2012 6N predictions

I think that the 2012 6N will be extremely open again and can't really call it. Of the European sides, only Wales have really good form to take into the tournament. France need stability and a settled side that they never had under ML. Ireland have a lot of players past their prime and in the twighlight of their careers. England are in total dissaray, but have a great chance to blood some young talent and start righting a few wrongs.

At a push, my predictions are:

1) Wales (6N but no slam)
2) Ireland
3) France
4) England
5) Italy
6) Scotland

French grandslam IMO. Possibly a final day defeat to Wales but its the French for me.

A new coach, a talented group of players and a kind fixture schedule should help them on their way.

I'm not sure how true it is to say that Wales will be taking 'really good form' into the Six Nations. We weren't great against France and we didn't look that good against the Wallabies either.

Lucky I wonder whether the December game v Australia will stand to Wales come the 6 Nations.

cabbagesandbrussels wrote:England are in total dissaray

If this is the case I'm not sure why you have Scotland finishing bottom. Surely England on the 1st game of the tournament "in total dissaray" will struggle since they have not won at Murrayfield in their last 3 visits?

My prediction for the 6N

France (GS)
Wales
Ireland
England
Scotland
Italy

luckless_pedestrian wrote:I'm not sure how true it is to say that Wales will be taking 'really good form' into the Six Nations. We weren't great against France and we didn't look that good against the Wallabies either.

comparatively speaking i guess...

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:

cabbagesandbrussels wrote:England are in total dissaray

If this is the case I'm not sure why you have Scotland finishing bottom. Surely England on the 1st game of the tournament "in total dissaray" will struggle since they have not won at Murrayfield in their last 3 visits?

My prediction for the 6N

France (GS)
Wales
Ireland
England
Scotland
Italy

we are talking about Scotland here. Nothing I've seen over the past 5/6 seasons convinces me that they will finish any higher.

cabbagesandbrussels wrote:

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:

cabbagesandbrussels wrote:England are in total dissaray

If this is the case I'm not sure why you have Scotland finishing bottom. Surely England on the 1st game of the tournament "in total dissaray" will struggle since they have not won at Murrayfield in their last 3 visits?

My prediction for the 6N

France (GS)
Wales
Ireland
England
Scotland
Italy

we are talking about Scotland here. Nothing I've seen over the past 5/6 seasons convinces me that they will finish any higher.

Not seen much of the Heineken Cup this year then? Scottish teams have beaten Bath, London Irish and Racing Metro. Now don't get me wrong, I know Scotland are hardly a force to be reckoned with but England have struggled to beat Scotland twice in our last 2 encounters and have not won at Murrayfield for quite some time.

I don't think Scotland will win the 6N but equally I don't think they'll be last.

France
England
Ireland
Wales
Italy
Scotland

Gotta be looking at a French grand slam i think...

Id say ...

France GS
Wales
Ireland, England - Cant be sure which way...
Scotland
Italy

No GS and there won't be much in it between France, Wales, England and Ireland. England won't be as bad as people are predicting and Wales won't be quite as good.

If I bet, which I don't I'd put it on France.

I think Italy could easily scare both Scotland and England - do they play either of them at home.

Yes Geoff, their first home game is against England. I've been ridiculed for saying that I think they will win it.

Three god home games for us at Murrayfield, so I am going for.....

France
Wales
Scotland
Ireland
England
Italy

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:

cabbagesandbrussels wrote:

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:

cabbagesandbrussels wrote:England are in total dissaray

If this is the case I'm not sure why you have Scotland finishing bottom. Surely England on the 1st game of the tournament "in total dissaray" will struggle since they have not won at Murrayfield in their last 3 visits?

My prediction for the 6N

France (GS)
Wales
Ireland
England
Scotland
Italy

we are talking about Scotland here. Nothing I've seen over the past 5/6 seasons convinces me that they will finish any higher.

Not seen much of the Heineken Cup this year then? Scottish teams have beaten Bath, London Irish and Racing Metro. Now don't get me wrong, I know Scotland are hardly a force to be reckoned with but England have struggled to beat Scotland twice in our last 2 encounters and have not won at Murrayfield for quite some time.

I don't think Scotland will win the 6N but equally I don't think they'll be last.

Since when was the Heineken Cup a pointer towards the national teams success or failure?
I have nothing against Scotland - I truly want them to do well, but I just cant see past last place fro them. Sorry.

JDandfries wrote:Three god home games for us at Murrayfield, so I am going for.....

France
Wales
Scotland
Ireland
England
Italy

seriously???

That Scotland finishing 3rd prediction game me a good laugh anyway!

red_stag wrote:Yes Geoff, their first home game is against England. I've been ridiculed for saying that I think they will win it.

England only just squeaked past Italy the last time they were in Rome, didn't they? That'll be some match now.

We only have 2 home games against France and England. I can see us beating England but losing to France.

SafeAsMilk wrote:That Scotland finishing 3rd prediction game me a good laugh anyway!

This sort of prediction is pointless but Scotland deserve a little more credit than SafeAsMilk and Cabbagesandbrussels are giving us Credit for. In the last 2 games with England we were beaten, but the games could not have been tighter.

Likewise Our record against Ireland over the last 2 seasons 2 wins to Scotland 1 win to Ireland....hardly statistics that back up the contempt being shown.

Italy and Scotland tend to hold their home games, no shame in that since Italy are becoming a tough nut to crack in Rome, if you doubt that go ask the French.

Wales and Scotland have produced some crackers recently, the game in 2010 for instance was one of the most painful 80 minutes of my life. Granted in the 2011 6N Scotland did not turn up and were beaten soundly.

Point I am making Scotland are nowhere near as far behind the other nations in the competition as you make out.

They realise that I and I think it is just English/Welsh arrogance taking over and clouding their judgement.

At this rate, the way the press are going at it, England could be playing a youth team in teh 6N, I don't think they will let this world cup thing go, until they have a few people's head's on blocks!

France GS
Ireland- Wales
Scotland- Italy
England (sorry, but the whole thing seems to be a bit of a farce to be honest, might England pull out?)

The Heineken Cup is the best indicator of form for the 6N. What else is there? France and Ireland have been the most consistant performers in both competitions. England won the championship last year and their best players, on balance, were from Northampton who made the final.

Scottish teams have improved recently as has their national team. You can't deny the connection. Welsh regions have underperformed in the HC but bucked the trend in their Grand Slam years. The 6N is so unpredictable - that's the beauty of it. Each country has their bogey teams who seem to be able to knock them off their stride, regardless of form.

Form, after the WC, would suggest that France and Wales will be the front runners, but revenge is in the air. Wales have to go to Dublin for their first match and Ireland will be gunning for them. France have to go to Cardiff where Wales will be looking for retribution and England in Murrayfield is the perfect chance for Scotland to put things right.

My prediction would be France to win with a fight for second between Ireland and Wales with Ireland shading it. Going on HC form of course.

To be honest i'll be happy with England making it onto the pitch sober and with a gameplan. Anything after that is apparently a bonus!

The draw has a big influence on the results which is why I guess nobody seems to defend a Grand Slam or that there seems to be a different winner each year.

France seem to have an easy year. You never know with them against the Scots away and have a difficult game against Wales at home. But they have Ireland and England at home and will be looking to avenge their loss to Italy at home. So they have a good chance. Haven´t heard what is going to happen to their coach but they certainly have the players.

England also seem to have a better year with their toughest match away to France but they have Ireland and Wales at home. If Scotland were to be a banana skin it would have to be at Murrayfield so horizontal rain and a nice bog for a ground and you´d say the English could have it tough there. But they have a favourable draw and will look to amend their disappointing RWC. I expect them to be in the running even though the RFU is in a mess right now. Sometimes though players rise to the occasion in the face of adversity (other times they dig an even deeper hole).

Wales played the best rugby it seemed of the NH teams at the RWC. Had Warburton stayed on the field, you´d probably think they would´ve beaten France. But they have a tough draw with Ireland away first up who will be gunning for revenge for their loss at the RWC. England at home presents a problem and France at home on the last day of the tournament could well be a deciding match. They must kick on after their improved performance. I expect good things but too often in the past those good things have not come to fruition like a rare thirst opening the fridge at your parents´place for lunch only to find non-alcoholic beer.

Ireland have their difficult year again with away games to France in particular. The England match at Twickers will be a humdinger but they never seem to do well in France. They have a challenging start with Wales at home followed by France away. Lose either or both those matches and confidence will drop. Win them and they´re in with a great shout. Will be interesting to see how the absence of BOD will affect them. POC is in great form and an obvious replacement for captain. Will there be another replacement at inside centre as well?

Scotland have a favourable draw with France and England at home. They have quite a good record against Ireland so the usual story of sneaking an upset win against the big teams of England or France and hoping they don´t slip up against Italy. Scotland vs Wales at MS was a cracker but really a game they should´ve closed out. Supporting Scotland is a tough ask in rugby as just as you think the team can do it, they find a way to let you down. It´s like trying to get a good night´s sleep on an inflatable mattress. You know it won´t make it but when you fall asleep you´re still at maximum inflation and you think you can make it through the night only to wake up in the morning in a broken heap on the floor bereft of air.

Italy is like the mate of yours that isn´t much to look at but does suprisingly well with the ladies. No pressure, no hang-ups. Knows what works for him and tries to limit himself to doing just what he does well. Capable of big surprises like the French scalp this year and leaves you wondering just how the guy does it.

Carpe Diem wrote:To be honest i'll be happy with England making it onto the pitch sober and with a gameplan. Anything after that is apparently a bonus!

1st, 2nd or 3rd. England, France or Wales.
4th Scotland, Ireland.
6th Italy.

From a Scotland fans perspective I don't think 2012 6 nations will be the one we finally do well in. Give it a few more years and think we'll be in with a chance of winning it. Although I can't see us coming last!?! Not with the players and coaching staff we have just now.

England, Wales and France will be the ones to beat I think. despite their current problems England have too many good players to choose from to suddenly do badly and don't forget they won the last 6 nations.
France are so fickle its hard to tell, but I can see them doing well if they play like they did in the world cup.
Wales are a great team and have some quality players, halfpenny, north, hook.. the list goes on. I think they stand a good chance, but I'll be screaming for Scotland when i'm at the millennium stadium on the 12th February, I haven't forgotten 2010's injustice
Ireland don't seem like the team they were a few years ago, but when they have the right game plan they seem to destroy other teams, very clinical eg England and Australia.
Scotland have good players and can beat any of these teams but need to be more ruthless and stop allowing teams back into games.
Italy, great improvements, some fantastic players but still not quite there to place above 6th or 5th i feel. Id love to see them beat a big team though like they did to france last year.

bsando wrote:
Ireland don't seem like the team they were a few years ago, but when they have the right game plan they seem to destroy other teams, very clinical eg England and Australia.

Im going to call this a bit different, I think Ireland will do well this year. Watching the current form of Munster and Leinster in particular in the HEC and Rabo Irish rugby looks good. Ulster and Connacht are both playing some superb rugby though falling at the final hurdle, not getting the wins. 4W 1L

Welsh rugby looks good too. All the way through the regions we have teams that are hard to beat, can play exciting try scoring rugby, defend well and win games. There is not the depth of strong forwards that Ireland have, but the best are very good. 4W 1L

French rugby is not looking great. Some steady performances in Europe but the French teams as a whole have a fifty fifty win lose record this year. French still have a great deal of individual inspiring brilliance that can get them through tough games. But there is the other half that are falling apart through lack of performance. 3W 2Lss

Scotland have just about enough players to put together a squad that is competitive at this level. On their day they can beat anyone, on a bad day they are tackling shadows. Though, Edinburgh and Glasgow are looking quite exciting in the Rabo and HEC. They are a match for anyone. With added overseas players Scotland wont be an easy win. 1W 1D 3Lss

Italy are better than last year, Airioni and Treviso are better teams. They will prove this again before the Six Nations. These teams are made up of Italian Qualified players, their success bodes well for italian rugby. 1W 4Lss

England, a few English teams look good, Quins in particular. But the regular teams that have made the big parts of former England teams have struggled this year in the Aviva.. That said those teams who struggled early on are doing well in the HEC. Teams that did well last year in the HEC cant get a win this year. As we know the RFu are in a poor state and it looks like no one bar Jim Mallinder, who's Saints are not having a great season, want the England Coaches position.1Drw 4Lss

SafeAsMilk wrote:That Scotland finishing 3rd prediction game me a good laugh anyway!

Yeah and England finishing above anyone in the 6Ns had me cacking myself laughing - nearly as hard as at the 'Elite Twickenham' falling to bits.

Weekend 1
France beat Italy
Scotland and England draw. (Dreadfull game, lots of TV shots of Robinson going mental)
Ireland beat Wales

Weekend 2
France beat Ireland
England beat Italy
Wales beat Scotland

Weekend 3
England beat Wales
Ireland beat Italy
France beat Scotland

Weekend 4
Scotland beat Ireland
Wales beat Italy
France beat england

Weekend 5
Ireland beat England
Italy beat Scotland
Wales beat France

Table
France 8pts
Ireland 6pts
Wales 6pts
England 5pts
Scotland 3pts
Italy 2pts

'Scotland and England draw. (Dreadfull game, lots of TV shots of Robinson going mental)'

Ha ha - It seems almost cruel to keep him locked in a little box during the game.
Maybe they should fill it with teddies.

Wales
France
Ireland
England
Scotland
Italy

But with some promising England players coming through.

France (GS)
England
Ireland
Scotland
Italy
Wales

Scotland had a poor world cup and played less than the sum of their parts. They need to put this right -unfortunately I don't believe Robinson is the man to do so _ I want anew coach. less than 4th in the 6N and Robbo must go.


Some young players coming thru that might make a difference - Weir seems to be putting his hand up for the10 shirt, Laidlaw can play 9 or 10 and is on fire.

Pack should be a match for anyone in the 6N with a could of real stars.

I think?
Wales / France
Ireland / Scotland
England
Italy


Italy tho are onthe up and could get the two wins this Year - England are an utter shambles with no coach, a disunited side and no gameplan. Reliant on a core of too old and too slow players

I think Scotland will well and truly smash England on the first weekend and although I think Wales are a bit of a bogey team I genuinely believe that on their day they can beat every team in Europe but only if Robinson grows some balls and picks Duncan Weir, Stuart Hogg, Rob Harley, Laidlaw and other young players the current crop weren't good enough in last years six nations or the world cup so why will they be good enough in the next world cup or this six nations.
Scotland have good young players who have beaten very good English and French sides as well as that if Scotland can replicate Glasgow's defence and Edinburgh's attack this may well be our year!

aid few times now that I really think St Andre will have France firing on all cylinders in no time at all and that makes them very dangerous.

Scotland performance will depend on how many of Embras in form backline are picked.

If we see something along the lines of:

Laidlaw
Jackson
Jones
Scott
De Luca
Slamont/Ansbro
Ramont/Brown/Hogg/Thompson

then we could break our drought of tries and be real contenders. If however we see Lawson, Parks, Morrison, Danielli, Southwell and others, then itll be another failure.

The affect of a new coach may be enough for France to win the 6N. Dont think they'll get a Slam, dont know why, just see them slipping up somewhere. Wales will be Wales, we'll either be going for a Slam against France in the last game or trying to win to avoid the spoon! We are still a confidence side to a degree. If we win in Dublin first up then we will challenge for honours.

England are a wounded animal and have the players to cause damage. Scotland are underrated and may cause a couple of shocks. Italy will take at least one scalp.

This is what makes the 6N such a good competition, you just dont know what will happen. After the first round its a bit clearer but not exactly crystal. The only thing I know is that its going to be fun, especially as I'm going to Dublin for the Welsh match.

Subs,

Agree on the whole or nothing scenario, hopefully it will be the whole end, if we can get that win in Dublin who knows.

123456789 wrote:I think Scotland will well and truly smash England on the first weekend

England will have to sink a lot lower and Scotland will have to improve a lot for that to happen.

Scotland may force England down to their level for a drab game but they certainly ain't going to smash anybody. When was the last time Scotland did that?

England will have the usual torrid time at Murrayfield. Milk man I only hope you are there to witness it first hand as you have very little knowledge of Scotland or what is going on in Scottish rugby. This will happen if Robinson sews on a pair and, as Big dave states, drops Parks Southwell Hamilton etc etc. We could really boot them while they are down - yesss !

Schizoid, I see absolutely zero evidence of what you're on about! Scotland actually did worse at the World Cup than usual and had their habitiual bottom of the 6Ns tussle with Italy earlier in the year. Two well-matched sides at the bottom, though Italy beat France!

Yes, England may have a difficult time at Murrayfield, but when do Scotland smash sides? They rarely smash tier 2 never mind tier 1.

Sorry, but it's the spoon between you and Italy as usual.

Scotland have a coach which gives them an advantage and currently Edinburgh and Glasgow are in great form and playing lots of young players on the other hand English teams, with the exception of Quins, seem stodgy and lacklustre if Scotland can close a game out, which Duncan Weir seems to be able to do, then yes we will win games and we will batter England

123456789 wrote:I think Scotland will well and truly smash England on the first weekend and although I think Wales are a bit of a bogey team I genuinely believe that on their day they can beat every team in Europe but only if Robinson grows some balls and picks Duncan Weir, Stuart Hogg, Rob Harley, Laidlaw and other young players the current crop weren't good enough in last years six nations or the world cup so why will they be good enough in the next world cup or this six nations.
Scotland have good young players who have beaten very good English and French sides as well as that if Scotland can replicate Glasgow's defence and Edinburgh's attack this may well be our year!

I suggest you take some water with it next time.

I think the Scots have been on the Buckie again.

France
Ireland
Wales
England
Scotland
Italy

Mind you, after the last RWC when Wales were considered in turmoil and found a new coaching team we went on to win a Grand Slam. Maybe England can do the same.

Though Wales didn't have the same amount of backroom issues England have at the RFU

I can see England getting the dreaded wooden spoon to be honest. THis could be the year Italy turn them over in Rome- they werent that far away the last time.

English rugby seems to be in such a state, I can see them being the whipping boys this year.

France
Ire Wal
Sco Ita
England.

21st Century Schizoid Man wrote:

SafeAsMilk wrote:That Scotland finishing 3rd prediction game me a good laugh anyway!

Yeah and England finishing above anyone in the 6Ns had me cacking myself laughing - nearly as hard as at the 'Elite Twickenham' falling to bits.

good luck in your annual Wooden Spoon contest with Italy!

I just love how this competition brings everyone together and for a short moment everyone sets aside their differences.

But seriously, it´s interesting how the 3N seems to be always mutual respect. Add in the history of the tournament and the rivalry between the nations and it adds an entirely different flavour to things. No one ever seems to have a go at the Italians but aside from them the gloves are off for everyone else.

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:I just love how this competition brings everyone together and for a short moment everyone sets aside their differences.

But seriously, it´s interesting how the 3N seems to be always mutual respect. Add in the history of the tournament and the rivalry between the nations and it adds an entirely different flavour to things. No one ever seems to have a go at the Italians but aside from them the gloves are off for everyone else.

your lot would give your right b*llocks to have the history and tradition of the mighty empire!