The Six Nations Thread

[LE18]

Looked like a dreadful knee injury.

The French would have him straight off for a HIA.

I think that Nigel Owen initiated those, French just followed his suggestions!

[Jimmy Skitz]

Looked like a dreadful knee injury.

The French would have him straight off for a HIA.

I think that Nigel Owen initiated those, French just followed his suggestions!

the official match doctor said they were HIA's

[LE18]

Looked like a dreadful knee injury.

The French would have him straight off for a HIA.

I think that Nigel Owen initiated those, French just followed his suggestions!

the official match doctor said they were HIA's

Only after Owens had whistled, stopped play and shouted out, who in their right mind wouldn't have taken an invitation/opportunity like that, ref should keep his mouth shut, but that's Nigel isn't it, always got to be in the limelight!

[Jimmy Skitz]

I think that Nigel Owen initiated those, French just followed his suggestions!

the official match doctor said they were HIA's

Only after Owens had whistled, stopped play and shouted out, who in their right mind wouldn't have taken an invitation/opportunity like that, ref should keep his mouth shut, but that's Nigel isn't it, always got to be in the limelight!

the official match doctor is independent

[strawclearer]

the official match doctor said they were HIA's

Only after Owens had whistled, stopped play and shouted out, who in their right mind wouldn't have taken an invitation/opportunity like that, ref should keep his mouth shut, but that's Nigel isn't it, always got to be in the limelight!

the official match doctor is independent

Did anyone tell him that?

[LE18]

Only after Owens had whistled, stopped play and shouted out, who in their right mind wouldn't have taken an invitation/opportunity like that, ref should keep his mouth shut, but that's Nigel isn't it, always got to be in the limelight!

the official match doctor is independent

Did anyone tell him that?

If you didn't hear Owens initiate it I hope you can listen to the recording, sadly I have deleted it.

[Jimmy Skitz]

the official match doctor is independent

Did anyone tell him that?

If you didn't hear Owens initiate it I hope you can listen to the recording, sadly I have deleted it.

Owens may well have initiated it from a French Medic's comments but once the independent doctor says it's a HIA he HAS to go with it

[LE18]

Did anyone tell him that?

If you didn't hear Owens initiate it I hope you can listen to the recording, sadly I have deleted it.

Owens may well have initiated it from a French Medic's comments but once the independent doctor says it's a HIA he HAS to go with it

He even tried to shift the blame onto the Doctor claiming "i'm not a doctor", so why did he shout out in the first place. Making up rules again as he went, once again it was not his best game.

[Jimmy Skitz]

If you didn't hear Owens initiate it I hope you can listen to the recording, sadly I have deleted it.

Owens may well have initiated it from a French Medic's comments but once the independent doctor says it's a HIA he HAS to go with it

He even tried to shift the blame onto the Doctor claiming "i'm not a doctor", so why did he shout out in the first place. Making up rules again as he went, once again it was not his best game.

or just maybe he was told that by the medic

[strawclearer]

To be fair - if the player limps off, clutching his head (or knee - it's all the same en France) and muttering "Ma tête, ma tête - où sommes-nous?", Monsieur Le Docteur would have to be very brave to refuse the HIA.

Equally, if the Doc says "HIA", Sir has no choice other than to accept it.

Bottom line (or elbow-line if you're French) - the spirit of the game is, as ever, in the players' hands.

[Roly]

If you didn't hear Owens initiate it I hope you can listen to the recording, sadly I have deleted it.

Owens may well have initiated it from a French Medic's comments but once the independent doctor says it's a HIA he HAS to go with it

He even tried to shift the blame onto the Doctor claiming "i'm not a doctor", so why did he shout out in the first place. Making up rules again as he went, once again it was not his best game.

We get it, you don't like Nigel Owens's refereeing.

However, he does not make things up as he goes along, and is probably the most highly regarded referee in the sport.

[Roly]

Looked like a dreadful knee injury.

The French would have him straight off for a HIA.

Ouch.

That looks bad and he's going to be out for a long time I would imagine. Harrison is really going to have to step up to the mark for Tigers now. I genuinely feel bad for Youngs, and wish him a speedy recovery.

Every cloud though - Care is an able replacement and hopefully, we'll now see Dan Robson get the call.

[Robespierre]

Every cloud though - Care is an able replacement and hopefully, we'll now see Dan Robson get the call.

Quite right!

[Roly]

Big congratulations to Warren Gatland and his coaching team - that game was won before it even started , brilliant game plan and brilliantly executed from an exceptional group of players ... this could be one of the best 6 nations ever

From Sir Clive on Twitter.

Wales were one step above poor at best. Just lucky that Scotland were much worse.

I agree.

Wales were allowed to do pretty much what they wanted because Scotland had their worst game in years. Wales's performance flattered to deceive.

Gatland has a dilemma. Does he tinker with the team to counter England, or does he assume he made a genius selection and back the same team for Twickenham and beyond? As I said previously, picking half the Scarlet's team improved Gatland's lot considerably and Gatland has done this before with Ospreys.

Conversely, were England that good v Italy?

Well, I think they were. They took the game by the scruff of the neck from the start. Some lapses in intensity for sure, but as a whole, it was good solid performance and one that if replicated at Twickenham, will see them win. I do have nagging doubt. Wales are a momentum side and they've shown time and again that even with a seemingly average side, getting that first win can be very important to going all the way.

Scotland effectively gifted them an in on Saturday, and that result has potentially turned the outcome of the competition on its head.

[mol2]

The HII situation is open to abuse. Allows a replacement player to come on for 10 mins who wouldn't have been permitted to return having been subbed for non-injury reasons.

Is this the new Bloodgate?

It's very difficult for the Dr to exclude a head injury immediately hence the 10 min assessment so open to abuse. Scrum half with a knee injury (for example) won't be able to come back but the team will have benefited from a previously subbed scrum half coming back for 10 mins before a permanent sub being made with a non-specialist player then coming on.

The only way to deter it is hefty penalties so the practical solution might be rolling substitutions in the way we have for front rows.