2008 Six Nations Week Three
2008 Six Nations Rugby Week Three
Fixtures
Wales versus Italy 23 February 15h00 at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Wales will want to improve on their 30-15 win against the hapless Scots a fortnight ago. Although they claimed the victory they did not impress – there were just too many errors and the match was one of those stuttering affairs, with very few moments of genius or skill.
Winger Shane Williams was the only ray of sunshine in a very drab outing, and he dotted down twice, showing enormous agility and cracking pace.
Italy, however, must be coming in to the third round with real self belief and confidence. They gave England a scare, and were a tad unlucky to walk away without a victory. Although they battled in the first half they decided to shelve the expansive game and soon got back to their traditional best, kicking over the pack, forcing the burly forwards to turn around.
Statistics show however that Wales is the out and out favourite to win on their home turf on Saturday - they have won over 78% of their matches against the Italians.
Changes to the teams
Wales – Fly-half Stephen Jones and scrumhalf Dwayne Peel will be given an opportunity to impress in Cardiff, prop Rhys Thomas will run out for his second test start, and Gethin Jenkins (prop) and hooker, Matthew Rees have been promoted from the bench.
Italy – Full back David Bartolussi and both wings, Pablo Canavosio and Kayne Robertson are out due to injury.
Ireland versus Scotland 23 February 17h00 at Croke Park, Dublin
Ireland will run onto Croke Park on Saturday searching for their second victory of the tournament. They must still be nursing those bruised egos, and bodies, after losing to defending champions, France, by the narrowest of margins a fortnight ago.
Although the Scots showed enormous bravery against Wales, and were kept in the game by some superb kicking by Chris Patterson, the odds are that the Irish will up the ante and beat Scotland at home. Remember, they will also be without their captain, Jason White – he is out with concussion and the mantle has been passed on to scrumhalf, Mike Blair.
Although an Irish win is a good probability, it may not be as simple as that - Scotland has a 52% win record against the Irish. By all accounts, it’s going to be a close affair in Dublin on Saturday.
Changes to the teams
Ireland – Wing, Tommy Bowe is in for full back, Geordan Murphy, and Mick O’Driscoll replaces Malcom O’Kelly at lock.
Scotland – Scrumhalf Mike Blair takes over the captaincy from injured Jason White, Fly-half Chris Patterson starts in place of Dan Parks in the number 10 berth, Alasdair Strokosch and lock, Scott Macleod will bolster the pack, winger Rory Lamont and centre, Simon Webster return from injury, and Allister Hogg comes in to the back row for the injured John Barclay.
France versus England 23 February 21h00 at Stade de France, Paris
This is undoubtedly the match-up of the week-end! Let’s hope that England re-discovers the cohesion and leadership that has been sorely lacking in the first half of the tournament.
They’ve had a tough outing to date, and have been crucified by fans and the media alike, but the English have the manpower and skill to turn it on at the Stade de France – they only have to think back to the semi-finals of the World Cup in 2007 when they beat the French in their own back yard! The return of Captain, Phil Vickery is sure to help England’s cause.
France, on the other hand, have so many things in their favour – they are the defending champions, are unbeaten in the tournament, and are playing on the hallowed home turf of the Stade de France. It’s going to take something really special to dethrone the champs, but England has shown that they can come back in the latter half of any tournament to grab the spoils.
Statistics are irrevocably on the side of the men in white, they have a 53.3% win rate against France.
Changes to the teams
France – Francois Trinh-Duc will come on in the fly-half position, together with another rookie, Morgan Parra at scrumhalf. Louis Picamoles will start at number eight, and Damien Traille is the preferred kicker to both Dimitri Yachvilli and David Skrela, who will start on the bench.
England – Props, Andrew Sheridan and Phil Vickery return to the front row following injury, and scrumhalf Richard Wigglesworth will start in place of Andy Gomarsall.
