Italys defeat against Ireland today will be their 35th consecutive loss in the six nations. Is it time that Italy were dropped from the competition ? It’s clearly way above the standard they can compete. No disgrace for Italy but it makes a mockery of the competition to have it so imbalanced.
Italys defeat against Ireland today will be their 35th consecutive loss in the six nations. Is it time that Italy were dropped from the competition ? It’s clearly way above the standard they can compete. No disgrace for Italy but it makes a mockery of the competition to have it so imbalanced.
Considering they only have 13 players they have held out quite well.
Should we revert back to a five nations tournament? Maybe the lesser nations could have a play off and see who else could join.
Romania were very up and coming a few years ago, Georgia and Russia (maybe not) have been in the World Cup.
Any other nations deemed strong enough?
Went to the World Sevens in Las Vegas a few years and quite a few nations taking part, Spain and Portugal spring to mind but sevens is a different game to the 15 a side.
Italys defeat against Ireland today will be their 35th consecutive loss in the six nations. Is it time that Italy were dropped from the competition ? It’s clearly way above the standard they can compete. No disgrace for Italy but it makes a mockery of the competition to have it so imbalanced.
Considering they only have 13 players they have held out quite well.
I agree Len but the Italians are simply not strong enough as a Rugby nation to compete at the Six Nations level. Harsh but a fact.
I'd be in favour of a second tier Six Nations, with Top/Bottom automatic promotion and relegation, with play offs for the next best/worst teams.
But also play at least one Autumn international against a second tier team.
Off the top of my head, I'd suggest Spain, Germany, Georgia, Romania, Portugal and an invited Pacific Island nation (who I'd base somewhere like the Canaries).
But, then again, I'd be doing something similar for the URC.
Without that, you do more damage to the wider game by simply removing the Italians.
World Rugby needs to encourage and develop weaker teams, and the only way to achieve that is regular games against better opposition.
Italy today were mostly undone by numbers, but look at their levels of fitness, tackling ability and skills, they have improved beyond measure because of the Six Nations and, while they are getting hammered now, there have times when any of the other five nations were equally bad.
Ireland has had a golden generation, but it won't forever, and a dose of humility is often good for us.
I'd be in favour of a second tier Six Nations, with Top/Bottom automatic promotion and relegation, with play offs for the next best/worst teams.
But also play at least one Autumn international against a second tier team.
Off the top of my head, I'd suggest Spain, Germany, Georgia, Romania, Portugal and an invited Pacific Island nation (who I'd base somewhere like the Canaries).
But, then again, I'd be doing something similar for the URC.
Without that, you do more damage to the wider game by simply removing the Italians.
World Rugby needs to encourage and develop weaker teams, and the only way to achieve that is regular games against better opposition.
Italy today were mostly undone by numbers, but look at their levels of fitness, tackling ability and skills, they have improved beyond measure because of the Six Nations and, while they are getting hammered now, there have times when any of the other five nations were equally bad.
Ireland has had a golden generation, but it won't forever, and a dose of humility is often good for us.
South Africa are itching to become the 6th nation .. the fact is that Italy are getting worse. An article in today's Sunday Times, written by Italy's New Zealander coach who obviously has a vested interest, opines that if Italy lost their 6 nations spot, it would be the death of Italian rugby. The truth is that Italian rugby is in intensive care as it is France look terrific, Scotland after a good start are proving e too lightweight .. England despite a good forward performance against a struggling Wales, are clueless in attack .. they'll need 100% improvement allied to a proper selection by Ozzie Eddie Cobber Jones to get anything versus France and Ireland
Well played England. Didn't deserve that scoreline given their efforts but so hard to keep up that intensity for 80 minutes. Weird thing is I doubt they will have played as well as that with 15 men. Definitely galvanised them.
Comments
Romania were very up and coming a few years ago, Georgia and Russia (maybe not) have been in the World Cup.
Any other nations deemed strong enough?
Went to the World Sevens in Las Vegas a few years and quite a few nations taking part, Spain and Portugal spring to mind but sevens is a different game to the 15 a side.
But also play at least one Autumn international against a second tier team.
Off the top of my head, I'd suggest Spain, Germany, Georgia, Romania, Portugal and an invited Pacific Island nation (who I'd base somewhere like the Canaries).
But, then again, I'd be doing something similar for the URC.
Without that, you do more damage to the wider game by simply removing the Italians.
World Rugby needs to encourage and develop weaker teams, and the only way to achieve that is regular games against better opposition.
Italy today were mostly undone by numbers, but look at their levels of fitness, tackling ability and skills, they have improved beyond measure because of the Six Nations and, while they are getting hammered now, there have times when any of the other five nations were equally bad.
Ireland has had a golden generation, but it won't forever, and a dose of humility is often good for us.
France look terrific, Scotland after a good start are proving e too lightweight .. England despite a good forward performance against a struggling Wales, are clueless in attack .. they'll need 100% improvement allied to a proper selection by Ozzie Eddie Cobber Jones to get anything versus France and Ireland
Best I've seen England play in ages.
Twat.
Fantastic last gasp effort.
I thought the captain was brilliant in his post game interview as well