Six Nations 2009

[w3lshrugby]

So, the world's best rugby tournament gets underway on Saturday and finishes on the 21st march. Wales have rightly been instilled as favourites and will be going out to retain their title, and trying to win back-to-back Grand Slams - something that has never been done under the 'Six Nations', and something which Wales have not done since 1908/1909 (Could the 100 year thing be a good omen!)

There will be plenty of teams fighting it out for the title this year though, with Ireland and France looking to provide a strong threat to Wales, England through transition will be looking for a solid if unspectacular campaign, and Scotland and Italy will be looking for improvements on last years results.

What's going to happen is anyone's guess though...and that's why this tournament is so amazing!

Fixtures

Sat 7 Feb
ENGLAND v ITALY; 3pm; Twickenham
IRELAND v FRANCE; 5pm; Croke Park
Sun 8 Feb
SCOTLAND v WALES; 3pm; Murrayfield

Sat 14 Feb
FRANCE v SCOTLAND; 3pm; Stade de France
WALES v ENGLAND; 5.30pm; Millennium Stadium
Sun 15 Feb
ITALY v IRELAND; 2.30pm; Stadio Flaminio

Fri 27 Feb
FRANCE v WALES; 8pm; Stade de France
Sat 28 Feb
SCOTLAND v ITALY; 3pm; Murrayfield
IRELAND v ENGLAND; 5.30pm; Croke Park

Sat 14 Mar
ITALY v WALES; 3pm; Stadio Flaminio
SCOTLAND v IRELAND; 5pm; Murrayfield
Sun 15 Mar
ENGLAND v FRANCE; 3pm; Twickenham

Sat 21 Mar
ITALY v FRANCE; 1.15pm; Stadio Flaminio
ENGLAND v SCOTLAND; 3.30pm; Twickenham
WALES v IRELAND; 5.30pm; Millennium Stadium

 

[CortezTheKiller]

Ireland my tip to win it. If they can beat France they should be set fair. England have to go over the water this year.

 

[Leicester Fox]

Come on the Armitage brothers I think the French will win but I like Englands chances better than most people. Goodes selection I liked.

 

[w3lshrugby]

You LIKED Goode's selection?
Ah well, some more boring rugby I s'pose , but fair enough if he gets the job that Martin Johnson has brought him in to do.
I think everyone will lose at least one match this season, thus making it v. open & exciting

 

[Leicester Fox]

Thats the point though, we just needed someone who could fill that gap in the team without getting a kick charged down every time or trying to chip it over people every time they get the ball. He is also the top points scorer in France. That's some hard cold fact right there.

 

[w3lshrugby]

Yes so I've heard - but he never really made a great transition from club to international rugby, we'll just have to see what happens. IF England do lose, then it will have been an incredibly bad decision, as the team has been picked to purely beat the Italians...it's a team that I could not see beating Ireland, France or Wales at the moment.

 

[shefellover93]

Brilliant win today, I didn't think we'd do anything like we did. Kidney is a born winner!!!

 

[CricketFan999]

I hope Bergamasco starts at 9 for the rest of the tournament, his performance was the only thing worth watching in that game

 

[barmyarmy]

Best Scottish performance for some time. They were making real effort to throw the ball wide and run on at pace. Some great off-loading too.
On the not-so-good side way too many knock-ons and they were lucky not to concede a try from an intercept as their running was sometimes too flat with the French rush defence.
Both Evans brothers look a real prospect and it was just great to see Scotland breaking the line, playing with ambition and causing France real problems. If they can cut out some of the handling errors they'll certainly give England and Ireland a good run for their money.

 

[Kiko_97]

I am in a great mood. ♥Wales♥. 23-15 and another grand slam coming our way

 

[Kev]

Not posted in a rugby thread for a while, but terrific first ever Friday Night 6 Nations match. Wanted Wales to win and was cheering for them, but not too unhappy that their Grand Slam chances are gone now Loving Friday night 6 Nations and hope to see more, although they need to sort out domestic fixtures the weekend before if this is to be regular. Otherwise the players will end up performing like flightless birds that prefer swimming. What are they called again? Penguins?

 

[Themer]

Twas a great night of Rugby and thoroughly glad to see Wales lose
Some brilliant defending at the end by France to save the game.

 

[Leicester Fox]

Wales lost. About time. Know far too many Welsh and they are far too happy when they win.

Now England to storm ahead and take the tournament.

 

[Themer]

I don't believe my eyes. 29-0 at half time. France have been awful, England have been fantastic.

 

[Themer]

Great performance from England. Best I've seen them play since probably the World Cup 03 quite literally.