SLD - you around - rugby yesterday

Hiya - ouch is all I can say about the English game. Bergamasco played the most uncomfortable game I've ever seen, I cannot believe that Italy waited so long for the sub there, it was clear from the second minute when Goode went over, that he was going to be woeful out of position. Those first three tries were a gift from Italian error; that said, it was good news for England at least, I think Italy were flaky and England were turgid. It wasn't a nice game to watch was it?

Wales did what they had to do - they played it very tight, made few errors, which was what we needed. The first half was a stormer, you're absolutely right about Roberts, he played out of his skin and was a well-deserved man of the match. Then they did ease up somewhat, but I think that the conditions were pretty bad - very cold and slippery too, the pitch looked pretty messy and I think that contributed to the injuries too in all honesty. I'm happy with what they achieved, a few more points on the board would have been nice, but we didn't come undone and we didn't underestimate the Scottish. Bring on next week!

Was it 13 that Jones missed? I thought it was 8 but with that amount of misfires it was easy to lose count - I guess I did! (Nothing to do with the fact that I inadvertantly got razzled on the red wine, erk)

Jones missed 2 conversions and 2 penalties (I think). Halfpenny also missed a penalty.

You could see from Gatland's interview he was going to be going to the training ground to show what they did wrong rather than praising what they did right.

I also thought William's sin-binning was harsh.

And poor old Bergamasco. I was a little surprised he wasn't kept on in the pack, but then maybe his confidence was shot after the first half.

Ireland and France both look ominously good though. Nice to see BOD back on form with the lions tour a few months off.

Yes I had forgotten about Halfpenny - I think Jones missed four cons but as I say, a rather large amount of wine had been consumed by the 60th minute and I totally lost count (better to count the points we made than the ones that failed I suppose)

I thought the sin-binning was harsh too - a rap on the knuckles would have been better. It was at that point that we lost our hunger a bit I think, well that and the 4x subs. I think Gatland's post-match comments were spot on, we're not going to be allowed to ease up pressure like that against the English - I think he needs to outline that, as another team would have made us pay.

I think it was the confidence thing with Bergamasco too - after that first half show I think it was a kindness to keep him off - his brother scoring can't have helped his mood either!

BOD is in my fantasy league too - woo! He did very well. I know it's far too early to be saying this but I'm wondering if the final match of the tournament might be the decider....

You could be right, but a Friday night in Paris could be the key.

Williams is struggling but if Henson gets fit they can always shove Roberts on the wing and have Henson & Shanklin in the centres.

I really, really want Shane to be well for this, he's such an integral part of the team and always turns up and delivers.

France are not allowed to beat us on the 27th, it's the day after my birthday!

Hopefully you'll have a very happy birthday!

I wouldn't like to be one of the poor buggers who has to sit near me during the game if not! ?

You can never tell with England.... Let's face it, top of the table and still on for the Grand Slam. I'd be an unhappy bunny if I'd paid for a ticket to be at Twickers on Saturday though. That said, I do believe that since 2003 there's been an 'attitude' with the RFU regarding tests not involving the big Southern Hemisphere teams, It's also a pretty fresh team mind you and it might take them a year or two to gel.

Italy.... The Bergamasco debacle aside, They had occasional periods of decent play, which they wouldn't have been capable of when they first entered the competition. Still gotta be favourites for the wooden spoon but some day they're going to shock. (Just hope it's not next weekend).

France played the French game, Well. Just not well enough on the day. Sooo like the game two years ago that I was peeping between my fingers at points. Thankfully there was no Vince Clerc vol qualifié this time round.

Ireland... despite obvious bias, I've consistantly maintained that any XV fielded by Ireland for about the last 5 years has been capable of taking anyone in the world on their day. Saturday was their day. They had nothing gifted them, France were on form, I just hope they can maintain that standard of play throughout the competition. I would still have classed it as one of their best performances in years even if the result had gone the other way. Maybe, just maybe the ghost of O'Sullivan can now be laid to rest. It's also nice to see a good Ulster contingent wearing the green again. This is, for me, the most important game of Ireland's competition and it went our way, chuffed is an understatement. If we get to see any games rival that one for sheer entertainment and 'rugby as she should be played' during this test, then it's going to be a very exciting competition indeed.

Wales were predictably strong, particularly the defence which seems all but airtight. Might need a bit of practice with the footwork, although the weather at murrayfield can't have helped there. The one thing to ponder, and doubtless it'll have been noticed by the Welsh themselves and corrected was a leaning towards over confidence. The mass replacements in the second half gave the Scots an opportunity, if not to turn the game around, certainly one to make it a bit of a sweat. The fact that the Scots failed to capitalise on it is the Welsh' good fortune.

Scotland... Rough couple of years for the lads in blue and I thought I saw some evidence of a potential return to form during the Autumn Internationals, what killed them in that test and indeed on Saturday was an abject failure to cement the deal by getting the ball over the try line. In terms of passion & heart the last twenty minutes of that game were all the Scots. Doesn't count for a lot without the numbers on the board though. I still think that they might pull a surprise out of the hat during this competition though, unfortunately we have them at Murrayfield... By far the most intimidating venue in the Six Nations.

Roll on next weekend.