[Bramblecot]

I gather the rugby has started . 
Has anyone else lost their OH for the next few weeks? I can't stop that our mates take it so seriously. 
Now will this put the cat amongst the pigeons or are smallholders too busy to care about this sport?

[Louise Gaunt]

This smallholder cares very much! Sadly, England just managed to snatch defeat from the French. Wales vs Italy was good match, much closer than might have been expected. Bribg on Ireland vs Scotland tomorrow. Lots more shouting at the TV!

[MikeM]

as a young man I used to be really into it and would be inconsolable if we lost, I still watch rugby with a passion for the game but I don't collapse into tears when we lose now.
I thought we (England) were unlucky, but that we gave too much to the French in the 1st half. Any French team is always capable of scoring a try like the one that finished us off, that's why you can't play like we did at time in the 1st half.
Wales looked poor I thought, they certainly weren't firing on all cylinders. But they started slow last year as well, so there's a lot of room for improvement.

[Louise Gaunt]

My thoughts exactly. You can never give the a French an inch, especially after their poor show last year, they are out to prove they can play! I think the championship could be quite close this year.

[rockstar]

Come on WALES 

[hughesy]

Come on WALES 

I'll second that. But we'll have to be better to beat the Irish next week. Italy were tough opponents though.

[MAK]

Yesterday I had a day off to watch the rugby. The OH passed me beer, kept the fire stacked up and 2 minutes after the final whistle of the French game served up Cod,chips and mushy peas !! ( Quite an achievement as we live in France).

I agree that Wales looked poor despite doing so well in recent years - France were fortunate so it will be interesting to see who wins today.

[tizaala]

I must say Italy ( or Argentina) are much improved over the last couple of years , they are now becoming a competent team who can take on anyone, well done them.

[Rosemary]

I haven't really watched it since it became professional. Dan watched the second half on England France and said it was a really good game - we thought England were going to win.

Hope Scotland do better that they seem to have in recent years - but you can never have too many wooden spoons 

[Carse Goodlifers]

Needless to say Rosemary - they didn't do well.
First half was ok but it then went downhill and quickly.
I now regret not continuing to work on the land drain that we're putting in - it would have been a more constructive afternoon I fear.

Roll on next week - Calcutta cup time again at Murrayfield.
Its bound to be a win for Scotland 

[Louise Gaunt]

You think so?! I think it could be close, but my vote goes to England!

[MAK]

Modern international rugby certainly takes on a different format after 50 minutes. All the substitutions changes the shape of a team and the old fashioned physical and psychologcal battlesare no more. I only caught the last 20 minutes of the Irish game and found it so boring. Bring back the challenge of a scrum that yields as someone wins a  the psychological or someone is just too exhausted to continue to compete against someone with superior strength or technique.
I don't think that France will win the wooden spoon again or the championship come to that. Sadley I think that the Italy has carved the the Scots name on the wooden spoon and Ireland will wax and wain. Wales or England to win the championship but home advantage will probabley give England the better chance.

[Bramblecot]

Here we go again .  OH has vanished (pub?? ). 

Wales v Ireland and Scotland v England.  Oh split loyalties here today... even the woman who never watches daytime TV has sneakily switched on the box .

[Fowgill Farm]

Well in our house its me watching the rugby, OH has gone pigeon shooting with the dog as its really windy (well that makes a change! NOT )
I watch mainly for the hunky men not a wuss footballer in sight, there are some stunningly powerful thighs.......................... ah there I go again...............sorry zoned out there for a  mo...............ha ha.
Is it too early for a bottle of wine?
mandy

[Louise Gaunt]

Never too early for a glass of wine when watching many muddy, hunky men!