Who will win this weekend

Saturday 23rd February 2013

Italy v Wales 14:30

England v France 17:00



Sunday 24th February 2013

Scotland v Ireland 14:00

Wales will beat Italy now we've got the monkey off our back.
Scotland to beat Ireland as they have confidence and home advantage.
England are favorites at home against a demoralised and pretty lackluster France.


I could of course be wrong about all three, that's the beauty of the 6Ns.

Personally see Wales winning but not by much. Confidence will be high but we still aren't playing well enough to put away a side comfortably, especially in Rome where you rarely see it these days.

England I think will beat France. France are all over the place and have a dreaful record in recent years at twickers. England by 10 for me.

Despite injuries and suspensions I still fancy Ireland against Scotland. I feel it'll be a game decided by the boot and will see perhaps one maybe two tries at the most if that. Something like a 15-9 game that sort of thing. Ireland will shade it despite Scotlands good win last week.

Maes...whats happened to Liam Williams- was highly impressed with his skills in the AB match?

I went England, Scotland and Wales but a word of warning: I've had a 66.67% and 33.33% success rate in the first 2 weeks.

I hope I can stop this downward trend!

Im gonna give France a chance. Upsets look to be the name of the game in this tourney so why not.

You know I'm thinking the same thing too, mate.

I got my tips in way too early but the closer we get to the showdown I can see France desperate for this one.

Also, not so confident about Wales in Italy... I can see them going into the match slightly proud of their efforts last week and Italy still smarting from last week's loss.

Did I mention I picked Scotland? Despite their current injury/suspension woes - I can see Ireland throwing the lot at Scotland and catching them on the back foot.

So, it could be a whopping 0.00% this weekend for me then!

The fans *smiles smugly to self*

So currently we have Scotland and Wales as the two teams most likely to win this week - probably the least likely two last week! Got to love the six nations!

The Hurricanes are a good shout even though they face stiff competition...

Tough crowd...

I'm going for England to crush France. This will have a two pronged effect. Firstly this will not happen. France will play well to spite my cruel spurn at their team. Secondly, this will keep the tournament alive and add pressure to the games as tournament hopes are not so easily dismissed and more teams have a fighting chance of success.

Or thirdly, my prediction comes true and the smug factor of picking the right scoreline will cause me to pay homage to AWOP and start a I told you so thread.

nobbled wrote:So currently we have Scotland and Wales as the two teams most likely to win this week - probably the least likely two last week! Got to love the six nations!

I agree that Wales were not favoured to win last week. Scotland however at home were not favourites to beat Italy? Bookies had Scotland as clear favourites while if you look at the 606 Superbru predictions it was about a 65/35 split in favour of Scotland.

For me I predicted Wales to win (though as I have incorrectly predicted their results ever since the end of the last 6Ns that means they will probably lose) followed by England then Ireland to surprise people on sunday. As I have only managed one correct prediction each week (England over scotland and scotland over Italy) this suggests that at least two of these will be wrong.

LondonTiger wrote:

nobbled wrote:So currently we have Scotland and Wales as the two teams most likely to win this week - probably the least likely two last week! Got to love the six nations!

I agree that Wales were not favoured to win last week. Scotland however at home were not favourites to beat Italy? Bookies had Scotland as clear favourites while if you look at the 606 Superbru predictions it was about a 65/35 split in favour of Scotland.

For me I predicted Wales to win (though as I have incorrectly predicted their results ever since the end of the last 6Ns that means they will probably lose) followed by England then Ireland to surprise people on sunday. As I have only managed one correct prediction each week (England over scotland and scotland over Italy) this suggests that at least two of these will be wrong.

Beattie apparently http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/21386469

Honestly I cannot call it, so I have gone with what I would like to see happen:

Italy, they deserve to win two games in a tournament and Rome is a fantastic place to go and watch rugby. Also I love it when an underdog wins.

France, It will keep the tournament alive, plus just when you think that they will never win a game again they are capable of producing one of "those" performances like a bolt from les bleus. Also I love it when an underdog wins.

Scotland, my team - 'nuff said.

Solid8 wrote:Honestly I cannot call it, so I have gone with what I would like to see happen:

Italy, they deserve to win two games in a tournament and Rome is a fantastic place to go and watch rugby. Also I love it when an underdog wins.

France, It will keep the tournament alive, plus just when you think that they will never win a game again they are capable of producing one of "those" performances like a bolt from les bleus. Also I love it when an underdog wins.

Scotland, my team - 'nuff said.

Shouldn't you be backing Wales then?

I think Italy and England to win at home, Ireland to win in redeeming performance.

Ireland, wales and France to win.

I am going to place €20 on France to win at 3/1. Heres why:

-They have some very good experienced players.
-Cant see them losing 3 in a row in the 6N. It hasnt happened in a very long time.
-England will be nervous with the slam in their sights, France have nothing to lose and are a wounded animal.
-3/1 are the best odds I have seen on France in a long time.
-I think Saint Andre will get his selection right this time plus he knows English rugby very well and may just know how to beat them at their own game.
-3/1 are crazy odds.

GunsGerms wrote:Ireland, wales and France to win.

I am going to place €20 on France to win at 3/1. Heres why:

-They have some very good experienced players.
-Cant see them losing 3 in a row in the 6N. It hasnt happened in a very long time.
-England will be nervous with the slam in their sights, France have nothing to lose and are a wounded animal.
-3/1 are the best odds I have seen on France in a long time.
-I think Saint Andre will get his selection right this time plus he knows English rugby very well and may just know how to beat them at their own game.
-3/1 are crazy odds.

Tempted to place £10 on that bet. If I win I get £30.00 beer tokens to numb the pain, and if I lose - happy anyway!

nobbled wrote:

GunsGerms wrote:Ireland, wales and France to win.

I am going to place €20 on France to win at 3/1. Heres why:

-They have some very good experienced players.
-Cant see them losing 3 in a row in the 6N. It hasnt happened in a very long time.
-England will be nervous with the slam in their sights, France have nothing to lose and are a wounded animal.
-3/1 are the best odds I have seen on France in a long time.
-I think Saint Andre will get his selection right this time plus he knows English rugby very well and may just know how to beat them at their own game.
-3/1 are crazy odds.

Tempted to place £10 on that bet. If I win I get £30.00 beer tokens to numb the pain, and if I lose - happy anyway!

Good odds isnt it. Though I get your logic I tend not to bet on my own team.

I just cancelled my vote (W,E & I) and selected all six teams to win.

Good system innit?

All 6 teams will claim a good chance of a win this weekend. Scotland will be confident against a weakened Ireland but I still expect Ireland to come through.

Italy will be glad to be back home with a lot to prove and so much will depend on Wales getting a good start to build on last week. If it's tight in the last twenty I can see Wales getting nervous and bottling it. Still expect a Welsh win.

England will be hard to beat at home and SL will have prepared them well and won't be thinking about how poor France have been. However, France has the players to win and win well if they gel. I predict a tight win for England.

Wins for Wales, England and Scotland this week.

Ozzy3213 wrote:Wins for Wales, England and Scotland this week.

Booooo!!!

GunsGerms wrote:

Ozzy3213 wrote:Wins for Wales, England and Scotland this week.

Booooo!!!

Sad but true

GunsGerms wrote:Ireland, wales and France to win.

I am going to place €20 on France to win at 3/1. Heres why:

-They have some very good experienced players.
-Cant see them losing 3 in a row in the 6N. It hasnt happened in a very long time.
-England will be nervous with the slam in their sights, France have nothing to lose and are a wounded animal.
-3/1 are the best odds I have seen on France in a long time.
-I think Saint Andre will get his selection right this time plus he knows English rugby very well and may just know how to beat them at their own game.
-3/1 are crazy odds.

Agree that 3-1 is a generous price, even if France haven't been playing well and don't usually go well at Twickenham. Not sure they've ever lost 3 matches in a row since it became the 6Ns, and they don't have anything to lose.

True that PSA knows England and English rugby well, and that he will probably make fewer mistakes in selection than in the first two matches. I do wonder though why on being given the France coaching job he has suddenly been infected by the ghost of Lievremont - he was expected to be a much more sensible and pragmatic selector.

However, I disagree that England will be nervous about the slam - we're not half way through the tournament yet, and we have Wales in Cardiff as the last game. That's one that really makes me nervous, and where there is more likelihood of the players getting tight.

At 3-1 I am very tempted...

Italy v Wales = Wales by 12
England v France = England by 8
Scotland v Ireland = Scotland by 3

Theres some tasty odds for Italy too. they were dogpoo last week but then Wales are well capable of that too. Both sides seem much happier at home.
Id see england as favourites over france, but the bookies are being over genorous ...perhaps because theres been a lot of bandwagon backing of england. Id also look to their sick list, the rumoured side is rather makeshift in places, with other combinations been swapped about to accommodate.

Italy, England and Scotland

Home pressure, better team and momentum

Taylorman wrote:Maes...whats happened to Liam Williams- was highly impressed with his skills in the AB match?

He is in the squad but hasn't made the team, Cuthbert and North preferred at wing and Halfpenny at fullback. With James Hook on the bench to cover 10, 12,13 and 15.

Great player, young and very exciting.

Good to see a close poll

This weekend should hopefully throw some fantastic games our way.

GunsGerms wrote:Ireland, wales and France to win.

I am going to place €20 on France to win at 3/1. Heres why:

-They have some very good experienced players.
-Cant see them losing 3 in a row in the 6N. It hasnt happened in a very long time.
-England will be nervous with the slam in their sights, France have nothing to lose and are a wounded animal.
-3/1 are the best odds I have seen on France in a long time.
-I think Saint Andre will get his selection right this time plus he knows English rugby very well and may just know how to beat them at their own game.
-3/1 are crazy odds.

and those players played the last two games which they lost. I doubt England will be nervous, they seem to have a very different mind set.

I still don't know how to call this game. It could just 'click' for France or they could be woeful.

maestegmafia wrote:

Taylorman wrote:Maes...whats happened to Liam Williams- was highly impressed with his skills in the AB match?

He is in the squad but hasn't made the team, Cuthbert and North preferred at wing and Halfpenny at fullback. With James Hook on the bench to cover 10, 12,13 and 15.

Great player, young and very exciting.

I reckon thats a mistake. He should have been included in this campaign by now, even if off the bench and particularly against a Parisee-less Italy. Showed a wide skillset in a short period and an attitude to match vs the AB's.

I think:

Wales will beat Italy well but wouldn't be suprised if Italy make Wales sweat for a bit.

Scotland will just edge out the Irish and England will manage to beat the French in a tight match.

However, with the exception of the Welsh match, I think that the results could go either way. So, sitting on the fence a bit I'm afraid!

Taylorman wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

Taylorman wrote:Maes...whats happened to Liam Williams- was highly impressed with his skills in the AB match?

He is in the squad but hasn't made the team, Cuthbert and North preferred at wing and Halfpenny at fullback. With James Hook on the bench to cover 10, 12,13 and 15.

Great player, young and very exciting.

I reckon thats a mistake. He should have been included in this campaign by now, even if off the bench and particularly against a Parisee-less Italy. Showed a wide skillset in a short period and an attitude to match vs the AB's.

I think you are right.

We have Scott Williams, a fellow Scarlet and a talented player, Centre either position though quick enough to cover wing, and Hook on the bench who can cover 10 to 15.

I, and many others, would have possibly preferred to see Liam Williams as the third back sub.

damage_13 wrote:Italy, England and Scotland

Home pressure, better team and momentum

+1

Good treble.

I've got a feeling Scotland/Ireland might be a draw.

England to win by around 10.

Italy/Wales is anyone's guess.

Poll from PR

The winners this weekend?

Eng, Ire Wal = 719 Votes

Fra, Ire, Wal = 555 Votes

Eng, Scot, Wal = 308 Votes

Eng, Italy, Ire = 133 Votes

Eng, Italy, Scot = 129 Votes

Fra, italy, Scot = 50 Votes

Fra, Italy, Ire = 26 Votes

damage_13 wrote:Italy, England and Scotland

Home pressure, better team and momentum

Without Parisse, Italy may struggle. A 30 day ban is a joke, Howley must have on the citing commission.

First Hersh now Parisse.. Where now for free speech!

wins for wales england scotland.

if wales score in the first quater it will be a horrible day for italia. im predicting a thumping win for wales.

france will turn it on but england will be to tough a nut for them to crack. itll be a tight, tense match. good for the neutrals. a narrow win for england

scotland will be full of confidence where as ireland will be lacking some-injuries and suspentions taking its toll. scotland should be able to pull away from ireland and end with a decent margin.

Taylorman wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

Taylorman wrote:Maes...whats happened to Liam Williams- was highly impressed with his skills in the AB match?

He is in the squad but hasn't made the team, Cuthbert and North preferred at wing and Halfpenny at fullback. With James Hook on the bench to cover 10, 12,13 and 15.

Great player, young and very exciting.

I reckon thats a mistake. He should have been included in this campaign by now, even if off the bench and particularly against a Parisee-less Italy. Showed a wide skillset in a short period and an attitude to match vs the AB's.

I like Liam but he is short of quality (not committment) at this level. The only real quality he has shown is JPResqe bravery, but he has dropped pretty much every high ball and done very little other than put his body on the line. There are better options at this moment in time

England slight favourites over France.

Everyone else even

The same poll on PR showing a differing opinion

http://www.planetrugby.com/poll/results/0,26151,312805,00.html

55 to 35 shows a more than healthy respect for England's chances.

Well done 606v2!

Jimpy wrote:

damage_13 wrote:Italy, England and Scotland

Home pressure, better team and momentum

Without Parisse, Italy may struggle. A 30 day ban is a joke, Howley must have on the citing commission.

If he was it would be the second thing in a row he'd managed to win, unheard of!

My heart says England but my head thinks France with much better selection and nothing to lose are going to be good. Fofana to shine and Dusautoir to have a WCF type game.

My heart says Italy but without Parisse I think they will struggle, my head says wales and George north is going to have a field day

Not really sure what my heart says about Scotland Ireland but my stomach says Scotland are going to beat both Ireland and Wales.

In some ways England and Wales are both in the unpleasant position where you really feel they ought to win (in Wales' case, given Parisse's absence), but are well aware there might be a nasty sting in the tail.

I really don't know what to expect from Scotland v Ireland, except that it should be interesting.

BlueNote wrote:In some ways England and Wales are both in the unpleasant position where you really feel they ought to win

I don't think it's an unpleasant situation. I want England to be expected to win. It means they're going in the right direction.

I want to get back to the stage where they're expected to beat NZ, Aus and SA home and away. Some way to go on that, but I want them thrive on pressure and not be battling underdogs.

England should beat France at home. They will know that and, hopefully, use it as a cause for confidence rather than concern.

My gut says England, Wales and Ireland will win.

Just because Scotland beat Italy well doesn't mean they're suddenly gonna beat Ireland. Ireland are a much more organised unit in defence. They will also punish Scotland at the breakdown if they make any silly errors or take too long to distribute the ball. An Ireland win seems most likely in my view.

England should beat France, despite the changes. I expect an improved France but England to win it by a slim margin.

This game I am not sure about, it really depends on how Italy perform. I expect aggression and body smashing from Welsh backs, but Italy I am not sure how they will approach the game. The open style worked vs France then totally backfired vs Scotland. I think they'll probably stick to their guns.

As an England fan and being impressed with the progress so far I am still expecting this group to experience defeat at some stage because it's too big a leap to see them as invincible. The potential for that is higher this week because of the French selection and their ever present ability to pull an exquisite performance out of nowhere.

My heart says England but my head says it's too close to call.

Off this weekend, with the house to myself, so plenty of rugby a huge bottle of whiskey and the fridge stocked to the rafters says the big winner this weekend is ME!!