As the penultimate stage of the 6 Nations approaches Ireland face some mental and physical challenges. A third game in as many weeks lies in store against an ever improving Scotland side. Added to that Paul O'Connell, Seán O'Brien and Conor Murray are all hors de combat.As ever though one man's meat is another man's poison and a great opportunity lies in store for Donncha Ryan, Peter O'Mahoney and Eoin Reddan. Undoubtedly the in form Ryan deserved a start regardless of the injury to Paul O'Connell whilst Peter O'Mahoney will bring the exuberance and carefree attitude to proceeding's he has portrayed for Munster all season.
However the most interesting starter of the new trio is Eoin Reddan. Indeed Reddan has always performed well in a green shirt. Many will hope that he can also reproduce the form he has showed in his few cameo appearances for Ireland this year. His understanding with Jonathan Sexton may well help invigorate Ireland's attack.
In spite of Tommy Bowe and Rob Kearney's virtuoso performances against France the backline never really got going though it has to be imagined that Ireland wanted to pounce on French handling mistakes rather than vice versa in Paris. However a home fixture against Scotland should mean Ireland play somewhat more adventurously. Ireland must be more clinical when opportunities arise close to the goal line in the Aviva Stadium.
On the other hand Scotland will feel they have every chance of winning this game. They have improved with every game and the likes of David Denton and Stuart Hogg have been hugely impressive. The Scots also possess two behemoths in the lineout in the form of Richie Grey and Jim Hamilton. They will certainly target Ireland's lineout now that O'Connell is out of the fray.
Will that be enough for Scotland? The injuries to such key figures is a blow for Ireland. As well as losing one iconic figure in Brian O'Driscoll before the tournament Ireland have now also lost the leader of the pack. A second Lions captain gone. In years gone by Ireland would have struggled badly if such a problem presented itself. Fortunately the nature of the Ireland squad has improved. An improvement in the tempo of the attack and Ireland should have enough to win.
Prediction: Ireland by 4
Wales versus Italy
It is hard to see how Italy can win in the Millennium Stadium. Wales are a team on the rise, Italy a team in decline. Wales have all the momentum and Italy are stuck in a rut. Italy's attempts to change their style of play is admirable. Indeed if they are ever to develop in the long term they will have to move away from their stodgy forward orientated game plan.Yet in the immediate future they must endure tough lessons to progress. Wales' aggressive defence will easily soak up anything Italy has to offer whilst the Welsh will simply overpower Italy when they have the ball.
It is going to be a long day at the office for Italy, and it is a shame such an exquisite yet truly tough player like Sergio Parisse must endure routine routs like the one he may well suffer in Wales.
Prediction: Wales by 25
France versus England
This is a tough game to call. France are still unbeaten but have not really fired against any side yet. England on the other hand have been victorious in two, tight away fixtures as well as losing gallantly against Wales at Twickenham.Certainly tomorrow will reveal much about both sides. In particular it is rather unusual to see France so lethargic in attack. They possess a wonderfully gifted team and you would think they will surely fire in some game of this championship.
England however will not fear going to the Stade de France. Of all the teams in the championship England have an ignorance towards France that others in the tournament do not have. It serves them well though against Les Bleus and they have a good record against the French over the last number of years. This is also emphasised when England's record against France is compared to that of every other team in the 6 Nations who seem overwhelmed when faced with the French.
Ireland have only beaten France once since 2004 whilst Wales have only triumphed over France twice since 2005. England meanwhile have won four of the last five 6 Nations encounters between the two sides.
England have performed stubbornly and have done well thus far this year. Yet they have only scored two tries in the tournament, both of which came from block downs. France, if not performing well as a unit, are littered with game breakers such as Julien Malzieu, Vincent Clerc and the try scoring machine that is Wesley Fofana who has bagged three tries for himself in as many games. Allied with home advantage that should be enough to see the French home.
Prediction: France by 8
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