6 Nations - the best Irish team in a generation!

 

 (picture http://bit.ly/1EGN31O)

The 6 Nations 2015 wrapped up with a fantastic advert for the game. Ireland squeaked in with a back to back 6 Nations title, our first since 1949. We have the best rugby team in a generation. The ladies joined the party too, smashing Scotland 70-3, and claiming their second title in 3 years. So it was a good weekend for rugby, a good weekend for Irish rugby – the only thing it wasn’t good for was your heart!

I endured every minute of the three games on the trot, watching bravely on in spite of an imminent massive coronary, coping with the mood swings, making every tackle, bursting for every line. Spare a thought for Welsh and English hearts too.

Wales Italy was up first, and the Italians decided they wanted to play early on -  you knew Wales were going to come back but you felt confident that they wouldn’t do too much damage. That confidence evaporated as Wales kicked into gear in the second half, and it was raining tries, this was it, Wales had done it, we had too much work to do.

Then Scotland v Ireland, a bit jittery early on, especially when Scotland got their try, but the supreme competency of the Irish team, their excellence of execution, settled my nerves as they steadily built up a formidable lead. There were a few tries left behind, a few errant penalties, but on the whole, we did as much as we could. There were towering performances from O’Mahoney, Heaslip and especially, O’Brien, Healy and O’Connell were immense, Sexton and Murray back on song, tough to single anyone out, but this isn’t a team of superstars, this victory, and the title, was built on hard work.

So going into the final match, my confidence and sprits were up again, France had the best defence in the competition, they’d never ship a 26 point victory. With a try and conversion for England in the first two minutes, I was plunged back into the depths of despair, France hadn’t turned up, it was going to be an English rout! How very French of the French to then decide they did actually want to play, and play really well, and with sumptuous running lines, inch perfect passes, they quickly went into the lead. Although, in heart stopping fashion, the French wing  Nakaitaci waited until literally the last millisecond to ground the ball before he ran out of play. England are a better team than France, and they fought back building up a lead – oh god they’re going to win! – but  the French keep on chipping back with tries of their own – whew! Allez Les Bleus! After 80 minutes of hammering away at each other, with England on the French line pressing for that last try, they gave away a penalty – game over – we’ve won! But France of course still have to run the ball, as a torrent of bad language erupts in every house in Ireland- Kick it out! KICK THE %$£ING THING OUT!

Very hard for Wales and England to take, but we won the title with the best defence, and by taking the points when we could in every game.

A final word for the generosity of the Scots in letting the Irish fans stay in Murrayfield to watch the final match, and to be on hand ofr the presentation of the cup.

Saturday, March 21
Italy 20 - 61 Wales    12:30
Scotland 10 - 40 Ireland    14:30
England 55 - 35 France    17:00

I'm sorry my Wolfhound bit your Saxon!

 

 Sean O'Brien (http://es.pn/1veZb9F)

It’s NEARLY the Six Nations, and tonight we have a teaser, an aperitif if you like for the main event.  Ireland have put out a really strong starting 15, am I right that only Jack Conan is uncapped. The pack is fairly Leinster heavy, with  Iain Henderson the only player not fortunate enough to be plying his trade in Dublin. I’m joking! I am surprised not to see Tommy O’Donnell and a few others – probably Robbie Diack starting. It’s a bit early, and at too high a level to be bringing back SOB, in my opinion. The backline looks very fast and skilled, I’d never have put Earls into centre but let’s see.

The Saxons have also put out a strong looking team, so it’s going to be a good old fashioned full blooded encounter I’d say! BRING IT ON!

Irish Wolfhounds:

Felix Jones (captain), Fergus McFadden, Keith Earls, Gordon D'Arcy, Luke Fitzgerald; Ian Madigan, Kieran Marmion; Jack McGrath, Richardt Strauss, Mike Ross; Iain Henderson, Mike McCarthy; Dominic Ryan, Sean O'Brien, Jack Conan

Replacements:

Rob Herring, Michael Bent, Nathan White, Robbie Diack; Eoin McKeon, Isaac Boss, Noel Reid, Craig Gilroy

Saxons

Pennell (Worcester), C Ashton (Saracens), E Daly (Wasps), S Burgess (Bath), H Slade (Exeter), L Dickson (Northampton, capt), M Mullan (Wasps), R Webber (Bath), H Thomas (Bath), M Garvey (Bath), J Gaskell (Wasps), D Ewers (Exeter), M Kvesic (Gloucester), T Waldrom (Exeter).

Replacements: L Cowan Dickie (Exeter), A Waller (Northampton), J Cooper-Woolley (Wasps), M Itoje (Saracens), C Fearns (Bath), J Simpson (Wasps), O Devoto (Bath), C Wade (Wasps).

The Hounds chew up the Saxons!

 

 (picture http://bit.ly/1aAIY47)

The Irish Wolfhounds picked up a decent little win against the English Saxons at Welford Rd on Saturday. Ireland had a lot more experience than their hosts, but at home, with the depth that English rugby has to offer, I was still expecting England to probably win.

The Saxons, however, looked flat – Freddie Burns had a match to forget, and they had no penetration, against a superbly well organised Irish defense. They were out muscled in the scrum, and all England had to show for their efforts was a lot of ball, a lot of territory, a penalty, and a gift of a try. Boss was totally in command of the game, and behind him Madigan ran a tidy game. Boss scored an embarrasingly easytry, and then Madigan, who’s lethal from 5m out, added his own – he could run through a steel door at that distance.

The only thing Madigan needs to work on is his territorial play – he should have kept Ireland down in the Saxons 25 with the wind behind him in the first half. Apart from that, him and Boss were a class above Keatley and Marmion, who in the last 2 minutes each gave the Saxons pressure free ball to gave the watertight Irish defense another frenzied workout.

The pack was as solid as a rock, the tight five effective and physical, and the loose trio cleaned up the Saxons at the break down. That pack could be the Ireland pack one day. I thought Henshaw really looked the part of an international, and Fergus Mc Fadden is just invaluable for his speed of decision and deftness of touch

For the Saxons, Joe Simpson was the standout player.

International Match
Saturday , January 25
England Saxons 8 - 14 Irish Wolfhounds

6 Nations 2012 -Wales get the Slam, Scotland get the wooden spoon, and Ireland get to think again

(picure http://bit.ly/x3B9sd )

Amnesty International have been called in to investigate claims that Scotland and Italy were guilty of torturing a rugby match at the Stadio Olympico on saturday. There are two hours of video footage for them to study, but believe me, it’s too brutal to watch.  Italy claimed the honours, and the Scots walk off with the wooden spoon, rounding off another hugely disappointing season for them. Time for  a new coach I’d say.

Wales started a bit nervy at the Millenium Stadium, but a try from Alex Cuthbert steadied their nerves, and they went on to claim a well deserved Grand Slam, their third in 8 years. They have a young team that probably has a good few more slams in the tank. Good times for Welsh rugby. France are totally at sixes and sevens, Saint Andre is under pressure already, the circus continues.

Finally, England handed out a good thrashing to Ireland, to claim second spot and end their season on a high. We’ve enjoyed a lot of success against England in recent years, but on Saturday it was our turn to take the medicine. England found the weak spot in our team on the day – our front row- and exploited it to the max. There’s no easy fix for that either, the Irish cupboard is bare of props right now. And we have to rethink some of the selections – D’Arcy and O’Callaghan are yesterdays men. And Tomas O’Leary, while he played a vital part in our ’09 Slam, is woefully out of form. Boss, Marshall and even Stringer should be above him in the pecking order.

6 Nations Awards

Team of the Tournament – Wales

Player of the Tournament - Jonathan Davies

Outstanding contribution to comedy award – France – they are in a class of their own here

Moustache of the tournament  - Italian coach Jacques Brunel (takes over from Marc Lievremont)

One to watch – Owen Farrell

The Dilly dally award  - Lee Dickson – Get the ball out of the ruck!

RBS Six Nations Saturday , March 17
Italy 13 - 6 Scotland 
Wales 16 - 9 France 
England 30 - 9 Ireland

6 Nations - Scots to sack Rome, Ireland to paint the town green, and the Welsh be slammin'

"the piglet" (picture  http://bit.ly/AtsXwT )

It’s superlatives Saturday this weekend in the 6 Nations, with the biggest, the baddest, the bestest matches -and Italy take on Scotland.

Yes, its wooden spoon time in Rome, who wants a glitzy cup when you can be a proud owner of a hand crafted object made only from natural materials? How horrible that both Italy’s and Scotland’s season’s are so often defined by this match. Scotland have to come good sometime, and I think this is their time, although it goes without saying that it won’t be pretty.

This weekend, Irish people get to celebrate that special day when we can all let our hair down, and get somewhere the wrong side of locked. Yes, it’s the day we call ‘Saturday’! But seriously, taking on England at Twickenham on Paddy’s Day, how sweet is that? With the way the economy is, the proper London Irish (aka half of London) are likely to be out in force, and in the mood for a party. It’s going to feel halfway like a home match for Ireland. And we’ve had the obligatory off field sparring, with Stephen  Ferris branding England  ‘Arrogant’. Thinking of players like Ashton and Hartley, where does he get that idea from? We pooped England’s grand slam party last year ( and cost Nike a bit of money and a few blushes http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=pJ5VT_u3Lb4 ), so they they’ll be in the mood to settle that score, and they harbour the faint hope of Championship this year anyway.  With all due respect to our bigger neighbours, any year we beat England is a good year. This is a hard one to call with Ireland picking up a bit of form in the last few weeks, and England even more so. We still have big names missing, but have players ready and able to fill those boots. My heart says Ireland, my head says Eng..Eng..Eng feck it Ireland! Ireland it is.

Wales are going for the Grand Slam against a French team that is frankly, not to put too fine a point on it, getting on my tits. Saint Andre nicknamed Le Goret ("the piglet") in his playing days, has aptly taken up where his predecessor Lievremont left off, in making a pigs ear out a of silk purse. I thought that with a decent coach we’d finally see the real France emerge, but plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose. That’s not to say they won’t win this match, hammer Wales at home, and hand the championship to England. Apart from anything else, that will totally bugger up my office draw, with no one at all backing England. I should have listened to my non rugby watching colleague Mary when she described them as ‘cheese eating surrender monkeys’. Wales have looked a bit creaky the last few weeks, and the French have everything they need except a backbone to do the job, but for the style of play Wales showed when they beat Ireland, they deserve to win this match, and should get slammed up again on Saturday. I’ll take my tips from Mary more often.

RBS Six Nations
Saturday , March 17
Italy vs Scotland 12:30
Wales vs France 14:45
England vs Ireland 17:00

6 Nations - Wales did enough, Ireland and England did well, and the French were unbelievable - but not in a good way

Star in the making (Picture http://bit.ly/z5IfzO )

Wales opened up the weekend by beating Italy comfortably in the end, but the match was a dull as ditchwater.  George Clancy blew the game, and his ears will be burning from what’s being said about him in Wales. Italy had a good day on defence, Wales had a poor day on attack and the resu....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz Where was I?  It was an ordinary day at the office for Wales, who peaked in their win against Ireland, and have been winning ever since, but slipping in their performances. Italy’s backline is completely clueless, treating the ball like a live grenade, to be disposed of as quickly as possible.
That was the starter, the main course was Ireland taking on Scotland, where there was more excitement in every 5 minute spell in the first half than in the whole of the first game. Scotland need a good playmaker at 10 so badly it’s just not funny. They have forwards to burn, but the backline is a barren zone for creativity. It’s 15 against 8 when they play Ireland, and Ireland faltered a few times but they always had a few more gears to go to when they needed to. Ryan, O’Mahoney, Ferris and Kearney were all superb, the whole team stood up, and we have a good bench these days too. Bowe would have got a try if the officials hadn’t got all technical. We’ve scored the most points in the tournament so far, and have the best points difference too.  We get to go to Twickenham with our tails up, while Scotland face the grim battle of the wooden spoon with Italy next weekend.


France entertained England in Paris, on a day when the English shone. They didn’t really have to do anything special, just whatever need to be done, while the French tied themselves in knots, played in fits and starts and generally fannied about as you’d expect the French to. Owen Farell is a star in the making, and Croft is back to his best. Apart from Dusatoir , Harinordiquay, and Fofana in patches, France were pretty desperate. This is Wales Slam in all but name now.

Saturday , March 10
Wales 24 - 3 Italy 
Ireland 32 - 14 Scotland
Sunday , March 11
France 22 - 24 England

6Nations - the Cro Magnons will triumph in Dublin

Scotland need more Cro Magnons

Wales will be at home on Saturday afternoon, enjoying a take away pizza, with full Italian seasoning. Their biggest risk in this game is shipping any more injuries as they are starting to get a bit thin on the ground, but they should beat Italy comfortably.

In the later kick off, Ireland take on Scotland at the Aviva in what’s likely to be an epic battle. Rugby is a visceral game, appealing to the primordial enjoyment of combat in all of us. That’s why primordials are best suited to playing the game, with Neanderthals commonly used in the scrum, while Cro-Magnons , slightly higher in the evolutionary pecking order, make good backs. Ireland have a good selection of both Neanderthals and Cro-Magnons to choose from,  while unfortunately Scotland currently have a dearth of Cro-Magnons, and have been forced to select mainly Neanderthals in the back line. The Scottish supporters will no doubt be trying to capture some good breeding stock to improve their gene pool while they’re over for the match, and as by observation, all the ladies like a man in a kilt, they could well get a result.
I’m actually reasonably worried about this match, as Scotland are picking up a bit of form, and their massive pack is going to attempt to knock the stuffing  out of us. Without a decent kicker  for Scotland though, I’d say we’ll scrape by even without the inspirational Paul O’Connell. And Dublin will rock this weekend, because as the say, ‘the craic is mighty’ when the Scots come to town.

Sunday could be a classic as England travel to Paris to take on France. There’s huge history between these two teams and countries, on and off the field, and their relationship is perfectly summed up by this interview with former international Sebastian Chabal, in France.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfUmW_Mf5qc
You have an English reporter, with no French, at a press conference in France, trying to talk to a Frenchman who can speak English but won’t.

France are nowhere near the heights they reached in last year’s World Cup, while conversely, England are nowhere near the lows they reached at their tournament. It’s an England side with a lot of potential, but not really a team yet, although they have some very good promising individual players. If France is Irelands bogey tem, then England is France’s, but at home, their crowd won’t tolerate a loss and they should win.

RBS Six Nations
Saturday , March 10
Wales vs Italy 14:30
Ireland vs Scotland 17:00
Sunday , March 11
France vs England 15:00

6 Nations - short and bittersweet in Paris

Two strings to his Bowe (picture http://bit.ly/ABHF1Y )

So the first one was called off, the second was a draw, could we not make this the best of three and get a result here?  We had such a good chance with the half time lead to get a result in Paris for the first time in 12 years but it wasn’t to be. Sarkozy himself probably nipped down to the changing rooms at half time and described what the impact of an Irish win would have on the terms of our bail out deal.  It is going to go down as the one that got away, but it’s a good while since Ireland have played that way, and it is France at home we are talking here. From any angle, what both teams managed to do with a ball that must have been like a bar of soap was pretty amazing. Bowe was the stand out player with two trys that he made with his own fair hands. And Kearney, what can you say? O’Connell is a complete legend too, how many French ribs have got an ice pack on them courtesy of him? Ferris would put the fear of God into anyone with his tackling and Best was outstanding. For the French, Dusatoir and Maestri were the stand out players for me.

This isn’t Ireland’s six Nations, but with two matches to go we can still go out on a high.


RBS Six Nations
Sunday , March 4
France vs Ireland 15:00

6 Nations - Paris in the spring - but is the French Cockerel going to be plucked up?

We're going to pluck you up!

This is an open letter to the French Rugby Federation. Paris is a delightful city, and while our supporters last time enjoyed your scenic but overpriced hotels, and sampled your world renowned (but exorbitantly priced) cuisine, none of that was an issue – we’re Irish, we’re used to being ripped off. Supporters  travelled to your famed city in a variety of ways, some flew in comfort (Aer Lingus, Air France) some flew cheap and nasty (Ryanair), some watched from the comfort of their own lounge , or at their local pub.

And we know how these things can sneak up on you, we realise you only had six months to prepare for the match, from the time the fixtures were announced. But we were thinking, both travelling supporters, and those left behind, if it isn’t too much trouble, would you be able to provide a pitch a match can actually be played on this time? We understand it can sometimes be difficult to meet the high expectations of fans, but if you’re not too busy getting pissed on your admittedly superb wine, chasing skirt (or trouser, whichever is your fancy) thumbing your noses at the English (although we do that too) and whatever other busy affairs you have to tend to, a pitch our team can play on would be class. Thanks, yours etc.

Now I have that off my chest, what about the match?  Ireland have an unchanged side from last week. We still look a little off the pace, and need a big step up to get a result in Paris. The French have not really hit their straps either, so both sides are looking for a win here to kick on the rest of their challenge. We have a bit of an issue with the French. The English for instance can be bigger, faster, stronger than us but when we need to we can really pull one out the fire with them. Apart from the odd occasion we beat them, you’re always left with sense of frustration after playing them, that feeling we haven’t done ourselves justice. I would so love to see the French cockerel slaughtered, plucked, spatchcocked and roast a on a barbeque. If our loose trio gets going, and Earls clicks at centre, and we get a bit dollop of luck, we could sneak it. But Paris is a hard place to go and win, so I’m going with a narrow loss for Ireland.

RBS Six Nations Sunday , March 4
France vs Ireland 15:00

6 Nations - England get really close, Scotland fairly close, and Italy nowhere close

The last handy running Scot before Hogg (picture http://bit.ly/yt2mpo )

Ireland got things underway at the Aviva on Saturday with a convincing win over the ItaliansThe Italians made a good fist of taking the game to a rusty looking Ireland in the first half. The crowd was starting to get pretty restless – first we went to France, and you didn’t play, then we come to the Aviva and you don’t play either. After half time, normal service was resumed and Ireland ran out easy winners. Earls got one, so did Court and Trimble, and Bowe got two, while Kearney is back to near his best. Eoin Reddan’s introduction speeded the game up and gave ~Ireland the front foot ball they needed, and Sexton’s near impeccable boot kept the score board ticking. Kidney must be feeling the pressure a bit – moving Bowe into centre, and using his bench effectively – very unKidney like. So We’re back on horse with a win, let’s get stuck into the French now.

It wasn’t the massacre I predicted at Twickenham as the English manned up and could have got a result with a bit more composure. They’ll feel a bit hard done by, but this isn’t the last great scorer, it’s the jungle of the 6 Nations, and whether you win or lose gets marked, not how you played the game. I just wish Wales had played that badly against us. England defended well, and attacked well, but only in fits and starts. In the long run, that’s not an issue as the new combinations will gel, and they are only going to get better. The Welsh had no rhythm, and there was no flow to their game. Wales staggered but progressed, England came out of it honour intact, and it’s all still to play for as the 6N is not won or lost yet.

The French in typical fashion, kept the Scots guessing up until the last ten minutes, then turned on the power and put the game to bed. It was a hard fought full blooded affair, one for the RSPCA to get on the case, as I saw cruelty to several animals including Rougerie and Grey. On the positive side, Scotland scored two tries, and their backs looked like they really meant it for the first time since, um, Scot Hastings played. On the downside, it’s played three, lost three, and they are going to arriving in Dublin desperate for a win. France are looking frighteningly good (exhibit A – Fofana), and the Wales France match is going to be a killer.

In the Pro 12, Ulster, Munster and Connacht won. Leinster got an away draw against Glasgow, which I didn’t catch because I hadn’t worked enough credit in. Result for Irish rugby!

RBS Six Nations
Saturday , February 25

Ireland 42 - 10 Italy 
England 12 - 19 Wales

Sunday , February 26

Scotland 17 - 23 France

I'm tipping Ireland, Wales, France, and Stan for Munster!

Stan for Munster (picture http://bit.ly/xfxQNq )

Ireland are up first to defend their honour against the Italians, and to get back on the horse after their defeat to Wales.  The team still has a bit of a stodgy feel it to it, with O’Callaghan and D’Arcy there for the ride, and Earls badly misplaced in center.  He’s not there for his tackling or handling skills, fairly basic requisites for a center. D’Arcy may be there because of a lack of options, but the time is now to be giving Bowe a go, or look at O’Malley, even Trimble could be an option.  Italy have taken a punt on Tobias Botes  (pronounced Bow-tez) at fly half. Not a bad player, but he can’t kick penalties to save his life. I can’t see any other way Italy are going to score points, so that pretty well scuppers whatever slim chance they had in the first place. I don’t know if it’ll be proscecco rugby from Ireland but they will surely win this easily.

The match of the weekend is the contest between England and Wales. Wales are like a juggernaut pounding down the M25, while England are more like a mini with a learner driver, changing lanes without checking their rearview mirror. The results are not likely to be pretty. England may well beef their team up with Flood, Lawes and Tuallagi, but – loads of unfamiliar combinations, it’s not likely to gel in time. Could easily be a match to go down in history, and not for the reasons England want. Wales by 10-14 points. While we’re on Wales they’ve apparently been boosting their fitness with treatment s in freezing cryochambers in Poland. Aren’t those the ones the Irish team used in the build up to the 07 world cup, which did us basically feck all good. Do you think the Poles sabotaged the chambers as payback for us robbing them of a generation of young people?

The final match of the weekend is Edinburgh, where the Scots will be trying to get the better of the French. Thanks to a colossal balls up on the part of French rugby in Paris on THAT Saturday night, they haven’t played together for a three weeks, while the Scots were actively bashing their brains out  against Wales a mere two weeks ago. The Scots stepped up their game from England to Wales and if they step up again, they are going to give the French a good match. France may feel the backlash of a lingering grudge by the Scots for decisions going against them against Wales. The French, on paper, should beat them easily, and will probably do that.

Finally, with Tony McGahan on his way out of Munster, time to throw a leftfield suggestion into the hat. With the IRFU and the FAI sharing the Aviva Stadium, could the spirit of sharing not extend to managers, or in this case , ex managers, namely Steve Staunton? Graham Henry could be an advisor, but I’d back Stan the Gaffer to deliver something completely unexpected for Munster.

RBS Six Nations Saturday , February 25
Ireland vs Italy 13:30
England vs Wales 16:00
Sunday , February 26
Scotland vs France 15:00

Snow in Rome, no go in Paris, and no luck for the Scots

Fat lot of good that did (picure http://bit.ly/ziiqqF )

Snow in Rome for the Six Nations match between England and  Italy... and the snow on the pitch was a lot prettier than the match that was played on it. Easy to  be cynical from a warm dry couch, but you’re not likely to see three more shambolic international tries in a hurry. There was lots of aimless kicking, interspersed with plenty of earnest but ineffectual bashing up the pitch, scrum resets and failed line-outs. But frankly what were we expecting, it was cold and wet, Italy are the least skilful team in the 6N and England has a young inexperienced team. As hard as England tried to throw the game away, Italy just went that extra mile to hand it back to back to them on a plate, with charge down Charlie providing the final coup de grace.

To put it all into perspective, the first match of the day was the pinnacle of organisation compared to events in Paris that evening. So the Italians, where rugby is complete minority sport, laugh off the first snowfall in Rome in 27 years and get THEIR show on the road, while the French, moneybags of the world of rugby, call the match off two minutes before kickoff in front of a packed stadium because of a frozen pitch? Ireland didn’t lose on Saturday night, so at least that was some good news.

Wales saw off the Scots on Sunday in a gritty encounter.  Is there any description of Scottish rugby that doesn’t involve the word gritty somewhere? The Scots managed to drag the game down into an arm wrestle in the first half, then an error from the kick off led to a Welsh try, and after that, the Scottish yellow cards ended the match as contest, as the Welsh scored first against 14, then against 13. Scotland finished the stronger, and got a try, their first in 5 games. Wales could be going for the slam now, they didn’t play as well as they did against Ireland, and they are shipping injuries at an alarming rate, but they have momentum.
RBS Six Nations

Italy 15 - 19 England
Wales 27 - 13 Scotland

6 nations preview from a bitter, bitter man

Even though I’m not quite finished sulking over last week’s loss to Wales, I suppose there’s matches on this weekend, so whatever, here are my predictions. And wayhey! It’s post number 200. However did I get here?

The ‘action’ if that’s what we’ll call out, kicks off in Italy at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. Stuart Lancaster , caretaker coach, is apparently ‘excited’ by England at the moment. No there’s a man that’s easily pleased. This match promises all the excitement, tension and display of skills that were evident in the Scotalnd/England match i.e. not very much. England have a load of youngsters on a learning curve, and I know Italy beat France here last year. But that’s the bloody French. Italy will only win this England somehow manage to hand it to them on a plate.

Playing the French is difficult enough for Ireland at the best of times, never mind when they’re at home, nevermind when you’re still trying to pick yourself up from being stabbed in the back by your erstwhile Celtic ‘mates’, Wales. Then to add to that, they gone and put the match at 8.00 pm, it’s going to be freezing cold, and even the French are saying the pitch is going to be like concrete. So what can we expect from Ireland? They weren’t terrible against Wales, just inconsistent, so I suppose it’s fortunate in a way we get to play the team whose middle name is ‘inconsistency’ next. We have to work on our tackling and our defence. We seemed to stand off Wales a bit, and not get stuck in to the rucks and mauls. So we need to change all that, and get the Leinster style of the backs running angles onto the ball going. It’s an awesome French side if they play to their potential though, and it’s hard to see us doing much apart from damage limitation.

Wales round up the weekend by entertaining Scotland on Sunday. In team news, Bradley Davies’ attempt at Greco roman style wrestling moves on Donnacha Ryan have been viewed dimly by the IRB, who gave him a 7 week ban. For Scotland, Dan Parks spat the dummy, and flounced from the International scene – probably milliseconds before he was axed from the squad anyway. Wales are going to gobble Scotland up and spit out the bits, with only the Scottish scrum providing a modicum of roughage. Scotland are awkward enough to keep the score the right side of respectable.

On Thursday night Leinster will take on Treviso, with a few youngsters on board, but still a handy enough looking team. !5600 tickets have been sold –that’s massive!

RBS Six Nations
Saturday , February 11
Italy vs England 16:00
France vs Ireland 20:00
Sunday , February 12
Wales vs Scotland 15:00

6 Nations round up - Ireland need a hug right now...

We need the right Donnacha (Picture http://bit.ly/zIj43y )

France’s performance on Saturday has me wondering if I’ve tipped the right horse for the 6N. The ‘cheese eating surrender monkeys’ (as my colleague refers to them) were in typical erratic form, scoring four trys without ever looking like their hearts were in the match. When they put their minds to it, they were devastating, imagine if they’d concentrated for the other 75 minutes! Italy have a fantastic team 1-8 ,they would win an 8 man form of the game hands down. But it’s the seven bystanders behind the scrum that are their problem. The French front five are looking a little elderly, and are eminently there for the taking. Saying that, Picamloe was massive, and Malzieu, Rougerie, Fofana and Dusatoir were all top notch.

I was hitting the fast forward button in the Scotland England match to try and get the game going. Scotland’s problems are Italy’s problem. The secret to beating Scotland (covers page) is to give them the ball. They have not a notion of what to do with it, either handing it straight back, or toiling diligently away with scant effect. In fact, both teams treated the ball like a live grenade, to be disposed off as quickly as possible. England at least have the excuse of youth and inexperience, but really, all they had to do was put in a few tackles and let the Scots self destruct. Ross Rennie was just about the only player on the pitch who showed any penetration – has he ever played fly half do you think? 

The last match of the weekend was the best by a country mile with both sets of fans on the edges of their seats and with their hearts in their mouths up until the last second. Ireland need a hug right now for the manner of the loss, but they got beaten by a better team.  Kidney has to keep on weeding out the passengers, DOC for a start, and use his bench better. Murray and Sexton are still building up a relationship which means we go in fits and starts some times, but I can’t think why Donnacha Ryan didn’t start to help match the dynamism of the Welsh forwards. North, Faletau, Priestland and Phillips were all superb for Wales. Tough for Ireland, but it’s no disgrace to be beaten by that team. Completely deflating though.

It's the bigest, it's the baddest - it's the 6 Nations 2012!

Six European countries are going to be going into battle, and this time, anyway, it’s not over the Euro. No, it’s Six Nations time, a reminder that spring is on the way, time to get behind your country as they take on all the old foes. But first, a quick look at form.

England
They won it last year (despite not being good enough to beat Ireland) but a lot has happened in the intervening year. They didn’t have the happiest World Cup, with off field antics (dwarfgate, boobgate, ballgate, etc) getting the way, and on field form being in short supply. They’ve had a big clean out of players, Martin Johnson is gone and they have Stuart Lancaster as caretaker coach in charge of a fairly green looking squad. They have the players, but will the combinations click in time...probably not, so a mid table finish is likely.

France
They were beaten by Italy last year, then came within a whisker of claiming their first World Cup, so very French of them. Having ditched clown-in-chief Marc Lievremont, installed Philippe Saint-André and retained most of the players that got them so close in the final, they must start as favourites for this year’s tournament. But, never knowing what to expect from the French is the oldest adage in the book, so let’s see.

Ireland
We came so close to nearly doing well, beating Australia, topping our group – then getting sucker punched by the Welsh. Coach Kidney is still in place,  and our side is a settled side, to me a bit too settled, like a fine wine with a load of sediment at the bottom.  I think the team could do with freshening up, we are treading water at the moment, will probably finish mid table this year, then make the changes we need about a year too late.

Italy
Italy have a new manager, Jacques Brunel  but he has the age old problem of no players to pick from, with only one and a bit decent teams as his selection base. They are likely to be winless this year.

Scotland
The Scots have a bit of player form, with Edinburgh the first Scottish team to make the quarters in yonks, and have a settled coaching team. They don’t have a lot of players to pick from, always struggle in the backs, but have a pack they will make you feel like you’ve been put through a cement mixer.  5th spot beckons unless they can do a number on England and other results go their way.

Wales
Wales are the joker in the pack, they were growing in stature with every match at the World Cup, and have all the ingredients for success. But you never with the Welsh. They are playing with  confidence, but are carrying a few injuries, notably Rhys Priestland , the one player who really makes them get their groove on. The draw suits them this year, so second is probably where they are going to finish.

RBS Six Nations Saturday , February 4
France vs Italy 14:30
Scotland vs England 17:00
Sunday , February 5
Ireland vs Wales 15:00
France V ItalyFrance have a bone to pick with Italy after last year’s ignominious defeat in Rome. The French have any number of players eager to impress the new coach, and while the Italian pack will delay the onslaught, France will inevitably win this match, and handsomely.

Scotland v England
Are Scotland up for this one? Do bears poo in the woods? Scotland will be itching to get the new England reign off to a bad start. I can see a ferocious forward battle, but a fairly inept backline duel,  the skill of Fodden and Ashton blunted by the inexperience of Farrell and the woodiness of Barrett. And I hope Charlie Hodgson has been doing his tackling practise – because he’ll need it... Scotland with millimetres to spare

Ireland v Wales
This is the jewel in the crown of the opening weekend, Scots/Eng is likely to have the strange fascination of a slow motion car crash, France/Italy is for the people who pull the wings off flies, but the Aviava should see some decent running rugby. If I was Kidney, I would have booted DOC and D’Arcy  into the stands, and Earls is not a centre, he’s not a centres bottom, Kidney should be made to write out a hundred times ‘Earls is not a centre, he is a wing’ . Otherwise, looking OK, good to see Trimble starting, and O'Mahony and McFadden on the bench. Are we going to be able to avenge the defeat in last year’s world cup? Without Priestland starting for Wales, I’d say we have a good chance. We can put aside old Lion and Celtic friendships for the moment , and give cheery Warren Gatland something to be really miserable about. Ireland to scrape home in undignified fashion. O’Gara drop goal in extra time not out the question.

Lots of grumbling and giving out about the Ireland team

Trimble (http://bit.ly/wandY4)

These are the squads for Ireland and the Wolfhounds ahead of the Wolfhounds match. (clears throat and gets ready to give out). Now I know Leo Cullen is out injured, and James Coughlan is in for him – we all knew he was injured when they included him anyway?   Also, six out of the Wolfhounds and the additional players have the opportunity to put their hand up for the senior squad.

My beef (prime Irish beef of course) is with the world cup over, we should now be focusing on form and younger players, and it looks likewe have several passengers in the squad of 24. Paddy Wallace is the biggest culprit, having neither form nor age on his side. As a good Leinsterman, it pains me to say it, but D’Arcy’s form has been moderate to say the least, and he’s in the twilight of his career. Jennings is another player who I’d love to have available for Leinster for the next few years, but I don’t see him as Ireland material. DOC has been a brilliant servant for Ireland, but if he’s on the bench at Munster now, why is he going straight into the senior squad? And I really think Earls is lucky to be there, he’s been injured, and is still getting back to form.  So out of 24 players we’ve already got 5 people who are pretty lucky to be there.

Then looking at the Wolfhounds, I’m going to look totally anti Connacht here, and I’m not, but why have we got players like Duffy, McCarthy and John Muldoon in there, even Tomas O’Leary. Are they ever going to use the opportunity to step up to the senior squad? Where’s Paul Marshall, where’s Damian Browne, where was James Coughlan in the first place? Why is Carr in limbo?

We’d be better off proactively getting younger players and players with better form into the team than playing it safe, and only making injury enforced changes. I can see a moderate 6 Nations this year, and a worse one next year with the current strategy. I could see us starting with a 15 that’s going to run out of steam with 20 minutes to go, with no game breakers on the bench.  We’ve got three teams in the HC cup quarters, but it looks suspiciously like a pigs ear could be made out of a silk purse.

Do you think, as part of the bail-out deal for Ireland, along with all our financial plans for the country, our team sheet gets discussed in Paris and London before we see it? ‘Vraiment, D’Arcy et 'class'’ ‘Wallace has always been a top chap’

This would be my Ireland team:

15 Kearney 14 Trimble 13 Bowe 12 McFadden 11 Fitzgerald 10 Sexton 9 Reddan 8 Heaslip 7 O’Brien 6 Ferris 5 O’Connell 4 Ryan 3 Ross 2 Best 1 Healy

Bench: Cronin Murray O’Gara Loughney Tuohy Hagan Coughlan  Earls

Good luck to the Wolfhounds anyway, I hope they beat the Saxons.

Ireland training squad for Six Nations Rory Best, Tommy Bowe, Tom Court, Sean Cronin, Leo Cullen, Gordon D'Arcy, Keith Earls, Stephen Ferris, Cian Healy, Jamie Heaslip, Shane Jennings, Rob Kearney, Fergus McFadden, Conor Murray, Sean O'Brien, Donncha O'Callaghan, Paul O'Connell, Ronan O'Gara, Eoin Reddan, Mike Ross, Donnacha Ryan, Jonathan Sexton, Andrew Trimble, Paddy Wallace.
Additional Players Fionn Carr, Craig Gilroy, Jack McGrath, Ian Nagle, Peter O'Mahony, Tiernan O'Halloran.
Ireland Wolfhounds Stephen Archer, Isaac Boss, Gavin Duffy, Chris Henry, Denis Hurley, David Kearney, Ian Keatley, Ronan Loughney, Ian Madigan, Mike McCarthy, Kevin McLaughlin, John Muldoon, Tomas O'Leary, Eoin O'Malley, Rhys Ruddock, Mike Sherry, Nevin Spence, Devin Toner, Dan Tuohy, Damien Varley, Brett Wilkinson, Simon Zebo

6 Nations Rugby Results - England win the 6 Nations and redemption for Scotland, Ireland and France.

Cheer up lads, you won the 6 Nations! Photo from http://bit.ly/eCVxep

RBS Six Nations


Saturday , March 19

Scotland 21 - 8 Italy

Ireland 24 - 8 England

France 28 - 9 Wales

Scotland 21 - 8 Italy

Scotland finally gave their long suffering fans something to cheer about their first victory in the 6 Nations, first try for two years, first try by a Scottish player called Nikki (2nd cousin of Motley Crue bassist Nikki Sixx) - not really. Anyway I’m making light of what was a fantastic victory for Scotland, not just the result, but the manner in which they won, using their big forwards effectively, stealing line out ball, and seeing creativity and incision from their back line. Rory Lamont looked comfortable in the centre for the first time, and you’d think this must now be Scotland’s first choice team. Italy had a quiet day at the office, scoring a try but being stifled by good Scottish play. Scotland avoid the wooden spoon, while Italy’s win over France puts a sheen on their season that can’t be dulled by last place.

Ireland 24 - 8 England

Redemption! That’s what Saturday afternoon in Dublin’s fair city was all about. The Irish team stood up to be counted, from 1 to 15, every man could be proud of his contribution. The years striped back for players like O’Connell, O’Callaghan and Wallace who were in sensational form. Jonathan Sexton answered his critics in some style with a consummate performance. And it was Brian O’Driscoll who lead from the front to help deliver the team performance we all knew that was in them. BOD also broke a 70 year old record for the number of tries in the tournament with his 25th. I have to mention the rise and rise of Mike Ross too.

It was leadership that seemed to be sorely missing in the English team, in a team that was outmuscled, out thought and out fought. Tom Woods was the only player that stood up for them. This is a good English team, they’ll be back, bigger and badder than before, and in fairness they were good value for their four wins and the championship. But Saturday was Ireland’s day, the sun shone (then it rained at the right time), babies laughed, the angels sang and all was right in the world as the country bathed in the afterglow of another famous victory.

It was a full moon that night, the biggest in 18 years, and while it was a bad moon rising for England, could it have been responsible for Ireland’s newly discovered vigour? Donncha O'Callaghan laughs off the suggestion below.

France 28 - 9 Wales

It was left for France to wrap up second place in Paris with a pretty comprehensive victory over Wales. It was redemption for them after a horrendous loss to Italy the week before. Wales don’t seem to have a happy camp – Warren Gatland runs the show with all the charm and warmth of Kim Il Jung, their defence coach and physio were allegedly involved in a fist fight last weekend, and Gatland didn’t mince his words after the match, letting his players have it. It hasn’t been much joi de vivre French camp either, with French coach Marc Lievremont calling his players cowards after their defeat to Italy. France were about the second best team in the tournament, although with a bit of application, they could have easily been 1st, or 4th or 5th. Both teams seem to be at a bit of a cross roads.


Well that’s it for another year, England deserved champions, Ireland on the rise, France and Wales at the crossroads, and Scotland and Italy game as ever.

6 Nations Preview - England sniff the Slam, Kidney gets to rap, Johnson replies, and pride at stake for France and Scotland

Yo lads let's kick it!(Picture from http://bit.ly/efTzKy )

RBS Six Nations

Saturday , March 19

Scotland vs Italy 14:30

Ireland vs England 17:00

France vs Wales 19:45

Last day of the tournament and I’ve got a long post and a lot to say. No wait, come back! It’s all good stuff.

Scotland vs Italy

Last match, last chance saloon for Scotland. Their sole ‘victory’ so far is a plucky six point loss over the English, rather than the more traditional victory when you score more points than the opposition. Moral victories don’t count either, aren’t recorded in the 6 Nations record book. And there’s no justice because with that pack, Scotland should have been a contender. Instead they get to take on Italy, their bogey team, on a high after an unbelievable victory over France (any victory of Italy over France has to be unbelievable), to try and rescue a vestige of pride out of this championship. I suppose the question is, do the Italians feel like they already have the result of the decade, and that their work is done? I’d say yes, they’re not good travellers and Scotland can and will end on a deserved high.

Ireland vs England

There’s history here in this fixture we don’t need to go into, 800 years of it, but on top of that there’s also the little neighbour big neighbour syndrome, and the small guy takes on the giant element as well. Goliath bashing another few dwarves is hardly a story, is it? But when David sorted out Goliath, it was big enough news to make it into the Bible! After 7 wins in a row, is it time to give Goliath a turn?

It’s a tough time for Ireland, the decisions and the results not going our way, the confidence is low, the frustration high. The match has me thinking about our expectations for the Irish team, and I don’t envy Declan Kidney one little bit. With two Heineken cups and a Six Nations Grand Slam under his belt, we have a talented, accomplished coach in charge. He only has four teams to pick from ( well three really as no disrespect but how often does a Connacht player make the team?) and on top of that there are key players from foreign climes in the teams. But there’s a lot of public expectation of what Ireland should achieve, and a lot has been achieved in fairness. We want Ireland to win, but above all we should be celebrating and respecting our players and coach’s for punching way above their weight in the last 5 years.

Kidney has run the changes for the match, Sexton is back, which should mean a running game, Fitzgerald is out, and Trimble gets a start.

England are talking up Ireland for this match, Martin Johnson says they have to respect us, and why wouldn’t they? After watching us scrape past Italy and Scotland, losing to France and getting hockeyed by Wales, you can see the fear in their eyes. Do they mean the respect like they’ll give us a decent burial? They are the form team in the tournament, bursting with big talented players, and I’d prefer them to honest and say it’s theirs to lose, which it is.

Declan Kidney was in fiery form after the last match, looking pretty mean, and after all the talk of respecting players and coaches, what else could I do but give you his team talk in rap form ( sung to tune of ‘Ice Ice Baby’ and my apologies to Vanilla Ice for messing with his deathless prose):

Yo lads let's kick it

Dec Dec baby
Dec Dec baby

All right stop collaborate and listen
Dec is back with his brave new invention
DOC ‘n POC grab a hold of them tightly
That Ashton is looking pretty sprightly
Will he ever stop yo I don't know
Catch the ball and ol’ Earls ain’t slow
To the extreme hit the ruck like a vandal
If they acting ill ‘lip’ll burn them like a candle
If there was a problem yo BOD’ll solve it
Check out the linesman while the ball boy revolves it


CHORUS

Dec Dec baby
Dec Dec baby

Be quick to the point to the point to the breakdown
We’re cooking Haskell like a pound of bacon
Burning them, if they ain't quick and nimble
Go crazy when you hear my signal
J10 and SOB ‘ll pick up the tempo
Get into space and it's time to go so Bowe
They be jealous 'cause we be over the line
Put a mark on Youngs feckin’ gnarly little nine
They be rollin' for their 5.0
In that low chariot so Fodens’ hair can blow
If there was a problem yo BOD'll solve it
Check out the linesman while the ball boy revolves it

Martin Johson get's to reply too: (to the tune of Bob Marleys' Jammin' - adopt your best Jamaican accent)

Ooh, yeah! All right!
We're slammin':
I wanna slam it wid you.
We're slammin', slammin',
And I hope you like slammin', too.

We're slammin' -
To think that slammin' was a thing of the past;
We're slammin',
And I hope this slam is gonna last

Yeah, we're - we're slammin' (wotcha-wa),
Wotcha-wa-wa-wa, we're slammin' (wotcha-wa),
See, I wanna slam it wid you
We're slammin' (slammin' slammin', slammin')
I'm slammed: I hope you're slammin', too.


Right so decision time, who’s going to win? My head says England, my heart says Ireland, going with my heart!

France vs Wales

Depending on how Ireland get on Wales could still be in the running for the 6 Nations, but they are going to have to thump France to make up the points difference. France only have pride to play for at this stage. The mercurial Lievremont has made 5 changes for the match – now there’s a surprise! Would love to see him choosing a wine in a restaurant, the place would be closed by the time he’d made his mind up. He still gets to bring in players like Marty and Traille though, France should be doing SO much better than they are! Wales lose the outstanding Shane Williams, who has now played his last 6 Nations match, and North has been brought into the squad. They have three wins in arrow, and are on a bit of a roll. The one thing we know for certain about how the French will play is that we don’t have a clue what they will do. Could Wales catch the backlash from their abject 6 Nations, or will we see the lamest French showing since they got walloped by the Walabies? Hard to call, going with France because they have to come right some time, and at home is the place to do it.

And happy St Patrick's day everyone!

6 Nations Results - France suck, Wales get a touch of luck, and England scrape past Scotland

Mike Phillips Photo from http://bit.ly/hW2JA5

RBS Six Nations



Saturday , March 12

Italy 22 - 21 France

Wales 19 - 13 Ireland

Sunday , March 13


England 22 - 16 Scotland


Italy 22 - 21 France


Well it has to said that I vastly underestimated France’s ability to suck. The French sunk to another low as they lost to Italy for the second time in 30 matches, the first time in a competitive fixture, and the first time in the 6 Nations. However flaky France may be, however overhyped and underperforming they were, you can’t take a thing from the Italians, who could have beaten Ireland, could have beaten Wales, and finally did beat France. They even scored a try! Quite how France manage to snatch another defeat from the jaws of victory is beyond me, when you look at the players they have – they don’t know who to leave out they have such depth in players. Another low for the current 6 Nations ‘champions’.


Wales 19 - 13 Ireland

It would be easy for me to blame the referee and linesman, and Declan Kidney for Ireland’s defeat at the hands of Wales at the Millennium stadium. And don’t worry I fully intend to. No i don’t, there’s no use crying over spilt milk, we lost, we had our chances right up to the end to right the wrongs, but it jusn’t wasn’t our day. There wasn’t any lack of effort, there wasn’t any lack of heart, but the precision wasn’t there. Ronan O’Gara wasn’t on song in the same way that was last week, and with a few exceptions – Sean O’Brien and Keith Earls, we just had an average day at the office. Thing is, we don’t have the quality replacements to bring in that we need when the first 15 is not performing. Wales got lucky with a bungled decision that was the decisive score, but hey, i would’ve taken that for Ireland. Phillips had a much better match for Wales all round, not too many other stand out performances apart from Sam Warburton who would have got my MOTM for quietly getting on with his job. Declan Kidney showed a bit of fire in the post match interview, why wouldn’t he. Interviewer What’s happened to the players that won the Grand Slam Two years ago Declan – They’re two years older

England 22 - 16 Scotland

The weekend rounded off with England taking on Scotland at Twickenham. The script was top team meets bottom team, crushing victory for England. The Scots however, put in their biggest performance of the championship and made life very difficult indeed for England, who perhaps had an eye on the match in Dublin and  the Grand Slam. There were lots of mistakes, and one moment of brilliance from Max Evans that got a try on the board for the Scots, but in the end England did just about enough to come away with the victory. Max’s brother Thom has retired from the game through injury, and is now going out with Kelly Brooke – he must have had the most awesome insurance compensation cover. So the slam is on for England, just the small matter of 15 Irishmen in Dublin to overcome.

Shark Bite

 

Melbourne Rebels 32 - 34 Sharks

The Sharks squeaked home against the Rebels – I thought it was going to be a walk in the park for the sharks but the Rebels had other ideas, being 25-13 up with 20 minutes to go. The Sharks fought their way back into the lead, then were gifted a try by Cipriani, cancelling out his own effort earlier. The gift made it a bonus point win, four from four for the boys from Durban.



6 Nations 2011 - Will England do better in the Calcutta Cup than they did in Bangalore? And it's going to be epic at the Millennium for Wales and Ireland

The Calcutta Cup

RBS Six Nations


Saturday , March 12

Italy vs France 14:30

Wales vs Ireland 17:00

Sunday , March 13

England vs Scotland 15:00

Italy vs France

France have never really got in gear this tournament. They started with a big win over Scotland – at this stage, conventional wisdom was that the French were a good team, the Scots having beaten the Boks last year were in good nick too, so a very good team beating a good team - result! Since then, Scotland have not lived up the ‘good’ tag, about adequate is the most enthusiastic description you’re going to get of them. So France beat an about adequate Scotland, staggered past Ireland by the hair of their chinny chinny chins, lurched into England and turned over the 6 Nations favourites title to the English. I’d say they peaked mid tournament last 6 Nations, and have declined ever since, at an erratic pace well suited to their temperament. Will they suck enough to lose to the Azzuri? Nick Mallet, the Italian coach, must look on in despair as the French lavishly waste their riches of players, while he tries to make up a team out of scraps. All he needs are a decent scrum half and a fly half... There’s no justice though, so France will beat the Italians with their hands tied behind their backs.

Wales vs Ireland

The match of the weekend sees the Welsh welcoming Ireland to the Millennium Stadium. They've even laid on a train strike to add to the fun of getting there. Now I wouldn’t like to put thoughts into the oppositions head, but if you were Welsh, with half of the team moving to France next year(Hook, Byrne,King), and the other half having a good think about it, wouldn’t the final weekend loom large in your mind as the weekend to shine, in front of an audience of future and potentially future employers? You wouldn’t want to miss your chance to shine by getting injured playing Ireland, the nouveaux pauvres of Europe, would you? Of course, you wouldn’t want to play too well and actually beat the French either – but then playing too well hasn’t really been an issue for Wales this season. So what I’m hoping for from the Welsh, is a sensible, long term, career orientated approach to the Ireland match.

What am I hoping for from the Irish team? Well, if I can ask them to throw their minds back a few weeks to the last match, do you remember the chap with the whistle, short shouty Welsh chap, Nigel whotisname, who kept on blowing his whistle and spoiling the game? The one you asked, ‘Do you not know who I am, like’? The one you mentioned your 50 caps to, and no offense, but you didn’t need any tips on playing the game? Well if they can remember anything he said, (highly unlikely), and actually listen to what Jonathan Kaplan has to say this weekend, and follow his advice, that would be a fantastic start. I want the team that scored three tries last outing to pitch up, not the one that gave away 15 penalties.

Ireland are unchanged for the match, which is good, they have the players capable of doing the job, they just need to hold their discipline and play to their potential. Wales have Hook back at fly half, which is good for them and should make for an open flowing game. I’m going with Ireland, but not by much, in what I hope is going to be an epic match, befitting the magnificent Millenium Stadium.

England vs Scotland

The last match of the weekend sees the Scots take on the Sassenach at Twickenham for the Calcutta Cup

( The 110-year-old trophy was famously kicked down Edinburgh's Princes Street by ‘over-refreshed’ Scotland's John Jeffrey and England's Dean Richards in 1988, as pictured above).

Ideally for Ireland, the Scots need to triumph, a tall order against an English team bursting with both talent and confidence. Whatever I said about Scotland being about adequate, let’s not forget you scored three good tries against last season’s Grand Slam champions France. And while not to put too fine a point on it, you sucked against Wales, every team has an off day. Then against Ireland, all those penalties you got, even nearly beating them in the end - that wasn’t bonehead Irish forwards, that was your good play forcing them to give away penalties(well it was bonehead Irish forwards, but it was still your pressure that got you the penalties). I somehow don’t think Scotland really need any motivation for this match anyway, playing the English is motivation in itself.

And as for England – these winning streaks are great, but they can end up as a monkey on your back, you’d hate to break your winning streak in the World Cup final for instance. So just take the match as it comes, don’t you have a history of looking out for the underdog as well? Anyway, don’t overestimate the Scots, sure look at their record in the 6 Nations so far. And the trip to Dublin is going to be the big match, keep your powder dry for that.

But any attempt to talk up Scotland or get the English overconfident can’t hide the fact that it’s been 28 years since Scotland won in England – it’ll be 29 this weekend.

Shark Bite

The Sharks take on the Melbourne Rebels - should be men aginst boys. The Rebels did beat the Brumbies - but I think that just means the Brumbies aren't very good. Could be 4 from 4 for the Sharks.

Leinster

Leinster get a crack at the Dragons in Wales. Their squad is starting to stand up, and value of having qulaity players like Boss on their books is paying - so more Blue Magic in store.