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 
Haha oops!
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Nice pass Eliot
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@Tim. Was it? I didn’t think they showed the hands. Never mind — it was a lovely move anyway.
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Trust me, was out walking the dog & walked in the house at the exact moment the try was scored, so didn’t actually see it. I’m told it was well-worked.
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yep, forward in the old world, but I am sure Expro would pop up and explain why its OK today.
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Good try for Jonny Hill, nephew of GB RL legend Paul Loughlin.
Conversion missed by Owen Farrell, nephew of GB RL legend Sean O’Loughlin.
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Mind, that looked like a double movement in the old world too.
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Good game, this. More balanced than expected. Wont last but fun.
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There were people on AoD who were more into allowing what look like forward passes than the Pro.
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Best set move ever.
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Rubbish stuff from England. Winning most of the contacts though so expect we’ll eek something out with a bit of competence at some point
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CMW, the basic rule is easy to remember.
If my team does it, ‘learn the laws of physics.’
If the opposition does it, ‘it’s forward, look at the lines on the pitch.’
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This is ten bags of shite from England so far. Will still win, obviously.
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My feed is slow. But that should be at least a penalty for England for obstruction on Slade.
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He’d already knocked it on mind
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hmm…………..playing like Exeter 2nds – too fast for Youngs and one or two others, unfortunately
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I thought Faz knocked it on, at the breakdown just before.
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Nice from Watson.
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Daly needs hooking off
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A little better.
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Plan B: give it to Watson. Works every time. Great player.
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2 or 3 England players are just not accurate enough in the basics
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What a steal that wa# from Italy, it was building ominously
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….and May looks bewildered
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Good defense, poor clear out, nice jackal
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Here’s a radical idea – put Watson (a full back) at 15 and put Daly (a winger) on the wing. Has the added bonus of having Daly passing less.
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Why is slade playing on the wing, keep finding space only for his lack of pace to kill it
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Eddie loves eliots big left boot, but yes, I agree
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@dova
Having the centres popping up on the wing is a very Exeter thing to do. Goes along with their blind side winger tactics that EJ copies.
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@Dov
I think t because May in particular wanders off station
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Frustrating to see that England are, again, looking profligate when in possession.
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Fine unless your centres are both as fast as milk floats
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OT – at Exeter it is more the 2nd rows who show on the wing………..on the right hand side because O’Flaherty is very dangerous on the left
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Elliott Dairy?
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Exeter’s first-choice centres are Slade and Whitten, no? Not speedsters.
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I don’t rate Slade.
There. I said it. I’m sorry.
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Billy V is looking very lively today.
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Tomp facted
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It’s Whitten I’ve seen hanging about on the left wing this season.
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@Dab – that’s a bit harsh on a fellow blog denizen 🙄😅
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@Tomp:
Devoto (inside) and Slade (outside)
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I don’t like it anyway. Ford at 10 often creates space out wide, I’d rather a winger or a JJ was there rather than a bosh man with a good kicking game
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Oooh, harsh ref.
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If that’s a try it’s brilliant finish
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Oof, a finish and a half by May there.
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Wow, that is quite something from May
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O’Flaherty and Woodburn/Nowell 1st choice wings.
Whitten and then Hendrikson fill in as required
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Quite a finish from May there.
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I thought he’d just got his knee in touch first, but no — spectacular try by May.
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Brilliant from May. I’ve seen worse acrobats in Beijing circus.
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