R B S 6 Nations: Final Round

[ChillDoubt]

Well, what can I say? It's been an 'interesting' campaign.
Farcical France, Woeful Wales, Silly Scotland, Indomitable Irish, Effervescent England and Inhibited Italians.

The Romans are at home to England today. On current form it should be a walkover, but England thought that in the snow 2 years ago and got away with it by the skin of their teeth. The other nations involved will be willing on the Azzuri and it may be tight in the first half, with a lot of spoiling/counter attacking, but I fully expect the (deservedly so too) Triple Crowners to power away in the last 20.

For match 2, we have Wales at home (thankfully), their away record being worse than that of Hitler's invasions.
Gatland has rung the changes after a dire display at Twickers and some today will look to put down a marker for RWC 2015 selection. We finally get Dan Biggar in at 10, woefully overlooked for a starting berth thus far in this campaign, his introduction comes not a minute too soon. Scotland must be badly bruised from kicking themselves all week, that 'Hollywood' pass for the intereception try will haunt them for months.
They'll be feisty that's for sure but I fancy my countrymen to put on a real display this afternoon in the lair of the Dragon.

Finally to Paris for the most oft asked question in rugby:
Which French team will turn up? They mugged the Scots last week and will want to please the home fans again with the champagne-style rugby they showed against England. Question is, can they do it against a strong Irish team who will be going all out to ensure BOD gets a send-off like no other. Despite French form, it's a tough one to call.....


So, predictions:

Italy 10 England 35
Wales 30 Scotland 18
France 20 Ireland 28

[DTCwordfan]

Don't think do, chill.....

[ChillDoubt]

England's 'wheel wrench' aka Tuilagi is introduced and is having an immediate effect.
The AA are not required just yet......

[DTCwordfan]

that should have been 'so' and doubly reinforced just now....

[ChillDoubt]

Tuilagi in under the posts, converted easily, 6-43.
The 50 points should now be a formality.
Lucky you don't follow rugby, bernie.

[DTCwordfan]

maybe not, chill....

[ChillDoubt]

And as I type, England are intercepted and the Italian, Sarto dances in.
Oh dear......

[ChillDoubt]

Italy are rejuvenated and are as ever prepared to play their expansive, let's-give-it-a-go style rugby.
Great stuff from everyone's second favourite team.

[albaqwerty]

just clicked over, wow!
Score line is impressive.

How have the teams been playing?
Well, I hope, from both sides.

[ChillDoubt]

England would never lower themselves to asking a low-brow recovery service to come to their aid, it'd be the RAC or nothing! LOL
They won't make their 50 point margin (just the score) when really they ought to have done.
Well done to the Italians for never taking a backward step, out of it for the majority of the game but played on manfully.
Italy 11 England 52.

[jim360]

England get about as close as you can hope to overturning such a massive point deficit compared to Ireland... but it's over to the men in Green now. I'd expect them to give O'Driscoll a brilliant swansong, surely?

[albaqwerty]

it may not be patriotic of me to say this, but I hope Wales knock Scotland out of the park.
Better to go down by a huge margin than a scrappy one point loss.

[ChillDoubt]

You'd certainly think so jim, but France at the Stade are and always will be the unknown quantity.
England deserved to beat them there but the ball bounced kindly for them twice and Huget was in twice, it was that simple.

[albaqwerty]

Jim, I hope Ireland knock the socks off the French, St Paddy's Day on Monday and a win would mean the greatest party on earth. :-D

[ChillDoubt]

That's very generous of you alba, I hope we are able to oblige! LOL

[albaqwerty]

I've too much mixed blood coursing through my veins :-)

105 caps for Gethin, WOW!

[DTCwordfan]

Good luck chill....

[ChillDoubt]

Thanks DTC, hopefully we won't need too much!
I want to see skill, passion, invention, flair and abandon.
Chuck it around, Barbarian's style!

[twofeathers]

Interestingly Ireland have only won once in Paris since 1971!

Viva la france. If you want England to win.

[albaqwerty]

With the Welsh National Anthem having just been played, Scotland are playing the whole of Wales in that stadium!

Am now going to sit back, watch and enjoy Chill's commentary.

[DTCwordfan]

//Chuck it around, Barbarian's style!// Is that in Warren's lexicon?