6 NATIONS RUGBY 28-2-16

FRIDAY

WALES 19-10 FRANCE

N0RTH TRY GIVES WALES BIG WIN

 

George North's second try in as many games helped Wales open up a 13-point lead early in the second half.

France enjoyed long periods of pressure, but by the time Guilhem Guirado drove over it was too late to matter.

Dan Biggar kicked 14 points

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/35653445

Wales are now in a strong position to win their 6 nations and it does feel like week 4 will be the match that decides the title as for France any manager that can get rid of the consistency will make France an incredible force  

SATURDAY

ENGLAND 21-10 IRELAND

WATSON AND BROWN KEERP ENGLAND ON TRACK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conor Murray's try had given the visitors a narrow lead early in the second half after England had dominated territory and possession but failed to convert it into points.

But two tries in five minutes from Anthony Watson and Mike Brown snatched back control of what had been a tight, error-strewn match.

And ferocious, often last-ditch defence then kept waves of Irish attacks at bay and left Jones's men top of the championship table.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/35659363

Ireland need to change things now or else they will go down very fast and very hard as now it does feel like they are fighting Scotland for fourth position in the table. England look unstoppable and it does make you wonder where was this at the world cup.

ITALY 20-36 SCOTLAND

BARKLEY AND FUSER TRY SEALS SCOTLAND WIN

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vern Cotter's team thundered into a 17-3 lead with clinical early tries from John Barclay and John Hardie.

Italy responded with scores from Leonardo Ghiraldini and Marco Fuser, while Scotland lost Finn Russell and WP Nel to the sin-bin in the last quarter.

But Greig Laidlaw's nerveless goal-kicking and Tommy Seymour's late try saw them over the winning line at last.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/35651242

Scotland are showing improvement this season but it is not showing in their 6 nations results Scotland are gradually changing but their match against Ireland might be the thing that changes things as for Italy another bad result does not tell us where we are

6 nations teams and predictions

FRIDAY

WALES V FRANCE

Wales: Liam Williams, Alex Cuthbert, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, George North, Dan Biggar, Gareth Davies; Rob Evans, Scott Baldwin, Samson Lee, Bradley Davies, Alun Wyn Jones, Dan Lydiate, Sam Warburton (capt), Taulupe Faletau.

Replacements: Ken Owens, Gethin Jenkins, Tomas Francis, Jake Ball, Justin Tipuric, Lloyd Williams, Rhys Priestland, Gareth Anscombe.

 

France: Maxime Medard, Vrimi Vakatawa, Maxime Mermoz, Jonathan Danty, Djbril Camara, Jules Plisson, Maxime Machenaud; Jefferson Poirot, Guilhem Guirado (capt), Rabah Slimani, Paul Jedrasiak, Alexandre Flanquart, Wencelsas Lauret, Antoine Burban, Damien Chouly.

Replacements: Camille Chat, Uini Atonio, Vincent Pelo, Yoann Maestri, Loann Goujon, Sebastien Bezy, Francois Trinh-Duc, Gael Fickou

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/france-v-wales-six-nations-8732950

I think that this will be very close as both teams had hard fought matches against Ireland. I think France have the quality to beat anyone when they are hot but right now I think that France will fail and Wales will win

SATURDAY

SCOTLAND V ITALY

15 Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors),14 Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors 13 Mark Bennett (Glasgow Warriors) 12 Duncan Taylor (Saracens) 11 Tim Visser (Harlequins)10 Finn Russell (Glasgow Warriors) 9 Greig Laidlaw CAPTAIN (Gloucetser)1 Alasdair Dickinson (Edinburgh Rugby)2 Ross Ford (Edinburgh Rugby) 3 Willem Nel (Edinburgh Rugby)4 Richie Gray (Castres)5 Jonny Gray (Glasgow Warriors)6 John Barclay (Scarlets) 7 John Hardie (Edinburgh Rugby)8 David Denton (Bath Rugby)

Substitutes

16 Stuart McInally (Edinburgh Rugby) 17 Rory Sutherland (Edinburgh Rugby)18 Moray Low (Exeter Chiefs)19 Tim Swinson (Glasgow Warriors) 20 Ryan Wilson (Glasgow Warriors21 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne (Edinburgh Rugby)22 Peter Horne (Glasgow Warriors)23 Sean Lamont (Glasgow Warriors)

Italy: David Odiete, Leonardo Sarto, Michele Campagnaro, Gonzalo Garcia, Mattia Bellini, Kelly Haimona, Edoardo Gori, Sergio Parisse, Alessandro Zanni, Francesco Minto, Joshua Furno, Marco Fuser, Lorenzo Citttadini, Leonardo Ghiraldini, Andrea Lovotti

Replacements: Davide Giazzon, Matteo Zanusso, Martin Castrogiovanni, Valerio Bernabo, Andries Van Schalkwyk, Guglielmo Palazzani, Edoardo Padovani, Andrea Pratichetti

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/35651242

Scotland should be showing senses of improvement from last year and should be getting better and better but it has not seem like this is happening this year. Italy feel like they are going this little bit backwards as well as Scotland.

IRELAND V ENGLAND

England: Mike Brown, Anthony Watson, Jonathan Joseph, Owen Farrell, Jack Nowell, George Ford, Ben Youngs; Joe Marler, Dylan Hartley (captain), Dan Cole, Maro Itoje, George Kruis, Chris Robshaw, James Haskell, Billy Vunipola.

Replacements: Jamie George, Mako Vunipola, Paul Hill, Courtney Lawes, Jack Clifford, Danny Care, Elliot Daly, Alex Goode.

Ireland: Rob Kearney, Andrew Trimble, Robbie Henshaw, Stuart McCloskey, Keith Earls, Jonathan Sexton, Conor Murray; Jack McGrath, Rory Best, Mike Ross, Donnacha Ryan, Devin Toner, CJ Stander, Josh van der Flier, Jamie Heaslip (captain).

Replacements: Richardt Strauss, Cian Healy, Nathan White, Ultan Dillane, Rhys Ruddock, Eoin Reddan, Ian Madigan, Simon Zebo.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/35659363

Ireland and England should be a battle but I think that the way things are working this season the luck is going against Ireland so I think this will be a close win for England. Ireland need to look at youth right now.

21-2-16 pro 12 rugby

SATURDAY

ZEBRE 34-51 CONNACHT

HEALY HAT TRICK BUT WHAT A MATCH

 

Matt Healy scored scored three tries as Connacht won a thrilling match away to Zebre to go top of the Pro12 standings.

Niyi Adeolokun got two touchdowns and Kieran Marmion also scored for the Irish side, who are the competition's top try scorers with 42 this season.

Johan Meyer, Kelly Haimona, Dries van Schalkwyk and Federico Ruzza responded with tries for the hosts.

But Zebre pushed them all the way in Parma and were rewarded with a try-scoring bonus point.

Craig Ronaldson and Haimona exchanged early penalties before Connacht wing Healy claimed the first of his three tries after good work by Bundee Aki and Tiernan O'Halloran.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/35616218

I will have to ask the same question of Connacht as I did about Leister city earlier in the season and that is can they win the title or is this some form of a massive dream that they will fall from weeks later is there ambition a semi-final or European rugby these are the questions we have to ask

BLUES 13-14 LEINSTER

NACEWA TRY GIVES LEINSTER BIG WIN

 

Both teams struggled in poor conditions before Isa Nacewa's 58th-minute breakaway try saw Leinster pull clear.

Josh Navidi's 77th-minute touchdown, converted by Rhys Patchell, brought the Blues back to within a point. Blues pressed, but Patchell's drop-goal attempt was charged down.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/35586468

Leinster are making this a very interesting title race now between the big teams but you can say little on such a poor night as it was there is one question are Leinster back?

SUNDAY

ULSTER 20-21 SCARLETS

COLLINS DOUBLE MAKES IT LOOK TIGHT AT THE TOP

 

Collins scored the opening try in the fifth minute but Ulster hit back to lead 10-8, with winger Craig Gilroy carving out a superb individual score.

Luke Marshall touched down in the corner for a second try, which gave Ulster a 17-15 lead at the interval

But two Aled Thomas penalties secured victory for the visitors

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/35626479

Ulster look to be doing very well in the league this season but there will be more twists and turn to this top 4 race you can be sure of this. This is the type of match that Ulster should win to be a pro 12 champion and they lost it. Ulster look to be dropping off the title race.

19-2-16 rugby

FRIDAY

GLASGOW 27-24 MUNSTER

PUAISIFI DOUBLE GIVES GLASGOW BONUS POINT WIN

 

Glasgow reignited their Pro12 season with a thrilling bonus point-win over Munster at Rugby Park in Kilmarnock.

Last year's finalists produced a frantic opening with Glasgow on top from two converted Sila Puafisi tries.

Munster came storming back with two tries from another prop, Dave Kilcoyne, and Ian Keatley kicked a penalty.

Glasgow's Duncan Weir sped over in the corner and added a penalty before Mike Sherry made it 24-22 to 14-man Munster ahead of Glenn Bryce's match-winner.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/35604716

Glasgow are getting better and look to be back in the mix after their poor form early season. Munster seem to be the disappointment this season which is not the normal story of Irish rugby and they do not look too good and look to be competing for Europe

OSPREYS 27-13 EDINBURGH

OTTEN TRY GIVES OSPREYS VITAL WIN

 

Ospreys climbed into the top six of the Pro12 with a hard-fought victory over mid-table rivals Edinburgh.

The Scots led 13-6 at one stage thanks to a try from prop Alan Dell.

But Sam Underhill's touchdown levelled the scores, before Sam Davies' string of second-half penalties and a late Scott Otten try sealed the hosts' win.

Wales flanker Dan Lydiate spent time in the sin-bin before playing his part in the Ospreys' revival.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/35588266

Ospreys were one game away from reaching the quarter finals in the European cup this season which does show that they are a good side but the big question that has to be asked can they get on a run and compete for the top 4 as that is what I think they will need to compete in Europe next season

TREVISO 19-17 DRAGONS

THEESE ARE THE TYPES OF WINS ITALAN SIDES NEED

Hallam Amos strengthened his claim for a Wales starting shirt, but could not stop the Newport Gwent Dragons slipping to defeat at Treviso.

The 21-year-old flyer showed Warren Gatland what he’s missing when he raced home in the first half. But tries from Angelo Esposito, Filo Paulo and Ludovico Nitoglia secured a 19-17 triumph and the Italians’ second win of the season.

Cory Hill crashed over, but the Dragons could not muscle over for a winning score and remain 10th in the Guinness Pro12.

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-match-reports/treviso-19-17-newport-gwent-10921222

These are the types of wins Italians need to improve themselves as a rugby nation and wins like this show improvement in Italian rugby but at the same time it does not feel like real improvement

6 NATIONS 15-2-16

SATURDAY

FRANCE 10-9 IRELAND

MEDARD SUCCERPUNCHES IRISH

 

Maxime Medard's late try snatched victory for France over a battered and bruised Ireland in an attritional Six Nations contest in a wet Paris.

Ireland posed all the attacking threat in the first half but poor handling meant they had to settle for a 9-3 lead courtesy of three Johnny Sexton kicks.

By that stage, Sean O'Brien and Dave Kearney were already off injured.

Medard's 70th-minute score followed sustained pressure and Jules Plisson's conversion secured victory for France.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/35554597

Maybe for the Irish this should be a place where they can develop new players as the do not look at there best at the moment. There are many questions that need to be asked and answered by the French also as two ok performances don’t say that the French are doing well either.
I got this one right as I said France would win a close match   

WALES 27-23 SCOTLAND

NORTH TRY SEALS BIG WIN FOR WALES

 

Wales cut loose in the final 20 minutes to register a ninth consecutive win over Scotland.

But Warren Gatland's team had an uncomfortable hour before tries from Jamie Roberts and George North lifted the siege.

Scotland led 13-10 after Tommy Seymour's try cancelled out Gareth Davies's early touchdown.

Duncan Taylor's late try was little more than a consolation for the Scots, who have not won in Cardiff since 2002.
I got this wrong but still stink Scotland are due a big win this season

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/35544939
 

SUNDAY

ITALY 9-40 ENGLAND

JOSEPH ON ANOTHER PLANNET

 

Eddie Jones's unbeaten start to his England coaching career continued with a win over Italy in Rome that started slowly but ended at pace.

A disjointed first half was enlivened by George Ford's try off turnover possession, although Carlo Canna's boot kept the Azzuri within a score.

But two quick tries from Jonathan Joseph, his fifth and sixth in his past seven Six Nations matches, calmed English anxieties.

And the Bath centre completed his hat-trick with a powerful run into the left-hand corner before Owen Farrell gathered Jamie George's classy offload to score England's fifth try.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/35560568

We wonder what will happen now after England have beaten Scotland and Italy but they do look most suited to win the 6 nations. Italy have shown that this year they are not a pushover. I was surprised by Italy but got this right also

6 nations teams and predictions 12-2-16

SIX NATIONS

SATURDAY

FRANCE V IRELAND

 

 

 

 

 

 

France: Maxime Medard, Teddy Thomas, Maxime Mermoz, Jonathan Danty, Virimi Vakatawa, Jules Plisson, Sebastien Bezy; Jefferson Poirot, Guilhem Guirado (captain), Uini Atoni, Alexandre Flanquart, Yoann Maestri, Wenceslas Lauret, Yacouba Camara, Damien Chouly.

Replacements: Camille Chat, Rabah Slimani, Eddy Ben Arous, Paul Jedrasiak, Loann Goujon, Maxime Machenaud, Jean-Marc Doussain, Hugo Bonneval.

Ireland: Rob Kearney, Andrew Trimble, Jared Payne, Robbie Henshaw, Dave Kearney, Johnny Sexton, Conor Murray; Jack McGrath, Rory Best (captain), Nathan White, Mike McCarthy, Devin Toner, CJ Stander, Sean O’Brien, Jamie Heaslip.

Replacements: Richard Strauss, James Cronin, Tadhg Furlong, Donnacha Ryan, Tommy O'Donnell, Eoin Reddan, Ian Madigan, Fergus McFadden

http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/six-nations/2016/0211/767319-france-v-ireland-six-nations-preview-rte/

This match should sum up the championship as a whole as you could not be sure which team will win it from the start. France are the most difficult team to play against as you are not sure which beast will come out and if France play well I do not think Ireland can contain them I would go with France narrowly.

WALES V SCOTLAND

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wales: Liam Williams; North, J Davies, Roberts, James; Biggar, G Davies; Evans, Baldwin, Lee; Charteris, Jones; Warburton (capt), Tipuric, Faletau.

Replacements: Owens, Jenkins, Francis, B Davies, Lydiate, Lloyd Williams, Priestland, Anscombe.

Scotland: Hogg; Maitland, Bennett, Taylor, Seymour; Russell, Laidlaw (capt); Dickinson, Ford, Nel; R Gray; J Gray; Barclay, Hardie, Denton.

Replacements: McInally, Reid, Fagerson, Swinson, Cowan, Hidalgo-Clyne, Weir, Lamont..

http://www.scottishrugbyblog.co.uk/2016/02/scotland-v-wales-the-teams/

I think that Scotland will win this match as this is one of the matches that would show some sort of improvement for them. I think that there will not be any more than a score between them at any given time

SUNDAY

ITALY V ENGLAND

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Italy Probable line up: Lovotti; Gega; Cittadini; Biagi; Fuser; Minto; Zanni; Parisse; Gori; Canna; Bellini; Garcia; Campagnaro; Sarto; Odiete

England Probable line up: Marler; Hartley; Cole; Launchbury; Kruis; Robshaw; Haskell; Vunipola; Care; Ford; Watson; Farrell; Joseph; Nowell; Brown.

https://mybettingbonus.co.uk/previews/italy-vs-england-predictions-140216-six-nations/

I think that a 20 point win should be considered a successful day for England and this type of win should be the difference between success and failure. This is not as easy a win as people think it could be Italy should be showing sense of improvement and what happened against France can only give them confidence but a confident Italy can be a dangerous Italy. England to win by 10 points

6 nations ireland v wales 8-2-16

IRELAND 16-16 WALES

FALETAU TRY CHANGES EVERYTHING

4 min Up to 15, 16, 17 phases now and still they plug away. Sexton loops round and pops it to Henshaw, who loses it in contact, but we go back for an Irish penalty for offside. Sexton will go for goal and, from the 22 and 10 metres to the right of goal, he should get this

Penalty (Sexton 5) Ireland 3-0 Wales

Sexton caps his good start by kicking the first points of the day

12 min Ireland plug away once again, around 15 metres from the Welsh line. O’Donnell carries it on then they go left to Zebo, who tries to step through a gap. Nothing on for him, but Ireland have the advantage. And indeed get the penalty

Penalty (Sexton 14) Ireland 6-0 Wales

On the 22 and 15 in from touch on the left, you would expect a kicker of Sexton’s class to slot this. And he does.

Try! (Murray 27) Ireland 11-0 Wales

This is a much better scrum from Ireland and Henshaw has a dart at a 45 degree angle, running from deep. It’s recycled, Murray dummies and snipes through from the back of a ruck!

Conversion (Sexton 28) Ireland 13-0 Wales

From 15m in from the right, Sexton adds the extras

31 min Wales go right but Earls dump tackles Williams and wins the turnover. Garces asks the TMO to check that one.

Penalty (Priestland 32) Ireland 13-3 Wales

Priestland lines up a shot at goal from around 35 metres, wideish on the right. Wales are on the board.

Try! (Faletau 38) Ireland 13-8 Wales

You won’t be surprised to hear Wales go for the scrum again. It’s heading over the line but before it can Faletau picks it up and bursts through Conor Murray and over!

Conversion (Priestland 39) Ireland 13-10 Wales

Just to the left of the posts, that’s bread and butter for Priestland and Wales are suddenly right back in it.

Half-time: Ireland 13-10 Wales

Penalty (Priestland 47) Ireland 13-13 Wales

Straight through the middle and we’re all square! Wales have hauled themselves back from 13-0 down

72 min But Warburton immediately counterrucks and wins it back for Wales! They get the penalty for holding on!

Penalty! (Priestland 73) Ireland 13-16 Wales

This is a massive kick, wide on the right and a good 45 metres with the angle I’d say. It’s a brilliant one though and Wales lead for the first time!

73 min Wales bring Lydiate on for Warburton. Lloyd Williams puts up a poor box kick and though Murray knocks on, Francis was offside. Sexton from the 10 metre line, just to the left, to level it

Penalty (Sexton 75) Ireland 16-16 Wales

It’s not his cleanest strike, but Ireland won’t care a jot. It creeps inches inside the right-hand post!

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2016/feb/07/ireland-v-wales-six-nations-2016-live

I think that Ireland had complete control of the match at the start and Wales then had a bit of a target to aim at. I think wales played the better of the two at certain points but Ireland will have a lot to look at after this game. I think players like Sexton and best should have controlled the match when it was needed.

 

 

SCOTLAND V ENGLAND 6-2-16

SCOTLAND 9-15 ENGLAND

NOVELL TRY ALLOWS ENGLAND TO KEEP CONTROL

Try! (Kruis 14) Scotland 0-5 England

Very strong from both sides, then Vunipola has a go from the back. He’s well stopped by Hardie, but England reset and Kruis drives very low, through Richie Gray and over the line!

(Farrell 15) Scotland 0-7 England

As expected, Owen Farrell kicks the goals today and he slots a simple conversion from just to the right.

16 min The restart is very deep to Ford, who misses touch from under his own posts and Hogg runs it back from 60 metres. They get up over the England 10 metre line and Robshaw fails to roll away from the tackle. Chance for Laidlaw to get his side on the board

Penalty (Laidlaw 17) Scotland 3-7 England

41 metres, with the angle, this one. The Gloucester scrum-half sends it sailing through the sticks

37 min A huge push from Scotland but Vunipola gets away from the base sharpish. Launchbury takes it on, but holds on under pressure in the tackle and Scotland get the penalty under the posts!

Penaltty (Laidlaw 38) Scotland 6-7 England

Easily chipped over and there’s a point in it.

Half-time: Scotland 6-7 England

Try! (Nowell 51) Scotland 6-12 England

England go through the phases, handling it very nicely. Vunipola pops it back inside to Farrell who give it right to Nowell. He heads for the outside shoulder of Seymour and puts on the afterburners, then slides over in the corner. That’s an excellent finish

62 min That’s great work from Mako Vunipola and Dylan Hartley. Scotland go sideways and splinter and Farrell, from 40 metres out and 10 in from touch, will have a crack at goal.

(Farrell 62) Scotland 6-15 England

The radar is fixed. Farrell sends it through to move England more than a score in front.

68 min Scotland go deeper, looking for some momentum, but when they go left Taylor is dragged into touch. England go quickly but then Brown kicks very poorly. He wanted to spiral it into the corner but it went straight to Hogg. And to exacerbate that, Lawes was in front of the kicker. Penalty Scotland, 30 metres out and right in front.

Penalty (Laidlaw 69) Scotland 9-15 England

Through the middle it goes and Scotland are still in this.

FULL TIME SCOTLAND 9-15 ENGLAND

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2016/feb/06/scotland-v-england-six-nations-2016-live

Scotland have shown their quality this match and have shown that they will be a force this season and that they are improving. Winning twice should be an achievable target for this season

FRANCE V ITALY 6-2-16

FRANCE 23-21 ITALY

HARD FOUGHT MATCH WON BY PLESSON PENALTY

 

 Drop-goal! (Canna 8) France 0-3 Italy

8 min It’s another solid scrum and Sarto crashes it up in midfield. Left they go, but when it comes back inside the handling is shoddy and it goes loose. Italy have been driven back outside the 22, but they keep possession and look to probe down the left, then back in the middle Back it goes to the No10 in the pocket. He sets himself and swings it very sweetly through the posts!

Try! (Vakatwa 14) France 5-3 Italy

Now a chance as France create and overlap on the left and Lauret carries powerfully up to the 22. It’s carried on, through the phases crabbing right. Plisson sends out a long pass, Lauret loops around and they work it out to the sevens specialist on the left touchline. He checks, steps back inside and dots down for the first try.

Try (Parisse 26) France 5-8 Italy

Parisse takes it at the back this time and sets the maul. It’s a mighty drive and, from five metres, France are powerless to stop it. And Parisse is the man at the bottom of it!

Try! (Chouly 33) France 10-8 Italy

Penalty to France for a deliberate knock on and, with the defence asleep, Fickou is sharp and takes it quickly. There’s a massive overlap and they go right through the hands, Chouly eventually sliding into the corner for a simple finish.

Half-time France 10-8 Italy

Penalty! (Canna 44) France 10-11 Italy

Actually it’s much wider, only about five in from touch. Not the cleanest strike, but he curls it through and Italy lead!

Try! (Canna 46) France 10-16 Italy

 

Well. Parisse makes a great break after Gori sniped and looks to be in, only for Medard to make a stunning tackle right on the line. It’s recycled though and Canna, who has been so impressive, glides over the line!

Con (Canna 47) France 10-18 Italy

Fired through from the right of the posts. It was a great offload from Gori to Canna, by the way, to put the young No10 over.

Try! (Bonneval 60) France 15-18 Italy

Now France work it back left and the Italian back line is a mess. Bonneval comes round to create the overlap, steps back inside and goes over in the corner. That was all made by Vakatawa’s break though.

Con ! (Plisson 60) France 17-18 Italy

Change of kicker and Plisson smacks it over from the touchline. Game on!

68 min Van Schalkwyk is back on for Italy, not sure who’s off though. An exchange of kicks, then Van Schalkwyk is done for going off his feet at a ruck on the 10 metre line. Plisson will surely kick for goal and the lead

Pen ! (Plisson 69) France 20-18 Italy

That’s a great strike from 43 metres, just out left. France lead again.

Pen (Haimona 74) France 20-21 Italy

Canna is receiving treatment, so Haimona will take. He is a terrible kicker, frankly, but he’s somehow made this one!

Penalty! (Plisson 76) France 23-21 Italy

From halfway, out on the right, Plisson sends an absolute monster sailing through! Why was Bezy kicking earlier again!?

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2016/feb/06/france-v-italy-six-nations-2016-live

I think that people should worry about France as this was not the best of results but France are still France and the match against Ireland has become massive for France

six nations teams and predictions

SIX NATIONS POSSIBLE LINE UPS AND PREDICTIONS

The six nations begin on Saturday when France play Italy. Ireland are defending champions and if they win it will be 3 times in a row and I think that they are going to find it very difficult to do anything this season.

SATURDAY

FRANCE V ITALY

France

Starting XV: Maxime Medard, Hugo Bonneval, Gael Fickou, Jonathan Danty, Virimi Vakatawa, Jules Plisson, Sebastien Bezy, Louis Picamoles, Damien Chouly, Wenceslas Lauret, Yoann Maestri, Paul Jedrasiak, Rabah Slimani, Guilhem Guirado, Eddy Ben Arous.

Replacements: Camille Chat, Uini Atonio, Jefferson Poirot, Alexandre Flanquart, Yacouba Camara, Maxime Machenaud, Jean-Marc Doussain, Maxime Mermoz.

Italy

Starting XV: David Odiete, Leonardo Sarto, Michele Campagnaro, Gonzalo Garcia, Mattia Bellini, Carlo Canna, Edoardo Gori, Andrea Lovotti, Ornel Gega, Lorenzo Cittadini, George Fabio Biagi, Marco Fuser, Francesco Minto, Alessandro Zanni, Sergio Parisse.

Replacements: Davide Giazzon, Matteo Zanusso, Martin Castrogiovanni, Valerio Bernabo, Andries van Schalkwk, Guglielmo Palazzani, Kelly Haimona, Luke McLean.

I would be very surprised to see France loose this match as Italy do not have that sense of strength. I think france will win this game by at least 30 points.

SCOTLAND V ENGLAND

Scotland: Stuart Hogg, Sean Maitland, Mark Bennett, Matt Scott, Tommy Seymour, Finn Russell, Greig Laidlaw (capt); Al Dickinson, Ross Ford, WP Nel, Richie Gray, Jonny Gray, John Barclay, John Hardie, David Denton.

Replacements: Stuart McInally, Gordon Reid, Zander Fagerson, Tim Swinson, Blair Cowan, Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, Duncan Weir, Duncan Taylor

England team to face Scotland:

Mike Brown; Anthony Watson, Jonathan Joseph, Owen Farrell, Jack Nowell; George Ford, Danny Care; Joe Marler, Dylan Hartley, Dan Cole; Joe Launchbury, George Kruis; Chris Robshaw, James Haskell, Billy Vunipola.

Replacements: Jamie George, Mako Vunipola, Paul Hill, Courtney Lawes, Jack Clifford, Ben Youngs, Alex Goode, Ollie Devoto

This game will be very close and I would be surprised to see a team win this match by more than 7 and as Scotland are at home I think that the match will be won by the scots but that is because Scotland are at home.

SUNDAY

IRELAND V WALES

 

Wales team to face Ireland: Gareth Anscombe; George North, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, Tom James; Dan Biggar, Gareth Davies; Rob Evans, Scott Baldwin, Samson Lee, Luke Charteris, Alun Wyn Jones, Sam Warburton (capt), Justin Tipuric, Taulupe Faletau.

Replacements: Ken Owens, Gethin Jenkins, Tomas Francis, Bradley Davies, Dan Lydiate, Lloyd Williams, Rhys Priestland, Alex Cuthbert

 The Ireland team has not been named for Sunday yet so here is the squad 

 Belham, Best, Boss, Bowe, Care, J Coonin, S Cronin, Dellane, Earls, Fitsgerald, Furlong, Healy, Hasslip, Henderson, Henry, Hensaw, Hearing, Jackson, Dave Kearney, Rob Kearney, Madigon, Marimon, Mc Carthy, Mc Closky, Mc Grath, Moore, Murphy, Murray, O Brian, O Donnell,O Mahony, Payne, Reddon, Ross, Ruddock, Ryan, Sexton, Stander, Strauss, Toner, Trimble, Van Der Flier, White, Zebo

Ireland has lost a lot this year from the poor performance against Ar5gentena to the loss of their leader Paul O Connell. I think that wales will win this match by no more than 3 but if Ireland put out a weekend side I think that wales will win by 15 points it depends on whether Schmidt is looking into the future or at the heart and now.