2013 Six nations

[SeriousCat]

wales were pretty shocking in autumn so im guessing theyll finish bottom of the four possible winners - england and ireland were both tepid with flashes of scalding but ill back england to finish above them out of loyalty - france looked good but are away against both england and ireland - still i think they will only slip up once - for the last couple of years there has been whispers of promise from scotland and then they have been woeful in the six nations - this year they go into the competition from rock bottom so any wins are a bonus - i think theyll pip italy though purely because scotland are at home in the perennial wooden spoon match

i predict no grand slam and the following table:

1) france
2) england
3) ireland
4) wales
5) scotland
6) italy

[A5D5E5]

wales were pretty shocking in autumn so im guessing theyll finish bottom of the four possible winners - england and ireland were both tepid with flashes of scalding but ill back england to finish above them out of loyalty - france looked good but are away against both england and ireland - still i think they will only slip up once - for the last couple of years there has been whispers of promise from scotland and then they have been woeful in the six nations - this year they go into the competition from rock bottom so any wins are a bonus - i think theyll pip italy though purely because scotland are at home in the perennial wooden spoon match

i predict no grand slam and the following table:

1) france
2) england
3) ireland
4) wales
5) scotland
6) italy

I think any of England, Ireland and Wales could finish in any order in positions 2 to 4, my money is on Ireland to beat us and finish second (they will want revenge after their hammering in 2012).

[SeriousCat]

It would be a real shame if (say) Scotland began to fall away from the rest of the 5 nations and become closer to Italy in standard and results.

it is a real shame but its kinda been "four nations and two nations" for some years now - it spoils it a bit for the top four but it has helped italy i think - when they joined they were expected to have improved to the level of the other five nations by now - if scotland werent down there with them keeping it interesting there might have been rumblings about going back to five again - much as it pains me to say it i really hope scotland (and italy) start to challenge soon - minnows dont suit the competition

[digitalscream]

it is a real shame but its kinda been "four nations and two nations" for some years now - it spoils it a bit for the top four but it has helped italy i think - when they joined they were expected to have improved to the level of the other five nations by now - if scotland werent down there with them keeping it interesting there might have been rumblings about going back to five again - much as it pains me to say it i really hope scotland (and italy) start to challenge soon - minnows dont suit the competition

http://www.irb.com/rankings/full.html

I do wonder how long Scotland can sit outside the top 10 before they get relegated to the second tier of world teams. They've been 9th/10th for most of the last 10 years, and I honestly can't see them getting back in there any time soon. All it'll take is a couple of unfortunate losses to teams outside the top 10 (and the almost-inevitable losses in the 6 Nations) and they're going to end up so far outside that they won't be able to get back in a single season.

[fretmeister]

I see the UK are in the middle of deporting an ex England player to South Africa because he got injured and had his contract cancelled. I reckon France could win it this year. If Scotland win two games I'll be happy. We have a total lack of depth in the game and it is really starting to get dull.

Still, as a New York born chap when the next WC comes round you can support a much better team than Scotland - the Yanks.

[fretmeister]

Arse. Tuilagi's out for the first game.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/21231695

[digitalscream]

Arse. Tuilagi's out for the first game.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/21231695

It's OK, we're playing Scotland

[Rocker]

Ireland might be a good outside bet for the Championship. I am amazed that Andrew Trimble did not make the panel this week. Wales are always a threat. On their day they can beat just about anyone.

[koneguitarist]

Not this time I don't think, Wales have too many out injured.Plus head coach is out to watch for lions.

[digitalscream]

On their day they can beat just about anyone.

Not exactly a useful thing to say this time round - everybody except Scotland and Ireland have beaten "just about anyone" in the last 12 months, I think.

I'm going to stick with England, and not just out of loyalty...this year, they might actually do it