I like Guscott. My mate thinks he used to be biased against Wales then improved as a pundit but can't say I ever noticed, really. Then, I used to dislike Brian Moore, but now think he's very good. Must be mellowing in my old age!

Inverdale is a biased t*t, though.

Yes, which is why I don't understand michael_vaughan's earlier comment.

Which was that?

Parisse was phenomenal, even by his standards in a couple of games, the Irish back row have been too. Billy V was probably the least effective of the English back row, although today was excellent.

I think the full backs of every team have been outstanding. No idea what would happen if you had to pick a Lions squad and have Halfpenny, Kearney, Brown and Hogg to choose from. Then add to that, Wales improved when Halfpenny went off too.

This has been one of the major criticisms of modern rugby. Teams playing too cautiously and conservatively and to a rigid system, meaning far fewer tries.

One good thing about there being no Grand Slam winner is that England, Ireland and Wales can head into the RWC with the pressure off and with no heightened expectations.....it's great that they're all be talked about as contenders, with none of them being singled out for extra attention.

You're right! How good was Billy V today tho!!

Kearney would miss out tbh

Yep, Ireland enter the RWC as 6 nations winners but in reality expectation is on England and Wales beating us means people will think we of course are very beatable.. Don't think any of the Southern Hemisphere big boys will fancy playing us - Australia and South Africa lost in November to us and Ireland should have beat New Zealand in Dublin the last time we played.

This RWC is basically a home WC for England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales - it will be a great spectacle.

There would be maybe one or two changes in the forwards. Nakaitaci was pretty handy and Antonio off the bench is scary.
I have a strong suspicion that if a Welsh prop had scored the try Debaty did, then the view would have been rather different.

Finally home from Twickers.

First thing first, well done Ireland. They did what they had to do and the effort put in by Wales before actually was a good thing, as it forced Ireland to keep on the front foot.

Some of England's decision making was terrible to today, chief among them the endless kicking. We did very well to get the tries we did, but man oh man were we poor defensively. Considering everyone in the know wrote off this French this as the 'worst ever' it's a credit to them that they took the game to England.

Not sure where this leaves NH teams heading into the World Cup as you can make a case for all the teams, which the exception of Italy.

It's going to be an interesting six months.

Halfpenny seems to get a lot of knocks to the head while on Wales duty. Another big knock again today.

He tackled with the wrong shoulder for some unknown reason....

Wooden Spoon for Scotland shouldn't be overlooked - sad day again for such a proud rugby nation..

Meh, we've all been through a period like that. Scotland will come back again.

Seems as if professional rugby hasn't been massively successful for the Scots ... Love to see the Scots up there winning it again.

All caused by Dan Lydiate missing the first up tackle on the Italian No8.Lee was having to cover across from an awkward angle and stumbled slightly into the hit.

Stupidly brave is the best way to put it.Puts the team before his own safety and stops a likely try.

Which comment?

The one I made about them being incredibly poor but probably still able to inexplicably get to a World Cup final again.

Or that Sir Clive described them as a good side after losing three six nations games.One where they concede over 50 points.

St Andre has had four seasons in charge now and there's been no consistent improvement.

I have seen it mentioned that Sir Clive's praise of the French may be to do with him fancying their coaching job.

Stranger things have happened!!

That's why he's such a brilliant player for Wales. Brave as heck, despite only being a shortarse.

(Jesting. He's taller than me. And a lot wider too!)

Wouldn't surprise me one bit.
And to be right, how many teams would turn down a coach with proven World Cup winning strategies on his CV?

Jonathan Davies is fluent in Welsh. That means he's learnt that as an adult being from the south the sad tit.

That is an excellent demonstration explaining in part why the Welsh did not survive (or even ever exist?) as a separate nation.

Think Ronan O'Gara almost speaks for the Irish nation tonight -

" Thank you lads .. Very proud to be irish tonight. Very proud of the new generation. Unbelievably consistent . Well done @RTErugby . 👍👍#POC"

Sexton gets a fierce amount of them for Ireland too.

Born in Carmarthenshire, butt. Welsh speakers make up about 40% there even today, never mind when JD was born. He did not go to College to learn it!

Seinfeld-mode: Not that there's anything wrong with that if he did.