The first weekend of the 2014 Six Nations
proved to be a good one for Rugby raconteur with 3 accurate predictions. The
pick of the matches being the clash of the titans in Paris between France and
England. As predicted, these two teams look like the teams to beat in this
year’s championship.
Elsewhere, a lacklustre Wales stuttered to
a narrow win over an improving Italy in Cardiff and Ireland predictably put
Scotland to the sword on Sunday in Dublin. One playing position stood out to me
as the highlight of the weekend and it's a position without a name just a
number – the No.8.
All three matches saw outstanding displays
of some of the world’s best exponents of the back of the scrum loose forward
play. In Paris, Louis Picamoles and the barnstorming Billy Vunipola were very
impressive. If eth Toulouse giant Picamoles was the pick of the first half,
then Vunipola’s break to set up Burrell’s final England try was equally
breathtaking in its ferocity.
In Cardiff, Sergio Parisse showed why many
believe (along with Keiron Reed) that he is the world’s best No.8. He was
everywhere. In defence, in attack and played a real Captains’ role. Hard to
believe the man has 101 caps. For Wales, Tulepa (‘Don’t call me Toby”) Faletau
also was impressive, perhaps the pick of the Welsh forwards. His play around
the breakdowns won Wales two crucial penalties and his ball carrying was also
very impressive.
Last year, Jamie Heaslip lost the plot and
had a poor tournament. So in Dublin, it was great to see him deservedly pick
out the Man of the Match award. Again – a dominant display of the art of the
No. 8. Dave Denton from Scotland also had a strong game and only the efforts of
3 Irish defenders stopped him from scoring in the first half. With hindsight,
perhaps the one incident which swung the game towards Ireland.
Still – enough of week 1, let’s look
forward to this weekend’s encounters:
IRELAND v WALES
Ireland looked strong and back to there
best in beating a disappointing Scotland in the Dublin sunshine. Sexton and
Murray bossed the halfbacks, and the Kearney brothers were the pick of the Three
quarters. Rob Kearney in particular back to his best. Up front, the
aforementioned Heaslip was backed up strongly by Cian Healy and the excellent
Chris Henry. There were times when one was thinking Sean Who? Ireland not
missing the injured Sean O’Brien. Joe
Schmidt has done a great job in a short time in turning Ireland around.
Wales looked rusty but lets not panic yet.
The final score flattered Italy with their first try coming off a clear forward
pass, and the second a good interception off sloppy predictable passing by
Halfpenny. Roberts looked strong. North and Cuthbert didn’t really get in the
game but are still very powerful and will cause Ireland some sleepless
nights. I thought the much-criticised
Rhys Priestland had an excellent game. It hard for me to believe the vitriol he
got on many forums and social media sites. The lad just can’t win.
This weekend’s clash will be won or lost in
the pack. I am very excited to see how the two front rows measure up. Wales did
not seem to cope well with the new scrimmaging changes and whether or not
Gethin Jenkins and Adam Jones can get the better of Healy and Ross could be
decisive.
In the second row, Ireland are massively
boosted by the return of Paul O’Connell while Alun Wynne-Jones was very
impressive last week with both line out and ball carrying. The back rows look evenly matched and penalty
kicks will be crucial. The recall of Warburton was inevitable as Justin Tipuric looked lightweight and out of sorts last week.
If Wales can keep the ball and find the
space to get their huge backs moving then they can win the game. Last year,
Ireland caught Wales asleep in the first half and never looked back despite a
late Welsh come back.
The choice of Wayne Barnes as referee will
be a concern for Ireland. Many will not forget his late penalty two years ago,
which enabled Wales to sneak a narrow victory. The controversial Lions
selections of Warren Gatland have made him a hate figure and Ireland will want
to win desperately as the crowd has been baying for blood.
In the end – I don’t see Wales scoring two
tries and that is what will be needed to win. Ireland to triumph again. I hope I am wrong on this one and the dragon prevails...
IRELAND 23 WALES 19
SCOTLAND v ENGLAND
What can you say about Scotland other than
what a disappointment they were in Dublin. Kelly Brown has paid the price of
failure and is one of three changes by Scotland with Chris Pisaro getting a
debut cap and Matt Scott replacing Duncan Taylor at centre, with wing Tommy
Seymour coming in for the injured Sean Maitland.
You simply can’t have 60% possession in the
first half and not go in leading at half time. The loss of Sean Maitland is a
big one and it is vary hard to see Scotland bouncing back despite their
historic great record over England at Murrayfield. The Calcutta Cup is usually
a great event, especially at Murrayfield where despite overwhelming odds,
Scotland have a great record over the English.
Greig Laidlaw takes over the Captaincy and
his metronomic boot may be all that keeps Scotland in it. Stuart Hogg was one of the few bright spots
of last week’s debacle and if he can get moving forward, then Scotland could
possibly cause a few faster beating hearts in the English.
England were simply very unlucky in Paris.
A slow start was damaging but Lancaster’s experimental side showed great heart
and almost pulled off the win. I am
pleased to see Jonny May get another start and the young Exeter winger Nowell bounced
back strongly to give a fine display after a mistake gifted France an early
score. Mike Brown had his usual reliable game at full back and Danny Care laid
down a strong marker at Scrum half to make the No.9 jersey his own with a
strong display.
Elsewhere, the Centre combination of
Twelvetrees and Burrell was a disappointment. I for one was calling for the
combination and it didn’t work. Twelvetrees in particular, was disappointing.
Maybe he just doesn’t have it at international level. He had two poor games in
the autumn and this one wasn’t much better.
The Lancaster regime is certainly spotting
talent early and his choice of three-quarters is unbelievable. England seem to have
a winger factory and are producing some excellent talent.
In the forwards, Lawes has a strong game
along with Billy Vunipola. If Scotland have any chance they have to win in the
pack but it’s hard to see with the dropping of Kelly Brown and Richie Grey – a
Lion in the summer – not even making the bench. Strange decisions in my eyes.
I see England running riot with at least 4
tries. A rout is on the cards I’m afraid.
SCOTLAND 9 ENGLAND 36
FRANCE v ITALY
Italy had a strong game in Cardiff and will
be very difficult to beat in Rome. Parisse was the pick of the forwards as
expected, but Italy now have an impressive back line with Centre Campagnaro
grabbing the attention with two tries. At Tomasso Allen and Luke McLean were
also impressive and if Italy can handle the Paris pressure then we could have a
great match on the cards.
France were impressive but as usual, their
penchant for giving away penalties and defensive weaknesses hurt them against
England. Fofana was impressive despite tight marking and Huget had a great game
on the wing. He was the scapegoat last year so it is good to see him also
bounce back this year with a strong performance. Jules Plisson had a mixed game at Outside
half and needs to do better if we wants to retain the shirt long term.
Yannick Nyanga was marauding around the
fringes against England and his ball carrying was very impressive. Veteran
Pascal Pape will secure solid line out ball but overall in the pack, arguably,
Italy may have the edge.
The Italian front row of Rizzo, Ghiraldini and Castrogiovanni will cause France some issues in the scrum and Italy need to secure as much possession as possible because with the ball in hand, the unpredictable French
backs could boss the game. I see a tight competition for much of the match but
France should have the edge with the Home crowd behind them to sneak it. France
by 2 scores.
FRANCE 26 ITALY 16
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