It’s here! The return that nobody expected (or wanted…)
Predict-A-Bear is back, along with his partner in crime, Shug (The Dug). Together, they will cast a beady eye over this week’s Six Nations games and decide the (probable) winner. All 3 games could be tight, and then again, all 3 games could be one-sided batterings.
As you will see, they have gone hi-tech for these predictions.
First up, Italy vs Scotland.
Italy have improved, and even though France were awful, they still could/should have beaten them. They ran England close, not that that’s saying much these days.
They didn’t run Ireland close, but then nobody will this year.
Unlike in previous years, they don’t seem to run out of steam in the last quarter: the pack is improving, and the backs can and probably will try to run the ball from everywhere.
Scotland are, apparently, the second-best team in the tournament. We were favourites to beat Wales (and we did! Just). We should have beaten France but fell asleep for parts of the second half, as did the TMO at the end. We were favourites to beat England, but it’s England….
We have a strong team and squad now, apart from a couple of places, mainly in the front row. Zander seems to have to play most of the 80 and thankfully has stopped giving away quite so many penalties. Famous last words, I know. We’ve gone for a 6-2 split on the bench.
Still uncomfortable with Scotland being favourites for anything, but that’s just part of our psyche.
Predict-A-Bear says:
Next, England vs Ireland.
Hmmm. Will we see the England of the first 20 minutes against Scotland, or the England of the following 60? They’ve had longer to work on their Rush Defence, but have they also worked on passing and offloading? If Mitchell and Smith (M) come in, that may well speed up their attack, plus it would be good to see Feyi-Waboso start. Still, we can always look forward to Ben Earl gurning away any time Ireland drop the ball. He should perhaps concentrate more on coping with the Irish back row.
Ireland have a system. They have players that fit into the system. They have a coach who makes sure everybody knows what they are doing within that system. A system doesn’t work as well if you don’t have bloody good players to work it. Ireland have lots of good players, with a fair smattering of world class players. And a deep squad. Andy Farrell is canny enough not to let any possible emotions about Ireland winning the championship a game early get into the player’s heads. So, no weaknesses then? Not many. Maybe the scrum? Andrew Porter may not get away with boring in against England. Clutching at straws there….
Predict-A-Bear says:
And so to Wales vs France on Sunday.
Which Wales will turn up? The Wales of the first half against Scotland, most of the game against Ireland and parts of the game against England? Or the Wales that played out of their skin for 20 minutes in the second half against Scotland? Who knows? Not sure Gatland does. This is definitely a rebuilding job and there looks to be some future stars in Winnett, Wainwright and Reffell.
Which France will turn up? Hopefully (for non-Welsh fans), NOT the one we’ve seen so far this tournament. It can’t just be down to Dupont. Yes, they’ve had injuries and poor discipline which means they’ve been without important players in each game. Perhaps the squad depth isn’t what we thought it was?
Predict-A-Bear is having serious thoughts about this one, but in the end he says:
BorderBoy accepts no liability for any upset these predictions may cause – it wisnae him!.
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 8th March
| Italy v Scotland U20s | 19:15 | iPlayer |
| England v Ireland U20s | 19:15 | RTÉ2 / iPlayer |
Saturday 9th March
| La Rochelle v Stade français | 14:00 | Viaplay Sports 1 |
| Italy v Scotland | 14:15 | ITV1 / STV |
| Montpellier v Bordeaux Begles | 16:00 | Viaplay Sports 1 |
| England v Ireland | 16:45 | ITV1 / RTÉ2 / STV |
| Perpignan v Toulouse | 20:00 | Viaplay Sports 1 |
Sunday 10th March
| Wales v France | 15:00 | BBC1 / S4C / RTÉ2 |
| Racing 92 v Toulon | 20:00 | Viaplay online |
Ovally Balls 
Cheers BB.
Give Predict-A-Bear a wee dram in his porridge, he looks a wee bit dour there.
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My last post on the pervious thread was a bit garbled, but the overall message was that Italy Scotland is up for grabs, it’s going to be close, imo.
Tonight’s U20s between the two sides will not be so close, I expect our puir wee bairns to get battered up front
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England can still beat anyone, so goes the cliché, but I’m less sure of that now than, whisper it, when Eddie Jones was in charge.
Wales have dropped a few big names, France have not been firing at all, this is another that could go either way.
Neck on the block, I’m going with three away wins.
but it could easily be three homes wins, or a mix of home and away wins
Now That’s punditry
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Give Predict-A-Bear a wee dram in his porridge, he looks a wee bit dour there.
I thought the same! Think the word I used was ‘grumpy’.
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He is a notoriously grumpy wee bugger. You should see the looks I get…
(Usually ‘cos I’m taking stupid pictures of him).
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I’ve gone Scotland by 17, Ireland by 12 and France by 5 on the ‘Bru.
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Irish babies were looking like they were going to get stuffed by the English ones, but now they’ve just scored.
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I like your selections Refit! The rest of us will benefit tremendously.
Italy-Scotland bairns 7-7 after 20 minutes. Only seen 1 minute so no idea what’s happening.
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Lovely ATL, BB. You could be right. Or dead wrong. Or somewhere in between. Would be good tocseea couple of upsets though.
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It would be good to see a couple of upsets. Just not a third one on the second match.
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The Irish 10 has a massive boot on him. And you know what they say….
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13-15 at HT. English bastards scored another try while I was away feeding the dog.
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Try for England earlier, and now an Ulsterman making an Irish BP try!
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FUUCK. England have gone well ahead with a BP try.
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Ireland need a converted try to even things up with 30 secs to go.
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The try is there!
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And the conversion! 32 all.
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What is that bloody 6 Nations tournament doing in March, disturbing the good old T14? Some crackers today, unfortunately with depleted teams.
As to the games taking place abroad, I went for big scores:
Scotland by 13
Ireland by 21
France by 26
Ready to be wrong 66% of the time, as usual.
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Think we could get some good matches in the 6N this weekend. Hoping that all the underdogs are competitive, with a surprise or two on the cards. Which probably means Flair has it spot on.
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Oh god. I’ve just realised we’re gonna get Dayglo in a towel again, as today’s matches are on ITV. *screams*
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Italy haven’t beaten Scotland since 2015.
Predict-A-Bear has us by 12.
So why am I so nervous?
Never mind. ‘Mon Scotland!!!!!!!
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Good start. Penalty against us in 20 seconds. Sheesh…..
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Zander! Good try.
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Two tries! Steyn over this time!
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Somewhere in Dublin, Boa, Lara, FD, Xan, KJH and his missus, Claw, his cousin, uncle, and Italian mate Paolo are gathered.
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It’s a tryfest!
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Try Italy!
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Cheeky wee one-handed pick up there from Kinghorn.
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Schooooooooman over!
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Finn’s missed a kick!
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Should that have been a 50-22? Thought they passed it back into their own half though I’m not certain of the exact rule.
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BB – and nearly missed the previous practically identical one. You’d think he’d have corrected.
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Didn’t catch the very start, but what I have seen has been a very good game!
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CMW – yes, I suspect this will be the better game of the two today.
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Capuozzo was pretty unlucky with the way that ball bounced up. He certainly wasn’t going to win the wrestling match with Duhan.
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Excellent game. I wonder if the various lunatic fringes BTL and elsewhere are still calling for Italy to be thrown out of the 6N.
Fiinn, in a way has the body of the anti rugby player, no muscles on the arms, a round belly and the smile of the assassin. Wonderful player.
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Scotland did seem to drop off a bit and Italy look dangerous, they’ll certainly have a decent chance in Cardiff. Kinghorn looks good every time he gets the ball. Hope for more of the same in the second half.
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Bonus point try scored!
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Lovely try. Poor Italy.
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Or is it a try?
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That was a quick start to the second half.
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Maybe not. TMO going to spoil it for us? Possible blocking?
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Silly Schoooo!
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No try.
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It’s a try for Lynagh instead!
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Bugger. Italian try for Lynagh!
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Comeback off and comeback on again!
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Looks like missing touch from the penalty worked out.
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Scotland struggling with kicks through seems to be a recurring theme.
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When the commentator said Italy are about to take the lead, I went, Oh, he’s jinxed that. Yep.
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