Six Nations 2016

Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.
Cubist

Cubist

Still wavin'
Location
Ovver 'thill
AndyRM said:
For 25/30 minutes, I'd agree. Italy were right in it until that try.

You'll not get away with that against the other teams in the group.
Click to expand...
There would be a different game plan against any other team. Never underestimate the power and balls of the Italian pack, they're monsters with attitude, and self belief. The leadership of Parisse and occasionally excellent wingers, mean that Italy will always look good at the outset especially playing a wide game like they did for a few minutes yesterday. It rarely lasts, and the last twenty to thirty minutes always results in the dam burst of tries won through basics, patience and better stamina.
Yeah, it would be been great if England had run in try after try from the kickoff, but to me it looked like England were playing them out, and it worked. Discipline and/ or some ref decisions need rewatching. I'm not certain England had the rub of the green all the time.
 
Levo-Lon

Levo-Lon

Guru
The Italians are a great watch nowadays..they were the wipping boys..
 
martint235

martint235

Dog on a bike
Location
Welling
Italy were always going to improve once they joined the 6 Nations. It's not just the regular outings against better teams, it was the fact that the clubs started to notice the players. Once teams like Stade and Toulouse started to snap up some of the Italian team, it was always going to improve. It's still a shame more can't be done about the Italian domestic teams though.
 
Cubist

Cubist

Still wavin'
Location
Ovver 'thill
martint235 said:
Italy were always going to improve once they joined the 6 Nations. It's not just the regular outings against better teams, it was the fact that the clubs started to notice the players. Once teams like Stade and Toulouse started to snap up some of the Italian team, it was always going to improve. It's still a shame more can't be done about the Italian domestic teams though.
Click to expand...
Leicester did pretty well out of them for a while too.

A bit more Italian strength/depth and stamina and Scotland won't have any competition for the wooden spoon at all
 
Davidc

Davidc

Guru
Location
Somerset UK
Cubist said:
Leicester did pretty well out of them for a while too.

A bit more Italian strength/depth and stamina and Scotland won't have any competition for the wooden spoon at all
Click to expand...

Next Saturday (27/2) Italy play Scotland in Rome.

Many pages back I predicted a Scotland whitewash, and that was based on my analysis of the teams before the start. After the first 2 weeks' games I'm now even more sure that Scotland will be whitewashed, and will be watching their Italy game with great interest.

I also said France are a team to watch this year, and will be fascinated to see how they manage in Cardiff.
 
OP
OP
Pro Tour Punditry

Pro Tour Punditry

Guru
Davidc said:
Next Saturday (27/2) Italy play Scotland in Rome.

Many pages back I predicted a Scotland whitewash, and that was based on my analysis of the teams before the start. After the first 2 weeks' games I'm now even more sure that Scotland will be whitewashed, and will be watching their Italy game with great interest.

I also said France are a team to watch this year, and will be fascinated to see how they manage in Cardiff.
Click to expand...
I reckon Italy will beat us by 12-15 points, and that's me being optimistic
 
Beebo

Beebo

Firm and Fruity
Location
Hexleybeef
Well if you take England as a benchmark, they put more points on Italy than the Scots, so on paper scotland should have a chance.
 
Levo-Lon

Levo-Lon

Guru
I think the Scotland Italy game will be a cracker..and very close..
not seen anything remarkable with France..England will feel the wrath of the Irish and Wales may well win..
 
Cubist

Cubist

Still wavin'
Location
Ovver 'thill
User said:
I disagree on France, they were lucky to beat Italy and won a very poor game aganist Ireland, I think they'll struggle against Wales and England....I think the Scotland V Italy game can go either way...oh and Ireland to destroy England (hopefully)...........^_^
Click to expand...
On the right day Ireland could deservedly spoil England's day, but there are too many injuries and uncertainties at the moment. I think we'll see yet another dimension to England this game. If they maintain accuracy and a solid basic gameplan they'll grind out a win. I don't think it'll be pretty. Midfield remains problematic, Farrel is defensively sound, but doesn't have the impact to attack or even distribute sensibly. That may well cost England against a functioning Ireland.

Scotland Italy will be interesting. A good tactical kicking game might do it, as long as the Scots hold their nerve in the back three. Again, Italy's pack is capable of paggering the Scots in the first half.
 
AndyRM

AndyRM

XOXO
Location
North Shields
Marmion said:
I cannae see it but I've given you a like anyway
Click to expand...

Really? We were unlucky against England and let down (again) by shite refereeing against Wales, had we not lost Hogg in that game I think we'd have won. Like last year, we've never looked 'out' of a game.

One thing we really, really need to sort is our lineout. We get some great field position only to chuck it away. Very frustrating.
 
Davidc

Davidc

Guru
Location
Somerset UK
User said:
I disagree on France, they were lucky to beat Italy and won a very poor game aganist Ireland, I think they'll struggle against Wales and England....I think the Scotland V Italy game can go either way...oh and Ireland to destroy England (hopefully)...........^_^
Click to expand...
Have to wait and see over France, but you could be right about Ireland. It depends on the effect of injuries, and on the cohesion of the Ireland team. Ireland have too often had a team of the best players while failing to have the best team - not so much in recent years though.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom