Ireland vs England

[Chobbsy]

It's not that big of a game anymore. England are 2017 Six Nations Champions.

Some people say things to shock and or provoke, I think this is one such case

[tigerburnie]

There's a Triple Crown up for grabs too.

[Noddy555]

Over the past 5 years England v Ireland for me has always been the biggest game of the six nations and the one I look forward to the most especially the clash between 6 world class back rowers.

[ellis9]

The trophy is won. If we lose the game, we are still Champions. That's why it's not as big as it would have been if Ireland were also unbeaten in the Six Nations.

The players are professional enough to still want to win the game and obviously I hope we win but if we lose it doesn't matter. Ok so we won't have won the Grand Slam but who cares? We are still Champions! Our unbeaten run will come to end. Oh well, it's got to end at some point and I'd rather it be now when the title is won than perhaps an early game on the 2018 Six Nations.

I don't say these things to shock or provoke.

[Brianf]

Geordan Murphy will be playing in the Ireland Legends v England Legends game, which takes place on the eve of the Six Nations clash...

http://www.leinsterrugby.ie/ireland-and ... t-the-rds/

[Cardiff Tig]

The trophy is won. If we lose the game, we are still Champions. That's why it's not as big as it would have been if Ireland were also unbeaten in the Six Nations.

The players are professional enough to still want to win the game and obviously I hope we win but if we lose it doesn't matter. Ok so we won't have won the Grand Slam but who cares? We are still Champions! Our unbeaten run will come to end. Oh well, it's got to end at some point and I'd rather it be now when the title is won than perhaps an early game on the 2018 Six Nations.

I don't say these things to shock or provoke.

Any Grand Slam game is a big game.

They have been incredibly hard to come by for England - even the class of '03 struggled repeatedly to get a Grand Slam

[Tiger_in_Birmingham]

The trophy is won. If we lose the game, we are still Champions. That's why it's not as big as it would have been if Ireland were also unbeaten in the Six Nations.

The players are professional enough to still want to win the game and obviously I hope we win but if we lose it doesn't matter. Ok so we won't have won the Grand Slam but who cares? We are still Champions! Our unbeaten run will come to end. Oh well, it's got to end at some point and I'd rather it be now when the title is won than perhaps an early game on the 2018 Six Nations.

I don't say these things to shock or provoke.

Grand Slam is an order of magnitude more important than being champions.

Back to back Grand Slams have only happened five times and only once in the last 20 years (and arguably never since rugby turned professional - I know 1997 and 1998 were officially pro but they're still a completely different game to now):
Wales 1908 & 1909
England 1913 & 1914
England 1923 & 1924
England 1991 & 1992
France 1997 & 1998

England have only had 2 Grand Slams since it became the 6N whereas France and Wales have 3 each so it would be nice to get on even terms.

[ellis9]

I disagree. As long as the Six Nations title is won, why does it matter if we get the Grand Slam or not?!

[Hinckley Bob]

Geordan Murphy will be playing in the Ireland Legends v England Legends game, which takes place on the eve of the Six Nations clash...

http://www.leinsterrugby.ie/ireland-and ... t-the-rds/

Looking at the England squad, there's not a lot of "legends" there.

[BeeJ]

I love the idea of Messrs. Dallaglio and O'Connell as the waterboys.

[JackFlashJonny]

I disagree. As long as the Six Nations title is won, why does it matter if we get the Grand Slam or not?!

Do you know anything about Rugby?

[h's dad]

I disagree. As long as the Six Nations title is won, why does it matter if we get the Grand Slam or not?!

Do you know anything about Rugby?

At the risk of correction from northerntiger, you can lead an equus to water but sometimes it is still an onager.

[Scott1]

Are you being serious Ellis9!

[ourla]

I disagree. As long as the Six Nations title is won, why does it matter if we get the Grand Slam or not?!

In a normal year for a different team you may be correct. It could certainly be regarded as a nice to have - if you wished to stretch a point. But on this occasion there are lots of factors that increase its importance rather than detract from it. I am certain you are aware of and have read about those factors. But just as you failed to acknowledge Farrrells abilities and failed to accept Tigers finishing second in the Prem was never going to happen, you will fail to acknowledge this is a huge game for England. It is your chosen topic for intransigence for this week.

[Chobbsy]

I disagree. As long as the Six Nations title is won, why does it matter if we get the Grand Slam or not?!

In a normal year for a different team you may be correct. It could certainly be regarded as a nice to have - if you wished to stretch a point. But on this occasion there are lots of factors that increase its importance rather than detract from it. I am certain you are aware of and have read about those factors. But just as you failed to acknowledge Farrrells abilities and failed to accept Tigers finishing second in the Prem was never going to happen, you will fail to acknowledge this is a huge game for England. It is your chosen topic for intransigence for this week.

I say again, some people like to shock and provoke with their comments.