Georgia v Portugal (Sat/Sun)

[Sandydragon]

Very enjoyable game that. It’s getting clear that whilst there is a gap between the 1st and 2nd tiers in Europe, it’s closing. The Six Nations will have to change over the next decade or 2.

[Puja]

Feel for Portugal but probably fair considering how dominant Georgia was in the first half. Should have been red for the prop too.

Yeah, fair point. Portugal did get an awful lot of luck in that game, from the red card to several bounces of the ball. Draw probably fair result now that I've had a chance to calm down, although there's no doubt that a victory would've meant more to the development of Portugal as a rugby nation than to Georgia.

Puja

[Son of Mathonwy]

Oof. Portugal loosehead's just about to be red carded. Portugal make another scything attack from their own 22, Georgia turn them over just before their own 22 and counter-attack, and the Portuguese 1 is left on the wing against the Georgian hooker and just makes a tired, no arms tackle that results in a head-on-head contact. That's going to be the game over, such a shame.

Puja

Are you sure it was head on head?

[Son of Mathonwy]

The start of the game had me worried about Wales's pool match with Georgia but I'm pretty relaxed now. Great game though, real competitive rugby. Both teams gutted at the end but a draw was not unfair.

Let's get these guys playing Italy more often. Although I still think they are measurably weaker than any 6N ream, let's at least measure it regularly.

[Puja]

Oof. Portugal loosehead's just about to be red carded. Portugal make another scything attack from their own 22, Georgia turn them over just before their own 22 and counter-attack, and the Portuguese 1 is left on the wing against the Georgian hooker and just makes a tired, no arms tackle that results in a head-on-head contact. That's going to be the game over, such a shame.

Puja

Are you sure it was head on head?

The replay looked fairly conclusive. It was shoulder to shoulder first and then a clash of heads, but mitigation counts for naught (or at least it's supposed to) when it's always illegal.

Puja

[Sandydragon]

The start of the game had me worried about Wales's pool match with Georgia but I'm pretty relaxed now. Great game though, real competitive rugby. Both teams gutted at the end but a draw was not unfair.

Let's get these guys playing Italy more often. Although I still think they are measurably weaker than any 6N ream, let's at least measure it regularly.

I’m definitely warming to the idea of promotion and relegation

[Son of Mathonwy]

Oof. Portugal loosehead's just about to be red carded. Portugal make another scything attack from their own 22, Georgia turn them over just before their own 22 and counter-attack, and the Portuguese 1 is left on the wing against the Georgian hooker and just makes a tired, no arms tackle that results in a head-on-head contact. That's going to be the game over, such a shame.

Puja

Are you sure it was head on head?

The replay looked fairly conclusive. It was shoulder to shoulder first and then a clash of heads, but mitigation counts for naught (or at least it's supposed to) when it's always illegal.

Puja

I didn't see the head clash but I may well be wrong. Agreed, there should be no mitigation.

We need a clear explanation on pitch for these bunker decisions. The decision alone is not enough - it leaves us wondering and is more likely to lead to general discontent.

[Son of Mathonwy]

The start of the game had me worried about Wales's pool match with Georgia but I'm pretty relaxed now. Great game though, real competitive rugby. Both teams gutted at the end but a draw was not unfair.

Let's get these guys playing Italy more often. Although I still think they are measurably weaker than any 6N ream, let's at least measure it regularly.

I’m definitely warming to the idea of promotion and relegation

Definitely, but Italy will never agree.