Hey any rugby fans out there? How about a thread in which we argue about who's going to win the 6 nations and analyze the matches and howl at each other over the fine sport of rugby. Being as i'm starting the thread, I'll start off with what I thought of the Irish matches so far. (being as I'm irish)
France v Ireland
A disjointed France still have too much in the backline for an Ireland team that seemed unwilling to exploit the power of their forwards. The Irish seemed determined to sling the ball wide to their creative and pacey backs. Just one problem, they didn't have any. Gordon D'arcy looks promising for the future but was asked to do everything creative against an aggressive french midfield defence, Shane Horgan looked vulnerable at best, and peter stringers distribution from the back of the scrum was erratic. In the forwards, they were easily the match of the French (on paper) but refused to make the hard yards and only used the rolling maul on a couple of occasions, despite it's obvious efficacy. John Hayes was completely outmatched in the scrum, leading to a couple of penalties and most embarassingly, ball won against the head. For the French, Brusque sparkled intermittently, Michalak was composed with ball in hand and Magne and Harinorduquy (spelling?) were magnificent on the loose. On the whole, this match went in fits and starts, with the french winning slightly less comfortably than the scoreline suggested.
Ireland v Wales.
For the first time in quite a few years the welsh started out as favourites against the irish on the basis of 2 glorious world cup displays against patently better opposition, and a pacy, sparkling destruction of the scots the previous week. Whereas Irish form had comprised 2 reasonably heavy defeats by the french. Also the welsh have a habit of winning in Lansdowne road (just as the irish do at cardiff), the 50 point spanking handed out 2 years ago notwithstanding. With Geordan Murphy still out, the irish would look to the restored Brian O'Driscoll for their creative spark, while the welsh would hope to match the irish up front to allow the flying welsh halfbacks to destroy them the same way they had done the scots. Right from the off it never looked like happening, Shane Byrne crossing unoposed from a rolling maul after 57 seconds. The welsh forwards never showed up apart from jonothan thomas, who confirmed his growing reputation as a potential lion. Ireland bossed the game, the only black spot being O'Gara's inability to strike the ball between the posts. Gordon D'arcy displayed magnificent pace and skill to show he was no flash in the pan, Paul O'connel was busy and aggressive up front, Donncha O'Callaghan showed marvellously until having to make way for an injury (despite looking like a 6 foot 6 version of Frodo).
The welsh showed good spirit to score 2 late tries, but by then, the irish had stopped playing, and it was all over.
Prediction for Irelands next match.
With Murphy back, and D'arcy and O'driscoll in the centres, ireland have some real flair to match the power and athleticism up front, and will run England close during the first half, until the more disciplined english have their way in the last 30 minutes.
O'Driscoll, Robinson, Grewcock and O'Connell to be the stars of the show.
What does anyone else think?
Before the Wales-Ireland match I would have given Wales a good chance. Now I'm not so sure. They could beat England or France on a good day, but I don't think that's likely now.
I still say England or France to win, but Ireland could upset England's chances.
I have noticed that England seem to be playing quite differently to in the World Cup. They are kicking for ground a lot more rather than to touch (actually this goes for all teams). They seem to be more risky when going for tries, running a lot more whereas in the WC it seemed like they were going for points rather than tries if you know what I mean.
Predictions?
Italy-Scotland: 9-25 (I think Italy will struggle to score tries).
England-Ireland 27-13 (England's defence should hold up).
Wales-France 21-32 (France too strong for Wales).
I've noticed the 'kicking for territory rather than touch' as well. I think it's due to the fact that if you pin someone in their corner, their returning kick has little angle to work with so they are more likely to concede a lineout deep in their own half. For some reason, the big teams (england france and the tri nations) aren't as confident about challenging for another teams lineout ball, so would rather gain possession 30 yards further down the field and trust to their rolling maul/quick backs to gain the territory.
On an aside, I think Ireland have one of the best lineouts going at the moment, losing only 2 against their throw in the world cup, and stealing very effectively against wales and even the french.
Personally I think that teams like England who have a very aggresive lineout (Kay and Grewcock in particular) should get down the field early and really get in the faces of their opposite numbers, as there is something very dispiriting about losing your own lineouts, it can really affect your confidence in the other set-pieces as well.
Predictions?I agree (unfortunately for Ireland) but I think that the Scotland v Italy match could throw up a surprise, especially if it's in Rome. (not sure, I'll check that as well)
Italy-Scotland: 9-25 (I think Italy will struggle to score tries).
England-Ireland 27-13 (England's defence should hold up).
Wales-France 21-32 (France too strong for Wales).
Wales just haven't got the forwards to compete against France, and they need a ball carrier to break the gain line on a regular basis. Colin Charvis seems to be the only option they have, but he'll be returning from injury and might not be his usual ebbulient self. They really need someone in the vein of Scott Quinnell (or even his brother).
If the Ireland match was in Dublin, then there may be a chance for Ireland, but the English will eventually get the measure of them in 'Twickers'. Both sides are excellent exponents of the rolling maul, but neither side has had much experience defending against competent rolling maul recently, so that will be interesting. I notice that referees are now clamping down on the 'truck and trailer' now so how that rule gets interpreted will be fairly crucial. Ireland will dominate the lineouts if Shane Byrne can get his throwing together, England will dominate the scrum unless someone teaches John Hayes how to do that fairly basic skill, England are also sharper at 9 and 10 (no matter who gets to wear the jersey), and so the service to the backs will be crisper and with Josh Lewsey in blistering and muscular form I expect that to show on the scoreboard. If Dennis Hickey were back and Murphy and O'Driscoll had more games back from injury, then it would be a real contest, with 2 of the most exciting back lines in world rugby going up against each other, but as it is, I can't see anything other than an English win. I hope the Irish team see it differently.
Originally posted by peterhProbably the Grand Slam decider... remember Landsdowne Road last time. Englands pack is slightly weaker than then, but if Thompson learns to throw straight (the reason we nearly bombed in the RWC final) we can beat anyone anywhere.
france v england game is in paris 27th march...8.00 pm kick off...last game of six nations
Originally posted by garyminfordthe surprise being a scotland victory 😉
I think that the Scotland v Italy match could throw up a surprise, especially if it's in Rome. (not sure, I'll check that as well)
actually-i think scotland could beat them quite convincingly. england were not dominating scotland by any means, but they still won. scotland just made one too many errors...
Originally posted by geniusThat's a fair point. I was making the comparison because I think the gulf in class between the other teams (France v Wales and England v Ireland) is too great, whereas Scotland are, without giving offence I hope, the second weakest team in the 6 nations. You have some real quality players, but there hasn't been much of a team spirit recently. I hope this can change, I'll never forget the spine-tingling slow-walk that you guys beat England with. That was one of the great moments in world rugby.
the surprise being a scotland victory 😉
actually-i think scotland could beat them quite convincingly. england were not dominating scotland by any means, but they still won. scotland just made one too many errors...