Six Nations 2014

I can never understand Scotland. Just when they seem to learn how to convert chances into the occasional try, they seem to forget how they did it again. I know that Jiffy isn't everyone's cup of tea, but what the doesn't know on the subject of attacking back play isn't worth knowing, and his analysis at half-time of why Scotland weren't making the most of their chances was most interesting.

Mind you, other than the first 20 minutes of the second half, I wasn't exactly blown-away by Ireland either. I honestly think that, as long as the French don't follow their recent form by failing to turn-up for a match, they have to be favourites, with Wales the most likely alternative winners.
 
Ireland were crap first half... but looks at the injury list - O'Connell, O'Brien, Darcy, Bowe, Zebo, Earls... bit like Wales yesterday, they did enough to win the game without breaking out of third gear.

First game is all about getting a win irrespective of the performance. Momentum, momentum, momentum... coaches love it.
 
pugh-the-special-one said:
If I could have my pick of any English player I would pick Alex Corbisiero he's Englands most important forward and one of the best loosehead props in the world.
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Yep, Corbs is a top player. England's best forward, but he is fragile and doesn't seem to string two games together very often. England were hampered by the early injury to Johnny May, I think, as later in the game we were left without a specialist winger and we paid for that. Also I do not understand why Care was substituted - he was England's best player. Onwards and upwards!
 
Ireland v Wales will be the big game next weekend.

These two teams have played 11 times in the past 10 years with Ireland winning 6 and Wales 5. Wales are definite favorites given their success the past few years, but it's a game that could go either way. Rob Kearney was asked after the Scotland game did he think there'd be any extra 'spice' to this game (referring to the O'Driscoll - Gatland saga) to which he replied without certainty "absolutely".

England and France to win the other two games, although you never know with the French.
 
jb74, all the Welsh pundits are loving the hype the want more of it, Gareth Thomas and Martyn Williams hope the press and the fans make more of it as it will make for a better game, I would say that Roberts and Davies delivered for the Lions and all the pressure is on O'Driscoll and Karney, John Davies played on the weekend for the Scarlets and I expect him Sam Warburton and Gethin Jenkins to start against Ireland.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/26011726
 
Aye, the media and pundits love to have something to latch onto and build up the hype. I was surprised that Kearney so eagerly acknowledged the spice there... usually players and coaches downplay these things.

Personally I don't care for it, if we won the game 3-0 I'd be delighted. The 'W' is all that is really at stake.

That being said, you can't beat a great atmosphere at a game. Nothing worse than when the Irish crowd go quiet.. like the Australia game last November.

They really are playing up the O'Driscoll farewell here, to win the Grand Slam would be a fairy tale send off. Doubt that's going to happen but no harm in dreaming for now. He was some player though... 15 years playing in the green jersey... credit where credit is due.

Tough game to call.
 
pugh-the-special-one said:
it was a boring game Wales barely got out of first gear,
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On the contrary, I thought it was a good game which could have easily gone Italy's way.
 
Two changes in the team to play Wales on Saturday -

15-Rob Kearney, 14-Andrew Trimble, 13-Brian O'Driscoll, 12-Gordon D'Arcy, 11-Dave Kearney, 10-Johnny Sexton, 9-Conor Murray, 8-Jamie Heaslip, 7-Chris Henry, 6-Peter O'Mahony, 5-Paul O'Connell (captain), 4-Devin Toner, 3-Mike Ross, 2-Rory Best, 1-Cian Healy

No changes to the England team to play Scotland.
 
Ireland / Wales will be tasty, no doubt. As for the added spice I was surprised when Gatland dropped BoD for the final test, but no-one could argue with the result of the match, so that was justification. O'Driscoll would have been hurting at being dropped, at his heart he is the ultimate competitor in my eyes, so he will be out to prove something to himself, if no-one else. He will be even more focused and hungry than normal. I think Ireland will win this one, but it promises to be the game of the championship.

Scotland / England could be a try fest or it could be a backs to the wall, do or die effort from the Scots. I think England will win and win well, but that Scotland will be competitive for 50 mins, competitive in the sense that they will be relatively close on the scoreboard, but will be tackled out. England need to win, need to show they can win after the last couple of results. Plucky losers is not the way forward.

Well, whatever transpires here's to hoping there will be some great rugby played over the weekend. I often wonder if any of those players use anything but Gillette or Wilkinson Sword cartridge razors. I'd love to see one of them pull out a Gillette Aristocrat and a puck of MWF, but alas I can't see it!

Good luck to all

Jon
 
I hope the senior squad mirrors the Wales under 20s last night we beat Ireland 16-0 in Athlone they always show the under 20s game live every Friday in Wales, age grade and under 20s have a really great development program over the last few years and this is starting to show through getting the the Wales under 20s to two semi finals and a world cup final, and also being the first team ever to beat the All Blacks under 20 team in a world cup group game.
 
Aye, they show the U20 games here too. Didn't tune in last night but I do recall watching the Wales U20s in the last World Cup and them being quite good.

Roll on 2:30pm... weather is bad here, strong winds and heavy downpours.
 
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