2008 Six Nations Rugby Week Five
2008 Six Nations Rugby Week Five
Fixtures
Italy versus Scotland 15 March 14hoo at Stadio Flaminio, Rome
Italian coach, Nick Mallett has resisted making any changes to the team that lost against defending champions, France last week. He must have been suitably impressed by the team’s late resurgence against the French and will be hoping that they beat Scotland by at least five points – this will bump them up on the points table, and the dreaded Wooden Spoon will not be theirs!
The Scots will be very difficult to subdue, however, after their gutsy performance against England when they, against all odds, lifted the Calcutta Cup. The weather is sure to be more pleasant in Rome and although the home ground advantage is indubitably Italy’s, it promises to be a highly entertaining match.
Prediction – Italy win by 6
Changes to the teams
Italy –Coach, Nick Mallett, has decided on an unchanged team for the Wooden Spoon clash against Scotland.
Scotland – Wing, Simon Danielli comes on for the injured Rory Lamont, Fergus Thomson replaces the injured Ross Ford as hooker and winger Nikki Walker is also out of contention due to injury.
England versus Ireland 15 March 15h00 at Twickenham, London
England will be playing for pride and credibility after their ‘horror’ of an outing against Scotland last week, and they will be hoping that Wasps superstar, Danny Cipriani will be the man to inject a bit of spark into the ponderous backline. He replaces Johnny Wilkinson at fly half.
Ireland will be smarting at the fact that they were dethroned by the French on the points table and will be a very dangerous beast to tame. Although they are without their captain, Brian O’Driscoll, and playing away from home, they have shown far more consistency and flair than their English counterparts. If the weather plays along, the match has all the makings of a cracker.
Prediction – Ireland wins by 12
Changes to the teams
England – Danny Cipriani is favoured over Johnny Wilkinson at fly half.
Ireland – Ronan ‘O Gara takes over from the injured Brian O’ Driscoll as captain, and Andrew Trimble and Shane Horgan are given a chance at the centre positions.
Wales versus France 15 March 17h00 at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Wales are well on their way to a Six Nations Championship grand slam, and it is doubtful that the French will be able to beat them by 20 points to claim the championship victory (or 19 points should they score more tries than Wales).
Gavin Henson has been tipped as the playmaker for Wales, and he is looking in sparkling form, so it is going to take something really special to stop the men in red.
Defending champions, France, have a statistical advantage over their rivals - they have won 5 consecutive matches against the Welsh at Cardiff, so it would be remiss to write them off. All things considered though, it should be a Welsh victory, they are unbeaten in the tournament and have played some mouth watering rugby.
Prediction Wales win by 15 points.
Changes to the teams
Wales – James Hook replaces Stephen Jones at fly half.
France – Jean-Baptiste Elisalde and David Skrela take over from half backs Dimitri Yachvili and Francois Trinh-Duc respectively; Vincent Clerc replaces Aurelien Rougerie on the right wing; Damien Traille runs out in place of centre Yann David, Flanker Thierry Dusautoir replaces Ibrahim Diarra; and Julien Bonnaire replaces Louis Picamoles in the number eight position.
