First weekend with no rest week, squad depth to be tested, injuries rates on the lower ranked to be keenly felt this weekend.
England vs Ireland first up, both on a win and a loss and both needing this to keep their championship hopes alive! Dublin will be buzzing, with Irish expectations that England are now vulberable, but for anyone who watched Squidge this week: England are far from it!
Then Wales vs Scotland for the Saturday evening match. And the smart money is on Scotland here, but Wales will have watched that Scotland v Italy match and will he targetting this match now. Wales haven’t had a 6n win in years now, it has to happen at some stage, and Scotland’s record in Cardiff is abysmal. Banana skin for Scotland for sure
Then we have France vs Italy and this should see France rotating and Italy looking to minimise championship points imo. Would be a high scoring affair I suspect, with both teams getting it wide and putting those backs in plenty, but the weather says otherwise! Bucketing it down in Paris, and how did Italy do in similar conditions 2 weeks ago? A close affair here, let’s see if Italy can defy the pundits?
As always, pics, reactions, predictions all appreciated. And do your kicktipp!
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Slightly gutted Wales didn’t have the composure to see the game out, but I said I wanted to see a better defensive effort and a respectable score line, and I got that. Hoping we can give Italy a decent challenge as well.
Italy have been ineffective sadly. France have taken loads of their chances indeed. Can they finish the tournament a week early next week?
Welsh ball is looking so much faster than the last couple of weeks. Makes for a much more exciting watch. Costelow looking strong in his kicking game too.
I love the Six Nations, few would have predicted 17-5 HT in Cardiff. I do expect a change in tactics from Scotland. Fingers crossed Tandy hasn’t predicted that too!
I am exhausted after that. What a match! 23-26 and Scottish bench is what won it
Settling in for Wales v Scotland. My very low bar for today are signs of a decent defensive effort and a respectable score line.
A good 30 minutes somewhere, not just a good 10
‘4 - Wales cough up two penalties which put them under immediate pressure. Poor tackling results In a yellow and Wales have a man in the bin.
‘9 - Some sustained pressure results in a Welsh try! Wales have 7 points on the board.
‘13 - Try Scotland. Ball is thrown out to the wide channel and it’s an easy try. 7-5
‘18 - Try Wales! Much more encouraging stuff. Going through the phases and getting over the gain line. Stop the game now. I’m happy. 😆
Wales 14-5 Scotland
Battle of the coaches come half time I suspect now. Wales look set to win the first half at least
Feels like Wales are hanging on by their fingertips at the moment. Massive 2nd half incoming! :)
'53 - Try Scotland after a lot of phases right on Wales’s try line. Good determined defence but ball goes out wide and Russell find a gap. 23-12!
Wales looking well up for this @tamps@feddit.uk - hopefully Scotland can keep it within seven at the break! Scotland are not winning any collisions
It’s been a bruising 1st half! Good intensity. If we keep going at that tempo, will be interesting to see how conditioning holds up and what role the bench is going to play. Love it. All to play for.
Borthwick to be out of a job before Townsend given this first half in Dublin!
Just tuning in! Seems like Ireland have got this unless they do something very silly in the next 30 mins.
Ha! Just jinxed them. '53 and England score a try and Ireland have a man in the bin.
Alright, Ireland just scored another try. 14-42 and ten minutes left.
(as I write this, Marcus Smith almost scores a try off an interception. But is impressively tracked down and tackled!)
'75 try + conversion England. 21-42. Ireland suddenly looking a little bit scrappy.
