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Cymro · Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2006 11:02 am Post subject: 6 Nations 2007

Just booked my flights for myself and 2 others to fly uo from Manchester to Glasgow to watch the Scotland vs Wales match of the 6 Nations on February the 10th. Staying in Glasgow - Travelodge, and catching the train into Edinburgh on the Satyurday for the match.

I think Scotland could do well in the tournament this season. Showed glimpses of it last season beating England and France.

What Glasgow pubs are good for 5 Welshmen? My father in law allways swears by the Highland Pubs, where all the Highlanders go when in Glasgow. The Islay Inn is one of them I think? What are they like?

Blackleaf · Posted: Sat Nov 18, 2006 6:57 pm Post subject:

England will win it.
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Blackleaf · Posted: Sat Nov 18, 2006 6:57 pm Post subject:

SIX NATIONS FACTS AND FIGURES (These include when it was also the Five Nations before Italy joined it in 2000)

NUMBER OF TIMES EACH TEAM HAS WON THE TOURNAMENT

England - 25
Wales - 23
France - 15
Scotland - 14
Ireland - 10
Italy - 0
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NUMBER OF GRANDSLAMS EACH TEAM HAS WON

England - 12
Wales - 9
France - 8
Scotland - 3
Ireland - 1
Italy - 0
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NUMBER OF WINS OF THE TRIPLE CROWN (The triple crown only involves the 4 British teams - England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales - and a team wins the Triple Crown if they beat all the three other British teams in a tournament)

England - 23
Wales - 19
Scotland - 10
Ireland - 8
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Longest periods of time gone by for each team without winning the tournament

France - 44 years (37 tournaments: 1910-1954)
Scotland - 28 years (21 tournaments: 1938-1964)
Ireland - 22+ years (1985-present)
England - 18 years (1892-1910)
Wales - 11 years (1994-2005)
Italy - 7+ years (2000-present)
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THE YEAR IN WHICH EACH TEAM LAST WON THE TOURNAMENT

France - 2006
Wales - 2005 (Grand Slam)
England - 2003 (Grand Slam)
Scotland - 1999
Ireland - 1985
Italy - Never
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THE LAST YEAR IN WHICH THE TITLE WAS SHARED

1988 (Wales and France)
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THE LAST YEAR IN WHICH, INCREDIBLY. ALL THE TEAMS FINISHED ON EQUAL POINTS ARE SO WERE ALL DECLARED WINNERS

1973 (When it was still the Five Nations)
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Black Sabbath - 1970

Wolf of Badenoch · Posted: Sun Nov 19, 2006 10:12 pm Post subject:

Cymro · Posted: Sun Dec 03, 2006 9:31 am Post subject:

Still think England will win it Blackleaf?

Personaly I think Ireland will get it, though not the Grand Slam.

Blackleaf · Posted: Sun Dec 03, 2006 11:32 am Post subject:

England will win it. We only have to play bloody Wales, Scotland and Ireland. The feeble French aren't doing very well, so we'll beat them. Ad the Italians are no-hopers.

This is gonna be a good winter for English sport when we've won both the Six Nations and the Ashes.
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Black Sabbath - 1970

Cymro · Posted: Sun Dec 03, 2006 6:03 pm Post subject:

Blackleaf do you actually follow Rugby Union?

Italy vastly improved, England should beat them but no longer Cannon Fodder. Give them another 3 or 4 years and we could well see the 6 Nations heading down there.

Ireland, are probably the best team at the moment though ageing.

Wales, at there best are a great rugby side, depending on injuries should push but I have a feeling we wont win.

Scotland, vastly improved like Italy and seem to be big match players, remember the English against them last season?

French, definatly not rubbish. Can go either way - either fantastic or rubbish. But usually against the big teams incl England can raise their match.

England, lost 8 out of last 9. Erm, thats about it.

Scott2006 · Posted: Sun Dec 03, 2006 9:37 pm Post subject:

Ireland should be good enough to win the 6 Nations, with the mighty England third or at a push second best.
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The Scottish Parliamentarians who voted for Treaty of Union in 1706 and signed away Independence had been voted for by less than 2% of the Scottish population

Cymro · Posted: Mon Dec 04, 2006 11:25 am Post subject:

Oh, and Blackleaf, the 6 Nations runs until the spring, so if they did manage to make anything of the tournament, it wouldn't be a good Winter for English sport.

Something tells me you don't really know what you are talking about with Rugby and 6 Nations do you?

SLG · Posted: Mon Dec 04, 2006 1:54 pm Post subject:

We don't really get to see much of France here, I'd imagine they'll be there or there abouts. I think it could be another really open competition with everyone apart from Italy in with a shout. Ireland probably just favourites though.

elidir · Nationalist Joined: 18 Jun 2006 Posts: 140

Ireland are definite favourites although they have faltered in that position before and an ageing team tends to mean greater chance of injury, if they loose their first choice props they might be vulnerable in an area which has returned to being crucial in the northern hemishpere - the scrum. I'd put Wales and france as joint second favourites, especially if Jenkins can balance his midfield partnership and the backrow (although I'm not sure of Jenkins' tactical acumen so far with playing an unfit stephen jones against the all blacks with Hook and henson's creativity on the bench and two running crash centres in Parker and Shanklin in midfield; France have an abundance of talent but can't seem to get the balance right throughout the team. They may be due for some great performances however.

Not much between Scotland, Italy and england but watch out for Italy there will be an upset IMO. Scotland are difficult to judge as their autumn international wins were against mediocre sides and were beaten easily by an average australia, but have improved greatly. Italy only lost to Australia by one converted try - everyone watch out! England? I'm tempted to say who cares, they lost to Argentina and to a massively understrength springboks (11 players left at home). England don't appear to have a style at the moment (what's new I hear you cry?) - solution? Watch out for a return to the juggernaut pack and a continuation of boring rugby as at the moment that's all they seem to have to offer - deja vu; they may bring back some older players but that will only be a stop gap solution. Actually, Cymro if england play italy away then it might be worth a flutter on Italy.

Ireland have the only chance of a grand slam IMO as they play France (and england- but most importantly - france) at home. I think that bar any other major upset only Wales can stop them in cardiff - if we start the campaign well and not slowly as has been the case before.

Generally, if Ireland falter it could become a very open championship!

O! and Pinkleaf, less of the "bloody" - you objectionable and intolerant little troll!

Cymro · Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2007 11:32 am Post subject:

Just got 3 tickets for the match so everythnig is sorted now! Anyone else going toi any of the 6 Nations Matches?

Blackleaf · Posted: Sat Feb 03, 2007 11:01 am Post subject:

Watchout, Scotland. Jonny Wilkinson is playing for England today for the first time since his Drop Goal in Extra Time of the 2003 Rugby Union World Cup Final against Australia won England the World Cup.

Also playing is Andy Farrell, who used to be a Rugby League player for Wigan Warriors and England but has now switched codes to Rugby Union. This week the Scotland coach admitted that Farrell is probably the best player in the world.

Scotland haven't beaten England at Twickenham since 1983. But now Twickenham will be even more intimidating now that it has been enlargened to an 80,000 capacity.
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Wilko, fit for purpose
by PAUL SIMS

2nd February 2007

England's 2003 World Cup winning hero returns today against Scotland.

He is one of sport's most reluctant superstars.

But today - after 1,167 days, 11 injuries and a series of ill-fated comebacks - the spotlight will turn once again to Jonny Wilkinson.

England's Rugby World Cup hero has been forced to watch from the sidelines ever since his dramatic extra-time drop goal won the tournament in 2003.

Despite the MBE, the BBC sports personality award and reported £4 million annual earnings, his long absence from international duty has left him a tortured soul.

For such an obsessive competitor it has been a long and hard road.

Limited to a number of cameo appearances for his club, Newcastle Falcons, Wilkinson endured a nightmare of career-threatening injuries, including a fractured vertebrae, knee ligament damage, a torn thigh muscle and, more recently, a lacerated kidney.

Many were left asking if the fly-half, the country's record points scorer, would ever play again. The lowest point came in January 2005 when he smashed his knee during a European Cup tie in Perpignan.

He later admitted that he sat in the dressing room crying tears of frustration, fearing he may never play rugby again.

"I massively lost my way," he said.

His misery was compounded when he split up from his girlfriend, Diana Stewart, the former Marks & Spencer model.

England's greatest sporting moment since 1966: Jonny Wilkinson scores the Drop Goal in Extra Time of the 2003 Rugby World Cup Final against Australia that won England the World Cup

Their three-year romance began in 2001 as Miss Stewart, 27, studied for a Spanish and German degree at Newcastle University.

They shared a love of sport but Miss Stewart moved to London to attend theatre school soon after graduation while Wilkinson remained in Newcastle.

His devotion to rugby and her pursuit of a career with Sky Sports News saw them drift apart and in November 2004 they confirmed that they had split up.

Wilkinson refused to give up on his international career and threw himself into training, using the gym every day at the Northumberland farmhouse he shares with his brother.

Shunning fast food, chocolate and alcohol, he rediscovered his drive for perfection and control.

It was no different to his teenage years. When friends were out partying, Wilkinson was typically in the gym.

"I live to play rugby," he said recently.

"It has been my life since I was four. Watching was so hard when all I wanted to do was show people I was willing to put my body on the line every week." The reluctant sex symbol, who describes fame as "an empty concept", lives surrounded by those he trusts.

His mother Philippa and father Phil, who is his manager, live nearby and his brother Mark also plays for the Falcons.

Now, as he prepares to pull on his No 10 jersey for the 53rd time, his dream of picking up from where he left off with England has finally come true.

At 4pm in front of 80,000 at Twickenham, he will line up alongside his teammates to face Scotland in the opening game of their RBS Six Nations campaign.

Remarkably, considering the run of setbacks, he will do so with a bank balance buoyed by lucrative deals with Adidas, Lucozade, Northern Rock, M&S, Travelex, Boots, and fashion brand Hackett - as well as £250,000 earnings from his club.

English sport is holding out for a hero - so, will Jonny be good?

dailymail.co.uk

England's 2007 RBS 6 Nations squad

Forwards:

Alex Brown - Gloucester Rugby
George Chuter - Leicester Tigers
Martin Corry - Leicester Tigers
Louis Deacon - Leicester Tigers
Perry Freshwater - Perpignan
Danny Grewcock - Bath Rugby
Magnus Lund - Sale Sharks
Lee Mears - Bath Rugby
Lewis Moody - Leicester Tigers
Tim Payne - London Wasps
Tom Palmer - London Wasps
Tom Rees - London Wasps
Steve Thompson - Northampton Saints
Phil Vickery - London Wasps (capt)
Dan Ward-Smith - Bristol Rugby
Julian White - Leicester Tigers
Joe Worsley - London Wasps
-------------------------------

Backs:

Iain Balshaw - Gloucester Rugby
Mike Catt - London Irish
Mark Cueto - Sale Sharks
Harry Ellis - Leicester Tigers
Andy Farrell - Saracens
Toby Flood - Newcastle Falcons
Shane Geraghty - London Irish
Josh Lewsey - London Wasps
Olly Morgan - Gloucester Rugby
Jamie Noon - Newcastle Falcons
Shaun Perry - Bristol Rugby
Jason Robinson - Sale Sharks
Peter Richards - Gloucester Rugby
Paul Sackey - London Wasps
Mathew Tait - Newcastle Falcons
Mike Tindall - Gloucester Rugby
Jonny Wilkinson - Newcastle Falcons
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Black Sabbath - 1970

Blackleaf · Posted: Sat Feb 03, 2007 12:48 pm Post subject:

SIX NATIONS TEAM GUIDES

ENGLAND

Odds to win tournament: 4/1

Coach - Brian Ashton

Stadium: Twickenham (capacity 82,000)

Captain: Phil Vickery

Prospects: Since the 2003 World Cup win, England have finished third, fourth and fourth in the Six Nations. They also lost eight of their last nine matches under Andy Robinson, so all eyes will be on the combination of new coach - Ashton was promoted from England attack guru in December - and captain to arrest the slide, initially, and then cobble together a decent defence of the World Cup.

Coach's view: "We had to go right back to square one. We've had a massive reality check after losing eight of our last nine games.

"We know where we are in world rugby and we've got to do something about it.

"But this is a joint venture, not the Brian Ashton show. This is the start of a process. But we have got players who are bright enough and talented enough to evolve the game."

Verdict: "England are in a better position than people give them credit for. They've got people coming back from injury and a new coach who will not leave anything behind in the changing room or on the training ground. There's no more excuses. They've got a licence to go and play with ambition."
Former England scrum-half Matt Dawson
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FRANCE

Odds to win tournament: 5/2

Coach - Bernard Laporte

Stadium - Stade de France (capacity 80,000)

Captain - Fabien Pelous

Prospects: With the World Cup at home in eight months' time, the Six Nations champions are under serious pressure to perform. France beat Ireland on points difference last year but lost to Scotland along the way. Heavy defeats to New Zealand in the autumn suggest they are still haunted by inconsistency.

Coach's view: "First of all we want to defend our title, and then we have the World Cup, so all the players will be motivated to keep their places. About 21 players are already there for the World Cup squad, so there are still nine places available."

Verdict: "The expectation is huge in the French team. It's the first time the squad of 40 players will be together for seven weeks.

"It's the dream of every player to win the World Cup in France, so for this we need Six Nations success. France will be strong but it's more open than ever with four teams - France, Ireland, England, Wales - capable of winning."
Former France captain Philippe Saint-Andre
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IRELAND

Odds to win tournament - 6/4

Coach - Eddie O'Sullivan

Stadium - Croke Park (capacity 82,000. A Gaelic Football stadium, Ireland are using it whilst Landsdowne Road is rebuilt)

Captain - Brian O'Driscoll

Prospects: Most people's idea of the favourites after tying on points with champions France last year and beating Australia and South Africa in the autumn. Runners-up to England in 2003, Triple Crown winners in 2004 and 2006 but blew a title bid in 2005, losing at home to France and again in Cardiff as Wales clinched the Grand Slam.

Ireland last won the Grand Slam in 1948 but they could be further inspired by playing at Croke Park - home of the Gaelic Athletic Association - while Lansdowne Road is rebuilt. The 82,300-capacity "Croker" was previously barred from staging "foreign" sports.

Coach's view: "The Six Nations is all about momentum and if you can generate it early on you give yourself a chance of coming out on top. But if you don't start well, it can be very difficult. If we live off what we did in the autumn we are not going to go anywhere. We need to park that and get on with the job in front of us."

Verdict: "If we play as well as we can, I think we can win all of our matches. I've never said that before. In the past we've needed other sides to play badly, but we don't need that now. A few injuries would put us under pressure - losing Shane Horgan is a big blow - and a lot depends on what goes on with the scrummaging."
Former Ireland captain Keith Wood
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ITALY

Odds to win tournament: 200/1

Coach - Pierre Berbizier

Stadium - Stadio Flaminio (capacity 25,000)

Captain - Marco Bortolami

Prospects: The recent resurgence of Scotland suggests Italy are looking at a sixth Wooden Spoon in eight attempts, but they are improving year on year and could well spring a few surprises. They possess a powerful pack and a core of talented players but have struggled to make the most of their opportunities.

Have only won three matches in the tournament, as well as a draw with Wales in Cardiff last year, and are still chasing a first away win.

Coach's view: "We demonstrated last year that we can be competitive for 80 minutes. It is having the experience at a particular moment to win the game that we need to improve, especially at the end of the game."

Verdict: "Our target is to be at 100% for all five matches. The first two matches (against France and England) are going to be very tough but we are going to put a lot of intensity into those and perform as well as we can. It is always a small chance to win a Six Nations match but if we stop giving away easy tries and take our opportunities, it will be very interesting for us."
Italy captain Marco Bortolami
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SCOTLAND

Odds to win tournament: 25/1

Captain - Frank Hadden

Stadium - Murrayfield (capcity 68,000)

Captain - Chris Paterson

Prospects: New coach Frank Hadden worked wonders in the wake of Australian Matt Williams' ill-fated reign, leading Scotland to shock home wins over France and England en route to third place in last year's championship. But other nations may have made more advances in the interim, while Scotland's cause may be further hampered by the loss for the tournament of injured captain Jason White.

Coach's view: "We did reasonably well last year and we have to build on that now. We have got some new targets and we want to continue to be more competitive. I expect us to make continued progress even if we are not at full strength."

Verdict: "Hadden has got Scotland playing with self-belief, confidence and the characteristics associated with Scottish rugby - pride, passion and total commitment. The areas of vulnerability are front row and fly-half. To sneak an away win would be magnificent, and certainly we want to win two if not all three of our home matches. My heart says we'll finish near the top, my head says in the middle."
Former Scotland skipper David Sole
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WALES

Odds to win tournament - 6/1

Coach - Gareth Jenkins

Stadium - Millennium Stadium (capacity 75,000)

Captain - Stephen Jones

Prospects: Gareth Jenkins' first Six Nations in charge. The 2005 Grand Slam triumph is a distant memory after recording only one win last year. But an opening victory against Ireland in Cardiff could prove pivotal, though Wales then face three straight away matches.

Coach's view: "On our day we can beat any side in the world, and my challenge is to make us far more consistent, getting a high quality of performance in place each week.

"It is one game at a time and we can't allow ourselves to be sidetracked by looking beyond Ireland (first game). But one thing I want is to win the tournament, and if that means having consistency of selection (rather than experimenting), then I am prepared to do that."

Verdict: "Wales have a very talented squad, though we've lost a couple of players through injury. Our strength is an ability to create. We've some very talented footballers in the backline if they are allowed to play their natural game. But they need a solid platform up front. Ireland are pre-tournament favourites with Wales second. "
Former Wales captain Ieuan Evans

news.bbc.co.uk/sport
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Blackleaf · Posted: Sat Feb 03, 2007 6:10 pm Post subject:

Blackleaf · Posted: Sat Feb 03, 2007 6:59 pm Post subject:

There was a new record, too. Wilkinson scored 27 of England's 42 points which, believe it or not, is the most points ever scored by one man in an England/Scotland game. His record beats England's Rob Andrews record.

Wilkinson makes his presence felt when he calmly slots home a penalty to open the scoring and put England ahead

There was a bit of a worry when blood started pouring from a gash in Wilkinson's face. England fans were thinking: "Oh no. He's not got another serious injury again, has he?" But it was minor and he went on to tear the Scots aparts like lambs in a lions' cage.

Early in the game Scotland took a surpise lead, scoring this try to go 8-6 ahead.

But Scotland kept making too many mistakes and gifting England penalties, which were duly slotted away by Wilkinson

Jason Robinson smiles as he scores the first of his two tries

His second try coming when Sean Lamont fumbled the ball leaving Robinson to pounce on it.

Wilkinson, probably getting bored of just kicking goals, then decided that he would score a try, too.
------------------------------------

A Magnus Lund try put England 42-13 in front, before Scotland got a late consolation try.

So, after a year's absence, the Calcutta Cup is back in England's hands again. But Scotland fans shouldn't be too depressed. They didn't quite leave Twickenham empty handed........

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Black Sabbath - 1970

Cymro · Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2007 8:15 am Post subject:

You wrote a lot there Blackleaf, well Cut and Pasted anyway.

So do you think they'll win?

England had a good win today, though I'm sure you'll accept that Wilkinsons try was no way a try as his right foot was outside of touch when he put the ball down.

I had a bad feeling that Wilkinson might win the game for England when I heard he was selected.

I see Ireland winning the 6 Nations again this season. Though potentially if Wales win their first 4 matches as do England the Grand Slam descìder will be the last match of the 6 Nations - Wales vs England at the Millenium Stadium! That would be immense!

But (no disrespect Scotland) you didn't really play one of the tournaments largest teams yesterday - if you beat Ireland and/or France by a simmilar score then you are start believing in keeping the World Cup or even winning the 6 Nations. Worrying for the English is that they only won because of Wilkinson. If Wilkinson is injured again will you struggle to win? You need a team win not individual winning games for you.

Against the likes of Wales, France and Ireland you will have players who are equally competent (if not better) in scoring from the boot - O'Gara, Steven Jones, James Hook, Gavin Henson, and Skrela.

Blackleaf · Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2007 11:27 am Post subject:

SLG · Posted: Sun Feb 04, 2007 11:52 am Post subject:

Thought Scotland were rubbish. Gone backwards since last year. Think England will be lucky to get results against Ireland and France though.

Cymro · Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2007 12:10 pm Post subject: