Congratulations to Ireland. Worthy Grand Slam Champions. England today, great heart, good performance but spoiled by a continuation of the unnecessary, reckless stuff.
Well England made that harder than many thought.... There's going to be some sore heads in the morning, and that's not just the players....
That’s an unbelievable achievement for us. We had such adversity to overcome this year with so many injuries. Really proud. I’m now going to celebrate…hard. was genuinely impressed with England today. Not being condescending as I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t mean it. Today is the start of your come back. Irish media acknowledging the English players who hung around at the end to recognise the achievement. That’s class!!!
Completes an incredible year for the Irish and well deserved. England made a real fist of it in the 1st half but the red card was a killer blow. It takes time to gel a side as the Irish and French have shown, we've a long way to go before we can match them ...
Listened on the radio driving up the M40 through a deluge. Going down a man meant the result was inevitable, but I suspect it might have improved England’s performance as well, adversity and all that. Congratulations Ireland, more than merited Grand Slam, hope they can take this form through to the World Cup.
Congrats to Ireland. I listened to the game on the radio driving back on the M4 after visiting our son and his family in Esher. I’ve now seen the red card - very harsh decision. I think that both England and Wales did better today than was expected - but both lost to better teams.
Well played Ireland though, the complete team. They have it all, in every aspect of the game. I hope they go on to win the World Cup. At east a Northern Hemisphere team win the trophy. Over achieving and over believing the perfect ending to Sexton's career what a player ... a legend of the game.
Wow, I hadn’t really looked at the draw. That’s a bit nuts. The winner, if from the top half of the draw, will deserve it. Brilliant opportunity for England to get to the final, just when they are least able to do it.
They made the draw far too early. As you say, it could benefit England and/or Wales. It is highly possible, we could meet in the Quarter Finals, meaning one (probably England) would get to the Semis at least ….. From our current low base, I think we would be happy just to get out of our Pool Ireland - assuming they get out of their pool - would face either NZ or France in the Quarter-Finals
Listen to the below link from 25mins to approx 3mins be interested to get your thoughts https://open.spotify.com/episode/3j...A&context=spotify:show:6AiI29UZNLkOQtwvZuSWg3
“The red card was issued as a result of the referee concluding that the player had acted contrary to law 9.13 (a player must not tackle an opponent early, late or dangerously. Dangerous tackling includes, but is not limited to, tackling or attempting to tackle an opponent above the line of the shoulders even if the tackle starts below the line of the shoulders), "The independent disciplinary committee consisting of Nigel Hampton KC - chair (New Zealand), Frank Hadden (Scotland) and John Langford (Australia) heard the case, and considered all the available evidence, including multiple broadcast angles and submissions from the player and his representative. "After hearing the submissions, the disciplinary committee formally amended the law which was breached to law 9.11 (players must not do anything that is reckless or dangerous to others including leading with the elbow or forearm, or jumping into, or over, a tackler. The player denied that he had committed an act of foul play worthy of a red card as described in law 9.11. Having reviewed all the evidence, the committee decided that: (i) head contact with an opposing player had occurred; (ii) there had been an act of foul play in breach of law 9.11 in that the player had been reckless in his actions and in his upright positioning as he approached and came into highly dangerous contact with the other player; and (iii) there were sufficient mitigating factors including the late change in the dynamics and positioning of the opposing player which should have resulted in the issue of a yellow card rather than a red card. "On that basis, the committee did not uphold the red card and the player is free to play again immediately. The committee acknowledged that match officials are required to make decisions under pressure and in the heat of a live match environment."
This is the Lions team - plus bench - that Warren Gatland has said he would select based on this season’s Six Nations: Gatland's Lions team: Hugo Keenan (Ireland), Duhan van der Merwe (Scotland), Huw Jones (Scotland), Sione Tuipulotu (Scotland), James Lowe (Ireland); Jonathan Sexton (Ireland, capt), Jamison Gibson-Park (Ireland); Ellis Genge (England), Dan Sheehan (Ireland), Tadgh Furlong (Ireland), James Ryan (Ireland), Maro Itoje (England), Jack Conan (Ireland), Josh van der Flier (Ireland), Caelen Doris (Ireland). Replacements: George Turner (Scotland), Andrew Porter (Ireland), Zander Fagerson (Scotland). Jonny Gray (Scotland), James Ritchie (Scotland), Alex Mitchell (England), Owen Farrell (England). Robbie Henshaw (Ireland). Not a Welshman in sight - can’t disagree with that at present Here’s the full article if you’re interested: https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/warren-gatland-names-lions-test-26532679