six nations 2014

this is just a prediction thread how the table will end with how many games won . mine is
England 4 games won
Ireland 3
France 3
Wales 3
Scotland 1
Italy 1
this is prob mathematical incorrect but my head would explode if i tried to work it out . dont think we see a grand slam this year

Who will lose to who ?

Who do you think Italy and Scotland will beat?

Scotland to beat Italy, Italy to beat England   

well i was only putting out a rough guess ( very rough ) . i think Italy beat Scotland and Scotland will beat one of the top sides . every team capable to beat the other . that's so great about the six nations . who would have bet Wales winning last year after the Ireland game

Wow. Jimmy take a bow. This is probably one the disinterested and casual threads ever started.

thanks GE sorry i couldn't involve the all blacks  

6 nations play each other once.
I think that maths is, total of matches given by (6-1) factorial.
5+4+3+2+1 = 15 matches, or 15 results.
Draws are the wild card.
If no draws then there will be 15 wins.
So that does fit Jimmy, if there are no draws.

Scotland and Italy will beat each other .. and so RBS will award each a sympathy 'W' for their trouble, so an unprecedented 16 wins.

cheers for that Gregotree shall i go to the bookies .anyway think England will win this year but lose to Ireland .

I honestly cant see past France to win this years. England big problems come from injuries and away fixtures, Wales from the utter turmoil their club game is in and players minds being diverted not to mention the Lions hangover excuses. Plus its about time they gave us a good laugh by finishing 4/5th again. Scotland and Italy are simply not good enough to be in contention.
Ireland ..just not that good and really need to get a center partnership sorted out.

France 5 (devalued)
Ireland 3
England 3
Scotland 2
Wales 2
Italy 0


I really dont see this being a vintage 6 nations.

Where is this hype of France coming from? Their results have been below par both this season and last. The only thing going for them is 3 home games.

Have France even got a 10 sorted out yet ?

Really don't see the whole 'region' thing affecting the Welsh players, its not as though the Regions v the WRU is a new thing. If anything, they may play better as they are potentially in the shop window

As an English man i wan't England to win. But do not right any other team off, or do so at your peril. Every team will want to win this year seing that next year is Rugby world cup year.

Yes some teams England and Wales have some injury problems, but that does not mean they wont have players coming in who don't deserve to be their.


The one team that could win this year is Ireland. Especialy if the play every game likie they did against NZ.

I would England to win. but i think it could be Ireland (1) England/Wales for second place. The rest? toss a coin really.

Indeed Ireland could win if they play like they did in the first half vs Wales last year and NZ this year, but I don't think they can maintain that intensity for the full 80 minutes which lets sides able creep back into the game. They're also missing SOB who is a key player for them.

Must...not..point..out...grammatical...errors....

Leinster REALLY missed Healey and SOB against the Saints

I just cant pick it this year...all team have strengths / weaknesses, injuries etc...Some have come off good AI performances, others not so.

I think it'll be between the same two sides as last year, England and Wales. I think England will have learnt a lot from last year, so I'm going to tip them to win it. Don't think it'll be a grand slam though, and wouldn't be surprised if it came down to points difference.

Saint-Andre has made a mess of France, I can't see Ireland propering without Healy and SOB, Italy are mince (Tesco value) and Scotland are dark horses of the Shetland pony variety.

IronMike wrote:Where is this hype of France coming from? Their results have been below par both this season and last. The only thing going for them is 3 home games.

Well for one you have to go back to 1994 for the last time anyone but France won the year after a Lions tour, and only 5 welshmen made that trip. There is historically a correlation between sides supplying large numbers of lions and flopping at the following 6 nations. The Lions hangover exists as a thing, it makes sense too.

The other thing France have going for them is some damn good players. The fixture list is good for them too, although it could be a car crash if they come unstuck against England first up a win in that sets the momentum for a fairly easy second home game. French teams (national and club) have a reputation for being fair weather, travelling to Wales having already got two wins theyd do with confidence. Scotland away is never easy for anyone (except when it is) .. but no more reason to suspect theyd lose than anyone else. Ireland at home to cap off a slam.
Sure the beauty of the tournament is anyone can win on their day ( unless its england and the last game to win the tournament   ) but writing of France is bonkers. Their players have the least drama to deal with and have a fixture list to suit. As individual players they are as strong as anyone in Europe, although there has been problems gelling a team and getting them to function the same can be said of England at times. Their results in the Autumn were pretty much on par with the other contenders, pushed SA and NZ ..spanked Tonga.

If Wales go in this year with a number of players still uncertain what country they will be living in or if their contract is worth anything and with ill feeling toward their union it would be ridiculous to suggest that this wouldnt have the potential to affect on the pitch performances. Gatland cant help but get himself dragged into these things too. Davies is already out, if other key players start to drop they dont really have the depth to cover in some positions ( evidenced by Japan nearly beating the B team). I just dont see them bucking the trend again, the last two years theyve exceeded expectations, this year all the warning signs are there for a bad year.

England have an injury crisis already and after Farrell their second and third choice fly halves both dropped by their clubs, Flood apparently quitting test rugby next season which I cant imagine going down to well if he is selected.

France by default.

Well, I think Wales can go and win a grand slam again. I suppose that makes me arrogant, biased, bitter, delusional? England to come second.

Wales
England
Ireland
Scotland
Italy
France

GeordieFalcon wrote:I just cant pick it this year...all team have strengths / weaknesses, injuries etc...Some have come off good AI performances, others not so.

It is going to really test each sides depth, which is a good thing as preparation for the world cup

gregortree wrote:6 nations play each other once.
I think that maths is, total of matches given by (6-1) factorial.
5+4+3+2+1 = 15 matches, or 15 results.
Draws are the wild card.
If no draws then there will be 15 wins.
So that does fit Jimmy, if there are no draws.

I think you need to check your definition of factorial

My prediction for the final table:

England
Wales
France
Ireland
Scotland
Italy

No grand slam.

Ok Cake will do.

I honestly believe in terms of Ireland, they will do quiet well. Not that I want to jinx anything. But here's hoping.

Ireland
England
France
Wales
Scotland
Italy

Hmm Wales season

Week 1 Wales V Italy.
I'm glad we have them it's a chance to clear the cobwebs. We started slow last season so hopefully we can get on top of Italy and do some damage late on.

Week 2 - Ireland V Wales.
50/50 game, then I notice Wayne Barnes is refereeing, he is always involved in controversy against Wales, not least when Wales play Ireland. Rubbish ref and out of his depth in my opinion, can't see anything for Wales in this one.
It would be nice to have a Wales / Ireland that is won by the better team not the whim of a referee or a referee error, sadly both teams are so closely matched I think we'll be talking about Barnes at the end of this game.

Week 3 - Wales V France.
I'm not worried by France, though it's a repeat of the 2011 World Cup with Alain Rolland reffing!
I can see the Welsh crowd really getting on his back and him punishing Wales for it. IT will also be his final test as a referee before he retires. I hope it goes smoothly for him.
Wales win, narrowly.

England V Wales.
Wales to sneak it, that's my heart talking.

Wales V Scotland.
Not worried about Scotland, will be weakened by injuries by this point, they don't have much depth. We're bigger, stronger and faster. We'll win by something like 32-12

Im going to say Ireland are the under dogs, with Schmidt in charge and a new set up they got to be clear contenders.
They have the players, but so do Wales, England and France
It will come down to injuries and home/away advantages, it's going to be tight either way.

Jhamer25 absolutely same opinion I have. Hope not another flop. I don't feel Ireland have been consistent enough to be credited. But come on Ireland are a great team on form if consistent a dangerous force to reckoned with. If Ireland are consistent beware all....

RugbyFan182 wrote:Jhamer25 absolutely same opinion I have. Hope not another flop. I don't feel Ireland have been consistent enough to be credited. But come on Ireland are a great team on form if consistent a dangerous force to reckoned with. If Ireland are consistent beware all....

Very true
last year i predicted that France would win the Six Nations because they had the team capable of winning, but they just proves to me that.
I honestly believe that every year England, France, Wales and Ireland can win because they have the players to do it. I think Ireland because they have the players and have an experienced coach which a very very good CV and style of play. Whether it will happen is a completely different matter

Ireland could go either way;

On the one hand Schmidt the redeemer could have the desired effect - intense, expansive, well thought out rugby for 80+mins x 5.

On the other hand there's the injuries, question marks over senior players, inconsistencies and then there's France. Ireland's record against the French, particularly in France, is grim.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_rugby_union_matches_between_France_and_Ireland

Very true buts that's the same as saying England's record against Ireland is poor in the last ten years. That's same as saying wales are poor in the autumn internationals it's all opinion. I'm terrified in anticipation and hope Ireland will unleash the beast. If they play to 80% what they did against nz. Again I quote beware all...

No way I can predict this one. England, Wales, Ireland, or France could win. Or not.
I can't call this one. Though I doubt anyone wins every match.

funnyExiledScot wrote:My prediction for the final table:

England
Wales
France
Ireland
Scotland
Italy

No grand slam.

That seems to be pretty much what I think the table will be at the end as well.

While France have won the 6N after the last four Lions tours, I can't see them doing it this time. Mainly because since the 2009 Lions tour too many of their clubs are stacked with non-French players. They are suffering a lack of quality depth in many positions. Also, last year too many of their players looked like they couldn't give a damn.

Ireland have the players but can they string a series of wins together? This has always been their problem as evidenced by one slam in donkeys years. Schmidt can maybe sort out the consistency issue.

England have been hampered by a conservative game plan and selecting solid, but not game breaking, centres in the absence of Tuilagi. I lay the blame for the lack of cutting edge on Andy Farrell. For this reason I can't see them challenging.

Scotland and Italy won't challenge. Sadly for both teams, I have seen nothing from the AIs that leads me to an alternative view.

That leaves Wales. While they struggle to see off SH teams, in the 6N they have the best team man for man - as evidenced by 15 Welsh players on The Lions tour. Their only issue is injuries.

Wales to win it again. But, as many have said, it is the 6N and anything can happen.

I just hope that this godawful weather clears off during the tournament.

The real dark horeses have to be Ireland. I have been more impressed with Munster this year than any team in the Jeff/Rabo. Any other new coach coming in would usually mean that we shouldn't expect too much but this is Schmidt we're talking about.

If Wales can beat them in he second game, then they should have the momentum to go on and win the thing.

France coming back from a spoon unlikely, post Lions or not. England may be heard to beat but i feel their backs crisis will hold them back. Wales don't bloody deserve it with the embarrassment they are heaping on themselves in the management echelons, Ireland are the new france, mercurial and unpredictable….scotland and italy will do their usual dance with my money on Scotland.

But all that could change if Scotland beat England.

I think England this year. They'll have started zeroing in on the World cup and need to come to NZ with a good 6N result to be confident in competing here and building momentum so they have post 6N considerations where a 6N or GS would see them in a very good state.

funnyExiledScot wrote:I think it'll be between the same two sides as last year, England and Wales. I think England will have learnt a lot from last year, so I'm going to tip them to win it. Don't think it'll be a grand slam though, and wouldn't be surprised if it came down to points difference.

Saint-Andre has made a mess of France, I can't see Ireland propering without Healy and SOB, Italy are mince (Tesco value) and Scotland are dark horses of the Shetland pony variety.

Agree with this but England have the edge up front now particularly with the new scrum laws. I don't rate Wales half backs and if they are missing JD2 then there is little between the backs. So with home advantage and the above (biased?) logic I'm fairly hopeful.

Lads in all honesty how many six nations have been pre thought out to realise when the tournament it was over it was all wrong. I mean who would of thought France would get the spoon. That's how fantastic of a tourney we have in a few weeks. Who wins they deserve it ...

Tournament I meant

BigTrevsbigmac wrote:

funnyExiledScot wrote:I think it'll be between the same two sides as last year, England and Wales. I think England will have learnt a lot from last year, so I'm going to tip them to win it. Don't think it'll be a grand slam though, and wouldn't be surprised if it came down to points difference.

Saint-Andre has made a mess of France, I can't see Ireland propering without Healy and SOB, Italy are mince (Tesco value) and Scotland are dark horses of the Shetland pony variety.

Agree with this but England have the edge up front now particularly with the new scrum laws. I don't rate Wales half backs and if they are missing JD2 then there is little between the backs. So with home advantage and the above (biased?) logic I'm fairly hopeful.

I do think England can do well but they are not going to win the Six Nations up front or at the scrum. if Corbisiero can stay fit then yes England can be a threat in the scrum (but will he be fit, or is he back by then). Marler and Vunipolo won't cut it, they might prove me wrong and Marler is the better option but their are very strong tight heads in the other nations.
Scotland, Wales and France (all who have dominant scrums) all have big packs as well and will all be pretty matched. England need to play to there strengths which is at the break down, if they can do that then they have a good chance of winning.

Jhamer25 wrote:

BigTrevsbigmac wrote:

funnyExiledScot wrote:I think it'll be between the same two sides as last year, England and Wales. I think England will have learnt a lot from last year, so I'm going to tip them to win it. Don't think it'll be a grand slam though, and wouldn't be surprised if it came down to points difference.

Saint-Andre has made a mess of France, I can't see Ireland propering without Healy and SOB, Italy are mince (Tesco value) and Scotland are dark horses of the Shetland pony variety.

Agree with this but England have the edge up front now particularly with the new scrum laws. I don't rate Wales half backs and if they are missing JD2 then there is little between the backs. So with home advantage and the above (biased?) logic I'm fairly hopeful.

I do think England can do well but they are not going to win the Six Nations up front or at the scrum. if Corbisiero can stay fit then yes England can be a threat in the scrum (but will he be fit, or is he back by then). Marler and Vunipolo won't cut it, they might prove me wrong and Marler is the better option but their are very strong tight heads in the other nations.
Scotland, Wales and France (all who have dominant scrums) all have big packs as well and will all be pretty matched. England need to play to there strengths which is at the break down, if they can do that then they have a good chance of winning.

Yes JHamer25 I pretty much agree with that. But taking away the hit appears to have taken away the 'penalty weapon' if I may call it that, of some tight heads (Adam Jones?) & I am happy even without Corbs that England can cope with the other nations packs at scrum time & agree that our strength is at the breakdown particularly with very mobile locks such as Launchbury & Lawes.
I would be a lot happier with Wade & Yarde available on the wings but other nations also have significant injuries and of course there is still plenty of time for further ones.

I think with the referees having time to review it, England's controversial approach to the ruck will be penalised out of the game in the 6N.

It reminds me very much of the tactic Argentina brought in their inaugural RC. They too got away with it for a season. However referees soon got sick of being bewildered by so much activity and resorted to giving the benefit of the doubt to the opposition.

As an interested neutral, is there any way that Lancaster's team selections could scupper England's chances of winning? I keep reading about the various exciting fly half (Burns, Ford, Cips) and centre (take your pick) options available to SL but he seems to be wedded to Farrell and be unwilling to try different centre combinations (I get the sense that anyone vaguely competent and safe to partner 36 will do and SL is just treading water until Manu comes back).

I would also put England as favourites but only if good selections are made.

Barritt is back playing & will probably start at 12 with maybe Burrell at 13.
I can't see SL picking anyone ahead of Farrell at 10. Sarries give him a great platform.
It would have been interesting to have seen Burns & Farrell switch sides yesterday.....(Burns looked woeful)
Personally I would like to see Ford get some game time during the 6Ns.

Ireland
England
Wales
France
Scotland
Italy

If Ireland play like they did against NZ then they will win outright, otherwise it comes down to England and Wales. I think Ireland injury free have the best balance between the forwards and backs and as far as I know Schmidt puts a huge emphases on forwards and backs interlinking during play ala NZ game.

I think the NZ game is how Ireland will play going forward. However Wales have better backs and England a better pack so it really depends. If Ireland can do what they did to Wales last year they should win there second game (at home) otherwise I feel Wales will kick on and it will come down to them and England.

France are the big unknown

Scotland will take a scalp this year maybe France

Italy, anyone's guess

We all know that with a relatively (games wise) tournament like this all teams need to get off to a good start.

We have Italy first off and potentially that gives us the chance to get off to a good start with hopefully a big win. Our fixtures then go Away (Ireland) Home (France) Away (England) and finishing with Scotland at home.

In the past we have tended to have at least 2 if not 3 home on the bounce which is always an advantage.

I can see us sneaking a win in Ireland but not confident about Twickenham this season, don't ask me why just a feeling.

I think come the Scotland game we will be there or there about again and in with chance of winning the Championship again even if by points - No Slam prediction for from me.

It'll be between Wales and England with France in third. I doubt there will be a slam.

It's a toss-up between Scotland and Ireland for 4th/5th.

Italy to get the spoon.

Cyril wrote:It'll be between Wales and England with France in third. I doubt there will be a slam.

It's a toss-up between Scotland and Ireland for 4th/5th.

Italy to get the spoon.

Cyril,

Think thats it in a nut shell which means for us (Wales) we have to get off to good start against Italy and hopefully rack the points up.