We’re all set for the start of the 2015 Six Nations, and what a tournament it will be. With the Rugby World Cup later this year, the huge clashes that this championship throws up take on even more significance. With that in mind, here are our predictions for the weekend.
Wales vs England
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Friday 6th Feb 20.05
It all kicks-off this evening in Cardiff where these two greatest of rivals do battle. So much more than bragging rights are on the line – a marker for their World Cup pool, where they will face each, as well as revenge for the respective drubbings they have received in recent years at each other’s hands. Where will the spoils go this evening? Wales are certainly the more settled side and if they are allowed to get their power game going, they will be tough to stop. England have picked an experimental team after injuries, particularly in the backs, but if they can gel quickly enough they have some lethal combinations. At the Millennium Stadium, however, it’s difficult to look past Wales, says Jamie Hosie, predicting Wales to win by 5.
Italy vs Ireland
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Saturday 7th Feb 14.30
Champions Ireland get the defence of their crown underway in Rome, against an Italian side who took several large strides backwards in 2014. The less said about that year the better for them, and they’ll be looking to the likes of experienced campaigners Martin Castrogiovanni, Alessandro Zanni and the perennially brilliant Sergio Parisse to drag them back to form. It’s a tough ask first up, as Joe Schmidt has transformed this Ireland side into one that plays exactly to its strengths, and is quick to identify any opposition weaknesses. They have injury troubles – Ian Keatley is third choice fly-half and Jamie Heaslip is a big loss – but they should still be comfortably too good for the Italians. Calum Gillon is predicting Ireland to win by 17.
France vs Scotland
Stade de France, Paris
Saturday 7th Feb 17.00 (GMT)
The weekend is wrapped up in Paris with a game that is full of intrigue. Everyone knows how good France can be – but the question is whether they will play to the sum of their magnificent parts. If not, they could be there for the taking by a Scotland side who took remarkable strides in the autumn under the stewardship of new head coach Vern Cotter. Looking to channel the success of Glasgow in the PRO12 and (in fits and spurts) the Champions Cup, can they spring a surprise and get their first win in Paris for 16 years, and only their second over France since the turn of the century? Charlie King thinks they just might, predicting Scotland to win by 2.
| Hosie | Hutch | |
|---|---|---|
| Wales vs England | Wales by 5 | Wales by 3 |
| Italy vs Ireland | Ireland by 12 | Ireland by 16 |
| France vs Scotland | Scotland by 2 | France by 8 |
How do you see the weekend going? What do you make of the predictions above? Don’t forget, if you think you know better you can play in our SuperBru predictions league.
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
6 replies on “Six Nations 2015: Week 1 Predictions”
I would love Scotland to win, just don’t think they can do it in Paris!
I think the predictions are right as far as the teams go just not sure on scorelines.
Wales as mentioned have been together along time, assuming no major injuries during the game I reckon they’ll win by 14+ – hopefully more. This is not me being disrespectful of the English squad but they don’t have the same chemistry and I see that causing alot of handling errors once they come under pressure following Wales first try. (Confidence gone wild type of scenario)
Ireland will beat Italy, no questions I reckon they’ll run away with it though, in my eyes they’ll be looking to pile up the points and Italy are the team to achieve that on, Ireland by 30+ – this will be v.important if no Grand Slam is attained.
Scotland in my eyes will beat France and no I don’t think by alot, but I think your 2pts is pushing it, I reckon Scotland by 1, I see France crossing the try line but only once. However, unlike most I see Scotland doing v.well this tournament and wouldn’t be shocked to see them come 3rd
Start of the first half bang on what I expected, unfortunately things went south for wales in the second half and we handed the game away. V.disappointed with the result but no complaining, England deserved the win in the second half.
As a welsh supporter i’m hoping we can cream england and that Ireland destroy wales but in reality im sat somewhat dismayed, hoping we can get 4/5 victories. they need to sort themselves out 🙁 Very disappointed!
*hoping ireland cream england :p (typo)
3rd choice out-half? Surely if Keatley is picked to play when our 1st choice out-half is missing, then he’s 2nd choice!
Wales offered nothing. Even when they scored, Faletau picked out of the hooker’s feet (illegal), and the scrum was being mullered. Although disappointing to concede that try, you could sense that England were by far the more powerful team up front. 5 points put this closer than it was. Easter was behind Wigglesworth when he was penalised, so that means he was in play legitimately. England by 15 would have been pretty reflective of the relative strength on the day. Wales will be back, but as I’ve said for years, their front 5 isn’t strong enough and they have a soft underbelly when it counts.