FRANCE TO WIN 6 NATIONS

The World Cup has come and gone and for Ireland, Wales, Italy, France, Scotland & England it's now time to regroup and set out new ambitions. This begins with the annual Six Nations that kick off on Feb 4th, as they all do battle for the title of top dog in the Northern Hemisphere and what a tournament this years 6 Nations could be as 2, possibly 3 sides harbour realistic ambitions of success

We will see a host of new players, coaches & managers introduced into this years tournament as periods of transition begin in earnest as teams start their preparations for the next World Cup, which is set for 2015 in England - but there's plenty of rugby to be played before then and no end of dramatic games in prospect, starting with this upcoming 6 Nations

It's difficult to predict a clear favourite so we need to look at each side first of all and their likely points return. The key thing each year is how the fixtures fall, as each team meet only once with home advantage being alternated year on year - so this has a big impact on likely winners from season to season

Here's how I feel each team will shape up:

Ireland: A team capable of beating the best but also prone to expectations exceeding reality. Their squad is missing Brian O Driscoll this year which will be a blow and coach Declan Kidney is reluctant to introduce some new blood which could prove a mistake as serious question marks surround some of the older members of this squad. Ireland's fixtures this year are daunting with trips to Paris & London to tackle France & England always very difficult - especially France where Ireland normally loose heavily, so I can't see Ireland achieving much this season as I think their home game with Wales is also a 50/50 encounter and as it's their opening game it will have a significant bearing on morale depending upon the outcome

Prediction 3rd

Wales: Surprise package of the World Cup and very close to making the final with 14 men when they heroically battled against all odds with France after loosing their captain very early in the match. Wales need to back up this performance with a solid 6 Nations and alot will depend on how they go against Ireland in Dublin on their opening game. If they win here it could be an excellent tournament for them as they host Scotland, Italy & France – all winnable games together with a trip to England, so a win in Dublin could set them up nicely but a defeat would dampen their enthusiasm somewhat

Prediction 2nd

Scotland: On their day, at home, Scotland can raise their game & their club sides are competing much better in the Heineken Cup this season which gives some cause for optimism but they must travel to Ireland, Wales & Italy with 2 home games against England & France. I think this could be a long, hard and fruitless campaign for the Scots with their final game away to Italy likely to be the 'wooden spoon decider' as I don't see them winning anywhere else

Prediction 5th

Italy: Like Scotland they're capable on their home turf of competing with most of these fellow 6 Nations teams, at least in the early stages of games before normally running out of steam. This year they travel to France, Ireland & Wales which is unlikely to produce anything other than 3 heavy defeats. Their 2 home games are against England & Scotland with the Scottish game likely to be their best chance of a victory and opportunity to avoid another 'wooden spoon'

Prediction 6th

England: New coach and new players after a disastrous World Cup both on an off the field together with their club teams struggling in the Heineken Cup leaves England in an unusual position of just 3rd favourite for this years 6 Nations and it's difficult to predict how they will bond together. It could have a galvanising effect to have the team playing like the world is against them or it could leave them even more vulnerable then usual. Their fixtures provide them with 3 away games in France, Scotland & Italy with home fixtures against Ireland & Wales. They should win in Scotland & Italy and will probably loose in Paris. Their other two games against Wales & Ireland, even at Twickenham are far from 'home bankers' and this could be a difficult campaign for England

Prediction 4th

France: Beaten World Cup finalists in a narrow defeat to New Zealand should've been heralded as success in France but their off field revolution with former coach Domenech lead to their campaign being mainly ridiculed and we will now see some serious changes in the French team. They do however possess a huge pool of players to call upon from their national league and their fixtures look appetising with home games against Ireland, England & Italy all likely to yield maximum points and a trip to Scotland likely to end in a win also. Their final game is away to Wales and if the Welsh are still in contention at this stage then that will be a big test

Prediction 1st

Overall I'm backing France to be victorious under their new management team as their squad is the strongest and their fixtures look the most favourable. Their opening 3 games are home to Italy, Ireland & away to Scotland which should yield maximum points and give them the time required to gel their team together and the momentum they need to finish the job off in their two final fixtures against England & Wales

Home advantage in 3 of their 5 games should also lead to a big points difference being established that could be the deciding factor if 2 teams finish on 4 wins apiece which isn't unlikely as there's no stand out team at the moment. So with Wales travelling to Ireland & England I don't think they'll establish as good of a points difference and they may even beat France in their final game but still finish below them

I think that France & Wales will take the top 2 spots and the match between England & Ireland will decide 3rd position with the looser 4th and the winner of Scotland away to Italy deciding 5th & 6th

France to win 6 Nations is my choice here.... Good Luck

1

Supporters

1. luckygirl34

Posted on: 20.01.2012, 18.55 CET (Viewed: 380 times)
Match starts on: February 04, 2012

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