[ste v p]

My heart says England, my head says this is unlikely. On autumn international form, Wales look good...

What say you?

[mossym]

would love to say ireland, but everything points at the welsh again

[Synchronicity]

Wales all the way innit butt.

Although,saying that, they usually do crap when they are expected to do well.I think they thrive on being the underdogs

[Steven]

I don't see anybody stepping up to challenge the Welsh

And I suppose Saturday is as good a time as any for the Italians to break their duck

[Dony]

Through blind loyalty I voted Ireland. In my defence though, Ulster Leinster and Munster have all been showing good form recently, so if they can take that to the national team they could give Wales a run for their money.

That is if the beat the French tomorrow.

[deantown]

i love the six nations , i look forward to this every year , it is the one competition where you can feel the tackles going in and the players (usually) get up and walk away . they put those highly paid prima donnas (footballers to shame. anyway i think wales will win again. i will live in hope that scotland can cause a couple of shocks - well i can dream cant i

[Iaind]

I think it's between Ireland, Wales and France to win, with Wales probably just edging it. Wooden spoon again between Italy and Scotland (sadly).

However, Wales haven't beaten Scotland here in Murrayfield for a good number of years and the Scots do get a lift from playing at home - we actually scored a try for the first time in ages last time out.

Each year, Italy are getting a little bit stronger and better and I think, if not this year, then certainly in the next two, they will be in a position to give the other teams a run for their money and not just be the whipping boys of the group.

Much prefer this to footie, you can feel the passion in the players. Admire the fact that they can take a crunching tackle from three monsters at once and then just get up and play on - no falling over when someone looks at you in a funny way - that and the RESPECT they show the refs, no backchat, just accept the decision and get on with it. And it's on BBC and not ITV so no advert breaks when the tries are scored!

Iain

[Reepicheep]

I would like to say England but I think Wales will pull it off again.

Ireland are always look like they have the team to do the job but always seem to throw it away and under perform. Same with France.

Scotland may do better his year if they can repeat the form they showed in the autumn.

[huwg]

I think the first round of matches will all be very tight,

Italy have picked 9 forwards so will be trying to grind out a victory as much as the ELV's allow them to. England have taken the right option in picking a side just to win against Italy, it is a lot easier to build on a victory than having the press on your back after a defeat at home to Italy.

Scotland must make use of Wales' lineout weaknesses.

I cannot call the winner between Ireland and France.

Here's what I've posted in the HD theread...

"
I think it will be a very tight one this year, Wales are the Bookies favourites, but I think we'll really struggle up in Scotland in the first match. The Scots could (and should) have beaten South Africa in the AI's and should not be underestimated. Wales also travel to Paris for a tricky match at a stupid time (Friday night!)

France have the players to win it but the coach will probably spend half of the matches experimenting.

Ireland are some peoples joint favourites and it really is time for them to follow the success of Munster.

England... hmmm it is difficult for me to form an opinion of them as many of the pundits seem to dismiss their chances, yet at the same time fill their Lions team with English players (Guscott has Jonny at 10 & Dallaglio has 8 English players (6 from his club Wasps) in his Lions 15). I expect England to be challenging for the trophy, but I suspect they will lose 2 matches.

My money would be on Wales , but I don't think there will be a Grand Slam.

For the sake of the Lions, we need all the home nations to hit form.

Also, for the sake of the tournament, we need England to play well. Otherwise it will be another non-vintage year as far as the often one eyed press are concerned.
"

[Guardo Bosque]

England's team selection is worrying devoid of any attacking guile. Tries will be hard to come by today.

[huwg]

England will really need to improve if they are to have a hope against either Ireland or France, a great game over in Dublin.

Playing Bergamasco at scrum half was a complete failure, he gifted the first half to England.

[pixelpixel]

Get in.......Thats pay back for last year. Go on Ireland

[plazmoid]

I would love to see Scotland win it but being realistic i think that ireland will win it. I don't see wales being as big a force as thought.

[IAN P]

Judging by today's performance,England wouldn't win a raffle.Truly dire.

Ireland were impressive.


That'll be yeterday's performance by the way.

[IAN P]

You'll not see better knockouts than that outside of a boxing ring.

You'd think,being professional rugby players,the 2 players that were sparked out would know how to tackle their opponents correctly.

Hope they're both ok.


Great game by the way.

[Mylo]

The Welsh boys made me laugh, get hit with enough force to knock down a bull and just dust themselves off

My lot must have been taking stupid tablets to attempt those tackles.

Didn't expect to have a chance against the champions so actually not that disappointed

[Steven]

Originally Posted by huwg

England will really need to improve if they are to have a hope against either Ireland or France, a great game over in Dublin.

Playing Bergamasco at scrum half was a complete failure, he gifted the first half to England.

I do not think the England set-up is up to much cop at the moment so the strategy of *hoping the Welsh make mistakes like Italy* won't get very far

[ps3mad]

Hoping England but after that performance im not holding my breath.Wales are favourite but ireland are looking good.Shame its not a world cup year because we always peak then.

[huwg]

Originally Posted by LFC_SL

I do not think the England set-up is up to much cop at the moment so the strategy of *hoping the Welsh make mistakes like Italy* won't get very far

I agree.

They say you can only beat the side that is put in front of you but England were rather messy against Italy. That match was not a good indication of where they are in their rebuilding process and it was not really a stern test for them (although Italy were much better in the second half when they had a proper scrum half). England are still a bit of a dark horse.

For the past 20 years or so, England have been dishing out some rather heavy defeats to Wales, some by >30 point margins. The occasional games Wales have won have been rather close and have been dismissed by many as 'freak results'; this is the first time since the 80's I can recall us going into the match as clear favourites.

No doubt England will improve on yesterdays performance against Italy, but Wales also have room for improvement. This could be Wales' best opportunity to repay England for those heavy defeats.

Having said that, it is the Six Nations, and anything can happen - Just as Wales have sprung shock surprises, I'm sure England are just as capable.

[ps3mad]

Originally Posted by LFC_SL

I don't see anybody stepping up to challenge the Welsh

And I suppose Saturday is as good a time as any for the Italians to break their duck

They've already broken their duck,they have beaten wales before in the six nations,twice i believe.But i dont think they will do it this year

[huwg]

I'm looking forward to this weekend, I just hope Shane is fit, and his ankle holds out.

Here's a treat primarily for the the Welsh supporters, it's a compilation of some of their finest tries.
Dailymotion - 111, a video from noikz2. 111, 222

Some absolute classics

[la gran siete]

i'M going for the irish.Last chance saloon for them and they looked awesome against France.I take them to beat Wales alhough that will be their hardest match.It would be good because it would shut the noisy Welsh fans up good and proper.
England are...................sadly! They need new management and coaching staff

[Synchronicity]

Originally Posted by huwg

I'm looking forward to this weekend, I just hope Shane is fit, and his ankle holds out.

You jinxed us

[Alan_W]

Calm down calm down. Mark Jones will do us proud, now his appendix has gone he will be able to run and catch at the same time

[Steven]

Wales have strength in depth and will still win. Team has moved on significantly since just a few years ago

[Mylo]

another poor perfomance from Scotland, helped by a blind referee

Good job we are used to not winning

[Steven]

Good point. Who will win the wooden spoon?

[Mylo]

spoon and callcutta cup to play for Steven.

Going to be close this year

[Alan_W]

If Austin Healy hasn't watched the match, the BBC should not let him comment about it

[huwg]

Blimey, that was a hard game.

We did not play our best (or were not allowed to play our best by astute England tactics) and were nearly found out by a much improved England who I believe will now give the rest of the teams a serious test.
We need our 2 most creative players (Shane and Henson) to be fit for the trip to Paris.

I think we used the crash-ball tactic too often - Roberts and Powell were well marshalled by Wurzel who did all that was asked of him to great effect. With Byrne being rather off pace today (was he injured?), he did not offer them much of a target for off loads. I think a fit Henson at 12 would have created more opportunities. Philips was poor - too slow to pass, Peel has much more zip.

HLF (Mark Jones) did his best, but by heck Ickul (Shane) was missed.

I think Byrne was lucky not to get a yellow for taking out Armitage in the air.

I'm happy, but I think Gatland, Edwards and Howley have lots to work on.