Six Nations Prediction

England could finish anywhere.
With a whole big pot of luck, they could win it.
With an average run of luck and injuries, they could finish somewhere between third and fifth.
With a poor run, they could conceivably finish last.
Wales, Ireland and France have all got to be favourites in their clashes against England, regardless of location – [...]

Rugby World Cup Draw – Will England Escape the Pool?

SO, only three years early, here is the draw for the 2011 Rugby Union World Cup:
Pool A – New Zealand, France, Tonga, Americas 1, Asia 1
Pool B – Argentina, England, Scotland, Europe 1, play-off winner
Pool C – Australia, Ireland, Italy, Europe 2, Americas 2
Pool D – South Africa, Wales, Fiji, Oceania 1, Africa 1
Now, on [...]

And so Another Season Dawns, Dust off the Hip Flask…

As another new English Premiership season of attrition, aggression and (hopefully) ambition dawns with new coaches, new players and another Jonny Wilkinson injury dragging on, what is on the wish list for the coming term? Here is what I would like to see happen and also my predictions for the trophies.
 
ELVs – so much has [...]

So How Was it For You? The 2008 6 Nations and England

Before the 6N started one of the more popular rugby forums was running a thread titled, “Your tournament hopes and fears”. It asked fans to state their ideal tournament, and their nightmare scenario.
My ideal realistic outcome was to lose no more than one match and to finish no worse than second. My nightmare scenario was to [...]

Well Done Wales…Again

Firstly, no sour grapes, congratulations to Wales on a well deserved Grand Slam. Who would have thought just a few months ago when they bombed out of the World Cup to Fiji that here they would be having swept all in the 6N before them. Who would believe as well that they would have completed [...]

Commentator of the Week

An occasional feature to honour that most undervalued  of rugby types, the tv commentator. This week hats off to Brian Moore who is becoming a must listen. Like or loathe him, you can’t ignore him. For me he ticks all the right boxes, and he winds up our celtic brethren. Forget Barnes and Harrison, you can’t top [...]

The value bet: weekend 08/03/2008

OddsChecker
Wales v Ireland – Currently no standout value in the market. I’m looking at Wales at about 6/4. Wales have shown more quality than Ireland in recent performances. With doubts over Dempsey and Murphy and with Gatland having a psychological advantage over O’Sullivan, I fancy Wales’ chances. But 6/4 doesn’t meet my criteria of value. [...]

England 24 – France 13 : Six Nations 2008 – First Impressions

First impressions of the performance are:
1. Steve Walsh blew the whistle early depriving us of another 26 seconds.
2. I do not believe that Wigglesworth and Lipman are long-term solutions.
3. I can’t believe that Nick Easter was RBS Man of the Match.
4. Sheridan’s power in the loose was noticeable.
 5. Wilkinson does not kick far enough out [...]