General Chat

you're doing a grand job yet again Jem - so looking forward to tomorrow night :-D :-D

What a great idea Barbra! :-D :-D :-D

Well.... we can all dream can't we? ;-) ;-) ;-) :-)

Good Morning Rugby Fans :-)

Not long now until the opening match of this year's SIX NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP!
Wales v England kicks off at 8-05pm this Friday Evening :-)


IF YOU COULD PICK A DREAM TEAM TO REPRESENT YOUR COUNTRY
(from any of the Northern Hemisphere teams)
WHO WOULD YOU PICK FOR YOUR STARTING XV ?


HERE IS WalesOnline's CHOICE!

BACKS:
At Full Back (15)
England's MIKE BROWN

Right Wing (14)
Ireland's TOMMY BOWE

Outside Centre (13)
France's WESLEY FOFANA

Inside Centre (12)
WALES' OWN JAMIE ROBERTS <3

Left Wing (11)
Another Welshman GEORGE NORTH

Fly Half (10)
Ireland's JONATHAN SEXTON

Scrum Half (9)
Another Irishman CONOR MURRAY

FORWARDS:
Loose-Head Prop (1)
Wales GETHIN JENKINS

Hooker (2)
England's DYLAN HARTLEY

Tight-Head Prop (3)
Wales' SAMSON LEE

Second Row (4)
Wales' ALUN-WYN JONES <3

Second Row (5)
Irish Captain PAUL O'CONNELL

Blind-side Flanker (6)
Ireland's PETER O'MAHONY

Open-side Flanker (7)
Wales Captain SAM WARBURTON<3

Eightman (8)
Italy's SERGIO PARISSE



INTERESTING CHOICE!

Certainly, this team has some fantastic players from all the Northern Hemisphere Countries
Sadly, there was no place for my lovely little Leigh Halfpenny in WalesOnline's Dream Team :-( :-(

IT IS A WONDERFUL IDEA......
.......BUT I THINK I WILL STICK WITH WALES <3 :-D :-D :-D


If you could chose anyone from the 6 Nations Countries to represent your country in a "dream team" who would you pick? :-) :-) :-)

Oh My Giddy Aunt you cant sing that Wend to your Lovely Granddaughter :-D~~~~~~Jem .I want a job in the rub down dept .any team will do :-D after the match that is,.better go & have a cup of tea (.Calm Down Dear ) :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D

:-D :-D :-D :-D :-D Wend!

Thankyou for your comment about my little granddaughter Jem. When she came round with her mum 'n' dad on Sunday I sang her a rugby song. It was about 24 laydees who came down from Inverness . . . I couldn't remember the words to the nursery rhyme about 4 and 20 blackbirds ;-) :-D

Hiya Barbra :-)

There's lovely to see you on the Rugby Thread :-) :-) <3

Please come back and join us at any time, particularly for the matches!

You are ok this week, you can support England on Friday
(if you really must :-| :-| :-| :-| ;-) ;-) ;-) :-D :-D :-D :-D)
and Scotland on Saturday! :-)


Tra la la la la fiddledy dee, dee deedeede Ann ;-) ;-) :-D :-D
lalala.... Starry, starry Ann......

No we are not mad!! (well yes, perhaps we are!):-D :-D
In case any of you are wondering, my lovely friend Ann ... A GOG!!!!...Wait for it .....

HATES RUGBY! :-0 :-0 :-0 :-0 :-0 :-0

But being the lovely friend she is, this her way of supporting me, so

THANKS ANN :-) :-) :-) :-) <3

Tra la la Fiddedly dee dee :-D :-D :-D

Well Hello Jem .I was born in England & live in Scotland So .decision`s. decision`s. :-D Best of luck to All <3 :-D

WELCOME TO ALL GR RUGBY FANS OF ALL 6 NATIONS COUNTRIES :-) :-)


Although this is predominantly a Welsh Rugby Thread, I will be covering all matches, and would like to encourage GR supporters of all the six nations teams to join in on this thread.


Please feel free to post topics of interest of your own countries.



I WILL BE CHEERING W-A-L-E-S <3

YOU CAN CHEER FOR YOUR OWN TEAMS WITH SPORTSMANSHIP
...ALL WELCOME :-)

Hi Janet :-)

Welcome to the Rugby Thread :-)

Thank you for the great clip!

Yes indeed "Come on Wales" :-D :-D :-D <3

I hope that you will be able to join us on "Radio Jem" ;-) to cheer on Wales on Friday night! :-) :-)

Please feel free to post all things Welsh at anytime :-) :-) :-)

Come on Wales

Just to show how seriously we take our Rugby here in Wales, this is BBC Wales' promo trailer for the 6 Nations coverage:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCV36jW3FVk

THE FRENCH TEAM TO FACE SCOTLAND IS ANNOUNCED

France's Head Coach Phillippe Saint-Andre has announced his starting line-up to face Scotland at Stade de France this Saturday.

Here is the French Team:

France team:

15-Scott Spedding, 14-Yoann Huget, 13-Mathieu Bastareaud, 12-Wesley Fofana, 11-Teddy Thomas, 10-Camille Lopez, 9-Rory Kockott, 8-Damien Chouly, 7-Bernard Le Roux, 6-Thierry Dusautoir, 5-Yoann Maestri, 4-Pascal Pape, 3-Rabah Slimani, 2-Guilhem Guirado, 1-Alexandre Menini

Replacements:

16-Benjamin Kayser, 17-Uini Atonio, 18-Eddy Ben Arous, 19-Romain Taofifenua, 20-Loann Goujon, 21-Morgan Parra, 22-Remi Tales, 23-Remi Lamerat



SOUTH AFRICAN RORY KOCKOTT HAS HIS FIRST START FOR FRANCE!

Rory Kockott has been named as the Scrum Half who will start for France, in their opening Six Nations game to face Scotland this Saturday!

He qualifies to represent France via residency, having completed the required three years in the northern hemisphere autumn of 2014.



FRANCE v SCOTLAND
Strade de France

Saturday, February 7th
KICK-OFF 5pm

BBC 1, BBC Radio Scotland and Radio Jem ;-) :-D

*NB ..Please check your TV /. Radio Listings for your area.

Hiya Wend :-D <3

How brill to see you! :-)

I'd love it if you are able to join in on Friday night! :-)

Obviously I hope that Wales win, but I think it's anyone's game in this competition! Very open!

England is certainly a strong team, although you have been hampered by injuries this time!
You still have some great, experienced players- including your Mike Brown, who is an excellent Full Back! :-)

Your Granddaughter is absolutely beautiful btw <3

I'll try and pop in Jem. 'im indoors is getting very excited, even though he thinks Wales will probably win :-( :-D :-D :-D

THE ENGLAND TEAM IS ANNOUNCED!

Stuart Lancaster has announced his starting line-up to face Wales in Cardiff on Friday Evening.

Here is the English Team:

BACKS:
15. Mike Brown
14. Anthony Watson
13. Jonathan Joseph
12. Luther Burrell
11. Jonny May
10. George Ford
9. Ben Youngs

FORWARDS:
1. Joe Marler
2. Dylan Hartley
3. Dan Cole
4. David Attwood
5. George Kruis
6. James Haskell
7. Chris Robshaw (Captain)
8. Billy Vunipola

REPLACEMENTS:
16. Tom Youngs
17. Mako Vunipola
18. Kieran Brookes
19. Tom Croft
20. Nick Easter
21. Richard Wigglesworth
22. Danny Cipriani
23. Billy Twelvetrees



THE BIG GAME!

WALES <3 v ENGLAND
This Friday Evening, February 6th
KICK-OFF 8-05pm

BBC 1, BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru, Radio 5 Live
(please check your local listings for TV / Radio)

...... and Radio Jem ;-) :-D


No matter which team you support, please join me on this thread to cheer on your team! :-) :-) :-)

SIX NATIONS BRAND NEW TROPHY

The Six Nations Tournament Winners of 2015 will be presented with a brand new trophy!

Designed and crafted by world famous Silversmiths Thomas Lyte, it is made of 7kgs of Sterling Silver, with gold plated handles. On the lid is a Rugby Ball and a Crown.

The new trophy is only the second trophy since 1883 to be created, for what many consider Rugby’s Greatest Championship. The 1993 edition is being retired, as it reflected the tournament when it was the Five Nations Championship.

The new trophy has six sides, with each side representing one of the Six Nations competing in the championship, bearing that nations crest. The six countries being England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, France, and since the year 2000, Italy.

On the plinth, the names of the past winners will be transferred with space for future winners of the championship.


How proud will the winning captain be, on being presented with this stunning new trophy on behalf of his team! :-) :-) :-)

ARE WE ALL GETTING EXCITED? :-D :-D :-D

Not long to go now!

THE OPENING OF THIS YEAR'S SIX NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP....


WALES<3 v ENGLAND
This Friday Evening, February 6th ....Kick-Off 8-05pm


BBC1, BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru, Radio 5 Live .....
........and RADIO JEM ;-):-D :-D

*NB Please check your TV/ Radio Guides for your own areas.


PLEASE JOIN ME IF YOU ARE ABLE, ON THIS THREAD, TO CHEER ON YOUR TEAM...Whichever team you want to cheer on, that's ok!
But all in good sportsmanship! :-) :-) :-) :-)


Although predominantly a Welsh Rugby Thread, I shall be covering all the matches, and commenting with fairness :-) :-)

and please feel free to post your comments, items of interest, or your support for your country's team!


SEE YOU FRIDAY EVENING!!!! :-)

WARREN GATLAND ANNOUNCED HIS WALES TEAM TODAY......
.........48 HOURS EARLY! :-0 :-0 :-0


Wales’ Head Coach, Warren Gatland, has shown his hand, in announcing his starting line-up to face England on Friday Evening, 2 days early!

Gatland’s reason.. “"We decided to name the team early, to give the players the best possible chance of preparation," said Gatland.


I’m not sure what I think of this decision. My first thought was that it will also give England more time to prepare themselves, being armed with this knowledge too!



SCRUM V SIX NATIONS SPECIAL:

The team selection was hotly debated on Scrum V Six Nations Special last night.
Little did they know then, that Wales' Team Selection Announcement would come today!


TV Rugby Analyst for BBC WALES SCRUM V, SEAN HOLLEY made a case for the inclusion of LIAM WILLIAMS and SCOTT WILLIAMS in the starting line-up in “Sean’s Spotlight”.

SEAN'S SPOTLIGHT....ON LIAM WILLIAMS

LIAM WILLIAMS said Sean, “Is a player capable of breaking down modern defences with his refreshing willingness to counterattack from deep, with a creative spark often lacking in this Welsh team.” He said that Liam is “Fearless in the air, but technically astute” and that he keeps his eyes firmly on the ball.

He went on to praise Liam Williams for his “Amazing Offload Skills".


THE PROBLEM WARREN GATLAND WOULD HAVE WITH THIS, IS WHO TO LEAVE OUT! :-S :-S :-S

Liam Williams is best at Full Back (15) which would mean either replacing ALEX CUTHBERT at 14 with LEIGH HALFPENNY, or leaving Leigh out altogether.
With Leigh being first choice kicker, this would be almost unthinkable! :-| :-| :-|

Although we do have the excellent DAN BIGGAR, also a world class kicker, as Fly Half.


SEAN HOLLEY NEXT MAKES THE CASE FOR SCOTT WILLIAMS

SCOTT WILLIAMS, said Holley, is an “All-Action Centre in the form of his life!”
“A super-strong ball carrier.... with confidence and real pace”.

Since Captaining The Scarlets, Holley said, "he has grown in Leadership and maturity”, also that he is “powerful, quickly turns defence into attack with a strong ripping game”.


The problem with including Scott in the starting line-up is that he would have to replace JAMIE ROBERTS at 12! :-0 :-0 :-0


SO WHAT DID THE SCRUM V PANEL THINK OF “SEAN’S SPOTLIGHT”??

Presenter Ross Harries talked to 3 former Rugby Union Internationals-

JONATHAN (Jiffy) DAVIES (Wales 1985 - 1997)
JEREMY GUSCOTT (England 1989 - 1999)
MARTIN WILLIAMS (Wales 1996 – 2012)


JONATHAN DAVIES declared that the two Williams boys may well be the “on form” players, but “IT WON’T HAPPEN” he said!
"Warren Gatland will go for with the tried and tested JAMIE ROBERTS, a key player for Wales" but Scott Williams will be great back up, he said.

Also Jonathan said that he believed that LEIGH HALFPENNY would be in the starting team.


JEREMY GUSCOTT also championed Jamie Roberts, saying that Jamie is the “Best Inside Centre in the world”.
Also, “When he’s on his best form, which he showed all last season- Wales flogged him, he played every single game of the Autumn Season, he’s superb”.


MARTIN WILLIAMS also agreed with Jerry Guscott.
Defensively, Jamie was “outstanding in the Autumn series... his physical presence and partnership with Jon Davies is crucial”.
He went on to praise Scott Williams however, saying that “Scott has been outstanding this year!”


Scrum V’s Presenter, ROSS HARRIES, added “Liam Williams relishes an unstructured game- Halfpenny, rightly or wrongly, seems a safer, and more reliable, pair of hands".


THE CONCLUSSION of the Scrum V Panel was that they thought Warren Gatland would go with the tried and tested Leigh Halfpenny and Jamie Roberts, with Liam Williams and Scott Williams providing back up!


Were they right? See for your selves.....

HERE AGAIN IS WALES’ STARTING LINE-OUT

15 Leigh Halfpenny; 14 Alex Cuthbert; 13 Jonathan Davies; 12 Jamie Roberts; 11 George North; 10 Dan Biggar; 9 Rhys Webb; 1 Gethin Jenkins; 2 Richard Hibbard; 3 Samson Lee; 4 Jake Ball; 5 Alun Wyn Jones; 6 Dan Lydiate; 7 Sam Warburton(CAPT); 8 Taulupe Faletau.

Replacements: 16 Scott Baldwin;17 Paul James; 18 Aaron Jarvis; 19 Luke Charteris; 20 Justin Tipuric; 21 Mike Phillips; 22 Rhys Priestland; 23 Liam Williams.

A TRIED AND TRUSTED TEAM! :-) :-) <3

Thanks Shaun :-)

I will enjoy those songs very much!

And thanks for posting "Cousin" Cerys ;-) :-D



Cerys Matthews (Ex Catatonia Lead Singer)'s Great, Great Aunt married my Great, Great Uncle :-D :-D