And now, the end is near….
That sounds good. I should put it in a song.
That can wait, though. The real reason you’re reading this gibberish is to find out what the results are going to be on Saturday.
First up, Wales against Italy. Wales have scored 5 tries to Italy’s 4. That makes you think it might be close! Until you realise that Wales have conceded 7 to Italy’s 24. Which is a bit of a problem for Italy. (Nae shit, Sherlock). Italy played better against Scotland than they had in the other games, so is this the time they can back it up with another good performance? Probably not.
Wales have struggled a bit this year. Thumped by Ireland, scraped past Scotland, somehow losing to England despite scoring all the tries and never really looking like they would beat France. So, can Italy pull off a huge shock and get past Wales in Wales?
Let’s ask Predict-A-Bear!
Answer: Nah. Might be closer than expected, but probably Wales by 15.
Next up is Ireland against Scotland. (Sob). This was going to be The Year! The year to end (Way too many to count) Years Of Hurt! A brilliant start! And then everything turned Scottish. A disappointing – to say the least – defeat in Wales, thumped by France, then showing what we can do against Italy, before deciding that things were far too easy and that we should turn Scottish again.
Never mind, it’s only Ireland. The team that has been reinvigorated under Farrell The Elder. The team that beat the All Blacks. The team that thumped Wales, gave France their closest game so far and who managed to be disappointed in only scoring 57 points against 15, 14, 13, 12 man Italy. They have scored 20 tries to our 10, conceded 3 to our 11, Sexton’s on his Neverending Farewell Tour and have the might of Ulster (cheering them on from the sidelines).
So. Any hope for Scotland? Well … Ireland’s scrum looked strangely out of sorts against England. They also seemed a bit too rushed at times. And Finn bloody owes us one! So of course, Toonie sticks him on the bench. But probably none.
But let’s find out from Predict-A-Bear!
Answer: Nah. Much as I would love to be wrong, Ireland will win this fairly comfortably, by about 15 (at least). Can’t see us even getting any sort of bonus point. (Sobs again.)
Finally, the main event! France against England! France at home and going for a Grand Slam against a (fairly) average England team. (I mean, come on, WE beat them!) Eddie’s playing mind games again, although the only people he seems to confuse with these are his players. They have looked fairly toothless in attack (7 tries scored – and they’ve played Italy!), wonder boy Smith hasn’t quite lived up to the hype (but he will), the midfield has a Manu-sized hole (but then it frequently does) and Jack Nowell will probably end up hooking in the front row. And please (don’t) let Joe Marler take more throw ins. On the good side, Maro’s been a right annoying bastard on the pitch.
But France! They have everything: they can play tight; they can be expansive as (cliché alert) only France can. They have the best player in the world, and a few others who would probably be in a world XV, strength in depth and Shaun Edwards as defence coach. They haven’t perhaps scored quite as many tries as their play would suggest and had to tough it out against Wales.
So who will win?
Predict-A-Bear to the rescue!
Answer: A France win and Grand Slam!
Predict-A-Bear whispered sweet nothings into BorderBoy‘s ear.
Onna telly this week
Friday 18th March
| Bulls v Scarlets | 17:10 | BBC2 Wales / Premier Sports 2 |
| Glasgow v Edinburgh | 19:35 | Premier Sports 1 |
| Newcastle v Leicester | 19:45 | BT Sport 2 |
Saturday 19th March
| Lions v Munster | 12:00 | RTÉ2 / Premier Sports 2 |
| Wales v Italy | 14:15 | BBC1 / iPlayer |
| Sharks v Zebre | 16:30 | Premier Sports 2 |
| Ireland v Scotland | 16:45 | ITV |
| France v England | 20:00 | ITV |
Sunday 20th March
| Stormers v Cardiff | 12:00 | S4C / Premier Sports 1 | ||
| Wales v Italy (U20s) | 14:00 | BBC1 Wales / iPlayer / Website | ||
| Ireland v Scotland (U20s) | 17:00 | BBC1 iPlayer / Website | ||
| France v England (U20s) | 20:00 | BBC1 iPlayer / Website |
Ovally Balls 
Thought we buggered it, when the pass went to George, but it seemed to work out.
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interressante!
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I’ve no idea who this Stewart is (who does he play for?) but he’s been really good.
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really good execution from England
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@thaum – Freddie Steward plays for Leicester.
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Refit – cheers, and damn!
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Bloody hell. I reckon that’s it.
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That could be the killer!
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Dupont is just ridiculously good.
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Need Randall on now.
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Dupont is brilliant
But for me Fickou is the heartbeat of this French side
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Isn’t Randall the name of the killer in The Stand?
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@sbt – probably about 60 mins ago
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England: you are running out of time to save Ireland’s bacon.
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Ohh, Itoje can’t pass.
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England look completely demoralised.
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Well, congratulations France! A very well deserved slam – you were magnificent.
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Felicitations!
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…now, where’s my shotgun?
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Magnificent, France! Superb! Thoroughly deserved grand slam. They’ve put down a marker for for 2023, that’s for sure.
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Played France. Encouraging 2nd half from us but they were just way better.
Apparently we came 3rd. Doesn’t really feel that way.
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Greatly deserved Slam for the French. Chapeau. England looked better when they tore up the playbook and just tried to play rugby. Woki better than Maro I think, less prone to dumbass mistakes.
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Think that was Randle, no ?
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Well done,
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Nope, you are right, Randall Flagg.
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SBT – I love it when I’m right.
I was pretty sure France would win, too. Just hoped otherwise.
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Any position France are weak in ? They seem to have a ready like for like replacement just about everywhere, except possibly 9, but he is exceptionally exceptional.
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Well done, France: deserved winners today, and over the whole tournament. A really enjoyable team to watch. England improved, but the contrast between their play and France (and Ireland) is stark at the moment.
In the end, it was a good proper test match to watch, and both teams had their moments, but there’s no doubt the better team won. Féliciations!
And also to Italy — brilliant result for them…
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France for the World Cup. You read it here first.
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Jailbert would probably improve this French side
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Brookter – yes, well done to Italy too.
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Ticht – Jailbert? *cough*
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Jailbert is the fly-half on Scott Adams’ pick-up rugby team.
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oops
Jalibert not Jailbait
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Ticht – no typo goes unpunished.
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Had to watch the game an hour late as my daughter who wouldn’t miss a 6N game was delayed by a metro incident.
Unusually I had no fear as I thought France were better than England but still I’m chuffed and relieved. Finally… after 12 long years…
France never look like ruffled, Composure and quiet stealth. England defended well but rarely threatened in attack.
Incidentally loved the so called Steward/ Villiere contest. Just like Capuozo, the smaller guy showed that size matters less than skill. Long it may last.
Wonderful 6N .
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Some typically understated Italian commentary on the final try….
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“Apparently we came 3rd. Doesn’t really feel that way.”
Wales would have been third if Wyn Jones’ ‘try’ had been given which, let’s face it, it would be most of the time. And we’re shite enough to lose to Italy so there’s some perspective.
The teams this season were first, second and nowhere. Thought tonight’s game was high quality and a pretty good showing from England (as last week was), but then the scoreboard tells me Ireland and Wales got closer to France.
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The bloke who posted that Twitter with AWJ’s milestones and losses must be smiling this morning. Milestones or millstones?
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Hope this works as intended. SCW’s Partridge moment
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I think the true mark of France’s dominance yesterday is that I haven’t seen a single complaint about Jaco Peyper’s refereeing across multiple platforms.
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When the wee fullback did his thing at the end of the game in Cardiff I shouted like he was Scottish
For me that was the moment of the six nations
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Ticht, for me too. And am pretty sure my vision was a bit blurred by a tear or two. I was happy with France win later but this italian moment was much stronger. Thanks for rugby in these days.
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I am Sparticus.
Sorry Wales, but I was on my feet shouting at the laptop and jumping up and down. For high drama you can’t beat that.
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The honeymoon period is well and truly over and if England are to make the best of the resources available to them between now and France 2023 it is essential that the RFU – despite today’s claims that they ‘fully support’ Jones – immediately opens its depleted coffers and sends Eddie on his way with thanks for four good years prior to 2019 before making a call to Warren Gatland.
Fucking hell.
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Refit – be interested to know your thoughts on the Observer editorial today.
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Craigs – you may have to be more specific than that.
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Refit – it is very critical of the ‘affirmative approach’ for example. It also talks about lack of evidence in gender affirming medicine. These points are both controversial to say the least.
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gender affirming medicine
Mind boggles. I assume it has to do with people transitioning?
Have every sympathy with those who think they were born the wrong sex; that must be very difficult. As I’ve said before, some of those I’ve met have had other issues and didn’t have proper pastoral care to make sure they really wanted to transition. Can’t really imagine a bigger mistake than that.
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