6 Nations Thread

[Henners]

Not sure if many of you care but;

New 6 nations season has got under way,

Round 1# England 47 - 13 Wales, an easy win for the men in white, Ireland 26 - 16 Italy, narrow win for the Irish, Scotland 20 - 16 France, Great win for Scotland.

Round 2# Italy 16 - 31 England, good attempt from Italy, but too strong were the Roses. France 43 - 31 Ireland, France with a 40 point lead at half time almost threw the game away as Ireland stormed back, but luckily for the French, time ran out for Irish. Wales 28 - 18 Scotland, a welcome win for Wales despite early struggles.

That leaves the table as follows:

-----------Pld-W--L-D-F--A--Pts
1-England--2--2--0-0-78-29--4
2-France---2--1--1-0-59-51--2
3-Ireland---2--1--1-0-57-59--2
4-Scotland-2--1--1-0-38-44--2
5-Wales----2--1--1-0-41-65--2
6-Italy-----2--0--2-0-32-57--0

My Predictions for Round 3 are:

France 31 - 12 Italy* - France easily out power Italy
Scotland 13 - 48 England* - No problem for Robinson's England, Scotland brushed aside
Ireland 21 - 24 Wales* - Narrow win for 6 Nation Holders

Well i want to know your thoughs, or whether you give a dam about Rugby...

[Occasional Fan]

Some other points which add to the colour, I guess, are that Ireland were lucky to beat Italy - the Italians were far the better looking team on the day, and Ireland had at least one try given which never should have been and possibly two; the French looked hopeless against the Scots, who were the surprise of the Championship in the first weekend, but Scotland didn't look anywhere near as confident against Wales; England's victory over Italy was nothing like as convincing as the scoreline suggests; the defensive coaches of both France and Ireland must be somewhere between homicidal and suicidal after this weekend's 74 pointer; Pierre Berbizier, the head coach of Italy, must be quietly confident of beating Scotland and possibly even Wales ... All in all, the first two weeks leave some serious questions over all of the northern hemisphere rugby set up!

[Vrock]

I think England have got it right with Hodgson for now...No sign of Wilko coming to force again...He is proving to be a pretty good understudy (if I can call it that) to Wilko.

I think that Italy could provide one or two more upsets but I don't think they have any chance of winning, England should beat them with ease but you never know against the other nations.

3rd round games should be as you have predicted (maybe one or two points out though ). The best contested will certainly be Wales/Ireland, a certain cracker.

(I do like rugby by the way)

[greg]

Italy have improved this year,they gave ireland a real fright and made England work very hard.Good effort by them.

As far as England are concerned we have improved but we are nowhere near good enough to win the next World Cup.I fancy us to win this tournament but not to do the grand slam (France away will be too much).

Nice to see Scotland getting back some form as it gets boring when teams are just whipping boys all the time.

One final point,Wilkinson is finished.Nobody can come back after that many injuries and be the same player.

[Paoli]

Us Italians are supposedly ordinary aren't we at Rugby?

Mmmm...hopefully we can get a win sooner or later, against the Scots is our best chance IMO. Would've said Wales but now they've won the damn thing they'll be tough.

IT-AL-IA!

PS: Sportingbet taking a double at 5000-1. Italy to win Six Nations and World Cup Football.

Also would be sad if Wilko is finished. One of the greats of today.

[Teatime FatCat]

I agree that it's good to see a competing Itly and Scotland. as a Scot the last fw years have been difficult to watch. I wouldn't put it past Italy and Ireland to beat wales though, who look shakey to say the least!

[Paoli]

I thought you were English

[Teatime FatCat]

No, I am in fact Scottish - my full name is Hector Bruce Teatime McFatCat.

I am proud to be Scots and rejoice in all things Scottish such as ginger pubic hair, heart disease, cheap whiskey, not wearing underpants and urine on the floors of trains.

[Paoli]

Leave the Scottish Scotch Whiskey alone!!!

Best thing to come out of that joint!

[Teatime FatCat]

Actually there's not alot to choose between some whiskeys and urine on the floors of trains!