Six Nations 2013 Build Up Thread

[RugbyFan182]

First topic message reminder :

We are less than 30 days from the BIG one. This years RBS Six Nations 2013 is one of the most anticipated in Years. With the decline of GS champs(Wales) in the AI's, the French described as "the best team in the northern hemisphere", England beating the World Champions and Ireland ripping Fiji and the Puma's a new backside so convincingly. What will these ferocious battles hold? How will this dangerous concoction unfold? Discuss.

February 2: Wales v Ireland, 1.30pm and England v Scotland, 4pm

February 3: Italy v France, 3pm

February 9: Scotland v Italy, 2.30pm and France v Wales, 5pm

February 10: Ireland v England, 3pm

February 23: Italy v Wales, 2.30pm and England v France, 5pm

February 24: Scotland v Ireland, 2pm

March 9: Scotland v Wales, 2.30pm and Ireland v France, 5pm

March 10: England v Italy, 3pm

March 16: Italy v Ireland, 2.30pm, Wales v England, 5pm and France v Scotland, 8pm

4 points for winning predictions and +1 for correct points difference between teams, 5 for a correct draw call and 0 for a loss.



Majesticimperialman - 9/12 +1 for correct points difference between Eng and Scotland.
RugbyFan182 - 8/12
SirBiggles - 8/12
Mystirokey - 8/12
Cyril - 8/12
Duty281 - 8/12
FecklessRough - 4/12
Bsando - 4/12
RiscaRev - 4/12
RuggerRadge2611 - 4/12
Luckless Pedestrian - 0/12
MaesticMafia - 0/12
RubyGuby - 0/12



Get Your round 2 predictions in now!

February 9: Scotland v Italy,2.30pm(Edinburgh)

France v Wales, 5pm(Paris)

February 10: Ireland v England, 3pm(Dublin)

[mystiroakey]

SL's biggest strength so far to me is how we have finished every 6n' or tour he has coached so far. from a relatively average starting point we have allways consitantly got better and better the longer we have stayed together. This is so key and why i havent been so confident as an england fan for 10 years!

[Glas a du]

If we beat Ireland you'd better watch out...

[mystiroakey]

if wales can flick the switch v ireland and win a game- yes i agree. but the same goes for ireland as well..

all the same i am not trying to be cocky- i am fully backing england this time.. I havent in the past. I am not normally this confident-And this is not just due to the kiwi win.

[Glas a du]

Wales' first game is crucial. It doesn't matter who it's against. Lose it and we will end up 4th.

[majesticimperialman]

Wales' first game is crucial. It doesn't matter who it's against. Lose it and we will end up 4th.

You are probably right. But how many of the first team players will be 100% match fit for the 6ns.
After all that could make a big difference to how Wales finish in this years 6ns. Dont you think?

[Glas a du]

Yes I do, however it's amazing how well the top players play in adversity. Remember Phillips in the centre for the Lions? He had no right to do so well. Shingler playing open side and having a blinder, despite him being a second row/blind side.

However our weakness at second row will surely be cruelly exposed. Surely.

[mystiroakey]

kinda spooky that we had exactly the same post count.......

[Feckless Rogue]

Wales will beat Ireland on the first day
Don't mind any provincial form
Don't mind wins over Fiji and an exhausted Argentina

Ireland can only beat teams that are significantly worse than them in terms of ability these days under Kidney. Any team capable of scoring tries and that can read obvious attacking moves and make tackles will beat us, even if they don't play that well.

[RugbyFan182]

Wales will beat Ireland on the first day
Don't mind any provincial form
Don't mind wins over Fiji and an exhausted Argentina

Ireland can only beat teams that are significantly worse than them in terms of ability these days under Kidney. Any team capable of scoring tries and that can read obvious attacking moves and make tackles will beat us, even if they don't play that well.

I do not think Ireland are that much of push overs. They can beat any team on form and a favorable home draw? I think they will be way to up for it to be pushed aside. I can feel something brewing this year.

Declan Kidney is not that bad of a manager he's C.V proves the titles he has won with Munster and Ireland. Ireland could not have wont the GS under Eddie. Maybe he's a bit too conservative but, I feel still the man for the job!

[dublin_dave]

2 sunday games for ireland. deep joy. will the schedulers never learn. the atmosphere is always muted at 6 nations sunday games.

ireland on paper have some very good players. Last chance saloon for Deccie we simply must show it on the pitch. It was nice to beat Argentina in a good performance but it means nothing if we are 3rd of 4th in the 6 nations which i think is a travesty given the resources at his disposal.

stating the obvious but the wales game is massive win that and confidence could flow and we have the big two at home.

[aqualung]

I really can't predict which spot in the table we'll be at the end. Everything will depend on the first match vs France. All I know is for the first time probably we have the team to beat everyone else, bar France but only if they'll perform at thir top

[Triangulation]

I am generally happy with where England are at coming into this 6N and provided we don’t get down to an injury induced 3rd XV situation between now and 2nd February I think we should show up ok. I don’t see us getting humped by anyone. While France are the team to beat, they just don’t travel so well to Twickenham and I believe that Ireland away in Dublin will be the toughest match. Apart from the odd win, they have had the wood on us going all the way back to 2003. My great fear is that they will tap into their primeval energy supplies for this one and come out firing and win all the collisions.

One way we might be able to counter this is with a 6 - 2 forwards backs split. I say we take as much as possible the starting side from the NZ game and then have Marler (assuming Corbs can play), Hartley, best TH (Wilson?), Lawes, Haskell and Clark on the bench to ensure that we're blasting hard in contact through to the 80 minute mark.

Youngs and Burns to provide backs cover from the bench. With most of our backs being able to cover an additional position or two we could probably get away with this.

Still this is the game I fear the most.

[RugbyFan182]

Yeah Ireland and England have had some crackers in the last few years. It always seems to be one team giving the other a hammering. Like 2012 Eng 30 -9 Ire or 2007 Ire 43 - 13 Eng. Cant Wait this year! I have a strong feeling Ireland will be more than well up for this one!

[maestegmafia]

Yeah Ireland and England have had some crackers in the last few years. It always seems to be one team giving the other a hammering. Like 2012 Eng 30 -9 Ire or 2007 Ire 43 - 13 Eng. Cant Wait this year! I have a strong feeling Ireland will be more than well up for this one!

Seems like one beats the other on alternate years.

[George Carlin]

There is absolutely no question that my boys the mighty paddies are the dark horses this year .

Have you been watching Ulster lately? Even taking away a man who will unfortunately never be an O'Pienaar, there's some serious talent there. Anyone beating them in Dublin will have taken a huge scalp.

[GunsGerms]

...except France who invariably always win in Dublin unfortunatly.

[maestegmafia]

There is absolutely no question that my boys the mighty paddies are the dark horses this year .

Have you been watching Ulster lately? Even taking away a man who will unfortunately never be an O'Pienaar, there's some serious talent there. Anyone beating them in Dublin will have taken a huge scalp.

I tell you what mate, that Black Beauty is a dark horse if ever I saw one.

[RugbyFan182]

Its funny because apart from Ulster the provinces aren't having the best season. Still feel confident.

[Scrumpy]

Since when has going well in the HC been connected to the 6 nations?

Welsh teams have yet to win the HC yet they keep Brasso going by the amount of polish they buy to clean their 6 nation’s medals and trophies.

[dublin_dave]

on paper we are a serious team and have star players coming back to fitness particularly in the backs not to mentions some excellent young talent

over to you Mr Kidney. Ireland expects

[mystiroakey]

backed ireland for second spot after an england gs. i think you will beat france at home..

[RugbyFan182]

Since when has going well in the HC been connected to the 6 nations?

Welsh teams have yet to win the HC yet they keep Brasso going by the amount of polish they buy to clean their 6 nation’s medals and trophies.

I mean that there is no connection, but before are provinces were doing well and we would have an average 6n's. Now they aren't doing well I hope that it doesn't rub off and we have an even worse tournament than usual.

[Glas a du]

What would people prefer?

If their own team lost their first match:

a grand slam for another team, or

b the last weekend set up with 5 teams on two wins from 4 and all having a chance of the championship

[GunsGerms]

B would be the perfect tournament and could well happen this year.

[Glas a du]

well, two would have three wins, but you know what I meant!

[mystiroakey]

What would people prefer?

If their own team lost their first match:

a grand slam for another team, or

b the last weekend set up with 5 teams on two wins from 4 and all having a chance of the championship

b

[Scrumpy]

A - I think it would be great if Italy won the Grand Slam this year.

[mystiroakey]

great - it would be a second coming!

[lostinwales]

Italy - I really really really want them to win the championship, just, you know, not this year

[Glas a du]

Italy - I really really really want them to win the championship, just, you know, not this year

Guilty your honour...

[aqualung]

oh don't worry we won't. But I think the right way is firmly targetting 3 wins, we can do it but we must believe we can

[RugbyFan182]

I think Italy will finish third within the next 5 years for sure. There always growing in confidence. They have beaten France and its only a matter of time till they beat Ireland and others

14 days, 18 hours and 10 mins till Ireland vs. Wales

[majesticimperialman]

I think Italy will finish third within the next 5 years for sure. There always growing in confidence. They have beaten France and its only a matter of time till they beat Ireland and others

14 days, 18 hours and 10 mins till Ireland vs. Wales

Cannot wait either.

[mystiroakey]

cant see italy ever beating england to be honest

[RugbyFan182]

They beat the best side in the Northern hemisphere in 2011 so they will beat England eventually. I promise you that!

[mystiroakey]

not for a long time bud- i agree one day...

[RugbyFan182]

I agree that it was a great win for England beating the AB's but they did lose all other games to good sides(Australia and South Africa)? that's not very consistent enough for me to put them as winners. France are the best side in NH at the moment. They are very strong and very consistent recently. Logic says they are the better bet.

[aqualung]

I think Italy will finish third within the next 5 years for sure. There always growing in confidence. They have beaten France and its only a matter of time till they beat Ireland and others

14 days, 18 hours and 10 mins till Ireland vs. Wales

well, not knocking on and conceding a drop-goal with 2 mts to go would help

[aqualung]

cant see italy ever beating england to be honest

well was in Rome last year and I sincerely I couldn't believe England beat us, lucky you

[thebluesmancometh]

Thats not the first time either aqualung!

Just a point, a few Irish ball carriers looking shoite hot tonight, getting a little worried about the 2nd of feb!!!

[RugbyFan182]

Will be a Cracker of a game! I dunno Wales wont be the same team they were in the AI's. The score will be on a knife edge till the dying minutes.

[thebluesmancometh]

I hope so fan, after our last few results we'd fancy taking it again.

Sadly with our lock crisis and not having a coach and all I just can't see how we'll beat Ireland, we'll lose the arm wrestle and our backline won't have enough of a platform to do enough damage. Lets hope I'd wrong!

For the first time in years I'm worried about the scrum though, we have no engine room!

[RugbyFan182]

Sadly with our lock crisis and not having a coach and all I just can't see how we'll beat Ireland, we'll lose the arm wrestle and our backline won't have enough of a platform to do enough damage. Lets hope I'd wrong!

For the first time in years I'm worried about the scrum though, we have no engine room!

You must remember we are missing O Connell, Ferris, and Tommy Bowe. Although I like the youth in our squad coming through. Did anyone see Zebo today for Munster?What a hat trick! Rob Kearney and Gilroy will also be very dangerous.

I think Wales at home is the one i'm most worried about. Win it and we will have the momentum lose it and Kidney will be torn apart. I believe we are stronger than most years in terms of the set up with the mix of youth and experience. Although there is a signs of Optimism for this years tournament. The proof is in the results and another average championship will send Kidney to the Guillotine.

[majesticimperialman]

I do think that the first game of the 6ns is going to be hard for every team to be honest. Seeing that no team will have played together since the Ais. And what with injuries taking the toll in the last 2/3 weeks, it will be intersting to say the least.

[thebluesmancometh]

RF

I see your point but 3 players from 3 differing positions can be replaced so much easier than 5 from 2 similar positions, we have the worst lineout in the top 12 of world rugby and now have lost all our lineout locks, plus the back ups!!

We could end up with Shinglar and King/Coombs at lock, all 3 players who have played 6 at regional and very limited gametime at lock, not to mention 2 debuts and no muscle!

[RugbyFan182]

I understand what Wales are going through at the moment. But I know they will be no push over. I still feel that it will be tight. What first rate players our out?

[maestegmafia]

AW Jones Luke Charteris, Bradley Davies and Ian Evans are all currently injured thats the big ones. Dan lydiate is a huge player for us and he is out too but we have cover in Ryan Jones and Shingler. Priestland wasnt in his best form, but is also injured.

[thebluesmancometh]

Jones and Mitchell just returning from injury, Jenkins hasn't played since the AI's.

4 first choice locks.

I'll have a fiver says Hibbard doesn't get past the 20 min mark.

Lydiate still out.

RP out, Hook just back from injury.

Roberts getting there but not 100% yet.

Sounds a bit picky I know but we saw so many similar issues in the AI's, Jenkins, Warbs, Roberts unfit, no Jones no Lydiate etc...

I'd say we're missing 5 key players, all forwards, we'll have kids at lock, and no muscle in the engine room = worrying!

[mystiroakey]

well england arnt missing anyone. we have 2 players for each position from what i have seen recently.

I really hope farrell gets the nod this 6n's.. I think he has it all. Whatever certain posters say.. and he has the guilt edged mental game.. which is a must for the kicker if you wanna be a top side..

[thebluesmancometh]

Agree'd Myster

Although isn't the backline being starved of quality ball worrying you? Tuilagi commands any ball that goes wide, and Farrells distribution game is hardly fluid.

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