Let's get Ready to Rumble!

Six Nations Week Three – Let’s Get Ready to Rumble!

This weekend’s games see three games, which will probably decide where the title is going this season. The milder weather should see us avoid another fiasco after the ridiculous scenario of week two where the France v Ireland game was called off 7 minutes before kick off. The Six nations committee has shown they have absolutely no interest in spectator welfare. The ludicrous situation where games are being scheduled in February at 9pm in the evening came back to haunt them and now the rescheduled match is on a Sunday! That shows how out of touch they are. That gives both teams the shortest possible recovery, and clearly shows total contempt for the supporters. Its bad enough travelling from Limerick, Tipperary or Galway to Paris without having to travel twice and the second time on a Sunday afternoon.

Anyway rant over its now back to this weekend’s matches.

Ireland v Italy

After not playing in Paris, Ireland will be glad to be back in Dublin to face Italy. Italy had England’s throat in their grasp but let them get away and saw the penalty. Ireland never really got on top of Wales but they were within seconds of winning the match. I believe they will have far too much quality for Italy but expect a bruising encounter upfront. Mike Ross and Cian Healy will have a torrid time with the Italian front row but their line out should be at its metronomic best to give Ireland lots of quality ball. The Irish back row didn’t impress at all against Wales. O’Brien and Ferris were muted and Heaslip also had an off day. They need to do better. As for Italy Burton is a massive disappointment kicking everything away so expect to see a lot of Irish counter attacks with Kearney at the forefront. Expect Parisse to lead the Italian back row charge and for Italy to have any chance of an upset their game will be won or lost in the pack. Sexton will have lots of ball, the Irish threequarters have too much pace and I expect Ireland to run out comfortable winners.

Ireland 23 Italy 9

England v Wales

The game of the tournament and looking like the championship decider. Both teams come here unbeaten, with Wales looking for a Triple Crown. The favorites tag won’t suit Wales at all and they have a dismal record at HQ. They will welcome back Warburton and Alun Wynne-Jones into their pack. The critical areas for Wales will be Line out and scrum. Welsh line outs have been absolutely dire. As someone said the other day “Wales haven’t had a line out since Allan Martin”. Those words are sadly true, and Wales will be concerned to retain the ball. Ken Owens is very raw at hooker. Philips dominated Ireland with his role as a ninth forward but he doesn’t get the Welsh backs moving that well, as the ball is so slow. Priestland has been aimlessly kicking possession away and he if does that again, Wales could be in big trouble. Wales didn’t play well against Scotland but ran out comfortable enough winners due to a few minutes of brilliance. They have that ability that England lack and that could see them home again. Warburton’s skills at Open side will need to be at their best and Wales need to get the ball out to their huge threequarter line. North and Cuthbert are both huge wingers, and Roberts and Davies will severely test the English defense. For England, two “lucky” wins – both by charge down tries. Farrell takes over at 10 and Dickson and Morgan will add considerably more depth to England’s attacking options than Dowson and the bitterly disappointing Youngs. Tuigali is back but how fit is he? Barritt’s defensive skills will be tested to the full and Farrell may be an accomplished goal kicker but is untested at outside half at this level. Robshaw will be either hero or villain depending upon how he marshals Warburton. If he gets on top – then England will grind it out. I think Wales will not secure enough quality possession and will give away a lot of penalties. England won’t score a try but the scoreboard will keep ticking over. The Welsh nation believes they can win and Wales don’t always thrive on high expectations. I think England will pinch it.

England 18 Wales 15

Scotland v France

The dreaded banana skin! France on paper should have far too much power and skill to be threatened by Scotland. However, Murrayfield is the graveyard of broken dreams and many a French Grand Slam has fallen here. For Scotland Stuart Hogg is a brave selection. He looked quality in his brief appearance against Wales and deserves the start. Scotland lack thereequarter pace and look very lacklustre in the centres. The critical thing again will be the amount of quality ball. Richie Gray has been playing very well and the Scottish Back row will welcome back John Barclay alongside the excellent Denton and Rennie. For France, the pack should dominate a weakened Scottish scrum and I think they will run riot with enough ball. The gulf in quality between the backs is as wide as the Atlantic and I don’t see France blowing this one. An unchanged French teams sees Morgan Parra start ahead of Yachvili and that is a positive endorsement of their intent towards a running game. I expect Parra and Trinh-Duc to get those large French centres moving and a hatful of tries.

Scotland 9 France 27