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Post by Panda on Feb 4, 2012 14:55:44 GMT 1
What should be a wide open Championship starts today after an eventful World Cup for all involved.
France start as favourites after reaching the World Cup final, even though they didn't play consistently well in New Zealand.
Wales and Ireland will both fancy their chances after strong World Cup showings and face each other in Dublin on the opening weekend.
England are in rebuilding mode after a disastrous World Cup and it would be a surprise if they were able to retain the Championship.
Scotland and Italy start as underdogs once again and getting two wins on the board would be seen as progress.
Fixtures:
Sat 4 Feb: France 30-12 Italy
Sat 4 Feb: Scotland 6-13 England
Sun 5 Feb: Ireland 21-23 Wales
Sat 11 Feb: France P-P Ireland
Sat 11 Feb: Italy 15-19 England
Sun 12 Feb: Wales v Scotland
Sat 25 Feb: England v Wales
Sat 25 Feb: Ireland v Italy
Sun 26 Feb: Scotland v France
Sat 10 Mar: Ireland v Scotland
Sat 10 Mar: Wales v Italy
Sun 11 Mar: France v England
Sat 17 Mar: England v Ireland
Sat 17 Mar: Italy v Scotland
Sat 17 Mar: Wales v France
Odds to win:
16/11 France
10/3 Wales
9/2 Ireland
11/2 England
25/1 Scotland
200/1 Italy
To finish bottom:
4/7 Italy
3/1 Scotland
12/1 England (could be a worth a bet)
22/1 Wales
25/1 Ireland
66/1 France
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Drunkster
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Post by Drunkster on Feb 4, 2012 18:45:58 GMT 1
I'm watching the England/Scotland game now - and Scotland are currently winning  C'mon England!! |
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Drunkster
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Post by Drunkster on Feb 4, 2012 19:03:17 GMT 1
Ha! England just scored a try within seconds of the second half starting and are now in the lead.  |
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Post by Panda on Feb 4, 2012 19:51:19 GMT 1
England had to grind that one out but it's a huge missed opportunity for Scotland.
I really thought they'd give an inexperienced England side a hard time but they were just as toothless as they have been in recent years.
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Tom
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Post by Tom on Feb 5, 2012 13:57:36 GMT 1
Scotland appeared to be the favourites with everyone who gave their predictions in the paper I read yesterday. At best I thought it was 50/50. Agree it was a missed opportunity for Scotland, that was a fortunate win by England.
And it appears that my habit of missing goals in football games i'm watching on TV has now transferred over to the Six Nations.. The only part of the match I didn't see was when England scored their try, typical!
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Post by Panda on Feb 11, 2012 16:30:37 GMT 1
Italy v England goes ahead this afternoon despite snow. Red lines have been painted on the pitch.
France v Ireland tonight is in doubt due to a frozen pitch and the Stade de France has no undersoil heating.
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Paddy
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Post by Paddy on Feb 11, 2012 19:37:38 GMT 1
England were really scraping the barrel today. Hodgson with another charge down bringing about a renewed energy. Italian #21 (name please someone), should not be taking kicks, McClean (#15 usually but I think #12 or 14 today) can kick a lot better.
That was the only reason we won anyway.
France v Ireland has passed the 6.15 pitch inspection.
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Post by Panda on Feb 11, 2012 20:37:34 GMT 1
England huffed and puffed but at least they responded well to going nine points down.
England wouldn't have won that game under the old regime. Clearly there's a lot of work to do but there's been a noticeable improvement in discipline and if they can avoid giving away eight kickable penalties a game like they used to, they can give themselves half a chance. That said, they'll do well to win another game in this Championship.
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Post by Panda on Feb 11, 2012 20:43:54 GMT 1
Another pitch inspection taking place in France right now...
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Paddy
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Post by Paddy on Feb 11, 2012 20:54:12 GMT 1
England huffed and puffed but at least they responded well to going nine points down. England wouldn't have won that game under the old regime. Clearly there's a lot of work to do but there's been a noticeable improvement in discipline and if they can avoid giving away eight kickable penalties a game like they used to, they can give themselves half a chance. That said, they'll do well to win another game in this Championship. I was impressed that the discipline was there, Italy twice tried to start fights and both times England just ignored it. I'm going to punt on it being called off. |
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Post by Panda on Feb 11, 2012 20:54:31 GMT 1
France v Ireland is OFF.
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Paddy
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Post by Paddy on Feb 11, 2012 20:54:44 GMT 1
It is officially a no go tonight.
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Post by Panda on Feb 11, 2012 21:00:31 GMT 1
Well done to the genius who came up with the 8pm kick off at a stadium with no undersoil heating.
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Paddy
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Post by Paddy on Feb 11, 2012 21:48:22 GMT 1
Were they saying it's only twice a game has been called off, last time it was 25 years ago?
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Post by Panda on Feb 11, 2012 21:55:05 GMT 1
Were they saying it's only twice a game has been called off, last time it was 25 years ago? Yeah, but it's only recently we've started having night-time kick-offs. A 9pm (local time) kick-off in that stadium in February is asking for trouble. |
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Post by Sm1ffj on Feb 12, 2012 0:25:18 GMT 1
I describe Rugby as a "Fight on the Pitch"  |
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Paddy
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Post by Paddy on Feb 12, 2012 1:54:45 GMT 1
I describe Rugby as a "Fight on the Pitch" If you watch more carefully you'll understand it really isn't. |
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Post by Sm1ffj on Feb 12, 2012 7:49:02 GMT 1
I describe Rugby as a "Fight on the Pitch" If you watch more carefully you'll understand it really isn't. Most of the match the players end up as a heap of people on the ground, if a real fight breaks out you will hardly notice. |
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Paddy
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Post by Paddy on Feb 12, 2012 12:39:19 GMT 1
If you watch more carefully you'll understand it really isn't. Most of the match the players end up as a heap of people on the ground, if a real fight breaks out you will hardly notice. Ignorance is bliss |
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Tom
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Post by Tom on Feb 12, 2012 16:05:41 GMT 1
Well done to the genius who came up with the 8pm kick off at a stadium with no undersoil heating. I'm just shocked and baffled that a stadium like the Stade de France hasn't got undersoil heating in the first place... |
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