Archive for February 2013
Italy are victims as Welsh Dragon breathes fire again
By Morgan Cerrone
It was always going to be a difficult day for Italy facing Wales in the Stadio Olympico without Sergio Parisse, but it would be the scrum that proved to be the Achilles’ heel of the home side, allowing Wales to continue to build their confidence after winning in Paris. After a promising start to the Six Nations beating France, Italy will need to regroup after two defeats on the bounce while Wales will be playing with the knowledge that the hope of defending their title is still very much alive.
Early on in the game Italy looked to defend well, keeping a good number of players back to counter the Halfpenny threat as due to conditions the bombs were sure to rain down all afternoon and the kicking game to be as vital as ever. However it would be Italy’s own indiscipline that would gift Wales their first 3 points. Italy were never really in the game yet a poor Welsh scrum allowed Italy to level up when Jenkins was penalised for pulling down the scrum.
It was always going to be a difficult day for Italy facing Wales in the Stadio Olympico without Sergio Parisse, but it would be the scrum that proved to be the Achilles’ heel of the home side, allowing Wales to continue to build their confidence after winning in Paris. After a promising start to the Six Nations beating France, Italy will need to regroup after two defeats on the bounce while Wales will be playing with the knowledge that the hope of defending their title is still very much alive.Early on in the game Italy looked to defend well, keeping a good number of players back to counter the Halfpenny threat as due to conditions the bombs were sure to rain down all afternoon and the kicking game to be as vital as ever. However it would be Italy’s own indiscipline that would gift Wales their first 3 points. Italy were never really in the game yet a poor Welsh scrum allowed Italy to level up when Jenkins was penalised for pulling down the scrum.
Super Rugby Round 1 Review
By Tim CroninNow that the first full round of Super XV is out of the way and we’ve had a look at all of the teams in action (except the Crusaders, who had the bye last weekend) it’s a good time to ponder who could be the key players across the competition, and what could be the determining factors in deciding the outcome of this year’s tournament. Today I’m looking at the New Zealand conference.
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Dallaglio hails 'amazing' England
World Cup winner Lawrence Dallaglio admits he was proud of England's performance in winning a Six Nations match in Ireland for the first time since 2003, but has warned the Red Rose not to become too 'fixated' on claiming the Grand Slam.
Video: England Team-mates
England rugby trio Jonathan Joseph, Toby Flood and Owen Farrell discuss their England team-mates, answering questions including who is the worst dressed, who has the worst taste in music and who is the most committed in training.
Is Farrell becoming the Lions favourite?
It's probably to early to say. However, Owen Farrell seems to be making his voice very well heard. His consistency from the tee secured England an important victory over Ireland at the weekend and made the race for the Lions No.10 jersey even closer.
@scrumfiverugby Farrell has been the most impressive. Place kicking superb as is his kicking out of hand and his physicality/defence is good
— Khiam Barry (@KhiThePie) February 14, 2013
Help Scrum Five Reach 2000 Followers!
Amid the Six Nations hype, Scrum Five is hoping to reach 2000 followers!
If you enjoy our content please help us out by discussing rugby topics with @ScrumFiveRugby and including the hashtag #ScrumFive6N in your Tweets!
The Six Nations concludes on March 16th and if you'd like to help us out, please RT the above Tweet and share this article using the buttons below!
If you enjoy our content please help us out by discussing rugby topics with @ScrumFiveRugby and including the hashtag #ScrumFive6N in your Tweets!
Help @scrumfiverugby reach 2000 followers by the end of the Six Nations - we'll follow all who RT this Tweet! #rugbyunited
— ScrumFive.net (@ScrumFiveRugby) February 14, 2013
The Six Nations concludes on March 16th and if you'd like to help us out, please RT the above Tweet and share this article using the buttons below!
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Ice-cool Farrell puts boot into Ireland as England win in Dublin
By Morgan Cerrone
“Both magnificent and rubbish” was Keith Wood’s very accurate description of a tit-for-tat game in Dublin. Horrendous conditions would prove to save England along with the boot of Farrell who scored all 12 of England’s points. Both teams had a torrid time in the rain but at full time it was Ireland who let the discipline slide most severely and cost them in defending their 10 year winning streak against England on home soil.
Ireland also had injuries to deal with too which saw Zebo and Sexton be forced off the field before half time, fortunately losing players in positions where the Irish bench has a little more depth. England got off to a good start with Farrell immediately settling the nerves of the men in white with a penalty 3 minutes in, to which Ireland responded with pressure punishing England for not being precise enough at the breakdown.
“Both magnificent and rubbish” was Keith Wood’s very accurate description of a tit-for-tat game in Dublin. Horrendous conditions would prove to save England along with the boot of Farrell who scored all 12 of England’s points. Both teams had a torrid time in the rain but at full time it was Ireland who let the discipline slide most severely and cost them in defending their 10 year winning streak against England on home soil.Ireland also had injuries to deal with too which saw Zebo and Sexton be forced off the field before half time, fortunately losing players in positions where the Irish bench has a little more depth. England got off to a good start with Farrell immediately settling the nerves of the men in white with a penalty 3 minutes in, to which Ireland responded with pressure punishing England for not being precise enough at the breakdown.
Six Nations Week One: The Talking Points
The three talking points from Week One of the Six Nations we've chosen to focus on are: England's selection dilemma, the possibility of glory for Ireland and Italy's big win over France.
Wales v Ireland – The Tale of the Two Halves
By Morgan Cerrone
Once again the opening game to the Six Nations has been enthralling with two halves of rugby that couldn’t have been more different. Indeed it marked the beginning of what is looking to be another brilliant Six Nations tournament.
In an interview before kick-off Brian O’Driscoll had said it’s highly like this would be his last Six Nations; but after watching that 80 minutes of rugby fans everywhere will be hoping that isn’t the case.
Once again the opening game to the Six Nations has been enthralling with two halves of rugby that couldn’t have been more different. Indeed it marked the beginning of what is looking to be another brilliant Six Nations tournament.In an interview before kick-off Brian O’Driscoll had said it’s highly like this would be his last Six Nations; but after watching that 80 minutes of rugby fans everywhere will be hoping that isn’t the case.
Morgan's Six Nations Predictions
Our writer Morgan Cerrone gives us her views on the Six Nations...
It’s here again, the Six Nations of course, and in its usual characteristic way offers an entirely repainted picture from only 12 months previously. With the Grand Slam winners becoming a third tier nation after a string of defeats, it’s once again all to play for and promises to be as exciting and unpredictable as ever.
Defending their Six Nations title of 2012, Wales face a very different challenge from last year. With injuries to key players like Rhys Priestland, Gethin Jenkins, Alun Wyn Jones and Luke Charteris, even Welsh fans will be wondering how effective the scrum but especially the line out will be. Wales will also be missing Coach Warren Gatland who is on Lions duty relying instead of Rob Howley.
It’s here again, the Six Nations of course, and in its usual characteristic way offers an entirely repainted picture from only 12 months previously. With the Grand Slam winners becoming a third tier nation after a string of defeats, it’s once again all to play for and promises to be as exciting and unpredictable as ever.
Defending their Six Nations title of 2012, Wales face a very different challenge from last year. With injuries to key players like Rhys Priestland, Gethin Jenkins, Alun Wyn Jones and Luke Charteris, even Welsh fans will be wondering how effective the scrum but especially the line out will be. Wales will also be missing Coach Warren Gatland who is on Lions duty relying instead of Rob Howley.