Rbs 6 Nations: Round 2

[ChillDoubt]

So, we go into the second round of matches and it already look as though the championship deciding (or rather decisive) game will be at Lansdowne Rd on Sunday.
I reckon England will just shade it as I can't see them imploding as they did the last time they were there but Ireland at home with that crowd, who knows?
The first try will be crucial and whoever scores it will doubtless set the tone for the pattern of the game.

Wales in typical style have gone from GS champs to possible Spoon contenders in successive seasons, something we do all too often.
Warburton is out but I'm not too disheartened as Tipuric is a more than able replacement and on current form is actually performing better than his captain. Sam hasn't been 'at it' for some months now and needs to regain form and fitness before re-consideration for his place IMHO.
The armband goes to Ryan Jones, a more than able replacement.

As ever, which French team will turn up? I've no doubt they'll perform better than they did last week and both teams have a lot to prove after losing starts.
If they go behind early the crowd will get on their back as they usually do and it could go pear-shaped for them.
My heart says Wales in a thriller (we have had some there of late), but then it would, wouldn't it?

Scotland performed well last weekend and despite the scoreline showed some great skills. Italy will be buoyed with their fantastic home result last week, now the Azzurri need to galvanise themselves as everyone's second favourite team and show that they can do it away from home soil and with an on-song half back partnership at last, backed up with a little belief they've every chance.

Your predictions?

[emmie]

looking forward to it with some trepidation as per usual, England rather drubbed the Scots last week, but i am not sure they will do the same, but it should be a good match...

[ChillDoubt]

Jeezus Aitch Kerrist on a Cross Trainer!

Ed,
Can we PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEASE do something about the ridiculous capitals problem in OP titles, it makes the site look unprofessional.

[Sipowicz]

Seconded!

[albaqwerty]

DTcrosswordfan had a similar capital problem some weeks back.

I think Italy will trounce Scotland. They just don't seem to have the stamina to play a full game, flashes of brilliance will not win them anything.
I thought the Wales/Ireland match last week was breathtaking. First half went Irelands way and 2nd half Wales decided to start doing something.

I'm not a great follower but love it when it's on the telly.
I'm looking forward to the Lions Tour later this year, but no doubt, team selection could prove controversial.

[mallyh]

there have been some exciting games so far ,hope it continues .Come on england

[emmie]

one thing how is that manu tuilagi plays for England, don't you have to be born here to do that, he is from Samoa,

[ChillDoubt]

Born in Samoa em, has lived in UK (played U14 rugby) from an early age and chose to play for England when given the choice.
Each of his brothers plays/played for Samoa.

[ChillDoubt]

Just to set the mood again.

It's all about belief.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/9428979.stm

[emmie]

but if all the players that were born elsewhere wanted to play for the country of their choice, then who would play for their countries, if you see what i mean. If born in England, then see no reason not to play for England, at whatever sport, even say having one English parent, but he is Samoan. Great player, but this doesn't seem right somehow.

[ChillDoubt]

He's not the only one em.
International sport has many players who were born in one country and play for another, either through parentage, grand parentage or just plain residency.
It has happened for decades.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_nationality_transfers_in_sport

[emmie]

perhaps but don't see how even though he has elected to play for England, and no doubt he is a great asset, he can, both parents were born in Samoa.
I reckon that in all professional sports if you put on an England shirt, top then you have to have at least one parent born here. Same with Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland, otherwise one could go on so far back with a very tenuous relationship to the country. The like the English Premier league, many English, but also full of foreign born players.
Perhaps this is for another thread.
I hope England win

[THECORBYLOON]

em, being resident in the UK for five years is also one of the conditions for applying for Briitish Citizenship on residential grounds so he could be British if he wants.

[emmie]

it should be a good game.

[beejay1124]

hi chilld-should be another good weekend
that was a bruising last 20 mins at cardiff last saturday-constant forward driving/tackling--not great watching for those with a nonrugby background
predictions??? France to beat Wales--the other 2-toss a coin

[DTCwordfan]

England by 12

France by 6

Scotland-Italy a real tough one to call but Scotland by 3 (that Scots pack is a bruiser potentially - and they have speed in the team).

[emmie]

don't think England will win by that margin, but they should win..

[beejay1124]

hi DT- i will be having a wee wager on each match(winners and points difference)-will be trying France win by 16 to 20 points

[joggerjayne]

I might look for a lunch time pub with a telly.

[beejay1124]

wet n windy forecast for Dublin 12 morro--will that make a diff?

[emmie]

one of our locals usually has either the footie or rugby on, so may do a catch up there...