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 
Wow. Spectacular finish.
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Ha, take that, NRL.
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Slade is not a ‘bosh’ player…………
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@Refitman Our Slade is a darling!
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@sbt
I was going to mention the NRL but decided not to…
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Nice
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England are like SAle on a bad night (like yesterday): spoil far too many promising moves by basic handling errors. It’s cold and nasty, and I would be considerably worse, but other teams seem to suffer from it less, so that can’t be the reason.
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George Ford looks the best outside half in the world when he’s playing v Italy.
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I know that Italy will end up shipping 40 points and England may not be at their best but I think Italy are in progress, especially with their new SH and FH.
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If interested….
………………………… a good Exeter performance in the first half is like this but faster and more accurate (Exeter are very fit and pass accurately).
by 45 minutes opposition are getting very tired and start to lose shape – then the two strategies of rumble (led by LC-D and Yeandle) and spin it wide for the runners works a treat.
Eventually the opposition are completely opened up.
Exeter 1st/2nds vs LI this pm may illustrate this later today………..LI are physically strong so Exeter will try to play their high tempo contact game in the 1st half. No kicking penalties unless they are falling behind
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If I tried to do what Johnny May did there I’d spend the rest of the month in traction
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I know slade… just frustrated he’s being used wrong. He’s not a flyer mind. Always thought he looks like a 12. Or to put it another way before the ‘numbers on backs’ brigade chip in (where is larry), he’s a bit too similar to Faz as a centre partner.
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@Ticht – I have a feeling we probably wouldn’t be able to tell that that was what you’d tried either.
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If I tried to do what Jonny May did I wouldn’t get off the ground.
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I’m going to leave this trying to do what Jonny May did to other people.
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“So… More of the same from England?”
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Watson crocked
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So, we have a full back who can’t pass, can’t tackle, but does have a big boot? Mahvelous.
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FArrell just winning over the the ref’s heart
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Farrell his usual cool head.
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Farrell should never talk to referees.
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I would have carded him for that.
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valentine’s
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If the bench wasn’t split 6/2 , I think Farell would be subbed.
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That’s a heartbreaker, well-read from Watson though
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Bit unfortunate for Italy there, but good anticipation from Watson. I’m glad he’s back.
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High tackle by Farell?
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Late at least.
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take off Farrell and put Sam Simmonds at IC – oh – can’t
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Italy have been good at times, but they don’t half make some mistakes.
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no Foul – Farrell just stood on the ground he owned
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Farrell feigning injury is such a tell.
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Watson, wow!
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What Watson just did, hurdling the hoarding, would result in an even worse outcome than trying to do what Jonny May did.
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Flair, I’ve thought England should£ be playing Watson at 15 for ages now, he’s miles ahead of the others in my book
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Double traction.
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Not for me CMW, the physical laws of momentum would see me destroy the hoarding and ploughing as far as row seven without trying to jump
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Genge looking like he’s likely to lose the rag soon.
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I did hurdles in school. Watson’s technique wasn’t very good.
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It is still fairly crap – but a different kind of, more positive crap which, I suppose, is progress
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Genge haircut one week less shit than last week.
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For me, Watson’s a better winger than full-back. But a better full-back than Daly. Would England lose much by having a winger?
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Watson vs Ticht in hoarding jumping:
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Nowell when fit – won’t be long – he’s in full training now
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Ticht, Watson would make France backs, but none of the other English backs.
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Nice by Robson.
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@Flair
you’re probably right but from what I read and hear, Slade is rated highly
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Ouch. Poor old Willis.
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Ouch.
Poor guy, he’s only just come on
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I like Slade too but he has a difficult job outside Farrell. Not sure though that I’d take him ahead of Fickou, Vakatawa nor Vincent.
Watson on the other hand…
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