The wrong team won when you look at the match stats.....Scotland were solid and workmanlike but very average and probably should have lost comfortably.

Something is not right with Ireland though. That's twice they've lost now in matches they could have won, and I'd agree that Declan Kidney may be starting to come under big pressure.

What were the stats for the Scotland vs Italy game? I remember there was much discussion about how little possession Scotland had and yet still won comfortably. Not that I'm implying Ireland are in the same league as Italy, just recalled the discussion after the game and was surprised it wasn't mentioned post-game this week.

They said on Irish TV we'd 81% possession. Nuts. Should have won at a canter. Scotland offered absolutely zero no disrespect

Lot of our lads did their Lions chances no good today to be frank

Although England and Wales didn't really have any stand outs either. Although Robshaw did his chances the world of good!

It's all about a squad now really. Very hard pick an XV as people always come from nowhere on tour (Jamie Roberts, Ugo Monye 09!)

If I had to have a stab at a squad as it stands (we'll say 37 squad for arguments sake)

*(D) indicates definite IMO

Forwards

Best (D)- Tour Vice Capt
T. Youngs
Hibbard

Cole (D)
A. Jones (D)
Healy (D)
Corbisiero
G. Jenkins (D)
Ross


Launchbury (D)
Parling
D. Ryan
I. Evans (D)
Gray

SOB (D)
Lydiate (if fit), Wood if not
Robshaw (D)- Mid-Week Capt
Tipuric
Beattie
Faletau (D)
Heaslip

Backs

Youngs (D)
Care (D)
Laidlaw

Sexton (D)
Farrell (D)

BOD (D)- Tour Capt
Tuilagi (D)
J. Davies
Roberts

Ashton (D)
Cuthbert
North
Bowe

Halfpenny (D)
Hogg (D)
Kearney

As I say the (D)'s are the ones I think can start packing their bags bar injury. Few dodgy calls perhaps. No Visser was tough but I don't rate the lad defensively. Went with only 2 O/H's- Laidlaw is more than capable of covering 10 in an emergency. Strangely I found the hookers impossible to pick. Best is a shoe in but I think Youngs might shade it ahead of the ill-disciplined Hartley. Have been impressed with Hibbard.
Tommy Bowe is too good to leave out IMO and Lydiate if fit

There are a plethora of options at second row. He really could pick anyone.

Obviously there'll be a selection or two that has people scratching their heads (ala Earls/Quinlan 09 (and nearly Cipriani , Olly Smith 05) and if I had to guess a few bolters- shall we say- that may come into the mix I'd go with:

Nick Easter- Good run for Quins in HC and who knows
Jonny WIlkinson- O/H is a wide open position after Faz/Sexy
Steffon Armitage- Natural O/S, still in HCUP
Nathan Hines
Andrew Trimble- Still in HC

A few surprise packages perhaps that may well tour:
Gilroy, Strauss, O'Mahony, Lawes, Vunipola, Ryan Jones, Maitland, Luke Marshall

Not in the sense that it could have gone either way until the final second. It was the Italy Wales game that got tedious as soon as Wales were out of sight.

Not on topic , but I see that the cyclist Becky James is the girlfriend of George North

Ashton a definite? Not after that. Going to have to work hard to make amends for that embarrassing defensive display.

Thought Wales did quite well to score those two with the limited gameplan brought on by the pouring rain. Kick a bar of soap to the opposition and hope they mess up.

I think he'll tour alright!

Unless he miraculously recovers the form of 2 years ago in the next 2 matches (if he's not dropped), it's highly unlikely Gaitland will select him.

You're underrating the guy a lot here IMHO, he's not the most likeable but is a very solid winger, the fact he's not scoring a shedload of tries shouldn't take away from his performance

In my view, he's as good as he was in '11, he was made look awesome against a woeful Italy team, although he was brilliant v Wales in fairness (best game in an English shirt)

England don't exactly play an expansive game so they don't use their wingers too much. He'd be good for the lions imo.

Dropping him is a bit much, he's their only natural winger in the squad. Unless Wade or Monye?

Although he was at fault big time for Fofana's try!

England's game is as expansive as that of the other 3 nations.

They just get a fraction of the credit for it - and it is forgotten quicker - than os the case with the other teams.

Just watching the Super 14 rugby from down under with the Blues beating the Crusaders.
Controversial decision by the TMO in not giving a try to the Crusaders
Didn't realise their powers have been increased.
In this instance , he ruled a double movement against Israel Dag which it certainly didn't look like

I think the TMOs have had more power for quite a while... but it all relies on what questions is asked...

"any reason why I can not award the try" opens up a lot of possibilities; no grounding, knock on, in touch, double movement...

They just used the TMO to see if there was a spear tackle and what the resulting penalty should be ( yellow or red or warning)
Don't recall them ever doing that before

The other questions is:

"Try, yes or no?" Which implies he thinks it might well be a try but he's not sure.

"Is there any reason I can't award a try?" suggests he is sure it was a try but wants to check he didn't miss something that would cancel it out.

I agree, the question asked can dramatically change the final result.

No it is one of the new introductions along with the scrum calls. I think it is a good thing.

Parisse has his ban cut to 20 days

he's free to play on Sunday against England

Interesting...why would they reduce a ban for dissent?

Either he said something out or order not.

I guess they were trying to realign the punishment with Cian Healy's stamp

As bad as disrespecting officials is, I don't he should have got a longer ban than a violent conduct charge

Ah,fair enough.

Agreed although its not good verbal abuse isn't quite as bad as violent conduct.

And yet still no word about London Welsh's penalty for fielding an ineligible player.

France have recalled Michalak at fly-half for the game against Ireland. They must be serious about losing all their matches.

Ah, I instinctively looked for the 'like' button when I read that

I guess the French are desperate to win something so are going all out for the Wooden Spoon.

Just

London Welsh deducted 5pts and fined £15,000

a further 5pts are suspended