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| Will Simon Zebo's injury prove destructive to Ireland's Six Nations hopes? |
Italy vs
Wales
Saturday 23rd February; Stadio
Olimpico; KO 14:30.
When
writing my preview for Italy vs France in the opening round of games, I
predicted Italy to win by 3. On the match day, though, I was unsure that it would actually
happen. So to win by 4 was sensational.
Two
weeks ago however, Scotland avoided a hat-trick of defeats against the Azzuri,
demolishing them in all areas of Murrayfield (someone joked to me at full time
“Those chipper owners were deffo on the piss after beating France, for the
whole week too!”)
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| Did Italy's victory celebrations over France cost them against Scotland? |
Just
like they were confident of upsetting French after doing so two years previously in Rome, they will look to draw that same confidence against Wales, who they
beat in the 2007 championship.
Jacques
Brunel has made four changes from the visit to Edinburgh, Manoa Vosawai coming
in at No.8 with Sergio Parisse banned for the remainder of the tournament. An
Italian side without captain fantastico will be a weakened side, with Martin
Castrogiovanni taking over role as captain.
Speaking
of teams who beat France, Wales followed up an opening day loss to Ireland with, what they are calling, a
sensational win in Paris. The rest of us, however, were bored out of our minds
as it took well over an hour for the games first try to be scored. I give them
credit though, for going to Paris and coming away the happy side, that win
ending a run of 8 games without victory.
It's
surprising that interim Welsh coach, Rob Howley has opted to give Sam Warburton
and Alun Wyn Jones bench warming duties. He clearly feels the side who beat
France deserves another chance.
This
one is certainly a tough game to call, both sides have a defeat each on their
cards with Italy’s win over France the more impressive one.
The
Italians never got up to the pace of the game last time out, which is something
they will need to correct in the early exchanges of the game, the Welsh will be
happy by how they defended against France and I doubt will change how they
operate in Rome.
I
reckon Wales will have their second victory in the RBS Six Nations this
weekend.
My
Verdict: Wales by 10+
 |
| England look to continue their Grand Slam chase at home to France. |
England vs France
Saturday 23rd February; Twickenham; KO 17:00
I
said it before week 1, England were my pick for the Grand Slam (as much as it pained me to say so). Now they remain, in fact, the only team on course for five victories
in a row.
Two
weeks ago they beat Ireland in the 6 Nations in Dublin for the first time in 10
years. They were nothing special against a feckless Ireland, but they got the
job done!
France
will arrive in London hurt and will look to de-rail the chariot after a
miserable two weeks. This one (excuse the cliché) can go either way as you
don’t know what French team will show up on the day, with coach Philippe
Saint-Andre under pressure of facing a French revolution-style guillotine if he doesn't return to Paris with a victory.
He's
freshened things up a little: playmaker Vincent Clerc returns from injury and
starts, as does Mathieu Bastaraud. Expect them to cause all sorts of problems. It really is a French team we have all come to know over the years with other
well known names like Morgan Para, Thierry Dusautoir and Francois Trinh-Duch
all starting.
English
coach Stuart Lancaster has named Manu Tuilagi in place of Billy Twelvetrees,
after recovering from a hamstring injury, Courtney Lawes is also in for the
first time as blindside flanker, while Dylan Hartley replaces Tom Youngs.
France, in my living memory, have never lost a hat-trick of games in the 6 Nations, so do
I feel England will remain on course for the slam?
NO!
A
French victory this weekend would mean that a 6 Nations title would be a
possibility for Ireland...if they beat Scotland on Sunday.
My
verdict: France by 6.
Scotland vs Ireland
Sunday 24th February; Murrayfield; KO 14:00.
Wellity
wellity wellity, its the clash of the Celtic cousins as Ireland travel to
Edinburgh.
It's
proven to be a very tough ground to play in for Declan Kidney’s men. And after
the woeful showing against England two weeks ago, Ireland will be looking to go
at this hell for leather.
After
the English game in Dublin, We were worried about what type of squad would
train and what type of team would travel. Johnny Sexton and Simon Zebo came off
injured, numerous players received dead legs and other knocks, while Cian Healy
was suspended for stupidity.
The
break of the 6 Nations provided guys who hadn’t been selected a huge
opportunity to catch the eyes of Declan Kidney in the Pro 12.
 |
| Is Paddy the man to rescue Ireland's Six Nations campaign? |
That’s
what Paddy Jackson and Paul Marshall did and they have wound up in the starting
15. It was a giant decision for Declan Kidney to chose Ulsterman Jackson ahead
of vertern Ronan O’Gara at 10, but O’Gara had a 'mare against Scarlets and has
paid the price. Considering that Leinster’s Ian Madigan was also called into the squad; O’Gara
could well have been in danger of being left out of the matchday squad
altogether. Other than those two, Tom Court was the only other change from the losing side against England.
The
Scots will target the Irish debutants and will look to put Jackson, in
particular, under pressure early in the game. The one major problem with
Jackson is goal kicking, which hasn’t been good for Ulster this season, it is
usually Ruan Pienaar who fires at the posts for the Pro 12 leaders. If
Jackson's kicking isn’t up to scratch on the day, the home side will have a huge
chance of victory.
However there are plenty of good guys in the Irish team who
might be able to save Declan Kidney from a P45 for now.
Interim
Scotland coach Scott Johnson has made one change from the side that beat Italy, with Geoff Cross replacing Euan Murray (who isn’t available) because of
his religious beliefs.
It's
a strange feeling when I’m optimistic, but pride will have been hurting after the loss to England in Dublin, and down the years it's the following game that has
proven to be a cracker. So, with tradition, I feel Irish eyes may be smiling on Sunday.
My
verdict: Ireland by 5+
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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