Week two - Sorting Men from Boys!

Week Two – Sorting Men from Boys!

You’d be a rugby pundit? One result right last week – so not the best start to the Six Nations for me! We saw the good, the bad and the ugly last weekend. Let’s start with the good. Two entertaining games saw France see off a much improved Italian side. I had written Italy off but the Azzuri showed real determination and pressured France until the final Whistle. France were France. Spectacular at times, but worryingly weak in set pieces and defensively. They will improve and the visit of Ireland is a stiff test. The other good game was in Dublin where Wales dominated for long periods but couldn’t convert pressure to pints., Goal kicks win matches and Wales almost threw this one away. It wasn’t really close despite the result.

The bad was at Murrayfield. What a woeful, dire, boring game it was. The new look England coming out on top because Scotland were truly awful.

The ugly –p Bradley Davies tip tackle rightly got him a seven week ban. How on earth did that only warrant a yellow card – right in front of the Touch Judge? Scary stuff!

So to week two – and this week we will again see some titanic battles . Let’s assess the matches:

Italy v England

Rugby makes its debut in Rome’s picturesque Stadio Olympico. Italy showed a glimpse of the future with their attempt at a more expansive game in Paris. This week they turn the clock back and will be looking to grind out a forward battle against Lancaster’s new look England. England showed some progress and it is to their credit that this inexperienced side went to Scotland and came away with the Calcutta Cup. Their front row dominated and Youngs had a solid platform for the exciting England backs to show some deft skills. Farrell came through it with flying colours, Barritt less so. He never looked secure and one has to be looking for a rapid recall for Tuigli. Expect England to have a tough time today. The ruck ball was painfully slow in Scotland and Dowson is very lucky to be getting a second start. Ben Morgan will again offer England excitement off the bench and a solid line out platform will enable England to see the ball. Italy will be sensing blood and the last remaining six nations scalp – the biggest of them all England. They have recalled Botolami in the second row and they will push England hard. I think the Rose will hold on but a very tight game. Italy 19 England 23

France v Ireland

The Irish will be pig sick losing to Wales but let’s face reality they really never got on top of Wales and their threequarters looked pedestrian. Sexton is an injury worry but their real problem like England; was a lack of back row dominance and slow ruck ball. Ireland only kicked out for 5 line outs on their own throw. As sure sign they were not on top. The Irish have the best catch and drive line out in world rugby and with France bound to give away a lot of penalties – expect to see a much more attacking Ireland this time. For France, their back line is extremely solid but Trunh-Duc did not have a great game last week. Fly half is clearly a weak area. If France get the ball in the backs, they will dominate the match, Expect scrum dominance from France too. In the end – I can see only one winner. France 33 Ireland 16

Wales v Scotland

On Sunday, the wounded Scots will travel to Wales for a match they must win. Scotland were truly abysmal last week. No ideas, no direction, and a stupid try. Dan Parks avoided public flogging by retiring and Scotland will try and get their mobile back row on top. Wales showed fantastic back play last week. The emergence of George North as one of the World’s most devastating runners caused massive problems for the Irish. The Welsh threequarters are truly frightening. Roberts, Davies, North and Cuthbert are all huge and the problem for a defensive set up is who do you target., Mark up Roberts and you leave large gaps for Jonathan Davies to exploit. Mark the wingers and you leave Roberts with an open card to smash you into submission. Wales get the ball in the backs and its game over. Wales have recalled Jenkins at loose head prop. A move OI don’t support. I felt Rhys Gill had the upper hand over the vastly more experienced Mike Ross. Scotland won’t have Murray available as it’s a Sunday game, so Wales should be looking to build a solid scrum. Their line out was woeful last week and with Bradley Davies banned; it’s an unconvincing Welsh second row. How fit are Warburton and Lydiate? I think Wales will really struggle with Scotland back row. It will be a much tighter game than many expect as Scotland will not want to repeat last week’s horror show. A very tight match. Wales 13 Scotland 12