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 
Zander in trouble?
LikeLike
Exeter 26 – 3 LI
LikeLike
Ferguson tucks his arm, which is a bad look.
LikeLike
POM moment.
LikeLike
French commentators think red
LikeLike
Fuck. Red. Game over. Wales win.
LikeLike
That’s that then.
LikeLike
Oh dear
LikeLike
Oh well, that’s that.
Total meltdown
LikeLike
Don’t think that’s anywhere near as bad as POM’s, but red it is.
LikeLike
Harsh.
LikeLike
I’ve noticed since halftime a bit more in your face stuff from the welsh forwards. This deliberate to try to unsettle the Scots?
LikeLike
I don’t know whether to laugh or cry
LikeLike
BB – on that last replay, I thought it was worse than POM’s. But I may be biased.
LikeLike
This is bollocks.
LikeLike
Thing I don’t get is what he was aiming for until Hogg lifted Wyn Jones’s head a little.
LikeLike
Seriously? POM hit an undefended player in the ruck. Zander hit a player who was part of the ruck – he was trying to clear the ruck and did it badly. Deserved red but not an assault.
LikeLike
Anyway, we were shit for 25 minutes after POM get the red so it’s not over for Scotland.
Shame Graham’s off. He’s played very well.
LikeLike
One Graham was terrific, the other one a penalty machine.
LikeLike
I think Scotland have really missed Jamie Ritchie today
LikeLike
This is a great game
LikeLike
Thank dog we scored from that!
LikeLike
Hoggy’s been exceptional today.
LikeLike
Flair, the penalty machine Graham has been one of the form forwards in the English Premiership this season, it’s just one of those days
LikeLike
Lovely kick from Finn too.
LikeLike
LikeLiked by 2 people
Brilliant by Hogg. Not brilliant by Owen Watkin.
LikeLike
This’ll make the comedown all the more painful
LikeLike
I love the games between the Home nations. Ferocious, yet with fewer niggles. And usually unpredictable.
LikeLike
If I wasn’t Scottish or Welsh, this would be a really good game.
LikeLike
Zammmmmmmmmmmmo!
LikeLike
Fabness by LRZ.
LikeLike
Balls. Fine effort by LRZ
LikeLike
That’s an excellent try from Wales
LikeLike
Shit. Brilliant try though.
LikeLike
Wonderful try! What a talent LRZ is.
LikeLike
Out gunning Hoggy and vdM is no mean feat, even if they did have to turn
LikeLike
Bonus point.
I want to be LRZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZz when I grow up.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oooh, checking the last pass?
LikeLike
That was awesome.
LikeLike
3 missed conversion now.
LikeLike
Oh, that was a beaut of a kick by LRZ.
LikeLike
Stupid again from us, why kick away possession there?
LikeLike
LRZ got to be MOTM. Almost won this single-handed for Wales.
LikeLike
All in all we deserve to lose this now, just too much stupidity
LikeLike
That kick by LRZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ means he must be Man of the Match.
Hogg’s been outstanding for Scotland.
LikeLike
Aye, that’ll do Finn, that’ll do
LikeLike
Bullshit penalty.
LikeLike
any other day that would have gone to hand
LikeLike
That was heart in mouth, right at the death.
LikeLike