This is it, the last weekend of the 6 Nations 2014, and WE (ie Ireland) have a decent chance of winning it!
First up on Saturday though is Italy v England, where England’s target will be to thump the Italians and overhaul Ireland’s point difference. They have form, no injuries and a lot of self belief going in to the match. The Italians have been saving themselves for this match, after resting Parisse and a few other front runners against Ireland last weekend. In the 19 matches between them, Italy have never won, and have lost by an average of 27 points. In Rome, the average is 22, and in the last three matches Five. The result isn’t in question, and I could see England winning by probably 30 points.
Wales v Scotland is a dead rubber, two underperforming teams jostling for mid table positions. Wales just haven’t really clicked this year, but go into this match with a few changes, notably Biggar at 10, which might liven them up a bit. If Scotland had just hung on last week, they could have had a decent season, but Italy look sure to get the wooden spoon, so it isn’t an out and out disaster year for them. Wales by 10-15 points I’d say
Finally, the match of the weekend, hopefully the tournament, will see Ireland rout the French in Paris, for the first time in forever, and storm home with the trophy. It’s the final FINAL farewell for BOD, and it’d be rude not to send him off with another 6 Nations gong. Ireland have a settled look, it’s been the same team week in, week out this tournament, the players all know their roles, and have approached each game with a good gameplan. France, meanwhile are typically all over the place – no consistency in selection and no apparent tactics apart from Joue Joue. Ireland really have to win this match in a blow for sanity and order in this world. And of course, the win is no by means secure. France could be out chasing an 80 point winning margin to win the whole thing, and nearly do it…or they could try and get a record margin, fail miserably, and end up losing by a record margin themselves. Anyway, my call is a 10 point margin for Ireland. Allez les vertes!
RBS Six Nations
Saturday , March 15
Italy vs England 13:30
Wales vs Scotland 14:45
France vs Ireland 18:00
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