On this day: Martin Johnson announces international rugby retirement

Bye anomaly? Didn’t the Landers gain a spot during their bye, is it only half points not a full four they get?

In 2024, everyone worked out he is a liability under the high ball and he lost a step of his pace.

Still a good Super Rugby wing but at 28, his test days are coming to an end.

Still a good group that can contribute off the field for sure though, there has been good improvement (to both parts but obviously from a very low point last year) but still not quite their yet against the good sides.

Good to see Hotham back as I wonder if the intensity is getting to Preston. He’s still making good decisions but his accuracy appears to have taken a hit. Could it be he’s still adapting to the highest level? Would be good to see if Hotham can add something to the attack too, it’s still a bit lacking with Kemara working into a grove controlling the game.

Not worth the mention for someone who took Springers spot imo. I heard Springer wasn’t even in the team orginally, what was Penney thinking?

With two tries and 17 tackles, openside Carlo Tizzano was again superlative

I’m sick of my Fantasy picks being locked out when theyre not even playing. He would have been a late effort goto pick for sure in the weekend.

Great mention from the u20s, that kid’s got a great head/game on his shoulders. As do a few others.

Now, we saw a result pretty indicative on of the All Blacks season just last November in what would still be their toughest match since they got knocked out of the World Cup, but as usual, people love putting credence on 6 Nations rugby and somehow these recent French performances have gone to another level.. is this the English series build all over again?!

I’m just thinking ahead. You know Ireland is going to come into the same predicament Aus is at where that next group of youngsters waiting to come into programmes get picked off by the French, like the recent kid in Aus, unless there’s something of real value there.

I mean theres room for growth in Ireland for rugby right, or despite sharing numbers with GAA/football does it already draw the best athletes like how rugby manages in NZ (where it lost it’s ‘most popular’ tag but is still the ‘most relevant’ for aspiring athletes)?

Because from that format I see no reason why Irish clubs shouldn’t desire to play in some of these emerging 2nd/3rd level European club competitions. It just seemed like the structure was in place, to climb to the top of a 10 team division. I see they’ve near completed a double round robin worth of games, does that mean theres not much left in their season?