27-2-14 6 nations

SCOTLAND V ITALY

Italy team

Winger Michele Visentin, 23, and centre Enrico Bacchin, 22, come into the side.

Toulon prop Martin Castrogiovanni will miss the Six Nations match after he was bitten by a dog and needed 14 stitches.

His place is filled by Dario Chistolini, while Matias Aguero, Simone Favaro and Newcastle Falcons' Joshua Furno also all start for the Azzurri.

Furno is given his chance by coach Jacques Brunel in Saturday's game following a muscular injury picked up by veteran lock Marco Bortolami.

L McLean (Sale Sharks) , M Visentin (Zebre), L Morisi (Benetton Treviso), E Bacchin (Benetton Treviso), G Venditti (Zebre), K Haimona (Zebre), E Gori (Benetton Treviso); M Aguero (Zebre), L Ghiraldini (Leicester Tigers), D Chistolini (Zebre), G Biagi (Zebre), J Furno (Newcastle Falcons), F Minto (Benetton Treviso), S Favaro (Benetton Treviso), S Parisse (Stade Francais).

Replacements: A Manici (Zebre), A De Marchi (Sale Sharks), L Cittadini (London Wasps), M Fuser (Benetton Treviso), S Vunisa (Zebre), G Palazzani (Zebre), T Allan (Perpignan), G Bisegni (Zebre).

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/31636671

This is a match that will tell us who is the worst off of the 6 teams in the competition. I feel that Scotland will have too much of a strength in depth to win this match.

WALES V FRANCE

Each of these teams have won one and lost one in this so you cannot be sure of anything especially with France and I think that it depends on what French team we see the quality one who can beat anyone or the one who find it difficult to beat a simple team

IRELAND V ENGLAND

Full-back Goode replaces Mike Brown at the Aviva Stadium and is joined in the back line by Exeter Chiefs wing Jack Nowell, who takes over from Jonny May on the left wing.

In the only other change to the match day 23, Henry Thomas replaces Kieran Brookes on the replacements' bench as the Newcastle Falcons prop continues to recover from a hip flexor strain.

England team to face Ireland:

15. Alex Goode (Saracens)14. Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby)13. Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby)12. Luther Burrell (Northampton Saints)11. Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs)10. George Ford (Bath Rugby)9. Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)1. Joe Marler (Harlequins)2. Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints)3. Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers)4. Dave Attwood (Bath Rugby)5. George Kruis (Saracens)6. James Haskell (Wasps)7. Chris Robshaw (captain, Harlequins)8. Billy Vunipola (Saracens)

Replacements:

16. Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers)17. Mako Vunipola (Saracens)18. Henry Thomas (Bath Rugby)19. Nick Easter (Harlequins)20. Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers)21. Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens)22. Danny Cipriani (Sale Sharks)23. Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester Rugby

Read more at http://www.rbs6nations.com/en/news/england/27825.php#lqL7rO2HhlyeHVHU.99

Read more at http://www.rbs6nations.com/en/news/england/27825.php#lqL7rO2HhlyeHVHU.99

This is a big tie as it will tell us a lot about the Irish and English going into the world cup we can learn a lot from this match. I think that England have too much but I want Ireland to win

23-2-14 PRO 12 LEAGUE

PRO 12 RESULTS AND TABLES

FRIDAY

EDINBURGH 17-20 ULSTER

ULSTER DEFENCE GET GOOD RESULT

Ulster managed to get a vital 3 point win over Edinburgh even though for the last 10 minutes they were down to 13 men bin the last 10 minutes. Tries from Ruan Piener and Darren Cave were important for Ulster in this match. Edinburgh got a try from Burleigh.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/31534944

LEINSTER 29- 8 ZEBRE

LEINSTER GET 5 POINTS AND NO MORE

Leinster managed to just get the bonus point win they needed to keep their Pro 12 dreams alive with ties from Godpath, Fitsgerald, Cronin and Ryan. This shows that when Leinster does not have the Ireland players they are not as strong a team as when they have.

 http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/31538252

TREVISO 40-24 CARDIFF BULES

5 TRY TREVISO IN DREAMLAND

Treviso showed on Friday that they could put in a good win against a good side with this comfortable win over a very disappointing Cardiff Blues. Tries from Lumana, Esposito, Bacchin, Hayward and Sinicoli put Treviso into a very comfortable win

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/31504823

SATURDAY

SCARLETS 25-25 MUNSTER

BOOT OF SINGLAR GIVES SCARLETS DRAW

On Saturday Muster played in a very close match where 3 tries from O Donaghue, Jones and Hanrahan gave Muster what you would think would be a sure thing. But only one try from Parkes put the Scarlet’s still in this match.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/31509442

GLASGOW 19-16 OPSPREYS

MC ARTHUR SHOWS WHY GLASGOW ARE BEST IN THE LEAGUE

In the battle at the top and a very tight match Mc Arthuur scored the try that gave Glasgow the win in response to Davis try for the Ospreys and Glasgow look very strong at the moment. Howes boot from penalties was the tifference as Glasgow scored 4 and the Ospreys scored 3.

SUNDAY

DRAGONS 25-30 CONNACHT

CONNACHT SHOW THAT THEY ARE NOT GOING ANYWHERE

Tries from Ronaldson, Materson and Kearney were enough to give Connacht a vital win in the Pro 12 this year. 2 tries from Amos and one from Dixon was the Dragons response.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/31527059

TABLE

Guinness PRO12

Position	Team	Played	Points
1	Glasgow	15	52
2	Ulster	15	48
3	Munster	15	48
4	Leinster	15	47
5	Osprey’s	15	45
6	Connacht	15	37
7	Scarlet’s	15	35
8	Edinburgh	15	33
9	Dragons	15	22
10	Blues	15	22
11	Treviso	15	18
12	Zebre	15	10

20-02-14 pro 12 predictions

THERE ARE NO 6 NATIONS FIXTURES THIS WEEK SO I WILL FOCUS ON THE PRO 12

FRI

TREVISO V BLUES 7.05PM

I cannot go anywhere but a blues win. Will they get the bonus point I think so but it will be very difficult

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/31504823

EDINBURGH ULSTER  7.35PM

This will definitely be a battle and I am unsure who will win. I will go with Ulster but Edinburgh will get a losing bonus point as I think that this will be a very close match as Edinburgh tales would be up after beating the Ospreys

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/315349

LEINSTER V ZEBRE 7.35PM

Leinster must win this match and win it with a bonus point to get their form back on track. I think that even in reserve Leinster should have too much but this could be a lot closer than people think

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/31538252

SAT

SCARLET'S V MUNSTER 2.40PM

Munster have not had the season that people have expected this season. They are showing movement in the Pro 12 and I feel that this is a match that could go either way. I would go Munster by less than three.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/31509442

GLASGOW V OSPREYS 5.15PM

A top of the table clash between the two best teams this season and this feels like it will be a bit of a thriller. Anything can happen in a match like this and I think that Glasgow will win as home advantage is so important

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/31511824

SUN

DRAGONS V CONNACHT 4.00PM

Connacht are having a good season this year and this is a match where I think they need to pick up points to keep this form up and I feel that they can but it will be tough. I see it as conacht by no more than 4

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/31527059

16-2-14 6 nations

ENGLAND 47-17 ITALY

JOSEPH HELPS ENGLAND DESTROY ITALY

Sergio Perez scores an early try in the corner from a line out and good set play but Italy did not convert it.

England reply with a ford England scored from a line out and force the ball into the corner on 20 minutes

England then are unlucky with a try was they have a set move from a line out and forced into the corner they went to the TMO who said it was a Try as it was grounded by the no 8 Ford misses the conversion.

Jonathan Joseph breaks the like and makes the run as he broke the line and ran quite the distance to score a try. He comes into an easier position to make the conversion easier for Ford who scored it.

Half time England 15-5 Italy

George Ford scored a penalty just after half time 

England score a try from a roiling maul but it was built on poor Italy defending

England score a penalty

Ball comes out for the scrum and Jonathan Joseph runs past the defender to score a try from within his own half

Dani Ciprini scores a try from a set move

Nick Easter scores a try from line out and roiling maul

Matarazi scores in the corner for Italy’s third try but it had a long run to make it

IRELAND 18-11 FRANCE

JOHNNY SHOWS THAT HE IS BACK

Johnny Sexton scores Ireland's first score a penalty on 13 minutes

France reply with a penalty on 16 minutes with a Lopez penalty

Johnny sexton hits a penalty on 18 minutes and on 32 minutes

Lopez scored a penalty on 36 minutes

Johnny Sexton reply’s with a penalty just before half time

Half time Ireland 12-6 France

Ian Madagan takes over penalty duties and scores on 50 minutes

Rory Best has a yellow card and Johnny Sexton hits a penalty on 67 minutes as he comes back from an injury

France score the first try of the match on 70 minutes ball came from the scrum and a good set move scored by Taofifenua but they miss the conversion

The French did show that they had a good defence in the last 10 minutes

SCOTLAND 23-26 WALES

HALFPENNYS BOOT GIVES WALES A VITAL WIN

Wales score an early penalty on 5 minutes

Scotland get the ball wide to Stewart Hogg to run half the pitch they score the conversion

Laidlaw scores a penalty on 16 minutes for Scotland

Leigh Halfpenny scores a penalty on 20 minutes

Rhys Webb scores a try down the right side from asset play pushing the ball further left

HALF TIME SCOTLAND 10-16 WALES

Laidlaw scores a penalty on 42 minutes

Halfpenny scores a penalty on 48 minutes

Laidlaw reply on 54 minutes

Jonathan Davis scores a try from patient build up and the scots had the chance to prevent it but they missed the final tackle

Welsh scored a try from a maul but the referee could see the fact that he had grounded the ball. Russell scored the conversion. There was some confusion at the re start as he did not have the time to re start the match and took time to take the conversion

  

6 nations predictions round 2

RUGBY 6 NATIONS

SAT 3PM

ENGLAND V ITALY

England have to win this match by at least 20 points  and win it well to show any form of progression of what had happened against walesto show England team look at.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/31437364

SAT 5PM

IRELAND V FRANCE

A lot will be learned from both coaches in this match for the world cup and I just wonder what the goals will be in this match but I cannot see it not being a close match.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/31442300

SUN 3PM

SCOTLAND V WALES

I can see a shock in this match and I think that Scotland will beat Wales but it will be close.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/31451974

09-02-14 6 NATIONS

WALES V ENGLAND FRIDAY 8.05 PM

JOSEPH PREFORMS MAGIC FOR ENGLAND

Wales start with an early penalty

Hascall gets the ball from the scrum and gives the ball to Rhys Webb for a try

Brown kicks to Watson for England’s opening try

Bigger hits a quality drop goal

Half time wales 16-8 England

Joseph scores a great individual try as he breaks past 2 men to score a try

Ford score a penalty  for England

George ford hits a penalty to give England control of the match

ITALY V IRELAND SATURDAY 3PM

MURRAY THE MAN AS KIETLY KICKS IRELAND TO VICTORY

Sean O Brian out injured before kick-off this might be a problem in World Cup year

Ian Kietley scores an early penalty on 5 minutes as this was Ireland’s first advance on Italian territory

Kietlery scores Ireland’s second penalty and Kietley look confident considering how few caps he has

There does a seem to be problems with Ireland as they are not attacking the right way

The Italian’s are showing that they are good defensively as Ireland attack well for the first time

Kietley scores a third penalty as he is a little under pressure with this kick

Italy score a penalty before half time

Half time Italy 3-9 Ireland

Ireland have a chance on 50 minutes but again Kietley hits a penalty from an Irish attacking move.

Connor Murray finally gets Irelands first try from a line out and set up so Murray could run past the defenders and score Irelands first try

Kietley converts

Tommy O Doinnell runs about 50 meters from a sort of set move Kietley converts

Italy were unlucky not to get a trey at the end as Finera receives the ball from a kick but no try

A good thing is that we get this type of performance now rather than going into the World Cup as Shmitt has got a chance to correct the problems before they become problems

FRANCE V SCOTLAND  SATURDAY 5PM

LOPEZ BOOT IS DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WINNING AND LOOSING

Lopez score an early penalty for France

Scotland equalise on 30 minutes

Lopez then hits 2 penalties before half time

Scotland goes wide to put as a pass from Russell puts Dougle in at the corner

Half time France 9-8 Scotland

France score a penalty on 50 minutes

France then score a penalty on 77 after Scotland not releasing the ball

6 nations 06-02-14

RUGBY 6 NATIONS

The 6 nation’s starts this week and it is the tournament before the world cup so you cannot be sure who will look at this in what way. Every team has had injuries due to the European Champion’s Cup so we might see a few second string teams

1 IRELAND

Ireland have had a good season both this and last season and we will be able to see the improvements made in the team. But the question do Ireland have a good kicker without Johnny Sexton. Ireland can still rely on captain marvel Paul O Connel to get them out of problems.

2 ENGLAND

England are proving more and more that they have strength in depth and you can be sure will be near the top come the end. With players like Owen Farell and David Wilson out England have a lot of players out?

3 WALES

Wales have got a near full strength team which is a good thing as it means that they will be serious contenders against anyone and this this will be a good year for the Welsh

4 FRANCE

France is a team that can beat anybody on their day but on another day they have serious problems. Another issue with the French is that they are playing club rugby this week while other nations are having a rest. Sebastien Tillous-Bordes, who was ruled out of the clash with an injury as well as  Alexandre Dumoulin,

5 SCOTLAND

If there is a year that Scotland can get higher in the table it should be this one as it is a world cup year. Scotland have got ambitions to win the whole championship this year but I am not sure.Alexender Dickinson is Scotland's only injury concern so anything can happen  

6 ITALY

Italy can show this year that they can pick up surprise wins and this might be a year to do it. Other nations having injury concerns and problems could be an advantage for Italy but anything can happen.
This year in my opinion could be a quite open championship with the World cup coming up at the end of the year four or even three wins could win it. I do think that you need four wins and for five teams that is there ambition. As well as this this will be the perfect time to experiment before the world cup and that might be an important factor also.

FRIDAY

WALES V ENGLAND

See

 http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/31137059

SATURDAY

ITALY V IRELAND

See

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/31101021

http://www.rbs6nations.com/en/news/italy/27403.php#.VNSSXZ2sVqU

SCOTLAND V FRANCE

See

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/31156290

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/31143595

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/31126361

Kingspan final

KINGSPAN FINAL 

I would like to give Ulster credit for getting the Pro 12 final. I feel that Ulster Rugby have worked for this for a long time now they have to get to the final at the end of may