Not that surprised by today's result. Italian club rugby has been improving a lot over the last season or so, and Italy always perform well at home. Any nation will view a defeat to Italy as disappointing, but I'm hoping that there are more of them (bar Ireland!!!!!) as it will show that Italy are progressing, and it will become a genuine 6 nations.

Agree that this has been the best opening weekend in a while, with all 3 matches providing good entertainment. I actually feel Scotland did ok in the circumstances, it's the Welsh who may unbelievably finish bottom as current holders.

Phew, what a couple of days it's been in the opening weekend of the Six Nations. Had time to catch your breath yet?

How do we reflect on the weekend then?

For as poor as Wales were in the first half, Ireland were fantastic and they deservedly won the match.

England made routine work of Scotland at Twickenham to top the table after the first round of games, but the result of the weekend undoubtedly goes to Italy today. Beating France for the second consecutive time when playing them at home in the Six Nations is some feat.

It certainly sets it up nicely for next week.

Any team beating France 2 years running is an impressive feat. For Italy to do it is incredible.

Anyway, one game at a time. Italy should beat Scotland next week, shouldn't they?

kinsang
Wales finishing bottom sounds more like wishful thinking mate. Don't forget they showed there class in the second half. they showed exactly why they have 3 Grand Slam titles in 8 years. Wales are not going to finish last, not in this dimension or any other. We (Ireland) played extremely well and Wales made it easy for us in the first half. The second half we played 20 mins with 14 men so our defense was up against it big time and it stood up manfully. Only thing that worried me is if Earls ends up replacing Darcy. Darcy looks brittle. I would be much happier with McFadden inside BOD. They have proper defensive understanding. Earls looked lost and caused us to concede a try within minuets of appearing from the bench. He's a very good player. but he is not a center. No way in hell is he a center. He gets away with it in the RaboDirect pro 12 but at this level no way.

So this worries me for next week.
Twelvetrees and Tuilagi will be licking there lips. Sure enough they will look at BOD and think nope not getting through but a glance inside bod and you have a rabbit in the headlights. BOD and Sexton will end up protecting earls.

The other Option Kidney has gone for in the past is to sub Darcy, bring on ROG at 10 and move Sexton to 12. Sexton does very well from 12 so thats not a bad option but the weakness is ROG. Defensively as well as form he not quite there.

Only option is McFadden at 12. But Kidney won't use him. Kidney is probably going to try and get continuity from the team as its pretty new over all. I can understand that. But its doesn't make Keith Earls a bloody center! Don't care what DK says. But earls is a bloody good winger.

Whats the media saying in your respective countries? Our most prominent rugby journalist is talking about the England v Ireland game and calling it a "potential championship decider" I honestly think he has lost his marbles. One game down and he's talking about deciders. Thats just plain stupid if you ask me. Just hope the players are thinking, one game at a time. Which is what they should be thinking.

England got lucky against Scotland! That ref always stiches us up

Same here. Ireland v England on Sunday might decide the title. I said that earlier this weekend too. Just like I said Italy might shock France, but everyone laughed at me

Well, who's laughing now?

certainly not the frogs

Definitely not!

injury update:

tuilagi available for ireland game

ben morgan struggling though

An update on our prediction league on SuperBru:

DingBatMan 4.5 pts
RKW 3.5 pts
MexicanRave 1pt -

dont mock the afflicted

Hoping for better luck this week?

Already made my picks. Scotland by 3 , France by 8 and Ireland by 2. Close.

not done it yet but will do

gone for italy by 4
frnace by 6
england by 7

I was going to go for Italy, but then changed my mind. I hope I don't regret it come Saturday night.

Oh GOD! Mex i insist you change your prediction. I have already decided that you are jinxed.

I never make predictions until the last minuet. Need to see the attitude coming from the camps, the interviews, the confidence in there eyes or lack there of should the case be so.

But I can tell you this. Italy are going to Beat scotland. England will probably go to Dublin as bookies favourite. Short odd for sure, but i can never bet against Ireland so i will go for them and decide the margin later.

France in France and with something to prove against a hurting wales is going to be a sight to behold. Wales are in for a seriously bad hair day. The French media are absolutely savaging the french team in the papers. Ripping them to sheds. And i have seen that every time France have lost unexpectedly like this weekend. They are being hung out to dry by their own and they always have come back with a massive performance whenever this happens. I am really thankful its England we face this weekend and not France as i would literally be bricking it.

On England and Ireland. Ireland have the motivation of a championship, of the sight of all white jerseys, of their talisman Brian O'Driscoll saying this is his last 6N's and probably the biggest motivation, Revenge for last years mauling at the hands of the english front row.

England have their motivation of some good games behind them, beating the All Blacks, continuing that form against Italy showing they are not a flash in the pan and of course a championship to play for. the rand slam is between England and Ireland now. Sure Italy are unbeaten but we all know thats going to change soon enough.

So motivation is the key factor for me. And i think Ireland have more. Last week I said wales have a better team man for man than us. I think England are more equal however. With the exception of the front row I think they are stronger. But over all 2 well matched teams. Motivation will be the deciding factor.

*** i meant: continuing that form against scotland ***

Ireland v England is the title decider for me. I can't see France winning it, especially not they've already lost. Still to go away to Ireland and England and needing to win both after the Italy defeat - I can't see it. Plus that might not be enough for the title even if they did that.

If there's any chance of a Slam then Ireland might be the best bet. Win against England, they have France at home, Scotland and Italy away there's a chance.

It would be typical France to come out this weekend and put a score on Wales. My gut feeling before the start of the 6N was that no-one would do the slam. Scotland showed enough against England to show that they would be a danger at home, and even before their win against France, one could see improvement in Italy's club teams to suggest they would be more threatening. Of course I would love Ireland to do the slam, but in many ways the England game takes care of itself - the players will be up for it and hopefully the performance to match. Win that and all 3 matches left are banana skins - France (our bogey team as always) and away matches to Italy and Scotland who will revel in the underdog tag.

It is Wales who I would worry about most - a stirring fightback should not mask the fact that they are currently on a downward run of matches, and up against a France side who will be hurting badly.

Would also be amazing if Italy won in Scotland, although I think Englan'ds margin of victory overshadowed the fact that the Scots did ok - I think home advantage might just count in their favour.

RKW

Honestly after just one game played its way too early to talk about title deciders. Contenders maybe but deciders no. France are well capable of beating any other team in the competition and indeed well capable of turning Ireland and England over.

Its fascinating actually. England should be favourites this weekend, and if they win will be on a serious roll. But will have France and Wales still to play. So an up-hill battle still ahead.

Your quite right about Ireland having the whipping boys away and the stronger teams coming to Dublin. But Dublin is no fortress. We have an abysmal record there to be quite honest so I don't think England will be over awed and certainly not France who have beaten us in Dublin every single game since 2001 except 1 where we won in 2009.

Honestly its one game at a time until the last day when we can decide if there really is a decider. Ireland could easily lose 2 games! England also and France and Wales ride off into the sunset with a championship under their belt. Too many variables to be calling deciders just yet.

Too late to join in gents? have only just recovered from Sunday

The title is indeed too early to call, although I can just see headlines for Wales of one year 6N champions, following year - wooden spoon! Just a feeling I have.

Scotland by 3
France by 11
England by 7

England winners
Scotland wooden spoon
No GS

Tino the predictions or through the superbru website formally sportsguru. If you on that you can join the pool for sure. Or join up now but you will have missed the first game. no big deal tho. details below.
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Six Nations prediction game on SuperBru! It's free and loads of fun. Just click here:

http://www.superbru.com/sixnations/pool.php?p=11056087
Pool name: ja606

Pool code: cotsdrew

kinsang

LOL wooden spoon for wales i just dont see it. But here is a possible outcome if we are doing theories.
England beat us this weekend and win every other game. On the last day they go to Cardiff for the Grand Slam game Only the sight of England on welsh soil wakes the welsh up and they spoil the party for England. May be a theory but its not a bad one!