6 Nations - Prediction Fun (or misery, if you're Scottish)!

[subaqua]

But neither did you. And you did lose to England. As did Ireland. And Scotland. So wind yer neck in

Never understood the Celtic nations tendency to co-opt bragging rights from each other as if somehow if one of them triumphs somehow over England it brings credit to them all. It doesn't, it just makes 'em look daft. The whole "must beat England" mindset is a key mental flaw on the international stage imo. The Celts, especially the Welsh, just don't raise their game enough against other opposition. Even the Scots have a better recent form against SH sides than Wales! And conversely the Welsh always play out-of-their-skins against the men in white, every test is a world cup final, which shows how shockingly poor this season's Welsh team really are given that England were below par in several areas of play in each and every game they played.

And as I said before; no SH side is going to fear Ireland, especially not an Ireland now without BOD, nor Wales, as genuine World Cup contenders. Whereas they will always be a bit worried about England.

thats going to cost you a big slug of your choice of single Malt on Friday

 

[swee'pea99]

But neither did you. And you did lose to England. As did Ireland. And Scotland. So wind yer neck in

Never understood the Celtic nations tendency to co-opt bragging rights from each other as if somehow if one of them triumphs somehow over England it brings credit to them all. It doesn't, it just makes 'em look daft. The whole "must beat England" mindset is a key mental flaw on the international stage imo. The Celts, especially the Welsh, just don't raise their game enough against other opposition. Even the Scots have a better recent form against SH sides than Wales! And conversely the Welsh always play out-of-their-skins against the men in white, every test is a world cup final, which shows how shockingly poor this season's Welsh team really are given that England were below par in several areas of play in each and every game they played.

And as I said before; no SH side is going to fear Ireland, especially not an Ireland now without BOD, nor Wales, as genuine World Cup contenders. Whereas they will always be a bit worried about England.

The main difference - and the main reason the SH sides will regard England with a degree of trepidation they won't extend to Ireland (or any of the others for that matter) is that Ireland are on the tail end (exemplified by the retirement of the man himself), whereas England are a new side that seems to be coming together nicely. Ireland aren't a bad side, but the SH sides know they have better; England are a good side, but as yet, no-one really knows just how good.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

The main difference - and the main reason the SH sides will regard England with a degree of trepidation they won't extend to Ireland (or any of the others for that matter) is that Ireland are on the tail end (exemplified by the retirement of the man himself), whereas England are a new side that seems to be coming together nicely. Ireland aren't a bad side, but the SH sides know they have better; England are a good side, but as yet, no-one really knows just how good.

That is the situation now sure. But historically it hasn't always been the case and the SH sides just aren't, and never have been, genuinely scared of the Celts. And the SH boys hate the English, or rather their myth of the English, almost as much as the Celts do.

 

[swee'pea99]

That is the situation now sure. But historically it hasn't always been the case and the SH sides just aren't, and never have been, genuinely scared of the Celts. And the SH boys hate the English, or rather their myth of the English, almost as much as the Celts do.

I'm not sure they 'hate' England, tho' we're the team they all love to beat, but I'm pretty sure they don't fear us either, or ever have. The AB's, eg, have only ever really regarded the Springboks as worthy opponents.

 

[Cubist]

Wow. What a finale. Never seen the like. Well done Ireland.

It would have been a different result, were it not for Fat Basteraud's hand, and of course Skinny Sexton's boot!

Edge of the seat stuff. Worthy finale indeed.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I'm not sure they 'hate' England, tho' we're the team they all love to beat, but I'm pretty sure they don't fear us either, or ever have. The AB's, eg, have only ever really regarded the Springboks as worthy opponents.

The saffers win the WC every time they get to the final tis true. No one else has a 100% record. But France and England have got to the final more often than SA and if you ain't in it you ain't gonna win it.

I think the AB rhetoric about SA is mainly to do with dissing their neighbours on the Big Island.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

It would have been a different result, were it not for Fat Basteraud's hand, and of course Skinny Sexton's boot!

Edge of the seat stuff. Worthy finale indeed.

And Walsh having a howler.

 

[Cubist]

And Walsh having a howler.

Wasn't his finest hour, was it?

 

[Cubist]

I thought he was better than usual.

Hence the look of vexation on Whackamole's face, and the constant bemused expression from Pape. Not that Pape ever looks anything other than permanently bemused.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I thought he was better than usual.

non-mutual exclusivity.

 

[AndyRM]

Though nobody cares any more, I will be posting the final prediction standings this afternoon.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Wasn't his finest hour, was it?

Showboating and grandstanding all day, like the show pony he is, and making bold incisive decisions. Which were wrong.

Would love to read the assessors report.

 

[Cubist]

I have very low expectations of him to the extent that, for a game between Wales and England, I would rather have Nigel Owens ref.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Though nobody cares any more, I will be posting the final prediction standings this afternoon.

Not true. CoG cares.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I have very low expectations of him to the extent that, for a game between Wales and England, I would rather have Nigel Owens ref.

Wales vs England you say?

Owens you say?

I'd rather you reffed it than Walsh.