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.

Fixtures

Ireland versus Wales 8 March 13h15 at Croke Park, Dublin

This is sure to be the match-up of the week-end. Although Wales heads the table with 61 points, Ireland is chomping on their heels in second place, with 21 points. Granted, Ireland will have to produce an absolute cracker to get anywhere near their Welsh opponents, but with the Irish, anything is possible.

Ireland has gained remarkable momentum since their first close call with Italy, but Wales is also in the ascendancy and has already lifted the title once. Statistics tell us that it will, in all likelihood, be Wales who walk off with a fourth consecutive win, and the coveted Triple Crown. Prediction – Wales win by 6 points.

Changes to the teams

Ireland – Rob Kearney will switch from left wing to full back as both preferred contenders Geordan Murphy and Girvan Dempsey are out due to injury. Tommy Bowe will move to the left wing and Shane Horgan will take over the number 14 position. Luke Fitzgerald has been called up to the bench,

Wales – Scrumhalf, Mike Phillips replaces Dwayne Peel, Alun-Wyn Jones is favoured over Ian Evans at lock, Adam Jones replaces Rhys Thomas at tight head and Huw Bennett returns as hooker.

Scotland versus England 8 March 15h15 at Murrayfield, Edinburgh

It is highly unlikely that Frank Hadden’s men will cause an upset at Murrayfield on Saturday - even though the fans will be hoping for a little English bloodletting on the hallowed home turf. The Scots have been beaten in three consecutive games, and although they will be hurting, they just do not have the skill or finesse of the English.

England, however, will have to play out of their socks to keep themselves in the running for the ultimate prize – a Six Nations Tournament win. They are over 50 points behind the leader, Wales, and will have to turn this game into a points ‘fest’.

As predicted, England are certainly looking a whole lot better than they did in the first couple of games, and it would be foolish to think that they will not turn it on - big time - at Murrayfield!

Sadly we will have to wait a little while longer to see the very talented Danny Cipriani in action – he was dropped by Brian Ashton just days before the big match because of “inappropriate behaviour”. The Wasps player was seen leaving a nightclub in the early hours of the morning! Prediction – England win by over 25 points.

Changes to the teams

Scotland – Scott Taylor will run on in the number eight jersey in place of Kelly Brown, and Graeme Morrison replaces Andy Henderson at centre.

England – Tom Croft will replace the injured James Haskell at flank and Lee Mears comes on as hooker instead of Mark Regan. George Chuter will move to the bench. Iain Balshaw will run on in place of axed Danny Cipriani at full back.

France versus Italy 9 March 16h00 at Stade de France, Paris

Defending champions, France, should breeze through their match against Italy on Sunday. Although they suffered a home defeat against England a fortnight ago, it is unlikely to derail their campaign for an emphatic win over their European neighbours, who are languishing at the bottom of the log with Scotland.

Sunday’s match is a must win for the French team if they have any hope of taking the Six Nations title yet again. They will have to cross the line on quite a few occasions to catch up with log leaders, Wales – Prediction France wins by 36 points

Changes to the teams

France – Three new caps Yann David (centre), Fabien Barcella (prop) and flanker Ibrahim Diarra get a start, while Anthony Floch takes over the full back position.

Italy - Kaine Robertson replaces Alberto Sgarbi on the wing; Alessandro Zanni at flank runs out for Mauro Bergamasco; lock, Marco Bortolami replaces Santiago Dellape and prop, Andrea Lo Cicero comes on in place of Salvatore Perugini.

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.

2008 Six Nations Rugby Week Two

Fixtures

Wales versus Scotland 9 February 14h00 at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

After their emphatic victory over England at Twickenham, it would be easy for the Welsh to become a little complacent for their next outing against Scotland.

Best beware though, as a wounded Scotland is a very dangerous beast, and the sheer physical size of their forwards is enough to make anyone quake. The Welsh will not have forgotten last year’s 21-9 rout at Murrayfield, and coaches Warren Gatland and Shaun Edwards have not been that complimentary about the first round win against England.

History tells us that Scotland has never won the Six Nations Championship, but their overall record against Wales is not all that shabby, they have won over 42% of the matches between the two nations.

Changes to the teams

Wales: Full back Jamie Roberts replaces Wing, Mark Jones, Centre, Tom Shanklin is in, and loose forward Alix Popham is out, and Ian Evans replaces injured lock, Alun Wyn Jones.

Scotland – Kelly Brown replaces Dave Callam at number 8, and full back Chris Patterson is in for the injured Rory Lamont.

France versus Ireland 9 February 17h00 at the Stade de France, Paris

Defending champions France will be looking to cash in on their second round clash against Ireland at the Stade de France on Saturday. Their confidence will be high after their 27-6 win over the hapless Scots, and the Irish are not looking like they have the personnel or fervour to cause an upset. They stuttered to a very ordinary win against Italy in the first round.

It would be remiss to underestimate the Irish, they are currently ranked 5th in the world, one ahead of their combatants on Saturday, and they did contest the final of last years event. Statistics tell us that France has been successful over 60% of the time they have run out against Ireland.

Changes to the teams

France – Aurelien Rougerie replaces Vincent Clerc on the wing, and David Skrela will run out at fly half instead of Francois Trinh-Duc, Prop Nicolas Mas replaces Julien Brugnaut, Lock Arnaud Mela is on for Loic Jacquet, Julien Bonnaire replaces Elvis Vermeulen at no.8, and Jean-Baptiste Elissalde will run on as scrum half.

Ireland – Jamie Heaslip comes in for Simon Easterby, the injured Gordon D’Arcy will be replaced by Andrew Trimble and Bernard Jackman will start in place of Rory Best.

Italy versus England 10 February 15h30 at Stadio Faminio Rome

England will be hoping for a slick, professional performance against Italy on Saturday, and it will also be the ideal opportunity for them to fine tune their game plan for future games of the Championship.

The English will be feeling the pressure, having lost against Wales in the first round, and England are one of the teams that seems to rise to that pressure. The public will be expecting a polished performance, and there is absolutely no reason why they cannot go out and finish Mallet’s boys with style.

Changes to the teams

England – Injured loose-head prop Andrew Sheridan is replaced by forward, Tim Payne, Jamie Noon will replace Mike Tindall at centre, Lesley Vainikolo will run on instead of David Strettle at wing and Flankers Lewis Moody and Tom Rees will be replaced by Michael Lipman and Nick Easter respectively.

Italy – Winger Ezio Galon is in for the injured Pablo Canovosio

As with all sports, current form is the most telling factor which has to be taken into consideration when looking for the prospective winner of the 2008 Six Nations.

The competition has been contested by the six nations for eight years now, and it has been a battle royal between only two of them – France and England.

Defending champions, France, top the log with four wins, closely followed by their traditional rival, England, with three. Only one other country has added its name to the list of champions, and that is Wales, who claimed the competition in 2005, with a grand slam to boot!

History will come into the picture as well, and so too will BMT – big match temperament - and looking at current form, it is very difficult to imagine the current champions walking away without the spoils.

However, there are a few other variables that have to be taken into account. The very best teams peak at the right moment, as the omnipotent All Blacks have shown over the years and England seem to have the uncanny knack of improving after each encounter. This can only bode well for the men in white.

A case in point is the way the England clawed its way back into the 2007 World Cup competition after a dismal first outing. Let’s hope that it will be the same situation again when they run out at the Stade de France for their third encounter of the event.

England coach, Brian Ashton has admitted that he may have been mistaken in not giving his top eight players more game practice before the start of the Six Nations, and now they have it, so to my mind all bodes well for the England team. Another snippet of information that could be telling is that Ashton has had a 50% success rate since he took over as coach in December 2006.

Quick Statistics – France

• Currently ranked 6th in the world
• Reached the semi-finals of the 2007 World Cup, but lost to England 14-9
• Has an overall win record of 39% against England, 60.2% against Ireland, 96.3% against Italy, 54.3% against Scotland and 46.4% against Wales.
• Won its first encounter of the Six Nations against Scotland with an emphatic 27-6 victory.

Quick Statistics – England

• Currently ranked 4th in the World
• Reached the finals of the 2007 World Cup, but lost to South Africa 15-6
• Has an overall win record of 53.3% against France, 53.2% against Scotland, 57.5% against Ireland, 100% against Italy and 45.7% against Wales.
• Lost its first encounter of the Six Nations against Wales 26-19

The final will, in all probability, be between the two giants of the Six Nations – France and England, and my guess is that it is going to be a very close affair, with England winning by a margin of 6 points.

England 19 Wales 26

The 2008 Six Nations Rugby tournament got off to an intriguing start, as long as you are not an England supporter! Rugby World Cup 2007 finalists, England, were routed by Wales 26-19 in their first outing of the competition, probably one of the biggest upsets of the decade.

The performance by England was frighteningly reminiscent of their first round World Cup thrashing at the hands of the South African Springboks, but let’s face it Wales is not in the same league as the burly World Champions.

To add insult to injury, the English had to suffer the humiliating defeat on the hallowed home turf of Twickenham, but all is not lost, they did have moments of brilliance in the first half, and there is no reason why they cannot bounce back to the levels of excellence that we all witnessed in the final rounds of the World Cup.

England take on relative minnows, Italy at the Stadio Flaminio in Rome on Sunday 10 February, but it will not all be done and dusted until the final whistle blows - England has had to make four enforced changes to the team that take on Italy, and the latest casualty is loosehead prop, Andrew Sheridan - Wasps forward, Tim Payne is his replacement. Other changes due to injury are:

• Jamie Noon will replace Mike Tindall at centre
• Lesley Vainikolo will run on instead of David Strettle at wing
• Flankers Lewis Moody and Tom Rees will be replaced by Michael Lipman and Nick Easter respectively.

Ireland 16 Italy 11

In an uninspired performance Ireland managed to keep heart and soul together, and walked away with the narrowest of victories, not necessarily on the score board, but certainly on the field at Croke Park, Dublin.

Three changes have been made to the Irish team who meet France at the Stade de France on Saturday the 9th - Jamie Heaslip comes in for Simon Easterby, the injured Gordon D’Arcy will be replaced by Andrew Trimble and Bernard Jackman will start in place of Rory Best.

Scotland 6 France 27

Scotland had a dismal outing against defending champions, France at the Millennium Stadium at Cardiff in the opening round of the Six Nations. Coach, Frank Hadden has admitted that he may have been remiss to have rested some of his key players for a bit too long. Eight of the star players had not had any match practice for three weeks, and it showed.

Scotland will take on Wales in Cardiff with only two changes – full back Chris Patterson replaces the injured Rory Lamont and Kelly Brown will run out instead of Dave Callam.