Six Nations: Italy V England

England now descend on Rome in the hope of adding to their Triple Crown. But, before we focus our attention on this massively important contest, we must first pay tribute to one of the true greats of the game, a man who needs no introduction, Ireland’s talisman, the proud wearer of the Irish 13 shirt as he ends his international career this weekend in Paris.

    And so, amidst much speculation, we face the final curtain. It is show time for this year’s Six Nations Cup. Will it be Ireland or England, the shamrock or the rose, to lift the trophy? We wait with baited breath to see whose day it will be and why this year, does the tournament seem so special?

                                                                  Who will take the spoils? 

  The retirement of one of Ireland’s greatest gladiators, the undeniable talent and try scoring artisan that is Brian O’Driscoll, has, perhaps, added an extra dimension to a competition which already inspires so much interest, enthusiasm and patriotic zeal. A quick look at the life of Brian immediately highlights why he has become a living legend.

  

  O’ Driscoll has amassed 140 Test caps, 132 for Ireland (83 as captain), and 8 for the British and Irish Lions. During this time he has scored 46 tries for Ireland and 1 try for the Lions in 2001, making him the highest try scorer of all time in Irish Rugby. He is 8th-highest try scorer in rugby union history, and the highest scoring centre of all time. O’Driscoll in fact still holds the Six Nations record for most tries scored with an impressive 26.

    

Whether you like Blarney, Caerphilly, Camembert, Crowdie, Mozzarella or Stilton on your biscuit, you’ll secretly, if not openly, want the Irish outside centre to end his international career with yet another breathtaking performance and memories, as a result, that he and the rest of Ireland can cherish. For those of us with a red rose on our shirts, we too will be wishing Ireland’s number thirteen a magical, memorable swansong, but, not at the expense of Lancaster’s cohorts. No, indeed, Albion’s thoughts, hopes and dreams lie with the men in white, not with the men in green, and the entire nation will be visualising Robshaw lifting the Six Nations trophy, when the final whistle blows.

   

  It’s been said before and it will undoubtedly be said again, that, Stuart Lancaster must surely be kicking himself after Paris. This was the poorest of starts for the English campaign, with the team showing a lack of concentration in the latter stages of the match against the French. It was a bitterly disappointing defeat, which subsequently robbed England of what surely would have been their best chance of a Grand Slam victory since 2003. The Azzurri on the other hand, want to rectify their capitulation of a once promising 2014 campaign by achieving a historic first win over the men in white. All in all, you sense a stern test for the English as they take to the field in Rome and more importantly, needing a decisive win, if they are to overcome Ireland’s imposing point’s advantage.

                                                      Will Lawes continue his dominance in Rome? 

The first game of the closing weekend gives us two teams facing off against each other, whilst in the midst of transition. Indeed, Jacques Brunel has been working hard to alter Italy’s style of play, moving away from simply shutting teams down to actually playing a bit of rugger.  Youngster’s such as Michele Campagnaro and Joshua Furno have heaps of ability and are potential game changers. As a result, many believe this team are due a blinder of a performance soon. The same can also be said of Stuart Lancaster’s England. This team too are in transition, with the Six Nations providing the much needed challenges this still very youthful and inexperienced side required in order to progress. It may well prove to be a turning point in English rugby. A defence that has bruised and battered all opposition for a while now, has finally been coupled with an exciting and dare I say creative offence. Add to that the return of Manu Tuilagi to the bench and you have a side that is finally starting to show the signs of potential greatness that many have been forecasting for some time.

         

  It will be interesting to see how both backlines fair against each other given their joint lack of experience. But, it’s in the pack where the most interesting match ups lie, particularly since England have lost the much improved Joe Marler in the scrum. Marler, an expectant father, is awaiting the imminent arrival of his first child and as such, is unavailable for selection. As a result, in comes Maku Vunipola, who even after travelling with the Lions, has slipped down to third choice for England at loose head.  Often under criticism for his questionable work in the scrum,  Vunipola will face a strong challenge in attempting to nullify his Italian front row opposite. Speaking of which, Italy have been shorn of the imperial Martin Castrogiavanni , meaning that Lorenzo Cittadini steps in to fill the gap at tight head.  Parisse returns to captain the side and can be guaranteed to be at his mercurial best come kick off. His battle against Ben Morgan could be another humdinger.    

                                                                 Mako Vunipola in for Marler.

As second rows go, Joe Launchberry and Courtney Lawes have been the pairing of the tournament and they will certainly be looking to cement their new found partnership in Rome. Italy, however, have also uncovered a gem of their own, in the shape of Joshua Furno. The young lock has, despite his move to the blind side for this game, given Italy some much needed prowess in the line out. Furno, incidentally, also scored a very well taken try against the Scots. A try, which almost won his side the game had it not been for a late Duncan Weir drop goal.

   

  Prediction: Despite the testament of results in this tournament, the Italians have noticeably improved. However, one cannot help but feel that this will not be a day when the history books are rewritten. A confident English outfit look certain to finish the tournament on 8 points. All English fans will be watching this final and crucial game closely. However, one eye I am sure will be focused on the match taking place in Paris. England, it must be said, will want to ensure victory against the Italians first and foremost, meaning that if there is to be flurry of points, it will likely only come in the last quarter. England by 20.

Italy: 15 Luke McLean, 14 Angelo Esposito, 13 Michele Campagnaro, 12 Gonzalo Garcia, 11 Leonardo Sarto, 10 Luciano Orquera, 9 Tito Tebaldi, 8 Sergio Parisse (c), 7 Robert Barbieri, 6 Joshua Furno, 5 Marco Bortolami, 4 Quintin Geldenhuys, 3 Lorenzo Cittadini, 2 Leonardo Ghiraldini, 1 Matias Aguero.

Replacements: 16 Davide Giazzon, 17 Michele Rizzo, 18 Alberto de Marchi, 19 George Fabio Biagi, 20 Paul Derbyshire, 21 Edoardo Gori, 22 Tommaso Allan. 23 Andrea Masi.

England: 15 Mike Brown, 14 Jack Nowell, 13 Luther Burrell, 12 Billy Twelvetrees, 11 Jonny May, 10 Owen Farrell, 9 Danny Care, 8 Ben Morgan, 7 Chris Robshaw (c), 6 Tom Wood, 5 Courtney Lawes, 4 Joe Launchbury, 3 David Wilson, 2 Dylan Hartley, 1 Mako Vunipola

Replacements: 16 Tom Youngs, 17 Mako Vunipola, 18 Henry Thomas, 19 David Attwood, 20 Tom Johnson, 21 Lee Dickson, 22 George Ford, 23 Manu Tuilagi

Date: Saturday, February 15

Venue: Stadio Olimpico, Rome

Kick-off: 14:30 (local, 13:30 GMT)

Referee: Pascal Gauzère (France)

Assistant Referees: Nigel Owens (Wales), Leighton Hodges (Wales)

TMO: Simon McDowell (Ireland)

Article by Alex Dodd

Six Nations: Ireland V France: The Analyst versus the Anarchist

  So this is it, the game that will likely decide the Six Nations, and there could not be two more contrasting teams in it. On one hand we have Ireland, coached by Joe Schmidt, a man renowned for his attention to detail and heavy emphasis on strategy. On the other we have France, headed by Philippe Saint-Andre, famous for his wild selection policies and haphazard game-plans. Where Ireland have cohesion, France have individuality; whilst Ireland have a clear sense of direction, France seem rudderless.

  But how exactly can you plan to outplay a team who so often seem to have no idea even amongst themselves as to what they’re trying to achieve? Ireland assistant coach Les Kiss has mentioned in an interview that a “forensic” examination of the French has revealed “a game plan designed to look shambolic, but that actually offers plenty attacking avenues for their marauding finishers.” This may very well be the case, but analyse anything for long enough and you’ll start to see patterns – even with their fingernails on the Six Nations trophy, this France side have at times played too erratically for their performance to be part of a chaotic strategy. To use a bizarre metaphor, it's like a game of top trumps where one player has every stat memorised, whilst his opponent is merely shuffling wildly and playing whichever card rests on top of his deck

Which coach will be smiling come the final whistle?

  A lot has been said about this French squad, and not a lot of it has been positive either. Pundits from all competing nations have weighed in, describing it as one of the worst French sides in recent years. Jeremy Guscott likened them to a troupe of circus clowns, whilst Jonathan Davies laughed when the possibility of them winning the tournament was put to him on the BBC. Despite what the table says, most people seem to have written France off.

  Still, for all the negativity, there are other rugby clichés that might be applied to Les Bleus; it’s often said that great sides find a way to win, even when they are not playing at their best. That is just what France have done, and they are still in contention because of it. Other phrases – “a win is a win”, “better to win ugly than lose pretty” – also spring to mind, and typify the performance of Philippe Saint-Andre’s side. Shambolic and divided as they have been, they are still on equal points with both England and Ireland, and results are what matter in professional sport – just ask Scotland.

  The contrast in style and approach between these sides is also echoed in some of the players; Brian O’Driscoll’s experience faces off against the exciting young talent that is Gael Fickou in the centres, whilst the fly-half roulette wheel has selected Remi Tales for France, set against the ever-present Jonny Sexton for Ireland. Both sides will be bolstered by the return of their stand-out back-rowers; Peter O’Mahony and Louis Picamoles both start, both on the blindside.

Can Gael Fickou undo another team's Championship hopes? Photo: EPA

  If Irish fans were taking some comfort from France’s far from complete performances, they will be less encouraged by what the history books have to say. Ireland haven’t won in France since 2000, their only victory there in the professional era; every Six Nations after a Lions tour has been won by the French; the last three contests between these sides have seen Ireland score first and lead at half-time, only to be defeated come the final whistle – these are the stats that have been on every pundits lips.

  But the past, as they say, is the past, and Ireland will be eager to write a few new chapters in their history on Saturday; a final cap for world record holder O’Driscoll, and a first victory against France since 2009 – the last time that Ireland lifted the trophy. All of these things may be coincidences, but they make what is already a tantalising match-up into the game of the tournament.

Prediction:

  It is very much Ireland’s game to lose, but they should head to Paris with confidence from their past performances. Despite what has been said about France, they will want to win in front of a demanding home crowd. For the second time this year, the Stade de France should be the place of English heartbreak – Ireland to win game and Championship, but only by seven points.

SQUADS

France: 15-Brice Dulin, 14-Yoann Huget, 13-Mathieu Bastareaud, 12-Gael Fickou, 11-Maxime Medard, 10-Remi Tales, 9-Maxime Machenaud; 1-Thomas Domingo, 2-Dimitri Szarzewski, 3-Nicolas Mas, 4-Pascal Pape (c), 5-Yoann Maestri, 6-Louis Picamoles, 7-Alexandre Lapandry, 8-Damien Chouly

Replacements: 16-Guilhem Guirado, 17-Vincent Debaty, 18-Rabah Slimani, 19-Alexandre Flanquart; 20-Sébastien Vahaamahina, 21-Wenceslas Lauret, 22-Jean Marc Doussain; 23-Maxime Mermoz

Ireland: 15-Rob Kearney, 14-Andrew Trimble, 13-Brian O'Driscoll, 12-Gordon D'Arcy, 11-Dave Kearney, 10-Jonny Sexton, 9-Conor Murray; 1-Cian Healy, 2-Rory Best, 3-Mike Ross, 4-Devin Toner, 5-Paul O'Connell (c), 6-Peter O'Mahony, 7-Chris Henry, 8-Jamie Heaslip

Replacements: 16-Sean Cronin, 17-Jack McGrath, 18-Martin Moore, 19-Iain Henderson, 20-Jordi Murphy, 21-Eoin Reddan, 22-Ian Madigan, 23-Fergus McFadden

Date: Saturday, March 15

Kick-off: 17:00 GMT

Venue: Stade de France, Paris

Referee: Steve Walsh (Australia)

Touch judges: Wayne Barnes (England) & Marius Mitrea (Romania)

TMO: Gareth Simmonds (Wales)

Article by Alex Hawksworth-Brookes

SIX NATIONS: ENGLAND V WALES MATCH PREVIEW

   Nearly a year on from what was a thoroughly one sided affair in Cardiff, rugby union's biggest European rivalry is set to write its latest chapter. Since their first fixture in 1881, right up to last year, when a mercurial Wales racked up a 30-3 victory against a rudderless England, these two sides have gone into battle 124 times. Twelve of these historic contests being drawn, means that both teams now sit on 56 wins each. Where will the balance of power tip after Sunday’s game?

    Looking ahead and being just one year away from the start of the world cup, a cup where these two share a pool in the group stages, you can't help but put a great deal of importance on this result. A win for Wales and they'll have their fourth consecutive win over the men in white, a huge psychological advantage if ever there was one.  A win for the English, however, a team currently under strength, who many would say are still on an upwards trajectory yet to reach their peak, would deal a serious blow to the mindset of their foes across the Severn Bridge. The Welsh do not take kindly to defeat by any English team and still less to an England squad which has yet to reach its potential.

      

      Using the previous three rounds as a gauge to predict a victory for this Sunday’s skirmish is a tough ask for anyone. In round one, England started their championship poorly and were just beaten in the dying moments, as France's rising star Gaël Fickou, crossed over the white line to score and in turn win the game for les Bleus. Round three then saw a resurgent Wales absolutely steamroll the French in what was easily their most impressive win thus far in this year's tournament. A win, incidentally, which came straight after a complete drubbing at the hands of the Irish. Ireland’s game plan totally shut down the men in red who suffered a comprehensive work over by their opponents in green. One round later, this same Irish team travelled to Twickenham only to come up short of victory, thanks to a try from England’s Danny Care.

Who will history favour? Image: RFU

     One area that does separate the two teams, however, is the number of personnel each currently has inhabiting the medics table. Whereas Wales have a near fully fit squad with the return of Alun Wyn Jones in the pack and Jonathan Davies in the backline, an impressive 12 lions in the starting 15, England are without 4 lions due to injury problems. Add to this a lack of game time for the incoming replacements and one cannot help but wonder if these problems could perhaps swings the result in favour of the Welsh.

  Arguably, the biggest worry for the hosts is the loss of one man - the one man wrecking ball that is Billy Vunipola. An ankle injury sustained against Ireland will keep him out of Sunday’s crucial game. Robbed of a showdown against his cousin and Wales's own Taulupe Faletau, the young number 8 has been England's top ball carrier so far in this tournament and has provided them with their main source of go forward ball. Ben Morgan, however, is as good a like for like replacement as Stuart Lancaster can hope for and the Yorkshire man will be hoping the Gloucester back rower is back to his best come kick off.

     

     Last year's 30-3 result in Cardiff possibly lost Chris Robshaw his Lion's jersey and in turn cemented Sam Warburton's selection. The tussle between these two captains is without doubt, the pick of the ‘one on one’ battles in the forward pack and depending on which one gains the ascendancy at the break down, may well dictate which way the final score could swing. However, the match up every spectator will want to witness will be the fight between the two fullbacks Leigh Halfpenny and Mike Brown. Halfpenny, last year's player of the tournament and this year's current favourite for that accolade, is certain to create some fireworks, with scything runs on the counter attack. Both players are more than capable of using their superb attacking skills if either side should slip up and deliver a loose kick putting these two into space.

  

Prediction:   

  This fixture presents a rivalry that has delivered drama almost every time these two have met. Sunday’s battle looks certain to continue the trend. Take your eyes away from the game for a second at your own peril! These two teams will be fighting for all they are worth to make it 57 wins over their opponents 56. Many may look to a Welsh victory, especially after their routing of France in the previous week, whilst England managed only a narrow defeat of Ireland. But, adding a wary insight into those results, let’s not forgot how dire Philippe Saint-André's men really were. Bear in mind also, how strong Joe Schmidt's charges look currently. The championship is still very much Ireland's to lose. England by 4.

SQUADS

England: 15 Mike Brown, 14 Jack Nowell, 13 Luther Burrell, 12 Billy Twelvetrees, 11 Jonny May, 10 Owen Farrell, 9 Danny Care, 8 Ben Morgan, 7 Chris Robshaw (c), 6 Tom Wood, 5 Courtney Lawes, 4 Joe Launchbury, 3 David Wilson, 2 Dylan Hartley, 1 Joe Marler.

Replacements: 16 Tom Youngs, 17 Mako Vunipola, 18 Henry Thomas, 19 David Attwood, 20 Tom Johnson, 21 Lee Dickson, 22 George Ford, 23 Alex Goode

Wales: 15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Jon Davies, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 George North, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Rhys Webb, 8 Taulupe Faletau, 7 Sam Warburton (c), 6 Dan Lydiate, 5 Jake Ball, 4 Alun Wyn Jones, 3 Adam Jones, 2 Richard Hibbard, 1 Gethin Jenkins

Replacements: 16 Ken Owens, 17 Paul James, 18 Rhodri Jones, 19 Andrew Coombs, 20 Justin Tipuric, 21 Mike Phillips, 22 Dan Biggar, 23 Liam Williams

Date: Sunday 9th March

Venue: Twickenham

Kick-off: 15:00 (GMT)

Referee: Romain Poite (Fra)

Assistant referees: Steve Walsh (Aus), Lourens van der Merwe (RSA)

TMO: Simon McDowell (Ire)

Article By Alex Dodd

Six Nations: Scotland V France: The Battle of the Bonkers Coaches

  Even if the Mad Hatter was put in charge of a rugby team, he would probably bring more decipherable strategy and reasoned selection than the coaches of the two teams meeting in Edinburgh this Saturday. In fact, seldom has there been a match where there has been more focus on the men off the pitch than those playing on it, but the curious selection policies of both Scott Johnson and Philippe Saint-Andre mean that both coaches have come under intense media scrutiny in the build up to this game.

  The game takes place within a context that few would have thought possible several weeks ago; France, having been talked up as potential favourites, have been all but written-off by most after a dismal capitulation against Wales, whilst Scotland, so hopeful after placing 3^rd in 2013, had scored only 6 points all championship before a spirited last-gasp victory over Italy, and are now hunting a second European scalp in an attempt to salvage something from this Six Nations. When the Gallic Rooster takes to the field against the Gaelic Thistle of Scotland on Saturday, both teams will be desperate for a result.

  Despite that ignominious loss in Cardiff two weeks ago, France can still win the Six Nations, a fact that Saint-Andre will no doubt have reminded his squad of. Whilst many pundits have discarded France from their thoughts, this is Les Bleus we’re talking about, and if history has taught us anything, it is that this is a side that can be as dangerous one week as they were inept the last. Should France manage a win at Murrayfield, then next week’s final showdown in Paris could still be the tournament decider, a thought that is both bizarre and scintillating.

Alex Dunbar will be hoping to repeat his two-try haul against Italy

  For that to happen though, there is a thorny Scottish hurdle to be jumped, and the French could not be in worse shape to face it. A back-row that was already weakened by the loss of Thierry Dusautoir before the tournament even began has been completely remodelled, with Yannick Nyanga forced out through injury and Louis Picamoles dropped for disrespecting the referee in Cardiff, a brave decision by Saint-Andre considering the circumstances. Wesley Fofana is also missing from the midfield, meaning that Les Bleus will be without three of their game-winning players for this critical encounter.

  Other changes, both forced and strategic, have been made; Brice Mach comes in for the injured Dimitri Szarzewski, with Alexandre Lapandry, Maxime Machenaud and Maxime Medard all coming into the side as Saint-Andre’s selection roulette wheel continues to spin. So many changes can only be damaging for a team whose confidence already appears to be shattered.

  Scott Johnson is another man who has been playing Russian roulette with a rugby ball; Kelly Brown, so recently jettisoned from the helm and squad altogether, returns to reclaim his starting place and captain’s armband, apparently because, amongst other reasons, his style of play will suit the Murrayfield turf…

  David Denton is also restored to the starting line-up, with Johnnie Beattie accommodatingly moving over to 6. Whilst these changes will doubtless affect the balance of the back-row, Denton has been one of Scotland’s stand-out players this Spring, and his inclusion indicates that Scotland will be hoping to take advantage of France’s weakness in this area.

  Geoff Cross coming into the front-row is the only other change in this Scotland side – if such consistency of selection can be sustained, then there is hope that the squad can begin to develop. For all of Scott Johnson’s talk of finding out about players and testing combinations, there is only so much time that can be given over to experimentation, especially when said experiments continue to blow up in the scientist’s face.

Prediction:

  It’s hard to know which way to go with these two teams; both are as unpredictable and frustrating as the other, showing equal amounts of promise and panic in their play. However, Scotland have been showing signs of improvement, whilst France seem to be caught in something of a downward spiral, a situation that key omissions won’t have aided. Add into this mix the Murrayfield crowd, and I believe that, so long as they can get off to a good start, Scotland will be able to see the game out, breaking apart France’s championship hopes as they salvage their own rugby reputation. Scotland to win by 7 points.

SQUADS:

Scotland: 15-Stuart Hogg, 14-Tommy Seymour, 13-Alex Dunbar, 12-Matt Scott, 11-Sean Lamont, 10-Duncan Weir, 9-Greig Laidlaw; 1-Ryan Grant, 2-Scott Lawson, 3-Geoff Cross, 4-Richie Gray, 5-Jim Hamilton, 6-Johnnie Beattie, 7-Kelly Brown (c), 8-David Denton

Replacements: 16-Ross Ford, 17-Moray Low, 18-Euan Murray, 19-Tim Swinson, 20-Ryan Wilson, 21-Chris Cusiter, 22-Duncan Taylor, 23-Max Evans

France: 15-Brice Dulin, 14-Yoann Huget, 13-Mathieu Bastareaud, 12-Maxime Mermoz, 11-Maxime Medard, 10-Jules Plisson, 9-Maxime Machenaud; 1-Thomas Domingo, 2-Brice Mach, 3-Nicolas Mas, 4-Pascal Pape (c), 5-Yoann Maestri, 6-Sebastien Vahaamahina, 7-Alexandre Lapandry, 8-Damien Chouly

Replacements: 16-Guilhem Guirado, 17-Vincent Debaty, 18-Rabah Slimani, 19-Alexandre Flanquart, 20-Antonie Claassen, 21-Jean-Marc Doussain, 22-Remi Tales, 23-Gael Fickou

Date: Saturday, March 8

Kick-off: 17:00 GMT

Venue: Murrayfield Stadium, Cardiff

Referee: Chris Pollock (New Zealand)

Touch judges: George Clancy (Ireland) & JP Doyle (England)

TMO: Gareth Simmonds (Wales)

Article by Alex Hawksworth-Brookes