Hugo Gordon

Dear, oh dear.

Actually got this slightly wrong - JGP was just shy of 29 when he got his first cap. Still on the later side, but (with thanks to @clearlier.bsky.social) current one to beat for 50-capper with latest start to international career is WP Nel, who was indeed 29 when he got the first of his 61 caps.

Oh Nel is a great shout.

Hah I think both of us have been doing the maths wrong a bit!

I think we're both wrong on his age for his first cap, he was 28 (became eligible at 27 but wasn't picked initially, first cap off the bench at 28, didn't get his first start until he was 29). Aki played for Ireland at 27, Stander at 26 I believe. Think Thion was 25 when he got his first cap.

If you look purely at form since the tournament started, Italy have been a better team than England. Add in being at home and England's significant squad changes and the signs pointed Italy's way. Could have gone either way on the day but it's not come out of nowhere.

Got basically every other prediction wrong this weekend (thought Ireland would win a bit more comfortably, and didn't even consider the possibility of Scotland sticking 50 on France) but I really did think Italy would beat England and think it's only a surprise because they're never done it before.

Their owners aren't particularly wealthy by the standards of championship owners! They've leveraged their profile to get unusually big sponsors but that's just good ownership!

I get why people get a bit tired of the Wrexham fairytale narrative. I absolutely do not understand people saying they are opposed to a team buying success and that's why they're going to support Chelsea instead.

I love the Six Nations so much. Nothing like it. What a weekend of rugby.

Forza, you beautiful Italian bastards. I hope it's an unreal night in Rome.

June 2018 the last time France had 50 put past them. That was against NZ. In Eden Park. Frances half backs were Parra and Bealleau. NZs were Smith and Barrett.

That's some result for Scotland today

Final day is going to be class. That Scotland show up they'll blow us out of the water, the Scotland vs Italy show up it's an easy day. Such a Jekyll and Hyde team

Think the tries leaked in the final quarter means this isn't quite Scotland's best 6N performance but it's up there. Ominous for Ireland but Scotland look they'll be without Steyn and Jones and their form is absurdly inconsistent, particularly away from home. But it's going to be some final day.

I'm obviously backing the boys in green next week, but it would be the most Scotland thing ever if a loss to Italy cost them the grand slam and championship...

Nostradamus wouldn't have seen this coming. This is extraordinary. Maybe the best Scotland performance I've ever seen, but France have been absolutely abysmal.

#SCOvFRA

This tournament is all over the place. Teams seemingly picking at random each weekend whether they're going to be good or shit.

When you're commentating on the game at 2 but it's your turn in goals at 5 a side at 4.

Best 9 we've ever had.

Djalili has been going off the rails for a while and it looks like he's finally completely left the track. Another public figure's brain thoroughly cooked on X, the Everything App

The entire inciting incident of Village relies on Chris just deciding inexplicably not to explain something pretty important. I like Village but I'm not sure the overall story ever really recovers from that point.

Italy by 4
France by 12

I wonder what's the latest a player whp reached 50 caps started their international career? Jamison Gibson-Park was just a few months shy of 30 when he got his first cap. Easy to forget how recent his involvement in the Irish set-up is.

No, YOU’RE spending next hour photoshopping Borthwick into a precariously positioned bus, just on the off chance something really funny happens today

Obviously incredible workrate from Mann last night. The concern from an Irish perspective (and not having done a full watch of last night's match yet) is high opposing team tackle counts were a bit of a hallmark of the Schmidt era during times when our attack was looking a bit blunt and predictable.

“MAGA’s fundamental shared quality is a total lack of theory of mind for other people” is a theory that keeps getting validated by reality - look at almost every decision they’ve made in the war with Iran, and how they seem constantly surprised by the unanticipated actions of other parties.

Have just emerged from a couple hours without signal to see the result. A bonus point win. I assume it went smoothly with no concerns whatsoever? I won't be looking into it further.

The #BondiTop

This is such performative alpha competitiveness and it's so cringe

this is a market saying: i don't see what gets better between now and Monday so i'm lightening up and hoping for the best

round of applause please for Operation Epic Fury