Yes! I love this time of the year! Six Nations Rugby! A time when confidence in Wales is high, and the friendly local rivalries begin. The last two years I have been in England and watched in despair as those white-shirted bastards beat our national treasures into submission.
But this year? Oh ho ho ho! Hopes are high for us Welsh after our wonderful feat over the Irish in the World Cup quarter final. If Wales beat Ireland tomorrow, it will be the first time we have beaten Ireland 3 times in a row since 1978 and the classic XV with the likes of Gareth Edwards, JPR Williams and Gerald Davies.
So what to make of this tournament? Well France and England both have the new coaches they need, and under Phillipe Saint-Andre's leadership France seem to have undergone a renaissance as the powerful side that they are, but they have merely defeated Italy at home by 18 points, so it is way too early to judge just yet.
Italy aren't looking too bad though. Honestly, they could potentially beat Scotland and England (well of course they could beat Ireland and Wales too. I sincerely doubt it, but they could!) The score today flattered the French a little, with the Italians putting in so much effort and having a fair few good chances, with Sergio Parisse on his usual form.
So what about the Calcutta Cup clash? Well, as we all know, England played rather badly at the World Cup, and were lucky to get to the quarter final! However, the arsehole Martin Johnson has rightfully been fired, and the new coach Stuart Lancaster has brought an inexperienced England team to Murrayfield, with a captain who has only had one cap, openside flanker Chris Robshaw. They are missing their able full-back Delon Armitage and his friend the scrum half Danny Care due to their arrests. However, this is England. You never know.
But Scotland aren't the best team anyway, and right now they aren't looking that good. They failed to qualify for the World Cup quarter finals for the first time in their history. However, they're far more experienced and have the home advantage, and will be looking for revenge against England in the World Cup.
Of course, as a Welshman, I support whoever plays England, so come on Scotland!
My prediction: Scotland to win by about 7 points. It will be close, and the quality of rugby will have nothing on tomorrow's match.
Wales v Ireland will be difficult as ever to call. Everyone's talking about the Irish back row being one of the best in the world with Stephen Ferris, Sean O'Brien and Jamie Heaslip, but of course our own back row with Lydiate, captain Warburton and Faletau won that battle in New Zealand. This time, however, we're without Lydiate, and are bringing in veteran Ryan Jones (he went to my school!) at no 6. We're also missing our world-class loosehead prop Gethin Jenkins and our second-row Alun Wyn Jones. They are being respectively replaced by Rhys Gill and Ian Evans, who along with Alex Cuthbert at No 14 (filling the winger vacancy left by the legendary Shane Williams) have only one cap each.
However, there is also hope for the Welsh side. If it weren't for a certain announcement on Friday, I would be expecting an Ireland victory. Rhys Priestland, our favourite new fly-half and our hardy inside centre Jamie Roberts have been given the go-ahead by the doctor and will hopefully continue their deadly twin-attack against Ireland that got us into the semi-final last time. Also, Ireland are missing their greatest player, the incredible Brian O'Driscoll, and his replacement Keith Earls has had to pull out due to his daughter's illness (wishing you well Earls!), so Fergus McFadden will be wearing the No 13 jersey, and his style is different from that Earls had been training with the team. But like Scotland, the Irish will be looking for revenge, and will benefit from their home advantage.
My prediction for this one? Difficult to call. I reckon it will be close, within 10 points, and could swing either way. If I HAVE to call a winner, I'll say Ireland will take it, though of course I need to have faith in the Welsh team.
Oh well, see how it goes! Let's enjoy some quality rugby, but only after the England game.....
By the way I'm at home and my interview is done, but I left my notes in France so will have to continue the GEJA blog when I get back on Monday.
Employable Ollie had a point. Why do I say 'rant over' for the sake of having a 'catchphrase'? Maybe you guys could suggest a new sign-off line? For now, I'm gonna be patriotic.
Cymru Am Byth
Ollie
EDIT: Before I even posted this, the Calcutta match is over and I was proven wrong. England win by 7 points instead due to Dan Parks's easily charge-downable kicks. With 60% possession, Scotland had so many opportunities, but the poor bastards just can't score. They had so many fantastic chances, and their no 8 David Denton deservedly won Man of the Match for fantastic play, including a beautiful try-saving tackle. There was also one case where Scotland were denied a debatable try by the TMO. Good news is though: England were very uninspiring, and if they play like that against Wales, Ireland and France, they should be owned. Oh well, bad news today with French and English victories. Here's hoping it's not ALL bad news tomorrow! CYMRU AM BYTH!
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