Originally Posted by jam25mack (Post 12435868)

England winners for me despite all the chat and veiled flirting..... Scotland seems like they have a lot to do especially as the Italians are no longer the guaranteed free points they once were. so those two battling it out for the wooden spoon leaving the Irish, Taffs and Frogs to piss about in the middle.

England are at home to Wales next and if they get a win it will allow them to kick on a bit.

Originally Posted by Scamp (Post 12435863)

This might appeal to some of you more and hopefully won't end in handbags.

Anyone making it to any games?
Any predictions after round one?

Originally Posted by Scamp (Post 12435863)

This might appeal to some of you more and hopefully won't end in handbags.

Anyone making it to any games?
Any predictions after round one?

I'm trying to find a way to get to England v Wales on Saturday as I'm back in the UK with work but means negotiating not seeing Mummy and Granny which will be borderline impossible. We'll see.

I still think England will win it, probably not a grand slam and will be tight but all depends on which squads can have the fewest injuries, as always.

Originally Posted by weasel decentral (Post 12435875)

Ireland for the overall win, though not a grand slam. Last game I think is England at Twickenham, which could be the decider.

This weekend, Ireland to hammer Italy, Wales to lose narrowly to England and France to lose to Scotland.

Originally Posted by Garbatellamike (Post 12435889)

I'm going to Eng vs France in Paris.

Prediction: going to be between Ireland, England and Wales. Wales look much better without Biggar and Warburton faster pace and creativity so my slight favourites unless Biggar comes back in which case Eng favourites as Ire game is at Twickers.

Originally Posted by Millhouse (Post 12435890)

American football for girls

Originally Posted by Scamp (Post 12435913)

Ireland and Wales at Twickenham might be the difference that means England sneak a grand slam though...

Originally Posted by Garbatellamike (Post 12435919)

not sure there will be a grand slam but having the other 2 of the top 3 at home is defo an advantage to England

Originally Posted by Scamp (Post 12435928)

No Grand Slam Winner 11/10
England 9/4
Ireland 11/4
Wales 20/1

Originally Posted by scot47 (Post 12436184)

Why is there no thread on Women's Beach Volleyball ?

Originally Posted by Garbatellamike (Post 12436002)

good odds on Wales..........

Originally Posted by Scamp (Post 12436583)

True. Surprising really, injuries aside, they're not a bad side still. Scotland result flattered them though.

Originally Posted by weasel decentral (Post 12435875)

This weekend, Ireland to hammer Italy, Wales to lose narrowly to England and France to lose to Scotland.

Originally Posted by weasel decentral (Post 12440163)

Pat on the back for me ;)

Next match day France wallop Italy, Scotland lose to England and Ireland wallop Wales.

Originally Posted by weasel decentral (Post 12440163)

Pat on the back for me ;)

Next match day France wallop Italy, Scotland lose to England and Ireland wallop Wales.

Originally Posted by weasel decentral (Post 12440163)

Pat on the back for me ;)

Next match day France wallop Italy, Scotland lose to England and Ireland wallop Wales.

Originally Posted by Garbatellamike (Post 12440365)

good call last week but I think Ireland Wales will be tight

Originally Posted by weasel decentral (Post 12440793)

I was watching the Wales England game and I think the Irish pack is far ahead of Wales, especially when you include the strength on the bench around the 60 minute mark. Though as soon as I get confident about Ireland is when we lose!

Originally Posted by weasel decentral (Post 12440793)

I was watching the Wales England game and I think the Irish pack is far ahead of Wales, especially when you include the strength on the bench around the 60 minute mark. Though as soon as I get confident about Ireland is when we lose!

Originally Posted by Garbatellamike (Post 12440930)

yeah Ireland will have edge in tight 5 for sure and like England a massive quality difference in the second row. Loose forwards pretty even. Other advantage for Ireland is at 10 otherwise 3/4 and FB even. Wales maybe slightly fitter. I reckon 5 points in it.

Originally Posted by Scamp (Post 12441001)

Possibly.

Could argue this pack is a very good group: Vunipola, Hartley, Cole, Launchbury, Itoje, Lawes, Robshaw, Simmonds.
Marler is back now too, with Jamie George and Kruis the types we can bring off the bench. It's not shoddy even if not terrifying.

England training in scrums against the Georgians shows the intent to not get beaten up by anyone.

Will be an interesting contest though.



I'm not a fan of Sexton, I don't think he's as good as people say he is. I think he's definitely capable of being that good but not regularly enough. When he's on fire it's impressive to watch but I think it's too far between standout performances.....that being said, he likes bigger games so against Wales he could cause some problems.

Originally Posted by Garbatellamike (Post 12441193)

I'd like to see George start and bring in Hughes at 8 (till Billy's fit) and try Simmonds at open side.

Sexton vs Biggar or Patchell? In realative terms he's miles ahead whilst he may not be an all time great he's better by a distance.

I'd also like to see Watson at full back with Daly and May on the wings for a pacy back 3.

Originally Posted by Scamp (Post 12441206)

Interesting about George, I think I'd like to see Marler back in the front row.

Sexton's definitely better than the others, no doubt.

Disagree on changing 15. Brown is one of the best full backs in the world, if not the best and has been at that sort of top level for a few years. Daly and May instead of Watson and one of them might be interesting.

Originally Posted by Garbatellamike (Post 12441254)

don't disagree on Brown but think that against weaker sides where you don't need his defensive qualities it would be interesting to play the 3 speedsters with Watson having the freedom to join the line from full back. Add JJ as well and that's quick.

Originally Posted by Garbatellamike (Post 12440930)

yeah Ireland will have edge in tight 5 for sure and like England a massive quality difference in the second row. Loose forwards pretty even. Other advantage for Ireland is at 10 otherwise 3/4 and FB even. Wales maybe slightly fitter. I reckon 5 points in it.

Originally Posted by weasel decentral (Post 12450949)

Closer than I expected, due to some really poor out wide defence from Ireland, however what a great game. Had it all, including some terrible kicking from Sexton but on the other hand he really tore the Welsh backs apart.

Big surprise for Scotland, who looked in a different league to England. Farrell seemed anonymous for most of the game and Mike Brown got caught for pace and position too many times. Similarly to Wales the speedy wingers made it look too easy.

Originally Posted by weasel decentral (Post 12460662)

Anyhow set up for a great Paddy's day game with England for the grand slam. Dare to dream :lol:

Originally Posted by Scamp (Post 12461397)

I've never wanted to win a game more.

Originally Posted by IKnowNothing (Post 12461411)

(Yes I know it's the wrong game but)...

Your lot were total rubbish at The Cathedral on the Hill on Saturday, if anything we should have but 5+ past you, no surprise you're looking for (yet another) manager now. Your players just couldn't be bothered.

Do you think you'll survive the drop? I hope you do, and WHU go down with Stoke and WBA.

Originally Posted by Scamp (Post 12461420)

WHU should just be banned from football. Awful club, awful fans, just all awful.

Originally Posted by littlejimmy (Post 12461426)

Spot on. They have an extraordinary sense of entitlement and get protection from the likes of Trevor Brooking whenever they do anything bad, like with Carlos Tevez. Other clubs would have had points deducted. They're nearly as bad as Leeds.

Originally Posted by Scamp (Post 12461397)

I've never wanted to win a game more.

Originally Posted by weasel decentral (Post 12461456)

Ha, yes I can imagine having the championship trophy handed over to Ireland at Twickenham is a bit upsetting for the English fans.

Anyhow I'm hoping primarily for a good game of rugby, the added spur of denying a grand slam should up the English performance.

Originally Posted by Scamp (Post 12461526)

That bit doesn't bother me greatly. It's the opportunity to upset/deny one of the ABE-ers. We rarely get that treat.

If this England squad can't get up for it I'll be gutted. We've got quite robotic in the way we seem to have been beating some teams very easily in previous tests (before this 6N) and just carry on without the fight that rugby needs to be built on. Like a bunch of gym-monkey-robots who wouldn't break a grape in a fruit fight.

We'll see. Eddie Jones has the character to remind them how much they should leave on the field each test.

Originally Posted by Scamp (Post 12461526)

That bit doesn't bother me greatly. It's the opportunity to upset/deny one of the ABE-ers. We rarely get that treat.

If this England squad can't get up for it I'll be gutted. We've got quite robotic in the way we seem to have been beating some teams very easily in previous tests (before this 6N) and just carry on without the fight that rugby needs to be built on. Like a bunch of gym-monkey-robots who wouldn't break a grape in a fruit fight.

We'll see. Eddie Jones has the character to remind them how much they should leave on the field each test.