The 6 Nations

The Phantom

Well it’s that time of year when Rugby’s oldest tournament gets underway.

This thread (for anyone interested!) will be where I’ll post news, previews, predictions and reviews of all the matches over the next 2 months.

First off I’ll start with my thoughts on each of the countries chances:

Ireland: Many people’s favourites. However the Irish are quite vulnerable up front. If anyone has a go at them up front they could be there for the taking. The Irish will also be playing at Croke Park for the first time. This could either work in their favour or against them. With an added 40,000 fans it could heap even more pressure on an already favoured Ireland.

France: Nobody has been talking the defending champions up this year. They’ll want to set down a marker before the world cup, so I think they could be dangerous. It’s also the coach’s last 6 Nations campaign, so he’ll be looking to go out with a win.

England: Have had their problems over the autumn, but it’s a new regime under new coach Brian Ashton. The English will probably do better than many expect, but it all depends on how Johnny Wilkinson and Andy Farrell get on.

Wales: As ever, an expectant Welsh public are demanding big performances from these boys. Questions have already been asked about new coach Gareth Jenkins’ selection methods. James Hook (I’ve played against him!) is the new kid on the block, and all the Welsh publics eyes will be on him to spark some magic, whether he starts at 10 or 12. Defiantly a man to watch.

Scotland: They have improved a lot over the past 18 months, but unfortunately not enough to be considered challengers for the tournament. The pack is quite strong, however they lack flair and quality in the back line. Something which will cost them dear throughout the tournament.

Italy: The ever improving Italians will look to build on last years tournament. A strong pack will help them gain the hard yards, but much like Scotland they lack creativity in the backs. Another long tournament for them… with their name already written on the Wooden Spoon.

So if any of you are not doing much on a Saturday or Sunday over the next few weeks I advise you to watch a bit of rugby. It’s about the only thing BBC still has the rights for!

The Phantom

Well France and England set down their markers yesterday with convincing wins... and Johnny was on top form.

Wales vs. Ireland today I'm going to that one, so I may post some pics tomorrow from the match. Hopefully its a good one. Prefrebly with a Welsh won... C'mon Cymru!!!

Tyler Durden

Interesting weekend of matches.

In World Rugby, I think only New Zealand, Ireland and Argentina have been particularly happy in recent times.

I didn't see the France/Italy match, but it sounds like it was a bit of a pasting.

The England match was fine. Important we keep grounded about it, at the end of the day it was the worlds 7th best team beating the worlds 9th best team (on current standings). We won't have a clearer idea of where we are in World Rugby until we go to Croke Park on the 24th February.

What was good to see was us not getting turned over in possession so frequently, nearly every player playing in their club positions and just basically very few errors which have plagued us for a while. It was promising. Ellis, Tindall, Worsley, Lund, Robinson and Grewcock all had exceptional games, and the new guy at number 10 was quite good as well. The English press (as is their way) have gone overboard about it, but it was a start!

Ireland/Wales was the game of this round. Superb pace to it, and not too many errors (which was surprising really). Wales were unfortunate to lose thanks to Ireland's clinical finishing. Ireland/France in the next round will be some game and will show us how tough our task will be there.

Wales, I think, can take a lot from their performance. Ireland are probably the second best side in the world over the last year and Wales had them on the rocks for long periods.

This is going to be an awesome six nations, as they usually are in World Cup year.

The Phantom

Well it wasn't a bad opening weekend all in all. For the most part I enjoyed the Wales vs. Ireland game. I just think we threw away a great opportunity in beating the favourites. Too many forward passes, and not enough clinical finishing cost us deer. If either Shane Williams or Mark Jones were playing on the wings we'd have scored at least 2 tries. But Czekaj and Luscome on the wings it never looked likely. Steven Jones needs a big game against Scotland other wise he'll be for the chop. Which isn't ideal when he's the captain.

The press have over hyped Johnny to the Max. Anything than a stellar performance against the Italians and they'll be all on his back again.

The Phantom

Here's some pics I took from Sundays match:

Tyler Durden

I disagree!! I don't think they "overhyped" Jonny at all. This was a guy stepping back into international test rugby after three and a quarter years away from it, barely playing very much club rugby either in that period and, basically, looking just as good if not better than he ever was. Regardless of how he carries on in this tournament, that by itself was a truly incredible performance.

I do think the teams performance was overhyped. It was 7th best team beating 9th best team in the world after all. But it was a good start after what we've been through.

As for Wales, the one thing I think that went wrong for them was the performances of Jones and Hook together. Between them they recycled and passed and went back and all around without ever creating an opening. They passed the Welsh team to death whilst never actually looking like they had the pace or skill to actually make any sort of breakthrough. Is this one of the negatives of having two fly halves playing together?

Dare I say Mr Henson would have been an improvement and a more dynamic solution?

Franchise X

I wish the USA had a team because I bet we would kick some ass.

The Phantom

You do have a team. And we (Wales) always kick your ass

The Phantom

lol... Henson has been playing awfully for his region. He's only ever had one good game and that was against England 2 years ago. I see him more as a full back, but Kevin Morgan has been outstanding this season. No one comes close to him.

As for yesterdays games.... What a snooze fest (and i'm not saying that just coz England won and Wales lost!!) So far the championship has dissapointed. Hopefully the Ireland vs. France game will be a good one. With Ireland playing at Croke Park for the first time, It'll be interesting to see how they cope with an 82,000 crowd cheering them on. I say the French will turn them over pretty easily.

Tyler Durden

Henson played pretty well for the midweek team for the Lions as well. It was more that "type" of player that I was suggesting you need than specifically him, I don't watch the Magniers League!!

As for the tournament dissapointing?? Well, as a Welshman (no tries no wins no nothing!) maybe yes!! For most others it's not.

Saturday wasn't good because Scotland and Italy's forwards dominated their games (in their limited ways) and neither England nor Wales had the wherewithall to create anything in those games. England, because we weren't good, Wales because they had no ball.

The Irish were poor again this week, as in it took them (again) over half hour to kick in. France were okay but not incredible. I'm starting to think France are going to win a tournament that, though fun to watch, won't be causing any nightmares to the All Blacks!!