The Official *England to The Six Nations Title (and the Triple Crown)* Thread

[Duty281]

England are building. Since the embarrassment of the 2011 Rugby World Cup, Stuart Lancaster has been moving England forward to a happier, brighter future.  A future with hope. A future where overall victory in 2015 isn't out of the question. A future that is English.

In the beginning of Lancaster's reign, in the 2011 Six Nations, an unexpected four out of five victories were netted for England. Scotland, Italy and France were all beaten away. Ireland were thumped at home after England scrummaging dominance. In the middle of all that though were the Welsh, and they scuppered any chances of unlikely glory with a narrow seven-point win.

Then England went off to South Africa in the summer. The young and inexperienced English lost two and drew one, but did take a modicum of credit for their performance in the difficult South African environment. Back at the home of rugby in the autumn, England thrashed a weak Fijian side. Agony then preceded ecstasy. Close defeats to Australia and South Africa were first, where England missed several chances to win both games, before the unbelievable high of beating the World Champions by 17 points followed. Finally, England showed what they could do.

Four wins to start 2013 followed. Scotland were dominated, Ireland were out-muscled, France were overpowered, and Italy were also beaten. Then there was Wales. Grand Slam Glory for 2013 was utterly destroyed by a rampant Wales team, fully intent on spoiling the English party. Wales had the honours, the bragging rights and the trophy. England had to pick herself up again. In the most humiliating defeat, may you find your greatest strength.

Fast-forward to the summer, and a youthful England side beat a very poor Argentine side twice. Then Lancaster could punch the air once more, as England defeated Australia by seven points at Twickers. Another victory over the Argies followed, before, once again, England took on the World Champions and emerged with great credit. This time it was gallant defeat, not heroic victory, but England had shown again what they were capable of.

Lancaster has called this a defining year in the lead-up to 2015. It's certainly a very defining Six Nations. A trip to Paris is first - France v England will always make the mouth water. Then away to Scotland - not too difficult surely, for England? Home to Ireland for the 3rd game - so long the bogey team for England, now the tables have turned with England's forward dominance. England may have to be a bit wary though - just remember what Ireland nearly did to New Zealand! 4th game, home to Wales - it will define everything, rest assured of that. Finishing off with Italy - let's hope England don't slip on the banana skin.

Today on the English landscape, there is an English rugby side filled with optimism. One that holds the required belief necessary for success. Is there superb depth for England, thus covering the injuries? Yes. Is it the best team in the Northern Hemisphere on paper? Yes.

Best go and prove it lads....Come on England!

[Scratch]

I think the pursuit of the Slam is England's biggest problem, apart from the centre issue, how often in the last 15 years has England been hyped up for the Slam and crumbled under the pressure? Too much press obsession with Slams distracts them.

IMO Paris is the biggest game SL has had to manage, defining almost and if England win it is all on again, but if they lose, they can still win the championship though it could all come apart. If SL fails in this 6 Nations then i cannot see England having a good year at all.

But, a win in the 6 Nations, slam or not, could set them up for a decent showing in NZ.

But, let's go with the usual rhetoric…. Congratulations England on winning another Grand Slam, mine's an XL…. 

[GloriousEmpire]

Optimism based on "gallant defeats" and getting smashed by Wales might be considered by some to be bordering on delusion don't you think?

[Scratch]

Optimism based on "gallant defeats" and getting smashed by Wales might be considered by some to be bordering on delusion don't you think?

As delusional as suggesting NZ is good at sailing after losing an 8 race advantage in the America's Cup   

[rainbow-warrior]

Optimism based on "gallant defeats" and getting smashed by Wales might be considered by some to be bordering on delusion don't you think?

As delusional as suggesting NZ is good at sailing after losing an 8 race advantage in the America's Cup   

Hahaha to see smugness change to sulks gradually was brilliant.

England to be 2nd best in NH & 6 Nations and a total whitewash in NZ, so 2nd best all round then:)

[aucklandlaurie]

Optimism based on "gallant defeats" and getting smashed by Wales might be considered by some to be bordering on delusion don't you think?

As delusional as suggesting NZ is good at sailing after losing an 8 race advantage in the America's Cup   

The only reason England has never lost The Americas Cup is because theyve never won it.

[Biltong]

I think if England wants to prove they are undoubtedly the best team in the NH then a grandslam is non negotiable, otherwise there will be some demons in the 2015 RWC.

Wales have won the last two encounters against England, Australia is 1/2 over their past two encounters.

This RWC group can go either way.

[Scratch]

Optimism based on "gallant defeats" and getting smashed by Wales might be considered by some to be bordering on delusion don't you think?

As delusional as suggesting NZ is good at sailing after losing an 8 race advantage in the America's Cup   

The only reason England has never lost The Americas Cup is because theyve never won it.

England's sailing record is not at issue, though take note last year's winning tactician was a multi gold winning olympian Englander who clawed back an 8 match deficit.

GE suggested NZ were good at sailing, after the debacle I witnessed in SF Bay i beg to differ.

[Scratch]

Anyway back to rugger

Biltong i think a Slam is unnecessary, a hard fought championship win in a very even year , 4 potential winners without doubt - would do.

But the next game v France is incredibly important. If they win i think they could kick on until the press hype derials the campaign as per usual

if they lose i reckon scotland might feel they have a sniff at home

[rainbow-warrior]

I think if England wants to prove they are undoubtedly the best team in the NH then a grandslam is non negotiable, otherwise there will be some demons in the 2015 RWC.

Wales have won the last two encounters against England, Australia is 1/2 over their past two encounters.

This RWC group can go either way.

Wales have won the last 3 encounters.

[Biltong]

Didn't check back that far, I was more concerned about most recent encounters.

The England team has changed significantly enough that I think it is the current crop of players that need to gain ascendancy over Oz and Wales if they want to move forward in the RWC

[aucklandlaurie]

Optimism based on "gallant defeats" and getting smashed by Wales might be considered by some to be bordering on delusion don't you think?

As delusional as suggesting NZ is good at sailing after losing an 8 race advantage in the America's Cup   

The only reason England has never lost The Americas Cup is because theyve never won it.

England's sailing record is not at issue, though take note last year's winning tactician was a multi gold winning olympian Englander who clawed back an 8 match deficit.GE suggested NZ were good at sailing, after the debacle I witnessed in SF Bay i beg to differ.

You write that in such a way as to imply that Ainslee was the sole winning tactician on Team USA, He was the sole Englishman though.

[The Saint]

It's nice to dream and all that, but I just get the feeling you will have to settle for another few moral victories in 2014.

[Ozzy3213]

Pretty sure moral victories tend to be your domain Sainty!

[The Saint]

Not sure where this myth comes from Ozzy? Must be another English myth, just like the "England are the best in the world at rugby" myth, and my personal favourite "England can play running rugby." I do find it ironic though, that Wales fans were slated for so long for apparently claiming these moral victories, only for a bunch of England fans to go out and do just that (more than once too).

[Ozzy3213]

Must be nice living in your world mate.   

[GunsGerms]

Hi England fans. I am travelling to London for the Ireland v England game. If anyone has or knows where I might source some spare tickets for this game I will gladly buy them off you.
Thanks,
Guns

[The Saint]

Must be nice living in your world mate.    

Poke at comments then leave an immature reply when asked to explain ones self. Pathetic behaviour from a mod if you ask me.

[GloriousEmpire]

Optimism based on "gallant defeats" and getting smashed by Wales might be considered by some to be bordering on delusion don't you think?

As delusional as suggesting NZ is good at sailing after losing an 8 race advantage in the America's Cup   

The only reason England has never lost The Americas Cup is because theyve never won it.

England's sailing record is not at issue, though take note last year's winning tactician was a multi gold winning olympian Englander who clawed back an 8 match deficit.

GE suggested NZ were good at sailing, after the debacle I witnessed in SF Bay i beg to differ.

The boat race was won on a feedback foiling system that allowed oracle racing to configure the boat pseudo-automatically by continually pressing a single button. It was arguably in contravention of the law established by the regatta committee when team NZ invented the foiling concept, which stipulated that control of the foils
Had to be manual. It's arguable whether pressing a button is a manual system, however that's how the committee ruled so we have to accept it.

Now. The guy responsible for putting the system in place was Russell Coutts, a controversial uncompromising kiwi maverick. His logic was that the cup was lost anyway due to team NZ's superior sailing and boat speed, so losing on the water or losing in the court room were largely equivalent. So they tried it, and got away with it. Nothing at all to do with Ben Ainslie, as was evident in his stuffing prior to the boat changes made by oracle.

Secondly, both boats, and their foiling systems were invented and built in New Zealand.

Ainslie was just another British plodder well below the pay grade where the cup was decided. Shame his own once proud nautical country don't have the nous or courage to put up a challenge isn't it?

Anyway, back to rugby...

[Nachos Jones]

I cant see England winning anything of real note while Farrell is at 10. I think it will be a very close tournament this year but I can see France winning it with no GS.

[lostinwales]

...

Ainslie was just another British plodder well below the pay grade where the cup was decided. Shame his own once proud nautical country don't have the nous or courage to put up a challenge isn't it?

Anyway, back to rugby...

Considering Ainslie is 'just another British plodder' its a good thing for competitive sailing in the rest of the world that we cant find anyone better. He was just part of a big team for the AC but put him in a boat on his own and he plods faster than anyone

[Ozzy3213]

Must be nice living in your world mate.    

Poke at comments then leave an immature reply when asked to explain ones self. Pathetic behaviour from a mod if you ask me.

A few of points.

1. You've not asked me to explain anything, merely responded to my initial post by claiming that moral victories are definitely and England thing.
2. Even if you had asked me to explain myself, I am under no obligation to do so.
3. I am posting as a poster, not a mod, it would would have been in red had I been dealing with something as a moderator.
4. Lighten up chief. You had a 'poke' first about moral victories. If you don't want to be poked back, you know the solution.

  

[Nachos Jones]

Must be nice living in your world mate.    

Poke at comments then leave an immature reply when asked to explain ones self. Pathetic behaviour from a mod if you ask me.

A few of points.

1. You've not asked me to explain anything, merely responded to my initial post by claiming that moral victories are definitely and England thing.
2. Even if you had asked me to explain myself, I am under no obligation to do so.
3. I am posting as a poster, not a mod, it would would have been in red had I been dealing with something as a moderator.
4. Lighten up chief.  You had a 'poke' first about moral victories.  If you don't want to be poked back, you know the solution.

  

And so it begins, good luck again to Notch and George come the 6N   

[The Saint]

Must be nice living in your world mate.    

Poke at comments then leave an immature reply when asked to explain ones self. Pathetic behaviour from a mod if you ask me.

A few of points.

1. You've not asked me to explain anything, merely responded to my initial post by claiming that moral victories are definitely and England thing.
2. Even if you had asked me to explain myself, I am under no obligation to do so.
3. I am posting as a poster, not a mod, it would would have been in red had I been dealing with something as a moderator.
4. Lighten up chief.  You had a 'poke' first about moral victories.  If you don't want to be poked back, you know the solution.

  

Oh come on, you insinuated that the Welsh were big claimants of moral victories, you always do so! I asked you to point out where we had done? I wouldn't have thought we did; I mean after winning 'back-to-back' 6 Nations who would need to do that? Joking around is cool, but it seemed like you were acting childish.

Anyway, my comments were directed at the OP in a light-hearted manner. I'm not taking it too seriously after last years thread.... Though please allow me to point out that had a welsh poster did this we would be seeing a barrage of posts slagging off Wales.

[GloriousEmpire]

...

Ainslie was just another British plodder well below the pay grade where the cup was decided. Shame his own once proud nautical country don't have the nous or courage to put up a challenge isn't it?

Anyway, back to rugby...

Considering Ainslie is 'just another British plodder' its a good thing for competitive sailing in the rest of the world that we cant find anyone better. He was just part of a big team for the AC but put him in a boat on his own and he plods faster than anyone

Well he's a decent sailor. But Americas cup regattas are about 5% sailing, 50% politics and 40% technology and 5% luck so i wouldn't overestimate his contribution as a mere tactician in the reserve on crew.

[lostinwales]

Must be nice living in your world mate.    

Poke at comments then leave an immature reply when asked to explain ones self. Pathetic behaviour from a mod if you ask me.

A few of points.

1. You've not asked me to explain anything, merely responded to my initial post by claiming that moral victories are definitely and England thing.
2. Even if you had asked me to explain myself, I am under no obligation to do so.
3. I am posting as a poster, not a mod, it would would have been in red had I been dealing with something as a moderator.
4. Lighten up chief.  You had a 'poke' first about moral victories.  If you don't want to be poked back, you know the solution.

  

Oh come on, you insinuated that the Welsh were big claimants of moral victories, you always do so! I asked you to point out where we had done? I wouldn't have thought we did; I mean after winning 'back-to-back' 6 Nations who would need to do that? :DJoking around is cool, but it seemed like you were acting childish.

Anyway, my comments were directed at the OP in a light-hearted manner. I'm not taking it too seriously after last years thread.... Though please allow me to point out that had a welsh poster did this we would be seeing a barrage of posts slagging off Wales.

https://www.606v2.com/t50932-wales-6-nations-champions-2014

Pretty mild really.

For all the sabre rattling coming from a few welsh posters I think its interesting that you dont see them doing the same on the Scottish and Irish 6N threads (and there isnt really any Fr or It thread)

[Biltong]

Must be nice living in your world mate.    

Poke at comments then leave an immature reply when asked to explain ones self. Pathetic behaviour from a mod if you ask me.

Saint, I see that is your standard reply when a mod responds in a manner of which you don't approve. Being a mod does afford us the opportunity to also act as posters.

[GloriousEmpire]

Moral victory to Saint over the mods there.

[Breadvan]

Moral victory to Saint over the mods there.

  Tbf to Saint. Moral victories, coat tailing and the ever popular 'de-valued' was more of WLG thing...

[The Saint]

 Don't let Ozzy see that, he might get jealous and starting writing with red ink.

[munkian]

Shouldn't England just aim to win the thing first ? Pretty awful record since 2003

[Breadvan]

Shouldn't England just aim to win the thing first ? Pretty awful record since 2003

Beating yous lot would be a start!   

[munkian]

Shouldn't England just aim to win the thing first ? Pretty awful record since 2003

Beating yous lot would be a start!    

I was being diplomatic   

[beshocked]

Poor Wales get Alain Rolland in week 3 vs France. Enjoy!  

http://www.therugbyblog.com/six-nations-2014-referees-confirmed

Avoiding Walsh is also a good sign for England.

[Scratch]

Optimism based on "gallant defeats" and getting smashed by Wales might be considered by some to be bordering on delusion don't you think?

As delusional as suggesting NZ is good at sailing after losing an 8 race advantage in the America's Cup   

The only reason England has never lost The Americas Cup is because theyve never won it.

England's sailing record is not at issue, though take note last year's winning tactician was a multi gold winning olympian Englander who clawed back an 8 match deficit.

GE suggested NZ were good at sailing, after the debacle I witnessed in SF Bay i beg to differ.

The boat race was won on a feedback foiling system that allowed oracle racing to configure the boat pseudo-automatically by continually pressing a single button. It was arguably in contravention of the law established by the regatta committee when team NZ invented the foiling concept, which stipulated that control of the foils
Had to be manual.  It's arguable whether pressing a button is a manual system, however that's how the committee ruled so we have to accept it.

Now. The guy responsible for putting the system in place was Russell Coutts, a controversial uncompromising kiwi maverick. His logic was that the cup was lost anyway due to team NZ's superior sailing and boat speed, so losing on the water or losing in the court room were largely equivalent. So they tried it, and got away with it. Nothing at all to do with Ben Ainslie, as was evident in his stuffing prior to the boat changes made by oracle.

Secondly, both boats, and their foiling systems were invented and built in New Zealand.

Ainslie was just another British plodder well below the pay grade where the cup was decided. Shame his own once proud nautical country don't have the nous or courage to put up a challenge isn't it?

Anyway, back to rugby...

What a surprise, losing NZ team alleges cheating…didn't know Wayne Barnes was also a sailing ref.

As for Sir Ben being a plodder, with 4 Gold Medals.

I guess that makes you a plonker

[yappysnap]

Oh how i've missed the 6N's threads...

[The Saint]

Scratch and GE are allowing things to spill over quite a lot lately. And I thought The Saint was bad.

[Scratch]

Saint

GE and I are merely having friendly exchange of views

While you seem to be interminably whining about Welsh posters being picked on, or whining about MODS not doing their jobs, or whining about other posters in general.

Simon Templar would turn in his grave.

[GloriousEmpire]

I'm pretty sure Scratch is the grey ghost.

[Scratch]

I'm pretty sure Scratch is the grey ghost.

False flag from the ghost himself

[rainbow-warrior]

Didn't check back that far, I was more concerned about most recent encounters.

The England team has changed significantly enough that I think it is the current crop of players that need to gain ascendancy over Oz and Wales if they want to move forward in the RWC

Yeah 3 years is ancient history innit

[Biltong]

Didn't check back that far, I was more concerned about most recent encounters.

The England team has changed significantly enough that I think it is the current crop of players that need to gain ascendancy over Oz and Wales if they want to move forward in the RWC

Yeah 3 years is ancient history innit

I suppose it depends when you want to draw the line. In my view it is appropriate to draw the line when Lancaster took over.

[munkian]

Didn't check back that far, I was more concerned about most recent encounters.

The England team has changed significantly enough that I think it is the current crop of players that need to gain ascendancy over Oz and Wales if they want to move forward in the RWC

Yeah 3 years is ancient history innit

I suppose it depends when you want to draw the line. In my view it is appropriate to draw the line when Lancaster took over.

Very convenient... please keep championing England, they fluffed it last year under your patronage too   

[Biltong]

Didn't check back that far, I was more concerned about most recent encounters.

The England team has changed significantly enough that I think it is the current crop of players that need to gain ascendancy over Oz and Wales if they want to move forward in the RWC

Yeah 3 years is ancient history innit

I suppose it depends when you want to draw the line. In my view it is appropriate to draw the line when Lancaster took over.

Very convenient...  please keep championing England, they fluffed it last year under your patronage too   

Who me?   

[munkian]

Carry on   

[Biltong]

I am innocent, besides I am actually not championing them at all, I am challenging them to prove they can overcome the deficiencies against Australia and Wales.   

[munkian]

I thought it was Steve Walsh they needed to overcome ?

[Biltong]

I thought it was Steve Walsh they needed to overcome ?

Then I need to update my list of impossible tasks for teams, Wales has Alain Rolland, we had the retired Bruce Lawrence, our newest one is Romain Pointe, England has Welsh, France has Joubert, who am I missing?

[munkian]

Welsh or Walsh ?   

EVERYONE has ALL Irish refs, ever.

[nobbled]

It's going to be close I think. I can't actually see England, Wales, France or Ireland winning all their matches. "on their day" (sorry) Wales are probably the strongest, but not the most consistent performers.
England need to introduce the ball to the blokes with numbers higher than 10 on their shirts. They're thoroughly nice chaps and I'm sure would like to play too given the opportunity. The pack can win England most of their games, but not all.
France - who the hell knows.
Ireland - likewise!

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