Six Nations Round 3 Preview (Scotland v. Ireland)

Scotland v. Ireland (Murrayfield)

Both teams go into this game on the back of defeats. Ireland pushed France to the final few seconds of the game two weeks ago but in hindsight lost the game based on their discipline. Scotland failed to show up at home to a hungrier Welsh side. Then on Tuesday as Ireland drafted 8 more players into the squad (one of them being Tommy Bowe), Scotland exported 3 due to injury. 

Kidney has named a strong team with a few changes from the previous weeks. Reddan comes in at 9 for O'Leary (thank the Lord) who is out with a back spasm. RO'G replaces Sexton at outhalf while the other change see's McFadden dropped completely from the 22 for the more experienced and dangerous Tommy Bowe. 

Scotlands changes are more drastic. The game being played on a Sunday means that Reverend Euan Murray won't be able to play due to his beliefs. Murray Low comes in there. The second row is blostered by the return of Richie Gray who had a great game against France in round 1 but missed out on the Wales game due to illness. In the backrow the Killer Bees are back in action (Brown, Beatie and Barclay). the half backs have also been changed mainly due to Dan Parks being incredibly shit in his last 2 outings. Mike Blair teams up with Ruaridh Jackson who earns his first cap in the Six Nations. Outside Jackson Sean Lamont and Chris Patterson come in for Ansbro and Southwell respectively.

The Impact of the Six Nations on domestic competitions

The following article was e-mailed to me and written by Cian McBride, Ealing. He makes a very good point and I would like to thank him for taking the time to type up such an interesting article which is quite significant to this time of season.....

 Over these last few weeks (and for the next 3 to come), the 6 Nations has been dominating the rugby headlines because, for a short period, it brings many people together who otherwise would not watch rugby. However, this popularity affects Aviva Premiership, Magners League and Top 14 in various ways.

The Aviva Premiership has already seen a drop of, on average, 2000 spectators per match. This may not seem like much but with the average ticket costing £25 that means a loss of approximately £50000 per match for each club. The Magners League has been affected much more by a drop in attendances, with an average drop of 4000 spectators, which equates to a loss of €75000 due to cheaper tickets. And then the Top 14, which averages an attendance of 9100 per match has seen a 2000 spectator drop like the Aviva Premiership – a loss of €60000 per match.

The Six Nations also acts as a test of the clubs’ resources. As per usual, certain clubs (i.e Ospreys and Leinster) are affected more than others, which has a significant effect on their performances and results: in these past few weeks, these teams previously high playing standards have dropped causing games to be closer and sometimes lost as a result. The Magners League teams are most affected because, in Ireland, there are 4 but it is mainly Munster and Leinster who are called upon, in Scotland, there are 2 teams (Glasgow and Edinburgh) who have 8 and 6 players taken from them, and, in Wales, there are 4 teams, with 2 teams (Ospreys and Scarlets) called upon more, like Ireland. In the Aviva Premiership, it is Northampton and Leicester who have the most players involved in the England team: both with 4. However, as Northampton have only been in the Aviva Premiership for 3 years now, they, as a squad, are not used to this lack of players and it has shown through their league position: before the Six Nations, they were top of the league but have since been losing many of their games because they lack cutting edge without Foden and Ashton. And although this can provide a more even playing field for all clubs in the league, I think that it sends out the wrong message to clubs about having international players.

(Thanks Cian... a controversial one, but a good point)

Six Nations Round 3 Preview ( England v. France)

England v. France ( Twickenham)

This is the biggest game of the weekend without doubt and possibly the championship decider.

Lievermont has out done himself once again with his team selection. 22 year old, goal kicking machine, Morgan Parra has been replaced by a more experienced version of himself. With that experience however comes a hint of predictablilty and a slight rustiness as he makes his first start of the campaign, we are of course talking about Dimitri Yachvilli. Medard switches to fullback with the ever dangerous Vincent Clerc coming in on the wing. Those decisions I can agree with, along with the decision to bring back Jauzion at 12. He is world class and never should have been left out of the team in the first place. What I can't understand is the coaches decision to replace Julien Bonnaire with the cave man. Not only does Chabals inclusion cause serious confusion to me but it also means that Harinordoquay will move to blind side. Imanol Harinordoquay, arguably the best number 8 in the competition has to move places to accomodate Sebastian Chabal. WHY IS THIS?? Its ridiculous. Chabal shouldn't even be in the squad. France have also come up with a "plan" to curb the threat of Ashton and I think I know what it is. Watch closely in the first few minutes of the game where Chabal will wait for his opportunity to grab Ashton and put him inside his beard where he will hold him hostage till the end of the game. That is the only reasonable explanation I can come up with for his selection and possibly too the only plan that will stop Ashton scoring.

I think England will win this one based on their home advantage and Frances decision to bring back the rampaging idiot. Like the above picture suggests, Chabal is a show man, not a rugby player and yes he does eat children!

There are 2 ways France can win this game :

1) They play without Chabal
2) Ashton drops the ball in the middle of his crazy swan dive over the line for what could have been the only try of the game :)

RT Prediction: England

Six Nations Round 3 Preview ( Italy v. Wales)

Italy v. Wales (Stadio Flaminio)

James Hook (possibly on his way to the tanning booth)

Lucky for Wales, James Hook is as versatile as he is orange. He moves to his 3rd position in as many games to centre where he replaces the injured Jonathan Davies. This injury is an awful shame as I think Davies has a real future at 12 for Wales provided he can click with Jamie Robberts at 13. Robberts who switches back to inside centre had a good game last time out against the Scots and looks to be getting back into the form that saw him get selected for the Lions tour. The very boring but solid Stephen Jones comes back in at number 10 which makes me wonder just how little faith has Gatland got in Dan Biggar who in my opinion deserves a go. Italy remain unchanged for this game due to a lack of quality on their part.

So far I have predicted 2 Italy loses and surprise surprise, there is no change this week. I still firmly believe that Wales have something more to give to this championship in terms of who will be the winner. In this game against Italy it is vital that they can rack up a few scores for their points difference. In James Hook playing at 13 they have got one of the best players in the world to create a try and outside him lays in wait, Shane Williams who is a world class finisher. The only place where I see Wales struggling is possibly at scrum time due to the absence of their star props but in all honesty their 2 replacements have coped well against England and Scotland so far so I really don't see this game being any way close. When the sides met last year it was a close contest, too close for Welsh comfort. I don't see that happening again. Wales to win....by a good bit!

RT Prediction: Wales

Head...we all love it !!

As you may or may not have noticed, Ruck That has got an official header now. Muchos Grasias to ma home boy Kev straight out da hood who made it for me... Doesn't it look well? Below is a link to Kevins showcase, check it out :)

Also you'll see a video below, I don't usually do this but theres my song for the day! Have a listen, quality tune, sure to get us in upbeat form for the weekend. Message for the readers, we just hit 1000 views this morning! Keep em comin
Thanks again Kevin!

http://www.kevingibbons.ie/

Match previews for weekends games to come tommorow (or maybe Friday! I'm a busy man)

Southwell = Unwell and thats the least of their worries

Three players have been ruled out for Scotlands clash with Ireland in Murrayfield this weekend. Joe Ansbro, Hugo Southwell and Rory Lamont have all been labelled unfit to play after picking up knocks.

Southwell has not recovered from the facial injury he picked up when he ran head first (yes) into Lee Byrnes boot. While we are on that matter actually, fairplay to Byrne. He managed to kick Southwell in the face and get a penalty for it! Anyway, Southwell is crap, so that injury actually works to Scotlands advantage as the more capable player Sean Lamont can now come into the team.

Rory Lamont (Seans brother) is out due a leg injury which he picked up against Agen in the French Top 14 at the weekend while Joe Ansbro suffered concussion after his teams defeat to Bath.

So, Scotland had a selection of middling backs and now they have less of a selection. That is all.

Match previews to come later in the week :)