Could anything be more exciting than last week’s matches?
Read on to find out.
Wales vs Scotland
Scotland, all day, easy peasy, we lost to the eventual winners innit.
Ahem. Ok, victory for Scotland for the first time in Cardiff for a while (but they did win in Llanelli) against a team who has had their number for a while now. Wales have too many injuries and lost 90% of their caps in Alun Wyn-Jones. They also don’t have Josh Navidi, Taulupe Faletau or Justin Tipuric so I can’t see them win the battle up front. Scotland on the other hand have only lost Jamie Ritchie (big loss, mind) and will feel confident after their recent win against … err … can’t remember. In fact, looking at the line-ups, it’s only n° 6 where Wales have a significantly better player.
Wales won by a single point last year and have regressed since. Their defence has become pretty bollocks after Shaun left and they lack the experience at international level (this does not mean they are like England. Repeat, they are NOT like England). Further, they didn’t really set the world alight in the autumn (win against Australia aside). Whereas Scotland have won 6 of their last (arbitrary point in time warning) 7 matches and will be confident going in.
30 – 20 to Scotland.
France vs Ireland
Some people might point out that Ireland don’t have Cateyes and therefore are not going to be as competitive as they could be against France. I, on the other hand, think that this is more than counterbalanced by the number of Ulster players in the team which shows strategic and forward thinking on Faz’s part.
This is probably the game of the weekend. Both sides are in great form having won their opening games and recently beaten the All Blacks (but who hasn’t nowadays? Scotland and Wales actually, but we’ve already discussed that) in convincing style. Ireland play a brand of ‘Pro-pleasing precision rugby and now have a pack which won’t get munched by the opposition whereas France have actually made a team worth the sum of its parts. Both teams are very strong in defence whereas France are a bit better in open play and will score some tries against the run of play. I think Ireland will win the breakdown so these are evenly-matched foes.
I think the key battle will be the set piece with these two teams. If either one can get an edge in the scrum and/or lineout then I expect them to win; probably Ireland. It won’t be by much but it will be down to the old heads such O’Mahoney at the end to see Ireland through.
28 – 22 to Ireland
Italy vs England
England v Italy is always a tough one to preview. Either it induces 50 Shades of meh as England eventually beat them or there’s a surprise around the ruck laws or there is a comedy rage moment where Brian Moore reveals how many toys his ma bought him for his birthday. Recently, England rarely seem to come out of these encounters with glowing match day reports. Either they won well, but didn’t lay down a marker, or they won and it was a poor performance. Or it wasn’t rugby maate.
Apparently Eddie is going with the same team as last week. I think it’s good to have a settled team to build confidence but I’d prefer it if we had some more bosh and experience. Courtney buggering his beautiful noggin is a big loss for us and after last weekend England need Faz’s direction. So I’m thinking that next Monday we’ll have a column from Matt Dawson saying how he would have done something different in hindsight. That’s because he is well clever and if you look at his articles, he doesn’t write many paragraphs, just widely spaced single sentences listing the random thoughts he is having at that moment.
Eddie normally talks about how England will ‘smash’ Italy, but he’s been quiet on that front so far. Which is actually quite nice. I’m expecting a disjointed first half, and then a comfortable gap to open up in the last 20 minutes. I am hoping that we show a bit more attacking shape than last week, and that Marcus Smith finds his feet (watch Squidge’s video about the Calcutta Cup for what I mean by that).
I think Italy will score a couple of nice tries but also shoot themselves in the foot more often than not. They have a young and exciting fly half and Benetton won that cup thing which I think was good, but not sure how seriously the other teams were taking it. Like that development cup in the Prem.
25 – 17 to England.
UPDATE!!!!
Randall starts!!!! And Marchant is in the centre and we have proper wingers and, and, and FFS Eddie, why can’t you do this when we play Scotland?!!!
Hand-wringing by Craigsman
Onna telly this week
Friday 11th February
| Leinster v Edinburgh | 18:00 | RTÉ2 / Premier Sports 1 |
| Italy U20 v England U20 | 19:00 | BBC iPlayer |
| Leicester v Northampton | 19:45 | BT Sport 1 |
| Wales U20 v Scotland U20 | 20:00 | BBC iPlayer / S4C |
| Toulouse v Stade Français | 20:00 | Premier Sports 1 |
| Glasgow v Munster | 20:15 | TG4 / Premier Sports 1 |
Saturday 12th February
| Lions v Stormers | 13:00 | Premier Sports 2 |
| Wales v Scotland | 14:15 | BBC1 / S4C |
| Bulls v Sharks | 15:05 | Premier Sports 2 |
| France v Ireland | 16:45 | ITV |
Sunday 13th February
| Saracens v Harlequins | 13:00 | BT Sport 1 | ||
| Italy v England | 15:00 | ITV |
Ovally Balls 
Thaum, I could write one next week. Would that do?
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Flair – the following week isn’t a 6N weekend, but for the 11th March (Wales/France the first fixture) would do nicely?
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As you wish, I’ll try to pen it by next week, you’ll use it when you need to.
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I heard this last night
Dramatist John Dennis put on a play in 1709 called Appius and Virginia. It wasn’t successful and closed after a short run, but he had devised an ingenious method to replicate thunder for the theatre.
Later Dennis was in the audience for a performance of Macbeth,
“Mr. Dennis happened once to go to the play, when a tragedy was acted, in which the machinery of thunder was introduced, a new artificial method of producing which he had formerly communicated to the managers. Incensed by this circumstance, he cried out in a transport of resentment, ‘That is my thunder, by God; the villains will play my thunder, but not my plays.'”
They “stole his thunder”, and that is where we get the phrase from.
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“You don’t want them to feel pressure,” the 30-year-old said. “We were just relaxing with nice tea and a couple of biscuits, nice shortbread. That’s the important thing … to connect and get to know each other.”
Anybody know what Manu’s favourite biscuit is?
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In these troubled times with covid lingering on, Boris still in charge and Russia invading Ukraine I thought I’d cheer everyone up with this:
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Cue videos of Alex Cuthbert, Gareth Davies and Scott Gibbs.
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LRZ dropped from the Wales squad. England by a record cricket score.
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Some thrilling NH skills there! The kind you see every weekend in SH club games.
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presumably that’s injury related…. ?
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Deebs – don’t think the welsh defence was great at the time tbh
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Trisk – nope. Axed apparently.
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In the Midol video below, Finn has only binary choices. Pretty funny. He comes across well.
https://video.rugbyrama.fr/rugby/6-nations-battre-la-france-ou-l-angleterre-le-tac-au-tac-de-finn-russell_vid1640586/video.shtml
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Sad to hear about Mark Lanegan. One of those guys who always seemed to do something interesting, even if it wasn’t always to my taste.
This definitely is.
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Flair, from what I gather Finn is genuinely a really good guy, he is what you see, fun-loving, but wants to do well.
I only saw the first half of the game on Sunday, if that pass that he swung up and around the defender had not been called forward it would have been one of the plays of the season – I thought it was a very close call.
BB, I should have heard of Mark Lanegan, given what bands he’s been in, but I don’t know his name
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Rest in peace The Amazing Johnathan
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Craigs – not gonna let facts or reality get in the way of a cheap shot. Going away for the weekend, so will have to try to find a pub that’s showing the matches that the missus and her family will be happy enough to sit in and enjoy the view or something if I want to see any of the rugby.
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The important matches of the weekend (surely deserves an ATL from one of the Celts, but whatever):
Zebre v Bulls: Bulls by 7 – Zebre are woeful and even without the talismanic Morne ‘Lion Slayer (twice)’ Steyn, the Bulls should have enough quality in their squad to overcome this motley crew. Not sure how many players Zebre have lost to the 6N, so being conservative here.
Leinster v Lions: Leinster by 43 Loss of players to the Ireland set up or not, Leinster are gonna maul the Lions, who not only have a crap squad or journeymen and pensioners for hte most part, but will be missing their two dynamic loosies in the Tshituka brothers, due to passport problems. 43 point margin may be generous.
Connacht v Stormers: Connacht by 7 Based largely on being at home and having a good side. Stormers have been building some form, but can they translate that on the road in Ireland? Not sure. It’s a match they could sneak, if things go their way, but equally could lose badly if they don’t get the fine margins right.
Benetton v Sharks: Sharks by 3 Probably too conservative, given that Benetton will be without a host of internationals and the growing depth of the Sharks squad, but still wary of them, given how they can perform.
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He lived – apparently – in my “town” (Killarney) . ‘Killarney’ might cover a lot of ground – it’s got decent name recognition in a way that neighbouring towns or villages wouldn’t
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“I should have heard of Mark Lanegan, given what bands he’s been in, but I don’t know his name”
@ticht – same here and apparently living “next door”…..
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Try some of the stuff on this list (includes the song I posted yesterday).
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/feb/23/from-screaming-trees-to-gutter-twins-mark-lanegans-10-greatest-songs
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Inga the Winger RIP
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Deebs – I’m trying to get a rise (goodness) out of the Welsh. Not happening.
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Great article on Wee Darcy.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/60505263
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That’s such a shame about Va’aiga Tuigamala, by his Jason Robinson’s account he turned his life around with Inga’s help.
He was genuinely scary on the park for all the best reasons.
Elsewhere someone noted that the Wigan team back then had a line up of Connolly, Robinson, Offiah, Botica, Edwards, Tuigamala, Farrell, Betts, and Scott Quinnell.
Not too shabby.
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bit of an editing problem there, as per
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We’ve gone 7-tastic. No real surprises otherwise.
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Actual team:
15. Stuart Hogg – Exeter Chiefs – (Captain) – 90 caps
14. Darcy Graham – Edinburgh Rugby – 24 caps
13. Chris Harris – Gloucester Rugby – 33 caps
12. Sione Tuipulotu – Glasgow Warriors – 3 caps
11. Duhan van der Merwe – Worcester Warriors – 15 caps
10. Finn Russell – Racing 92 – (Vice-Captain) – 60 caps
9. Ali Price – Glasgow Warriors – 48 caps
1. Pierre Schoeman – Edinburgh Rugby – 6 caps
2. Stuart McInally – Edinburgh Rugby – 45 caps
3. Zander Fagerson – Glasgow Warriors – 44 caps
4. Sam Skinner – Exeter Chiefs – 17 caps
5. Grant Gilchrist – Edinburgh Rugby – (Vice-Captain) – 50 caps
6. Rory Darge – Glasgow Warriors – 1 cap
7. Hamish Watson – Edinburgh Rugby – 47 caps
8. Magnus Bradbury – Edinburgh Rugby – 16 caps
Replacements
16. George Turner – Glasgow Warriors – 22 caps
17. Oli Kebble – Glasgow Warriors – 11 caps
18. WP Nel – Edinburgh Rugby – 45 caps
19. Jamie Hodgson – Edinburgh Rugby – 3 caps
20. Nick Haining – Edinburgh Rugby – 10 caps
21. Ben White – London Irish – 2 caps
22. Blair Kinghorn – Edinburgh Rugby – 29 caps
23. Mark Bennett – Edinburgh Rugby – 22 caps
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Happy to see Darge in there but gonna be a tough day at the office for our lot
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Still, would rather have a mobile & breakdown-ey back row than get over obsessed with size.
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XV de départ du XV de France : 15. Jaminet ; 14. Penaud, 13. Fickou, 12. Danty, 11. Moefana ; 10. Ntamack, 9. Dupont (cap.) ; 7. Jelonch, 8. Alldritt, 6. Cros ; 5. Willemse, 4. Woki, 3. Atonio, 2. Marchand, 1. Baille.
Remplaçants : 16. Mauvaka, 17. Gros, 18. Bamba, 19. Taofifenua, 20. Flament, 21. Cretin, 22. Lucu, 23. Ramos.
Same starters and same bench as vs Ireland, save Moefana on the wing for Villière, as Danty returns at 12.
Moefana plays center usually and he’s a big boy so Galthié probably chose him over Lebel or Tao, as they’ll face Van der Merwe. I fear ( and prefer) wee Graham more than the big Saffer.
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Oops, Ticht beat me there.
Good Scotland team, it’ll be closer than most people think.
I’m not as familiar with the Scottish pack as with France’s , but I’d instantly take three of your players for France: Hogg, Graham and Hamish. And the good Finn on the bench, although he only covers FH (?) .
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Inside centre is the position I’m concerned about. Tuipulotu is used to bullying the URC, but he won’t do it on Saturday, and more, if Tuipulotu gets crocked, Bennett is an out an out 13, I don’t wan’t Harris at 12 because although he is brilliant defensively, he is not the most creative centre in the game.
The other option is Kinghorn to 10, Finn to 12.
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Flair, Kinghorn covers 10, both wings and fullback. Bennett is s specialist 13 but is more than quick enough to play on the wing
I think France will have too much for us up front, though of course I’m going for Scotland by 3 in the Bru
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Went for France by 6
England by 11
Ireland by 37.
Never seen Finn at 12 or elsewhere. If Scotland lose, I don’t want him to play poorly and be blamed for it. He’s great fun to watch.
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Well – what a crap, f**king day BUT…….this is good:
https://chrisgreybrexitblog.blogspot.com/
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France by 11
England by 7 or 17 – dependant on whether Tuilagi lasts one half or two
Ireland by 40
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France by 9 – spirited, plucky Scotland won’t last the distance without a first choice side (where they’d have a very good chance)
Wales by 1 – sorry to say, but England’s backs will be reshuffled at some stage and the Welsh are just tenacious bastards against England.
Ireland by 35 – not a random number: the gentlemanly Celts will just kick the ball into touch and defend for turnovers once they hit 35. Nice guys, they are.
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Slade – Chris Grey is excellent. I recommend his book, too.
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England by 5
Ireland by lots
Scotland by 95
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In reality France by 7. Boo
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Terribly sad news about Inga. He was a ferocious player.
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In better news about former rugby internationalists, Hugo Southwell has made a couple of handy contributions at the current European Cricket League 10-over bash in Spain:
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Manu broken again.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/60507791
Wales by 150.
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Tuilagi out. Poor man, so strong and yet so fragile. Hope he recovers quickly.
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“Wales by 150”
Behave.
Interesting though, certainly changes the midfield dynamic for both teams.
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It’s almost as thought the threat of Manu these days is more than the reality. When was the last time he completed a full 80 for England (or even 60 minutes before being subbed for non-injury reasons)?
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It looked like Eddie was desperate to have him back in the team. Well, he is a handful when fit. Poor Manu, he seems to break the laws of physics just by existing.
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