http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/26257162
a sad sad story and will be repeated with wales in five-ten years
So your predictions for this weekend please.
Wales by 5
Scotland by 10
Ireland by 3
France by ten
Italy by five
Ireland by five
France by two scores
England by one score.
Italy by less than a score. Scotland will score a try though.
Like the french game,I think England will be behind in the first half after losing a try to the Irish forwards, yet make a winning comeback in the second.
I've got 50p on Burrell tackling BoD and BoD going off injured before 50 mins is up.
I've also got 50p on Lawes & Hartley and later giving the Irish pack something coming forward at them they haven't seen in the 6n so far. And its this that determines the game IMO - if the English pack shock Ireland first half the games ours and vice versa.
Bookies have Wales, Italy and England as favourites; my 50p is going on France, Scotland, Ireland this week.
I've got 50p on Burrell tackling BoD and BoD going off injured before 50 mins is up.
That's how Williams lost his pocket money last time out. And the use of his shoulder, the dirty cheating b. 😉
Hope its an each way bet Kryton, look what happened thon Welsh boyo when he tried to shoulder charge BOD.
The forward battle is going to be huge and you are correct it will determine the result. Heaslip needs to have a big game against Vunipola and the ruck is where it will be determined. Scrum and line out should be fairly even unless Wilson goes off early.
A word on BOD since he will be the joint most capped tomorrow. Quite a career given the abuse his body has taken. The best ever? Certainly up there but for me it was Jackie Kyle, just awesome.
Thanks loum, nice article. I used to work for a travel company and I booked Jackie Kyle out to NZ for the 2005 Lions tour. He was great company and had many stories to tell. One of the most humble men I have ever had the pleasure of meeting.
Blind melon I agree. I think Vunipola vs Heaslip that Billy is the winner. However Ireland win the 7 battle, England the 5 battle, 4 and 6 and 2 is evens. Sexton needs to have a good game and we need to be in his face, I wasn't suggesting foul play at all but Burrell needs to neutralise BoD and 36 could by a key player in undoing the Irish defence.
Mike Brown should and perhaps is the difference vs Kearney if we can get runners around him.
It's sure got a lot if promise and although I'm a staunch England supporter and if both team okay well, if Ireland win I shall applaud them.
[Couldn't notice Eve Muirhead's comments about the men's curling final - " the Canadians wanted it more!" 😉 but what would she know, she's only an Olympic medalist. Is she dating PO'M?]
Looking forward to what should be the weekend of the tournament. More relaxed tonight (c'mon wales), but tomorrow will be tense!
France by 12
England by 6
Italy by 3
Blimey guys have "some" faith - this is a home match and crappy old England almost beat them in Paris and you are much better than we are. 😉
Wales by 2
Ireland by 3
Italy by 2
Edit: so 3 close games then!
THM have you seen wales play recently. Rumour mill states that AW Jones is injured too!
Ta for the link loum. Really nice piece that.
Getting a bit excited/nervous now, not 100% in agreement with gatlands choices but the french have a few players with only a few caps so we will see how it goes.
Gutted AW Jones is out as well
Cometh the hour cometh the beard! Massive step up for him though.
1/2p looks like he's spent the week in a crack den, captain Sam looks worried!
Sam looks like he's heading to the gallows. Good luck Wales
Gatts doing a great impression of John Redwood with the anthem!!!
The whole team need to spend time in the the same crack den. Great start.
French ref!
😉
Blimey.
surprisingly impressed with webb so keeping the pace up.
Piss poor France at the moment.
Halfbacks have to run the game, these two are gash. The three quarters are also standing still in midfield and not hitting the ball at pace, making them standing targets. Basic stuff.
Glad I'm not French today.. Feel sorry for the supporters!
Rolland does love his stop start games.
Good half a game, a scrum won and 3 points to finish on a big positive!
YEEEEESSSSSS.
Thats what the new scrum laws are for. Good technique and power from Wales, power scrummaging French hooker can't strike for the ball because he doesn't have the technique to strike quickly while going backward. One against the head, you beauty.
France really haven't turned up.
Love to see a ball won against the head. Strong scrummaging.
Wales committing no one to rucks, making it really hard for the French to get any space.
The new laws have already seen the return of the technical scrummaging prop, let's hope it also sees the return of the technical hooker as well. Anyone remember the likes of John Olver? Or even Phil Greening?
Really surprised how well the lineouts are going without AW Jones, but the French are really not working together, curse of the French half back selection yet again?
Really happy warbs and lydiate have upped their game.
Wrong two props gone in my opinion, but they were really leaving him with no option. Jones is getting the arse because he can't just bully Domingo, but Domingo has no intention of keeping the scrum up if he is not being watched closely.
Right call from Rolland IMO.
Only 25 mins of Rolland left cant come soon enough imo.
Is it me or is Bastereaud a weak link in this French team?
Agree 2 props needed to go but maybe not the right two.
Priestland has got stuck in and made some good tackles and I'm far from his biggest fan.
Basteraud is clearly not fit. And I don't mean injured.
Adam jones has to realise that Wales have the points on the board. He can just do a 'Trevor Woodman' and simply hold Domingo up. No need to try to smash him, just hold him up, win the strike if it is your own put-in and go from there. Just like when Woodman did this to the useless Al Baxter in the 03 wc final.
This is where the percentage game comes in......
Rolland has no feel for the game and that is a fine example.
And that is what a centre running a good line and hitting the ball at pace does...........
Danny that's easier said than done. Domingo is purposely taking the scrum down as he is under pressure. The Wales scrum is dominant and it is Domingo who should have been binned. Mas slipped on the double sun bin.
Great running from Roberts and finish from Warburton, picamoles being silly and cost his team those 7 points
Blindmelon.
You are correct, but that is what you have to do against slippery customers like Domingo.
To be honest, it looks like France have only come to play the ref and try to win penalties. To some extent they have succeeded, but not enough as they have offered nothing elsewhere. Tres merde.
teamhurtmore - Member
Blimey guys have "some" faith - this is a home match and crappy old England almost beat them in Paris and you are much better than we are.POSTED 5 HOURS AGO #
I told you fair weather taffies* (are allowed that term?) to have faith.
Cardiff spirit, Warbs as solid as ever. Gethin back on form. Priestland making big hits and DDan hitting the lines.
Great to see. Open up the 6N nicely!!!!
* hope that's ok! It's meant in the friendly way.
Good to see Warbs back to his quite effective self. A man you want on your side.
Old Webbie is playing better that spikey too.
Watching the game in French, what did Picamole actually do for yellow? They are not repeating it
