1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,427 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:11,747 Speaker 1: from Newstalks, Edb. 3 00:00:12,667 --> 00:00:15,107 Speaker 2: Ireland has earned them a twenty seven twenty two went 4 00:00:15,107 --> 00:00:18,067 Speaker 2: over England and their six nations rugby clash in Dublin. 5 00:00:18,107 --> 00:00:19,867 Speaker 3: A little bit slow getting to them, but it is 6 00:00:19,907 --> 00:00:25,947 Speaker 3: there now, don't she? Great times from the hook up 7 00:00:26,467 --> 00:00:30,227 Speaker 3: to James Row on Ireland, I've got to finish ship 8 00:00:30,347 --> 00:00:31,187 Speaker 3: run here? 9 00:00:37,387 --> 00:00:40,147 Speaker 2: What the d the boles here? They trialed ten to 10 00:00:40,187 --> 00:00:42,507 Speaker 2: five at half time, but the Irish then scored twenty 11 00:00:42,667 --> 00:00:46,307 Speaker 2: two unanswered points before too late tries from England closed 12 00:00:46,307 --> 00:00:49,427 Speaker 2: the score line up. Scotland, meantime have overcome It's only 13 00:00:49,547 --> 00:00:53,667 Speaker 2: thirty one nineteen in Murrayfield, and yesterday, of course, France 14 00:00:53,787 --> 00:00:58,267 Speaker 2: demolished Wales forty three nil. Let's bring in rugby commentator 15 00:00:58,307 --> 00:01:01,187 Speaker 2: and journalists based in the UK. Martin, Gillingham, Martin, thanks 16 00:01:01,227 --> 00:01:03,467 Speaker 2: for joining us on Weekend Sport. Let's start with Ireland 17 00:01:03,507 --> 00:01:06,827 Speaker 2: twenty seven England twenty two. Once Ireland and did get 18 00:01:06,827 --> 00:01:09,427 Speaker 2: their noses in front in the fifty sixth minute, did 19 00:01:09,427 --> 00:01:12,067 Speaker 2: you feel us though they always had the game under control? 20 00:01:13,227 --> 00:01:16,387 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean I got the impression really that, I 21 00:01:16,427 --> 00:01:19,347 Speaker 3: mean I felt that Island had it under control really 22 00:01:19,387 --> 00:01:26,107 Speaker 3: after about twenty minutes plucking England defense. We eventually saw 23 00:01:26,147 --> 00:01:29,147 Speaker 3: the yellow car coming the first half of Marcus Smith, 24 00:01:29,587 --> 00:01:32,747 Speaker 3: but I felt that England were already on the back 25 00:01:32,747 --> 00:01:36,547 Speaker 3: foot then be you're absolutely right. I mean, eventually they 26 00:01:36,547 --> 00:01:38,947 Speaker 3: broke the back of the England defense early in the 27 00:01:38,987 --> 00:01:41,427 Speaker 3: second half, and I think after that there was only 28 00:01:41,507 --> 00:01:44,467 Speaker 3: one winner and in the end the school line really 29 00:01:44,507 --> 00:01:47,707 Speaker 3: flat at England. So, I mean, let's be frank, I 30 00:01:47,707 --> 00:01:51,707 Speaker 3: don't think this is quite the quality of Ireland side 31 00:01:51,787 --> 00:01:55,787 Speaker 3: that we saw two years ago, even going into the 32 00:01:55,827 --> 00:01:58,947 Speaker 3: World Cup, which was a huge disappointment to them. So 33 00:01:58,987 --> 00:02:01,227 Speaker 3: I think it's an Island side which has its weaknesses, 34 00:02:01,267 --> 00:02:05,467 Speaker 3: particularly in the front row. They're very short on props, 35 00:02:05,547 --> 00:02:09,987 Speaker 3: and to to dispatch England in the end as comfortably 36 00:02:09,987 --> 00:02:12,107 Speaker 3: as they did, I think it's a great concern to 37 00:02:12,147 --> 00:02:13,067 Speaker 3: follow us of England. 38 00:02:13,187 --> 00:02:15,027 Speaker 2: All Right, we'll talk about englantle bit more in a moment. 39 00:02:15,067 --> 00:02:18,027 Speaker 2: But the twenty two point run, the twenty two unanswered 40 00:02:18,027 --> 00:02:20,787 Speaker 2: points from Ireland between what minutes fifty two and seventy three? 41 00:02:21,467 --> 00:02:25,387 Speaker 2: Was that good from them or did English eras contribute 42 00:02:25,427 --> 00:02:27,227 Speaker 2: to that? What was the story of that twenty two 43 00:02:27,227 --> 00:02:28,427 Speaker 2: point run. 44 00:02:29,387 --> 00:02:34,387 Speaker 3: Well, I think, like most and I think that Ireland 45 00:02:34,627 --> 00:02:37,427 Speaker 3: things didn't quite click. I think the air account was 46 00:02:37,507 --> 00:02:40,187 Speaker 3: quite high in the first half. I don't think they 47 00:02:40,187 --> 00:02:44,027 Speaker 3: were as clinical as perhaps they could have been. That said, 48 00:02:44,107 --> 00:02:47,867 Speaker 3: I think the elements of the England defense which now 49 00:02:47,987 --> 00:02:51,267 Speaker 3: has has sort of moved on and adopted a different 50 00:02:51,307 --> 00:02:54,627 Speaker 3: method from the one that Felix Jones, who of course 51 00:02:55,387 --> 00:03:00,467 Speaker 3: departed the England management just rather under a cloud, and 52 00:03:00,547 --> 00:03:03,867 Speaker 3: I think that proved pretty effective. But I mean the 53 00:03:03,907 --> 00:03:09,627 Speaker 3: reality is Ireland started to hit their straps on about 54 00:03:09,627 --> 00:03:13,707 Speaker 3: sort of fifty minutes something like that, and in the 55 00:03:13,827 --> 00:03:15,907 Speaker 3: end those two late tries that you talk about from 56 00:03:15,947 --> 00:03:20,147 Speaker 3: England I think really flattered them hugely. So I think 57 00:03:21,027 --> 00:03:24,067 Speaker 3: it's a better Island performance because they were very unconvincing 58 00:03:24,147 --> 00:03:28,027 Speaker 3: over the November period. I think that you know, there's 59 00:03:28,067 --> 00:03:31,027 Speaker 3: never anything you know that there's never a bad Island 60 00:03:31,547 --> 00:03:34,547 Speaker 3: New Zealand team. But I don't think and maybe I'm 61 00:03:34,587 --> 00:03:37,027 Speaker 3: going to spark a bit of controversy downe in your 62 00:03:37,067 --> 00:03:39,387 Speaker 3: part of the world at the moment, you've not got 63 00:03:39,387 --> 00:03:42,867 Speaker 3: one of the great All Blacks teams, but to suffer 64 00:03:42,947 --> 00:03:47,947 Speaker 3: defeat to the All Blacks in November and be unconvincing 65 00:03:48,027 --> 00:03:51,667 Speaker 3: in the other fixtures I think suggested that this Island team, 66 00:03:51,747 --> 00:03:55,107 Speaker 3: this Island squad is a little bit over the peak 67 00:03:55,107 --> 00:03:57,107 Speaker 3: of the hill, which I think it was at going 68 00:03:57,107 --> 00:04:01,707 Speaker 3: to the World Cup. So I think England have got 69 00:04:01,747 --> 00:04:04,747 Speaker 3: to look at it in that respect. As for Ireland, certainly, 70 00:04:04,747 --> 00:04:06,907 Speaker 3: a much better performance in the second half is the 71 00:04:06,907 --> 00:04:10,867 Speaker 3: best we've seen from them now really, I think since 72 00:04:11,547 --> 00:04:14,467 Speaker 3: they put France to the sword in the first round 73 00:04:14,547 --> 00:04:16,467 Speaker 3: of the Six Nations Championship last year. 74 00:04:17,067 --> 00:04:19,707 Speaker 2: Let's talk abouit about England back in the last year, 75 00:04:19,787 --> 00:04:21,427 Speaker 2: the one out of Japan to finish the year, but 76 00:04:21,467 --> 00:04:24,947 Speaker 2: losses to South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, couple of 77 00:04:25,187 --> 00:04:29,147 Speaker 2: narrow losses down here Midgyo, Where do you ascease where 78 00:04:29,187 --> 00:04:30,347 Speaker 2: England are right now? 79 00:04:31,707 --> 00:04:35,507 Speaker 3: I mean, I think in many respects today demonstrated that 80 00:04:35,547 --> 00:04:39,187 Speaker 3: they're no further forward than they were really almost a 81 00:04:39,307 --> 00:04:43,867 Speaker 3: year ago. Yes, they came close twice against you guys, 82 00:04:44,507 --> 00:04:47,867 Speaker 3: but again they came close in November. But it's the 83 00:04:47,867 --> 00:04:52,867 Speaker 3: inability really in that final half hour to get the 84 00:04:52,947 --> 00:04:55,987 Speaker 3: job done. And I mean I think today in the 85 00:04:56,107 --> 00:04:59,307 Speaker 3: end was reasonably emphatic, and I know I'm repeating myself. 86 00:04:59,787 --> 00:05:02,747 Speaker 3: Despite the school line, they were well well beaten in 87 00:05:02,787 --> 00:05:06,347 Speaker 3: the end and Steve Borthwick, I mean, how much long 88 00:05:06,747 --> 00:05:12,187 Speaker 3: can the Rugby Football Union continue with this? I mean 89 00:05:12,227 --> 00:05:15,347 Speaker 3: I heard that the target was to win at least 90 00:05:15,387 --> 00:05:17,827 Speaker 3: four out of five matches in the Six Nations and 91 00:05:18,227 --> 00:05:20,707 Speaker 3: already that's the best they can possibly do and they've 92 00:05:20,707 --> 00:05:23,147 Speaker 3: got France coming next week. I mean, there are a 93 00:05:23,187 --> 00:05:26,027 Speaker 3: lot of off field distractions at the moment at the 94 00:05:26,107 --> 00:05:29,867 Speaker 3: Rugby Football Union. With the chief executive Bill Sweeney, it 95 00:05:29,867 --> 00:05:34,667 Speaker 3: would appear unlikely to keep his job, you know, for 96 00:05:34,787 --> 00:05:38,667 Speaker 3: much longer than this Six Nations will run. So if 97 00:05:38,667 --> 00:05:42,867 Speaker 3: you have an England side who lose next weekend against France, 98 00:05:42,947 --> 00:05:49,107 Speaker 3: which I think is likely, I mean, Steve Borthwick really 99 00:05:49,187 --> 00:05:51,267 Speaker 3: is walking a very fine line. 100 00:05:51,387 --> 00:05:53,227 Speaker 2: I hadn't caught up with that about Bill Sweeney. Is 101 00:05:53,707 --> 00:05:57,827 Speaker 2: that tied mainly to the on field performance of the 102 00:05:57,907 --> 00:06:00,307 Speaker 2: England men's side or are there other factors at play? 103 00:06:01,187 --> 00:06:03,347 Speaker 3: No, there are other factors at play, and I think 104 00:06:03,467 --> 00:06:08,787 Speaker 3: the England rugby setup is intensely political. But the reality 105 00:06:08,987 --> 00:06:12,627 Speaker 3: is that Bill Sweeney is taking home a huge salary 106 00:06:12,667 --> 00:06:18,067 Speaker 3: including his bonuses, and there is certainly a lot of 107 00:06:18,147 --> 00:06:22,787 Speaker 3: concern around the clubs who were essentially the RFU are four. 108 00:06:22,947 --> 00:06:25,907 Speaker 3: They're not just there for the national side, there for 109 00:06:25,987 --> 00:06:28,747 Speaker 3: the teams that to all the clubs that put out 110 00:06:28,747 --> 00:06:32,747 Speaker 3: six or seven fifteen's at a weekend in all four 111 00:06:32,827 --> 00:06:36,267 Speaker 3: corners of England, and I think that there's a lot 112 00:06:36,307 --> 00:06:40,867 Speaker 3: of disquiet about the way it's run. There was inevitably 113 00:06:40,907 --> 00:06:43,147 Speaker 3: a lot of concern about the amount of money that 114 00:06:43,267 --> 00:06:48,827 Speaker 3: was spent in losing Eddie Jones because there was a 115 00:06:48,987 --> 00:06:52,827 Speaker 3: huge amount of compensation about nine hundred thousand pounds I understand, 116 00:06:53,347 --> 00:06:55,987 Speaker 3: just to lose Eddie Jones and his team, but then 117 00:06:56,107 --> 00:07:01,067 Speaker 3: there was almost a similar amount to compensate Lester to 118 00:07:01,067 --> 00:07:04,627 Speaker 3: get Steve Borthwick and his support to team on board 119 00:07:04,667 --> 00:07:08,907 Speaker 3: as well. So people are looking at the financial position 120 00:07:08,947 --> 00:07:13,947 Speaker 3: of the Rugby Football Union which is not particularly rosy, 121 00:07:14,467 --> 00:07:17,747 Speaker 3: the amount of money that's been spent, and people are 122 00:07:17,747 --> 00:07:22,347 Speaker 3: seeing Sweeney's position really and the salary's taking home as 123 00:07:22,347 --> 00:07:28,187 Speaker 3: a reward for failure, and well, Steve Borthwick can say, 124 00:07:28,227 --> 00:07:30,227 Speaker 3: look what goes on in the pitch is very different, 125 00:07:30,227 --> 00:07:32,867 Speaker 3: but the reality is he reports directly the Sweeney, and 126 00:07:32,907 --> 00:07:36,387 Speaker 3: Sweeney takes responsibility for the sacking of Eddie Jones and 127 00:07:36,467 --> 00:07:41,227 Speaker 3: also the appointments Steve Borthwick. So I think Borthwick must 128 00:07:41,267 --> 00:07:47,267 Speaker 3: and probably does, realize that if Sweeney goes to the 129 00:07:47,787 --> 00:07:53,107 Speaker 3: scaffold Borthwick, if he doesn't win four or at the 130 00:07:53,187 --> 00:07:57,067 Speaker 3: very least three out of five matches, he'll be joining him. 131 00:07:57,467 --> 00:07:59,707 Speaker 2: We will watch with great interest. Let's take a back 132 00:07:59,707 --> 00:08:02,667 Speaker 2: twenty four hours. You were there for France against Wales. 133 00:08:03,347 --> 00:08:06,227 Speaker 2: As you tweeted, nobody doesn't quite like the French. But 134 00:08:06,707 --> 00:08:08,187 Speaker 2: what are we going to do about Wales? 135 00:08:10,387 --> 00:08:12,067 Speaker 3: I don't know. I mean, how long have you got 136 00:08:12,067 --> 00:08:19,107 Speaker 3: a chat? I mean, I see, I mean we could 137 00:08:19,147 --> 00:08:21,227 Speaker 3: go on for twenty four hours and still not arrive 138 00:08:21,267 --> 00:08:24,147 Speaker 3: at any sort of conclusion. It's a terrible shame. I mean, 139 00:08:24,187 --> 00:08:27,907 Speaker 3: this is one of the great rugby nations, and in microcosm, 140 00:08:28,147 --> 00:08:31,907 Speaker 3: if there's one thing that sums up at Wales, it's 141 00:08:32,107 --> 00:08:35,267 Speaker 3: you know, this is the country which is famed for 142 00:08:35,307 --> 00:08:38,747 Speaker 3: its mythical fly half factory, and the bloke they had 143 00:08:38,787 --> 00:08:42,467 Speaker 3: starting at fly half yesterday is actually a twelve. So 144 00:08:43,267 --> 00:08:45,947 Speaker 3: I mean that is where Welsh rugby is at the moment. 145 00:08:46,107 --> 00:08:51,427 Speaker 3: It's in deep crisis in very simple terms these days, 146 00:08:52,027 --> 00:08:54,307 Speaker 3: as it is in England, so many more kids want 147 00:08:54,307 --> 00:08:58,707 Speaker 3: to play football, the oval ball game, rather than rugby football, 148 00:08:58,907 --> 00:09:07,107 Speaker 3: so they have that challenge. Also we have England preying 149 00:09:07,147 --> 00:09:11,107 Speaker 3: on Welsh talents and bringing them over to that side 150 00:09:11,147 --> 00:09:13,387 Speaker 3: of the Seven Bridge, and there are a number of 151 00:09:13,427 --> 00:09:21,307 Speaker 3: cases of that. The Welsh rugby Union had in place 152 00:09:21,467 --> 00:09:25,307 Speaker 3: ten fifteen years ago which looked after a lot of 153 00:09:25,347 --> 00:09:30,747 Speaker 3: emerging talent that doesn't exist anymore. And again they are 154 00:09:30,787 --> 00:09:34,067 Speaker 3: short of money. I mean, why why do why do 155 00:09:34,147 --> 00:09:37,427 Speaker 3: Wales always play an additional game out of the November 156 00:09:37,467 --> 00:09:45,347 Speaker 3: window for example? They need the money and the regional 157 00:09:45,427 --> 00:09:47,707 Speaker 3: rugby is not really worked. One of the great things 158 00:09:47,707 --> 00:09:51,947 Speaker 3: about Welsh rugby historically with you know the clubs like 159 00:09:51,987 --> 00:09:56,907 Speaker 3: the net like Swansea, like Cardiff, like Newport Well in 160 00:09:56,947 --> 00:10:02,347 Speaker 3: the professional era whilst they exist they were you know, 161 00:10:02,947 --> 00:10:06,987 Speaker 3: now they're just basically playing local rugby and it's regional 162 00:10:07,027 --> 00:10:11,307 Speaker 3: clubs who just simply don't attract the interest and the attention. 163 00:10:12,147 --> 00:10:15,507 Speaker 3: The Ospreys in Swansea, yeah they're playing Swansea, but they're 164 00:10:15,507 --> 00:10:21,667 Speaker 3: not Swansea Swanse. The Scarlets playing clanette, but they're not 165 00:10:22,067 --> 00:10:26,987 Speaker 3: clinetti and I go to those grounds and they draw 166 00:10:27,147 --> 00:10:32,907 Speaker 3: what two three four thousand people for matches and that 167 00:10:33,067 --> 00:10:36,147 Speaker 3: just simply isn't sustainable. So you've got the Welsh regents 168 00:10:36,907 --> 00:10:39,947 Speaker 3: who in the UFC, you know, the league which has 169 00:10:39,987 --> 00:10:44,147 Speaker 3: now drawn in the South African franchises. Yeah, there's a 170 00:10:44,147 --> 00:10:46,347 Speaker 3: couple of them are doing quite well. I'm talking about 171 00:10:46,347 --> 00:10:51,107 Speaker 3: the Welsh franchises, the Scarlets and the Cardiff this season, 172 00:10:51,867 --> 00:10:56,787 Speaker 3: but they're per forming woefully and there wasn't a single 173 00:10:56,867 --> 00:11:00,627 Speaker 3: Welsh representative in the Champions Cup, which is the elite 174 00:11:00,667 --> 00:11:04,707 Speaker 3: continental competition. So yeah, I mean, we could talk forever 175 00:11:04,787 --> 00:11:09,467 Speaker 3: on the problems of world rugby, but I suspect it's 176 00:11:09,467 --> 00:11:12,027 Speaker 3: a big moment coming up on Saturday. I'm going to 177 00:11:12,107 --> 00:11:15,787 Speaker 3: be there in Rome up in Italy. It's going to 178 00:11:15,827 --> 00:11:19,987 Speaker 3: be outstanding favorites to beat them. And if that happens, well, 179 00:11:20,227 --> 00:11:23,267 Speaker 3: I think there's every chance that the Welles will go 180 00:11:23,347 --> 00:11:26,107 Speaker 3: to the final day of the Six Nations in Cardiff 181 00:11:26,267 --> 00:11:30,027 Speaker 3: against England, where you may well have Steve Borthwick playing, 182 00:11:30,547 --> 00:11:35,187 Speaker 3: you know, playing for his job. Maybey then already be 183 00:11:36,307 --> 00:11:38,427 Speaker 3: or have waved goodbye to it I mean, what is 184 00:11:38,467 --> 00:11:41,387 Speaker 3: it now? Is it something like now seventeen out of 185 00:11:41,387 --> 00:11:43,827 Speaker 3: his last twenty five matches he hasn't won. I mean 186 00:11:43,867 --> 00:11:46,227 Speaker 3: this is the man who used to you know, deliver 187 00:11:46,827 --> 00:11:51,627 Speaker 3: Grand slams at will, but the serial winner. Certainly where 188 00:11:51,667 --> 00:11:54,667 Speaker 3: Wales is concerned, Warren Gallan has now become a serial loser. 189 00:11:55,387 --> 00:11:57,147 Speaker 2: Just the word on front. They beat Wales and I 190 00:11:57,147 --> 00:11:59,467 Speaker 2: know it's a low bar. They haven't won the Six 191 00:11:59,587 --> 00:12:03,987 Speaker 2: Nations since twenty twenty two. What field did you get 192 00:12:03,987 --> 00:12:04,947 Speaker 2: from the French yesterday? 193 00:12:07,307 --> 00:12:10,947 Speaker 3: I mean I enjoyed French rugby and I think that 194 00:12:11,067 --> 00:12:14,667 Speaker 3: they do perhaps remain favorites to win it this year 195 00:12:14,707 --> 00:12:16,587 Speaker 3: and even to perform a Grand Slam. I mean, the 196 00:12:16,747 --> 00:12:19,507 Speaker 3: great test is going to be It's going to be Ireland. 197 00:12:21,307 --> 00:12:24,267 Speaker 3: Big problem because Raman end to mac shown a red 198 00:12:24,347 --> 00:12:28,987 Speaker 3: card on review yesterday, he won't be involved. There's a 199 00:12:28,987 --> 00:12:32,027 Speaker 3: big call to be made there by Fabian Gualtier, I 200 00:12:32,027 --> 00:12:37,107 Speaker 3: mean we hang the bar high for France, and by friend, 201 00:12:37,467 --> 00:12:40,947 Speaker 3: I don't think they were that good. They there were 202 00:12:40,987 --> 00:12:44,507 Speaker 3: a lot of flat spots on Friday night in Paris. 203 00:12:45,187 --> 00:12:48,267 Speaker 3: Yet you know they put what was it forty three 204 00:12:48,307 --> 00:12:53,747 Speaker 3: points on them? Was a big home win ever against 205 00:12:53,787 --> 00:12:58,107 Speaker 3: Wales didn't quite touch the fifty one mill that they 206 00:12:58,107 --> 00:13:00,987 Speaker 3: beat Wales by at Wembley Stadium back in nineteen ninety eight. 207 00:13:01,867 --> 00:13:06,107 Speaker 3: But this is a France side with plenty of injuries, Okay, 208 00:13:06,347 --> 00:13:13,387 Speaker 3: I mean that's but I mean I like them and 209 00:13:13,427 --> 00:13:16,107 Speaker 3: I think that if they pick Matthias Jaliber, who is 210 00:13:16,107 --> 00:13:18,907 Speaker 3: an outstanding fly half, if we work on the basis 211 00:13:18,907 --> 00:13:22,107 Speaker 3: that Raman and Enter Mac is the best ten in 212 00:13:22,147 --> 00:13:26,067 Speaker 3: the Northern Hemisphere, then Matthias Jaliber, for my money, is 213 00:13:26,067 --> 00:13:30,947 Speaker 3: the second best. That's how good he is. I mean, 214 00:13:30,987 --> 00:13:36,307 Speaker 3: I I think France were I give them six out 215 00:13:36,307 --> 00:13:39,107 Speaker 3: of ten for Friday Night's performance. I think there's a 216 00:13:39,107 --> 00:13:40,667 Speaker 3: lot more to come from them, all. 217 00:13:40,667 --> 00:13:42,227 Speaker 2: Right, and just a quick word on Scotland, we shall 218 00:13:42,267 --> 00:13:44,827 Speaker 2: mention them. They normally finish fourth. You reckon, I'll finish 219 00:13:44,827 --> 00:13:45,307 Speaker 2: fourth again. 220 00:13:48,267 --> 00:13:54,187 Speaker 3: You're being more unkind than me. I think that being 221 00:13:54,187 --> 00:13:58,547 Speaker 3: without their captain on two plotu who I mean, he's 222 00:13:58,587 --> 00:14:00,947 Speaker 3: a man who's you know, got at least one foot 223 00:14:00,987 --> 00:14:05,787 Speaker 3: in the Southern Hemisphere, who really has been a revelation 224 00:14:05,907 --> 00:14:07,787 Speaker 3: and I think could be going on the Lions tour 225 00:14:07,867 --> 00:14:11,307 Speaker 3: and will be a Lion starter at twelve against the 226 00:14:11,307 --> 00:14:16,387 Speaker 3: Wallabies in July, so they are without him. He's a 227 00:14:16,507 --> 00:14:21,547 Speaker 3: huge loss. Finn Russell though, with the exception the two Frenchmen, 228 00:14:21,587 --> 00:14:27,387 Speaker 3: he's certainly at least the next best fly half in 229 00:14:27,387 --> 00:14:32,667 Speaker 3: in European rugby. Big game for them against Ireland this weekend, 230 00:14:32,707 --> 00:14:37,547 Speaker 3: I think. I think this weekend is of the three fixtures, 231 00:14:37,747 --> 00:14:41,147 Speaker 3: the biggest weekend coming up in this six Nations, no 232 00:14:41,227 --> 00:14:43,347 Speaker 3: doubt about that. And I give Scotland a bit of 233 00:14:43,347 --> 00:14:45,987 Speaker 3: a chance. I mean, they again had quite a few 234 00:14:46,027 --> 00:14:51,307 Speaker 3: flat spots today against Italy, cut the tries up very quickly, 235 00:14:52,107 --> 00:14:54,187 Speaker 3: then Italy came back into it, but bear in mind 236 00:14:54,227 --> 00:14:58,587 Speaker 3: I think Italy are a much improved side. So I 237 00:14:58,587 --> 00:15:01,747 Speaker 3: mean I would give Scotland a chance against the Irish weekend, 238 00:15:01,867 --> 00:15:04,787 Speaker 3: no doubt this weekend, no doubt about that, playing at Murrayfield, 239 00:15:05,667 --> 00:15:07,307 Speaker 3: and who knows so many if they were to win, 240 00:15:07,747 --> 00:15:13,027 Speaker 3: they then England, I think there's every chance will be 241 00:15:13,067 --> 00:15:15,867 Speaker 3: going into that having lost their first two. I mean, 242 00:15:15,867 --> 00:15:19,587 Speaker 3: who knows, could this still be Scotland's year? It is 243 00:15:20,707 --> 00:15:23,467 Speaker 3: as much as I think it's ever or not perhaps 244 00:15:23,547 --> 00:15:26,147 Speaker 3: as much as it's ever been, but certainly in recent seasons. 245 00:15:26,827 --> 00:15:29,907 Speaker 3: You can now I think still make a case for 246 00:15:30,587 --> 00:15:33,787 Speaker 3: three teams to win to win this championship, and they 247 00:15:33,787 --> 00:15:35,827 Speaker 3: are inevitably the ones who won this weekend. 248 00:15:36,707 --> 00:15:38,827 Speaker 2: Always love chatting rugby with you, Martin. Thanks so much 249 00:15:38,827 --> 00:15:41,947 Speaker 2: for lenning us your time and you're insight. Thank you 250 00:15:42,627 --> 00:15:46,067 Speaker 2: Martin Gillingham. There apologies for the slight degeneration of signal 251 00:15:46,107 --> 00:15:48,467 Speaker 2: between here and the UK. I think you got most 252 00:15:48,467 --> 00:15:51,227 Speaker 2: of that though. So wins over weekend one of the 253 00:15:51,267 --> 00:15:55,627 Speaker 2: six nations for France over Wales, Scotland over Italy and 254 00:15:55,747 --> 00:15:57,227 Speaker 2: Ireland over England. 255 00:15:57,787 --> 00:16:00,947 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 256 00:16:01,067 --> 00:16:04,347 Speaker 1: to news talks It'd be weekends from midday, or follow 257 00:16:04,387 --> 00:16:05,947 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio