My table predictions
Ireland
Wales
England
France
Scotland
Italy
Ireland
Wales
England
France
Scotland
Italy
-
Help Support The Rugby Forum :
A look ahead: the 2015 Six Nations
- Thread starter iINDOMINUSxx
- Start date
Big Ewis
Hall of Fame
Another beautifully carved made-in-FFR Wooden Spouun.
Made to measure for Philippe & his hapless gang aka Les Pieds Nickelés. Comes with a shiny tri-colour ribbon. A collector's item.
Philippe has developped an unerring taste for them. He wants to add to his collection.
No doubt our players will be happy to oblige considering how much they want to play for him
ahhh no !! La Spoun no sanke you, hein ! We took it in 2013 already, now someone else !
theVersatile
Academy Player
1st
Ireland:
Not being biased or anything, but it's fairly obvious they'll picks up first; after those strong performances during the QBE's. Wins against South Africa & Australia (I won't bother mentioning Georgia). Though you never know what will happen between now and whenever the fixtures start; however I'm confident that Ireland will win.
2nd
England:
England will probably take 2nd. You can point out their mistakes all you want; but those were against the top teams in the world; who will punish you if you step a foot off. Narrow loses to South Africa and New Zealand (both by 3 points), and a win v Samoa to boost morale, they're my second place.
3rd
France:
This and the next team could be swapped; they can't be separated without bias; but off the internationals I say France will edge 3rd. Strong win v Fiji, and a hard-earned win v Australia are a cause for optimism. Though that loss to Argentina (who also caused trouble against Italy and challenged Scotland) possibly took a chunk out of France. Nevertheless, I say France will come third.
4th
Scotland:
Scotland could be third, but I'll have them here in fourth. A hard win against Argentina and a loss to New Zealand earn them 4th in my book. There was also the Tonga match but...yeah, it's Tonga.
5th
Italy:
A strong performance against Argentina, despite the result, and a win v Samoa was a good start to the Internationals. Although they didn't score a single try against the Springboks, which will be worrying for future matches against England or Ireland.
6th
Wales:
Despite the strong outing against Australia, Wales are in my last place position because of their disappointing match against Fiji (winning by only 4 points isn't good if you're going against Fiji) and their heavy loss to The All Blacks.
--------------------
Interesting form this year; but this is what I think will happen.
Ireland:
Not being biased or anything, but it's fairly obvious they'll picks up first; after those strong performances during the QBE's. Wins against South Africa & Australia (I won't bother mentioning Georgia). Though you never know what will happen between now and whenever the fixtures start; however I'm confident that Ireland will win.
2nd
England:
England will probably take 2nd. You can point out their mistakes all you want; but those were against the top teams in the world; who will punish you if you step a foot off. Narrow loses to South Africa and New Zealand (both by 3 points), and a win v Samoa to boost morale, they're my second place.
3rd
France:
This and the next team could be swapped; they can't be separated without bias; but off the internationals I say France will edge 3rd. Strong win v Fiji, and a hard-earned win v Australia are a cause for optimism. Though that loss to Argentina (who also caused trouble against Italy and challenged Scotland) possibly took a chunk out of France. Nevertheless, I say France will come third.
4th
Scotland:
Scotland could be third, but I'll have them here in fourth. A hard win against Argentina and a loss to New Zealand earn them 4th in my book. There was also the Tonga match but...yeah, it's Tonga.
5th
Italy:
A strong performance against Argentina, despite the result, and a win v Samoa was a good start to the Internationals. Although they didn't score a single try against the Springboks, which will be worrying for future matches against England or Ireland.
6th
Wales:
Despite the strong outing against Australia, Wales are in my last place position because of their disappointing match against Fiji (winning by only 4 points isn't good if you're going against Fiji) and their heavy loss to The All Blacks.
--------------------
Interesting form this year; but this is what I think will happen.
As much as I think Wales are going down hill at the minute.. they're still a quality side and have some class players. Can't see them below Italy at all, Scotland could potentially but even then I question whether they have the depth and quality to properly compete.
A big part will also be the fixture list - Wales have Ireland and England at home with Scotland, France and Italy away. 4 wins isn't really out of the realms of possibility.
A big part will also be the fixture list - Wales have Ireland and England at home with Scotland, France and Italy away. 4 wins isn't really out of the realms of possibility.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2010
- Messages
- 22,708
- Reaction score
- 10,980
Neither does two home losses though! Wales need to change their game significantly to challenge the top 2 spots. Garland ball has gone very stale.
Yeah definitely I agree, but if I was a Welsh supporter I'd be fully expecting to win both my home games
Jbobo
Bench Player
LOL at your justification.
Absolutely. Doesn't mean it will happen, but i haven't seen anything from any side in the NH to make me think that we do not have the ability to beat them. If Ireland keep going how they are, i'll be even more nervous than usual though i will admit. I genuinly expect to beat England though, and you'll see me eat humble pie if we lose again, just like many English did when we won back to back championships in 2013 to their credit.
Last edited:
theVersatile
Academy Player
Not sure what's funny. Explain
4 Wins for Wales would probably be pushing it. With luck (a lot of it), they could get through Scotland & Italy. France & England would be hard to predict, and I don't see them beating Ireland, even with home advantage.
4 wins ain't impossible, but it's very close to it. At most (if they're at their best and their opponents are below par), 3 wins; and it's hard to even see that happening
Last edited:
Jbobo
Bench Player
In the context of your post, it made me chuckle.
Anyway, i'd put my house on it not happening like you have said for Wales in the slightest so obviously i disagree vehemently.
theVersatile
Academy Player
Well, like I did with France and England you COULD swap Wales and Italy around, but I'm sticking with my prediction. Realistically, Wales definitely won't get above 4th.
( I guess I'll be taking your house then )
Jbobo
Bench Player
And you base this on the performances of Wales against Aussie, Fiji and NZ? Fair enough man, don't see it though!
I bloody hope not!
Big Ewis
Hall of Fame
Ireland are favorites everywhere in most people's minds, but have you had a look at their calenderp derp ?
I was about to make the comment that their middle-tournament is really tough, but it's the whole thing really, all 5 the fixtures:
Italy aren't the 2013 Italy anymore for Week 1, and for the last game Murrayfield is no easy fixture this year. Cardiff will be very tough, probably their toughest fixture in five, and marks a very rough 2-game away trip to end the thing. So yes it's a 3-away 2-home games season, and the two "easy ones at home" are against France and England. France could turn out to be a joke, you never know, but they could feel up for it and spoil Ireland's plans, so those are two real threats at home although I'm sure they'll be ready for England at home, they always are..
So I'm saying, not an easy calendar at all. No GS for me, and I don't think they'll win it, difficult to say. Their complex of of the spotlight and being in pole position, 3 away games...I'll restrain from saying I don't think they'll win for sure, but I have a feeling..
Of course, another scope is: they have a good test but nothing terrifying in the opener, that warms them up for two games at home and they're too solid there right now. With 3 wins in the pocket and huge motivation, they go into the Wales one confident and pull it off and then they just have Murrayfield...
I was about to make the comment that their middle-tournament is really tough, but it's the whole thing really, all 5 the fixtures:
Italy aren't the 2013 Italy anymore for Week 1, and for the last game Murrayfield is no easy fixture this year. Cardiff will be very tough, probably their toughest fixture in five, and marks a very rough 2-game away trip to end the thing. So yes it's a 3-away 2-home games season, and the two "easy ones at home" are against France and England. France could turn out to be a joke, you never know, but they could feel up for it and spoil Ireland's plans, so those are two real threats at home although I'm sure they'll be ready for England at home, they always are..
So I'm saying, not an easy calendar at all. No GS for me, and I don't think they'll win it, difficult to say. Their complex of of the spotlight and being in pole position, 3 away games...I'll restrain from saying I don't think they'll win for sure, but I have a feeling..
Of course, another scope is: they have a good test but nothing terrifying in the opener, that warms them up for two games at home and they're too solid there right now. With 3 wins in the pocket and huge motivation, they go into the Wales one confident and pull it off and then they just have Murrayfield...
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2010
- Messages
- 22,708
- Reaction score
- 10,980
I think the exact opposite!Ireland are favorites everywhere in most people's minds, but have you had a look at their calenderp derp ?
I was about to make the comment that their middle-tournament is really tough, but it's the whole thing really, all 5 the fixtures:
Italy aren't the 2013 Italy anymore for Week 1, and for the last game Murrayfield is no easy fixture this year. Cardiff will be very tough, probably their toughest fixture in five, and marks a very rough 2-game away trip to end the thing. So yes it's a 3-away 2-home games season, and the two "easy ones at home" are against France and England. France could turn out to be a joke, you never know, but they could feel up for it and spoil Ireland's plans, so those are two real threats at home although I'm sure they'll be ready for England at home, they always are..
So I'm saying, not an easy calendar at all. No GS for me, and I don't think they'll win it, difficult to say. Their complex of of the spotlight and being in pole position, 3 away games...I'll restrain from saying I don't think they'll win for sure, but I have a feeling..
Of course, another scope is: they have a good test but nothing terrifying in the opener, that warms them up for two games at home and they're too solid there right now. With 3 wins in the pocket and huge motivation, they go into the Wales one confident and pull it off and then they just have Murrayfield...
Its almost perfect for a slam, Rome as a game to get into the swing of things and get rid of any rustyness. This is followed by France at home, a game that we really should win considering form and the last few meetings of the sides, then there's a break before what should be the two most difficult matches and, if it comes to it, a Joe Schmidt side won't throw away a slam in Murrayfield. It's easier than '09 which had the first two and last two games swapped around. If I was to bet on a slam I'd bet on Ireland but I think we'll slip up in Cardiff.
Did you watch Wales this Autumn?
1. The Fiji performance was bad, but they were playing effectively a second team for it. In particular, no Hibbard, AWJ, Warburton, Webb, Biggar, Halfpenny.
2. The score flattered New Zealand. Wales fell to bits after a few enforced injuries. For 65 minutes, it seemed like Wales had a chance of getting their first win in decades against NZ.
If Webb and Biggar stay fit, Wales will contend the Six Nations. If they end up playing Phillips-Priestland, I think they'll fade quickly from the tournament.
We can be an abomination as well. It's not fair, it's not just Eng and Wal, we can be easily more awful. We'll peak in our low in 2 months.
The opposition will pratically only need trip to score a try. We'll get another merry round of Les Musical Chairs just before, to unsettle & confuse the players, far more so than the opposition.
They don't use the word team any more in Paris now, there's a new concept around, it's le Group concept. 'Team' is just so passé. The gurus have come up with a more recherché approach. Nobody understands it, least of all the players. But it sounds gr8t.
So we used to have the Toulouse flavour, now we have the Toulon flavour, with a sprinkling of foreigners. By the time we get to the WC we'll be ready for the Commando flavour (more on that later, no it's no the jocks-less version, mind you that could be arranged...)
They're working on a new model, one that doesn't need a driver, not even passengers and as little bagage as possible, runs on full automatic pilot...
Ospreylian
Academy Player
I was about to rip into this incredibly ignorant prediction, but then saw it was posted before Wales beat the Springboks. I'll let you off the hook for that reason, and simply for the fact it is quite obvious you have not actually watched a minute of Wales play, you've just looked at 34-16 and thought "well NZ MUST have pulverized them for 80 minutes"
- Joined
- Sep 20, 2011
- Messages
- 13,716
- Reaction score
- 10,568
I think it will be
1. Ireland
2. England
3/4. Wales/France
5. Scotland
6. Italy
Ireland have serious talent at 9 and 10 which allows them to play the game they want to play. Only England really prevented that in the last 6N but that was also a stronger England IMO. I think where England finishes really depends on our selection choices so Ford vs Farrel, Care vs Youngs and what combination we use at 12 and 13. We could see anything from dominant performances that could match the Irish to poor games where we struggle against the Italians.
1. Ireland
2. England
3/4. Wales/France
5. Scotland
6. Italy
Ireland have serious talent at 9 and 10 which allows them to play the game they want to play. Only England really prevented that in the last 6N but that was also a stronger England IMO. I think where England finishes really depends on our selection choices so Ford vs Farrel, Care vs Youngs and what combination we use at 12 and 13. We could see anything from dominant performances that could match the Irish to poor games where we struggle against the Italians.
translucentPoo
Academy Player
- Joined
- Nov 24, 2014
- Messages
- 5
- Reaction score
- 0
Well said. Wales are a good team. But the worst thing they can do is look too much into beating SA, who are in my opinion the worst of the southies. They have massive potential but I see things differently. France and Ireland are in my opinion, slightly better teams than SA... at the moment.
