Guess the Six Nations winner 2013

My prediction:

France: By a mile.

Ireland: Will pick more Ulster based players and bounce back from a disappointing few seasons. I predict either a marginal loss to England or France.

England: I don't think they will have gone backwards from a good 2012 but Ireland's and France's resurgence will deny them a top 2 finish.

Wales: 4th obviously! Traditionally never do well after a tournament win and I seriously doubt they will transform much from their autumn form.

Scotland: Poor Scotland.

Italy: Poorer Italy.

Well I went for Scotland for the Grand Slam. As first voter makes it look like a fantastic over whemling agreement by everyone :-)

Someone needs to remind me of the draw as that can be a deciding factor for the Grand Slam. I think France plays England at home next year and Ireland away with Scotland at home and Wales away and not sure about Italy but I think at home. If that's correct then they have picked a good year to have Grand Slam aspirations. They'd be my pick if I've got the draw right.

from auntie:
Saturday, 2 February 2013
RBS Six Nations
England v Scotland, 16:00
Wales v Ireland, 13:30
Sunday, 3 February 2013
RBS Six Nations
Italy v France, 16:00
Saturday, 9 February 2013
RBS Six Nations
France v Wales, 17:00
Scotland v Italy, 14:30
Sunday, 10 February 2013
RBS Six Nations
Ireland v England, 15:00
Saturday, 23 February 2013
RBS Six Nations
England v France, 17:00
Italy v Wales, 14:30
Sunday, 24 February 2013
RBS Six Nations
Scotland v Ireland, 14:00
Saturday, 9 March 2013
RBS Six Nations
Ireland v France, 17:00
Scotland v Wales, 14:30
Sunday, 10 March 2013
RBS Six Nations
England v Italy, 15:00
Saturday, 16 March 2013
RBS Six Nations
France v Scotland, 20:00
Italy v Ireland, 14:30
Wales v England, 17:00

I wouldn't look into home advantage too much.

Wales won 3 on the road in 2005 and historically Ireland have a great record in Cardiff.

Anything can happen!

Does anyone know if Italy's move to the Stadio Olympico is permanent?

Ok my memory is seriously poor! Cheers for that greytiger. Almost definitely not a French Grand Slam then.

Wales begin and end with tough games with the toughest the second up. Can't see them doing well with that draw even if their form improves.

England have their toughest games 2nd and 3rd with everything to play for against Wales at the end. They could be there or thereabouts.

Still think France.

I don't have to guess...I've done a scientific evaluation and England is a cert. The method can't dictate Slam or not but England are on top....

Ireland are 2nd and Wales are 3rd. France, Italy and finally Scotland. It's foolproof

The Wooden spooners of the Six Nations since it started are:

Italy
Scotland
Wales

The year ends in a 3, so I reckon it's Wales turn this year.

Of the more consistent top 3, don't see Ireland making it, so it's down to England or France this year.

On current form, France should win it. Maybe not a Grand Slam though.

I think it will be close between England and France. ( Grand Slam) ? maybe.

That is basing this on the Ais. so far I think England and France are close to equal. But i could be wrong.

majesticimperialman wrote:I think it will be close between England and France. ( Grand Slam) ? maybe.

That is basing this on the Ais. so far I think England and France are close to equal. But i could be wrong.

Think that last disclaimer covers off everything. You may as well have said Italy. Or even Wales.

Think that last disclaimer covers off everything. You may as well have said Italy. Or even Wales.



For the Wooden Spoon you mean.

Voodoo Chicken bones line up for.....
England

majesticimperialman wrote:Think that last disclaimer covers off everything. You may as well have said Italy. Or even Wales.



For the Wooden Spoon you mean.

No.

France have got plenty of time to go rubbish again by the 6Ns. Actually, they've got time to get rubbish and back to good again. 3 months is a long, long time in French rugby.

France probably favourites. I'd always back England to beat them though.

Wales/England slam decider? Get in your bomb shelter now.

Cyril on 606v2 wrote:
Wales/England slam decider? Get in your bomb shelter now.

I'll get my coat now.

Well stats suggest France for the next two years.

I've gone for France but without Grand Slam. Picking the rest of the finishing table is tough. I think Scotland will do better than expected this year, Wales will probably come third or fourth (that usually happens following a GS). England are also good contenders for a high finish.

Contradictory to my article, France being France they could just as easily finish 3rd or 4th!!

Why the optimism for England?
They haven't done anything of note.

France away at twickenham is always going to be difficult for them. Eng are a good side and have a lot of players to come back... Hartley, corbisiero, lawes, croft, Joseph, Foden etc.

They didn't play badly on Saturday, foolishly yes but not badly. They could have easily won the game had they took their kicks/Waldron touched the ball down.

I think ENG will come 2nd or higher.

I think Franace is turning a corner, new coach, more consistent passion and oodles of talent. i don't think Michalak's return is a coincidence either, he has given the Frnech attack a lot of variation

Ok then they played well

Allez Francais...where are you Bluesman...

Wales and France to win 4 each and points difference to decide the winner

Although, I think France for the grand slam. I do believe Ireland might maybe be there last season with BOD and Paul O' O'Connell will be gunning for the title. I expect a good 6ns for Ireland. My Prediction:

(1)France
(2)Ireland (could be 1st)
(3)England
(4)Wales
(5)Scotland
(6)Italy

I see nothing in the NH to scare Wales. Currently England have done nothing overwhelming to to scare anyone. Resurgent Ireland? Why? always battlers but again so far nothing to scare anyone. Scotland & Italy bless them. France yup away but Wales have a decent chance there.

Only negative I see is Howley, but Wales for me.

On current showings itshard to see past france

Well I went for France.

I think. Because - well - It's France...

Quelle equipe s'apparaîtra pendent les cinq matchs de printemps?

Je crois Angleterre s'apparaitra au printemps.
Comme le Papillon éclat.

A Grand Slam for Italy

I'm English and I voted for an Irish win.... call it a hunch

Cari wrote:I've gone for France but without Grand Slam.

Same here.

France
Wales
England
Scotland
Ireland
Italy

Top 3 could switch around but if France can win at Twickenham then you'd fancy them to do the slam....other wise maybe England or Wales on points difference...in which case the final game in Cardiff could be a winner takes all title decider.

If Ireland can mug Wales first up then they could get some momentum but I think we will struggle to beat England and France at home and win on the road at Murrayfield. Realistically it could be 4 losses for us.

rainbow-warrior wrote:I see nothing in the NH to scare Wales. Currently England have done nothing overwhelming to to scare anyone. Resurgent Ireland? Why? always battlers but again so far nothing to scare anyone. Scotland & Italy bless them. France yup away but Wales have a decent chance there.

Only negative I see is Howley, but Wales for me.

You're right, after beeing tucked up by Argentina and that other SH powerhouse, Samoa, Wales should be looking to make it a clean sweep against their inferior NH counterparts..

gregortree wrote:Je crois Angleterre s'apparaitra au printemps.
Comme le Papillon éclat.

Oppure, un altra alba falsa Inglese... come al sempre.. l'anno dopo l'anno !!

damage_13 wrote:I'm English and I voted for an Irish win.... call it a hunch

Or a brainfart..?

who voted for a Scotland grandslam. Have you forgotten to take your pills?

Went for France no GS. I think they will win all their other games but come unstuck against England at Twickenham.

I think that Ireland/wales will be pushing this year. Who ever wins the first match will be looking to win. Whoever looses will be looking at fighting off a though Scotland and Italy to avoid last.

I do think France are in pole and I can't see England beating Ireland in Dublin esp after last year.

I would say now

France 4-5 wins
England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland 1-4 wins
Italy 1

Paddy Power prices anyone ?
I would expect a bunched up price cluster behind France.

France is always the darlings....until the Jean Luc Godard psychosis headlines start to appear either right before the first game or mid way through the tournament.

gregortree wrote:Paddy Power prices anyone ?
I would expect a bunched up price cluster behind France.

Wales n France joint favourites with PP

As always I'd advise a more than a single supplier of the prices http://www.oddschecker.com/rugby-union/six-nations/six-nations/winner

I think Scotland can win a GS, however there is a massive IF involved.

We have England, the Auld enemy in the opening weekend. Anyone who was at Murrayfield last year or watched the game from home will know there was absolutely nothing between the 2 teams. In the end a charged down Dan Parks clearence was the only telling differance between the sides.

IF we can beat England at Twickers on the opening weekend, we have an injury ravaged and arguably out of form Ireland, Wales who look out of sorts and Italy (our traditional wooden spoon play off counterparts) all at home. Hold the home games against this lot after beating England and we have a GS chance in Paris.

The last time we won the 5/6N in 1999, was on the back of a win in Paris.

Not a totaly impossible target with a strong pack of forwards (equal to anyone else in the 6N) and finally what looks like an incisive back 3 of Hogg, Visser and hopefully another kilted kiwi Sean Maitland.

So bookies' consensus:

France
England
Wales
Ireland
Scotland
Italy

You betting patriots ... get your money down on those prices !

were the bookies right last year? I mean did they get a clean sweep, from this far out? Anyone of our keen betting fraternity have any valid memories of why we should really pay attention to our friendly neighbourhood bookies?

Personally outside an occasional Grand National flutter, I've never betted.
I've never regretted it.
Apart from from the time I just fancied England to be losing RWC 2007 finalists from before the start.

Mind you the odds were only 38/1 and that was mean and I wasn't prepared to stuff the bookies' wallets with my cash.

Overall and on balance and despite my accumulated losses which over a lifetime would be pushed to accrue to £200, I think I win.

I don't have any interest in betting.
Prices are just a fascinating check on current sentiment.
Which could radically change this weekend of course, let alone by next February.

Hersh needs to back his Wales v AB hunch though, as he will get a fantastic price.

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:I think Scotland can win a GS, however there is a massive IF involved.

We have England, the Auld enemy in the opening weekend. Anyone who was at Murrayfield last year or watched the game from home will know there was absolutely nothing between the 2 teams. In the end a charged down Dan Parks clearence was the only telling differance between the sides.

IF we can beat England at Twickers on the opening weekend, we have an injury ravaged and arguably out of form Ireland, Wales who look out of sorts and Italy (our traditional wooden spoon play off counterparts) all at home. Hold the home games against this lot after beating England and we have a GS chance in Paris.

The last time we won the 5/6N in 1999, was on the back of a win in Paris.

Not a totaly impossible target with a strong pack of forwards (equal to anyone else in the 6N) and finally what looks like an incisive back 3 of Hogg, Visser and hopefully another kilted kiwi Sean Maitland.

Scotland could win a GS, but they would be relying on all the other teams to meet with freak accidents on the way to the venues. Additionally, an extremely powerful magician would have to die and leave a spell for winning the GS to Scotland in his will.

Yeah, it could happen.

Where's the Leinster option so I can cast my vote for them to win the Grand Slam?