Jeez, even the coaches are on the mullets now! 🫣

I think Stockdale's loss of form, even before his injury issues, was partly a crisis of confidence that came out of playing 15, where he did not look at all comfortable (even for province), and in an Ireland team that had plenty of other struggles at that time and was struggling to reinvent itself.

...and now she's dead.

I wouldn't risk it, Thala.

“Who needs the Eiffel Tour? We’ve got a boarded up Debenhams.”

I’d say you’re right on both. Book was a decent read but I don’t fully get regard in which it’s held (Milkman jut as a contemporary example on the same historical theme hit way harder IMO). Book made clear there’s a creepiness to Michael, though, which just isn’t there in what we’ve seen so far.

I don’t have a clue what you mean?! 😂

Ha, absolutely did not mean this to take away from Matera in any way. Any forward who can put on a try like that in an international game is deserving of respect and celebration. But the Wales response in that situation... Was like watching Ulster between '22 and '24, such was the amount of effort!

As a neutral, my answer would depend on how much Wales are able to hold onto the ball. Genuinely decent stuff with the ball. Disorganised, and disinterested at times, without it.

Jeez, what a bellend! If I squint, I can almost see what he's trying to say, but even ignoring the fact that rugby is the ultimate of a squad-based game, this makes him come across like a total dick.

I'm so intrigued about who Scabby Sam is, or potentially, why the most obvious Sam to be punditing this game is scabby!

Two of whatever you had for breakfast this morning, please!

The 2027 RWC being in a fairly warm place in the spring is exactly what his hamstrings need, too!

The German for 50:22 being “fifty twenty-two” always gets me, mind! 🤣

German lads describe game, talk about laws and why refs reach decisions and still talk less than I’m used to. At RWC when fans were singing Zombie, they went, “This is great, we’ll shut up and let you listen to it.” English comms would have been taking over it, desperate to be center of attention.

I think it’s ultimately the law book of an amateur game for good old boys applied to a cynical win-at-all-costs pro sport and we’re increasingly seeing the limits of that and the effects of having not, holistically, revisited it but, instead, tinkering hoping to find the magic formula.

I agree but I’d even go a but further:

The whole law book is based on asking people in hugely physical, stressful, situations where minor margins can make a huge difference to self-regulate and that asks far, far too much.

They'll be having nightmares tonight!