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 
Looks nasty. Poor guy.
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Brilliant
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Ooh, that was lovely by Italy.
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Tommaso!
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On second viewing, that is poor defence
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Nice!
Should Italy still be kicked out of the 6N?
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Tomasso!
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I’d take Ford over Ntmack and I rate May above Watson.
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Honestly, I thought we’d blown that chance at least twice.
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Can’t drop a try scorer.
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Robson is so much better than Youngs.
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Ok, so passing practice for the England team on Monday?
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Slade is meant to be a ‘distributor’. Jesus.
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Flair – I think there’s only 1 person who’d disagree with you.
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Refit, Eddie Jones?
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6-2 split and a back ends up in the forwards.
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Such a bullshit penalty there.
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@Flair – nah Youngs’s mum. EJ knows Simpson is better, he’s just trolling us.
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Good hold up defence…
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………………at the end of it all I’m just relieved they have stopped endless poor quality kicking
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Meh.
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The way England pass, one undestands now why they kick so much.
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margin less than 25 not good enough but fair c/w France…………………………..an improvement in attitude etc
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Comfortable enough for England. Starting to crap meself
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A win’s a win, but England don’t feel like a good team at the moment. Italy showing more promise than in previous years, but another team would have made England pay a lot more for the endless mistakes.
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I probably won’t watch it again, Slade. But felt that Italy were set up for that a little with players back. Plus, there’s not much need to play that way against Italy. It also helps when Ford’s at outside half rather than Farrelll.
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Anyway, fair play to England I think they proved those who doubted they’d be able to “manufacture an emotional buy-in” wrong.
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Farrells passing is absolutely dire at the moment. He can look half decent at outside centre, but not at the moment. Ford + 2 centres – Daly, and we could have had a hatfull.
Italy still a work in progress, but they are progressing. I like the talk of Smith getting the Pro14 teams to practice his defence style. Thats exactly what they need.
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@tomp
I don’t know if that applies to me or not as I have no idea what Ugo meant.
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Proper 6N weather in Edinburgh
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But most of all, I hope Willis recovers quickly — poor lad, that looked horrid.
Now, after the warmup artists, time for main bill. Come on, Wales…
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@Tomp
sorry re earlier – Exeter’s wingers include Cuthbert again now he is fit – battling with Woodburn to understudy Nowell
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Sorry Brookter.
Like last week, and it did not jinx them:
Allez l’Ecosse!
ALLEZ L’ECOSSE!
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Hooray, Cotter’s commentating!
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Flair, I’m cheering for the far underdogs.
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‘Mon Scotland!!!!
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We need a big game from Blade Thomson today, so far he’s been underwhelming in a Scotland jersey
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Pffft
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Now for the main event.
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Eek
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Wing Commander Wainwright in the Welsh back row there
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Looks cold.
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Not terribly inventive, but should be some points at least.
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And we’re at 50% in the line out, which is pretty impressive by our standards.
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At least we won’t get nilled
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Harris has started well, penalty for offside aside.
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Loves a penalty, Mr carley
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I’m sure we were told earlier that shouldn’t be penalised.
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14 – 3 Exeter up at half time – Joe Smmonds off for head protocol – didn’t look great
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Beauty
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