Who will win the Six Nations?

First topic message reminder :

Based on the Autumn Internationals who do you think will win the 2014 Six Nations?

I think Wales will win it although there is the possibility they could lose a game on the way like last year

I'd put England as clear favourite with Ireland second as they have a decent calendar.

People who think France has a good chance are slightly deluled. England (even at home) and Wales away is too much for them.

whocares wrote:I'd put England as clear favourite with Ireland second as they have a decent calendar.

People who think France has a good chance are slightly deluled. England (even at home) and Wales away is too much for them.

Are the French players staying with France longer next season? I seem to remember you saying something like that a while ago. If so, do you think it will help?

England methinks

whocares how is it deluded to think the French have a good chance?

The Lions hangover is always a huge factor in France's favour. Plus France always have a strong team on paper. I think they'll be fired up vs England.

France away first up is not a good opening match for England.....

If England can win that one though, then England will probably be favourites for the title.

In my opinion that opening game could well decide who wins as I think as of now it's England vs France for the title.

So from what I've got from this thread is that Wales wont be a contender for this 6nations.....

It's between Ireland and England apparently.

Has anyone mentiond that France historically do well after the Lions?

Dunno about Ireland, they played well against NZ but still blew their chance. Against Oz their fearsome backrow got utterly man shamed.

Can't see them being consistent enough to challenge for the title.

Comfort wrote:So from what I've got from this thread is that Wales wont be a contender for this 6nations.....

It's between Ireland and England apparently.

Has anyone mentiond that France historically do well after the Lions?

24% went for Wales, 14% went with Ireland. Maths not your strong point?  Just to help out. 24% is bigger than 14%. But it looks like England are going to walk it. Hopefully we'll just not bother playign the games and we'll just take the trophy.

Surprised no one has gone for the dark horses of the tournament, Scotland. 

Only 2 votes for France? Wow.

always hard for england to win the 6N. obviously i would like them to, but the back line injury list is longer than an NHS surgery waiting line, so it's going to be a lottery.

i do have a sneaky feeling that France may win it this year. apparently they do well after lions tours  But seriously, they have far fewer injuries to be concerned about.

Cant see England winning. They are good enough to but Ireland and France have improved since last year but I dont think England have much to be honest. If I was to guess Id say france without a slam. Favorites are England, Wales and France with Ireland slightly behind as our squad depth isnt quite as good but almost there.

 

HammerofThunor wrote:

Comfort wrote:So from what I've got from this thread is that Wales wont be a contender for this 6nations.....

It's between Ireland and England apparently.

Has anyone mentiond that France historically do well after the Lions?

24% went for Wales, 14% went with Ireland. Maths not your strong point?  Just to help out. 24% is bigger than 14%. But it looks like England are going to walk it. Hopefully we'll just not bother playign the games and we'll just take the trophy.

I havent voted, thus havent seen the poll angelcakes, I was just going by the comments....

beshocked wrote:Surprised no one has gone for the dark horses of the tournament, Scotland. 

Ah Beshocked, you naughty boy.

Scotland won't win it but I certainly fancy them to drop England at Murrayfield in the second round.

Do the people who say Wales will struggle in Dublin actually realise Ireland and Wales normally beat each other away ?

It won't be England (unless Manu is fit) maybe scrape another 2nd place but France will win it (no GS)

munkian wrote:Do the people who say Wales will struggle in Dublin actually realise Ireland and Wales normally beat each other away ?

Thats not quite true. Well it is true of the few years but before that wales didnt have a great record v Ireland home or away even though their away record against Ireland was better than their home record.

So, as we are considering recent form, its a fairly relevant observation then ?  

 

munkian wrote:So, as we are considering recent form, its a fairly relevant observation then ?  

Well kinda. Off the last four Ireland and Wales have both won one at home and one away. Basically anything could happen.

George Carlin wrote:

beshocked wrote:Surprised no one has gone for the dark horses of the tournament, Scotland. 

Ah Beshocked, you naughty boy.

Scotland won't win it but I certainly fancy them to drop England at Murrayfield in the second round.

Yes Scotland are certainly capable of beating England. That's the interesting thing about England's matches there is no match they'll start heavy favourites but winning them all would not all be a surprise at all either.

Italy - no reason, absolutely none at all

Wales have three home games and two away games with Ireland and England, both the away games are 50:50 games. Wales have a good chance to win 4 games. I believe they have a good chance to put a lot of points on the board to come out on top with Italy and Scotland at home based on recent home results.

It may not be a great 6N for England I think they will stuggle in all the games except Italy.

Comfort wrote: 

HammerofThunor wrote:

Comfort wrote:So from what I've got from this thread is that Wales wont be a contender for this 6nations.....

It's between Ireland and England apparently.

Has anyone mentiond that France historically do well after the Lions?

24% went for Wales, 14% went with Ireland. Maths not your strong point?  Just to help out. 24% is bigger than 14%. But it looks like England are going to walk it. Hopefully we'll just not bother playign the games and we'll just take the trophy.

I havent voted, thus havent seen the poll angelcakes, I was just going by the comments....

Makes sense (PS you don't need to vote to see the results, there's a little button to press just under the poll "see results" or something like that)

England could be missing a fair few players. They can grind out good wins with their forwards but their backs have yet to click. If they lose Brown they are in trouble from an attacking point of view

munkian wrote:England could be missing a fair few players. They can grind out good wins with their forwards but their backs have yet to click. If they lose Brown they are in trouble from an attacking point of view

Foden!

Who is quite possibly injured...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/picturegalleries/10487606/Wasps-winger-Christian-Wade-joins-almost-a-full-team-of-England-players-out-injured-in-pictures.html#?frame=2751839

Scrumpy wrote:

munkian wrote:England could be missing a fair few players. They can grind out good wins with their forwards but their backs have yet to click. If they lose Brown they are in trouble from an attacking point of view

Foden!

-is out....

Is he?

See updated post

Watson then.

So your problems in the centre and wings will be cured by....Watson.

Not even Sherlock can fix this one...

Very good safe Fullback option, good in attack and defence.

This is the price of having a league where by every team goes for it, such is life.  

I have been say this for the last few years. This years 6ns is too close to call.

But i read today that because Wales lost to Australia for the 9th time in a row...They are now focusing all their effort to win the 6ns for the 3rd time in a row.

Sure it will be tough this year, for all teams. I hope England win and win well. But i do not think that their is any clear favourite to be honest.

beshocked wrote:whocares how is it deluded to think the French have a good chance?

The Lions hangover is always a huge factor in France's favour. Plus France always have a strong team on paper. I think they'll be fired up vs England.

France away first up is not a good opening match for England.....

If England can win that one though, then England will probably be favourites for the title.

In my opinion that opening game could well decide who wins as I think as of now it's England vs France for the title.

because...

1/ this "Lions hangover making france favourite " thing is some sort of heritage from the semi amateur era when teams had little depht and players not prepared as they are now. besides back then, France had a better team and coach -and yes am including the early Lievremont years when at least France were "running" the ball although they were losing.

2/ if you think it is not a good opening for England it is even worst for France considering their head to head and the complex France has when facing England.

3/ this is why I think England is number 1 favourite . Ireland is not far though and Wales is always there or therabouts.

4/ even if France somehow manage to sneak that one they still have to travel to Cardiff ... I just dont see them winning 4 games. they only won 2 in 2013 afterall!

I expect Ireland to really come good in this years tournament,,Schmidt has now had a taste of international rugby so will be better prepared for the challenges it presents.The fixtures fall pretty well for us with 2 home games to hopefully build momentum and a week break before the 2 away games.

majesticimperialman wrote:I have been say this for the last few years. This years 6ns is too close to call.

But i read today that because Wales lost to Australia for the 9th time in a row...They are now focusing all their effort to win the 6ns for the 3rd time in a row.

Sure it will be tough this year, for all teams. I hope England win and win well. But i do not think that their is any clear favourite to be honest.

I'm not sure the Oz loss has anything to do with focussing on winning the 6N. That's our focus every time we play the 6N. It's every team's focus!

Wales will win it. Because they said they will in the press and losing to Aus was no big deal. And so the Welsh hype begins.

englandglory4ever wrote:Wales will win it. Because they said they will in the press and losing to Aus was no big deal. And so the Welsh hype begins.

You're absolutely right we should wind our Double Champions necks in and leave the airwaves free for the English to promote their next grand Slam campaign….it's a shame, all those wasted T shirts.

Griff wrote:

majesticimperialman wrote:I have been say this for the last few years. This years 6ns is too close to call.

But i read today that because Wales lost to Australia for the 9th time in a row...They are now focusing all their effort to win the 6ns for the 3rd time in a row.

Sure it will be tough this year, for all teams. I hope England win and win well. But i do not think that their is any clear favourite to be honest.

I'm not sure the Oz loss has anything to do with focussing on winning the 6N. That's our focus every time we play the 6N. It's every team's focus!

I can't put it better myself, anyone who names a favourite is kidding themselves...

Ireland have the schedule to do well, but do they have the personell? especially a leader, will POC be around?

Wales have the first team pack to match anyone, and overpower most of us, but when their injury issues will cost them at some point.

We have the best depth, but a few key positions need solidifying.

France are in free fall, but as Aus have proved you can never underestimate a team with such bread.

Scotland and Italy seem to be tredding water (first time I've said that in years, always weary of the Scots)

If someone put a gun to my head right now and said pick one...

I'd probably go with Wales, so much muscle up front, and the machine kicking at goal, coupled with that man North. England and Ireland to really push them though.

By the way. Sam who? Someone said there was a player called Sam playing for Wales last weekend. Did anyone actually see him because I must have missed him.

I have england as favourites. Not that I am happy about this. Wales and Ireland to fight for second. Scotland will win more than once. Italy to suprise someone. Nobody gets a slam

 England favourites eh? The long term injury list is; Manu (back mid feb?) Wade, Yarde, Barritt,Foden, Croft, Corbs, Mako, Parling. That's a lot of first team,experienced players crocked.

I have to agree that England's chances are looking bleaker and bleaker by the day but the playing resources are quite good.

englandglory4ever wrote:Wales will win it. Because they said they will in the press in my imagination

Fixed that for you.

i went for England . i think they had a good autumn and was unlucky with the blacks . in fact i wouldn't be surprised if they win one of the series in New Zealand next year . at the moment if we played the world cup groups it be England Australia then Wales missing out

englandglory4ever wrote:By the way. Sam who? Someone said there was a player called Sam playing for Wales last weekend. Did anyone actually see him because I must have missed him.

I am sure Sam will be broken hearted that you missed him. Like we all care about your opinion based on nothing but stupidity once again:furious: 

Warburton was a spectator on Saturday.

rainbow-warrior wrote:

englandglory4ever wrote:By the way. Sam who? Someone said there was a player called Sam playing for Wales last weekend. Did anyone actually see him because I must have missed him.

I am sure Sam will be broken hearted that you missed him.  Like we all care about your opinion based on nothing but stupidity once again:furious: 

Its an internet forum where lots of people get to voice opinions. Nobody should care about what anyone says too much, but obviously some do....

Just bought six nations tickets for Ireland v Wales in Landsdowne. Could be a absolute cracker!!!

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:Warburton was a spectator on Saturday.

His old man in the stands?   Always maintained Tips>warbs..

GunsGerms wrote:Just bought six nations tickets for Ireland v Wales in Landsdowne. Could be a absolute cracker!!!

There's going to be some niggle in that one, to put it mildly!