It’s the second weekend of the Six Nations, and this is where things get (even more) interesting!
Following on from his (unexpected, even by him) success last week, Predict-A-Bear is back! This time in full Technicolor! And with lots of exclamation marks!!!!
First up is Italy vs Wales. Italy looked decent in places last week despite losing. They’ll be hoping that being back home will give them a boost. Although they haven’t beaten Wales in Rome since 2007, but that was a very different Wales. Wales have Faletau back (again) and yet another centre partnership facing up to one of the best partnerships in the tournament in Brexoncello (sorry, not sorry). Predict-A-Bear is going for:
‘Second game on Saturday is England vs France. The Big One! Le Crunch! Even though it isn’t. Not this weekend. Anyway, England have an abundance of Smiths, plus a Willis (but perhaps not the correct one) and a large number of Saints in the backline. France have added a Jalibert and some guy called Penaud on the wing. England will have a good first half and not so good second half. France will have a good first half and a better second half.
Predict-A-Bear is going for:
And that’s it for this weekend!
What do you mean there’s a game on Sunday!? You mean I’ve got to preview it too?
Bugger.
Here goes then (and this is being AI’d before the teams come out). Scotland HAVE to beat Ireland. We haven’t since 2017. Ireland were (slightly) sub-par in Autumn. They have rather annoyingly got better since then (but they did only play England last week). Scotland have lost our captain (and all-round genius) Sione, plus the very underestimated Scott Cummings for the whole tournament. Toonie’s Tombola came up with Dave Cherry last week, and he actually played well! So expect him to be out of the 23 or something weird. Injuries permitting, the only change I would make is Jordan in for McDowall. Sadly, I think the James Lowe Smirk will be in evidence a lot come Sunday evening. Can’t even do the “heart says one thing, head says the other” result – mainly because P-A-B doesn’t have a heart….
Still, Predict-A-Bear is going for:
Predict-A-Bear’s prognostications transcribed by BorderBoy.
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 7th February
| Italy v Wales (U20s) | 19:15 | S4C, iPlayer |
| England v France (U20s) | 20:00 | iPlayer |
Saturday 8th February
| Stormers v Bulls | 12:00 | Premier Sports 2 |
| Italy v Wales | 14:15 | ITV1, S4C, STV |
| England v France | 16:45 | STV, ITV1 |
| Scotland v Ireland (U20s) | 19:45 | iPlayer, RTÉ2 |
Sunday 9th February
| Scotland v Ireland | 15:00 | BBC1, iPlayer, RTÉ2 |
Ovally Balls 
Just saw I ‘liked’ one of my own posts. Don’t know how to undo that. Like in real life then.
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@Flair – You just ‘like’ it again. Not that I would ever like my own posts of course, perish the thought, though I am pleased for you that you like yours!
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Now how to go about liking the fact that you’ve liked your own comment, that’s one that’s beyond me.
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From a thread on the history of Wales Vs England, on the 12-9 match in 1989
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I remember on the auld place not being able to understand why everyone was so down on Stephen Jones. He seemed like a decent enough fly-half to me. (It was explained to me.)
Tried to write a new post last night, but could not get anything even semi-coherent down. Sorry.
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Why does ITV have a huge, cavernous, fake studio? It’s been bugging me for weeks. The pundits look so lost, sat in this (not real) massive room.
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Always nice to see Mike Hall grounding that ball ever so properly.
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Who the actual fuck is singing Ireland’s Call? She’s terrible!
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Italy, Wales and Scotland anyone ?
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Oh, they’ve got a bloke who can sing in tune for the Italian anthem.
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Ireland had enough anthems last week to last anyone a while.
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@SBT – I’ve left it too late to get to the bookies.
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SBT – it could happen!
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What perfect timing, my washing machine has finished just as the post-anthem ad break does.
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That was a pretty good kick by the Italian loosie.
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That was a very pretty try.
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Told the mister before kick-off that Italy would score first…. And a nice one, too.
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That was lovely.
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Great try Italy! Deserve to be ahead after the first 13 minutes. Excellent conversion too!
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Ah! So close to another super try!
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First blood to SBT’s virtuous triumvirate. It’s on!
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Clyde, we struck a deal last night. If we lose, Wales have to win.
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Ah, Bealham’s ‘try’ is being checked. There was a triple movement, and I’m not sure he even got it down; looked like his hand was under it.
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Impressive defence from Italy.
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Textbook try off a 5m scrum! And a very good exit from the restart.
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If Italy lose, because they run out of gas from the early subs, I’m gonna be mighty miffed.
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Italy lost their whole back row in half an hour?
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I think the first one off was a lock?
And a penalty! 10-7 Italy!
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I have to say, it’s fun seeing Easterby absolutely losing his shit, up in the stands (very similar to Martin Johnson banging his fist).
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Refit – aye, that was quite funny.
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I do enjoy Luke Pearce reffing.
That was very dumb by Lamaro.
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Lamaro, you idiot!
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The fuck was that kick by Crowley?
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That was a bloody awful kick from Crowley! And that was bloody stupid from Lamaro!
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Pearce feels like early Jiffy. Good rapport with the players, bit of banter for the viewers but not completely up his own arse (what Ben Whitehouse thinks he is), but also doesn’t drop too many clangers of decisions.
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It was so stupid! Very tempting and if you’re playing a Sunday social match, easy to get away with! Not so much with all those cameras though!
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That Nike ad is class
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Lucky you, Ticht! All we have these days is one gambling ad after another.
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Well, this is fun, what a shame, Italy were buiding up a fantastic head of steam, and Ireland were starting to look a little punch drunk on the ropes, Lamarro will be chewing his fingernails Irelnd don’t score three tries while hes off. Brex, Menoncello and Ioane going really well, and the whole pack. and Page-Relo. They should have Tomasso kicking for touch on penalties,Paulo is only good for about 20 yards.
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Next 10 minutes is crucial. Italy need to play as much of it (obviously) in Ireland’s half.
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Ooh, I think Lowe is starting to get on the ref’s tits, if that look is anything to go by.
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Humorously butchered try, but then a real one.
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I fear this is the start of the rout.
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Italy are starting to implode.
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Might as well throw someone up for the lineout there, boys, you know Sheehan will score if you let em catch it.
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Arse. Red.
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Oh Italy, if you could only cut out the brain farts. One player back, one player off. Ireland on top now anyway, but you’ve just handed this to them.
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G’wan POM, do something really dirty on your last run out.
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POM! Legend.
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POM’s a popular lad, isn’t he?
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