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2024 Guinness Six Nations
A look ahead: the 2014 Six Nations
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<blockquote data-quote="neiliog93" data-source="post: 611349" data-attributes="member: 64297"><p>I'd probably say France. Their results obviously haven't been good but have masked improving performances and immense physicality. I still think England are too limited, they have all the muscle in the world but not enough flair, especially with Wade out injured. As others have stated, Farrell is an excellent kicking 10 behind a dominant pack, but England will need more than that to win the 6 Nations or beat New Zealand or South Africa, and there's no evidence that they have it. </p><p></p><p>People may reply that France are in the same vein (i.e reliant on a big pack) but what I'd say there is that they have the players to change their gameplan to a more expansive approach if required. Trinh-Duc is still one of the best running 10's in world rugby and they have an embarrassment of riches out wide. France can go down the set-piece, beat 'em up approach or a running approach, whereas England can only pull off the former, which won't be enough to win a 6 Nations.</p><p></p><p>The Irish challenge is contingent on two things: injuries and that old buzzword, consistency. Scotland first up is a good opportunity to build some momentum, and Wales at home next up will be a tight game. If Ireland can win that, they could build enough momentum to mount a challenge. They've only won once in Paris in 40 years however. Also, their lack of depth is a real problem - getting lucky on the injury front is key. They may pull off wins in 2 out of the 3 "big" fixtures, but I don't see them winning the 6 Nations for these outlined reasons.</p><p></p><p>Wales will be serious contenders but with a couple of tough away fixtures, I can't see them pulling it off for a third year in a row, especially with a vengeful England and a simmering, angry and improved France lying in the wings. The post Lions tour thing also tips the scale in France's favour further.</p><p></p><p>So France to win, but no Grand Slam. At a guess (and it is just a guess):</p><p></p><p>1.France</p><p>2.Ireland</p><p>3.England</p><p>4.Wales</p><p>5.Scotland</p><p>6.Italy</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="neiliog93, post: 611349, member: 64297"] I'd probably say France. Their results obviously haven't been good but have masked improving performances and immense physicality. I still think England are too limited, they have all the muscle in the world but not enough flair, especially with Wade out injured. As others have stated, Farrell is an excellent kicking 10 behind a dominant pack, but England will need more than that to win the 6 Nations or beat New Zealand or South Africa, and there's no evidence that they have it. People may reply that France are in the same vein (i.e reliant on a big pack) but what I'd say there is that they have the players to change their gameplan to a more expansive approach if required. Trinh-Duc is still one of the best running 10's in world rugby and they have an embarrassment of riches out wide. France can go down the set-piece, beat 'em up approach or a running approach, whereas England can only pull off the former, which won't be enough to win a 6 Nations. The Irish challenge is contingent on two things: injuries and that old buzzword, consistency. Scotland first up is a good opportunity to build some momentum, and Wales at home next up will be a tight game. If Ireland can win that, they could build enough momentum to mount a challenge. They've only won once in Paris in 40 years however. Also, their lack of depth is a real problem - getting lucky on the injury front is key. They may pull off wins in 2 out of the 3 "big" fixtures, but I don't see them winning the 6 Nations for these outlined reasons. Wales will be serious contenders but with a couple of tough away fixtures, I can't see them pulling it off for a third year in a row, especially with a vengeful England and a simmering, angry and improved France lying in the wings. The post Lions tour thing also tips the scale in France's favour further. So France to win, but no Grand Slam. At a guess (and it is just a guess): 1.France 2.Ireland 3.England 4.Wales 5.Scotland 6.Italy [/QUOTE]
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2024 Guinness Six Nations
A look ahead: the 2014 Six Nations
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