What a first round that was: grit, determination, superb skills and complete brainfarts. Think the competition is wide open, and unsure where to make your Superbru picks? Don’t worry, our OvallyBalls experts on crack are here to progrocknIksate what will happen this weekend.
Deebee7 was quick off the mark with his predictions:
England, chastised and sobered by the realisation that they couldn’t simply kick ‘n bosh their way past feisty Scotland pick the biggest side in rugby history so they can KICK ‘N BOSH their way over, through and not around Italy, who, having realised that their first-up tackling was well below par and know what’s coming their way, pick 15 Saffas to BOSH BACK against England. Problem is, they’re playing for Italy because they can’t make it into better sides. England by 47 despite themselves.
Scotland, fresh from the Trashing of Twickers™ are primed, ready, purring and full of confidence for the visit of an abject Welsh side that had to rely on red mist and a brain fart to see off Ireland. The mercenary English Army and Tartan Boks who were apparently the only reason Edward’s Army tripped at Twickers have a solid tight five, fury in the loose forwards, flying outside backs and the Best 10 in the World™ ready to unleash hell on the journeymen from the Valleys. Thing is, it’s not their Game of the Season™ and with all their raison d’etre exhausted last week, Wales will give them the fright of their lives! But not enough to actually win it. Scotland by a couple in a low-scoring affair.
Ireland, stunned by stupidity and seething with intent, await the thoroughbreds of France, fresh from their opening training run against Italy. Expect a titanic struggle up front with neither pack giving an inch (easy on the Karl button, Iks). Ireland should be without Sexton which gives France a HUGE advantage behind the pie-munchers, and with the greyhounds and whippets willing to give it a lash, it could be a long afternoon at the Palindrome. But if the Irish are one thing, it’s bloody minded, determined and fucking difficult to boss around on their home patch (thank dog no World Cups hosted there yet). Too close to call!
Chimpie is more or less in agreement:
Scotland > Wales by 4
This goes against my deep-seated pessimism but got to back form at some point. General cohesion will keep Wales pinned back but usual inability to get points on the board will keep the boyos in it. Wales have some quality players in there and they’ll get over the line a couple of times.
England > Italy by 30
Hope Italy put up more of fight than last week. They’ve got a few bright sparks – like the look of Garbisi – but this is a very young and inexperienced team, too early for them to start pulling out results. England will grind and kick Italy down and run up a respectable score with the Best Fly-Half in the World playing. Eddie will then drop Ford for the next game.
Ireland > France by 2
Yes, I’m going out on a limb here for Ireland without human missile POM to put a shock one over on France. Would it be that much of a shock though? France ran up 35 points against Ireland last time out but there was only an 8 point difference at full time. Ireland at home hurting after last week’s effort vs. Wales, I’m going with a home victory here.
ClydeMillarWynant is ever the misfit:
Wales > Scotland by 1
Entire game takes place in Wales half giving Scotland an impressive 6-0 lead only for LRZ to go the length of the field at the death. Biggar converts from the touchline and bounces around on his space-hoppers to general disgust.
France > Ireland by 6
Ireland are just the sort of miserable bastards to spoil everything by grinding down France and stopping the beautiful game at source. But there’s been positive beaver news today.
England > Italy by 40
Italy are crap.
BorderBoy couldn’t resist bringing Prog into it:
Nazareth > Budgie (by 10)
Genesis > PFM (by 25)
U2 < Lazuli (by 12)
SladeIs#42 is sucking up to the mister:
Wales> Scotland by 4 – winners have enough ‘dog’ to resist Scots missing last week’s adrenalin rush
Ireland > France by 3 – game of the week-end – Ireland a team full of grit and experience
England > Italy by 25 – in reality, score could be anything dependant on tactics adopted: an inaccurate kicking game could make it closer, as could a good performance by Italy up to the 60 minute mark causing confusion in England’s headless ranks. If Italy collapse England could get 70. Whatever, it’s unlikely to be a credit to the Competition. As stated above, Ford will be back to the bench afterwards and George restored.
Craigsman is getting all political on our arses:
Sturgeon > Drakeford by 5LePen Macron > Adams by 10
Bojo > Berlusconi by 15
I was just going to include far right politicians / arseholes. I managed a few arseholes but couldn’t be bothered to Welsh political arseholery.
Sunbeamtim goes for the philosophical approach:
Looks like Big Faz realises that France are going to hammer Ireland whichever way, so has thrown in a 9 and 10 as sacrificial lambs to protect young payers. End of JGP and BB’s International careers ?
Very enthusiastic about all the talk of how disgraceful Italy are, and how they should be thrown out of the comp, and how its a non game for a proper side. I see Italy as being fitter and more coherent than they have ever been, and one step off defensively is all it takes to be hammered by a Tier one side. Setting someone up for a big fall somewhere this season.
Scotland and Wales both hammered by injuries, too close to call, game of the weekend.
Flair99‘s been watching my nightmares:
England by 29
Scotland by 7
France by 11.
Don’t harrumph me, I was wrong twice last week.
Not sure the omission of Sexton and Murray is a good thing for France but it is certainly a good thing for them. Enough of these concussed players blaming the doctors. I hope they recover soon.
Onna telly this week
Friday 12th February
| Gloucester v Bristol | 19:45 | BT Sport 1 |
| Sale v Bath | 20:00 | BT Sport Extra |
Saturday 13th February
| England v Italy | 14:15 | ITV |
| Harlequins v Leicester | 16:00 | BT Sport Extra |
| Exeter v London Irish | 16:15 | BT Sport Extra |
| Scotland v Wales | 16:45 | BBC1 / S4C |
Sunday 14th February
| Worcester v Wasps | 13:00 | BT Sport 1 |
| Ireland v France | 15:00 | ITV |
Ovally Balls 
Ah! I know the game because I watched it on youtube the other week. Just checked and Eddie Butler even makes mention of it when he goes through the line-ups at the beginning of commentary.
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“Alun Wyn’s not that old, thaum.”
Wales still had time to win a Grand Slam with Sidoli and Cockbain playing before Alun Wyn got started. And Mefin Davies playing hooker. Not sure any of them would have started for (m)any of the other teams, but they were all great that year.
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I don’t remember the sixth Jones at all myself, Mr Iks may be best placed to bring him to mind.
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Dan Carter has announced his retirement from the game.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/56136970
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Who?
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Some guy who wisnae as good as Finn.
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Two things strike me about this article by Stuart Barnes on the Fagerson ban and the process – one is that the Times has the worst paywall security, all you have to do is add a / at the end of the address, two is that I agree with Stuart Barnes, how odd.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-solution-to-ruck-chaos-is-for-referees-to-enforce-the-law-properly-3jnfmw7j5/
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That’s a good, if depressing, video by squidge.
I’m not sure Wales are the villains he claims though are they? They took their chances magnificently and winning whilst losing is not at all easy.
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Ryan Jones! Of course.
Thought about Alun Wyn being too young, but decided he possibly wasn’t. In fact, he was born in 1985 so might just be old enough, but made his Test debut in 2006.
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Cheers for the tip about the /, Ticht. By all means feel free to post lots of Times articles. I like reading Stuart Barnes, whether right or wrong, he always asks coherent questions. Does Paul Ackford still write for them ?
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Danny Care playing like a #9 possessed – quick and accurate from hand and boot
Quins 14 – 0 Sale…………………Quins playing into a strong wind
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21 – 0 at oranges
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21-0 Quins. TMO review for potential dangerous play. Looks bad from the way it’s being shown. Yellow for du Preez. Not really you can clear out a ruck anymore without being in danger of a card.
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Sale down to 14 (yellow) – du Preez elbow to head of Dombrandt in ruck near Quins line – perhaps a mix of frustration and Sth Hemisphere history?
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Quins very sharp ball in hand and their defense much improved.
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I’m going to move on from this particular incident after this post, but it just makes no sense to me at all, and I’ll revisit the process side of it as and when it crops up, but here is Ronan O’Gara’s take on Fagerson’s card.
“….. I see the Fagerson red and I am thinking ‘what is going on?’
The Peter O’Mahony example was an open and shut case; the Fagerson one is a portent of things to come. It seemed the only one who wanted the red card for the Scottish prop was the referee Matthew Carley. The upshot of it all is Fagerson’s punishment is greater than O’Mahony’s. Someone tell me that is not because he disputed the accuracy of Carley’s decision?
The inconsistency drives us all inside the game bananas. Everyone agrees with the ambition to make the game safer but Zander Fagerson doesn’t play another minute in the championship because he approached a ruck with the sole intention of a legitimate clean out.
We are setting ourselves up here for a fall. The language of rugby’s laws is king now. ‘Intent’ is no longer part of the vocabulary. Logic need not apply, so leave your common sense at the door. We are moving into VAR territory.”
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Sale cough up 21 points when at full strength and have got through the yellow without conceding a point. Tells you a lot about how much du Preez contributes when he’s on the pitch.
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Oh, and Mike Brown is a waaaay better fullback than Daly………………in all aspects
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Mike Brown with an angry smile and laugh when winning the penalty.
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How many bloody Saffers at Sale? Gonna call them van Sale from now on. *
* Van Zyl is a pretty common Afrikaans surname and is pronounced roughly as fun sale rather than the hard zzzz.
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“fun sale” – you don’t hear that often
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No you don’t. Lovely irony on top of the dig at their composition.
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Two more France players positive, Haouas and Villière. Only two… surprising. And if they’re OK, they could all play vs Scotland, as the isolation is only 7 days long. But the FFR will publish a new list of 31 players tomorrow, so I doubt they will.
Ticht, I’m all with you WRT the inconsistencies of the refs and the fact you’re getting a longer ban should you not play the obedient child. Nevertheless, the law requires players to bind before joining a ruck. With the welcome emphasis on players’ safety, Fagerson was bound to get a card. Its colour might’ve been debatable a couple of years ago, but not anymore.
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I want to hear more about these “game bananas” that young Ronan speaks of. How does one get driven inside the banana? I’m guessing it must be quite big.
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one or two errors creeping in to Quins game now after an almost perfect first 40.
24 – 7
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24-12, keep up Sladey old boy.
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that du Preez lad doesn’t seem to be the brightest bulb in the box
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I’m a slow typer
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Joe Marler or Mike Brown MoM for me…………………..
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re Sale, I used to think they were a French side, and therefore dirty.
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nope; Saffer, therefore dirty
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Perfect conditions for a Hogg hamstring………………
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Don’t. Say. That.
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(smiles)
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“Nevertheless, the law requires players to bind before joining a ruck. With the welcome emphasis on players’ safety, Fagerson was bound to get a card. Its colour might’ve been debatable a couple of years ago, but not anymore.”
I don’t disagree, but I could probably show you a no-bind hit at every ruck in every game
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Red for the TIgers’ 8, arriving into a ruck shoulder first, arm tucked, straight into the head of a Wasps player.
Also scratched a possible Tigers try.
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…but my point has never been about the red, it’s about the extra week ban
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Refit, yeah that was quite timely
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7 – 7 at oranges: Saints defending heroically against Exeter in foul conditions.
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Matt Scott is better at flanker than Johnny May, but only just
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Refit, was that Wiese? He’s been getting monumental write-ups in the Saffer press.
Also, rumours that the very very good Bulls flanker Marco van Staden might be heading Leicester’s way soon.
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@Tomp – yep Weise with the card.
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Was quite impressed with Wiese for Tiggers until he became the third red card this weekend for a dangerous clear out Tiggers well worth their half time lead. Now looks like a similar foul play from Brookes with a tucked arm. Red again.
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Lavanini on the receiving end of foul play for a change and CJ will be very displeased, as Kieran Brookes gets a red for head contact.
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Remember when Brookes was touted as the ‘next big thing’?
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He’s still quite big.
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Saints + wind > Exeter
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Well done Saints – too strong in the forwards
12 – 13
……and an odd decision at the end by the Ref. ruling that Joe Simmonds had started his place kick – which was kicked away off the tee by the on-rushing Saints defence (no replay shown )
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Looking like a second red for Leicester.
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