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 
Post the photo Thaum.
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No way, Craigs. :-)
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Hahaha!!!!
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Post it!
Evening Craigs!
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Good words, squire – crap predictions, but good words!
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Deebee – your eyes would bleed if you saw it.
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France U20s are hammering Scotland U20s
The difference is that we have one side staffed with professionals, all of them play in either the Top 14, Pro D2 or Nationale.
Scotland don’t have one fully professional player – I see no way to improve the situation in Scotland without a huge injection of funds, and to be frank the money is just not there.
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Not sure I’ve seen many scrums get as mullered as the Welsh U20s one v England. 21-7 at 71 mins with England pretending to have scored without dropping it as I type this.
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England manage to score again anyway. 28-7.
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Scotland France turned out to be a really good game. France won 29 – 14, but it was closer than that.
The French fans were terrific, it was a really good atmosphere at the Edinburgh ground.
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Thanks Craigs – I think France will win, if only because they were so pissed off with themselves after last week
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So. If Wales picked the wrong starting XV last week, does that mean the revised side will batter England and Scotland are shite, ready to be pummeled by France? Or will Wales be glorious until the (crap) subs come on and lose again, whilst France pummel Scotland? Or will Finn the Skin do his own entire reel of perfectly times passes to slice open France like an over ripe banana?
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Scotland bringing in a baby (in rugby terms) to cover for Kyle Steyn, who is off ‘supporting’ his wife who is having an actual baby.
Harry Paterson, 9th professional appearance, 7th start. Nae pressure then…
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Ticht, yes it was a good game last night. Most French U20s play in the T14, ProD2 or below but they do get exposed to serious rugby.
Unfortunately France does not (cannot?) play to its strenght in the 6N, as the league games carry on at the same period. Eight guys who played vs Ireland were needed by their clubs, therefore didn’t play vs Scotland. Others like Gailleton, Gazotti etc are training with the senior team but are also sent back to their depleted clubs. This explains why France have not won a 6N for the past 10 years although they won the RWC 3 times in a row
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No lifting across the line in the delivery room! Hope the baby isn’t delivered squint.
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If he’s anything like me when I ‘supported’ Mrs BB when she had out two (not at the same time, it should be added), he’ll be keeping well behind the gainline. Although if he sees the midwives start to create a caterpillar, then he might start getting worried…
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“Caterpillar” almost made me spit my coffee.
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I think they need to amend the lineout laws, so that you can’t step out of the line to change places. The overhead shot of Scotland playing musical chairs just then was ridiculous.
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GET IN!
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Oh, that was a lovely turn-over break by Scotland.
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Great try! And well done The Baby!
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Ooh, White almost over-ran the last pass. Good hands to hold onto the ball.
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Impressive JDII impression by Hugh Jones there.
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Think McDuhan got away with a couple there. It was very impressive work by him, nonetheless.
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Did not know that gumshields have sensors in them! Good idea.
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Have France done anything, other than Fickou’s break?
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France in! Fickou was going to be stopped from there….
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Hey, France have remembered how to rugby.
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French try, but I think they lost the ball forward in that move somewhere. Maybe not, I’d have to see it again.
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Bugger, blew that at the end. Should have taken the 3.
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Not happy with Berry ( how could VdW be considered on side when stealing that ball? ) but then am even less happy with sloppy France. Can’t even secure their own ball at line outs. And when they do, they don’t seem to know what to do with it. I can name at least 5 SHs better than Lucu. Back to the Guirado’s years then. Ach…
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Cotter on Finn: He’s a genius, you know; he fell over in a genius way.
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Stupid new comment box doesn’t accept html – you have to use their tools!
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Scotland have been the better side pretty much throughout, but they do seem to be setting up a lesson for themselves about taking the points from penalties. Hope it doesn’t turn out that way.
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Well, this is annoying. Had been planning to walk the dog between matches, but there’s been so much stoppage in this one that we’ll be lucky if the next one doesn’t kick off before this finishes.
Which one do I want to see more?
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I think the other game will probably be better than the second half of this one. It’s quite a low bar.
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This is a terrible, terrible game of rugby!
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Oh dear, Scotland can’t win when they through the ball around and lose, and can’t win when they’re in front against France. Its up to France to do something.
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France need to realise they’re behind and are the ones who are going to have to play.
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There we are then.
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That looked too easy – did Scotland just have too many in the line when one should have been covering?
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They shouldn’t have been anywhere near there, ref missed an obvious knock on from France.
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Oh my gosh someone played some rugby!! Great try!
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Brilliant run from Rowe, such a shame he dropped it.
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What a break by the Scotland 14.
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Getting held up looked like a massive risk there, think he’s maybe scored though!
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Wouldn’t want to have to make this call.
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I think it ends up on the ground, but is it still over the line?
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YES
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