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 
Good man, that Baxter:
““As far as I can tell, I think ‘Simmo’ moved, they charged and that’s what you are allowed to do,” said Baxter. “Until I watch the video I don’t know, but in a lot of ways it is irrelevant to me.
“It is not the referee’s decision at the end which has decided that game. We’ve not taken our opportunities, which is a little bit uncharacteristic of us, and you have to give Northampton massive credit for how they fought on their try-line.”
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thaum, how come you didn’t mention that Ellis Jenkins was playing on Saturday?
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You’ve lost me, TomP….
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Yes, he returned from a very long injury lay-off, but why me? ;-)
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As for luring back old friends, I suspect the best inducement is a good ATL. Does anyone want to volunteer for this weekend?
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Belfast buskers Dea Matrona on a proper stage, with some of their own songs. I love these young women.
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Thaum – I’m quite drunk but sure, fuck it, why not?
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It’s like LOTR when a chosen few stood up to fight sauron innit.
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BTW, he totally moved. Only a few cm but he definitely moved.
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Woo hoo!
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The FFR have apparently released a statement saying that the entire squad, players and staff, have now tested negative.
Good news
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Monday night drinking isn’t always a good idea.
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It’s not the drinking that’s a problem, it’s the commitments you make that are the problem..
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Monday 21st June. Surrey vs Essex Vitality Blast T20 match at the Oval. If all goes to plan it will be the first mass attendance sporting event to take place.
My mate is a Surrey member and can get me in for free. Monday night drinking may well be a good idea on that date.
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Or any other date. It’s the best way to get over the shock of a week of work ahead.*
*That’s actually Sunday night drinking for the pedants, but Monday is a horror day after battling through with a hangover and massive workload.
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Will be interesting to see what happens on this Ticht. Hopefully no more cases & the game goes ahead.
If it’s postponed and goes ahead next weekend that’ll mean we’ll be without all our England & France based players (finn, hogg, gray, Harris etc. etc.) which would massively disadvantage us. Otherwise delay until much later in the year & have problems with fixture congestion.
Would all be a bit rubbish.
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‘the 2023 Rugby World Cup has been extended by a week to ensure that all teams will have at least five days preparation for all matches, with squad sizes increased from 31 to 33 to further assist preparation.’
Has this been covered? Seems fairly sensible.
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Gender reveal parties are so weird (and really very very cis/binary) but still stuff like this is sort of Darwin Award level.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-56159731
By the by, pěkný is Czech for nice or pretty.
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Anybody see the article in the Graun about research proving that politically intolerant people are thick? I may be paraphrasing slightly, but that was the essence of it.
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@deebee
The Guardian’s view on what makes somebody “thick” is probably very different to mine.
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@OT – That’s because of your intolerance of The Guardian’s politics.
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TomP, wasn’t Josh Adams dropped for a couple of games for breaking Covid restrictions by going to a gender reveal party just prior to the 6N?
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Some of the recent Californian wildefires were linked to gender reveal parties & resulting fireworks.
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The release of the SARS-COV-2 virus in the Wuhan province of China was linked to gender reveal parties and resulting fireworks.
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coronavirus can be spread by fireworks? Who knew.
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@chimpie
Don’t tell anyone at the Guardian or they’ll print a story with the headline “scientists say covid outbreak linked to bonfire night”
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Hugo Rifkind’s defence of Starmer not calling for Matt Hancock’s resignation is particularly dumb today.
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The biggest problem with Matt Hancock is that despite having a first class honours degree from Cambridge he is actually thick as mince.
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Labour meanwhile:
https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/news-opinion/chaos-confusion-labour-mayor-selection-19897923
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The biggest problem with Matt Hancock is that despite because he has a first class honours degree from Cambridge he is actually thick as mince.
Fixed those few missing words for you, OT.
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And he’s a corrupt little fucker, OT.
Shall I play the video?
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@tomp
yes please.
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People who hold gender reveal parties are worse than Chris Ashton
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This one instead, OT. It’s brilliant:
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@tomp
We certainly live in weird times. Now people who have a basic grasp of measurement uncertainty get labelled conspiracy theorists and covid-deniers by journalists, whereas 12 months ago they didn’t.
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Well that’s everything sorted:
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Andy Powell making an early bid to replace Eddie Jones
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OT – I think he’s channelling early Gatland. Without the punctuation.
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Yes please TomP.
Has it moved again, Craigs ? Were you drinking absinthe ?
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Sbt – we do a zoom squash exercise session every Monday with the local club* and Mrs Craig’s said we should celebrate by drinking gin immediately after. I may have used too much gin if I’m totally honest. Can’t quite remember though.
* it’s not quite as explosive as a Handforth Parish Council meeting but it’s open to everyone.
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YOU HAVE NO AUTHORITY HERE CRAIGSMAN!
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not a proper zoom meeting unless someone said that.
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Chimpie!
Explanations show weakness
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Chimpie – can I ask you to refer to me as Britney Spears from now on please?
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If you like
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Britney
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Marcus Smith is the Quins 10? Looks like a helluva prospect. Loved the way after his kick was charged down over the weekend, he covered back, tackled, got to his feet and gave his side the time to effect the penalty. Looks good with ball in hand as well. I approve. FARRELL OUT!
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Willi Heinz to Worcester………….
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Willie’s bean outsauced?
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Deebee – that was so awful, it’s brilliant.
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