So - let's take a brief look at this weekend's fixtures. Two easy victories and one tight game difficult to call.
Italy v France
No surprise expected here. France will bounce back from the defeat by England top an easy victory over a stuttering Italian team. How it could have been different for Nick mallet and his team. A victory over Ireland could have been followed up with a win against a poor Welsh team and the dream of three wins in a season. As it happens, they will face Scotland for one last chance of any glory this season. France drop Chabal and Harinordoguy were both poor against England and pay the penalty today, France will also miss Yachvili - out with a late thigh strain; but will have too much forward power and talent to slip up today. I am delighted to see Medard return today - anyone with big sidies like that deserves their place on entertainment value alone. He reminds me of a young JPR Williams - not just in looks but in talent and pace. For Italy, I have been impressed with McLean and Parisse but they will have little ball and France will win comfortably.
Italy 9 France 30
Wales v Ireland
The pick of the weekend's games and it should be a titanic tussle at the Millennium. Ireland have a great record here with only one defeat and will fancy their chances again today. O'Gara impressed against Scotland and keeps his place in a largely unchanged line up. I am surprised to not see Trimble start ahead of Keith Earls. He has been in excellent form for Ulster. Sean O'Brien has impressed in the back row and Mike Ross will give Paul James a stiff challenge up front. For Wales, the aim will be to keep the ball out of Irish hands and their dangerous threequarter line. Hook is rightly restored at fly half and Roberts and Davies form a powerful duo against BoD and Darcy. halfpenny will add significant pace out wide and he is in strong kicking form so expect at least one long penalty today for half way line. The Welsh forwards need to get on top early and we will be hoping Jonathan Kaplan does a better job than Nigel Owens in penalizing Ireland's pack. Their persistent foul play and weak scrummaging was the reason Scotland failed to beat them and Wales must be hoping for firmer officiating. Bradley Davies and Wynne-Jones can match the fading O'Connell and O'Callaghan and win their line out and the Welsh back row has been on top form in all matches so far. Expect a tight game with Wales coming out on top. Just.
Wales 19 Ireland 17
England v Scotland
England have been streets ahead of all other teams and Scotland will offer little threat at HQ. Despite Townsend talking up Scottish hopes, no Scottish team has own here since 1983 and with only 4 wins ever at HQ; one cannot see an upset here and England will be far too powerful for the jocks who will be sent homeward to think again on Sunday. Kelly Brown has been dropped for poor form and the Church calling Euan Murray means another tough test for Moray low against Alex Corbisiero who has impressed with his performances this season. Young Jackson gets another start ahead of Dan Parks and lets hope he doesn't bottle it. He is a good talent but two poor games and his confidence could be shot forever. Look at Matthew Tait - he never recovered from been Hensoned and I fear young Jackson could go the same way. Flood's fitness will be a worry for England but Jonny will be standing by to come on and you couldn't ask for a safer, stronger substitute. Expect more Ashton swallow dives, Youngs dominating at scrum half and a very comfortable England victory. The White machine is rolling on an inevitable Grand Slam this season. For Scotland, defeat by less than 10 points will feel like a victory.
England 26 Scotland 9
No comments:
Post a Comment