Rugby Union

Oooh, big shock

3 for the price of 1 here. They've all had Scotland's number for many years, so no tears here for sure. But you have to hat tip and acknowledge that they have been great for Ireland and have all earned a quiet retirement

Couldn't find a way to share at a specific timestamp but if you go to 57:30 then Asterix and his fellow Gauls discover rugby from Les Bretons. Great lots of great rugby related gags!

Also found it interesting as a british person to hear the brits speak French with their accent. That's less rugby related though.

So all teams have played now, and the early signs are that this season is going to be an absolute belter.

Of the 10 games, only 2 have been a bit of a blow out, everything else has been well fought for the full 80, and with the Aussie teams absorbing one club to reduce to four they look much more competitive already.

Probably the biggest talking point so far is how the new focus on continuing the game rather than pissing about for a cup of tea every few phases is making the last 20 minutes a huge battle.

Basically what happens now is lineouts have to be formed within 30 seconds, I think the only reason to delay is if the hooker isn't available. So there's just way less players taking a knee for a breather (though SR traditionally didn't have much of that anyway).

Kicks, Scrums, Lineouts are all going way faster, and once a player has held up play for an "injury" a couple of times the referee is making sure that its severe, and if it is asking them to get a replacement on.

I expect the popularity of those changes is going to be pretty high down here, but of course international rugby swings to the beat of the NH rule makers so it will be interesting to see if it hurts the ABs & Wallabies come test time, where because the big forwards will be allowed to have a breather any extra fitness gained won't matter.

If you want to watch any recommendations from this weekend: Chiefs-Crusaders for the (so far) clear best team putting on a clinic in that last 20. Highlanders-Blues for one team overcoming cards due to a hugely emotional game and possibly one player demanding Razor gives him the black 12 jersey. Force-Brumbies for a game down to the wire right until the whistle.

Saturday

1415 Wales v Ireland
1645 England vs Scotland

Sunday

1500 Italy vs France

All GMT for timezones, and what a feast again. Wales with new management, hoping against hope to at least give Ireland a scare. Ireland resting a couple of players even

An England side that have a bit of bounce after stealing a win vs France last week vs an underfiring Scottish side that have won this fixture the last 4 times. This one on paper is too close to call!

Then an Italian side at home vs France that is licking their wounds. A draw last year, will Italy go one better?

As always, predictions, reactions, and comments always appreciated. Happy six nations all

Some hype for the biggest game of the year for Scotland. Borthwick would say this, but beating France once does not magically make you a great team, it's only 1 result. Nor does beating a poor Australia. Nor Wales or Italy. I'm still scared of Twickenham, even if Finn Russell says he isn't. But I don't fear this England side either, and In hope the players don't either.

Both sides needing this game to keep hopes of (2nd realistically) the championship alive. The Calcutta Cup to play for!

5 weeks of November rugby for us later this year. An opener for the no2 spot to kick off, Scotland getting a crack at the last to win against nation week 2, Wales to struggle vs Japan week 3, Ireland getting a crack at the number 1 spot week 4, and Wales getting pumped to finish. Can't wait already and we're still 3 to go in the 6n!

MLR also kicked off yesterday, happy new season all!

Happy super rugby kick off to NZ, Oz, and Pacific Islanders. Great Saturday morning viewing for me tomorrow :)

EJ with a bad cancer diagnosis, so this is his son. I wonder if he is as mad as his dad?

Wow, did not expect that mid-campaign. He obviously isn't the problem imo

Great to see a return of Spain. Vamos los leones!

England stole the show this weekend with a fantastic display in Twickenham. Wales, well let's just say it's a long road yet. And Scotland's bogey team looked imperious, Ireland for the slam I suspect

Home wins as predicted last week, but Wales laying down sadly vs a rampant France. Scotland were given a scare by Italy, and Ireland didn't look invulnerable against a determined England. I love the six nations.

This weekend we see the battle for the spoon with Italy hosting Wales. Then Le Crunch with England hosting France and a crowd desparate for something to celebrate. Finally we see Scotland host Ireland who are on a ten game win streak vs the Scots currently. Loads on narrative, loads on the line, loads of rugby!

Saturday

1515 CET Italy vs Wales
1645 GMT England vs France

Sunday

1500 Scotland vs Ireland

As always, reactions, reviews and predictions always welcomed

3 changes all unenforced. Good for Toonie, keep the Irish on their toes. But 10 in a row is a stat that doesn't lie

Not to be overdramatic. But this has ruined my weekend

Great read about French rugby here, enjoy folks

Kick off tonight, join the kick tipp league and get a beer in.

Tonight

France vs Wales

Tomorrow

Scotland vs Italy
Ireland vs England

Under 20s is also on, and 2nd tier European cup too. What a feast. Head, heart and arse comments greatly appreciated

Left this far too late, apologies, but here is a score prediction league here for our community. Happy predictions, and may the best predictor win

It starts tonight, here's some more hype and prédictions, in case we need it

Ireland by 10 with this team

Not long now, can't wait to submit that match thread tomorrow. The Netflix Full Contact documentary dropped yesterday for those who want to relive last year

Some Italian preview for us. As Scotland's opener I'm not underestimating them this year. Bookies have written them off already though

England with the first announcement. Ireland by 12 still I reckon