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 
Thaum, obviously Murray and Sexton are a different class than GP and Burns. But a fit Burns is better than a heavy legged Sexton and GP delivers a better service than Murray nowadays. Changing of the guard always happens too late.
Now, their own subs might be a problem?
Ireland/France will be won by the forwards as usual, but if chaos happens, I think Ireland are less well equipped to deal with it.
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Sheesh, I’d forgotten how bad Flash Gordon actually is.
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Just popping in to say I felt for Scotland at the end there. Not that Wales didn’t deserve their win but it was harsh that one team had to lose a great game.
England – meh, I don’t mind having a slumo now tbh. Job done but our forwards are a bit shit now. Billy was better but still not great. Missing underhill and Marler.
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‘Sheesh, I’d forgotten how bad Flash Gordon actually is.’
Sacrilege!
How dare you
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Morning!
Well, I’m in the rare position of being a fairly accurate 2 from 2. Will Ireland see me through?
If you get the chance, compare England’s passing yesterday with Exeter’s against LI. No comparison in speed and accuracy.
Please take risks EJ, there is quality and consistency in the clubs.
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What happened to the England that put 31 points on us in 30 minutes, and battered NZ in the RWC semi-final? Is it too simplistic to say, South Africa in the Final That Definitely Didn’t Happen If You Were English? It just seems as though they’ve gone back into their shell after that.
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Ach… forgot I had lunch at friends to celebrate Chinese new year. There will be millions of dish and I won’t be home before 6pm. Will have to watch the game later. I’ll miss your comments at HT. Have fun.
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They tried to play a lot yesterday, BB. I think they’ll be all right. The pack’s still very strong but not too quick. Get Earl or Simmonds in the back row and it might be different. Am not sure if anyone else has noticed but they do have a weakness at 9.
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“Sheesh, I’d forgotten how bad Flash Gordon actually is.”
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Bad in a good way, of course….
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Lockdown in France = almost everything closed but dear Mrs Slade ordered a Valentines 3 course meal from a local village restaurant – pre-cooked, just re-heat.
Brilliant; accompanied by a chilled Gevurtztraminer to start and then a Bio Cotes de Roussillon rouge to follow.
We feel good!
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Slade, to continue yesterday’s theme, that ain’t working, that’s the way to do it.
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Well, this has started at 1000 mph.
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Ireland feel a lot more dynamic so far, over last week.
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Ireland going for the pill roost as a tactic
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Who is doing the camera work in the Aviva??
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Illegal bind by Irish prop there. Penalty could have gone other way.
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Ireland with the better of the early exchanges
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Pish penalty attempt though
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‘Who is doing the camera work in the Aviva??’
Bob the blind cameraman
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Relieved for Billy there
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This is fine by Ireland. Really harassing the French.
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France just look really undercooked today.
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Oof, that was very close
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Thought Lowe was in there. Very close
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Ooh nearly a great finish! Ireland really on top here.
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Very good tackle by Dulin.
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They’re psyched out at the line out
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Lovely try
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And, just like that……
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There, see?
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Allez les Bleus! Very nice try!
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LOVELY!
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Wow – wonderful play from France. Weren’t in the game at all and then suddenly cut through Ireland like butter!
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It’s hard to play against 14 men.
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Is anyone else getting anxious at the coaching teams not wearing their masks properly?
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Refit – yes, and always adjusting them by pulling on the bit right in front of the mouth!
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We can’t be having the French honing their skills against Ireland in advance of the serious games to come……….
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A Scotland-esque inability to turn pressure into points by Ireland
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Hey all. Just finished a Valentine’s lunch in time…
Don’t think Ireland did much wrong that half. Also thought Lowe’s foot avoided the line, but hey ho.
France stepped on the gas when they got their opportunity and put it away well.
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It was the second foot, Piper, unfortunately.
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Oh, skip that just saw the slo-mo of the dragging right foot.
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@Piperboy nah right foot was definitely in touch. Cueto all over again!
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2nd week in a row when I’ve been impressed with how far Andrew Porter has come. And Rhys Ruddock is a fine player to have so few caps.
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Ooh, willemse said a rude word
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Right on the noggin
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Got away with that that’s to a lock’s massive head…
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Right on the noggin again
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OUCH!
Hell, we can’t afford to lose them.
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Ouch, nasty head clash
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