Six Nations 2012 predictions...!

This is one of those threads designed for us to have a decent debate on the chances or lack of chances for each nation months in advance of the actual tournament so that we can see either how right or how wrong we were several months later.


RBS Six Nations Fixtures

Sat 4th Feb 12 14:30 France v Italy Stade de France
Sat 4th Feb 12 17:00 Scotland v England Murrrayfield
Sun 5th Feb 12 15:00 Ireland v Wales Aviva Stadium

Sat 11th Feb 12 16:00 Italy v England Stadio Olimpico
Sat 11th Feb 12 20:00 France v Ireland Stade de France
Sun 12th Feb 12 15:00 Wales v Scotland Millennium Stadium

Sat 25th Feb 12 13:30 Ireland v Italy Aviva Stadium
Sat 25th Feb 12 16:00 England v Wales Twickenham
Sun 26th Feb 12 15:00 Scotland v France Murrayfield

Sat 10th Mar 12 14:30 Wales v Italy Millennium Stadium
Sat 10th Mar 12 17:00 Ireland v Scotland Aviva Stadium
Sun 11th Mar 12 15:00 France v England Stade de France

Sat 17th Mar 12 12:30 Italy v Scotland Stadio Olimpico
Sat 17th Mar 12 14:45 Wales v France MIllennium Stadium
Sat 17th Mar 12 17:00 England v Ireland Twickenham


So pin your opinions to your chest an march in to tell us who will do what to who. Though I do not want to read people posting just to disagree with other posters when they do not forecast a prediction themselves. If you do not have the cojones to state your own thoughts before you wish to disagree with someone else's then you are a poor sport.

Based on there RWC form,first the RWC holders France,second Wales,others anywhere.
Ireland without BOD may struggle,England IF they get themselves sorted
COULD be contenders.
Scotland despite having to play there games in the worst of the weather,
IF they can find the tryline could pull of some surprises.
Italy the odd man out will pick up at least one win

I Would say either France, Wales or England.

The French had a interesting world cup, Loosing to Tonga and Nz (Twice). The played the best rugby out of the Northern Hemisphere (at times) but i just have a hunch they wont preform as well in the 6N as they did (In some games) In the World cup.

Wales are hard to predict, before the world cup i would've bet my mortgage that they wouldn't preform as well as they did. Pretty Much in all their Matches they were the better team.

England is the team with a point to prove, a poor world cup on and off the pitch. I cant see the players taking any game lightly. England also have Ireland and wales at home which is a massive factor.

But with out any of the Squads named these are just Pure Hunches

Personally i feel that it will be a very open 6N with either France, Wales, Ireland or England winning. I cant see a GS as i believe that all these teams will take points off eachother.

Really think St Andre going to knock France into shape so I will tip them. Outside that if we can get good win against Australia next month then get off to good start against Ireland we good do well.

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

I have a good feeling that France will be pretty handy this year, Wales are on good form too, and bar a spate of massive injuries then they should do well.

mm,

Not so much case of massive injuries more injury to key players A Jones being obvious one.

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

At least there are no really silly kick off times this year, Sundays are terrible mind.

France (no GS)
England
Ireland
Wales
Italy
Scotland

There has already been at least one thread about this subject.

Based on the WC, and France's new coach.

France
Wales
Ireland
England
Scotland
Italy

However, if Wales can beat Ireland first up then I will be confident of them winning the championship with France at home (possibly a GS if they get confident then they could beat England in Twickernam)

England

France

Wales

Ireland

Scotland

Italy

I voted England First because i am English and i do think England will win.

I voted France secpnd because France was the bestof the NH teams in the Ruby World Cup,With Wales being the second best team.

It realy does depend on what teams are put out, and what injuries their are to key players per team.

What with players retiring, being dropped, who comes in takes their place etc etc.

bedfordwelsh wrote:mm,

Not so much case of massive injuries more injury to key players A Jones being obvious one.

Injuries give other players opportunities. If it wasn't for injuries we wouldn't have Paul james as a reserve loose head to gethin, Craig Mitchell as a reserve to Adam.

There are some great prospects in Simon Gardiner, Joe Rees and I thought Scott Andrew coped very well with Italian loose head Lo Cieciro last night for the last forty minutes

maestegmafia wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:mm,

Not so much case of massive injuries more injury to key players A Jones being obvious one.

There are some great prospects in Simon Gardiner, Joe Rees and I thought Scott Andrew coped very well with Italian loose head Lo Cieciro last night for the last forty minutes

Andrews was only on for 10minutes, and the only scrum we had Racing won against the head...sorry to disappoint

mm,

But Gatland prefered James to Mitchell at T/Head and it didn't work.

Now whether he thinks Mitchell isn't up to it I don't know, Andrews ins't IMO, Gardiner looked great prospect before injury last season.

Not my fave player but Rollerskates down at PTS is looking good at the moment.

PYS that should read lol doh

bedfordwelsh wrote:mm,

But Gatland prefered James to Mitchell at T/Head and it didn't work.

Now whether he thinks Mitchell isn't up to it I don't know, Andrews ins't IMO, Gardiner looked great prospect before injury last season.

Not my fave player but Rollerskates down at PTS is looking good at the moment.

If you mean during the later stages of Wales RWC then Mitchell wasn't fit, hence James selected ahead.

Joe Rees is well worth keeping an eye on.

W606. I thought Andrews was on for longer. I certainly thought he did better. I must have been wrong

obv wales will walk it

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

mm,

Didn't realise Mitchell was injured and there was very little repoted on it.

bedfordwelsh wrote:mm,

Didn't realise Mitchell was injured and there was very little repoted on it.

I read that on other forum sites when the same question was asked elsewhere. Either injured or not fit enough.

I notice though, he didn't make the Exeter team that played Perpignan yesterday.

Ireland being written off despite good HEC performances so far.

Hope that Chief fans don't take this as an offence as none intended but having only recently broken into Welsh squad I was surprised when the news broke saying he was go to Exeter.

I can understand his desire to move as he would always play 2nd fiddle to A Jones but by going over the bridge he will obviously get caught up in the club v country row which could damage his chances.

Amazed to see France are 3rd favourites?

Heart says Wales - head says France so went with France.

There are some very optimistic England supporters on here

I am surprised that Wales and England have more votes than France, though should England sort out and re organise the management and coaching set up and Wales beat Australia then this estimation would change.

munkian wrote:Heart says Wales - head says France so went with France.

There are some very optimistic England supporters on here

Not really, your forgetting who won the last 6 nations.

nathan wrote:

munkian wrote:Heart says Wales - head says France so went with France.

There are some very optimistic England supporters on here

Not really, your forgetting who won the last 6 nations.

England haven't really shown their form of the early games of last years Six Nations since then. There was certainly little to cheer about with England performances pre RWC warm ups and during the RWC.

Now many England fans on here and pundits throughout the media are calling for a total overhaul.

Then again an overhaul and a new coach/manager can bring great dividends if the right man is hired... Look at the appointments of Kidney and Gatland as an example. So I guess personally I can see both arguments.

From your England supporter perspective though I would hope that the coaching and management team to hopefully take england forwards and upwards is decided upon very soon.

maestegmafia wrote:

nathan wrote:

munkian wrote:Heart says Wales - head says France so went with France.

There are some very optimistic England supporters on here

Not really, your forgetting who won the last 6 nations.

England haven't really shown their form of the early games of last years Six Nations since then. There was certainly little to cheer about with England performances pre RWC warm ups and during the RWC.

Now many England fans on here and pundits throughout the media are calling for a total overhaul.

Then again an overhaul and a new coach/manager can bring great dividends if the right man is hired... Look at the appointments of Kidney and Gatland as an example. So I guess personally I can see both arguments.

From your England supporter perspective though I would hope that the coaching and management team to hopefully take england forwards and upwards is decided upon very soon.

but how often are fans and media alike right though? If i remember correctly, in the run up to the WC with Wales run of losses everyone was calling for the Gatlands and his coaches heads. Now look at them, not a bad word about them (rightly so). At international level i believe there's a pretty fine line of getting it right or getting it wrong (for tier 1 teams of course).

maestegmafia wrote:

nathan wrote:

munkian wrote:Heart says Wales - head says France so went with France.

There are some very optimistic England supporters on here

Not really, your forgetting who won the last 6 nations.

England haven't really shown their form of the early games of last years Six Nations since then. There was certainly little to cheer about with England performances pre RWC warm ups and during the RWC.

Now many England fans on here and pundits throughout the media are calling for a total overhaul.

Then again an overhaul and a new coach/manager can bring great dividends if the right man is hired... Look at the appointments of Kidney and Gatland as an example. So I guess personally I can see both arguments.

From your England supporter perspective though I would hope that the coaching and management team to hopefully take england forwards and upwards is decided upon very soon.

What he said

And when was the last time anyone won back to back Six Nations ?

munkian wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

nathan wrote:

munkian wrote:Heart says Wales - head says France so went with France.

There are some very optimistic England supporters on here

Not really, your forgetting who won the last 6 nations.

England haven't really shown their form of the early games of last years Six Nations since then. There was certainly little to cheer about with England performances pre RWC warm ups and during the RWC.

Now many England fans on here and pundits throughout the media are calling for a total overhaul.

Then again an overhaul and a new coach/manager can bring great dividends if the right man is hired... Look at the appointments of Kidney and Gatland as an example. So I guess personally I can see both arguments.

From your England supporter perspective though I would hope that the coaching and management team to hopefully take england forwards and upwards is decided upon very soon.

What he said

And when was the last time anyone won back to back Six Nations ?

that last bit is a good point though!

Agreed its a decent competition at the moment. Italy and Scotland both proved a handful, Ireland and France have been the most consistent, England recent Champions, Wales had a turn of form post last Six Nations. It could be a close run affaire this year.

I wouldn't have said Ireland have been consistent at all

They were great againstt England in last six nations - rubbish afterwards - brilliant against Australie and mediocre against other teams in WC and then pretty much owned by Wales.

The draw has a big influence on the results which is why I guess nobody seems to defend a Grand Slam or that there seems to be a different winner each year.

France seem to have an easy year. You never know with them against the Scots away and have a difficult game against Wales at home. But they have Ireland and England at home and will be looking to avenge their loss to Italy at home. So they have a good chance. Haven´t heard what is going to happen to their coach but they certainly have the players.

England also seem to have a better year with their toughest match away to France but they have England and Wales at home. If Scotland were to be a banana skin it would have to be at Murrayfield so horizontal rain and a nice bog for a ground and you´d say the English could have it tough there. But they have a favourable draw and will look to amend their disappointing RWC. I expect them to be in the running.

Wales played the best rugby it seemed of the NH teams at the RWC. Had Warburton stayed on the field, you´d probably think they would´ve won. But they have a tough draw with Ireland away first up who will be gunning for revenge for their loss at the RWC. England at home presents a problem and France at home on the last day of the tournament could well be a deciding match. They must kick on after their improved performance. I expect good things but too often in the past those good things have not come to fruition like a rare thirst opening the fridge at your parents´place for lunch only to find non-alcoholic beer.

Ireland have their difficult year again with away games to France in particular. The England match at Twickers will be a humdinger but they never seem to do well in France. They have a challenging start with Wales at home followed by France away. Lose either or both those matches and confidence will drop. Win them and they´re in with a great shout.

Scotland have a favourable draw with France and England at home. They have quite a good record against Ireland so the usual story of sneaking an upset win against the big teams of England or France and hoping they don´t slip up against Italy. Scotland vs Wales at MS was a cracker but really a game they should´ve closed out. Supporting Scotland is a tough ask in rugby as just as you think the team can do it, they find a way to let you down. It´s like trying to get a good night´s sleep on an inflatable mattress. You know it won´t make it but when you fall asleep you´re still at maximum inflation and you think you can make it through the night only to wake up in the morning in a broken heap on the floor bereft of air.

Italy is like the mate of yours that isn´t much to look at but does suprisingly well with the ladies. No pressure, no hang-ups. Knows what works for him and tries to limit himself to doing just what he does well. Capable of big surprises like the French scalp this year and leaves you wondering just how the guy does it.

munkian wrote:I wouldn't have said Ireland have been consistent at all

They were great againstt England in last six nations - rubbish afterwards - brilliant against Australie and mediocre against other teams in WC and then pretty much owned by Wales.

I meant over the last ten years not the last six months

Great work kiakahaaotearoa...

maestegmafia wrote:

munkian wrote:I wouldn't have said Ireland have been consistent at all

They were great againstt England in last six nations - rubbish afterwards - brilliant against Australie and mediocre against other teams in WC and then pretty much owned by Wales.

I meant over the last ten years not the last six months

Ireland have one Grand Slam and thats it over the last ten years.

England have 3 victories including a grand slam

France have 5 including 3 (!) grand slams

Wales have 2 - both grandslams

Ireland are just better than Scotland in winning the whole thing whilst France are the most consistent.

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:Scotland have a favourable draw with France and England at home. They have quite a good record against Ireland so the usual story of sneaking an upset win against the big teams of England or France and hoping they don´t slip up against Italy. Scotland vs Wales at MS was a cracker but really a game they should´ve closed out. Supporting Scotland is a tough ask in rugby as just as you think the team can do it, they find a way to let you down. It´s like trying to get a good night´s sleep on an inflatable mattress. You know it won´t make it but when you fall asleep you´re still at maximum inflation and you think you can make it through the night only to wake up in the morning in a broken heap on the floor bereft of air.

kia, loving the analogy!

Think it will be a tough year for Scotland, but not one of heartache - I'm hoping that a handful of the very promising youngsters we have coming thru get properly blooded, and even when they make mistakes (which they will), we stick with them - very much a development year for Scotland with 2015 as the goal

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

I can also see Ireland finishing second above Wales.

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

I can also see Ireland finishing second above Wales.

As much as it pains me to say it I don't see Scotland finishing above England.

munkian wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

munkian wrote:I wouldn't have said Ireland have been consistent at all

They were great againstt England in last six nations - rubbish afterwards - brilliant against Australie and mediocre against other teams in WC and then pretty much owned by Wales.

I meant over the last ten years not the last six months

Ireland have one Grand Slam and thats it over the last ten years.

England have 3 victories including a grand slam

France have 5 including 3 (!) grand slams

Wales have 2 - both grandslams

Ireland are just better than Scotland in winning the whole thing whilst France are the most consistent.

Ireland have More wins in the last four years than England, Scotland, Italy and Wales and have only one less than France. Ireland have won several triple crowns. Over the last ten years their results are second best to France who have been the form team in Europe, with England third, Wales fourth, Scots fifth and Italy last.

France have won 41 matches out of 50
Ireland have won 39 matches out of 50
England have won 38 matches out of 50

Think it will be a tough year for Scotland, but not one of heartache - I'm hoping that a handful of the very promising youngsters we have coming thru get properly blooded, and even when they make mistakes (which they will), we stick with them - very much a development year for Scotland with 2015 as the goal [/quote]

Here´s hoping AsLong... My father is Scottish and even got a couple of caps so I always support them. It´s a grim business though but one of my fondest memories was on my birthday dressed up in a kilt with a Scottish friend watching Scotland grind out one of the ugliest wins in the 6N and seeing the joy on my friend´s face. When you don´t win often against the ol´enemy it makes it that much sweeter.

Scotland have a favourable draw this year. Two years ago it was the case and the best performance was against Ireland and Wales. They have had more false dawns than a vampire movie but I always hope that this is the year the big pleasant surprise comes. Fingers crossed. If not there´s always the glorious invention of beer to console us!

Aye, Deuchars was made for just such moments!!

maestegmafia wrote:

munkian wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

munkian wrote:I wouldn't have said Ireland have been consistent at all

They were great againstt England in last six nations - rubbish afterwards - brilliant against Australie and mediocre against other teams in WC and then pretty much owned by Wales.

I meant over the last ten years not the last six months

Ireland have one Grand Slam and thats it over the last ten years.

England have 3 victories including a grand slam

France have 5 including 3 (!) grand slams

Wales have 2 - both grandslams

Ireland are just better than Scotland in winning the whole thing whilst France are the most consistent.

Ireland have More wins in the last four years than England, Scotland, Italy and Wales and have only one less than France. Ireland have won several triple crowns. Over the last ten years their results are second best to France who have been the form team in Europe, with England third, Wales fourth, Scots fifth and Italy last.

France have won 41 matches out of 50
Ireland have won 39 matches out of 50
England have won 38 matches out of 50

Isn't this thread about winning the entire thing though ? And form for the last 10 years is irrelevant really as some teams have completely different players now.

It looks a good year for England – we've got Ireland and Wales at home where we should expect to win both.

But France have a good draw too, and coming off the back of a WC final I've got to say they're my pick.

Irealand are also limited by missing BOD - who will replace him ? Earles is barely a wing let alone a centre

I'd say France for the win but who knows with them.

Theres a lot of rugby between now and then and a lot of injuries waiting to happen.

French grand slam for me.

Looking at their fixtures.

Italy, Ireland and England home

Wales Scotland away.

More than capable of doing it.

Confidence will(should be high) after a good world cup, could even have won it.

Saint-Andre at the helm now, interesting to see what squad he'll be able to choose.

Think he'll have them performing well from the get go.

What is the story with the coaches? Gatland and co are continuing as is Decs. When is the moment of truth for Lievremont, MJ, Mallett and AR? Have there been announcements?

The continuity for Ireland and Wales will be a positive thing. If England get a new manager (which I hope they don´t as I don´t think MJ should fall on the sword for England´s RWC effort, though certainly he can take a lot away from the experience) you may see a few changes to the team but I can´t see it happening. I think Scotland will persist in AR but if he has a poor 6N he may well get his marching orders.