RBS 6 Nations 2012 - who wins?

As we are only a couple of months away from the big kick off, I thought I would ask for everyones opinions on who you think is going to win this years tournament.

And as a bonus question (you can click more than one answer!) do you think someone will do the grand slam?

Let's hear your predictions folks.

There's already a thread on this (with a poll) with almost 100 comments!

https://www.606v2.com/t18086-six-nations-2012-predictions

I've opted for France and no grand slam. I don't think Wales will actually have an all that successful tournament despite all the hype. Lots of factors really; injuries, player selection and of course the amount of time available to train as a squad. I believe Wales are a team that need more than just a couple of weeks to gel, teams like France seem to be able to get together and just turn out a performance, but then, that's just like them I guess!

France for me still look the strongest.

Am going for a table of France, Ireland, Wales, England, Scotland, Italy.

My tuppence.

England (no GS as we'll probably fall to Ireland again)
France
Ireland
Wales
Italy
Scotland

Similar to the last one except I see Scotland losing to Italy and getting the spoon.

No GS.

France
Wales
England
Ireland
Scotland
Italy

I cant believe that Scotland has more votes than Wales so far!

Can't see past France, think it will end something like this with potentially Ireland, England and Wales finishing on about the same points.

France (no GS)
Ireland
England
Wales
Scotland
Italy

France all the way although it will be close between them and Wales (Hopefully ireland too!) I think someone will beat france though so no GS

I'd put a cheeky bet on the Scots , they didn't have a terrible world cup and there domestic sides have both had some cracking results.

i chose france but have feeling ireland could win 6ns but prob have there usual loss in france. irish clubs once again flying in heineken cup and will def fancy taking wales in lansdowne on opening day.

going be tihght tho with 4 teams as usual in with realistic chance

hard to look past france.

1 vote for Wales?

Where the blind optimism chaps.

Whilst I think France are paper favourites it really is a case of the cliche "depends which France turns up", much as it is with England its very hard to predict where they are as a team. Their world ranking and world cup progress doesnt tell us anymore ab out how theyve been playing than it did about England in 07, France had a pretty appalling world cup despite somehow nearly winning the thing. New coach new players who knows.

Agree with the "4 sides who could win" theory. France are the only one I imagine could put together an unstoppable machine of a side that steamrolls everyone, if theres a slam Id go with them.
I put a small bet on Ireland at 6-1 odds though, seemed generous.

SafeAsMilk wrote:My tuppence.

England (no GS as we'll probably fall to Ireland again)
France
Ireland
Wales
Italy
Scotland

Similar to the last one except I see Scotland losing to Italy and getting the spoon.

england you have turned sour mate

England

England.

Wales being massively overhyped based on a World Cup where they beat just one tier one nation, Ireland. France are good, but a touch inconsistent. Ireland are going backwards at the minute and will have a torrid campaign. The team to win this year is England, who have good depth to their squad and, more importantly, they have a team and a coach with an extreme urge to win. Meanwhile, Scotland and Italy will be underrated by some.

Predictions (teams to win in Capitals)

FRANCE v Italy
Scotland v ENGLAND
Ireland v WALES

Italy v ENGLAND
FRANCE v Ireland
Wales v SCOTLAND

Ireland v ITALY
ENGLAND v Wales
SCOTLAND v France

WALES v Italy
IRELAND v Scotland
France v ENGLAND

ITALY v Scotland
WALES v France
ENGLAND v Ireland

Standings

England - 10
Wales - 6
France -4
Scotland - 4
Italy -4
Ireland - 2

Duty 281...I think your pride over comes reality. You are seriously trying to tell me England are going to beat France in France. Beat Ireland on St. Patrick's Day and Wales in their form? That seems plausible aha

The outcome is sure to be influenced to some extent by decisions made by England.

They still have the players to win the 6N, and it depends on whether the caretaker coach sticks largely with the status quo and looks for results right away, or whether he is brave enough to begin England's re-building for 2015.

A development England side is unlikely to beat Ireland or France, but may squeak it against the Welsh, and should still comfortably account for Scotland and Italy.

With injuries and retirements in key areas, Lancaster may choose to put his marker down early and distance himself from the previous administration. Balance that against England's desperate need to regain some lost credibility. An exciting time for England fans, and fans of 6N rugby in general.

I'm picking France to win it, England and Wales tied on wins and Ireland to head off the perennially disappointing Scotland and Italy.

If it lye's as it is in the world cup form Wales and France. All this negativity towards Ireland?? They were easy one of the form teams from the northern hemisphere in the RWC behind Wales. Beating Australia and Italy comfortably. Wales beat Ireland yes but they didn't beat South Africa and came second in there group. Ireland won outright, sure they lost against a better welsh side on the day and hats of to them. Ireland lost one game and finished in the last 8. Wales lost 3 games and still came 4th. Im not arguing that wales are less superior its just a matter of opinion. Im not saying they will win the 6N, just putting that out there. England in my opinion are this year fighting for third place, 0 - 16 at half time tells it all against France says my predictions. I know it can't be based on one game but they were awful in all aspects of the RWC(even off the field) Italy to create a shock beating one of the big teams.

My predictions:

FRANCE v Italy
Scotland v ENGLAND (Close by Scotland but England Secure it late on)
IRELAND v Wales ( Tight but Ireland for Revenge)

Italy v ENGLAND
FRANCE v Ireland ( France Edge it)
WALES v Scotland

IRELAND v Italy ( Ireland by 10)
England v WALES ( Wales by 5 )
Scotland v FRANCE

WALES v Italy
IRELAND v Scotland
FRANCE v Italy

ITALY v Scotland ( Italy shock)
WALES v France ( Wales pull off a shocker)
England v IRELAND ( Ireland by 5 or more)

France win
Wales and Ireland on points differnece fight for 2nd!



[b]

RugbyFan182 wrote:Duty 281...I think your pride over comes reality. You are seriously trying to tell me England are going to beat France in France. Beat Ireland on St. Patrick's Day and Wales in their form? That seems plausible aha

France in France? Yep never done have we?

news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/7041317.stm

Ireland on St.Patricks day? Doesn't mean a jot in England.

Wales on current form? You mean losing to Australia, France and South Africa? I'm terrified!

England Grand Slam Champions 2012!

Keep dreaming and there gonna win Euro 2012 aswell I suppose hahaha. Just goes to show how pro country some people can be haha.



Here watch this: youtube.com/watch?v=zB5eu0EwK34

I honestly think France will win it this year, they've got a great mix of world class players and new exciting talent, with likes of Dusautoir, Clerc, Parra, Bonnaire, Servat, Harinordoguy, etc... they have a reliable and consistent core of leaders in the team and now that the crazy antagonizing coach Marc Lievremont is gone they won't be so distracted by him slating them in the media every other week!

Wales was a very convincing side at the RWC with some very talented players and in my opinion Warren Garland is doing a really good job coaching them. If anyone is going to take the Grand Slam away from France it will be Wales at the Millennium Stadium on the 17th on march!

England will have something to prove! The changes made to the squad are very intriguing to say the least and I feel that Lancaster will be big on discipline so we should definitely watch out for England because they are as always a major contender to the title and a threat to any rugby team!

1. France(GS)
2.England
3.Wales
4.Ireland
5.Italy
6.Scotland

Going on world cup form then there will only be three teams in the running
France only included in the top three because of their performance in the final.
In my opinion this years six nations will be between France Ireland and Wales.
England could well be in the mix but at the momment they are a unproven side that has a new coaching team.

RugbyFan182 wrote:Duty 281...I think your pride over comes reality. You are seriously trying to tell me England are going to beat France in France. Beat Ireland on St. Patrick's Day and Wales in their form? That seems plausible aha

Whilst I agree that the post was very optimistic, England have beaten France in France in the last 2 out of 3 matches there. They have a good record in Paris.

Wales have won at Twickenham once in the last 20 odd years, so I don't see why an England victory is so hard to believe...

Ireland could well batter England though, especially on Paddy's day, but I can see that being England's only loss.

miteyironpaw wrote:A development England side is unlikely to beat Ireland or France, but may squeak it against the Welsh, and should still comfortably account for Scotland and Italy.

Two questions here:

1) Have you seen the Scottish sides play recently?

2) You do know that the game's at Murrayfield, don't you?

Duty281 wrote:Wales being massively overhyped based on a World Cup where they beat just one tier one nation, Ireland. France are good, but a touch inconsistent. Ireland are going backwards at the minute and will have a torrid campaign. The team to win this year is England, who have good depth to their squad and, more importantly, they have a team and a coach with an extreme urge to win. Meanwhile, Scotland and Italy will be underrated by some.

Predictions (teams to win in Capitals)

FRANCE v Italy
Scotland v ENGLAND
Ireland v WALES

Italy v ENGLAND
FRANCE v Ireland
Wales v SCOTLAND

Ireland v ITALY
ENGLAND v Wales
SCOTLAND v France

WALES v Italy
IRELAND v Scotland
France v ENGLAND

ITALY v Scotland
WALES v France
ENGLAND v Ireland

Standings

England - 10
Wales - 6
France -4
Scotland - 4
Italy -4
Ireland - 2

Where you high when you typed this out squire? Ireland finishing bottom of the 6n table despite challenging well in the league and dominating the HC? Irish rugby domestically has arguably never been stronger yet you have us losing at home to Italy? Some Irish lass with red locks and a decent bust jilt you or something?

My heart says England but my head says not. I'd have to say I think it will finish thus:

Ireland
France
Wales
England
Scotland
Italy

I think Scotland will win against England for what its worth.

Where you high when you typed this out squire? Ireland finishing bottom of the 6n table despite challenging well in the league and dominating the HC? Irish rugby domestically has arguably never been stronger yet you have us losing at home to Italy? Some Irish lass with red locks and a decent bust jilt you or something?

Are You joking me ? Hahahaha Ireland come last in the 6n??? They have a great chance of wining it!!!! Equo Troina YOU HAVE IT !!!!

No SLAM this year, It will be too tight. Its all about the Championship.
If Ireland get off to a flyer v Wales (and I think they will) - then, its on to France. That is the key game for me. Beat them, or come close and the Championship is ours. It will all depend on Kidney releasing the Irish backline at long last. If he does that, few teams will live with us.

Let em rip Deccie.

1. Ireland
2. France
3. Wales
4. England
5. Scotland
6. Italy

Heart Ireland, head France.

Only prediction I'm confident of making is that the top 3 will consist of Ireland, Wales and France in some order and the bottom 3 will consist of England, Scotland and Italy in some order.

I thought Duty was being unreasonable when I read his post before the penny dropped. Ireland finishing on -2? Formatting is everything

heart england gs
head england no gs

Even though i'm slightly biased i would be bitterly dissapointed if we lost to England. Their ok and we're not great but at home considering we haven't lost since 2004 i think we should do it. Parks being ten is a disaster though, still no tries.