| Re: The Six Nations Thread
Opening weekend of the 6 nations is always a good occasion. The big game of the weekend will be at Twickenham when England take on The Ospreys, errr I mean Wales. There’s been some controversy here about Gatlands inclusion of so many Osprey players, but really apart from 2 of them I haven’t got any complaints.
Jamie Roberts is too inexperienced to start at full back, Shanklin I think should partner Henson in the centre. For me Sonny Parker, more times than not, goes missing in the big games. With Peel and Stephen Jones both struggling with injuries in recent weeks, Hook and Phillips were obvious choices. Hook hasn’t been on top form this year, but hopefully he’ll find his form again for the championship.
Up front the only person id’ have had in would be Gethin Jenkins instead of Adam Jones. But Gethin can cover both the loose and tight head positions, so to have him on the bench is not such a bad thing, if we’re looking at the bigger picture.
The Welsh team are going to surprise a lot of people this year. I finally think we’ve got that edge which will enable us to finish off matches in the right manner. We’ll also have a structured game plan from the off set. I felt under Mike Ruddock and Gareth Jenkins that wasn’t set in place, and it seemed far too off the cuff, and reactionary, instead of us setting down some solid foundations from the very beginning, and putting others on the back foot. Gatland has been talking a very good game since he’s been here in Wales, and now it’s time for the talking to stop, and start showing us what he’s all about. Performances are the major goal of this season. Gatland has only had 10 days with the players before this game, so it’s a big ask for them to go to Twickenham and win, but if we can go there and give it a real go, then that’s all that can be asked. Next season, is the time you’ll see the real Wales under Warren Gatland.
My Predictions for this weekend:
Ireland 29 – 12 Italy
England 19 – 17 Ospreys
Scotland 9 – 27 France
And for the record here's how I think the season will finish:
1. France
2. Ireland
3. Wales
4. England
5. Scotland
6. Italy |