off topic six nations

J · Post by J » 01 Feb 2005, 07:14

as many of you know Im a rugby nut, cant wait for the six nations to start a tournament stooped in tradition and excitment, wondered if anyone would like to champion their teams and predict the finishing places for a giggle:

ill stick my neck out first

1. England
2 Ireland
3. France
4. Wales
5 Scotland
6. Italy

i actually think ireland will win it but i cant back against england.... .

Lenny · Post by **Lenny** » 01 Feb 2005, 07:50

I think Ireland are favorites as well, esp as they play England and France at home. Looking forward to seeing Tait on Saturday but what is cohen doing on the bench ahead of Smith?? Hopefully Forrester will get at least 20 minutes

England - Grand Slam!!
Ireland
France
Wales
Italy
Scotland

Only making one game this year which is a shame but am looking forward to seeing us stuff the scots

Coconut · Post by **Coconut** » 01 Feb 2005, 08:23

This is the year for the Paddies, I think

Ireland
England
Wales
France
Italy
Scotland

Wales may even pip England. All depends on how much the English pack can beat up the Welsh one on Saturday.

I'm English as well. And I play rugby with a bunch of Paddies. Not going to be fun.

J · Post by J » 01 Feb 2005, 08:30

at london irish ?

lenny...... smith???Ollie smith? Well cohen can cover the wings and centre would be my guess with barkley as cover for fly half and centre guess he didnt think he needed Ollie.

im a bath fan anyway and would never support a leicester player haha

ill be at england france next weekend, wahoo!

Lenny · Post by **Lenny** » 01 Feb 2005, 09:03

Ollie Smith yeah. Has been playing out on the wing a lot this season and Cohen has been rubbish this year. Only getting in on pre world cup form which isn't fair at all. Kay is the same to a lesser extent
If Hodgson kicks alright, Thompson throws well, Tait proves to be a star, Robinson gets plenty of ball in space, Dawson can still perform to his best and Worsley proves himself at No8 then England shouldn't have any problems

Think Ireland, France and England are all evenly matched

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 01 Feb 2005, 09:20

I think alot will depend on the first game. If Wales are successful the table could look like this.

France
Wales
Ireland
England
Scotland
Italy

It is the perfect draw for Wales to do well, England and Ireland at home, Scotland and Italy away. I think given Wales' recent performances 2nd is in their reach.

However, what I think will happen is.

France
Ireland
England
Wales
Scotland
Italy.

And another False dawn in Welsh Rugby will be over.

I do honestly (and no bias here) think that Ireland and France are the two strongest sides this season, I think a Slam is possible and I'm not convinced which team will do it.

J · Post by J » 01 Feb 2005, 09:25

Lenny Albert wrote:Ollie Smith yeah. Has been playing out on the wing a lot this season and Cohen has been rubbish this year. Only getting in on pre world cup form which isn't fair at all. Kay is the same to a lesser extent
If Hodgson kicks alright, Thompson throws well, Tait proves to be a star, Robinson gets plenty of ball in space, Dawson can still perform to his best and Worsley proves himself at No8 then England shouldn't have any problems
Think Ireland, France and England are all evenly matched

and i dunno think cohen is coming back to somink like form.
dont think it will come to that, think it will be about how much ball the welsh can get.

simple as that, with so many new combinations playing i wouldnt expect england to start playing sevens style rugby.

Stu nice to join the welsh back to the fold to be honest, youre a bit optimistic i think but finally you have something to be optimistic about mate, heres to a good game!!!

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 01 Feb 2005, 09:31

J, my final table was my prediction! That wasn't so optomistic.

Really am not sure what will happen this year at all. I think Ireland and France are the two strongest sides, not to sure who is the weakest time also.

Lenny · Post by **Lenny** » 01 Feb 2005, 09:41

All those things happening I think are the key to us winning the grand slam not beating wales

Wales can't compete up front with us, esp without Charvis although they should be glad to have Williams back. That's why I think Forrester is on the bench because I think he can make a big impact in the last 20 or so minutes. Am very confident we will be able to beat Wales comfortably

J · Post by J » 01 Feb 2005, 09:43

well you are at least back and competetive now mate, welsh rugby is on the up

NOT SURE BOUT FRANCE
they have more injuries than england. Whoel new back row, new halfbacks, no tony marsh........

France: Elhorga (Agen); Rougerie (Clermont Auvergne), Liebenberg (Stade Francais), Traille (Biarritz), Dominici (Stade Francais); Delaigue (Castres), Mignoni (Clermont Auvergne); Marconnet (Stade Francais) Servat (Stade Toulousain), de Villiers (Stade Francais), Pelous (Stade Toulousain, capt), Thion (Biarritz), Bonnaire (Bourgoin), Chabal (Sale Sharks), Tabacco (Pau).

Lenny · Post by **Lenny** » 01 Feb 2005, 09:50

I'd not seen that France team, that is a lot of new faces! No harinordy, no Betsen, no Jauzion, no Elissalde (which is probably why Michalak has been dropped) and like you said no marsh

Shame they are playing Scotland first...

Coconut · Post by **Coconut** » 01 Feb 2005, 09:53

J wrote:at london irish ?

Nope, but we do play their amateur side.

Ben Cohen is rubbish. I do like Chabal.

J · Post by J » 01 Feb 2005, 09:58

i dunno i wouoldnt say cohen is rubbish bout 18 months ago he was the best win in the world. (the pre world cup tour of oz and nz).

Well funny you should say that but the scots have a habit of upsetting the french from time to time. but usually at murrayfield

neil r · Post by **neil r** » 01 Feb 2005, 10:04

Got to be honest here, I really cant stand the egg chasing, but why miss a trick to make my prediction?

I think Im the only one tipping this team as winners!!

J · Post by J » 01 Feb 2005, 10:06

Neil I admire your patriotism but if scotland win the six nations ill gladly buy you a ticket to any world boxing event you wish to go to.

nickd · Post by **nickd** » 01 Feb 2005, 10:17

I fancy the Welsh to turn England over this weekend. Have my money on that happening.

Coconut · Post by **Coconut** » 01 Feb 2005, 10:51

Going to be tough for the Taffs without Charvis.

Apparently J Wilkinson is a staunch advocate of the old pugilistics as the best way to get in shape.

J · Post by J » 07 Feb 2005, 10:10

Well played wales, and poor scots were robbed, Ireland badly depleted for sat's showdown with Scotland, what money a sweaties win...gae on the scots!

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 07 Feb 2005, 10:43

Keeping quiet about this one, had too many false dawns since 1989 to learn now not to build my hopes up too much.

Oh f'd it .... YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS.

Old bones Ian · Post by **Old bones Ian** » 07 Feb 2005, 10:56

I'm no expert on Rugby, but enjoy watching. Saturday games were good, Scots were unlucky to have a try disallowed, and really should have won.

Congrats to the Welsh boys here, not often you'll here me saying that.

J · Post by J » 07 Feb 2005, 11:51

stujones wrote:Keeping quiet about this one, had too many false dawns since 1989 to learn now not to build my hopes up too much.

Oh f'd it .... YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS.

THOROUGHLY DESERVED, SHOULD HAVE BEEN MORE IN HONESTY WE WERE AWFUL. GOOD LUCK FOR THE REST OF THE CAMPAIGN.

though im gutted got tickets for england france next week kinda taken the gloss off.

Also got tickets for the North vs oOuth hemisphere at Twickers for the Tsunami appeal, in fact with that Hatton and 3 days tickets for the ashes its gonna be some year of sport watching .

(theres the lions too this year but not going to that its in NZ)

knockout · Post by **knockout** » 07 Feb 2005, 12:02

is the tsunami game the one lomu is playing in???

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 07 Feb 2005, 12:04

knockout wrote:is the tsunami game the one lomu is playing in???

Don't think so, that is Martin Johnson's testimonial which I think is on the eve of the Lions tour.

states · Post by **states** » 07 Feb 2005, 12:05

J wrote:
though im gutted got tickets for england france next week kinda taken the gloss off.

If they both play like they did on Saturday, you're in for a shocking 80 minutes. I don't think anyone looked particularly good at the weekend.

J · Post by J » 07 Feb 2005, 12:06

doubt it read that Lomu is injured having ankle surgury, i could be wrong tho, its on march 5th, reckon Johnno may well be playing though. And dally, cant see Robinson wanting to play too many of his sqaud with so many injuries and the old guys would jump at the chance i reckon.