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 
Eddie Large used to dress up as pop/rock singers in the 80s and sing their songs. Glad Harry has found his level.
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We go Fiji, Someone, Australia, Someone (Probably Georgia)
SA go Scotland, Someone, Ireland, Someone
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So the Zander Fagerson appeal lasted longer than expected.
The outcome? The ban still stands, but the appeal committee found that the ban was for the wrong games, and ZF can play against Italy.
I think that is the outcome, no one yet knows if the postponed match v France counts.
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Deebee’s got beef with the Fresh Prince? I think it dates back to when Will beat him to the role of hero in Independence Day.
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Actually, I’m wrong. The worst Pink Floyd song is NOT Seamus (that’s the dog). That (dubious) honour lies with (takes deep breath) Several Species Of Small Furry Animals Gathered Together In A Cave And Grooving With A Pict. Think that’s where Roger thought he could do a Scottish accent. He was wrong. Mind you, there are quite a few songs on Ummagumma that could fit.
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Harry and James Corden. Two people who truly deserve each other.
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We’ve got Asia/Pacific 1 and Europe 2 in our pool.
I guess the first will be Samoa? (again)
Romania?
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Oceania1 are in pool D, that could be Samoa, I guess, with Tonga being Asia/Pacific 1
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@Ticht
I think young Innard would like to say otherwise:
https://www.exeterchiefs.co.uk/players/jack-innard
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‘England coach expects Wales captain Jones to ‘target’ his players’
Makes more sense than targeting other players who won’t be playing
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My guts tell me that venting my spleen on here is in keeping with others so, re England vs Wales, I shall livern up the discourse by predicting an intestine battle in the forwards, where it will very cloaca and dagger and England booting the bladder at all times (unless they don’t)..
Wales to squeeze out a victory whilst England’s Sarries players strain with effort.
There.
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Embra to take on the might of the Scarlets tomorrow
15. Damien Hoyland (78)
14. Darcy Graham (37)
13. James Johnstone (58)
12. George Taylor (28)
11. Eroni Sau (18)
10. Jaco van der Walt (68)
9. Nic Groom CO-CAPTAIN (21)
1. Pierre Schoeman CO-CAPTAIN (57)
2. Mike Willemse (32)
3. Lee-Roy Atalifo (4)
4. Magnus Bradbury (90)
5. Grant Gilchrist (156)
6. Nick Haining (19)
7. Ally Miller (20)
8. Viliame Mata (82)
Substitutes:
16. David Cherry (32)
17. Boan Venter (1)
18. Murray McCallum (59)
19. Andries Ferreira (7)
20. Luke Crosbie (49)
21. Charlie Shiel (27)
22. Nathan Chamberlain (6)
23. Chris Dean (104)
17 unavailalble due to injury and call ups. Bradbury in as a second row….
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Honestly Slade, what a load of poop.
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Nic Groom over Charlie Shiel tells you all you need to know about Cocker’s approach.
That Shiel laddie is wasted at Edinburgh
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Willemse is also pish, couldn’t hit a banjo with a cow’s arse.
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It’s not all doom and gloom, though. Graham should add a bit of spark if he sees some ball.
I presume Miller is starting ahead of Crosbie because he has shown up better in training, there are a lot of ball carriers in the pack
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@BB.
As the Committee Chair was trained almost exclusively on Biscuits, they will go down very nicely (and quickly) and may even get you a roll over tickle on the tummy.[^1]
[^1]: His tummy. Not yours.[^2]
[^2]: Bring your own tickles.
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“Several Species Of Small Furry Animals Gathered Together In A Cave And Grooving With A Pict.”
I googled this thinking the results might give me a clue as to what the real title might be. There we are then. Don’t think I need to listen to it to find out it’s shit.
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It’s just Roger shouting incoherently, which tbf he’s made a bit of a career out of. The ‘Scottish accent’ just makes it worse.
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Heresy! One of the Floyd’s masterpieces.
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Can’t find anything on Heresy by Pink Floyd, but I’m sure it’s shit too.
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Who’ll be ‘turd’ to like my drivel?
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Though I imagine it was very popular with the characters in German and French school textbooks of the 1980s.
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Indeed ticht, Cockers has done a lot of good things but we’re not functioning as a cohesive team & the attack is particularly predictable (yes ‘attack’)
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@Slade – I thought that as a piece of writing it rather got caught between two stools.
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glasgow to get reamed at the RDS on Sunday:
Glasgow Warriors (v Leinster at the RDS, Sunday 5.30pm): O Smith; R McLean, H Jones, S Johnson, C Forbes; A Hastings, J Dobie; O Kebble, G Stewart, E Pieretto, R Gray, L Nakarawa, R Harley, T Gordon, R Wilson (captain). Substitutes: J Matthews, A Seiuli, D Rae, G Brown, T Ioane, S Kennedy, R Thompson, R Fergusson.
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That is a good Glasgow side, to be fair.
but, aye, a reaming it will be.
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Didn’t the Dragons just get reasonably close to Leinster? Glasgow could do the same.
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Teenager dobie gets another start. Shiel languishes on the bench at Embra. Piffle.
To be fair Dobie is quite a prospect….
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The blue meanies:
Leinster: J O’Brien, C Kelleher, R O’Loughlin, C Frawley, D Kearney, H Byrne, L McGrath (captain); P Dooley, S Cronin, M Bent, D Toner, S Fardy, J Murphy, J van der Flier, S Penny. Substitutes: D Sheehan, M Hanan, T Clarkson, J Dunne, A Soroka, R Osborne, D Hawkshaw, J Osborne.
The usual smattering of internationals and up-and-coming talent. Weak as f obviously.
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True CMW, twas 35-29 just a week back.
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‘There are plenty of times when the government acts unlawfully, the justice secretary has admitted, but “getting something wrong is not the same as deliberately flouting the law”.
What mattered, said Robert Buckland, was that the government did not break the same law twice.’
Sound principle. Just the one manslaughter if fine.
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‘But Buckland has now said the key thing is that Hancock got something wrong rather than deliberately breaching the law.’
But I didn’t know it was wrong not to pay my tax! Sure it’ll be fine.
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@CMW
I’m feeling flushed……………
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@Slade – I thought more people would have liked it. Perhaps the rest think it was a anus crime.
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Stop it now, both of you, before Brookter writes an alimentary canal referenced poem.
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@SBT – I think you could have made better use of alimentary there.
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Ticht will be disappointed as oesophaguson winning his appeal, but an alimentary understanding of the process would have saved him from ever thinking that.
That sort of thing.
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It takes a lot of gall to post something like that, CMW.
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@Ticht – Not everyone has the stomach for it.
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Some did of course, but years of hard living have rectum.
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What’s going on here? CMW his usual scat brained self?
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“Shiel languishes on the bench”
“Fair Dobie is quite a prospect”
“Piffle.”
Are these lines from that Pink Floyd song?
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@Craigs – I’m going potty.
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CMW’s Thought for the Day:
It doesn’t matter how many potties you have lined up in the hallway, they’ll still shit on the floor.
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CMW – You sound a bit flushed.
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‘they’
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Mainly Sancho Panza and Howling Julio.
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♪♪Howling Julio down by the school yard♪♪
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If I do, I shall make sure it has four colons and an appendix and is full of bile.
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