The Six Nations Championship

[The Phantom Eyebrow]

Okay so it's one week into the World's Greatest Annual Rugby Tournament in the Northern Hemisphere!  Anyone watching this?  Rugby's not really my game but I do follow the internationals.  Anyone have any thoughts on how it will go?  My own predictions are as follows:

Italy - they'll be better than they were in the first game, after their ill-fated experiment of playing Begamasco as a scrum half.  They've got a good pack of forwards and should be able to keep games tight.  However, I still think they're the sixth best team here and will finish bottom.  But it'll all hinge on their match with...

Scotland - I'm not sure where they're strengths are these days but they'll give teams some scares as the tournament progresses.  A fifth place finish, for me.

From here on the predictions get tougher...

England - the 2003 World Champions and 2007 World Cup finalists don't look too good right now, but they're England aren't they, and I'm used to seeing them running roughshod over their Celtic neighbours.  Based on what I've seen of them recently, I reckon they'll only come fourth, but there's always the fear that they'll get their act together and get the juggernaut going again.

France - they've got a fantastic style of play, and if I had set this thread up last week, I probably would've predicted them winning the tournamnet.  But they lost in a cracking match against Ireland and so it'll be very tough to win overtake them and Wales now.  I hope they stick with the fluid running game though.  Third place I think

Ireland - after the win against France we're daring to dream now.  The team has a good mix with power and aggresion in the forwards and skill and pace in the backs.  However, I think the team will fall at the last hurdle and come second as the final match, which could decide the whole thing, will be an away trip to...

Wales - the reigning 6-nations champions.  They've got the style, pace, and their players play without fear and they seem to be able to score from anywhere.  I fear they're going to win it all again. 


Well, that's my assessment, based on my own viewing and on some recycled wisdom from talking to Those in the Know!

In time we'll learn just how wrong I be...

[BWPS]

What's a rugby?

[The Phantom Eyebrow]

What's a rugby?

What's a rugby?  Now THERE'S a Question!
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Are there any other questions...?

[lugaru]

I was wondering why you left New Zeland and India of the list until I realized I was confusing Rugby with Cricket. Man, I dont even watch Footbal or even soccer for that matter.

[The Phantom Eyebrow]

Yeah, it we're talking cricket then India are serious players.  Or so I understand - I don't follow cricket but I know they're good.  NZ are one of the best teams in the world at rugby... but they're not part of this particular tournament (just as well...)

More matches comign up this weekend.  Last time around, they were quite easy to call but this time it should be much tighter:

France v Wales - Wales are the form team in Europe but this is in Paris.  I'm just not sure here, but for my overall prediction to come true, it really needs a Welsh win.

Scotland v Italy - the Wooden Spoon decider.  Scotland to edge it as they're at home, but the Italian pack will give them heaps of trouble throughout.

Ireland v England - Ah... the auld enemy!  But of course Ireland will win this one. 

[C4]

So there is basically one dude on this forums with an interest in Rugby. Well guess it can be expected.

Rugby is in my blood. It by far is my favourite sport and I even played it in school.

I was inside center nr 12 because I was not that fast but my defence was good.

As far as the 6 nations go, always a very entertaining tournament to watch, with the Super 14 going on right now my attention is on that but I do catch at least the highlights of the 6 nations. With the British Lions tour to SA coming up we are interested to see who is the stars we need to be weary off   Like that fleet footed Shane Williams, cheeky little bugger.

[donovan5]

2 dudes that like it now.
Though I am a Scotland fan so watching is generally a painful experience

[The Phantom Eyebrow]

A Scotland fan eh?  A spot of gentle ribbing would follow at this point, at the Scots poor run of form, but I fear that it might come back and bite me in the arse... 

As for the Lions Tour of SA, you're probably not all that worried about what you're seen so far then I guess C4?

[C4]

Maybe the quality of play has not been to usual high standards but still believe me, here
in SA when mr Williams gets the ball in space we shiver.

And we infact expect the mixture of the british sides with all four being strong compared to previous
years when you expected 80% to be England players.........  this tour should be really something. Can't wait 

Posted by: donovan5 
Insert Quote
2 dudes that like it now.
Though I am a Scotland fan so watching is generally a painful experience

Hey Donovan.

You do have the greatest commentators though. And when Scotland play England we support you, and I have heard that
when SA play England you guys support us as well. 

[The Phantom Eyebrow]

Its all to play for now this weekend.  Grand Slam Greatness beckons!

Not to tempt fate or anything... ^.^

[C4]

Congrats TPE!

[djfredski]

  Hey i go with Italy.
the Scot are realy good, but Italy will get it done.

[The Phantom Eyebrow]

Congrats TPE!

Much thanks C4!  What a game that was, although not great for the nerves!  Ireland starting out with so much territory and possession but with nothing to show for it... then the two tries in quick succession... then the Welsh pegging back the score... the lead changing hands until O'Gara got that drop kick to win the game!  Only then for that last minute penalty chance which they were kind enough to miss...  Very stressful it was, but the celebrations afterwards were fun though! 

Hey i go with Italy.
the Scot are realy good, but Italy will get it done.

Fifth and sixth best teams in Europe they are...    Actually, I think Scotland are showing signs of recovery of late.  Italy have slipped a bit I fear, but their pack is still pretty fearsome. 


Now we have all the fun of trying to predict the Lions selection for the tour of South Africa!  Not too many stand out performers this year, but there's plenty of strength in depth for the selectors to pick from.