This weekend sees round two of the Guinness Six Nations and I have some hope these matches will not put me to sleep this weekend. The France vs Wales last Friday night with France winning by 43 to nil put me to sleep as the match was not even close. Everybody wants to be entertained and at least see some type of a contest.
No one predicted Italy would improve so much since joining the Six Nations back in 2000, but 24 years later they are favorites to comfortably beat Wales. I do not know what the answer is for Wales as they are the weakest of the Six teams this year and total rebuild of their structures looks to be required from grass roots levels up. Surely there has to be some talent around and this Wales team can improve. Warren Gatland the Welsh coach must be under extreme pressure as this cannot continue.
Italy have always had flair with the occasional star player, but this has no stand out players and they just do the basics well which tells you they are well coached. At home I would give them a 10 point advantage on this match as this match is realistically about who is picking up the wooden spoon for finishing last.
Italy winning by 10-15.
Probably many see this as the big game of the weekend mainly hoping for England to upset the odds and win at home. Having lost 9 of their last 12 matches this is highly unlikely to change and would be considered a huge upset.
The French are their own worst enemies when it comes to sport and it all evolves around their temperament and mindset. One week they can be world beaters and the very next week will play shockingly bad. Maybe they read the press and only believe by turning up they are guaranteed a victory.
The French is every department have a better equipped team and I do not believe one English player would make the French team. In theory this should be a cake walk with the game being won in the forwards and the French backs putting England to the sword. Last week England played well in patches catching Ireland on the wrong foot with their rush defence. This game plan will not work this week as the French will play behind the English and run riot.
Borthwick like is Welsh counterpart is under serious pressure to deliver victories and I could have told you two years ago he is not up to this task. he maybe a good club coach, but as an international coach he is not. Borthwick has run out of ideas and having changed his back room staff due to those coaches leaving he is second guessing the whole time.
The England team has a few changes this week and do not see those making much difference as they should be playing on the back foot with a forward pack moving back wards offering scrappy slow ball for the backs.
Either the game will be close or a comfortable win for the French all depending if the French turn up or not. I am baking on the French turning up.
France to win by 16-20 points.
Probably my pick for the bet game this weekend as the Irish are still finding their feet after losing Johnny Sexton to retirement. Replacing a playmaker does not happen over night and who knows maybe a generational thing. Last week the Irish showed what they are capable of and dominated England for a 20 minute period in the second half.
Scotland have a settled team and should be doing better and challenging for honors but somehow fail or in some ways decisions have gone against them. You make your own luck and I think the team does not truly believe how good they could be and why Ireland are favorites this weekend.
Ireland to win by 10-12 points.
