Six Nations 2017
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Ooh a new Six Nations topic already.
What might make this year's tourney more interesting is the addition of bonus points - particularly if every team loses a match before final round.
In theory, Wales should top the table after Round 1 as being the most likely to get a TBP point, and other losing teams might get an LBP. But it's a bit of lottery in the first game up.
Which France turn up at Twickenham is the key question where they haven't won in donkeys.
Ireland tend to start strong but a resurgent Scotland in Murrayfield may be a lot closer result. Injuries aren't too bad for Ireland with just Dillane, Payne, Olding, Carbery, Ross, D Kearney, McFadden unlikely to be available currently. 1 league and 2 Euro Cup matches to go could change that picture.
Wales are notorious poor starters but should still get over the line unless O'Shea can pulls some rabbit out of a hat.
@Pot-Hale said in Six Nations 2017:
Ooh a new Six Nations topic already.
What might make this year's tourney more interesting is the addition of bonus points - particularly if every team loses a match before final round.
In theory, Wales should top the table after Round 1 as being the most likely to get a TBP point, and other losing teams might get an LBP. But it's a bit of lottery in the first game up.
Which France turn up at Twickenham is the key question where they haven't won in donkeys.
Ireland tend to start strong but a resurgent Scotland in Murrayfield may be a lot closer result. Injuries aren't too bad for Ireland with just Dillane, Payne, Olding, Carbery, Ross, D Kearney, McFadden unlikely to be available currently. 1 league and 2 Euro Cup matches to go could change that picture.
Wales are notorious poor starters but should still get over the line unless O'Shea can pulls some rabbit out of a hat.
Surely Ross and McFadden are permanently out of the Irish picture, no?
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@Pot-Hale said in Six Nations 2017:
Ooh a new Six Nations topic already.
What might make this year's tourney more interesting is the addition of bonus points - particularly if every team loses a match before final round.
In theory, Wales should top the table after Round 1 as being the most likely to get a TBP point, and other losing teams might get an LBP. But it's a bit of lottery in the first game up.
Which France turn up at Twickenham is the key question where they haven't won in donkeys.
Ireland tend to start strong but a resurgent Scotland in Murrayfield may be a lot closer result. Injuries aren't too bad for Ireland with just Dillane, Payne, Olding, Carbery, Ross, D Kearney, McFadden unlikely to be available currently. 1 league and 2 Euro Cup matches to go could change that picture.
Wales are notorious poor starters but should still get over the line unless O'Shea can pulls some rabbit out of a hat.
Surely Ross and McFadden are permanently out of the Irish picture, no?
@Billy-Tell said in Six Nations 2017:
@Pot-Hale said in Six Nations 2017:
Ooh a new Six Nations topic already.
What might make this year's tourney more interesting is the addition of bonus points - particularly if every team loses a match before final round.
In theory, Wales should top the table after Round 1 as being the most likely to get a TBP point, and other losing teams might get an LBP. But it's a bit of lottery in the first game up.
Which France turn up at Twickenham is the key question where they haven't won in donkeys.
Ireland tend to start strong but a resurgent Scotland in Murrayfield may be a lot closer result. Injuries aren't too bad for Ireland with just Dillane, Payne, Olding, Carbery, Ross, D Kearney, McFadden unlikely to be available currently. 1 league and 2 Euro Cup matches to go could change that picture.
Wales are notorious poor starters but should still get over the line unless O'Shea can pulls some rabbit out of a hat.
Surely Ross and McFadden are permanently out of the Irish picture, no?
They're still in the wider squad for this year. I'd never say never.
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Well, yesterday the Evening Standard had Launchbury back for the match on the 14th; today the BBC has him missing the first 6N match on the 4th Feb. Hmmm.
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@Hooroo said in Six Nations 2017:
When the the Stadium in Cardiff get renamed?
I wondered that as well. January 2016 apparently (we are only a year behind - well a bit more for me as it still the Arms Park I reckon).
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https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/jan/09/england-chris-robshaw-12-weeks-six-nations
Chris Robshaw crocked for all of 6 Nations. Reckon we will see Itoje there giving him a really nice warm up for the Lions.
England’s Chris Robshaw ruled out for 12 weeks and will miss Six Nations
Chris Robshaw has been ruled out of the Six Nations after Harlequins confirmed the England flanker will undergo surgery on his injured shoulder on Monday and will be sidelined for 12 weeks.
Robshaw aggravated an existing injury to his left shoulder in Harlequins’ New Year’s Day defeat by Worcester and a meeting with a specialist confirmed the need for surgery. Robshaw had hoped to play some part in England’s defence of their Six Nations title but will now be out of action until April in what comes as a major blow for Eddie Jones. The 30-year-old has emerged as a key lieutenant for England since moving to blindside flanker and relinquishing the captaincy last year and has started 12 of the 13 victories under the Australian – missing only the end-of-season friendly against Wales.
“Chris is a massive ‘glue’ player who does the unseen work,” said Jones, at the two-day training camp in Brighton last week. “He is a really strong, consistent player and is a massive leader for us in an informal sense.”
Jones has hinted that Maro Itoje, who missed England’s autumn campaign with a hand injury, may make the switch to blindside but the head coach has a number of other injury headaches to contend with before beginning the Six Nations at home to France on 4 February.
Robshaw’s club-mate Joe Marler withdrew from Saturday’s victory over Sale with a calf injury and is likely to undergo a scan while the Vunipola brothers, Mako and Billy, are absent with knee injuries. Their fellow Saracens forward George Kruis is currently recovering from a fractured cheekbone
James Haskell, meanwhile, lasted all of 35 seconds in his first appearance since June on Sunday before going off with a head injury and must undergo the return-to-play protocols, making an appearance in the Champions Cup against Toulouse on Saturday unlikely.
Elliot Daly was also withdrawn from Sunday’s win over Leicester with a head injury and Joe Launchbury is nursing a calf strain. Compounding Jones’s problems at forward, Dylan Hartley’s six-week ban will leave him short of game time when France arrive at Twickenham.
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Ireland
England
WalesBased on the personnel available today (09 January)
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My pick is for the final game to still be relevant and a close England win in Dublin bringing them level on the table with Ireland. The 6N website hasn't been updated on rules but if they are the same as previous years (plus BPs) then 'who beat who' is not the criteria. It is points difference, then tries scored.
Given that England are a bigger flat track bully than Ireland the England take the title.England
Ireland
France (very close behind)
Scotland (Scots to beat the Welsh)
Wales
Italy -
Ireland
England
WalesBased on the personnel available today (09 January)
@MiketheSnow said in Six Nations 2017:
Ireland
England
WalesBased on the personnel available today (09 January)
Oh, oh, you made Ireland favourites!
Big no, no.
Although based on personnel available currently, I don't disagree.
The bookies do, though....
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My pick is for the final game to still be relevant and a close England win in Dublin bringing them level on the table with Ireland. The 6N website hasn't been updated on rules but if they are the same as previous years (plus BPs) then 'who beat who' is not the criteria. It is points difference, then tries scored.
Given that England are a bigger flat track bully than Ireland the England take the title.England
Ireland
France (very close behind)
Scotland (Scots to beat the Welsh)
Wales
Italy@Crucial said in Six Nations 2017:
My pick is for the final game to still be relevant and a close England win in Dublin bringing them level on the table with Ireland. The 6N website hasn't been updated on rules but if they are the same as previous years (plus BPs) then 'who beat who' is not the criteria. It is points difference, then tries scored.
Given that England are a bigger flat track bully than Ireland the England take the title.England
Ireland
France (very close behind)
Scotland (Scots to beat the Welsh)
Wales
ItalySquad depth could also play a part depending on injuries picked up during the tourney.
For Ireland, their biggest problem spots are 9 and 10. Murray and/or Sexton leaves them with Marmion/McGrath and Jackson/and err..... Keatley/Madigan (who's playing in France and out of the picture). Carbery is on an 8-week layoff from ankle surgery and not due back until Round 2 or likely 3 with no game time unless he can pick up a league match.
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https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/jan/09/england-chris-robshaw-12-weeks-six-nations
Chris Robshaw crocked for all of 6 Nations. Reckon we will see Itoje there giving him a really nice warm up for the Lions.
England’s Chris Robshaw ruled out for 12 weeks and will miss Six Nations
Chris Robshaw has been ruled out of the Six Nations after Harlequins confirmed the England flanker will undergo surgery on his injured shoulder on Monday and will be sidelined for 12 weeks.
Robshaw aggravated an existing injury to his left shoulder in Harlequins’ New Year’s Day defeat by Worcester and a meeting with a specialist confirmed the need for surgery. Robshaw had hoped to play some part in England’s defence of their Six Nations title but will now be out of action until April in what comes as a major blow for Eddie Jones. The 30-year-old has emerged as a key lieutenant for England since moving to blindside flanker and relinquishing the captaincy last year and has started 12 of the 13 victories under the Australian – missing only the end-of-season friendly against Wales.
“Chris is a massive ‘glue’ player who does the unseen work,” said Jones, at the two-day training camp in Brighton last week. “He is a really strong, consistent player and is a massive leader for us in an informal sense.”
Jones has hinted that Maro Itoje, who missed England’s autumn campaign with a hand injury, may make the switch to blindside but the head coach has a number of other injury headaches to contend with before beginning the Six Nations at home to France on 4 February.
Robshaw’s club-mate Joe Marler withdrew from Saturday’s victory over Sale with a calf injury and is likely to undergo a scan while the Vunipola brothers, Mako and Billy, are absent with knee injuries. Their fellow Saracens forward George Kruis is currently recovering from a fractured cheekbone
James Haskell, meanwhile, lasted all of 35 seconds in his first appearance since June on Sunday before going off with a head injury and must undergo the return-to-play protocols, making an appearance in the Champions Cup against Toulouse on Saturday unlikely.
Elliot Daly was also withdrawn from Sunday’s win over Leicester with a head injury and Joe Launchbury is nursing a calf strain. Compounding Jones’s problems at forward, Dylan Hartley’s six-week ban will leave him short of game time when France arrive at Twickenham.
@gollum said in Six Nations 2017:
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/jan/09/england-chris-robshaw-12-weeks-six-nations
Chris Robshaw crocked for all of 6 Nations. Reckon we will see Itoje there giving him a really nice warm up for the Lions.
Agreed. I think this is actually could work in the Lions favour.
Itoje at 6 maximises physicality and lineout height in the back five without compromising athleticism. -
Kruis now confirmed as not being available for any club rugby before the 6N so add him to the 'underdone' list with Hartley.
Marler's leg strain now diagnosed as a fracture and he won't be available for at least the starting weekend.
Down to third choice LHP now isn't it? -
Marler now gone as well. Broken leg.
In other news England's penalty count expected to fall significantly.
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Marler now gone as well. Broken leg.
In other news England's penalty count expected to fall significantly.
@Catogrande said in Six Nations 2017:
Marler now gone as well. Broken leg.
In other news England's penalty count expected to fall significantly.
Is it his important leg? You know, the one he uses to drive in at an angle with?
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Hopefully Genge gets a run. A bit of a headcase, but I'd take the risk any day over someone military medium like Mullan.
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@Catogrande said in Six Nations 2017:
Marler now gone as well. Broken leg.
In other news England's penalty count expected to fall significantly.
Is it his important leg? You know, the one he uses to drive in at an angle with?
@Crucial Being an Englishman I have never seen him drive in at an angle. However I am told it is not his stamping leg if that's any help?
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Hopefully Genge gets a run. A bit of a headcase, but I'd take the risk any day over someone military medium like Mullan.
@Margin_Walker Agreed. I saw Genge do a cameo against Wales in the pre-tour match and thought he's got what it takes. Our cover at prop, although a little green is looking pretty good. Sinckler is doing well, Genge will be a 50 cap+ man if he stays fit (I reckon).
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Hopefully Genge gets a run. A bit of a headcase, but I'd take the risk any day over someone military medium like Mullan.
@Margin_Walker said in Six Nations 2017:
Hopefully Genge gets a run. A bit of a headcase, but I'd take the risk any day over someone military medium like Mullan.
Against the Frogs? I could see a wee bit of provocation going on there in the anticipation of his blood boiling (and his captain getting involved)
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@Margin_Walker said in Six Nations 2017:
Hopefully Genge gets a run. A bit of a headcase, but I'd take the risk any day over someone military medium like Mullan.
Against the Frogs? I could see a wee bit of provocation going on there in the anticipation of his blood boiling (and his captain getting involved)
@Crucial said in Six Nations 2017:
@Margin_Walker said in Six Nations 2017:
Hopefully Genge gets a run. A bit of a headcase, but I'd take the risk any day over someone military medium like Mullan.
Against the Frogs? I could see a wee bit of provocation going on there in the anticipation of his blood boiling (and his captain getting involved)
Definitely a risk, but he's had a run of decent games,where he's making a big impact across the pitch. Seems to thrive on a bit of niggle and has managed not to lamp anyone...... yet. Game against France could actually bring out the best in him.
Just can't get too enthused about Mullan or Catt. They are both decent enough, but that's about it.
Think he'll end up going with Mullan, with Genge off the bench
