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 
Clyde – yes, we’ve been doing a bit of shouting at the telly. I spotted it when it happened.
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What did the telly say? Mine is usually sullen to dismissive.
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That’s a bad miss from Ford!
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Long time since I’ve seen anyone dominate possession against Ireland like this. Not enough to show for it on the scoreboard though.
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There we are.
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Claw’s just sent me a pic from Dublin. They look merry. :-)
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Thank you, Santa.
Now, I would like some Irish tries in the second half, please.
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Deebee – it’s not a smart telly. It said nuffink.
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England being England, get ahead playing rugby, then start kicking the ball away. Had too much opportunity to get further ahead, and blew it. Not convinced by Chessum at 6, and Fordy should be doing better after all his caps. Ireland probably going to blow them away in the second half.
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I’m really not sure how we’re ahead at HT. But I’ll take it. Hope we actually get some possession in the second half.
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@Thaum
It takes longer than you might think for the information to get from your house to China / S Korea, be processed and then acted upon
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CC-S for Chessum now and Smith + Care for Ford + Mitchell on 55 mins
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TRY Lowe! This is more like it!
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Textbook try from Ireland! Lovely move.
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That seemed awfully easy.
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Slade – I’m trying to work out which of my comments you were responding to there. :-)
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This Furbank is a pain in the furry arse.
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Textbook try from England! Lovely move!
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Oh, that was lovely by England.
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England so a lot that is good, but just always a player or a pass short. It’s kinda where they were in the late 90s. Then they clicked and got mean.
As I type that they score, simple hands, getting outside the defence and over. More please! Ford gonna get hooked soon, surely?
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Has Ford got his boots on the wrong feet?
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Oh shit, Crowley off for an HIA and Murray on with JGP moving to the wing(!). Hope Crowley passes.
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Ford is having a … what’s the opposite of a blinder? A seer?
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I got my Crowleys and Frawleys confused. Frawley has failed his HIA.
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Ref was right, it is a white ball.
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O’Mahoney sees yellow! This is a disaster.
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Dirty, dirty cheat 😉
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The inevitable happens.
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Oooh, this is fun.
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Earl deserves that. Been one of the best England players for the last few matches.
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It looked a very bad decision from POM at the time and so it proves. England player definitely played the ball off his feet in that move, but hey ho, they deserve the lead.
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It’s okay, we’ve got an Ulsterman on the pitch now. We’ll win.
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@Thaum – There’s been a Welshman on all along, nice that you and the Mr both have someone to support now.
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Clyde – neither of us knows who you mean!
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Is it the winger?
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Thaum – Fey-Waboso had the choice of England or Wales.
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@Thaum – Yes their new wing-sensation has switched for the sake of convenience or whatever. Presumably on residence as I think his parents are Nigerian.
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Yes, so the mister has double reason to support Ireland as England have a turncoat in their ranks.
And TRY Lowe (again)!
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Bugger, that pretty much rules out the draw.
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Bornin Wales.
England doing their best to throw this away.
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Why did Care try the grubber?
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That was a horrible landing by Conan. Glad he seems to be okay.
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Fuuuuuck.
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I can’t believe we won this. How???
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Good grief, they closed it out. Amazing. Well played England. Well played both sides, but blimey.
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Refit – because you were the better team throughout.
I was not excited about this 6N from the start, because this was about where I thought Ireland were. I just didn’t think it was this England side that would expose it!
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Great game, one of the best 6N games in the last few years. England worthy winners.
Hard luck to ireland, thought they’d found enough with a couple of very good tries in the second half.
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wordpress making me login in for every comment, then not posting some of them odd
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Good to see England still have their uses. Need them in good shape to make sure France don’t bounce back after we beat them tomorrow.
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Blimey, good work ENgland, despite trying their best to let Ireland back in.
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