General Chat

This is Cyprus calling. Cyprus calling Radio Jem. ;-) :-D

HE SHAKES HANDS WITH THE PLAYERS

Scotland Captain John Barclay introduces him to the Scotland Team

But first .... here's the President of Ireland MICHAEL D HIGGINS

The players are out and here come the anthems

THE ANTHEMS FOR THE SING-A-LONG

The Visitors ~ SCOTLAND

O FLOWER OF SCOTLAND (Match Day Version)

Verse 1:

O flower of Scotland
When will we see your like again
That fought and died for
Your wee bit hill and glen
And stood against him
Proud Edward's army
And sent him homeward
Tae think again

Verse 3:

Those days are passed now
And in the past they must remain
But we can still rise now
And be the nation again
That stood against him
Proud Edward's army
And sent him homeward
Tae think again



THE HOST NATION IRELAND HAVE 2 ANTHEMS

1. A SOLDIER'S SONG (Anthem of the Republic Of Ireland)

2. IRELAND'S CALL (Anthem of the Ireland Rugby Union uniting North and South)


A SOLDIER’S SONG

We'll sing a song, a soldier's song,
With cheering rousing chorus,
As round our blazing fires we throng,
The starry heavens o'er us;
Impatient for the coming fight,
And as we wait the morning's light,
Here in the silence of the night,
We'll chant a soldier's song.

Chorus:
Soldiers are we
whose lives are pledged to Ireland;
Some have come
from a land beyond the wave.
Sworn to be free,
No more our ancient sire land
Shall shelter the despot or the slave.
Tonight we man the gap of danger
In Erin's cause, come woe or weal
"Mid cannons" roar and rifles peal,
We'll chant a soldier's song.

In valley green, on towering crag,
Our fathers fought before us,
And conquered 'neath the same old flag
That's proudly floating o'er us.
We're children of a fighting race,
That never yet has known disgrace,
And as we march, the foe to face,
We'll chant a soldier's song.


IRELAND'S CALL (Matchday Version)

Come the day and come the hour
Come the power and the glory
We have come to answer
Our Country's call
From the four proud provinces of Ireland

Ireland, Ireland
Together standing tall
Shoulder to shoulder
We'll answer Ireland's call

Ireland, Ireland
Together standing tall
Shoulder to shoulder
We’ll answer Ireland’s Call
We’ll answer Ireland’s Call

IRELAND V SCOTLAND

The Teams .....

IRELAND

Backs:
15. Rob Kearney
14. Keith Earls
13. Garry Ringrose
12. Bundee Aki
11. Jacob Stockdale
10. Johnny Sexton
9. Conor Murray


Forwards:
1. Cian Healy
2. Rory Best
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. James Ryan
5. Devin Toner
6. Peter O'Mahony
7. Dan Leavy
8. CJ Stander

Replacements:
16. Sean Cronin, 17. Jack McGrath, 18. Andrew Porter, 19. Iain Henderson, 20. Jordi Murphy, 21. Kieran Marmion, 22. Joey Carbery, 23. Jordan Larmour



SCOTLAND:

Backs:
15. Stuart Hogg
14. Blair Kinghorn
13. Huw Jones
12. Pete Horne
11. Sean Maitland
10. Finn Russell
9. Greig Laidlaw (Vice Captain)

Forwards:
1. Gordon Reid
2. Stuart McInally
3. Simon Berghan
4. Grant Gilchrist
5. Jonny Gray
6. John Barclay (Captain)
7. Hamish Watson
8. Ryan Wilson (Vice Captain)

Replacements

16. Fraser Brown, 17. Jamie Bhatti, 18. Willem Nel, 19. Tim Swinson, 20. David Denton,
21. Ali Price, 22. Nick Grigg, 23. Lee Jones


IRELAND v SCOTLAND .... Kick Off 2,15pm

Live on ITV 1
and I will be here manning Radio Jem's Airwaves ;-) if anyone cares to join me :-D

Do not despair Wales Fans .....

WALES CAN STILL WIN THE SIX NATIONS 2018! :-0 :-D

How?
Well as former Wales Captain GARETH THOMAS explained on BBC Wales’ “The Big Six Nations Kick Off” Thursday night, this is how ....

Rounds 4 & 5:
“WALES NEEDS TO BEAT BOTH ITALY AND FRANCE in the remaining two games with at least 1 bonus point”

Round 4:
“SCOTLAND have got to beat IRELAND in Dublin
FRANCE MUST BEAT ENGLAND in Paris”

Round 5:
“ITALY have got to beat SCOTLAND in Rome
ENGLAND has got to beat IRELAND in Twickenham”



“SIMPLE!” :-D :-D :-D :-D <3


So .... it's YMA O HYD (Still Here) INDEED! :-D :-D :-D

ROUND 4 SCHEDULE:



Saturday March 10
1.
IRELAND v SCOTLAND ............ Kick Off 2.15pm .... Live on ITV 1
2.
FRANCE v ENGLAND ............... Kick Off 4.45pm .... Live on BBC 1



Sunday March 11
WALES v ITALY ......................... Kick Off 3.00pm .... Live on BBC 1 & S4C

Good Afternoon Everyone :-D :-D :-D <3

Round 4 of this year's Six Nations Championship kicks off at 2.15pm

RADIO JEM IS NOW LIVE :-D :-D :-D


Here's Our Theme Song YMA O HYD (Still Here)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjFHqMxLGjg

THE 2 HOUR WARNING EVERYONE!

2 Hours to go to the opening game of Round 4


IRELAND v SCOTLAND... Kick Off 2.15pm

Live on ITV 1 ... and Radio Jem ;-) for fun participation :-D

Well Linda :-D

Are we bovvered?
Sun, sea and sand .... What IS there to be jealous about when we got winds, torrential rain and the cold? :-S

YOU BET WE ARE WELL JEAL :-D :-D :-D

Hope you are having a brill time in Tenerife <3



Thank You Elizabeth <3
Hope you and yours are well :-)

Dear Jem

Hello

Good luck to all teams!

Tune in for the best commentary.....Radio Jem, so turn the TV down!

Lots of love,
Elizabeth, EOS
xx

I won’t be watching today, I am too busy sunbathing by the pool :-D

SIX NATIONS?

If this competitions' organisers were taken to court to dispute it's title under the Trade Descriptions Act, then the organisers would lose their case!
It’s one of the most INACCURATELY LABELLED sporting competitions!

APPROXIMATELY ONE QUARTER OF ALL SIX NATIONS PLAYERS WERE ACTUALLY BORN OVERSEAS!


The Six Nations Championship is an Annual Rugby Union Competition between Six National Teams- England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, France and Italy.

But in reality, the 2018 Six Nations will have a grand total of 21 nations represented. The Americas contributes to this list through Argentina, Canada, and the USA. New Zealand and South Africa also have players in the Six Nations Teams among other countries.


RULES OF QUALIFICATION FOR A RUGBY UNION NATIONAL TEAM

*Must have a PARENT or a GRANDPARENT born in the country, or
*Must have completed 3 YEARS RESIDENCY in that country.
Under new regulations, this will increase to 5 YEARS in 2020.



“FOREIGN BORN” IN OUR SIX NATIONS SQUADS
In order of numbers ....

SCOTLAND:
Scotland has the smallest population to select their players from.
They have the MOST outside players in their ranks!

Players qualifying through a Scottish parent include current Captain JOHN BARCLAY, whose place of birth was actually HONG KONG!
John currently plays for the West Wales Club The Scarlets, but is returning to Scotland to play his Club Rugby at the end of this season. He will be joining Edinburgh Rugby in the autumn.


Also qualifying through a parent is Winger TOMMY SEYMOUR.
He is from NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE in the USA!
Sadly, he has been injured out.


NEW ZEALANDERS qualifying to play for Scotland are SEAN MAITLAND (Grandparent) and BUNDEE AKI (Residency)
Also qualifying through “Residency” - South African WP NELS.


As well as the above mentioned Countries the Non- Six Nations Countries represented in the Scottish Team are Australia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Spain, and the Netherlands.


There are also 3 ENGLISH players in the Scotland Squad- TIM SWINSON, RUARIDH JACKSON and DUNCAN TAYLOR.

* In fact, 16 ENGLISH PLAYERS ARE PLAYING FOR COUNTRIES OTHER THAN ENGLAND IN THIS TOURNAMENT



WALES:
Wales currently have 9 Outside players in their Six Nations Squad.

These including New Zealand born HADLEIGH PARKES (who completed 3 years Wales Residency at the beginning of this tournament) and GARETH ANSCOMBE (whose mother is Welsh- born in Cardiff)
Hadleigh is a Centre for the Scarlets, and Gareth is a Fly Half for Cardiff Blues.

All in all, The Wales National Team is actually a WELSH / ENGLISH / NEW ZEALAND / TONGAN team!
Eightman, TAULUPE FALETAU adding the Tongan blood!


ITALY :
Countries represented- Albania, Argentina, South Africa, Scotland, New Zealand and Australia.
SERGIO PARISSE is one of these. He was born in Argentina.


IRELAND:
South Africa, New Zealand, England, France, Israel
For example, South African born CJ STANDER qualified to play for Ireland through Residency in 2015.


ENGLAND:
New Zealand, Germany, Australia, Fiji and St. Lucia
As in the case of Scotland, The Captain of England is also “Foreign Born”!
DYLAN HARTLEY was born in Rotorua, NEW ZEALAND.


FRANCE:
Non-Six Nations Countries represented in the France Squad are New Zealand, Fiji and South Africa.
E.g. BERNARD Le ROUX is a South African who qualified to play for Les Bleus through Residency in 2012.



THE SIX NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP???? :-S :-S


What would alternative name would YOU give this Great Competition? ;-) :-D :-D

France v England ~
The news that all England Rugby Union Fans have been awaiting ....

ENGLAND

Backs:
15. Anthony Watson
14. Jonny May
13. Ben Te'o
12. Owen Farrell (captain)
11. Elliot Daly
10. George Ford
9. Danny Care

Forwards:
1. Mako Vunipola
2. Jamie George
3. Dan Cole
4. Joe Launchbury
5. Maro Itoje
6. Courtney Lawes
7. Chris Robshaw
8. Nathan Hughes

Replacements:
16. Luke Cowan-Dickie
17. Joe Marler
18. Kyle Sinckler
19. James Haskell
20. Sam Simmonds
21. Richard Wigglesworth
22. Jonathan Joseph
23. Mike Brown


FRANCE

Backs:
15. Hugo Bonneval
14. Benjamin Fall
13. Mathieu Bastareaud
12. Geoffrey Doumayrou
11. Remy Grosso
10. Francois Trinh-Duc


Forwards:
1. Jefferson Poirot
2. Guilhem Guirado
3. Rabah Slimani
4. Paul Gabrillagues
5. Sébastien Vahaamahina
6. Wenceslas Lauret
7. Yacouba Camara
8. Marco Tauleigne

Replacements:
16. Adrien Pelissie
17. Dany Priso
18. Cedate Gomes Sa
19. Romain Taofifenua
20. Kelian Galletier
21. Baptiste Couilloud
22. Lionel Beauxis
23. Gael Fickou



SATURDAY MARCH 10th

FRANCE v ENGLAND ............... Kick Off 4.45pm

LIVE ON BBC 1
and Radio Jem ;-) (ie This Thread :-D) for Cheering On Your Team :-D :-D

Joe Schmidt has announced his men to face Scotland on Saturday ......

IRELAND

Backs:
15. Rob Kearney
14. Keith Earls
13. Garry Ringrose
12. Bundee Aki
11. Jacob Stockdale
10. Johnny Sexton
9. Conor Murray


Forwards:
1. Cian Healy
2. Rory Best
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. James Ryan
5. Devin Toner
6. Peter O'Mahony
7. Dan Leavy
8. CJ Stander

Replacements:
16. Sean Cronin
17. Jack McGrath
18. Andrew Porter
19. Iain Henderson
20. Jordi Murphy
21. Kieran Marmion
22. Joey Carbery
23. Jordan Larmour



Saturday Saturday March 10

IRELAND v SCOTLAND ............ LIVE on ITV 1 ~ Kick Off 2.15pm

..... and Radio Jem for Fun Participation ;-) :-D

THE FOX TO THE RESCUE!

"Wales rugby star Jonathan Davies comes to the rescue of stranded doctors, nurses and patients....

South Wales was brought to a standstill with snow causing many to miss work - but not everyone could afford to be stranded at home.

For many doctors and nurses, reaching their place of work in this weather is as difficult as it is important - but a Welsh rugby star set out to make things a little easier on Friday.


Scarlets, Wales and Lions centre Jonathan Davies helped ferry staff and patients to and from hospitals around Cardiff - presumably much to the surprise of his starstruck passengers."

Full Story!
https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/wales-rugby-star-jonathan-davies-14364523

Also Announced today is the Scotland team to face Ireland in Dublin on Saturday:

SCOTLAND:

Backs:
15. Stuart Hogg
14. Blair Kinghorn
13. Huw Jones
12. Pete Horne
11. Sean Maitland
10. Finn Russell
9. Greig Laidlaw (Vice Captain)

Forwards:
1. Gordon Reid
2. Stuart McInally
3. Simon Berghan
4. Grant Gilchrist
5. Jonny Gray
6. John Barclay (Captain)
7. Hamish Watson
8. Ryan Wilson (Vice Captain)

Replacements

16. Fraser Brown
17. Jamie Bhatti
18. Willem Nel
19. Tim Swinson
20. David Denton
21. Ali Price
22. Nick Grigg
23. Lee Jones


CHANGES:

Scotland Head Coach has made only 1 change to the team that beat England in Round 3 - an enforced change due to injury.
BLAIR KINGHORN takes the place of the injured right winger TOMMY SEYMOUR (14)


*IRELAND TEAM TBA



First Game of Round 4
Saturday Saturday March 10

IRELAND v SCOTLAND ............ LIVE on ITV 1 ~ Kick Off 2.15pm

..... and Radio Jem for Fun Participation;-) :-D

Oh My Goodness! :-0 .....

BIG CHANGES to the WALES TEAM for Round 4 :-0 :-0

Starting with the Captain .....
DE-CAPTAINED (is there such a word? Sounds like De-Capitated lol :-S :-D)
is ALUN-WYN JONES. He is being rested.

The Captain's Armband goes to the returning TAULUPE FALETAU - One of 10 changes to the Wales Team!



WALES TEAM TO PLAY ITALY

Backs:
15. Liam Williams
14. George North
13. Owen Watkin
12. Hadleigh Parkes
11. Steff Evans
10. Gareth Anscombe
9. Gareth Davies

Forwards:
1. Nicky Smith
2. Elliot Dee
3. Tomas Francis
4. Cory Hill
5. Bradley Davies
6. Justin Tipuric
7. James Davies *Uncapped
8. Taulupe Faletau (Captain)

Replacements:
16. Ken Owens
17. Rob Evans
18. Samson Lee
19. Seb Davies
20. Ellis Jenkins
21. Aled Davies
22. Rhys Patchell
23. Leigh Halfpenny


CHANGES TO THE BACKS-

LIAM WILLIAMS switches from right-wing (14) to take the full-back position (15) from Leigh Halfpenny - who is on the reserves bench, with GEORGE NORTH starting at 14.

The only other backs to keep their place in the starting XV's backs from Round 3 are- HADLEIGH PARKES, STEFF EVANS and GARETH DAVIES.

Notable change- No place for DAN BIGGAR in the team this time.
In his place is GARETH ANSCOMBE in the starting XV with RHYS PATCHELL on the bench.


CHANGES TO THE FORWARDS-

Only player to keep a position in the Starting XV from Round 3 is CORY HILL (4)

** At long last - Jonathan Davies' little brother JAMES DAVIES has a place in the Team and will win his first WALES CAP



*Italy Team to face Wales to be announced



Sunday March 11
WALES <3 v ITALY ......................... Kick Off 3.00pm

LIVE on BBC 1.....
...... and Radio Jem;-) for Fun Participation with the Rugby Gang :-D :-D

Thank You to all who took the time to tune in to Radio Jem today! :-D <3


NO SIX NATIONS GAMES THIS WEEKEND