Rugby

[firehazard]

Nice on FH. Off to the Wales v France and possibly Wales v England. We'll see?
Cheers
Aled

Sounds great, Aled. Getting closer now!

[firehazard]

Rugby postponed here this weekend. We have a bit of a problem:

[Welshie]

Sorry FH haven't been on for a while. Ok well done to the Scarlets on their EU cup qualification.
OK we are days away from it all kicking off. As always I look forward to the 6 Nations. Lots of injuries across the board at the moment sadly.
I will be going to Twickenham on the 10th of February, but wont be going to the France match (my children will be competing in an Eisteddfod, however I hope they will be finished before KO!)
So lots to look forward to.
Cheers
Aled

[firehazard]

Scarlets were very impressive in qualifying for the QFs. Especially after a terrible start to the competition.

Can't wait till the weekend now, always that sense of anticipation... I think it could be pretty tight this year, with Scotland a real threat again now.

I haven't managed to get tickets for the Wales match at Twickenham this time (though I'm still trying...). Family always has to come first, Aled!

[Welshie]

Your quite right FH, this is year's Eisteddfod is important as well, as both my son and daughter are in the same choir and it could be one of the last times I see them compete together!

Last years 6 Nations, Wales played on the Friday, so I went to the Eisteddfod thinking "i'll see the 2nd half of Italy v France & all of Scot v Eng" ....the dance judge was late turning up, knocked everything out of kilter, I saw the last 10 mins of the Calcutta Cup match!!!

I Love the 6 Nations. Lets enjoy FH, are there any other rugby fans her, Billy never came back did he?
Cheers
Aled

[firehazard]

...I Love the 6 Nations. Lets enjoy FH, are there any other rugby fans her, Billy never came back did he?

Best few weeks of the year... and we have a very competitive fantasy league with my girls and boyfriends and their families too!

Looking forward to England-Ireland at Twickenham on the last day of the 6N, which should be a great day out. But the problem is, because it's the 2nd match of the 3 on that day, we'll miss the other two matches as we'll be travelling. Might catch the end of the 1st one in one of the Twickenham bars. TV timings don't always help.

No sign of Billy for ages now, sadly. It would be great to see him on there again.

[Welshie]

I sent Billy a PM (last year or year before or perhaps before that!) but no reply.
Welsh team has been picked, nice to see a new cap Adams from Worcs on the wing, should be interesting.
Cheers
Aled

[Welshie]

Just checked Billie hasn't been hear for 8 years!!

[firehazard]

I...
Welsh team has been picked, nice to see a new cap Adams from Worcs on the wing, should be interesting.

Adams has done really well in the EPL this year, one of the top try scorers, even though Worcester are a pretty weak team. Deserves his chance.

I reckon it could be a tight competition this year. And I have the feeling that Scotland play a very significant part, one way or another.

[Welshie]

I think you are correct about Scotland FH

[firehazard]

So it all kicks off tomorrow...

Quick predictions for round 1 (and there are two key games in round 1 that could set the tone for the whole tournament):

Wales-Scotland: Both sides very depleted by injuries, unfortunately. And I think Wales' injury problems may affect them more than Scotland's. Scotland normally lose in Cardiff, but were impressive in the autumn, and if Scotland win on Saturday they will become serious contenders for the title. Close to call, but I just have the feeling Scotland may nick it this time. Sorry, Aled.

France-Ireland: France with a new coach, and some good new players who should want to put on a big performance. But I reckon Ireland might get the win.

Italy-England: Looks on paper like a straightforward England victory, but Italy generally start the 6N more strongly than they finish it. England to win but not by that many.

Overall 6N this year: I don't think anyone will do the grand slam. It may come down to the last day and England-Ireland at Twickenham, though I think England may well have problems at least at Murrayfield before then, especially if Scotland start with a win in Cardiff. It may well come down to bonus points in the end. And not many teams have won the 6N three times in a row. So I reckon Ireland may finish on top this time. Or possibly England. Or Scotland. Cue Wales and France to step up...
Anyway, hoping for a great tournament and lots of good rugby over the next few weeks.

[Welshie]

No need to apologise FH, it would not surprise me if Scotland won, however we are at full strength in the front 5 so that may be to our advantage. One other point, the Scots want to play running rugby and proved in the Autumn that they can, that Welsh back line plays running rugby for its club, if they can produce it at International level it could be a firecracker of a game!!
I think you have the rest of the weekends action tied up correctly FH, a French fishing friend of mine is very negative about French rugby at the moment, he says the game is in disarray! Time will tell.
Cheers
Aled

[firehazard]

... a French fishing friend of mine is very negative about French rugby at the moment, he says the game is in disarray! Time will tell...

Though I think it's the case that France have won four of the last five 6N (or 5N) tournaments that have come after Lions tours...
My French rugby friend is always very pessimistic about his team's prospects. So much so that he only goes to see them when he knows it's a game they probably won't lose. Though we have watched them lose a few at Twickenham together over the years after I've persuaded him to go.

[Welshie]

Well what a turn up for the books, I did not expect that Welsh performance, and neither did I expect a Scottish capitulation! Some nice tries.
Johnny Sexton: Class act, enough said!
England v Italy as expected really, some nice running rugby from Italy though.
Can't expect Wales to win again on Saturday but I live in hope!
Cheers
Aled

[firehazard]

Well I got the Wales-Scotland game very wrong! Promising start by Scotland, but once Wales had taken advantage of a couple of mistakes they blew them away, all over after about half an hour really. Impressive performance by Wales, and Twickenham next Saturday is going to be very interesting. But not sure where Scotland go from here.

Great win for Ireland, what a finish to the match it was! About 40 phases to get in position for that drop...

England pulled away from Italy at the end, but Italy have some good young players now. And Parisse of course.