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 
Think it was and was very likely a try
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Justice done, I think, because I don’t think Scotland grounded the try in the first half. And France should have had a penalty try. But an absolute sickener for Scotland, who were the better side on the day.
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NO.
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Abvsolute rubbish decision. Ball was clearly down, the TMO saw it!
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France were horribly lethargic with the ball, but did defend pretty well for the most part. Lesson delivered on not kicking the points, Scotland went out of their way to lose that game really.
The Scotland try was brilliant, but it feels like it happened about six hours ago.
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Dab – which try did we not ground? The one where White slid over the line? When should France have got a penalty try?
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That was absolute bollocks
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If the Duhan sort of high tackle was penalised that would possibly have been a penalty try and YC. He probably should have got a YC for the offside really, tackle was arguable either way.
Nothing wrong with Scotland’s try at all, was the absoulte stand out highlight of the game.
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sloppy France didn’t really deserve that. Russell the outstanding player/brain on the field
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Thats really harsh , was obviously on the ground, but maybe not enough to overturn ? I would have done, that last rocking and rolling shot is clear enough for me. Should have been a bit cooler tho, white line fever.
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Cruel for Scotland who played far better than lethargic France. Loved the way Finn played.
Certainly not sure if it was a try at the end, but I agree with CMW and Dab, Berry should’ve awarded a YC to VDW and possibly a penalty try.
Hope this is the last time we saw Lucu, Danty and the bloody lineout coach.
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Would have liked Scotland to have a run at the big prize really with them having beaten us. Don’t see anyone stopping Ireland anyway, but would have been nice to have had a front runner to support.
On to Twickenham. We have some sort of a chance but could well get stuffed.
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Thought Scotland lost their rhythm during that kickathon in the 2nd half. Final act was impossible to judge really.
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Lloyd got that 80s Stuart Barnes retro vibe going on.
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Mostly poor game, and yet, in all that crap, some guys played a blinder:
The young Patterson, that jinking run by Rowe, Scotland try in the first half, their destruction of France’s line out, Finn being Finn, Bielle-Barrey’s lovely try, and what a game by François Cros! And most scrums, although still too slow, were fairly disputed.
But both coaches have a lot of work to do.
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Going from Andrew Cotter to Nick Mullins is such a step down. Urghhh, my ears.
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Kick chase problems for Wales again, got to do better.
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There was one angle on there Scotland try where it really looked like the ball never got down to me. But possible it had already touched down as he went over the line.
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Hope this isn’t anything too serious.
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Looked like an unlucky one to be honest.
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Seems a fair decision.
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That should be a red, if you ask me. Leading with the shoulder into the head, and no attempt to wrap. I don’t buy the ‘he was falling’ mitigation, as he was already on his way down when Chessum decided to make the shoulder-barge.
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Ooh, doesn’t wrap the ball until after his tucked shoulder hits the head.
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Refit – I’m also missing Kayser and Nige.
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I reckon we’re more likely to concede a try from one of our own cross kicks than score one.
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That was a quick decision! Just a yellow. Hmph.
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England had a lot of time in Wales’ 22 and got nothing. Now a man down. Oh dear.
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What’s going on? Great kick for the corner by Wales, good line-out, and … penalty try!
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Is this ref Welsh?
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That’s a big call, didn’t think we were going to be able to get the ball down there.
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Bloody hell not 5 mins ago England were all over Wales and nearly scoring twice. Now they’re two players and a penalty try down.
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What are we doing now?
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Embarrassing.
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But 13-man England return the favour, mostly thanks to Itoje.
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That was a proper “fuck it, I’ll do it myself” try by Earl.
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That was funny!
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No idea if that was right. Didn’t seem particularly fair.
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We’re a remarkably clean team. The opposition have conceded the last 72 penalties in our games.
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Clyde – your lot usually get away with your cheats. Dodgy line-outs, sixteen players on pitch, etc.
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Chessum struggling to stay involved in this game.
It’s not a very good game, but probably is better than the second half of Scotland-France as weird is more fun than boring.
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I mean it really is just a string of refereeing decisions at the moment.
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@Thaum – it’s why you love us.
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That was so offside it’s comical. What do wales have to do to concede a penalty???
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I’m wondering if Gats does daily drills on the laws.
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We’re so static in possession. Dismal stuff.
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Clyde – harrumph!
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That was nice! Welsh not very static there!
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Cardiff’s Alex Mann* furra liiinnnneeee!
*No, me neither.
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Great try! Well done boys.
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Wonderful try by Wales. Refell is some player.
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