Thursday, February 6, 2014

Ireland will have to refuse to lose!

 
 (picture http://bit.ly/1nXxYBd)

The rugby is about to get real this Saturday, with the arrival of 6 nations Championships Wales. Scotland was Scotland, but the rugby is now about to hit the fan. The Welsh have the equivalent of a panzer division in the back line - Alex Cuthbert 6' 6", 106 kg (16 st 9 lb), Jamie Roberts  6' 4"  110 kg (17 st 4 lb)  , and George North 6' 4" 108 kg (17 st 0 lb). And their pack is ok too. We at least have Paul O’Connell back, and D’Arcy restored at centre, not that Marshall didn’t play well, but when it works there’s still a bit of magic between O’Driscoll and D’Arcy, who must be finishing each other’s sentences at this stage.

It’s going to be a tough match. Never mind tactics, never mind size disparities, the only thing that’s going to win this match is attitude, to refuse to take any steps back, to refuse to lose basically, and attack at every opportunity. We can do it, we will do it!

Ireland Wales is really the match of the weekend. Scotland’s home advantage and their poor showing last weekend should be the kpick in the pants they needed to up their game. And which Scottish team isn’t  going to up their game for the English anyway? England, meanwhile, will be thoroughly peed off at having let the French match slip between their fingers, and will be aiming to take it out on the Scots. I expect it to be brutal and not particularly skilful, but a good game nonetheless, with England taking the points.

Finally, France entertains Italy, with a score to settle from last year.  Their loss to Italy in the opening 2013 set up a totally forgettable year for them, with a win over Scotland and a draw against Ireland all they had to show.  I imagine they’ll start like a house on fire, then lose interest and finish flat, but get the win.

RBS Six Nations
Saturday , February 8
Ireland vs Wales 14:30
Scotland vs England 17:00
Sunday , February 9
France vs Italy 15:00

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