SIX NATIONS PREDICTIONS WEEK 2

Scotland v Ireland 1415hrs ko Saturday

Ireland's toughest test mentally since Grand Slam game last year. Can they beat Scotland away at Murrayfield after poor performance against England and with injuries to key players? If Scotland can repeat their victory two years ago it will be Gregor Townsend's finest ever moment and give them the edge for a repeat game in Japan. Scotland's bench is strong so it will be tight, and pretty feisty, as these teams have history from 1972, when Scotland refused to travel to Dublin to Busgate two years ago, when Ireland claimed the Scottish police delayed their bus.

Scotland will be competitive on Saturday

Ireland by 5

Italy v Wales 1645hrs ko Saturday

Italy had a rough ride for 70 minutes at Murrayfield last week but are improving under O'Shea. Wales should beware as they did not play well in Paris last week and having made 10 changes to that starting XV will not find it easy. If Italy get ahead early on, and the crowd come into play, Gats Grand Slam dream could be shattered...

Will Wales 10 changes come back to haunt them?

Wales by 10

England v France ko 1500hrs Sunday

The challenge England face is repeating last week's marvellous performance at home against inferior opposition. Yes France were dreadful in that second half but still led after 70 minutes and have some great young players coming through from their U20 team that won Junior RWC. If France get ahead early and silence the prawn sandwich brigade (Twickenham crowd) then it will be good contest.

Once more unto the breach mes amies

England by 10

SIX NATIONS WEEK 1 REVIEW: FRANCE V WALES

At half time, France were 16-0 ahead at home and cruising. Wales were dreadful for the first 40 minutes, missing tackles, knocking on under no pressure and even blowing an easy try scoring opportunity when Liam Williams blew a simple 3 on 1. To give France credit, their massive pack dominated and they played some lovely stuff in terrible conditions, scoring a couple of tries through Huget and Picamoles. However, if Parra had not missed a number of kicks, then France would have been 20+ points ahead, and it would have been game over.

Picamoles opens France's account in this year's Six Nations

Wales must have got a right roasting from Gatland and Edwards at half time, as six minutes after the restart, Josh Adams made an incisive break in midfield and Tomos Williams scored near the posts to narrow the gap. Less than five minutes later, the French lead was cut to two points, courtesy of a Huget error. George North chased an average speculative kick by Parkes, but managed to touch the ball down, after Huget lost control over his line.

Ooh la la ... George North enter stage left

With Biggar and Lopez exchanging penalties, the French still had a narrow lead going into the final ten minutes, and looked as if they were going to sneak only their second win in 8 games. However, their players had other ideas, and under no pressure in the Welsh half, French lock Sebastien Vahaamahina, decided to throw a high-risk miss-pass out wide, which George North easily picked off and ran half the length of the pitch to score the winning try. 

North intercepts that pass to win the game, and that Frenchman is involved again

It was clearly a leaving gift for Warren Gatland, on his last trip to the Stade de France with Wales, whom, despite their good Autumn record, had lost three out of five recent visits. Gats said before the game that if Wales won in Paris, a Grand Slam was a possibility, and with Ireland and England still to come in Cardiff, it could happen. I think they will lose one of these matches, plus Scotland away in Murrayfield, but what do I know? I thought Ireland would beat England.

SIX NATIONS WEEK 1 REVIEW: IRELAND v ENGLAND

Out with it ... England's finest performance in living memory, YES, better than beating New Zealand in 2012 (at home, NZ on tour). England on Saturday beat (probably) the best team in the world at full strength at home, scoring 4 tries in the process. Their physicality, intensity, accuracy and defence were simply awesome. Phew... well done Jones, Mitchell and coaching team, your game plan was masterful! And YES I got my prediction wrong like every other neutral fan or commentator - Ireland by 10 points - come on?!?

How many Irishmen would make the England team?

Stuart Barnes thinks Ireland (like all top professionals) are so well coached, that when England went off script and didn't allow them the time or space they are used to, they could not adapt. If you remember, Scotland beat Ireland at Murrayfield, first game up two years ago, by going off script, scoring three tries in first half, so wrecking the Irish Grand Slam dream. The difference again on Saturday, was that England played what's in front of them all game, and their execution was breathtaking - Owen Farrell's pass for the first try taking out three defenders, Henry Slade's flat, quick pass to May, before touching down the kick, Nowell's pressure on Stockdale for Daly's try, etc

Not sure Stockdale actually had the ball, but all history now

Add to that, superb individual performances by every member of the English pack, making 48 offensive tackles in all, constantly stopping Ireland from getting over the gainline. There were heroes all over the park, from Mako Vunipola (25 tackles), Mark Wilson (27 tackles), to Tom Curry (a man possessed) and Billy (Vunipola) who is well and truly back, sucking in defenders like fly paper. So, England return home next weekend to play France, who will present a different physical challenge up front, and, if they repeat their first half Welsh performance, could push them all the way.

Where do Ireland go from here? Can you imagine them losing two games in a row, so missing out on both the Grand Slam and Six Nations Championship. They have a few injuries up front, where they would expect to dominate the Scots, and deny the likes of Russell, Hogg and Jones quick ball, but have enormous strength of depth in every position, so not feeling too sorry for them. Scotland, however, have the opportunity to take a big mental step forward by beating a top 4 side, and gaining a psychological edge over their World group opponents.

Will Scotland try another cheeky lineout like 2 years ago?

Two more great Six Nations contests to savour in 6 days time - who said this tournament is a phoney war and only results in Japan matter?

SIX NATIONS PREDICTIONS WEEK 1

France v Wales - Friday 2000hrs UK time

Wales are 3rd in the world for a reason and know how to win in Paris (despite two years ago). France have some talented youth, but too much to expect them to shine in first game.
Wales by 7

Scotland v Italy - Saturday 1415hrs

Scotland's front five are all Edinburgh, who destroyed Montpellier up front a couple of weeks ago, so Italy's big pack will not dominate the game. Italians will be in contest until 60 minutes, when Scotland's high tempo game and fitness will start to tell.
Scotland by 12

Ireland v England - Saturday 1645hrs

Ireland are playing rugby on a different planet at the moment, and will not lose to any Northern Hemisphere nation at home. Yes, Tuilagi is back after six years, but one man will be easy to defend against. The crowd alone will be worth 7 points.
Ireland by 10

INTERESTING CHANGES TO STARTING LINE UPS

England is starting with Manu Tuilagi at 12 on Saturday v Ireland, with Farrell at 10, Daly at full back, Lawes in second row and both Vunipola boys returning.

Ireland select Robbie Henshaw at full back, with Aki and Ringrose in centres, Toner in second row and Josh van der Flier on open side flank.

Scotland pick Sam Johnson at 12 for his debut against Italy, with James Ritchie replacing Hamish Watson in back row and Gary Graham on bench, set for his debut.

Wales have replaced injured Gareth Davies at scrum half with debutant, Tomas Williams, for opener against France, with Josh Navidi in back row and Liam Williams at 15.

France blood a couple of Toulouse youngsters out wide in Ntamack and Penaud, and include another new boy, South African born, Paul Willemse, in a monster pack, set to be the biggest ever in Six Nations.

WHO WILL WIN SIX NATIONS?

Okay, off the fence immediately, Ireland will win the Six Nations, but not a Grand Slam this year. They are (probably) the best team in the world at the moment, with best coach, most strength in depth and an awesome mix of experience and raw young talent. They are capable of winning all their home games, including England this Saturday, and will beat Scotland away, but will fall short against Wales in the final game, but win title on bonus points.

Another Championship but no Grand Slam this year

Wales will finish second, despite beating Ireland, England and France, but will lose at Murrayfield against the Scots (just like two years ago). England and Scotland will fight it out for 3rd and 4th place, with England victorious over France and Scotland, but losing to Wales and Ireland. The Scots will beat Wales and France (away) but come up short against Ireland (home) and England (away).

France and Italy will tussle for the Wooden Spoon, with the French winning their final game against the Italians to hand them the "cucchiaio di legno".

However, jumping back on the fence again, there are 7 games which could go either way, and could mean one of four teams could potentially win Six Nations - these are as follows (I have indicated my victor):

France v Wales (win)
Ireland (win) v England
Scotland v Ireland (win)
France v Scotland (win)
Wales (win) v England
Scotland (win) v Wales
Wales (win) v Ireland

What do you think?

SIX NATIONS SQUADS ANNOUNCED

England
They have a tough year, with all the Blue teams at home, but Wales and Ireland away, which they will need to beat at least one of (probably both) to win the Championship. Eddie is bragging that he has all his big guns back - Vunipola x 2, Tuilagi, Launchbury, Lawes, Cokanasiga, Teo and Farrell (assuming fit), and has a simple game plan - to smash em up! Good to see Dan Robson of Wasps getting a run at 9.

Wales
In contrast to England, Wales have two strongest teams, Ireland and England, at home in the Principality Stadium, and go away to Blue teams, although France in Paris in first game, will not be easy. Warren Gatland has a few injuries in back row, including Faletau, and out wide, where Leigh Halfpenny and Rhys Patchell still have concussion. Still, despite no Welsh region making the knock out stages of the European Champions Cup, they have impressive strength in depth, and are a good tournament team, and could beat either of the two big teams in Cardiff, so will definitely have a say in the Championship winner outcome.

Ireland
Joe Schmidt has the luxury of the strongest Irish squad ever, and even with a few injuries, they have depth in every position from front row, back row to centres and back three. Assuming Sexton and Murray are fit, they should win the Championship, but may struggle to top both England at home and Wales away, especially, if one of their talisman gets injured. They will entertain, courtesy of a backline full of world class players - Murray plus Sexton, along with Bundee Aki, Garry Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw, Keith Earls, Rob Kearney and Jacob Stockdale, to name a few.

Scotland
Despite recent improvements, with only two professional teams, Gregor Townsend was always going to suffer from lack of strength in depth with injuries to key players such as John Barclay, Hamish Watson, David Denton, Richie Gray, and Byron McGuigan. Strength in the back three and half back may be nullified by lack of power up front to get the backs on the front foot - injuries to front row will further exacerbate this. However, with Edinburgh the most improved team in Europe, thanks to their pack overpowering Montpellier and Toulon in the process, Scotland will be competitive, and may turnover either Wales or Ireland at home.

France
Swings and roundabouts selection wise for the French. On the plus side, much needed experience returns from injury in the form of Camille Lopez, Morgan Parra and Wesley Fofana, and they select five talented uncapped players, including Romain Ntamack, Dorian Aldegheri, Gregory Alldritt, Thomas Ramos and South African born Paul Willemse. On the flipside, key players missing include Teddy Thomas, Yoann Maestri, Cedric Gomes and Mathieu Babilot. They will be big, brutal and French, so expect the unexpected, including edging Wales at home in the first game.