6 Nations Thread 2012 - Wales Grand Slam Winners!

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Donk
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Post6 Nations Thread 2012 - Wales Grand Slam Winners!
by Donk » Thu Feb 02, 2012 11:47 pm

Yet again the annual festival of international rugby union comes around, and this year looks to be a tight one. I'll go through each team and highlight what this year holds in store for them, in my view.

Fixtures/Results:

Saturday, 4 February 2012
France 30-12 Italy
Scotland 6-13 England

Sunday, 5 February 2012
Ireland 21-23 Wales

Saturday, 11 February 2012
France v Ireland, POSTPONED
Italy 15-19 England

Sunday, 12 February 2012
Wales 27-13 Scotland

Saturday, 25 February 2012
Ireland 42-10 Italy
England 12-19 Wales

Sunday, 26 February 2012
Scotland 17-23 France

Sunday, 4 March 2012
France 17-17 Ireland

Saturday, 10 March 2012
Ireland 32-14 Scotland
Wales 24-3 Italy

Sunday, 11 March 2012
France 22-24 England

Saturday, 17 March 2012
Italy 13-6 Scotland
Wales 16-9 France
England 30-9 Ireland

Table as it stands:
Team -PTS
1 Wales - 10
2 England - 8
3 Ireland - 5
4 France - 5
5 Italy - 2
6 Scotland - 0

Join the Prediction Pool!

Pool name: GRCade
Pool code: phewhuge

Rugby links:
RugbyDump - Good rugby video website.
ESPNScrum.com - News and Stats

Last edited by Donk on Sat Mar 17, 2012 6:52 pm, edited 12 times in total.
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Kanbei
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PostRe: 6 Nations Thread 2012 - Fr vs It, Sco vs Eng, Ire vs Wal
by Kanbei » Thu Feb 02, 2012 11:51 pm

Ireland Grandslam 8-)

Though have no idea why O'Callaghan and Earls are starting ahead of Ryan and McFadden :fp:

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PostRe: 6 Nations Thread 2012 - Fr vs It, Sco vs Eng, Ire vs Wal
by Qikz » Thu Feb 02, 2012 11:52 pm

If I can stream it somewhere I'll most likely watch the England games. Rugby is one of the only sports I can stomach watching, unlike football stuff actually happens and people don't dive all over the place to try and score a free kick.

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PostRe: 6 Nations Thread 2012 - Fr vs It, Sco vs Eng, Ire vs Wal
by Donk » Thu Feb 02, 2012 11:57 pm

England

Forwards:

Mouritz Botha, Calum Clark, Alex Corbisiero, Dan Cole, Tom Croft, Louis Deacon, Phil Dowson, Dylan Hartley, Courtney Lawes, Joe Marler, Lee Mears, Ben Morgan, Tom Palmer, Chris Robshaw, Matt Stevens, Rob Webber, David Wilson, Tom Wood

Backs:

Chris Ashton, Brad Barritt, Mike Brown, Lee Dickson, Owen Farrell, Toby Flood, Ben Foden, Charlie Hodgson, Joe Simpson, Charlie Sharples, David Strettle, Manu Tuilagi, Jordan Turner-Hall, Ben Youngs

Prognosis:

A youthful looking side, full of players who have been sticking their hand up since before the World Cup, and many of those who were left behind for more established players now getting their chance to stand up and be counted. With Martin Johnson leaving with what little pride he had left after the antics of his players in New Zealand, Stuart Lancaster has come in and taken firm control of a team he plans to stamp his mark on with the hope it will result in a full time job as England manager. Reasons to be hopeful after the limited showing at the World Cup.

However, not all is rosey looking for the Rose wearing. Only 1 Aviva Premiership team, Saracens, made it through to the Heineken Cup quarter finals, with big names like Bath, Leicester, and Harlequins suffering humiliating losses on the road to Irish sides. This resulted in the usual tirade of excuses about how things are much easier for RaboPro 12 teams, and salary cap restrictions, but the truth is the style of rugby played in the AP stiffles the teams when they play elsewhere.

Prediction:

Somewhere in the top 3.

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PostRe: 6 Nations Thread 2012 - Fr vs It, Sco vs Eng, Ire vs Wal
by Turboman » Thu Feb 02, 2012 11:58 pm

gooseberry fool sport :shifty:

Errkal wrote:It is amasing how people dont seem to be abel to do that.
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PostRe: 6 Nations Thread 2012 - Fr vs It, Sco vs Eng, Ire vs Wal
by Donk » Fri Feb 03, 2012 12:05 am

France

Forwards:

Fabien Barcella, Vincent Debaty, Luc Ducalcon, Nicolas Mas, Jean-Baptiste Poux, William Servat, Dimitri Szarzewski, Yoann Maestri, Romain Millo-Chluski, Pascal Pape, Julien Pierre, Imanol Harinordoquy, Thierry Dusautoir (captain), Fulgence Ouedraogo, Yannick Nyanga, Louis Picamoles, Julien Bonnaire

Backs:

Morgan Parra, Dimitri Yachvili, Lionel Beauxis, Francois Trinh-Duc, Yann David, Wesley Fofana, Maxime Mermoz, Aurelien Rougerie, Vincent Clerc, Julien Malzieu, Alexis Palisson, Maxime Medard, Clement Poitrenaud

Prognosis:

Another new coach on the block, ex-Sale coach Phillppe St-Andre taking over the reins after the weird World Cup for France, what with player revolts and early loses not preventing France from being a few points away from being world champions. France mix the old with the new, with Wesley Fofana of Clermont the new boy to watch. The fly half Trinh-Duc comes into the tournament in some outrageous form, as seen here! However, as per usual with France, despite having enough great players to field two teams who could beat the rest on a good day, it all depends on the mentality on the day.

Prediction:

My personal favourites... if they show up.

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PostRe: 6 Nations Thread 2012 - Fr vs It, Sco vs Eng, Ire vs Wal
by Drumstick » Fri Feb 03, 2012 12:12 am

Turboman wrote:gooseberry fool sport :shifty:

Get out.

Can't wait for Saturday. :mrgreen:

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PostRe: 6 Nations Thread 2012 - Fr vs It, Sco vs Eng, Ire vs Wal
by Donk » Fri Feb 03, 2012 12:13 am

Ireland

Forwards:

Rory Best, Tom Court, Sean Cronin, Stephen Ferris, Cian Healy, Jamie Heaslip, Shane Jennings, Sean O'Brien, Donncha O'Callaghan, Paul O'Connell, Mike Ross, Donnacha Ryan

Backs:

Tommy Bowe, Gordon D'Arcy, Keith Earls, Rob Kearney, Fergus McFadden, Conor Murray, Ronan O'Gara, Eoin Reddan, Jonathan Sexton, Andrew Trimble, Paddy Wallace

Prognosis:

Domestically and in Europe, things couldn't be better for the Irish. Munster won all 6 games in the Heineken Cup so far, and join Leinster and Ulster in the quarter finals - all 3 smashing English teams in spectacular style on the way there. All 3 teams are also doing well in the RaboPro 12. Leinster seem to barely miss the talismanic O'Driscoll!

However, coach Declan Kidney seems to prefer a style of play far removed from that which the provinces play. On it's day, it works, as seen against England and Australia. On others, it doesn't, as per the two humiliating loses to Wales last year. It remains to be seen if this style of play will continue on. However, with a squad based mostly on experience, with little youth involved, you'd suggest the same old playbook is in use.

Prediction:

Top 3, with a few big name wins placating the media, papering over the cracks in the walls.

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PostRe: 6 Nations Thread 2012 - Fr vs It, Sco vs Eng, Ire vs Wal
by Donk » Fri Feb 03, 2012 12:18 am

Italy

Forwards

Tommaso D'Apice, Leonardo Ghiraldini, Martin Castrogiovanni, Lorenzo Cittadini, Alberto de Marchi, Andrea Lo Cicero, Marco Bortolami, Quintin Geldenhuys, Antonion Pavanello, Cornelius van Zyl, Robert Barbieri, Mauro Bergamasco, Paul Derbyshire, Simone Favaro, Sergio Parisse, Alessandro Zanni

Backs

Edoardo Gori, Fabio Semenzato, Kristopher Burton, Luciano Orquera, Tommaso Benvenuti, Gonzalo Canale, Luca Morisi, Alberto Sgarbi, Angelo Esposito, Giulio Toniolattiv, Giovambattista Venditti, Andrea Masi, Luke Mclean

Prognosis:

The Italians have come on leaps and bounds in recent years, going from no hopers, to taking a few scalps, notably France last year. This has come about from a change in playing arrangements, with two full time professional teams joining the RaboPro 12, with Treviso making a name for themselves by being a tough place to go and get a win.

Really, their selection shows no major new names, with Kris Burton back from injury probably the only one to spark curiosity - he'll be out to prove what Italy missed while he was away.

Prediction:

Bottom 2 again, sadly.

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PostRe: 6 Nations Thread 2012 - Fr vs It, Sco vs Eng, Ire vs Wal
by Turboman » Fri Feb 03, 2012 12:23 am

Drumstick wrote:
Turboman wrote:gooseberry fool sport :shifty:

Get out.

Can't wait for Saturday. :mrgreen:

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Errkal wrote:It is amasing how people dont seem to be abel to do that.
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PostRe: 6 Nations Thread 2012 - Fr vs It, Sco vs Eng, Ire vs Wal
by Donk » Fri Feb 03, 2012 12:28 am

Scotland

Forwards:

John Barclay, Kelly Brown, Geoff Cross, David Denton, Alasdair Dickinson, Ross Ford, Richie Gray, Dougie Hall, Jim Hamilton, Rob Harley, Allan Jacobsen, Alastair Kellock, Scott Lawson, Moray Low, Fraser McKenzie, Euan Murray, Ross Rennie, Alasdair Strokosch, Richie Vernon

Backs:

Joe Ansbro, Mike Blair, Chris Cusiter, Simon Danielli, Nick De Luca, Max Evans, Stuart Hogg, Ruaridh Jackson, Lee Jones, Greig Laidlaw, Rory Lamont, Sean Lamont, Rory Lawson, Graeme Morrison, Dan Parks, Steven Shingler, Duncan Weir

Prognosis:

For Edinburgh and Glasgow, this has proven to be a very good season so far. Glasgow are in the running for a playoff place in the RaboPro 12, and Edinburgh are the first Scottish side through to the quarter finals of the HC in a long time. All the headlines have focuses on the eligibility of London Irish flyhalf/centre Shingler, who by playing for Wales U20 was made ineligible under the laws of the game. However, for a top level team to base eligibility on underage sides is abnormal, and this could be the basis which lets him represent his country of choice.

In the forwards, flanker David Denton is the name to watch as up and coming, whereas in the backs, look out for Stuart Hogg, Lee Jones, and Duncan Weir who are also promising newcomers.

However, with the supposed strength of all the other teams, will Scotland be able to put these new comers to good use to secure the wins they need to work their way up the table?

Prediction:
Mid to bottom of the table.

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PostRe: 6 Nations Thread 2012 - Fr vs It, Sco vs Eng, Ire vs Wal
by Mini E » Fri Feb 03, 2012 12:31 am

WALES, WALES, WALES

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PostRe: 6 Nations Thread 2012 - Fr vs It, Sco vs Eng, Ire vs Wal
by Donk » Fri Feb 03, 2012 12:36 am

Wales

Forwards:

Craig Mitchell, Adam Jones, Ryan Bevington, Gethin Jenkins, Paul James, Rhys Gill, Rhodri Jones, Matthew Rees, Huw Bennett, Ken Owens, Bradley Davies, Ian Evans, Lou Reed, Ryan Jones, Dan Lydiate, Sam Warburton, Justin Tipuric, Toby Faletau, Andy Powell

Backs:

Mike Phillips, Lloyd Williams, Rhys Webb, Rhys Priestland, James Hook, Jamie Roberts, Jonathan Davies, Scott Williams, Gavin Henson, Ashley Beck, George North, Leigh Halfpenny, Alex Cuthbert, Harry Robinson, Liam Williams, Lee Byrne

Prognosis:

It's been a mixed bag for Wales since the return from the World Cup, with perhaps only the Cardiff Blues being the leading example in the HC, making it into the Quater finals, however, they face a tough Leinster team who would be odds on to end their participation.

However, Wales have gone for most of the team which took them so far in the world cup. Warbuton continues as captain, even after the supposedly harsh red card in the WC semi final. With the supposed injustice being a driving force, Wales could be a force to reckon with. However, injuries to key personnel like Jekins, Rees, Lydiate, Priestland, and Roberts could pose problems.

Prediction:

With tough away games in Ireland and England, with France favourites to win in Cardiff, I would say 4th.

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PostRe: 6 Nations Thread 2012 - Fr vs It, Sco vs Eng, Ire vs Wal
by Donk » Fri Feb 03, 2012 12:40 am

France vs Italy
Stade de France, Saturday, 2:30pm - coverage on BBC1

France:

M Medard (Toulouse); V Clerc (Toulouse), A Rougerie (Clermont Auvergne), W Fofana (Clermont Auvergne), J Malzieu (Clermont Auvergne); F Trinh-Duc (Montpellier), D Yachvili (Biarritz); V Debaty (Clermont Auvergne), W Servat (Toulouse), N Mas (Perpignan), P Pape (Stade Francais), L Nallet (Racing Metro), T Dusautoir (capt, Toulouse), J Bonnaire (Clermont Auvergne), L Picamoles (Toulouse)

Replacements: D Szarzewski (Stade Francais), J-B Poux (Toulouse), Y Maestri (Toulouse), I Harinordoquy (Biarritz), M Parra (Clermont Auvergne), L Beauxis (Toulouse), M Mermoz (Perpignan)

Italy:

Andrea Masi, Giovanbattista Venditti, Tommaso Benvenuti, Alberto Sgarbi, Luke Mclean, Kristopher Burton, Edoardo Gori; Andrea Lo Cicero, Leonardo Ghiraldini, Martin Castrogiovanni, Cornelius van Zyl, Quintin Geldenhuys, Alessandro Zanni, Robert Barbieri, Sergio Parisse (c)

Replacements: Tommaso D'Apice, Lorenzo Cittadini, Marco Bortolami, Simone Favaro, Fabio Semenzato, Tobias Botes, Gonzalo Canale

Prediction: A handy win for France, in revenge for last years humiliation.

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PostRe: 6 Nations Thread 2012 - Fr vs It, Sco vs Eng, Ire vs Wal
by Donk » Fri Feb 03, 2012 12:44 am

Scotland vs England
Murrayfield, 5pm, BBC1

Scotland:

Rory Lamont (Glasgow Warriors); Lee Jones (Edinburgh), Nick De Luca (Edinburgh), Sean Lamont (Scarlets), Max Evans (Castres); Dan Parks (Cardiff Blues), Chris Cusiter (Glasgow Warriors); Allan Jacobsen (Edinburgh), Ross Ford (capt, Edinburgh), Euan Murray (Newcastle), Richie Gray (Glasgow Warriors), Jim Hamilton (Gloucester), Alasdair Strokosch (Gloucester), Ross Rennie (Edinburgh), David Denton (Edinburgh)

Replacements: Scott Lawson (Gloucester), Geoff Cross (Edinburgh), Alastair Kellock (Glasgow Warriors), John Barclay (Glasgow Warriors), Mike Blair (Edinburgh), Greig Laidlaw (Edinburgh), Graeme Morrison (Glasgow Warriors)

England:

Ben Foden (Northampton Saints); Chris Ashton (Northampton Saints), Brad Barritt (Saracens), Owen Farrell (Saracens), David Strettle (Saracens); Charlie Hodgson (Saracens), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers); Alex Corbisiero (London Irish), Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints), Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), Mouritz Botha (Saracens), Tom Palmer (Stade Francais), Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins, capt), Phil Dowson (Northampton Saints)

Replacements: Rob Webber (London Wasps), Matt Stevens (Saracens), Geoff Parling (Leicester Tigers), Ben Morgan (Scarlets), Lee Dickson (Northampton Saints), Jordan Turner-Hall (Harlequins), Mike Brown (Harlequins)

Prediction:
England to win a tight game, and Hodgson to be run over by Lamont.

Last edited by Donk on Fri Feb 03, 2012 12:53 am, edited 1 time in total.
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PostRe: 6 Nations Thread 2012 - Fr vs It, Sco vs Eng, Ire vs Wal
by Mafro » Fri Feb 03, 2012 12:45 am

Turboman wrote:gooseberry fool sport :shifty:

Out.

StayDead wrote:If I can stream it somewhere I'll most likely watch the England games. Rugby is one of the only sports I can stomach watching, unlike football stuff actually happens and people don't dive all over the place to try and score a free kick.

You as well.

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PostRe: 6 Nations Thread 2012 - Fr vs It, Sco vs Eng, Ire vs Wal
by Turboman » Fri Feb 03, 2012 12:49 am

Mafro wrote:
Turboman wrote:gooseberry fool sport :shifty:

Out.

I shall be in the football thread if you need me 8-)

Errkal wrote:It is amasing how people dont seem to be abel to do that.
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PostRe: 6 Nations Thread 2012 - Fr vs It, Sco vs Eng, Ire vs Wal
by Donk » Fri Feb 03, 2012 12:51 am

Ireland vs Wales
Aviva Stadium aka Lansdowne Road, 3pm Sunday, BBC1

Ireland:

Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster), Tommy Bowe (Ospreys), Fergus McFadden (Old Belvedere/Leinster), Gordon D'Arcy (Lansdowne/Leinster), Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster), Jonathan Sexton (St. Mary's College/Leinster), Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster), Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster), Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster), Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster), Donncha O'Callaghan (Cork Constitution/Munster), Paul O'Connell (Young Munster/Munster) (capt), Stephen Ferris (Dungannon/Ulster), Sean O'Brien (Clontarf/Leinster), Jamie Heaslip (Naas/Leinster)

Replacements:

Sean Cronin (St. Mary's College/Leinster), Tom Court (Malone/Ulster), Donnacha Ryan (Shannon/Munster), Peter O'Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster), Eoin Reddan (Lansdowne/Leinster), Ronan O'Gara (Cork Constitution/Munster), David Kearney (UCD/Leinster)

Wales:

Leigh Halfpenny; Alex Cuthbert, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, George North; Rhys Priestland, Michael Phillips; Rhys Gill, Huw Bennett, Adam Jones, Bradley Davies, Ian Evans, Ryan Jones, Sam Warburton (C), Toby Faletau.

Replacements: Ken Owens, Paul James, Andy Powell, Justin Tipuric, Lloyd Williams, James Hook, Scott Williams

Prediction:
Ireland to win a tight game.

Last edited by Donk on Fri Feb 03, 2012 2:26 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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PostRe: 6 Nations Thread 2012 - Fr vs It, Sco vs Eng, Ire vs Wal
by Donk » Fri Feb 03, 2012 12:53 am

Kanbei wrote:Ireland Grandslam 8-)

Though have no idea why O'Callaghan and Earls are starting ahead of Ryan and McFadden :fp:


I'd have gone for Touhy and O'Malley myself, with Reddan starting and Marshall on the bench. Murray hasn't performed this season, and Earls isn't a 13. Irish grandslam is very unlikely though.

StayDead wrote:If I can stream it somewhere I'll most likely watch the England games. Rugby is one of the only sports I can stomach watching, unlike football stuff actually happens and people don't dive all over the place to try and score a free kick.


BBC website will be streaming it.

And that's me for the night!

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PostRe: 6 Nations Thread 2012 - Fr vs It, Sco vs Eng, Ire vs Wal
by Delusibeta » Fri Feb 03, 2012 12:57 am

StayDead wrote:If I can stream it somewhere I'll most likely watch the England games. Rugby is one of the only sports I can stomach watching, unlike football stuff actually happens and people don't dive all over the place to try and score a free kick.

Isn't all the matches on BBC or ITV? You can use the iPlayer and itv Player respectively.

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