Can you feel it? That frisson in the air? No, it’s not fucking Phil Collins! (Don’t be an idiot.) Kick off your high-heeled stud boots; it’s party time. SIX NATIONS OPENING WEEKEND! WOOHOO!
The delectable anticipation, the raw hunger, the beautiful dream as yet undisturbed by some snot-nosed kids bringing your blissful reverie to a sudden and brutal end.
First up on the menu is a tasty treat in the form of a re-Gatted Wales against a McCloskey-powered Ireland. Roof is to be closed in Cardiff, apparently. Ominous.
Next up is England v Scotland. Can Scotland be Karl-like and pull it off again at Twickenham?
Finally, on Sunday, we have Italy v France. It would be surprising if Italy won, but could home advantage and perhaps a ref decision or two produce some drama?
So sit back and enjoy the anticipation! By the end of the weekend, half of us will be asking ¿Qué bandolera que eres tú?
Onna telly this week
Friday 3rd February
| Wales v Ireland (U20s) | 19:00 | BBC iPlayer / S4C |
| England v Scotland (U20s) | 19:00 | BBC iPlayer / RTÉ Player |
| Italy v France (U20s) | 20:00 | BBC iPlayer |
Saturday 4th February
| Sharks v Stormers | 12:00 | Viaplay Sports 2 / TG4 |
| Toulouse v Bayonne | 14:00 | Viaplay Sports 2 |
| Wales v Ireland | 14:15 | BBC1 / S4C |
| La Rochelle v Lyon | 16:00 | Viaplay Sports 2 |
| England v Scotland | 16:45 | ITV1 / RTÉ2 |
| Montpellier v Toulon | 20:00 | Viaplay Sports 2 |
Sunday 5th February
| Italy v France | 15:00 | ITV1 |
| Stade Français v Bordeaux | 20:00 | Viaplay Sports 2 |
Some cracking head to heads this weekend and you feel that whilst there’s still a long way to go before everything is settled, that a loss this weekend will be very damaging for hopes of lifting the trophy in the end. Home ground advantage could be a factor, as could injuries and possibly unsettled combinations, but I think on balance the Sharks should just about have too much for the Stormers.
Words (and songs!) Thauma!
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In other matches:
Ireland over Wales by 12: What’s new pussycat? As Wales seek the green, green grass of home ground advantage, it’s not unusual for excitement to build as Gats leaves his hat on. The flinty old bugger will bring back more thunderball than sexbomb to the Welsh gameplan, but ultimately it’ll be Ireland who’ll be burning down the house in Cardiff.
England over Scotland by 3 or vice-versa England’s Calcutta Cup Calamity™ looks to extend for another year, following the Sacking of the Saviour™ in December. But with a new sheriff in town and a reshuffled deck, the Gambler looks to hold ’em, fold ’em and unleash a skipper with more hits than Thomas Jones Woodward, OBE. A good front row does mask the callow back five up front, which could give Scotland a glimmer of hope of putting the English halfbacks under pressure and ruining any continuity. Scotland’s pack looks more settled, could cause havoc in the loose and ultimately give some real chances to some exciting midfielders and wide players. Too close to call!
France over Italy by 21 This is Italy’s big year isn’t it? Wins over Australia, Wales and Samoa, with a narrow loss to Scotland point to an Azzurri on the Up! But those results were bookended by massive shellackings against the Irish and Boks and France are up there (at least) with those two, so don’t expect a fairytale beginning for an Italian side of largely homegrown talent. And before the Scots start muttering about one Tommaso Allan, Italians have never been comfortable in Scotland. Ask Hadrian. France will be looking to put down a marker early on in the tournament and they have power, pace and panache in spades at the moment. It won’t be close, but it should be entertaining.
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Changed my Bru prediction to Scotland by 1 point. Was tempted to go for the draw. Ireland-France to decide the destiny of the trophy. Wales-Italy duel to the death for the wooden spoon. Scotland-England for mid-table bragging rights. Not much point in watching when it’s all so clear cut, is there?
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TOP AtL
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You’re too kind, Slade!
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Thanks Thaum.
24 hours to go, and need something to make it go quicker. Anyone got any suggestions ?
I see Tov has popped up on the Guardian again.
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Also, can someone explain Sheena Easton and her relevance to England Scotland ?
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SBT – U20s tonight, and she’s Scottish.
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I can’t see anyone beating Ireland to the title this year, they have France at home and that is going to be the decider.
This weekend I expect the Irish side to have too much for Gatland’s return, they are a very good side.
France will likely wallop Italy, even without the likes of Woki and Danty – I’ve called Ireland for the title but I think it would be foolish to bet against France.
Tomorrow’s Calcutta Cup will likely see Farrell play first receiver a lot and have him roosting the pill into the evening sky, then relying on the kick chase – “get it in the facking mixer” being the title of the tactics sheet.
Both sets of selectors have picked mobile sides, when Scotland are down a player or two it really shows and missing Darcy Graham and Zander Fagerson is a big deal for us.
Hey ho, one way or the other I expect a high scoring game at Twickenham
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This will probably be famous last words, but I’m pleased to see the back row that SSBB has picked and I’m excited to see OH-C. Also pleased to see Lawrence in the squad. Would have started him at 12 with Faz at 10 tbh but hey-ho. Can’t understand the point in Malins.
Would be nice if we could beat Scotland at Twickers, please. It’s been a while.
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Never took you for one so easily pleased and excited, Dab.
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I would be nice if the 6N brings back a few waifs and strays to these pages
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Ticht, it would be brilliant! This is nice:
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Ireland by 12 (it probably suits everyone that they win this year, not next). Wales should have picked Tschiunza. However, probably more than any other team, Wales know instinctively how to play rugby
Scotland/England draw – for Scotland White has been terrific every time I have seen him play this season, but I am surprised by Harris’ omission – a top, top player in my opinion.. All square in the forwards but a clunky England backline may be too much for Scotland’s weakness at 10+
France by 12 – but that may be generous. Italy are nobody’s mugs in the first game.
All predictions negated by red cards shown.
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Or red cards missed. Hope there isn’t too much controversy, but with the fine margins of collisions and camera angles, you never know.
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U20s matches are on tonight, from 6pm. Broadcast on BBC iPlayer and/or S4C.
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U20s also available via the BBC Sport website.
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Italy doing a number on France at the moment, 2 tries up after 25 mins. 12-6
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France score and convert for a 13-12 lead after 30 minutes. Just chooned in.
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TRY Irish babies!
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‘Sigh’
Scotland a try down in six minutes, then score a very good one of their own. And then (stop me if you’ve heard this before) make a complete arse of the restart and England go over in the corner.
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And one for the Welsh too.
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French defence is up fast, and is ferocious, but Italy showing really composure under the pressure. Eventually get a penalty, kick tovthe corner, win the lineout and maul it over! 17-13 with the conversion sliding wide.
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Great conversion by the baby dragon. 7 all.
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Scotland get a penalty back. 12-10 to England.
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Bloody hell. Acotland take to long to clear from a ruck, England come round and push them off the ball, then go over again in the corner. 17-10.
England kit looks crap, by the way.
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Lovely Welsh try. Dammit.
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Game’s gone for us already. 24-10. 20 minutes played.
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31-10. Need alcohol.
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It’s 15-7 in Wales, but Ireland have just made a great defensive tackle and got control back.
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TRY in typical Irish style from the corner.
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Turned over to the England game, you’re not wrong BB, the kit’s hideous.
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15-14 at HT. Wales seemed to have the upper hand for most of it, but Ireland improved over the half.
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31-20 at half time.
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Is the English kit this one? https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2023/feb/03/england-rugby-union-shirt-six-nations-2023
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That’s the one. Looks even worse when it starts to get dirty.
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Bit of nice writing here:
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England’s pack is huge – pro-ready by the looks of them
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Bit of a controversial no-try to Ireland as there was a high tackle without which the score would certainly have been made (it was maybe an inch short), but no penalty try.
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And Wales bloody sneak a try!
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Ireland responds!
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Ireland take the lead with the conversion! 20-21.
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BEAUTIFUL Irish try! Fabulous off-loading! (One might have been forward, mind.)
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Nope, but conversion is missed. 20-29 at 62 mins.
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TRY Nicholson! Ireland now looking very dominant.
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Baby fly-half Prendergast (Irish grandparent?) looks the business.
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Oh well, apparently it’s a Hiberno-Norman name. Colour me wrong.
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38-36 with 10 minutes left!
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BB – wut?! Come on Scotlaaaannnndddd!
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