't easy or a walkover. England blew some easy chances, but Scotland had their chances too.

Sounds like the Wales v Ireland game was good one, sadly I only saw first 25 minutes as I had to head off for England match.

Next week will be interesting in a weird way. Will we see three different table toppers or can Wales or Ireland run up a big score?

Can't wait.