FM104 Sport's, Dan 'Pitchside' Pitcher gives his picks ahead of the opening weekend of Six Nations action...
Wales Vs Ireland
Saturday 2nd February; Millenium Stadium; K.O
13:30
I don’t think a Six Nations campaign has been more highly
anticipated from an Irish perspective in recent memory. Since the miracle Grand Slam win in the
Welsh capital in 2009, Irish international rugby has failed miserably (while
the provinces have continued to do really well).
For
the second year in a row, Ireland kickstart the campaign against Wales,
looking to hit the ground running. For the players, this campaign is not simply
just about the Grand Slam (though of course that would be great). For them it's about
impressing the British and Irish Lions selectors, headed up by Welsh coach
Warren Gatland, for the summer trip to Australia.
Last
year the drive for the Slam, or Triple Crown, ended early following a close loss
in the Aviva Stadium against Wales. This time, it's personal. And for Declan
Kidney, this could very well be his last shot at achieving greatness at
international level. He has thrown everything at this campaign.
His
starting selection isn’t a familiar one, but what side is these days? Brian
O’Driscoll returns to what looks like an exciting line-up, and it is O’Driscoll’s
final chance too, as he gets ready to bow out of the sport.
 |
| Still got it? Brian O'Driscoll looks to prove he can still hang with the big boys. |
Ulster’s
Craig Gilroy and Munster’s Simon Zebo get the nod from the Irish head coach. They are preferred to Andrew Trimble (who isn’t in the matchday squad) and Keith
Earls (who starts from the bench). There are certainly no arguments with those selections: Zebo and Gilroy are in cracking form lately.
The
number six selection has probably caused most debate, with many - including
myself - preferring Sean O’Brien. However Peter O’Mahony gets the thumbs up
there. You would have to imagine the main role of the back row this weekend is
to starve the home side of the ball.
Wales, meanwhile, come into this year's campaign off the back of a horrible November
test series. However if we let them play with a loose style, Alex Cuthbert and
co will have no problem. Wales are really unpredictable though; in years gone
by they have gone from being bloody awful to a feckin' great team, picking up
the odd Grand Slam here and there.
Wales are shorn of injured locks Alun-Wyn
Jones, Bradley Davies and Luke Charteris, while Ian Evans has not started a
game since November due to knee trouble.
There is a debut for Gwent Dragons man, 28
year old Andrew Coombs, who will take his place in the second row.
Interim head coach Rob Howley has resisted
any temptation to field two openside flankers - skipper Sam Warburton and
Justin Tipuric - with Warburton retained in his familiar number seven shirt,
Aaron Shingler filling blindside duties and Tipuric on bench duty.
You just cant ever tell whats to happen in
this fixture, Wales are looking to end their worst run in form since 2003,
while the Irish will be out to show that transition is only a buzzword.
My verdict: Wales by 5 or more.....
 |
| Never hear the end of it: England's win over New Zealand. |
England vs Scotland
Saturday 2nd February; Twickenham; K.O 16:00
As much as it pains me to say it: I think were looking at this year's Grand Slam winners, and for god's sake I'm not talking about Scotland...
Our heads have been wrecked by Sky Sports News since England’s November test win against the All Blacks - quite frankly not a single rugby match that Sky shows goes by without them slipping it in somewhere - but you have to think that any team that does beat the World Champions have got to be favourites, so clearly I'm saying we might be upset at the result of the game in the Aviva next week...
England coach, Stuart Lancaster, has only made two changes from the side winners in that Autumn game, Billly Twelvetrees (such an unfortunate name!) replaces Manu Tuilagi, who is out with an ankle injury and Quins loosehead Joe Marler in for the injured Alex Corbisiero. Tuilagi was a force to be reckoned with against New Zealand, so perhaps the Scots might breathe a slight sigh of relief...
Don't count them out just yet though, the Andy Robinson reign as head coach is over and in comes Scott Johnson, albeit as interim head coach as they look for a more long term replacement.
There is a debut for New Zealand born wing Sean Maitland, while there are recalls for Dougie Hall and Johnnie Beattie, who has been on form since his move to Montpellier.
My Verdict: England by 6+
 |
| Has Philippe Saint-Andre got a rough weekend ahead? |
Italy vs France
Sunday 3rd February; Stadio Olimpico; K.O 15:00
Finally this weekend, a game I always look forward to (especially over the last few years): Italy vs France.
This is a game I feel could cost France the Six Nations to England. My reason for this thinking? The game is in Rome. Over the years French sides have struggled there and famously lost a few years ago to the Azzuri.
Gone are the days where Italy finish bottom of the Six Nations table, in fact they finished 5th last year and their coach Jacques Burnell has challenged his squad to reproduce the confident displays that got them there. Although their win over Tonga in November was nothing to brag about, they bullied at times in their defeats to New Zealand and Australia. Okay 42-10 seems like a thrashing but sides who score trys against the All Blacks can't be looked down at, while they would have been devastated to lose 22-19 against the Aussies.
The French travel to Rome with a whole host of injury problems which has to be a cause of concern for Philippe Saint-Andre, Wenceslas Lauret is out with concussion he picked up playing against Toulouse.
Crucially they are also without playmaker Vincent Clerc, who has a thigh problem, the injury list continues with full back Brice Dulin out with a hamstring injury.
Jesus, I wouldn’t want to be French this weekend.
My Verdict: Italy by 3+
Dan 'Pitchside' Pitcher is a sports correspondent for FM104 and rugby fantatic. You can read more of his opinions and sports updates by following him on Twitter.
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