I have a ticket for Saturday but cant make it back, so my son is delighted to be taking his Welsh mate. I'm going back the following weekend to see Wasps

Scotland's woeful performance made Wales look much better than they are. I'm confident of an England win by at least 7 (although I said that sitting at Twickenham for the RWC ! )

As for the title I really don't think anyone will touch England, it may well come down to the final game if Ireland don't slip up but England will be hard to beat at home, assuming we don't get plagued with injuries.

yeah but that back line without Biggar, Roberts and Davies looks faster, more skillful and much much more creative.. Wales much more dangerous than last 4 years as not so predictable.

Pat on the back for me

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

Giz the lotto numbers...

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

My bet was perfect.

Ireland -33 points, Wales +12 points and Scotland to win (any score) = 4.1/1

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

As long as Nowell's playing time is limited I'll support it.

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.

If Sexton had bought his kicking boots there would have been a 20 point differential.