Rugby

that's a bit hopeful....!

good luck.

didn't see the usual international period bumpage of this thread so thought I'd do it myself..

Probably the most open 6 nations for years now. I think there are 3 teams that could realistically take it and another couple that could surprise us.

Surprisingly, England look the most settled (if not the most attacking/inventive) and they've picked a very lumpy squad to face Wales tonight. They'll be hoping to get stuck into the weakened Welsh forwards and not give their attacking talents behind any good ball to play with.

Ireland have probably got the best draw for fixtures (the two favourites England and France on home soil and a starting match against Italy) which could translate into good momentum which is always needed to get things together in the 6N. They might be missing Ferris and Heaslip but O'Brien, Wallace and Leamy are more than ample replacements. Also, with the addition of Mike Ross in the front row and Cian Healy's continued development, they could have improved on their biggest weakness of recent times.

France probably have the most talented squad available to them but their poor performances in the autumn internationals have somewhat stunted their momentum. If they can pull it together, they'll be on course but away matches against Ireland and England will be tough if they're not in the right frame of mind.

Wales are another team in a bit of disarray form wise and with some important injuries (front row in particular) they could find themselves struggling. They're always dangerous with ball in hand but if the set piece isn't up to scratch they could once again be guilty of trying to force their hand and being too open.

Scotland have been steadily building for the last couple of seasons and with some exciting youngsters coming through (Richie Gray, Rauridh Jackson) they could take advantage of the open-ness of the tournament and surprise some people.

Italy as ever will struggle this season. They've always got a strong pack and can challenge on that front but this year especially they're struggling for quality in the backs (half-backs in particular). No doubt they'll put in some good challenges but don't expect much.

In a world cup year this could be the best indicator of how the northern hemisphere teams will fare in the big one in NZ.

My predictions:
1.Ireland
2.England
3.France
4.Scotland
5.Wales
6.Italy

i had tickets for wales vs england tonight too, pity i'm still in london :(
gatland has been making noises this week, johnson just shrugs and smiles..

my prediction for 6 nations:

1. Ireland
   
2. Scotland (hoping for a better show this year)
   
3. England
   
4. Wales
   
5. France
   
6. Italy
   
   

my favourite players of all time.. hmm

either paul o'connell
YouTube - Paul O'Connell - Manic Aggression

or victor matfield
YouTube - Victor Matfield The line out king

Prediction it is.

1. France
   
2. Ireland
   
3. England
   
4. Wales
   
5. Scotland
   
6. Italy
   
   
   

I'm sticking with last years prediction.
It was right then and so I guess it'll be right again this year.

you a second row then almac?

I can see Scotland surprising but predicting them to finish 2nd would be going too much with my heart than with my head :P

Favourite all-time players (in no particular order and with little thought on the matter):

This guy will always be in my list.

you a second row then almac?

I can see Scotland surprising but predicting them to finish 2nd would be going too much with my heart than with my head :P

Favourite all-time players (in no particular order and with little thought on the matter):

Aaahhh, Steve Thompson amongst your favourite all time players. Very sweet of you ;)

Ireland are a spent force!

England or France will win, Scotland pull out a surprise or two, Wales disappoint as usual, and Italy will show a bit of improvement

Ha, ironic.. Steve Thompson is amongst my least favourite players of all time.

Along with Matt Dawson, Ben Cohen, Mat Banahan..

Ireland are a spent force!

England or France will win, Scotland pull out a surprise or two, Wales disappoint as usual, and Italy will show a bit of improvement

Doubtful, if anything they're resurgent. Cian Healy, Sean O'Brien, Tomas O'Leary, Jonathan Sexton, Keith Earls, Fergus McFadden and Luke Fitzgerald are all relatively newly blooded and have shown their class at least in this season.

If there weren't injuries then Heaslip and Ferris would be in ahead of at least Leamy and possibly David Wallace too.

A good mix of youth and experience I'd say.

give him a break, his comeback is a bit of a fairytale. His England selection is a bit of a stretch though.

I can see where you're coming from with Ben Cohen, but all Northampton fans love him.

Doubtful, if anything they're resurgent. Cian Healy, Sean O'Brien, Tomas O'Leary, Jonathan Sexton, Keith Earls, Fergus McFadden and Luke Fitzgerald are all relatively newly blooded and have shown their class at least in this season.

If there weren't injuries then Heaslip and Ferris would be in ahead of at least Leamy and possibly David Wallace too.

A good mix of youth and experience I'd say.

I am going to have to disagree - no one really world class coming through for Ireland, though i do rate sexton

I'll get the humble pie on the go..

Don't forget that Keith Earls and Luke Fitzgerald both went on the last Lions tour. Tomas O'Leary would have been there too if not for an unfortunate injury.

Was that pie for you? Very lucky Ireland, Italy played well but still they willneed to improve a lot for your prediciton to work out.

Almost a very classic upset. Shame the rest of the match was so dull

you a second row then almac?

I can see Scotland surprising but predicting them to finish 2nd would be going too much with my heart than with my head :P

i generally played fly half, centre even winger and not big enough for 2nd row.

scotland more heart than head for sure,

i enjoy playing touch rugby these days. regular get togethers in regents park during the summer and staging events around london's smaller and older clubs.. old albanians, old actonians, reading, old verulamians, barking (jason leonard's old club) esher (john inverdale's club) dagenham, redingensians.. looking at sevens style comp at london nigerians this summer..

Was that pie for you? Very lucky Ireland, Italy played well but still they willneed to improve a lot for your prediciton to work out.

Missed the match but the proof will be in the final table pudding :P

RO'G droppie at the death as ever. The boys will need to up it to really compete but a win's a win's a win.

italy so close.. wake up for ireland for sure..
scotland need to start well, and keep their heads
and the scots have the best national anthem too..

I quite like the french one nice and up beat, shame it's wasted on them! This better be a good game as i've got a load of uni work i should be doing.

So france not good enough for a sponsor or too classy? National shirts look much better without.

oh dear what a pass, france are all over this now

not as far ahead as they should have been (similar to the England match I feel) but France were always comfortable.

If they can cut out some silly errors Scotland will definitely win at least 2 games this year.

Favorite player...

Running a pretty close second...

So france not good enough for a sponsor or too classy? National shirts look much better without.

I think you'll find the French national jersey never has had a sponsor (outside of the manufacturer)

Scotland played well, despite the loss that was the best rugby their backline has played in years.