Predicted 6N table 2019

Actually, the main reason why many people have that impression is because the Scarlets have much deteriorated compared to last season, given their issues with mass injuries and departures. However, the truth is that the Ospreys, Cardiff and even the Dragons have in fact won more games in the league this season compared to the equivalent stage last season. Their difficulties in Europe can mostly be explained by (a) the Ospreys rotating their squad too much, though this certainly doesn't explain why their full-strength side lost at home to an under-strength Worcester and (b) Cardiff and the Dragons both being in very difficult pools.

 

Yeah, I don't ever like to use injuries as an excuse for anything but... dayum the Scarlets were hit hard this season.

 

Very interesting and helpful, thanks as always!

 

The union took off where they left off last November against Fiji and after Cardiff last year.

Same failed leaders, same staff, same script. Cardiff was also a comedy of errors with Trinh Duc gifting the host their only try. The same script is still running...

I posted Brunel was asking for trouble with the group he has picked esp. in the forwards. Who needs more evidence.

The current generation is shot. They are D-O-N-E. I said Guirado was done in the match thread and boy did it show. His captaincy is non existent. He was a bystander alongside Picamoles Parra Fofana who went awol as leaders in 2nd half. Not a peep out of them.

The union can't see they're part of the problem. They've just dropped to 10th in the rankings as of today. They're on their way out of the Top 10.

I bet Brunel drops NTamack and picks Bastareaud for Twickenham.

2 away losses for the Brunel brigade. Scots win in Paris.

 

I'm curious if the Scotland game is seen by the French as most nations see Italy - something they assume they'll win. Scotland at home they always win, if France lose to Scotland for the first time at home, what will the reaction be? I was kind of shocked at how empty some of the stadium (Stade de France) looked at the Wales game.

 

They don't. Scotland are much better than Italy. Scotland will think the host is for the taking and they'll be right.

The fans are walking out. The FFR can't fill a stadium of 80K in a city of 7 millions in a country of 65 millions with 30 pro clubs and 1700 registered amateur clubs, they're toast.

 

The first half was tough for me to watch, the second half for you well... I can only image and I'm imagining that there aren't any words that could do it justice.

 

is anyone re predicting the table after round one

Scotland getting an easy win but letting their foot off
Wales form not great but one hell of a come back
France showing some good rugby but looked like a different team in second half
England showing great form and physicality but can they keep it up? Have we taken the favourites tag with a BP win and denying ireland an LBP
Ireland wounded but deffinatly not out though, only a fool would wright them off.

We have seen form of the teams now so after round on my new predictions

England, france italy and scotland at home so wales away is the big one.

Ireland will take the defeat on the chin and be refocused not losong again. Getting zero in england could hurt thsm if wales can manage a win over england though england should win IMO

Scotland will play somr good attacking rugby getting BPs and wins in france but wales at home wil decide between wales and scotland.

Wales need to step up or will lose to england ireland and scotland. Have potential to beat all but not sure their winning streak will last.

France big pack but cant run through teams these days, england will have a physical but more mobile pack as will the others. Win v italy maybe a BPor 2

Italy not good enough as always which is a shame. Always seem to push england but woll lose in the last 20 as they will to the others. Though they didnt to scotland.

Mine is educated guesses and my opinions. I

 

Ooh, I totally forgot to update!

I still say Scotland wins this weekend, but that's only pure wishing - intellectually, I think that's a pretty tall order, especially since Ireland will be stinging from Saturday... Close one with Ireland getting a losing BP.

I agree, hard to see Italy winning much of anything ... I originally had them penciled in for 2 wins, but then, well, you know, I actually watched them. BP win for Wales.

I'm rooting for England to backslide and get shocked by France - again, hard to imagine, but it'd make the 6N far more interesting, eh? France by 8 in a shocker.

Remember, all predictions wrong or your money back!

 

I think my last order was:
Ireland
England
Wales
Scotland
France
Italy

All I'd be willing to switch so far is England top and Ireland 2nd. Scotland for whatever reason just stopped playing, I don't think this was fitness or just being a mess like France, I think they just stuck it in neutral. Assuming they don't do this again I think this will be the first year they'll win in France - though I don't think Scotland would recover as well as Wales, especially away from home.

Likewise I don't think Wales would recover as well (if they start the same) away at Murrayfield so it's possible Scotland could take 3rd. With the home games England now have I think it's almost theirs to lose. They've got to be feeling confident after a win in Dublin and no team is going to be particularly confident going to Twickenham, the final game against Scotland could be a massive win - and I mean massive in scoreline.

If Scotland cause another upset like 2017 and beat Ireland, well, England will be smiling.

 

What Scotland are lacking, compared with other top sides in the comp, are battle hardened warriors in the forwards. I also think the coaching team could do with a bad cop to get the players fired up. Townsend is a smart coach but if you look at the other sides, Wales have Gatland & Edwards, Ireland have Andy Farrell. Some coaches have that knack of extracting the most out of players by getting them fired up - Cockers has that knack as has been seen with Edinburgh. Danny Wilson is also an astute coach but I don't know if he has that edgy side to him. I know Scotland brought in Shaun Wane who has that tough guy approach but I don't know how prominent he is in the coaching set up.

Ireland will be massively fired up this weekend and I just hope Scotland are prepared to match them on the intensity front. The likes of Russell, Hogg and Laidlaw will also need to be at the top of their game.

 

Will be the big game this weekend and I can't wait... it will tell us more about Scotland than the last 2/3 years has because Ireland are gonna be foaming at the mouth. If Scotland can get the win (which I do doubt but stranger things and all) it will be the next step forward towards being contenders for the RWC.

 

While it will be a step forward towards the WC, Scotland realistically need to win the 6N's first. I remember they had the ridiculous aim of winning the 2015 6N's and WC. Ambition is fine and all, but it needed to be a realistic target. I reckon they have the potential to win the 6N's, in fact I thought that 2 years ago was their best opportunity, but they need to show they can play consistently and win big games under pressure before you can consider them contenders.

 

For the neutral maybe. I don't want interesting, I want victorious.

 

... and that is basically what I'm saying, Ireland are coming to Murrayfield in a fit of rage. If (& it's a big if) Scotland can get the result it would be a big step forward in their journey to be considered contenders (didn't say it would make them contenders).

 

I recall that claim and have a feeling it was more to avoid any defeatist/negative allegations in the media. It's one of these no-win situations where a journo fires a question and if the answer is 'Well we probably won't/can't win the 6N or the WC' then the headlines are all about the coach being defeatist and negative which will then rub off on the players. I can't remember who actually made that claim but Cotter and Townsend tend to conduct themselves very well in the media and not say anything daft.

Scotland have shaken a few monkeys off their back in the last two years such as beating Wales, Ireland and England at home in the 6N. The next step is to beat these teams again when the pressure is on (like this weekend) and start winning away from home. Beating two of Ireland/France/Wales would be a big step forward. Beating only one of them would be disappointing. Fine lines.

It'll also be interesting to see how Wales & Ireland cope after the departures of Schmidt and Gatland, both of whom have that knack of getting the most of out of their players. We saw two years ago how Wales missed Gatland and were well below par with Howler in charge.

 

That's my fear, as well... All the Irish podcasts I listen to seem to be predicting a massive beat down. If Scotland can overcome an Irish side this fired up, we may have to entirely re-examine their potential ... here's hoping!

 

I'm not confident of a win in Murrayfield. Its surely the biggest game this championship for Scotland with the World Cup in mind and they had a walk in the park against Italy, and haven't traveled once yet. We've also lost the form player in the country this season in Ringrose.

 

Yeah I know and I did think I should have clarified more. I was more highlighting that they should focus on winning the 6N's first before talking about the WC. Doesn't mean they can't win the world cup or go deep into the tournament though.

I believe it was Dodson and it was a target for the whole of the union rather than just the team. I'm all for ambitious targets, but that was ridiculous. There is a difference between saying you can win and that it is your target to win, because what do you do when you don't hit the target? Especially when you were never likely to hit it anyway.
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Big test of their mettle... if Ireland did lose on Saturday, well it would be such a blow that I'm not sure if the confidence could be rebuilt in time for the World Cup.