Six Nations Fixtures; Must-see vs Avoid At All Costs (for 'neutrals')

Most here from the participating nations will endeavor to watch all games involving their country and I'm sure many will be watching as many games as possible, regardless of who is playing. But of all the fixtures (excluding your favoured nation should they be involved in the tournament), which are you most looking forward to and which might you schedule your dental appointment during?

As an Irishman;

Marking the England vs Wales game in round 4 in the calendar already - the two favourites, late in the tournament, history, tension, scores to settle on home turf, glory of a raid into enemy territory. I can't wait.

In contrast -Wales vs France. Remember last year? I've tried to block it out and I don't have much faith in the Millenium Stadium turf.

Is that turf changing for the World cup?

I believe there are plans afoot;

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/rugby-union/25243743

My must sees are always the same

All Wales games

England v Ireland, Scotland and France

Ireland v France

and this year

Ireland's last game with BOD

No one thrilled at the prospect of another Scotland v Italy top of the table show down then?

But of Italy v France? The revenge?

Wales v Ireland if it lives up to last year should be a great game. If Wales bring their v England form and Ireland play with the intensity they found for NZ...could be a good n'

I don't discriminate, I try and watch all the games. Only problem is the games often clash with Super Rugby matches

Biltong wrote:I don't discriminate, I try and watch all the games. Only problem is the games often clash with Super Rugby matches

Yes it does...6N and sxv weekend make for an incredible amount of matches and for us Kiwis at home ALL are at night or early (early) morning, including our own matches! Somethings gotta be wrong there...We never play, nor watch a match sxv or above in the daytime...ever.

Every season I endeavour to watch all the games (Scarlets fixtures allowing), but with kids/wife around I can't always give my full attention, however I try to kick them out of the living room for the following

Italy V France,
Italy V Scotland
Ireland V France,
Ireland V Scotland

you basically dont watch england games then scarlet?

f v it this year will be good. i always like eng v wal and fr v ire personally. despite supporting scotland i often dread s v wales or italy. for the former we pkay crap or famously choke they have our number. latter sometimes a dogfight we didnt need to submit to though recently thats only applied away from home

Can't wait for Super Saturday (March 15th)

Italy v England - will Italy finally get the W ?

Wales v Scotland - Grandslam decider   

France v Ireland - Can Ireland beat their bogey side

My live is going to take an absolute kicking

Italy vs France is normally the least interesting from my point of view

I watch every game though. Its only on for five weeks and its the only thing that cheers me up form my winter slumber.

Italy v France last year was awesome

Much to Mrs Beds frustration I will watch every one I can but I am looking forward to the England France and England Ireland games

bedfordwelsh wrote:Much to Mrs Beds frustration I will watch every one I can but I am looking forward to the England France and England Ireland games

Mrs D. is quite happy to curl up on the sofa and let me get on with the business of hurling abuse at the TV. Keeps me busy etc. So natch Wales games are must-see. Going to Wales France with offspring. So looking forward to a few laughs with the Frenchies in Cardiff Like to watch the Eng Ire game with old friends Mr and Mrs G( he's Eng she's Ire) so some good banter and sparks there plus Celtic solidarity. Pot luck after those but as much as poss

Engine#4 wrote:

In contrast -Wales vs France. Remember last year? I've tried to block it out and I don't have much faith in the Millenium Stadium turf.

Yes I remember. The game happened to be played in the awful turf of Paris though. So surely the question you should be asking is do you remember?

Ones to avoid:

Ireland/France: last two games the teams have played awful and both resulted in an unexciting draw.

Scotland/Italy: can be a slug fest most of the time. Not much skill in either side which has often contributed to the slug fest.

France/England: constantly billed the game of the tournament and always flatters to deceive, though can be occasionally good as France play better at Twickenham.

England/Scotland: horrific games with the exception of last year's.

Must see:

Ireland/Wales: always a good game. Never short of controversy .

England/Wales: the game this year should be the most important for each team with the RWC looming. They've also been the top 2 teams in Europe for the past 2 years, with Wales just about on top. Might we see them swap around this year?

England/Ireland: usually very competitive games. Ireland were on top of them for a while, but the balance of power has shifted over to England. Great finishers on each side which has often lead to a few good tries, Ireland for the most part have been more effective at using them.

Well since everyone is having a pop at it, the one game I'm really looking forward to is Italy v Scotland. But then thats probably because I'm off to Rome for it   

As a neutral my observation is that Wales Ireland have created some exciting games and close finishes in recent times so that is my first pick. Italy and Scotland invariably wear the underdog tag or dark horse and Italian stallion tag but for every game they excite with their rugby like Italy France or Scotland against Italy last year you have to endure at least another few games of eye-gouging-inducing rugby like Scotland vs Wales.

My hope is that England vs France first up gives us a worthy match up because these have been one sided affairs in England's favour in recent times even though the first half last year looked quite promising.

It's impossible to predict what will be a stand out game but as a betting man Ireland Wales would be the best game to put your money on. For all the rest there's MasterCard.

Scotland vs France is always a good match and England Wales.

I've tended to avoid most Italian and English matches. England have been quite boring to watch recently with their poor back division.

Interesting that quite a number of England games have been listed to watch yet from a neutrals prospective surely we're the most unwatchable team...great basics but total lack of anything entertaining from the backs....

I disagree with that mate. England on a roll can be rather pleasant to watch.

England's work at the break down was a joy to watch against New Zealand and Australia; I do agree though that they don't have any flair in the backs without Tuilagi, i wouldn't go as far to say that they are are the most un-watchable team though

Flair is entertaining, but rugby is about more than flashy moves, there are amny aspects to rugby that provides "entertainment"

The SA blitskrieg at full motion is as impressive as any flashy play by Willie le Roux.

Scotland England is almost always either the worst rugby of the tournament or ridiculously one sided. Or both

I dunno I've seen a few great Scotland v England matches. Usually the ones where returned English folk heroes aren't allowed to "score" tries from three feet in touch are th better ones.

There are been some belters in Edinburgh, 2006 was a ripper!

  oh flower of Scotland!   

Biltong wrote:Flair is entertaining, but rugby is about more than flashy moves, there are amny aspects to rugby that provides "entertainment"

The SA blitskrieg at full motion is as impressive as any flashy play by Willie le Roux.

This. Very true. Which is why I quite like watching England sometimes. You have to say the same for Wales when they are at their best too; incredible to watch a whole team in full flow

There are few more beautiful sights than a well-executed rolling maul or a turnover when your forwards pile through the gate, knocking the opposition over like ninepins.

Games not containing England that I like to watch

Ireland v Wales - has a fair bit of spice these days
France v Italy - the non-Home Nations sides seem to have built up a rivalry. Italy can get under their skin.
Ireland v Scotland - good atmosphere and mutual respect. The games aren't always great but I imagine it's good to be at the ground.
France v Ireland - France have had the better of it, but there can be some good games, often with Ireland attempting a comeback.

I'd advise everyone to avoid England v Scotland, or is it Scotland v England? Either way always completely dire.

Biltong wrote:Flair is entertaining, but rugby is about more than flashy moves, there are amny aspects to rugby that provides "entertainment"

The SA blitskrieg at full motion is as impressive as any flashy play by Willie le Roux.

That said I've really enjoyed watching Le Roux this year behind your pack. Great player with real guile and top skills. SA are beginning to marry brawn and brains in a way England really need to take notice of. That, for me, is our benchmark, not NZ, who will always produce backs a league above ours IMO.

Hood83 wrote:

Biltong wrote:Flair is entertaining, but rugby is about more than flashy moves, there are amny aspects to rugby that provides "entertainment"

The SA blitskrieg at full motion is as impressive as any flashy play by Willie le Roux.

That said I've really enjoyed watching Le Roux this year behind your pack. Great player with real guile and top skills. SA are beginning to marry brawn and brains in a way England really need to take notice of. That, for me, is our benchmark, not NZ, who will always produce backs a league above ours IMO.

very true, le Roux has brought a dimension of unpredictability to our attack that was sorely needed, it must be said though he had to perform really well before he convinced Meyer that flair at te back is more valuable than Zane Kirchner.

Biltong wrote:

Hood83 wrote:

Biltong wrote:Flair is entertaining, but rugby is about more than flashy moves, there are amny aspects to rugby that provides "entertainment"

The SA blitskrieg at full motion is as impressive as any flashy play by Willie le Roux.

That said I've really enjoyed watching Le Roux this year behind your pack. Great player with real guile and top skills. SA are beginning to marry brawn and brains in a way England really need to take notice of. That, for me, is our benchmark, not NZ, who will always produce backs a league above ours IMO.

very true, le Roux has brought a dimension of unpredictability to our attack that was sorely needed, it must be said though he had to perform really well before he convinced Meyer that flair at te back is more valuable than Zane Kirchner.

It's crazy isn't it. I suspect players like Wade and Eastmond will have to do similarly over here.

Hood83 wrote:

Biltong wrote:

Hood83 wrote:

Biltong wrote:Flair is entertaining, but rugby is about more than flashy moves, there are amny aspects to rugby that provides "entertainment"

The SA blitskrieg at full motion is as impressive as any flashy play by Willie le Roux.

That said I've really enjoyed watching Le Roux this year behind your pack. Great player with real guile and top skills. SA are beginning to marry brawn and brains in a way England really need to take notice of. That, for me, is our benchmark, not NZ, who will always produce backs a league above ours IMO.

very true, le Roux has brought a dimension of unpredictability to our attack that was sorely needed, it must be said though he had to perform really well before he convinced Meyer that flair at te back is more valuable than Zane Kirchner.

It's crazy isn't it. I suspect players like Wade and Eastmond will have to do similarly over here.

I suspect Brown will be able to make more of an impact from 15, similar to Willie, when he played at wing his opportunties were limited, at 15 he has more opportunity to join the line or even come in at 10 on attack.

Wings in my view create opportunities for themselves mostly, whereas fullbacks (Willie) is much more effective on attack by using his vision to create space for those inside or outside of him.

Must see for me All England games. Plus Wales v France. Ireland v Wales.

Of course i am hoping England win all their Games and win the Tournament. But Wale v Ireland games are all ways good cracking games. Same with Wales v France too close to call in my opinion.

I do believe Injuries will play a big part in the out come of this year's 6ns.