England vs Scotland - predictions
Discussion
Scotland are talking a good game (or at least Gavin Hastings is), but I can only see an English win at Twickenham. As you rightly say, the loss of their talisman Julian White is a big blow to them. England 29 Scotland 12.
Elsewhere, the Wales v Ireland was lined up to be a cracker of a close match, but I think our (Wales) likely injury and suspension list will tip the balance significantly in favour of an impressive Irish team (apart from their front row, of course!). Ireland 25 Wales 15.
Italy are no longer the whipping boys they once were. In fact they have the strongest scrummage in the tournament and I think I read somewhere that they were leading at half time in all of their 6N games last season. People think France are in deep do-doos, and relative to their usual high standards, they are. However, they put in a dogged performance in the 2nd test v New Zealand in the Autumn and a 23-11 isn't actually a half bad result against a team who are so far ahead of the rest it's frightening! They have also finally selected a side which features a fly half at fly half, leaving Traille and Jauzion to resume thier impressive centre partnership. I think Italy will give Frnace a scare once more, but France will ultimately proove too strong. Italy 18 France 25.
All in all, I'm looking forward to this 6N. It's a very difficult one to call, and I think it could be one of the tightest in years. Bring it on!
Elsewhere, the Wales v Ireland was lined up to be a cracker of a close match, but I think our (Wales) likely injury and suspension list will tip the balance significantly in favour of an impressive Irish team (apart from their front row, of course!). Ireland 25 Wales 15.
Italy are no longer the whipping boys they once were. In fact they have the strongest scrummage in the tournament and I think I read somewhere that they were leading at half time in all of their 6N games last season. People think France are in deep do-doos, and relative to their usual high standards, they are. However, they put in a dogged performance in the 2nd test v New Zealand in the Autumn and a 23-11 isn't actually a half bad result against a team who are so far ahead of the rest it's frightening! They have also finally selected a side which features a fly half at fly half, leaving Traille and Jauzion to resume thier impressive centre partnership. I think Italy will give Frnace a scare once more, but France will ultimately proove too strong. Italy 18 France 25.
All in all, I'm looking forward to this 6N. It's a very difficult one to call, and I think it could be one of the tightest in years. Bring it on!
Jinx said:
You do realise the Irish are favourites for the six nations?
Ah yes, but all knowing rugby guru, Graham Henry, thinks differently:
Reporter: In a word, who will win the Six Nations? In several more words, why?
GH: Wales. Because they will.
I hope he's right, but I think he might be deluded on this one!
I don't follow rugby too carefully, but I saw the last few games England played. Honest question: how can Scotland possibly be worse than the current England squad? If they really are worse, is anyone on the pitch going to even be able to find the ball, let alone pick it up and pass it to someone (on their own team)??
Edited by ATG on Wednesday 31st January 13:11
ATG said:
I don't follow rugby too carefully, but I saw the last few games England played. Honest question: how can Scotland possibly be worse than the current England squad? If they really are worse, is anyone on the pitch going to even be able to find the ball, let alone pick it up and pass it to someone (on their own team)??
Edited by ATG on Wednesday 31st January 13:11
New coach, new captain and 11 changes to the team that last took to the field. This is a very competent England side, with the exception of Worsley and Balshaw (heard he is injured and Morgan will relpace him, hope so)
thegreatsoprendo said:
Jinx said:
You do realise the Irish are favourites for the six nations?
Ah yes, but all knowing rugby guru, Graham Henry, thinks differently:
Reporter: In a word, who will win the Six Nations? In several more words, why?
GH: Wales. Because they will.
I hope he's right, but I think he might be deluded on this one!
As an ex coach of Wales, Graham Henry has been having to a massive PR job for New Zealand rugby ever since this article was published in the NZ Herald just before their game with Wales.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chris Rattue: Sorry, but Wales are rubbish
NZ herald
Wednesday November 22, 2006
This sure is an exciting week for rugby.
Everywhere, people are biting their nails in anticipation of the All Blacks' clash against ... snorrrrrrrrrrr ... Wales.
The last time I was this excited about a rugby occasion was when I spied a touring Venezuelan team eating hamburgers in Onehunga.
It's pointless at this point going on about the great history of All Black and Welsh rugby because there isn't one. About the only thing of interest that has happened between the two countries in the past half century was the time Andy Haden dived out of a lineout at Cardiff Arms Park. Welsh rugby sure learns its lessons, because they've been heading nose first into the turf ever since.
If rugby between New Zealand and Wales was a boxing contest, they would have stopped it many rounds ago and revoked the Welsh licence.
Every year they turn up with a lot of gibbidy-gib in the talk department, and every year they play like a reserve grade team on an end-of-year trip to Majorca.
Looking at the general state of the Welsh game, the big question isn't so much, "Why haven't they beaten the All Blacks for 53 years?"
The real question is, "How the heck could a mob like that have ever beaten us in the first place?"
What is it about Welsh rugby that still fires the imagination, or does it fire the imagination at all?
Yes. The Welsh talk with an interesting lilt. If it was a talking contest, the Welsh would win hands down. Yes, they sure can sing. If it was a choral contest you'd put a tenner on their tenors, although to be honest, a bunch of Angus steers could give this country a run for its money in that department. We don't so much belt out our national anthem. We beat the bugger to death.
Yes, they've got a stadium with a roof. Maybe our city mums and dads could head to Cardiff on a fact-finding mission, although knowing our dearly beloved leaders they'd probably return carrying the plans for a go-kart track in the Isle of Anglesey.
And yes, every team Wales fields sounds as though they've scrambled all the great names from the past and pulled them out of a hat.
Welsh rugby gets away with murder, or make that suicide.
It is always busy closing the gap, although the only gap that actually disappears is the one being dealt to by its stadium roof.
Come on, Wales. Break the habit of most people's lifetime. Get mad. Get real. Get something. Go out there and win - as in scoring more points than the All Blacks rather than winning all that patronising muck that everyone heaps on your broken bones.
Okay, I hear the cry that now and then, Wales get real close. Real, real close. Real, real, real close.
And you know what? They still lose. And everyone still blathers on about their singing and their history and blah de blah de blah and how Blethyn someone or Gareth someone else had a really great game because they ran past this bloke or tackled that bloke.
Let's face it. Wales are rubbish. They are the village idiots of rugby union. They have fans who live for the game, administrators who've killed it and players who lie down for the cause.
Wales had a brilliant team of never-to-be-forgotten players 30 years ago. Since then, they've totally stuffed it up and they'll stuff it up again this weekend.
360stimo said:
thegreatsoprendo said:
Jinx said:
You do realise the Irish are favourites for the six nations?
Ah yes, but all knowing rugby guru, Graham Henry, thinks differently:
Reporter: In a word, who will win the Six Nations? In several more words, why?
GH: Wales. Because they will.
I hope he's right, but I think he might be deluded on this one!
As an ex coach of Wales, Graham Henry has been having to a massive PR job for New Zealand rugby ever since this article was published in the NZ Herald just before their game with Wales.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chris Rattue: Sorry, but Wales are rubbish
NZ herald
Wednesday November 22, 2006
This sure is an exciting week for rugby.
Everywhere, people are biting their nails in anticipation of the All Blacks' clash against ... snorrrrrrrrrrr ... Wales.
The last time I was this excited about a rugby occasion was when I spied a touring Venezuelan team eating hamburgers in Onehunga.
It's pointless at this point going on about the great history of All Black and Welsh rugby because there isn't one. About the only thing of interest that has happened between the two countries in the past half century was the time Andy Haden dived out of a lineout at Cardiff Arms Park. Welsh rugby sure learns its lessons, because they've been heading nose first into the turf ever since.
If rugby between New Zealand and Wales was a boxing contest, they would have stopped it many rounds ago and revoked the Welsh licence.
Every year they turn up with a lot of gibbidy-gib in the talk department, and every year they play like a reserve grade team on an end-of-year trip to Majorca.
Looking at the general state of the Welsh game, the big question isn't so much, "Why haven't they beaten the All Blacks for 53 years?"
The real question is, "How the heck could a mob like that have ever beaten us in the first place?"
What is it about Welsh rugby that still fires the imagination, or does it fire the imagination at all?
Yes. The Welsh talk with an interesting lilt. If it was a talking contest, the Welsh would win hands down. Yes, they sure can sing. If it was a choral contest you'd put a tenner on their tenors, although to be honest, a bunch of Angus steers could give this country a run for its money in that department. We don't so much belt out our national anthem. We beat the bugger to death.
Yes, they've got a stadium with a roof. Maybe our city mums and dads could head to Cardiff on a fact-finding mission, although knowing our dearly beloved leaders they'd probably return carrying the plans for a go-kart track in the Isle of Anglesey.
And yes, every team Wales fields sounds as though they've scrambled all the great names from the past and pulled them out of a hat.
Welsh rugby gets away with murder, or make that suicide.
It is always busy closing the gap, although the only gap that actually disappears is the one being dealt to by its stadium roof.
Come on, Wales. Break the habit of most people's lifetime. Get mad. Get real. Get something. Go out there and win - as in scoring more points than the All Blacks rather than winning all that patronising muck that everyone heaps on your broken bones.
Okay, I hear the cry that now and then, Wales get real close. Real, real close. Real, real, real close.
And you know what? They still lose. And everyone still blathers on about their singing and their history and blah de blah de blah and how Blethyn someone or Gareth someone else had a really great game because they ran past this bloke or tackled that bloke.
Let's face it. Wales are rubbish. They are the village idiots of rugby union. They have fans who live for the game, administrators who've killed it and players who lie down for the cause.
Wales had a brilliant team of never-to-be-forgotten players 30 years ago. Since then, they've totally stuffed it up and they'll stuff it up again this weekend.
That hurts
Woe is Wales...
Alfie has just been banned for four weeks and Gareth Jenkins has today selected a shocking looking team. OK, so we're pretty decimated by injuries (and Alfie's ban), but that's no excuse for leaving Charvis and Henson out of the 22 altogether.
I really fear for us on Sunday now, and can't remember feeling this pessimistic in the run up to the 6N before...
Meanwhile, Lewis Moody is out of the England squad with an injury, although he was only on the bench in any case.
Alfie has just been banned for four weeks and Gareth Jenkins has today selected a shocking looking team. OK, so we're pretty decimated by injuries (and Alfie's ban), but that's no excuse for leaving Charvis and Henson out of the 22 altogether.
I really fear for us on Sunday now, and can't remember feeling this pessimistic in the run up to the 6N before... Meanwhile, Lewis Moody is out of the England squad with an injury, although he was only on the bench in any case.
thegreatsoprendo said:
Woe is Wales...
Alfie has just been banned for four weeks and Gareth Jenkins has today selected a shocking looking team. OK, so we're pretty decimated by injuries (and Alfie's ban), but that's no excuse for leaving Charvis and Henson out of the 22 altogether. I really fear for us on Sunday now, and can't remember feeling this pessimistic in the run up to the 6N before...
Meanwhile, Lewis Moody is out of the England squad with an injury, although he was only on the bench in any case.
Alfie has just been banned for four weeks and Gareth Jenkins has today selected a shocking looking team. OK, so we're pretty decimated by injuries (and Alfie's ban), but that's no excuse for leaving Charvis and Henson out of the 22 altogether.
I really fear for us on Sunday now, and can't remember feeling this pessimistic in the run up to the 6N before... Meanwhile, Lewis Moody is out of the England squad with an injury, although he was only on the bench in any case.
I hope Jenkins is pulling the media's leg with his team selection, forwards not too bad, backs are shocking
Jenks does worry me, doesn't seem to grasp things. When at Llanelli he never changed style, tried replicating Munster, since he has gone they look much better.
Should have gone for:
9 Peel - No brainer
10 Jones - No brainer
11 Dafydd - Form back in Wales/H.Cup
12 Hook - No brainer
13 Henson - Bold choice but when up against O'Driscol would turn it on and he is interchangable
14 ??????
15 Morgan
Reps
Sweeney - Can play 10/12
Phillips - Class but just doens't have the zip of Peel
I reckon Scotland will win, the English are still rebuilding. They used to be world champions but not anymore, they may still hold the Webb-Ellis trophy but they are not a championship winning side. Why can't the fans face it, that they are not that good anymore.
Scotland are more of a tight unit, we have our injuries but they aren't so serious.
I reckon Wilkinson will be the weak link in the backs for England, either that or he will be taken off at half time.
I am quite enjoying the analysis of the forth coming Calcutta Cup match, considering England aren't as strong as they can be and Scotland are still on a high from the wins we had last year, but if we play like we did against AUS, then we will have a massive problem, but it'd be nice to put 1 over the English at home!
PS I go to uni in England, I am driving home tonight to get out of England before tomorrow!
Scotland are more of a tight unit, we have our injuries but they aren't so serious.
I reckon Wilkinson will be the weak link in the backs for England, either that or he will be taken off at half time.
I am quite enjoying the analysis of the forth coming Calcutta Cup match, considering England aren't as strong as they can be and Scotland are still on a high from the wins we had last year, but if we play like we did against AUS, then we will have a massive problem, but it'd be nice to put 1 over the English at home!
PS I go to uni in England, I am driving home tonight to get out of England before tomorrow!
Edited by rcarr on Friday 2nd February 14:35
rcarr said:
I reckon Scotland will win, the English are still rebuilding. They used to be world champions but not anymore, they may still hold the Webb-Ellis trophy but they are not a championship winning side. Why can't the fans face it, that they are not that good anymore.
Scotland are more of a tight unit, we have our injuries but they aren't so serious.
I reckon Wilkinson will be the weak link in the backs for England, either that or he will be taken off at half time.
I am quite enjoying the analysis of the forth coming Calcutta Cup match, considering England aren't as strong as they can be and Scotland are still on a high from the wins we had last year, but if we play like we did against AUS, then we will have a massive problem, but it'd be nice to put 1 over the English at home!
PS I go to uni in England, I am driving home tonight to get out of England before tomorrow!
Scotland are more of a tight unit, we have our injuries but they aren't so serious.
I reckon Wilkinson will be the weak link in the backs for England, either that or he will be taken off at half time.
I am quite enjoying the analysis of the forth coming Calcutta Cup match, considering England aren't as strong as they can be and Scotland are still on a high from the wins we had last year, but if we play like we did against AUS, then we will have a massive problem, but it'd be nice to put 1 over the English at home!
PS I go to uni in England, I am driving home tonight to get out of England before tomorrow!
Edited by rcarr on Friday 2nd February 14:35
England WILL suprise everyone and tump Scotland by 15-20 clear points, Scotland simply don't have a 'winner' mentality that I hate say England have.
Although they are not the team they were in 2001/02 (When the red rose really was the best team) they still think they can win their games, this was evident during the recent England Vs All Blacks game where they pushed arguably one of the best teams to have ever played the game very close. Remember what the 'rubbish' England Team did to Wales last year?
As a Welshman I still think England are the team to beat
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