Cymro
|
2009 RBS 6 NationsIt's that time of year again, when the liver beings to groan under the pressure of what is imminent and the bank account is groaining even louder
The brilliant 6 Nations is back!
Off to Scotland again this year for the Scotland vs Wales match. Once again I will be staying in Glasgow. A reminder of decent bars to go will be much appreciated!
Anyone else going to watch any of the matches? How confident are you of Scotland doing well? In my honest opinion I am not looking forward to an easy match against you on Sunday the 8th, it's going to be very hard but Wales should win (I hope). Think we can get the 6 Nations Crown again but don't think it will be with a Grand Slam. Can see us loosing one match against probably Ireland.
|
Cymro
|
Hmmm, all quiet.
Any new recommendations of good pubs in Glasgow would once again be greatly appreciated
|
Alasdair
|
I'll be watching in my local pub, one of the few chances I get to pay it a visit ... but not in Glasgow, sorry!
As to how well Scotland will do, it'll be the usual story of all hype no substance and in the end we'll land 4th or 5th in the table, Wales will gub us, as will England and France ...
|
Lord Pitsligo
|
Will the tickets be free now the taxpayer is sponsoring it?
|
Cymro
|
| Lord Pitsligo wrote: | | Will the tickets be free now the taxpayer is sponsoring it? |
 chance would be a fine thing!
Alasdair, I honestly don't think Wales will gub you, I do see a potential banana skin here for Wales but I hope to see a 15-10 win for Wales. I don't think there is going to be much more than a 5-10 point gap between us. I think Scotland will be going for a good 4th ahead of Italy (who are vastly improving) and England.
|
agentmancuso
|
The Avalon on Byres Road is a good pub. Don't know if they show rugby to be honest. The better pubs tend to be in the West End.
|
Cymro
|
Thanks, where about is Byres Rd in relation to say Harry Ramsdens (where staying near there) and Sauciehall Street? What about the West End? Last time we went we ended up meeting some other guys I knew and stayed in and around Sauciehall Street, want to see more this time.
Anyone on here out in Glasgow this weekend at all by any chance?
|
agentmancuso
|
Harry Ramsdens is close to Shields Road subway station - 10 mins takes you from there to Hillhead on Byres Road in the West End. If the weather's alright you can do a pretty reasonable pub crawl right up Byres Road, down Great Western Road, Woodlands Road and onto Sauchiehall Street. An old favourite.
No pubs for me though, wife's entertaining this weekend. 
|
Alasdair
|
| agentmancuso wrote: | | No pubs for me though, wife's entertaining this weekend. |
That's when I generally get sent to the pub by my better, and wiser, half
Back OT, I see Paterson is being left on the bench for the first game, which I'm glad about. That situation reminds me of others in the past when we've been too dependent on a good boot, we need to be running and scoring tries penelties should never be more than bonus points.
|
Cymro
|
| agentmancuso wrote: | Harry Ramsdens is close to Shields Road subway station - 10 mins takes you from there to Hillhead on Byres Road in the West End. If the weather's alright you can do a pretty reasonable pub crawl right up Byres Road, down Great Western Road, Woodlands Road and onto Sauchiehall Street. An old favourite.
No pubs for me though, wife's entertaining this weekend. |
Are wives not entertaining every weekend then? 
Thanks for the suggestions, will certainly make a note of them!
|
agentmancuso
|
Ha, nope, housework for me. I've already had the hoover out tonight. McDougall would be black affronted...
|
Reluctant Hero
|
Not a good start for Scotland today, but they were playing the defending champions!
|
skip
|
not that it would change the result... but i hate seeing scotland play in the current monstrosity of a rugby strip. some sports kit maker will say that the material absorbs moisture and cools the players down!! lol, like they need that in a freezin' cold february day!!
to me its a mish-mash of: Navy (which turns black after they've worked up a bit of a sweat). Grey (why?), and random white panels under sleaves, collar, and lines shooting out everywhere!! Same nonsense repeated with the shorts. The sponsors lettering on white background seems badly advised too!!
i rest my case!!
|
kevin04
|
Desperate stuff from Scotland again after a promising Autumn test series.
Last few years, we have been really poor with basic skills such as catching, passing and turning over the ball too easily.
The Evans' brothers need a game against France, realistically we know that winning in Paris will be a long shot so Hadden should have a real go instead of the cautious approach which cost us against Argentina (a game we could've won in the QF's of the World Cup)
In the space of one day, I've gone from quietly optimistic to quiet.
Wales are the best side in the Northern Hemisphere and really if Jones had his kicking boots on could've knocked about 40 odd points past us, they took their foot off the gas in the 2nd half and changed the side, giving us the chance of a wee comeback but overall not good enough from us.
We were at home and I know it was a tough game to win as Wales are Champs, but the errors that we've been doing for the past few years are still there.
If anything the scoreline flattered us to be only 13pts between us.
Oh well, move on to Saturday and hope they can give us at least a bit of a performance.
|
Alasdair
|
very disappointing ... something my unforeseen hangover can atest to!
|
Cymro
|
Got back yesterday from a fantabulous weekend in Glasgow. Left North Wales at 8:30 Saturday morning and pulled into the Travelodge at just after 12:30. Checked in and the first cans (of Brains SA - obviousy) where being cracked open by 12:45. Made our way to the Park Bar in the West End (I gather) for the England vs Italy match. First of all - fantastic pub, great welcome, lovely food, Welsh flag on the ceilling. The only bad thing was that the match between England and Italy was shockingly poor. The World Paint Drying Championship on Sky Sports 2 + 1 would have been a far better form of entertainment.
After watching the far better Ireland vs France match we made our way over to the Islay Inn down the road to watch the end of the Liverpool vs Pompey match then back into Sauciehall Street. Had a pint in a couple of bars then over to O'Neills for a few whiskys and watched a young lad singing acoustic, which was brilliant. Only downside to the night was being charged £20 for a taxi trip of just over a mile and he demanded a tip too! We where too drunk to argue and only realised exactly what had happened in the morning. The guy was Mr Ahmed (he told us) and worked for Glasgow Taxis.
On Sunday went to get rid of the hangovers by taking a trip to Loch Lomond as a friend had never been up there then back to the hotel and over to the Park Bar again for the Wales vs Scotland match. Again great welcome, lovely Haggis Neeps and Tatties and even better - great result. To be fair, Scotland where better for the first 5 mins and for the last 20mins. I do think Scotland will win 2 matches this time round.
What about THAT tackle on Martyn Williams. Have to say I was worried we where going to loose Williams when I saw that tackle go in and was shocked to see it was the Scot who came off worse and Martyn only needed a drink of water. After that I think Wales had won it psychologicaly.
After the match we went back to the hotel and later went out for a few pints in some nearby bars on the Paisley Road - Old Toll Bar, Quayside and the Merchants Bar (which was selling Guinness for only £1.99!)
Brilliant weekend and without exception brilliant welcome everywhere we went. Looking forward to 2 years time now!
|
Alasdair
|
THAT tackle was particularly evil and I didn't expect the welsh chappie to get up ... like you I was surprised to see it was the Scottish lad who was left on the deck! I was even more surprised when a different scottish player limped from the park (webster I think?).
I think you flatter scotland though ... they were mince.
|
azzuri
|
...didn't watch much of the rugby, but you were certainly ripped off re: the taxi Cymro. Next time you're up in Glasgow, pm me and you're welcome to crash at mine in the west end or if not comfortable with that, to just go for a pint! 
|
agentmancuso
|
| Cymro wrote: | | ... Wales...Park Bar ...Islay Inn |
I was out for a walk near Moffat on Saturday morning, and saw several cars with Welsh flags or scarves coming back up the motorway.
I've not been in the Park for years - it used to be one of the few places in Glasgow where you'd be likely to hear any Gaelic spoken. I used to live just along from the Islay, and must have been in it a hundred times. We even ended up in there at the end of my stag night.
Sounds like you had fun anyway, bastardin' taxi-drivers aside. I've never heard of anyone being ripped off like that here before.
|
Cymro
|
No, I've never been ripped off like that either. I do actually have the guy's mobile number which was sorely tempting when it dawned on us in the morning but not worth risking getting ourselves into trouble just to moan at him.
Thanks for that azzuri, will certainly hold you to atleast the pint next time I'm up - I'll definatly be there in 2 years time at least!
|
kevin04
|
On to tomorrow and France.
Nice to see the Evans' Brothers given a go, alongside Stroksch being brought in. I'd rather have seen Paterson in Danielli's position but we'll see how it goes, if we can keep it under 10, It's probably a decent result for us. 
Hope you lads win tomorrow Cymro, hope you win the tournament in fact. Excellent squad, you have there.
Whatever happened to Aled Frew?from the wee glimpses that I seen of him, I always thought he looked like a real gem of player and surprised not to see him push on from a few years ago.
I'm considering coming down next year for the Wales game, My pal's stag party is on the 14th of March (Sco-Ire) and I cannot make it back as I'm abroad working but I said that I'd treat him to a tic for one game next year and fancying Wales.
Is it quite hard/difficult to get tickets for this game?
Thanks in advance,
|
Cymro
|
Nah, shouldn't be too difficut for you to get tickets if you go after them in enough time. It was sold out on the day last year, but had I bothered my arse to get them earlier I would have been able to get them fairly easy. Best option though is to join a rugby club. The membership subs are usualy only something like £30 a year and gives you a better chance.
I'm nervous about today's match, before the tournament I was actually more worried about the Scotland match, but not on the day, all the talk having been during the week of Wales being favourites is making this match high risk now. Not too worried that loosing Shane Williams is going to punish us as while he's a fantastic player and can make something of nothing, there is more than enough strength in the squad to make up for that and go for good old fashioned brute force as well as flair, but the potential of an upset is high.
|
Alasdair
|
I had a dream about the Scotland game last night, the scotland were down by a point in the dying minutes of the game when in an unexpected move Hadden asked me if I could play, I went on and scored two tries winning the game by a huge margin ... a preminition perhaps? The win, not me playing
|
kevin04
|
Cheers Cymro for the info, my pal (the one who's getting married) is a member of a rugby club and plays for them. I never actually thought of asking him about tic's for Cardiff 
Will let you know if we make it down next year.
As for the game today;
A much improved performance from the Scots and we played decent in spells but again too many very basic errors including the usual knock on's or silly penalties.
We have 'potential' to be a decent team.
Some of Hadden's decision making is questionable to say the least, but I would give him the rest of the Championship to see how we get on. Some folk are on about firing him, but I don't know if that's the answer just yet, we played some decent stuff in the Autumn and today at times but if we could cut out the mistakes and sloppy passing. We could certainly become a decent side.
We need to go out against Italy in 2weeks similar to the game today. They are an improving side as we will know (the amount of times we've lost to them) but in front of Murrayfield, give the fans something to shout about before we take on the Irish the week after.
Thought the Wales-England game was a great match to watch at times, the free flowing rugby that I've not seen for a long time as a Scotland fan. Wales were deserved winners.
Wales-Ireland is looking very appealing on the last day now...
|
Reluctant Hero
|
Yeah, Scotland result was quite disappointing although some good play in bits.
Cymro must be pleased about the Wales result though
|
Alasdair
|
Finally! A win for Scotland, Ok, it was against Italy but the two tries showed good flair and handling, despite a number of earlier handling fluffs. Should've been three tries really, but c'est la vie.
Frank Hadden must be relieved though!
|
Cymro
|
Gutted by the Wales result on Friday night. At the beginning of the tournament I believed we had a great chance of retaining the 6 Nations but would loose one match (probably against Scotland or England) thus not getting our first back to back Grand Slam for a century, but I thought we had a great chance of beating the French as we have a great record against them in recent time at the Parc de France. As we went on to beat Scotland and then England the level of expectation rises and I believed we'd be looking at a winner takes all situation at the Wales vs Ireland closing match.
Great result for Scotland yesterday. I had a good feeling you'd win convincingly after the good performance vs France. The ability is there, it just seemed that the belief in the ability wasn't there for the 1st two matches resulting in just getting the basics wrong. I can see Scotland going on to win a second match too against England.
It's also worth noting that England this season have been responsible for the 2 more awful, boring matches in the RBS 2009 6 Nations - the first match against Italy and lastnight against Ireland. I enjoy the 6 Nations, I watch all the matches but yesterday I was bored to tears and spent the time playing Super Mario Bros on the Nintendo DS instead!
|
kevin04
|
On to tomorrow, and I am feeling reasonably optimistic but maybe should wait until tomorrow night but I even stuck a few quid on us to win tomorrow.
We have been quite unlucky in the past 2 seasons against the Irish and although we are making tons of silly mistakes, I fancy us tomorrow but see how it pans out come 8pm and the game is over.
|
Alasdair
|
Personally i always go into these games thinking "we're going to get humped", anything more than that is a bonus ... stops me becoming depressed should we lose 
|
kevin04
|
Oh well, my pre-match optimism.... 
Again, we played alright in spells. First half we were excellent but too many errors second half as per along with Ireland really digging in. Saying all that, Ireland deserved their win going by their 2nd half performance.
Next week should be very interesting, our best chance to win at Twickenham in a long time and if England lose tomorrow an added incentive to finish above them.
|
Alasdair
|
First half was excellent (for scotland!) and there were a couple of moments where something could hav come of it, disapponting in the end, but not particularly surprising.
|
Reluctant Hero
|
Big match tomorrow.
Could be Hadden's swansong. What a way to go out. A win over the Auld Enemy
Pretty sure that would be the end of the obnoxious English coach as well.
And I think there is a 50:50 chance we could pull it off.
|
Alasdair
|
Rubbish, we've not won on english soil since year dot, our hay-day is long gone, and we've hardly shown any consistent form during the tournament ... accept the truth now, it'll save tears later on 
Of course, if we do win Hadden'll probably get a reprieve and if he doesn't ... who replaces him?!
|
Scott2006
|
Could they afford to hire Sean Lineen or employ him or someone else to do a club/country job at the same time?
|
Alasdair
|
Final Score: Why am I not surprised ... for 1:55 in the first half I thought we might have a chance!
|
Cymro
|
Very dissapointed obviously by the Wales result. Thought it was a fantastic match, a true rollercoaster. Sickening that Wales ended up finishing 4th. Though saw a good article in the Western Mail which noted that had we won or came 2nd it may have hidden some of the problems which existed.
On a wider level though this was a pretty boring tournament due in no small way to the new experimental rules bought in after pressure from the Southern Hemisphere trinations sides which was supposed to encourage running rugby but ended up turning several matches into what was more like tennis as sides ended up hoofing the ball from one end to the next.
Looking forward to the 6 Nations 2010 now!
|
azzuri
|
...watched the Scotland game in a bar in Malmo with my mate; was absolutely rubbish, and it was too expensive to drown my sorrows!
|
|
|
