Six Nations 2011 Winner?

cson

Would have backed England without hesitation before the injury to Lawes and suspension for Attwood. Still think they have it about them to win it but there won't be a slam this year. The Welsh could surprise them at Cardiff. France were frightening with how easily they were torn to bits against the Aussies but it's hard to know with them how it'll effect them. We have the front row issue which means imo we won't win it.

Anyway, vote away.

tolosenc

France

cson wrote: »

Would have backed England without hesitation before the injury to Lawes and suspension for Attwood. Still think they have it about them to win it but there won't be a slam this year. The Welsh could surprise them at Cardiff. France were frightening with how easily they were torn to bits against the Aussies but it's hard to know with them how it'll effect them. We have the front row issue which means imo we won't win it.

Anyway, vote away.

It's still gonna be England. Followed by France, then Wales, we might just get past Scotland but I wouldn't count on it, with Italy last (again...)

TBH, we don't have a front row issue, we have a management issue.

Exiled2NY

Wales

Call it optimism or blind hope, but I feel the Irish team will perform better than expected! I dont think anyone will win the Grandslam though!

The Iish squad announcement should be interesting as there a few big calls to make. As long as the right calls are made....we could be in with a shot.

CouchSmart

Italy

Scotland. I reckon it's a close call between Ireland, Wales and Scotland with Scotland just about winning it.

cson

France

I know the Scots are making progress but seriously?

CouchSmart

Italy

cson wrote: »

I know the Scots are making progress but seriously?

There are a lot of variables obviously but if it falls well for Scotland they should do it. They've Ireland, Wales and Italy at home - all games they're capable of winning, especially if the weather's bad (It's Scotland, the weather is always bad:p).

England and France away are big asks for them but I think England are terribly overrated and so there's a possibility of Scotland doing a job on them.

cson

France

England and France away. They'll need to win 4 games barring some crazy results and I can't see that happening.

OldRio

Scotland

So many questions in regard to the French team. After the Aussie game who will he pick. For that matter Marc Lievremont choices are always erratic.
England will do well but are still trying to find their best 15.
Scotland improving but will they score tries ?
I hope Ireland. But Front Row???????
Wales for me.
I have that much confidence in that prediction I'll have 50cent each way.:D

jolley123

France

Hard one to call between Wales and England for me.

England are playing some smashing rugby and Wales have created serious depth. I would have gone with Wales if Jenkins and SWilliams were fit, but seeing as they aren't imma go with England. Though I don't think they'll win the grand slam.

I can see us losing to Wales and France and it's never easy going to Murrayfield.

irishbucsfan

Ireland

It will finish

1. Ireland
2. France
3. Scotland
4. England
5. Wales
6. Italy

macman2010

Scotland

such a close call this year, but if the Welsh beat Enland in the opening game in Cardiff then they can go on an win the championship. Their two away games are Scotland and the french.
As for Ireland, not this year me thinks. Lets give some of the younger lads some game time and keep the first 15 fresh for the WC.

CouchSmart

Italy

Full fixture list. My predictions in blue.

Fri 4th Feb 11 19:45 Wales v England Wales
Sat 5th Feb 11 14:30 Italy v Ireland Ireland
Sat 5th Feb 11 17:00 France v ScotlandFrance

Sat 12th Feb 11 14:30 England v ItalyEngland
Sat 12th Feb 11 17:00 Scotland v Wales Scotland
Sun 13th Feb 11 15:00 Ireland v FranceIreland

Sat 26th Feb 11 14:30 Italy v Wales Wales
Sat 26th Feb 11 17:00 England v FranceEngland
Sun 27th Feb 11 15:00 Scotland v IrelandScotland

Sat 12th Mar 11 14:30 Italy v FranceFrance
Sat 12th Mar 11 17:00 Wales v IrelandWales
Sun 13th Mar 11 15:00 England v ScotlandScotland

Sat 19th Mar 11 14:30 Scotland v ItalyScotland
Sat 19th Mar 11 17:00 Ireland v EnglandIreland
Sat 19th Mar 11 19:45 France v Wales France

Sand Wedge

France

1) England
2) Ireland
3) France
4) Wales
5) Italy
6) Scotland

England to win it by beating Ireland in last game!

jolley123

France

CouchSmart wrote: »

Sat 12th Feb 11 17:00 Scotland v Wales Scotland
Sun 13th Mar 11 15:00 England v ScotlandScotland

those are the only ones i'd change

some_dose

France

I don't see why people are thinking that Scotland will come good this year. They are still hopelessly one dimensional and I don't think that they offer anything special at all. Sure they gave us an upset last year, but it's no reason to think they'll do it again this time around.

Noffles

Scotland

Lots of optimism on this thread... LOTS of it...

1. France
2. Wales (with France to win in the last game against us)
3. England (they have it in them to win, losing 1st game against us won't help though)
4 Ireland
5. Scotland
6. Italy

We have a good squad at the minute, Jenkins going is a shame but James should be up to it...

All in all, it should be entertaining... and lets be honest when is the 6 Nations not entertaining????

amiable

Ireland without doubt can and will win this years six nations. Declan Kidney is doing an excellent job and is there for the long haul.
I can't understand the criticism he gets. Crazy

some_dose

France

Noffles wrote: »

Lots of optimism on this thread... LOTS of it...

1. France
2. Wales (with France to win in the last game against us)
3. England (they have it in them to win, losing 1st game against us won't help though)
4 Ireland
5. Scotland
6. Italy

We have a good squad at the minute, Jenkins going is a shame but James should be up to it...

All in all, it should be entertaining... and lets be honest when is the 6 Nations not entertaining????

I like your optimism but I think you are going to be proved very wrong (I hope you're not though!)

Noffles

Scotland

some_dose wrote: »

I like your optimism but I think you are going to be proved very wrong (I hope you're not though!)

Optimism seems to be the theme of this thread, some comments seeming to believe Ireland will win the whole thing... very admirable!

Noffles

Scotland

amiable wrote: »

Ireland without doubt can and will win this years six nations. Declan Kidney is doing an excellent job and is there for the long haul.
I can't understand the criticism he gets. Crazy

:rolleyes:

heybaby

Ireland

Noffles wrote: »

Optimism seems to be the theme of this thread, some comments seeming to believe Ireland will win the whole thing... very admirable!

Gotta agree, ireland will finish 4th or at best 3rd.:(

CouchSmart

Italy

Don't understand the belief in France. Has anyone watched the Top 14 this season, it's been worse than the Aviva premiership!

Zzippy

Ireland

irishbucsfan wrote: »

It will finish

1. Ireland
2. France
3. Scotland
4. England
5. Wales
6. Italy

Umm, but you voted for France in the poll...

amiable wrote: »

Ireland without doubt can and will win this years six nations. Declan Kidney is doing an excellent job and is there for the long haul.
I can't understand the criticism he gets. Crazy

Hi Brian! Good luck tomorrow...

Quint2010

France

People tipping France have to understand France have a very poor record in Twickenham-they got stuffed there 34-10 and 26-18 on their last 2 visits against at that time 2 very ordinary english teams.

peterako

Wales

Voted Ireland....cause knowing our luck we'll, by some strange twist, win....then we'll be found out in the RWC

Especially if it rains

tolosenc

France

Having had a look at the fixtures:

1. Wales
2. England
3. France
4. Scotland
5. Ireland
6. Italy

efb

Ireland

I reckon Fr will have one eye on the WC11 in NZ.

I don't think there will be a Grand Slam this year.

I reckon it will be a toss up with ENG IRL SCO and FR with a chance.

France to win the 6 Nations
Scotland Ireland England next
Wales
Italy

twinytwo

Wales

the way i see it... we have england and france at home..we can beat them assuming we turn up and play ( by play i mean not the ****e we dished up over the AI's). I think the irland team is alot better than we give it credit for. The scrum needs to be sorted out. if we could do that we might actually not have so much to worry about. We will beat italy.. scotland will be scrappy but i think we cna and will win... wales is the only slip up...

irishbucsfan

Ireland

Zzippy wrote: »

Umm, but you voted for France in the poll...

Ah yeah, That ranking was after I voted, then I remembered we have them at home.

CouchSmart

Italy

twinytwo wrote: »

the way i see it... we have england and france at home..we can beat them assuming we turn up and play ( by play i mean not the ****e we dished up over the AI's). I think the irland team is alot better than we give it credit for. The scrum needs to be sorted out. if we could do that we might actually not have so much to worry about. We will beat italy.. scotland will be scrappy but i think we cna and will win... wales is the only slip up...

If we don't win our two home games I'll be really disappointed. Leinster or Munster losing at home isn't acceptable and it shouldn't be for Ireland either.

BoarHunter

France

I reckon France will lose at home against Scotland, Lievremont keeping his rubbish beliefs about Traille, Jauzion, Rougerie and will react as usual on their next fixture in Dublin by beating ireland in the aviva for the first 6N game there ( as they did for the first rugby match ever played in Crocker ) and then. For that they will pick a team based on the Toulouse squad and a better scrum half than Parra ( Dupuy i reckon ). Then they will still be a doubt for the twickenham game and that's where France will lose the tournament i think.

1 - England
2 - Scotland
3 - France
4 - Wales
5 - Ireland
6 - Italy

LuckyGent88

Wales

the competition is up for grabs....just comes down to who wants it more and who executes best and most consistantly.

the only team that havent a chance are italy although scotland's is an outside chance they are improving and are hard to beat at home.

Once Ireland get the scrum together they have a great chance with a back line that should score tries given quick and go forward ball.

If france revert back to last years team and winning formula then it will be tough for anyone to beat them but god only knows what type of team they will come up with after the Australia performance.

COME ON IRELAND!!!!

TheHighRoad

France

1.England 2.France 3.Ireland 4.Scotland 5.Wales 6.Italy

BoarHunter

France

CouchSmart wrote: »

Don't understand the belief in France. Has anyone watched the Top 14 this season, it's been worse than the Aviva premiership!

I invite you to have a look at the Hcup and Amlin cup standings

[Jackass]

France

amiable wrote: »

Ireland without doubt can and will win this years six nations. Declan Kidney is doing an excellent job and is there for the long haul.
I can't understand the criticism he gets. Crazy

He picks about one thrid of the best Irish team available to him.

He's very conservative, stuck in his ways and overly loyal to players who don't deserve to be playing.

He also has had well documented fall outs at Leinster from his time there and has a certain personal agenda with some players (Mike Ross being the most obvious, presumably from his fallout with Munster and leaving and then returning to Leinster when Munster were having tight head issues of their own.)

I don't know, I think Kidney has done well to win the things he's won, but he's had an extremely good squad in place to win those things in the first place.

His track record of building a squad ended in disastor (Leinster) and he now needs to build a squad for a world cup, which is also going to end in disastor as he is resisting the change and the inevitable. He is very very reluctant to introduce unknows and is desperate for results alone, which is incredibly short sighted, and anyone who plays John Hayes against Samoa in a world cup year when it's our weakest position deserves healthy criticisim.

Jemo

Ireland

I think that Ireland has the players to win it outright this year, but the ones we need to win (SOB, Ross, Stringer) won't be picked enough by Kidney so France to win. We need to start picking teams to win games, not teams of favourites, or the overall best 15. Ross for instance should start against France and England to nullify their srummaging. I'd have Stringer starting most of the matches, with Boss interchanging with him, (à la reddan and boss at Leinster). I just have no confidence in the coach unfortunately .

duckysauce

Ireland

[Jackass] wrote: »

He picks about one thrid of the best Irish team available to him.

He's very conservative, stuck in his ways and overly loyal to players who don't deserve to be playing.

He also has had well documented fall outs at Leinster from his time there and has a certain personal agenda with some players (Mike Ross being the most obvious, presumably from his fallout with Munster and leaving and then returning to Leinster when Munster were having tight head issues of their own.)

I don't know, I think Kidney has done well to win the things he's won, but he's had an extremely good squad in place to win those things in the first place.

His track record of building a squad ended in disastor (Leinster) and he now needs to build a squad for a world cup, which is also going to end in disastor as he is resisting the change and the inevitable. He is very very reluctant to introduce unknows and is desperate for results alone, which is incredibly short sighted, and anyone who plays John Hayes against Samoa in a world cup year when it's our weakest position deserves healthy criticisim.

any chance of a thread without leinster/munster crap

[Jackass]

France

I'm talking about the coach, not Munster and Leinster - the only reference is to his failings in his role and previous failings that transcend into his current role.

tolosenc

France

Jemo wrote: »

I think that Ireland has the players to win it outright this year, but the ones we need to win (SOB, Ross, Stringer) won't be picked

Exactly:

1. Healy 2. Flannery/Cronin 3. Buckley
4. DOC 5. POC
6. Ferris 8. Heaslip 7. Wallace
9. TOL 10. Sexton
12. Darce 13. BOD
11. Earls 15. Fitz 14. Bowe

is the likely team, IMO. It'd be murdered in the scrum, and TOL just can't run a back line anything like the 3 guys who should rightfully be ahead of him in the pecking order. At least 5 (if not 7/8) of those need to be changed to have our best team on current form.

There's also the issue of Kidney's total misuse of substitutions...

sock puppet

I think England will win without the GS. Imo they'll lose to either us or Wales but have enough to beat the rest. I'd say they'll beat Wales and lose to us.

Jemo

Ireland

1. Healy/Court
2. Cronin/Varley
3. Ross/Buckley
4. DOC/Tuohy / Toner
5. POC/ Cullen
6. Ferris/ Leamy
7. SOB/ Wallace
8. Heaslip/ SOB/ Leamy
09. Stringer / Boss / Reddan / TOL
10. Sexton / ROG
11. Earls / Fitzgerald / Trimble
12. D'Arcy / Wallace / McFadden
13. BOD / Bowe / Earls / McFadden
14. Bowe / Horgan
15. Bowe / Fitzgerald / Kearney*/ Duffy* (*=due back midway)

A team with options like that should be able to win the six nations outright, unfortunately at least 13 of those players won't be utilised during the six nations despite the fact that most technical coaches would love the diverse opportunities they present. That is a serious squad which is only lightweight at hooker and fullback where injuries have seriously taken a toll. Kidney is a good motivator, knows what and who he likes but at the end of the day would make a better manager than coach.

LeeroyJones

This is the toughest 6Nations to predict in a long time. Any team from France, England, Ireland and Wales could do it. Scotland are on the up but don't have enough about them to mount a consistent challenge throughout the tournament but could well be influential by picking up a result or 2.

I can't see any side winning the Grand Slam; and I wouldn't be overly shocked if the winner finished the campaign with 6points after the 4 main contenders beating eachother and Scotland, and even Italy picking up a scalp.



A brave defeat against NZ
A loss to SA
An unconvincing win against Samoa
Am I addressing Ireland or England? Both is the answer and how these results have been portrayed in the media both at home and in the UK shows just how fascinating the strength of the influence of journalists. England are World title contenders, Ireland are rubbish again is the general cry. Both statements are nonsense. In actual fact I would place England and Ireland on a similar standard right now going into the 6Nations and would be optimistic in our match against them as it's on home turf.
Sure, England's win over Australia showed that they are on a upward slope. They have what it takes to beat big sides, but they are not consistent or, in my opinion, talented enough to do the business on a more regular basis.
I'd expect some people to challenge this sentiment, and there is nothing more I could say other than "let see what happens"!

France are awesome. Yes, I saw them during the autumn, but their players are individually awesome. Whatever is going on in the staff room is beyond me, I simply don't understand it. So despite them being awesome I do have reservations about their prospects. Having said that, if I had to pick someone to win it-I pick France. I suspect they will beat Italy, prove too much for Scotland at home, and pip Wales in Stade de France. They do have England and Ireland away, but I would back them to win one of them which I would say will be enough this year.

Wales should go into the tournament with optimism though too. Ireland and England at home is an opportunity to take 4 points, coupled with wins against Italy and Scotland could give them the required tally-but those are not foregone conclusions.

Like every year I am going to place a wager, and as you can see from above I amn't too certain on who to back. My head is whispering France, while my heart is screaming IRELAND. I might just go with the heart!

gregers85

After the autumn internationals i think england are the dark horse this yr!! could cause a few upsets!!

conf101

Wales

While I agree that a GS is very unlikely this year if you remember back to this time last year a lot of people were saying that no-one would do the GS in the 2010 6 nations either. A GS is such an unpredictable thing. In '09 no-one expected us to do it either.

Fight_Night

France

I wish Lawes didn't get injured or it would have been a sure thing IMO that England would win the 6N. Now I'm not sure who will win either France or England but I'd still back England.

Never say never but come on lads, do you really think Ireland have a good chance? I mean lets call a spade a spade, Ireland have an average squad, at least compared to France and England we do.

LeeroyJones

Fight_Night wrote: »

I wish Lawes didn't get injured or it would have been a sure thing IMO that England would win the 6N. Now I'm not sure who will win either France or England but I'd still back England.

Never say never but come on lads, do you really think Ireland have a good chance? I mean lets call a spade a spade, Ireland have an average squad, at least compared to France and England we do.

Firstly, Lawes is a tremendous prospect and even now as an unfinished article is a great player but I certainly would not suggest his presence/absence dictates where the title goes!

Secondly, player for player our 'average' squad is better than England's. As eluded to in many a thread here, there are a few questionable decisions being made at the helm but if you're talking about the squad of players, I would have our squad over England's any day of the week.
France, yes have a better squad of players in my opinion, I admit that one!

Ken.

Wales

Ireland to win it,then go out at the group stage of the wc leaving us all disappointed at having stayed up late

Fight_Night

France

LeeroyJones wrote: »

Firstly, Lawes is a tremendous prospect and even now as an unfinished article is a great player but I certainly would not suggest his presence/absence dictates where the title goes!

Secondly, player for player our 'average' squad is better than England's. As eluded to in many a thread here, there are a few questionable decisions being made at the helm but if you're talking about the squad of players, I would have our squad over England's any day of the week.
France, yes have a better squad of players in my opinion, I admit that one!

Perhaps my bias is showing as I've recently become infatuated by Northampton and The Aviva Prem in general, but I think he's a brilliant player. England have a fairly timid back row but other than that I think they have a better overall squad than us. Having said that I wouldn't be surprised if I turn out to be completely wrong and England lose 3 matches. Hopefully I'm wrong!

freyners

Wales

This is the England Elite playing squad
Forwards: George Chuter, Dan Cole, Tom Croft, Louis Deacon , Paul Doran-Jones, Nick Easter, Hendre Fourie, Dylan Hartley, James Haskell , Courtney Lawes, Lewis Moody, Tom Palmer, Tim Payne, Simon Shaw, Andrew Sheridan, Steve Thompson, David Wilson, Joe Worsley.

Backs: Delon Armitage, Chris Ashton, Matt Banahan, Danny Care, Mark Cueto, Toby Flood, Riki Flutey, Ben Foden, Shontayne Hape, Charlie Hodgson, Joe Simpson, David Strettle, Mike Tindall, Jonny Wilkinson, Ben Youngs.


My predicted irish squad

Healy/court
cronin/best
ross/buckley/hayes
doc/cullen
poc/toner
ferris/leamy
sob/wallace
heaslip
stringer/tol/boss
sexton/rog
trimble/fitz
darcy/wallace
bod/earls
bowe/horgan
duffy

comparing the two besides at tighthead (and if ross gets his overdue run maybe not even then) the irish squad looks stronger in every position to me

[Jackass]

France

This will be the Irish squad:

1. Court / Healy
2. Cronin / Best
3. Hayes / Buckley
4. O'Callaghan / Cullen
5. O'Connell / O'Driscoll
6. Ferris / McLoughlin
7. Wallace / O'Brien
8. Leamy / Heaslip
9. O'Leary / Reddan
10. O'Gara / Sexton
11. Fitzgerald / Trimble
12. Wallace / D'Arcy
13. O'Driscoll / Earls
14. Bowe / J. Murphy
15. Kearney / G. Murphy

This SHOULD be the Irish squad:

1. Healy / Court
2. Cronin / Best
3. Ross / Buckley
4. O'Callaghan / Cullen
5. O'Connell / Tuhoy
6. Ferris / McLoughlin
7. O'Brien / Jennings
8. Heaslip / Leamy
9. Reddan / Boss
10. Sexton / O'Gara
11. Fitzgerald / Earls
12. Wallace / D'Arcy
13. O'Driscoll / McFadden
14. Bowe / Horgan
15. Kearney / Murphy

If we had had a chance to see a dozen more players at international level that squad could be very different, but it's hard to pick from outside of uncle deccies pool of players when they haven't seen any international rugby.

blindpilot

Ireland

France for me I'm afraid. I dont see Ireland doing it this year. Would be happy to be proved wrong though. Cant wait for it to start.