6 nations 22

[solidarity]

Ireland really shouldn't be worried about playing either of those two teams.

[Cap'n Grumpy]

Wasn't our former CEO Shane Logan a big cheese in Russia before?

Let's hope Putin is as spectacularly unsuccessful as cap'n Logan was in achieving world domination.

My security sources tell me there is panic in the Kremlin - not the gay bar- as the Ruskies have been thrown out of the Eurovision song contest.

Well done Europe, hit them where it hurts

Don’t worry about banning them from the SWIFT system, as long as they can’t participate in a sh!te competition that no one watches or gives a f¥ck about.
F¥cking pathetic!

TBF, whoever organises the Eurosingywotsit doesn't have the ability to chuck them out og the SWIFT monetary thingy. All they can do is chuck them out of the song contest.

It's as effective as us posting on here, or going somewhere and waving a blue and yella fleg - it doesn't do anything, but at least it's a token show of disapproval.

BTW, where is the Ukrainian fleg smilie Fermain?

[big mervyn]

I think the sporting and cultural boycotts can have a significant impact if allied to other more direct measures. As you say Capt they can only do what they can do. Interesting to see how FIFA handle this. On the one hand, penalising Poland and other nations who take a similar stance is not a good look; on the other hand if they were to sanction every FIFA member that has invaded another ...

[solidarity]

Every little helps. Anything that anyone can do may not be much on its own but cumulatively building pressure... who knows. I hope that the financial pressure on the Russian Oligarchs sees their wealth drifting away and leads them to get together and sidle up to brother Putin and remind him that he doesn't have a divine right to rule.

Is there a pattern in Russian history where leaders drift into becoming Tsars, then get overthrown? I hope so.

[Cap'n Grumpy]

I think the sporting and cultural boycotts can have a significant impact if allied to other more direct measures. As you say Capt they can only do what they can do. Interesting to see how FIFA handle this. On the one hand, penalising Poland and other nations who take a similar stance is not a good look; on the other hand if they were to sanction every FIFA member that has invaded another ...

Spot on Merv
FIFA have been quick in the past to threaten any team or person within their jurisdiction for any sort of political interference, and probably rightly so. They say that FIFA and sport in general should be above politics, but sometimes there are things that should be above sport, and this is one of those.

After all, National anfems are played before international matches, so clearly there is already an inherent level of politics already accepted within sport.

Wonder if FA and/or UEFA will punish the Aston Villa player who revealed a message under his shirt yesterday in support of his Polish teammate who plays for Dynamo Kiev and is still in the Ukrainian capital.

Laws of football outlaw all messages on under garments so there can be no debate about what is political, abusive or whatever. I would hope this is one case where a blind eye will be turned by the FA, but why do I suspect those eejits may not do so? The message?

"Tomasc Kedziora & family and Stay safe my bro"

Fair play top him prepared to take a punishment from FA just to raise a little bit more awareness.

[solidarity]

Ieland match just starting. Could be my imagination but there seemed to be more enthusiasm for singing 'Ireland's call', than for 'Amhrán na bhFiann'.

[solidarity]

Two early darts from Lowry, looking good.

[Dublin4]

Red card this early is ominous for the Italians. Good decision not to waste money on tickets for this match.

[Dave]

What a farce

[solidarity]

This is insane. 15 v 13? Absolute madness.

[Dave]

Can't believe Ireland players are even celebrating.

[Dublin4]

There is an argument for Ireland to play with 14, even 13, just to make a game of it. This is a nothing game and the fans who turned up deserve something for their money. Shambles.

[big mervyn]

Why can't a prop go to hooker? They may be technically limited but surely there is no inherent danger?

[StandUp]

Gwan Mikey. Only good thing about this match so far.

[Cap'n Grumpy]

Why can't a prop go to hooker? They may be technically limited but surely there is no inherent danger?

That's Italy's call - they can bring on someone who they deem able to hook, and it would be a straight replacement and 14 players.

It's by going uncontested the laws say they have to remove another player just to stop any team feigning injury if their scrum is getting hammered.