Wales to Win 6 Nations ?

kieranwaldron

Congratulations to Ireland for digging out a victory in Paris when all seemed lost !

All the talk before the start of the 6 nations, was about either England or Ireland winning the competition. After the completion of round one, I think Wales should be considered as serious contenders. The manner in which they disposed of Scotland last Saturday deserves the highest praise, especially the amount of pace they injected into the game. It is difficult to see any team living with them if they employ the same amount of speed going forward.

Furthermore, it has been a few years now since Wales won it, and I cannot see a team coached by Gatland, Edwards and Howley remaining as also-rans for much longer.

chupacabra

For me, its Italy.

arsebiscuits1

Wales were good but not great.

Their front 5 is probably the 4th best in the competition and if they get dominated you can kiss goodbye to a 6N win.

They were very much flattered by Scotlands inability to play rugby for large portions of the game.

They got quick ball and as a result they played some very entertaining rugby.

Slow their ball down and you neuter their attack

The Rape of Lucretia

Its all about the England-France decider according to The Guardian, so Wales a factor but not really contending for the title in the same way as the Big Two :


https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2018/feb/05/six-nations-talking-points-from-the-opening-weekend

Stheno

The Rape of Lucretia wrote: »

Its all about the England-France decider according to The Guardian, so Wales a factor but not really contending for the title in the same way as the Big Two :


https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2018/feb/05/six-nations-talking-points-from-the-opening-weekend

Tha t article is riddled with errors

Bridge93

Wales issue is having to go to both Dublin and London in the same year while dealing with an injury list as long as they have
Can't see them competing this year but injury permitting they'll be really amongst it next. Games will be close I'd imagine but just see Ireland and England bullying them although Ireland are now without an entire backrow too

Elvisjuice

The Rape of Lucretia wrote: »

Its all about the England-France decider according to The Guardian, so Wales a factor but not really contending for the title in the same way as the Big Two :


https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2018/feb/05/six-nations-talking-points-from-the-opening-weekend

thats women's rugby they are talking about

Stheno

Elvisjuice wrote: »

thats women's rugby they are talking about

Ah that makes sense

Wales have as much reason as anyone to be confident. Highly convincing win against Scotland with a very new lineup combined with Scarletts European form and recent title win shows the calibre of player available.

I probably wouldn't point to this weekend as a gauge of form as Scotland were so bad that it was hard to reconcile that performance as against some of their recent performances. They will never be that bad again but credit to Wales for turning the screw and dominating the fixture.

Scotland aren't going to cough up a points difference like that again so from a Welsh perspective they've an advantage now both in terms of having the bonus point and also a very healthy points difference with Italy still to play.

On the flip side they've fixtures away against England and Ireland. They are both teams that are consistently hard to break down and whilst I think Wales could do it, the bookies will have them down to lose both.

Yeah_Right

Wales were good but Scotland were awful. Price and Russell were the worst 9 & 10 combo of the weekend. Think about it, Laidlaw was an improvement when he came on! Russell was so bad that he was like a combination of Madigan and Flakey Freddie on their worst days.

Wales could only play what was in front of them and did a decent job but I believe they should have put Scotland away by more. Italy put up a better fight against England. I wouldn't be surprised if Wales only got one more win this tournament.

razorblunt

Scotland doubled their efforts last Saturday, they managed to make themselves look bad and make Wales look good.
Don't get me wrong, Wales were no where near as weak as they made out to be but Scotland played completely into their hands. As soon as they went 14-0 down, Russell went into "Tag Rugby/7s mode". A bit of composure would have slowed it down and chipped their way back into it. They went for this "organised chaos" and in the end it was just chaos.
Parkes and Williams absolutely schooled Jones and Harris too, I don't think they'll get as much change out of centre pairing from other sides in the remainder.

kieranwaldron

I have had some interesting comments on the 6 nations since I opened this thread.

With regard to Saturday next, I expect Joe Schmidt to give the 3 C's (Cronin, Carberry and Conway) some game time against the Italians. Ireland should win the game comfortably. The outcome of the game, I feel, isn't going to affect the championship significantly. However, it would be prudent for Ireland to secure a bonus point win in the game, and score as many points as possible in order to improve their points difference.

The England v Wales game in contrast could have a significant bearing on where the overall championship goes. A Welsh
win in Twickenham would really upset the applecart, and throw the destiny of the prize wide open -at least as far as half of the teams involved are concerned. I therefore will be watching the latter game with special interest.

arsebiscuits1

kieranwaldron wrote: »

I have had some interesting comments on the 6 nations since I opened this thread.

With regard to Saturday next, I expect Joe Schmidt to give the 3 C's (Cronin, Carberry and Conway) some game time against the Italians. Ireland should win the game comfortably. The outcome of the game, I feel, isn't going to affect the championship significantly. However, it would be prudent for Ireland to secure a bonus point win in the game, and score as many points as possible in order to improve their points difference.

The England v Wales game in contrast could have a significant bearing on where the overall championship goes. A Welsh
win in Twickenham would really upset the applecart, and throw the destiny of the prize wide open -at least as far as half of the teams involved are concerned. I therefore will be watching the latter game with special interest.

Conway is injured

The Rape of Lucretia

The Rape of Lucretia wrote: »

Its all about the England-France decider according to The Guardian, so Wales a factor but not really contending for the title in the same way as the Big Two :


https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2018/feb/05/six-nations-talking-points-from-the-opening-weekend

in Women's rugby, it is.

kieranwaldron

arsebiscuits1 wrote: »

Conway is injured

You are right about Conway being injured. It is surprising that Schmidt in the team just announced isn't going to start Cronin or Carbery. Maybe he wants the more experienced players to build the score before introducing them. Ireland should secure a bonus point win in the contest, and win it by 35 points or more.

kieranwaldron

kieranwaldron wrote: »

You are right about Conway being injured. It is surprising that Schmidt in the team just announced isn't going to start Cronin or Carbery. Maybe he wants the more experienced players to build the score before introducing them. Ireland should secure a bonus point win in the contest, and win it by 35 points or more.

The Ireland v Italy game has just ended with a 37 points advantage to the home side as I anticipated. Both Cronin and Carbery got game time as I predicted

Sanjuro

kieranwaldron wrote: »

The Ireland v Italy game has just ended with a 37 points advantage to the home side as I anticipated. Both Cronin and Carbery got game time as I predicted

That's it. You're going on the ignore list.

kieranwaldron

Sanjuro wrote: »

That's it. You're going on the ignore list.

That is your choice.

Water John

I think Ireland leaked more points than what they may give in any other game. On today's going, Wales aren't to be feared.

kieranwaldron

Water John wrote: »

I think Ireland leaked more points than what they may give in any other game. On today's going, Wales aren't to be feared.

Wales still put up a fight in Twickenham and were not beaten by much. I think the wet conditions, being without Halfpenny and the disallowed try all had a bearing on the result. Schmidt will treat them with respect when they visit the Aviva and chose his team accordingly.

stephen_n

kieranwaldron wrote: »

Wales still put up a fight in Twickenham and were not beaten by much. I think the wet conditions, being without Halfpenny and the disallowed try all had a bearing on the result. Schmidt will treat them with respect when they visit the Aviva and chose his team accordingly.

I don’t think many are suggesting he shouldn’t. Wales are a good team and capeable of playing good attacking rugby. England showed yesterday though, that an organized patient defence can limit that attack. It’s going to be a hugely physical game and you can be guaranteed we will afford them respect.

kuang1

kieranwaldron wrote: »

The Ireland v Italy game has just ended with a 37 points advantage to the home side as I anticipated. Both Cronin and Carbery got game time as I predicted

I want to be you.

Obi_Wan_Kenobi

Ireland have this one, for the last 10 years I think EVERY team that has beaten France in Paris has won the grand slam .. (maybe not the GS every year) but certainly the 6 nations.

whatawaster

Obi_Wan_Kenobi wrote: »

Ireland have this one, for the last 10 years I think EVERY team that has beaten France in Paris has won the grand slam .. (maybe not the GS every year) but certainly the 6 nations.

and if not the 6 nations, they certainly beat France

kieranwaldron

kuang1 wrote: »

I want to be you.

I have at least one person in my fan club.

kieranwaldron

I will not attempt to make a prediction on the outcome of the upcoming Ireland v Wales game without knowing the starting line-ups. Wales can be a different proposition with Leigh Halfpenny starting for them at fullback. He is very good in defence, and an excellent kicker either out of the hand or off the tee.

Dave_The_Sheep

kieranwaldron wrote: »

I will not attempt to make a prediction on the outcome of the upcoming Ireland v Wales game ...

Oh, please do.

kieranwaldron

Ireland will edge the contest with Wales on Saturday if they do the following :
!. Win the forward battle.
2. Execute a plan to contain the fast Welsh back line consisting of players like Liam Williams & George North (should he make an appearance for them.).
3. Don't give silly penalties away in their half of the field thereby enabling Halfpenny to score.

irelandrover

kieranwaldron wrote: »

Ireland will edge the contest with Wales on Saturday if they do the following :
!. Win the forward battle.
2. Execute a plan to contain the fast Welsh back line consisting of players like Liam Williams & George North (should he make an appearance for them.).
3. Don't give silly penalties away in their half of the field thereby enabling Halfpenny to score.

So Ireland wll win if they contain Wales forwards, contain their backs, and don't give away points through penalties?

arsebiscuits1

kieranwaldron wrote: »

Ireland will edge the contest with Wales on Saturday if they do the following :
!. Win the forward battle.
2. Execute a plan to contain the fast Welsh back line consisting of players like Liam Williams & George North (should he make an appearance for them.).
3. Don't give silly penalties away in their half of the field thereby enabling Halfpenny to score.

Ireland will edge this contest with Wales on Saturday if:

1) Ireland score more points than Wales

nc6000

irelandrover wrote: »

So Ireland wll win if they contain Wales forwards, contain their backs, and don't give away points through penalties?

Sounds easy.

kieranwaldron

Ireland just managed to edge out Wales as I anticipated. They won the upfront game especially in the mauls, and didn't give away any silly penalties in their own half. Ireland's back five will need to improve their defensive strategy before they take on Scotland or England as they made some grave errors in that area today.

Dave_The_Sheep

Yeah sure. Wales to win the 6n huh?

dubrov

kieranwaldron wrote:

Ireland will edge the contest with Wales on Saturday if they do the following : !. Win the forward battle. 2. Execute a plan to contain the fast Welsh back line consisting of players like Liam Williams & George North (should he make an appearance for them.). 3. Don't give silly penalties away in their half of the field thereby enabling Halfpenny to score.

Well they covered 1 and 3 in the end but failed massively on point 2

AudreyHepburn

OP I think we can safely say the answer to your question is a resounding no! And we could add that barring a complete disaster against Scotland the likely winners are now a certain team in green 😀

kieranwaldron

Due to what happened at Murrayfield yesterday afternoon, Joe Schmidt is unlikely to underestimate Scotland. Ireland can certainly win their next game but can the do it with a bonus-point win ? If they can, that will make them favourites to win the championship at least.

JustJoe7240

kieranwaldron wrote: »

Due to what happened at Murrayfield yesterday afternoon, Joe Schmidt is unlikely to underestimate Scotland. Ireland can certainly win their next game but can the do it with a bonus-point win ? If they can, that will make them favourites to win the championship at least.

They're already firm favourites.