[The Phantom]

Once again Europe’s premier rugby competition is upon us, the 6 Nations. This is usually the time of year I spend either in the pub, or in the stadiums watching the games. However due to work commitments this year, I think I’ll either be watching them from my armchair, or watching them on tape delay via the BBC iPlayer. But rest assured, I will not miss a minute!!

So before the tournament gets underway, I thought I’d share my thoughts on how I see things going:

England
A battered England have a massive point to prove. After a disappointing season last year, and awful displays in the autumn, Martin Johnson will have his work cut out to turn this team into championship contenders. There are some fresh faces which could inject some life into this lack lustre side. However I feel they are a good 3 years away from regaining the form which saw them as constant championship challengers.

The Phantoms Player to Watch: Steve Borthwick – Leadership is something England have lacked recently. New captain Borthwick will look to bring some of this back to the side, and install some confidence and pride back into the white shirt.

The Phantoms Championship Prediction: 4th – Losses to Ireland, France and Wales will hurt them, however a Calcutta Cup victory will restore some pride back into English Rugby.

France
Well to be honest, I haven’t got a clue what’s happening within the French camp… then again I don’t think the French themselves know either! The French often enter tournaments with big dark clouds hanging over them, but more often than not deliver when it matters. I think that this time round, they will start off slowly, but gain momentum as the tournament goes on.

The Phantoms Player to Watch: Lionel Beauxis - a new halfback pairing of Tillous-Borde & Beauxis will be unleashed on Europe this season. They may not set the world alight this term, but look for them to be a formidable duo in years to come.

The Phantoms Championship Prediction: 2nd – a Friday night victory against Wales in Paris will be the highlight of the tournament, but the key game comes in the opening weekend against Ireland. An early victory could set them off on the road to a championship challenge.

Ireland
New boss Declan Kidney will be desperate to resort some pride to the Irish set up after last seasons disappointing championship. Veteran players such as Paul O’Connell, Ronan O’Gara, and Brian O’Driscoll will look to guide and bring leadership to the side, while stars such as Bowe, Kearney and Wallace will bring the creativity and dynamism to the side. Get the balance between those two right, and Irish eyes will be smiling come the end of the championship.

The Phantoms Player to Watch: Rob Kearney – this lad has lit up the Magners League, and I believe he will be the player everyone will be talking about at the end of this championship.

The Phantoms Championship Prediction: 3rd – Games against France and Wales will be the key games. A victory against either could see them do even better.

Italy
Once again it’s mission impossible for Nick Mallett. Italy seem to have stalled over the last year, however injuries and retirements have not helped their cause. The best they can hope for this season is another victory against the Scottish. That game will once again be the wooden spoon decider.

The Phantoms Player to Watch: Mauro Bergamasco – this versatile flank forward come stand in scrum half will be Italy’s most dangerous player.

The Phantoms Championship Prediction: 6th – Unfortunately I see the Azzuri suffering a whitewash in the seasons tournament.

Scotland
The Scots are often talked up as dark horses going into tournaments, but don’t always deliver. For me Scotland are a weak side, and will fail to cause any of the other home nations or France any problems. Their big game will come against Italy – one which I think they will survive, and save themselves from the dreaded wooden spoon.

The Phantoms Player to Watch: Mike Blair – Scotlands captain will be looking to lead from the front. With some good displays he could find himself in line for a Lions Test place.

The Phantoms Championship Prediction: 5th – Their game against Italy will be the Wooden Spoon decider. It won’t be pretty either.

Wales
If you’d have told me this time last year that we’d be not only going into this tournament as defending grand slam champions, but favourites to capture the crown again, I would have probably laughed myself silly. But this is exactly the situation we find ourselves in. Hope has now turned into genuine expectation, and Sir Warren of Gatland is expected to deliver another championship for Wales.

The Phantoms Player to Watch: Jamie Roberts – Already touted as a possible Lions test centre Jamie Roberts has a lot to live up to. His physical percents and strong running in midfield will cause many of the other teams major problems. Potentially a contender for player of the tournament if things go well for my old team mate.

The Phantoms Championship Prediction: 1st – Another triple crown, but no Grand Slam this time around.

I hope you all will be watching!

[The Phantom]

Well the first weekend of 6 Nations action kicks off today so here’s my predictions for the weekend’s action:

England 32 – 12 Italy
I see a relatively comfortable start for England. If you could pick your opening fixture, it would be a home match against Italy. It’ll be a tough opening 20, but as the game goes on England will get stronger.
First Try Scorer Prediction: Paul Sackey

Ireland 17 – 21 France
This could be match of the tournament, both teams will be looking to get off to a good start with a victory in the opening weekend. I see the French just sneaking it late on.
First Try Scorer Prediction: Luke Fitzgerald

Scotland 9 – 21 Wales
Defending champions Wales will kick of their defence of the crown with an unconvincing victory in Edinburgh. The all important scores will come late on, but a dogged Scottish performance will be talked about more than the Welsh victory.
First Try Scorer Prediction: Lee Byrne

[Lost]

Unlucky for the Frenchmen, but was a great game to watch (Thank god for replays). The French were opened up in the middle and by the end couldn't keep up with the Irish. The Irish are definate Contenders this year, although I'll still be rooting for Wales, who to me, are currently the Northen Hemisphere's best nation in terms of rugby.

[The Phantom]

Well, week 2 is upon us…

The opening weekend was good. The England/Italy game was boring as hell. England got an easy win thanks to Bergamascos awful game at scrum half. Nick Mallett lost a lot of credibility for that selection.

I agree with Lost, Ireland vs. France was a brilliant game. Ireland surprised me, I didn’t think they’d be this good from the get go. Both teams will be a threat.

My beloved Wales produced a first half display worthy of defending champions. I was a bit pissed off when Gatland decided to take off and rest a few people during the 2nd half, however I understood the decision. Hopefully it’ll pay dividends against England this Saturday.

Predictions for this weekend:

France 34 – 09 Scotland
Scotland looked woeful in the first half against Wales, while the French threatened the Irish defence on numerous occasions. The French will be looking to score tries, while Scotland will just look to kick their points.
First Try Scorer Prediction: Yannick Jauzion


Wales 26 – 12 England
England will try and drag Wales down to their level, and play a game through the forwards. Jamie Roberts is going to love running at Flutey, he won’t be able to cope with him. I’m a little concerned that Shane Williams isn’t playing, but our other winger Leigh Halfpenny is equally as dangerous, and I don’t think the English know it.

I was hoping to go to this game, but unfortunately I’m working. That SUCKS!!!
First Try Scorer Prediction: Jamie Roberts


Italy 10 – 42 Ireland
Hopefully Italy will play a bit better this week, considering they do have a recognised scrum half this weekend. Ireland will be too strong for them. They looked dangerous against the French, and with Italy having a much weaker defence, the Irish backs will have a field day. I predict a big score for the Irish.
First Try Scorer Prediction: Tommy Bowe

[God]

Italy played well and we didnt but a 29 point victory means that doesnt matter to me anyway. I think England are our next game, beat them and i'll be looking to the Wales game as the decider which i think is convienly the last game.

[PeaceSells]

Wales and Ireland are the two best teams this year clearly.

We didn't step out of 3rd gear all day today, and coupled with the fact Italy played brutally, it seemed like it was going to be tough work for quite a while.

Pretty poor rugby match in truth, but Italy continue to show they're improving. If only they'd played a scrum half last week. England might have been fighting for the wooden spoon instead of Italy.

[Lost]

I've always had respect for Italy; ever since there amazing 20 - 10 deafet to Australia, I've always seen them as the next big NH team. They have the pack and backs but definatly need improvement.

Ireland and Wales are the definate teams to beat and the game between both is sure to be a thriller!

[The Phantom]

I went to the Wales game in the end yesterday... but ssshh, don't tell my boss!! ha ha.

I thought Englands defence was brilliant. They nullified the attack of Jamie Roberts, but ultimately their discipline let them down. When Goode got sin binned in the first minute of second half I expected us to go on and kill the game off. Unfortunately we could only score the one try through Leigh Halfpenny.

I have to give the devil its due, England brought a lot of credibility back to their side. I expect them to give both France and Ireland hard fought games in the coming weeks.

I haven't seen any of the other games yet, since I was a good boy and stayed in work, but I'll watch them over the next few days.

[Tyler Durden]

Hard to know what to make of England's performance. I liked the tackling, pace and agression and the defence was good. Surprisingly our line out and front row were largely poor. And, as is the usual way since the last World Cup, our discipline was completely horrible and our undoing when it came to making the game closer.

I hope Wales go on to win the thing now and "Slam" it again. Got to love the way they try to play

[God]

Seeing as Wales lost last night, im expecting Ireland to follow suite because a win would put us in a brilliant position.