Halfpenny thrills!

[Gob]

Ireland (10) 21

Tries: Best, Bowe
Con: Sexton
Pens: Sexton 3

Wales (5) 23

Tries: Davies 2, North
Con: Halfpenny
Pens: Halfpenny 2

Wales staged a thrilling late comeback to launch their Six Nations campaign with a stunning victory over a crushed Ireland in Dublin.

Leigh Halfpenny's last-gasp penalty sealed a remarkable victory in a see-saw encounter in which the lead changed hands five times.

The visitors led 5-3 after the first of two tries for centre Jonathan Davies, but Rory Best's score gave the Irish a 10-5 interval lead.

Davies's second try put Wales back in front before Tommy Bowe appeared to have given Ireland victory, only for a George North try and Halfpenny's kick to steal it from under their noses.

Wales, exhibiting much of the free-flowing rugby that marked their run to the World Cup semi-finals, appeared to have blown their chance when Halfpenny failed to convert North's try from out on the left touchline with four minutes left.

But the visitors persisted and Ireland flanker Stephen Ferris conceded a penalty 30 metres out, which Halfpenny - who had taken over the kicking duties from Rhys Priestland - drilled between the uprights.

Until that point it appeared the goalkicking failures that cost Wales so dearly at the World Cup would come back to haunt them, with Priestland missing two penalties and a conversion.

But Halfpenny held his nerve to condemn Ireland to their first defeat in the opening game of the Championship for eight years.

[Reality Bytes]

I had my money on a Grand Slam several weeks ago, and never doubted we would win this game (despite Bradley Davies having a meltdown and only just avoiding a red card - can't see him avoiding being cited and suspended for the rest of the 6 N's). The daffodils are already sprouting and every year they come up early we Grand Slam however, superstitions aside, England "won" only because Scotland couldn't score a try if they were playing against a team of 70 yrs old grandmothers with zimmer frames, theres nothing to fear from this new England team - its too soon now next year they might well be a threat, but not this year. Scotland... see above lol Italy could well give us a game there were moments of really good rugby in their game on Saturday - but they were blowing hard come half time and just won't have the fitness or strength in depth. France played a game of 2 halves, at times superb at others bloody awful, but they'll get better with each game though I think Ireland will beat them but they'll have to fight for it. Our only real worry will be injuries, but its a good strong squad and as Gats said we were only at about 70% today it'll only get better

[Gob]

Six Nations: Wales 27-13 Scotland

Wales (3) 27

Tries: Cuthbert, Halfpenny 2
Con: Halfpenny 3
Pen: Halfpenny 2

Scotland (3) 13

Tries: Laidlaw
Con: Laidlaw
Pen: Laidlaw 2

[Lord Jim]

Okay...

I'm going to guess "Rugby"....

The scores are too low for cricket, and too high for soccer...

[Gob]

Give that man a biscuit!

See, we can bring culture to the savages.

[Reality Bytes]

Wortheverypenny was again on form yesterday, great game to watch and Scotland can take heart from their performance even if they are dirty sneaky barstewards who more often played the man and the ref than they did the ball so thats us on course for The Triple Crown though hearing England players say that Wales might be "a game too far" for them bothers me I'm not used to hearing them talking sense

In other news:

Shane Williams to face Wales for Barbarians in final farewell

Shane Williams is set to end his career by playing for the Barbarians against Wales in Cardiff on 2 June.
Williams retired from Wales duty in December after scoring a last-minute try in the 24-18 loss to Australia.
The 34-year-old has brought forward his retirement from all rugby by 12 months to walk away at the end of this season.
"I've played for the Barbarians once before. When I was offered the chance to play this summer I had no hesitation in accepting the honour," he said.
"The Barbarians is a wonderful institution and sums up everything that is good about the game of rugby.
"To have a chance to finish by playing against Wales in Cardiff is an incredible opportunity and will bring my career full circle."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/16912582

And I WILL BE THERE!!!!!!!

[Gob]

Jammy cow!

[Gob]

French Federation President Pierre Camou has requested the postponed Six Nations clash with Ireland be rescheduled for next season!

France's squad announcement on Tuesday had a twist in the tail when Camou, France's representative on the Six Nations Commitee Jacques Laurans and FFR Treasurer René Hourquet addressed the gathered press.

The French rugby chiefs insist that playing the fixture this season would cause a number of problems as it would clash with their domestic league but Camou admitted that he doubts their request to play the game in September will be given much consideration.

"We're in a very unusual year that has already seen a long series of fixture clashes because of the World Cup. France wants the match to be played next season due to the scheduling problems presented by the Top 14," he said.

Saturday's game at the Stade de France fell victim to the freezing conditions just minutes before kick-off.

The Six Nations organising committee have confirmed that the fixture will "not take place this weekend (February 17/18/19)."

[Gob]

Six Nations: England 12-19 Wales


ENGLAND (9) 12

Pens: Farrell 4

WALES (6) 19

Try: S Williams
Con: Halfpenny
Pens: Halfpenny 4

Wales seized their 20th Triple Crown in dramatic fashion after a hugely controversial ending to a gripping contest at Twickenham.

Scott Williams' brilliant steal, kick-ahead and try with five minutes remaining put Wales ahead for the first time after four penalties apiece from Owen Farrell and Leigh Halfpenny had the teams locked together at 12-12.

With time up, replacement Mike Brown put David Strettle over on the right but after several minutes of deliberation, television match official Iain Ramage ruled the winger had failed to ground the ball.

It means Wales now have the Grand Slam in their sights and handed England interim coach Stuart Lancaster his first defeat in charge.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/17141687

[Reality Bytes]

Fuck me Faro!!

I have only just stopped shaking ... when Scott Williams scored his try Xeno literally launched himself off the sofa and hit the floor about the same time Scott did I couldn't stand the tension of the final 2 mins and had to go stand in the garden smoking whilst we waited for the TMO's decision what a tense game, England played well and we made some stupid errors but they kept their heads and didnt give up and the result was the right one in the end Italy next which should be a cricket score win though they have been the banana skin a few times so we mustn't get complacent. I shall be cheering for Ireland next Saturday in the hopes they'll do a number on the French before they face us in the final game which should *hopefully* be the Grand Slam

[Gob]

Love it!

Gwan! Gwaaan!! Gwaaaan!!! Oh Fuckin'ell man!! Yesssssss!!!!

[Gob]

Six Nations: Wales 24-3 Italy


Wales (9) 24

Tries: Roberts, Cuthbert
Con: Halfpenny
Pens: Halfpenny 3, Priestland

Italy (3) 3

Pen: Bergamasco

Wales were made to toil but stayed on course for a tilt at a third Six Nations Grand Slam in eight years with a scratchy win over Italy in Cardiff.

The Azzurri defence held firm in the first half, the hosts restricted to three Leigh Halfpenny penalties.

Mirco Bergamasco landed one for Italy before Jamie Roberts charged clear to score 10 minutes into the second half.

But Wales had to wait until three minutes from time before Alex Cuthbert grabbed a second try.

Their only other score was a Rhys Priestland penalty, while Halfpenny was in the sin-bin after a clumsy challenge on Italy captain Sergio Parisse in the air.

While Wales will turn their sights to completing a clean sweep against France, the Azzurri will aim to avoid another Wooden Spoon when they take on Scotland in Rome.

Whoever wins Sunday's encounter between France and England in Paris will also have a chance of taking the title.

[Lord Jim]

While Wales will turn their sights to completing a clean sweep against France, the Azzurri will aim to avoid another Wooden Spoon when they take on Scotland in Rome.

OH NO!

NOT the wooden spoon!

[Gob]

The wooden spoon.

And while he lives, he wields the boasted prize
Whose value all can feel, the weak, the wise;
Displays in triumph his distinguish'd boon,
The solid honours of the Wooden Spoon
—"The Wooden Spoon" from The Cambridge Tar

[Reality Bytes]

Mirco Bergamasco landed one for Italy

.... Mirco Bergamasco was trying very hard to land something alright, the Oscar for best dramatic over the top performance in attempting to influence the already half blind stone deaf referee, it was his best performance of the entire match.

Frankly if this wendyball nonsense starts to creep into Rugby then thats the death of the game, it should be a red card offence and send the buggers off - they wont do it again thats fer damned sure.

However ....we can now openly talk about it .....

THE SLAM IS ON!!!!!

[Gob]

[Reality Bytes]

Celts! Fowsends of em!!

[Gob]

That is FUCKING BRILLIANT!!!!!!!



These are great too.

[rubato]

Really funny ads.

Very creative.


yrs,
rubato

[Reality Bytes]

Side Steps and Side Burns

Along time ago before i was born we once had a team that was always adored,

with sidesteps and sideburns and grand slams galore,

our magical boys wrote there names in folklore.

Through eighties and nineties our fortunes would fade

though the passion and pride would soon be repaid

in noughty's the sweet song soon replace moans

we sang calon lan as the grand slams came home.


singing don't let me down " I wont let you down"

I said don't let me down " I wont let you down"

I said don't let me down " i wont let you down"

don't let me down " I wont let you down"

chorus.

And we'll all hold hands and drink to each others good health

And we'll all hold hands to thank the lord that we're born welsh

And the more we drink the more we sing calon lan

And we all hope wales win the grand slam

verse 2

Now the new generation is quiet and calm made us proud at the world cup with flair and your charm

and we'll always remember your red carded pain

you gave it your best boys we would never complain.

So with wingers like mountains and forwards who step

We'll sing land of my fathers and never forget

about sidesteps and sideburns and all that before

now this is your time boys , its your time to score.

singing don't let me down " I wont let you down"

I said don't let me down " I wont let you down"

I said don't let me down " i wont let you down"

don't let me down " I wont let you down"

And we'll all hold hands and drink to each others good health

And we'll all hold hands to thank the lord that we're born welsh

And the more we drink the more we sing calon lan

And we all hope wales win the grand slam