SIX NATIONS

Glory be ! Hallelujah!

England made it – the Grand Slam that is. France walloped 31 – 21. See-saw game. All thru’ the tournament the French have played with lead in their boots. The minute England arrives on the horizon they play like demented berserkers.

A sublime day – weather superb, crowd in good form. Pity about the rugger. Best that can be said: England; a work still in progress – hopefully. The Welsh, as always tough and uncompromising, were unlucky, they ran out of time.

Courtesy of No.1. son, off to Twickenham to-day – England v Wales, for what should be quite a contest. Weather looks to be kind. Hope I can find somewhere to park.

Ian Ritchie, Chairman of the RFU has commented on England’s performance in the Six Nations. He says that they underperformed in not winning the title.

I disagree. No one within earshot of me or the people that I was with heard anything but positive comments about England’s performance in beating the French – well, what else would you expect ?

My interpretation is that England winning the match was far more important than a Six Nations title. I’m aware that perhaps winning titles increases marketability but, win or lose, you’re preaching to the converted so, in terms of bottoms on seats it doesn’t much matter anyway.

Between now and the start of the World Cup on Sept. 18th a number of Internationals are to be played:

Ireland v Barbarians May 28th

England v Barbarians May 31

Wales v Ireland Aug. 8

England v France Aug 15

France v England Aug. 22

Ireland v Wales Aug 29

Fance v Scotland Sept. 4

England v Ireland Sept. 5

Sept. 18 Rugby World cup begins.

Quite agree although I thought the first game was very unbalanced and against Italy without Parisse probably no great surprise. But the other two – stunning!

John – I think two of my most enjoyable Twickenham experiences were against France in amongst French spectators, one of which we won the other lost. But great atmosphere and camaraderie at the end. And a group of us with the French went to celebrate together. Soccer? I don’t think so…..

I spent the day in front of the TV, best days Rugby ever. The 3 games were all exciting after a poor, over all, 6 nations. The amount of tries scored was amazing and the suspense went to the last minute. Roll on the world cup it is shaping up well.

I think that the crowd were almost silent in their disbelief. Wondeful atmosphere. Superb game of rugby. At one time we thought that the French would demand ownership of Twickers.

We had French people behind us and at the end I took of my glove shook hands with Madame and M’sieur saying slowly in the best French I could muster having thought about it for sometime:

“La Belle France, pas bon jour”

They smiled and returned the handshake.

What a day’s rugger! I’ve seen a few great games over more than 60 years watching but the second two yesterday were classics. I can only imagine the experience you had. Disappointment in the final outcome of course but to put that score on the French!!

The first match starts at 12.30 so, no long ‘lie-in’!

I’m hoping my timing is good. I’ll watch the first match, part of the second then a 60 mile drive to the ground and hopefully a place to park. Mrs. G will have one of two welcome homes. One will be a box of tissues – no you’ve got it wrong – they’re to mop my tears of laughter or a stiff drink to drown disappointment.

Enjoy the occasion, John – I’ll be there in spirit, glued to the TV!!:eagerness:

You lucky ………words fail me!! It will be a great occasion!;)

What a jolly surprise. No.1 son has just rung to ask if I’d like a ticket for next Saturday’s match against France at Twickenham ! I thought about it for three milliseconds. This could be the Six Nations championship decider – all other results slotting into place.

Guilty as charged M’Lud!;)

uhoh the apostrophe police are about 🙂

Apostrophe problems, Peter… ?:)

Slightly OTT ?

I didn’t think that it was that uncivil !

Try and keep it civil please lads

Yes, I do agree. One point I forgot to make was in connection with the scores. Most, if not all of the games played by England in the various stages of the Six Nations of 2003 had England winning by between thirtyish and forty or so points contrasting with the comparatively tight scores of present games, thus indicating perhaps that differing team skills are now, not that wide apart.

The decision about whether or not something is offensive is entirely subjective. Someone might cause offence to someone with a trivially “casual” remark made in total innocence and another might make a potentially offensive remark which offends no one at the time.

Tolerance and common sense are required. Yes there are people who go out of their way to be offensive and there are others who go out of their way to be offended. Worse are those who are not offended themselves but on behalf of others who have not even heard the remark.

I almost entirely agree. Perhaps my above post was misleading as I was tying to simplify my position. I do however think it important, as part of the tolerance and common sense, to challenge things that are, for want of a better phrase, extremely likely to cause offence to others due to race, disability etc. I was positively encouraged to do this as part of my job so I may be more sensitive than others as a result.