|
Opinionated Rugby Commentary - by Fans for Fans
Spill what you really think about events in the rugby world.
Six Nations 2015 Round 1 Preview 2 views
05 February 2015 by The Swede Eaters
|
| |
|
Who are you picking in Six Nations Round 1 2015?
Who are you picking to win the Six Nations 2015 title? Can Ireland defend their title or will the traditional powerhouses of England or France get back the prized trophy? Can Wales win it again under Warren Gatland or will Scotland or Italy surprise everyone?
Round 1 starts on Friday night with Wales hosting England, before the other games which see Italy hosting Ireland and France hosting Scotland.
Wales vs England
Wales are at home for their crucial game against England. It is captain Sam Warburton's 50th test match for Wales and they will want to give him the perfect celebration. Both of these teams have contrasting squads with Wales having a largely settled team.
There is plenty to talk about with this match like whether to open or close the stadium roof and how England will cope with so many injuries which will truly test the depth of Stuart Lancaster's men.
They managed to almost beat the All Blacks in New Zealand with a depleted squad in June last year, Some of the regular names in the England team from recent seasons like Owen Farrell, Ben Morgan, Manu Tuilagi and Courtney Lawes are out with injury and so it will be a tough night for England although they had better get used to not having some of their big names as some of them will be missing for the entire Six Nations campaign, although it does provide an opportunity for some new faces to stake their claims for the Rugby World Cup, which is the bigger picture. They do still have some very good players and their forward pack still will be tough to get the better of, although you expect the powerful Welsh backs like Jamie Roberts and George North to get the better of their opponents.
Statistically, England will want to start better than they did in 2014 when they lost to France and given that they lost 30-3 in their last Six Nations match in Cardiff then they need to get out of the starter's gate quickly. Wales has won four of their last five Six Nations games at home against England and since it is Sam Warburton's milestone, expect Wales to be too strong.
Wales by 3 points
Italy vs Ireland
Ireland kicks off their Six Nations campaign on the road against Italy. This Ireland team is flourishing under coach Joe Schmidt and it will be interesting to see how they go without the injured Jonathan Sexton to steer the ship. Ireland won this clash last year 46-7, but lost in Italy in 2013 by 22-15. Italy has an experienced forward pack, although this new style of play that the Irish are playing under Schmidt should still be too good even if they are away from home.
Expect Ireland to win this match relatively closely given that Italy can be a handful in the opening game of the competition, although this will be a day game and so this should help Ireland.
Ireland by 8 points.
France vs Scotland
The enigmatic French are favourites to beat Scotland, but one must remember that Scotland actually finished the November Internationals strongly and must be giving themselves a chance of causing an upset. France does look to have too much firepower out wide with some exciting backs like Wes Fofana and Teddy Thomas.
Scotland hasn't beaten France in France in a Six Nations match, with their last victory coming in 1999 in the Five Nations. France has won seven straight at home against Scotland, while Scotland last defeated France in the Six Nations in 2006, although they only lost by two points last year.
The average winning margin in Six Nations rugby when these two teams have met in the first round in France in a ten point win for France.
France by 10 points.
Who are you picking to win Six Nations Round 1 matches?
For Six Nations starting team lists go to
http://www.superrugbytips.com/2015/02/six-nations-round-1-preview-2015-who.html
|
|
|
➜ Previous Story
Next Story ➜
|
|
Tags:
Six Nations,
|
|
|
|
|
|