Well, well, well, I really enjoyed the opening round of the 2024 Six Nations. I didn’t see Ireland smashing France like that and it’s always nice when it’s not your team imploding like Scotland did against Wales (although I thought the win was just about deserved in the end). Italy were a lot better and England feel brand new so what does that mean for the second weekend? Take a seat, young ‘uns, and let Uncle Craig’s tell you EXACTLY how it will play out.
Scotland vs France
Will either team be as bad as they were in parts last week? No, I don’t think so. Scotland have won four out of their last five matches against France in Murrayfield and have always been competitive in recent years. Toonie has shuffled the deck and Jamie Ritchie is oot with Rory Darge taking his place (although at 7 with Fagerson at 6). Which is quite significant seeing as he was the former captain, but (apparently) form and fitness have dropped off.
France have changed two: Bielle-Biarrey is now on the wing and Gabrillagues is in the pack to replace Willemse who is on the naughty step. No surprises for me here.
France missed Dupont last week and will miss him this week. Scotland will be looking to build on their win and won’t drop off like they did against a callow Welsh team. However, if France can find their groove it should make for an interesting match. I am going for a narrow win for the Scots given their recent Murrayfield form and a suspected kick up the arse in training this week. Looking forward to it.
24 – 21 to the Scots.
England vs Wales
So, the main event innit. Third best side in the world at home, etc. I think this Welsh team are too inexperienced at the moment. It’s one thing to throw it around against a team who have put nearly 30 points on you and you have a roaring home crowd at your back (especially when the other side commits 16 penalties in a row) but another to do it again in an away game. Don’t get me wrong, both sides are fairly new but I think England will win comfortably.
No changes for England; quite a few for the Welsh. North is back at 13, Mann is an injury replacement at 6, Tomos Williams at 9, Lloyd at 10 and Gareth Thomas, Dee and Assiratti make for a completely changed starting front row.
As I said, both teams are rebuilding but England look more settled (given the number of changes) and are at home. So I expect a comfortable win but this expectation has come back to bite me before.
27 – 20 to Engerlaaaaaaannnnnddddd!!!!!
Ireland vs Italy
The last game of the weekend will be a ‘Pro-displeasing hammering for Italy. Having dispatched France in Lyon last week Ireland are playing some great rugby at the moment. Skilful forwards, intimidating backs: I can only see this going one way. Italy will be competitive in parts and will score some tries but it won’t be enough.
Both sides have made a few changes. Andy Faz has shuffled the back row and given Doris the captaincy; Casey is at 9 and McCloskey is at 13. Amongst the changes for Italy, they get Capuozzo back, which will sharpen their attacking edge, and Varney and Zuliani will start. It won’t help them though.
Ireland will be physical, ruthless, aggressive and will rule every facet of play. Italy will be everyone’s favourite underdog but will probably get carded at least once. Easy home win for the Green Meanies.
50 – 15 to Ireland.
Cheers!
Unbounded optimism by Craigsman.
Onna telly this weekend
Showing matches that are televised in the UK and Ireland or on popular subscription services. Bold indicates that it’s on a free to view channel. Times are in the UK zone, so adjust as necessary.
Friday 9th February
| Ireland v Italy U20s | 19:15 | iPlayer |
| England v Wales U20s | 19:15 | S4C / iPlayer |
| Scotland v France U20s | 20:00 | iPlayer |
Saturday 10th February
| Scotland v France | 14:15 | BBC1 |
| England v Wales | 16:45 | ITV1 / S4C / RTÉ2 / STV |
Sunday 11th February
| Ireland v Italy | 15:00 | ITV1 / STV |
Ovally Balls 
Dab, think Ben Foden. He really is kind of useful all round, maybe not as imperious as Steward in the air, but way more cutting edge in attack, and Steward has increasingly looked hopelessly out of position and/or flat footed when faced with an overlap in open/broken play. May worked hard at this, and learned to close down three man overlaps really well,running sideways and backward, Freddie just stands there with his mouth open as people run past him, if he is around at all. Check out Ioane’s try for Italy, out of position, slow to turn, no effort to get back. Similar with Manns try for Wales, I guess he was out of position for legitimate organisational reasons, but when the line was half broken by Refell, he turned like Joe Marler, and sauntered back, Earl and Chessum at least were busting a gut in a lost cause.
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Furbank will at least run a bit more quickly after Duhan.
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Ireland by 17 over Wales – can’t see any other result, frankly, and given the Eeyore-esque prognostications of CMW, I may be being generous to Wales.
Scotland by 2 over England – could go either way, but England have been singularly unimpressive so far in their two narrow wins, whilst Scotland are, well, Scotland. I’ll go with them simply because they’re at home and breathing fire.
France by 18 over Italy – France haven’t impressed without Dupont, but Italy are fragile and, well, a little bit shit.
India by an innings and 234 over England – Bazball been exposed by Bumrah. Even if he’s not playing in this Test.
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Chiefs 3-0 up against the Crusaders after 5 minutes, if anybody is interested. They’ve camped in the ‘Saders 22 or thereabouts for most of the opening few minutes. Crusaders lacking any razor’s edge at the moment.
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27-10 to the Chiefs at halftime. Missed most of it, but the bit I did see, tackling was, like England’s use of the forward defence, optional.
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England scored heavily in the first session, cashing in on every wayward delivery to reach 117 at lunch. They also lost five wickets.
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27-22 to the Chiefs deep into the 3rd quarter. Chiefs have conceded the last five penalties and are now defending inside their 22.
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Oh, that’s crap
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@Deebee – England have dug in since lunch through Foakes and Root – music to traditionalists’ ears.
Root is 47 off 99 and Foakes 18 off 67.
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27-29 was the last score I saw – not sure if the Saders hung on for the win or not, but a tale of two halves either way.
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CMW, they’re doing an admirable job. Not sure if you saw the Stokes dismissal? He actually attempted a defensive prod but the ball skidded under his bat at ankle height in the 1st session on Day 1! If England can set India anything resembling a target in this match, you’d have to favour them based on that. Partnership of 66 so far between Foakes and Root.
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Ball still shooting through low every now and then – these two are doing a great job of clawing England back into the contest!
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Hmm. Sorry about that! Foakes goes to a flick to mid on and Hartley cleaned up by Siraj.
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Brumbies bashing the Rebels, to nobody’s surprise. 3-25 in Melbourne. Kellaway does go on a mazy, 60m run though, although 50m of it was across the field. Oh. They’ve scored! From a 5m scrum the 8 picks it up and saunters over untouched! Disallowed for pulling the defender back!
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Chiefs beat the Crusaders in the end, Brumbies thrashed the Rebels, Hurricanes thumping Force at present.
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Excellent finish by England to get 300+ for 7 at the close. Another 50 or 60 could be competitive, given the uneven bounce of the pitch.
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@SBT – Thanks for that! I agree that Steward has been magnificent under the high ball and poor everywhere else. Wasn’t impressed with Furbank when he was last tried out and haven’t seen him playing at club level, but if he’s really like Foden then that’s encouraging (always thought Foden’s talent merited more caps than he ended up with).
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yep, me too, Dab. remember him cutting France apart in paris one year, then barely getting a look in again. Must a been a personality issue.
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New post has landed!
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