Six Nations 2009

Second place and top try scorers for England

good platform for 2010 and the 2011 RWC

scotland dreadful once again. no excuses left.

well done ireland, the least bad team

For all the (correct) criticism of the poor standard of the tournament, today went againstthat grain. The rugby was great, there was very little ping-pong and Wales-Ireland was one hell of a test match. It was agonizing in the last minute seeing Jones (who I thought had a really good game, noting his one kick out on the full when O'gara had far more errors from the boot is churlish) fall just short. While Ireland were not above mere consistency in the  middle games of the tournament. Their performances against France and Wales were magnificent and they have to be congratulated. Gutted to see Wales finish fourth but they were pretty close to a Grand Slam at the same time! There were 3 years between Wales two recent Grand Slams FB, so might have to wait two more years.

Thought the game as a spectacle were helped by Wayne barnes as a referee. We actually had contested set-pieces not all immediately ending in free-kicks and penalties. Ok, not exactly straight feeds, but you can't have everything. England-Scotland game had another irritating South African Ref who reduced the scrums to a farce.

can't say I agree quality-wise but there you are.

wales ireland was exciting though, can't deny that.

Well done Ireland as I though that they were the most consitent team in the competition.

Right then - who's going to be picked for the Lions. 

From our lot, Paterson (only 'cos he is the most consistent kicker) and the only other stand out players are Euan Murray, and the Evans bros.  I'll leave the rest of you guys to choose your most likeley candidates as I've not had the time to watch matches other than the 6 nations.

Paterson won't go.

Murray

Thom Evans, not Max.

Blair (though it should be cusiter)

possibly Hines.

there are other good players in the Scotland squad but they have not performed and do not deserve to tour.

Congratulations to Ireland.Over the whole 6 nations,they were by far the most consistent team and in Brian O'Driscoll had the player of the tournament.

I also thought Stephen Jones had a good,all round game but I would like to have seen Henson take that last penalty-it was all about distance and that 's where he comes into his own.

Having said that,I can't say we did anywhere near enough to win and what's disappointing is that,apart from the first 60 minutes of the Scotland game,we've never really looked dangerous.

Last season,we threatened to score tries every time we won the ball and we moved through the phases at speed and kept the ball alive.This season,we've looked plodding and predictable and have made very few chances for ourselves.

Oh well,at least there's still the Ospreys !

Agreed,Parisse is world class.A classic example of a great player in a poor team-a bit like Hugo Porta in the Argentina team of the '70's and '80's.

However,when Ireland needed someone to produce something special,BOD delivered and I feel he is now a cert to be captain of the Lions.

Lions team as discussed on our lunchtime run yesterday:

Full back: Byrne; Wings: Williams & Bowe; Centres Roberts & O'Driscoll; Flyhalf: Jones; Scrum half: Phillips; An Irish front 5; open-side: Williams; blind side: Haskell; No.8: Powell.

On the plane: Henson, Lewsey, Care, Tindall, Armitage D., Heaslip, Wallace, Rees T., Sheridan, Murray, Mears, Evans T., Hamilton, Jenkins, Croft, O'Gara

I think the 6 Nations has shown that lots of places are still up for grabs.At the moment,my test team would be Byrne,Bowe,O'Driscoll (capt),Henson (many will disagree,but when fully fit,I believe he is real class),Sackey (can't bring myself to pick Shane Williams on Wales' recent displays),Jones,Phillips,Jenkins,Flannery,Murray,O'Connell,Wyn Jones,Wallace,Leamy (my "wild card") and Martin Williams.

Also in  the squad:Armitage,Shane Williams,Thom Evans (or Monye,if Evans isn't fit),Flutey,D'Arcy,Shanklin,O'Gara,Blair,Stringer,Sheridan,Vickery,Adam Jones,Mears,Best,Hines,O'Callaghan,Ryan Jones,Heaslip,Croft and Worsley.