6N 2025

[Smollet]

Couldn’t find a specific thread for this tournament.
Feyi-Wabosi ruled out of all games

[fat80b]

Best time of the year - I always feel sorry for those that don't get stuck into the 6N - It must make Q1 feel like a right old drag without it.

For me, I'll be Wales bound in a few weeks. I've got tickets for Ireland (with the kids) and England (without). We did get stiffed on the England hotel from booking.com after they cancelled on us last week leaving us somewhat screwed.....

Rugby wise, I'd like Scotland to win it (but they won't), I'd like Wales to win a match (but they won't), and I'd like every match to be as close / competitive as it can be (which hopefully they will).

[scoopdydoo]

Another year as a Scot saying this could be our year...

But it really feels like it could be this year...

[Smollet]

scoopdydoo said:

Another year as a Scot saying this could be our year...

But it really feels like it could be this year...

Certainly better chance than England

[Watcher of the skies]

Can't see England slipping up on the Calcutta cup again.
There, I've jinxed them now.

[DeejRC]

Well, allegedly, England have ditched the blitz.
Lord know how they will defend now, not that anybody had much idea how they were defending previously!

[PhilboSE]

DeejRC said:

Well, allegedly, England have ditched the blitz.
Lord know how they will defend now, not that anybody had much idea how they were defending previously!

It’s this kind of muddled thinking which shows the England leadership issues. So basically we’ve just wasted 2 seasons trying a new defence, then given up on it. And we were relying on Slade to lead the defensive set but now he’s going disposable. So we’ll be trying yet another combination in the back line. If Fin Smith plays at 10 then does Marcus go to 15? So many unresolved questions and the last 2 years development, wasted.

IFW has good acceleration and strength but not the ultimate gas so it’ll be interesting to see who comes in for him and how he does. England have a wealth of talent banging on the door, Pollock is eye catching at the moment as is the UK based Willis. Earl apparently is not in the same form as the last couple of seasons but usually he’d be the first name on the team sheet. Underhill out injured and I think Tom Curry doesn’t have a whole campaign in him, so various new combinations in the back row.

Fra, Ire, Sco, Eng, Ita, Wal final table. France just getting better and I feel that Ire just off their peak. Sco’s back line is settled and evidence is they have the beating of the Eng defence.

[Boom78]

Wales will be battling to avoid the spoon but for me I’d just like to see us play with a bit of structure, composure and intent. We can’t have another season of missing lineouts, being battered in the scrum, inept, directionless and looking headless with the ball in hand. Hopefully the last few seasons have been a Warren/WRU masterplan to lull everyone into a false sense of security and theyre going to let rip in 2025

[DeejRC]

Boom78 said:

Wales will be battling to avoid the spoon but for me I’d just like to see us play with a bit of structure, composure and intent. We can’t have another season of missing lineouts, being battered in the scrum, inept, directionless and looking headless with the ball in hand. Hopefully the last few seasons have been a Warren/WRU masterplan to lull everyone into a false sense of security and theyre going to let rip in 2025

Were they copying the RFU’s homework?!

[Rockettvr]

For me:
France
Ireland
Scotland
England
Wales
Italy
France just better everywhere than anyone else
Ireland slightly declining from form if the last few years - and Farrell off on lions duties
Scotland to edge England for third- probably the team most likely to cause an upset
England to yet again to perform poorly- a team very much less than it’s constituent parts
Crunch time for Borthwick another poor 6N and the Rfu have surely got to think of change
Wales to edge out Italy - hopefully they’ve turned a corner and performances start to improve
Italy the whipping boys again - got a couple of star players but not enough quality elsewhere

Ultimately all I want is to see some open running exciting rugby

[Smollet]

Rockettvr said:

For me:
France
Ireland
Scotland
England
Wales
Italy
France just better everywhere than anyone else
Ireland slightly declining from form if the last few years - and Farrell off on lions duties
Scotland to edge England for third- probably the team most likely to cause an upset
England to yet again to perform poorly- a team very much less than it’s constituent parts
Crunch time for Borthwick another poor 6N and the Rfu have surely got to think of change
Wales to edge out Italy - hopefully they’ve turned a corner and performances start to improve
Italy the whipping boys again - got a couple of star players but not enough quality elsewhere

Ultimately all I want is to see some open running exciting rugby

Can’t argue with most of that other than Italy over Wales. Borthwick will survive even if his new plan of playing players out of position fails much as it did with Jones.

[abzmike]

Tuipulotu being out for the duration is a massive blow to Scotland.

[fttm]

I see England above Scotland, Smith at 10 seems to add pace and bring the usual slow crap to life , no doubt you’ll all say he’s 15 haha

[XCP]

fttm said:

I see England above Scotland, Smith at 10 seems to add pace and bring the usual slow crap to life , no doubt you’ll all say he’s 15 haha

I can't see England above Scotland. I may be pleasantly surprised though.I am a Bears supporter after all.

[Don Veloci]

abzmike said:

Tuipulotu being out for the duration is a massive blow to Scotland.

Yip, buzzing after the Aussie match then every year it seems there is injury news just heading into 6N.

[epom]

For me:
France - seem to be the strongest team in it to me
Ireland - we have most definitely gone backwards, a swapping of positions with Scotland wouldn't surprise me either.
Scotland - Momentum will be key a good start to the 6N could see confidence drag them high.
England - Transition, is that fair ? On any given day could beat anyone else.
Italy - The certainly bring something to the tournament, just not enough victories.
Wales - The shambles off of the field has to have consequences on it. This is elite professional sport. Would like to see them doing well.

[Smollet]

Adam Jones to join Wales as forwards coach for the 6N

[basherX]

fat80b said:

Best time of the year - I always feel sorry for those that don't get stuck into the 6N - It must make Q1 feel like a right old drag without it.

With apols for the selective quoting, I agree with this. The 6N starts at my least favourite part of the year, keeps me occupied through it and dumps me blinking into (hopefully) spring sunshine. It really is a fabulous tournament.

The silver lining to England's stness is a dearth of expectation and thus an ability to enjoy what the other sides produce.

I'm off to Eng-Italy with my daughter and my brother and his kids which I'm hoping will be a generally good day out.

Overall, think France for the championship although Ireland have them at home so they have their work cut out. Outside of that, will be interested to see if anyone unexpected takes the opportunity to thrust themselves into Lions contention.

[DeejRC]

France are the obvious favs, doesn’t really need stating does it?
Eng, Ire & Sco will all manage to win and lose against each other.
Wales…er, they will be lucky to beat Italy.
Italy will be interesting to watch.

To the bloke who wanted to see open running rugby, I can only hope/presume you aren’t English. No English rugby fan should ever want to see England playing an open running rugby style and if they do they should be banned from ever having an opinion on rugby again. England win with a Pack, a 10 and a 15. The rest of the back line are there to defend properly.
Unfortunately England appear to have forgotten how to defend properly.

[Rockettvr]

DeejRC said:

France are the obvious favs, doesn’t really need stating does it?
Eng, Ire & Sco will all manage to win and lose against each other.
Wales…er, they will be lucky to beat Italy.
Italy will be interesting to watch.

To the bloke who wanted to see open running rugby, I can only hope/presume you aren’t English. No English rugby fan should ever want to see England playing an open running rugby style and if they do they should be banned from ever having an opinion on rugby again. England win with a Pack, a 10 and a 15. The rest of the back line are there to defend properly.
Unfortunately England appear to have forgotten how to defend properly.

That was me - yes I’m English
Your point is well made and correct however the English pack have of late struggled to even get parity against opponents let alone any sort of dominance
Add the piss poor defence and I reckon if you’re going to lose you might as well go down with a bit of style all guns blazing