Starts next Saturday. Anyone watching it?

 

Saturday, 03 February 2007

England v Scotland, 16:00

Italy v France, 13:30

 

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Sunday, 04 February 2007

Wales v Ireland, 15:00

 

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Saturday, 10 February 2007

England v Italy, 13:30

Scotland v Wales, 15:30

 

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Sunday, 11 February 2007

Ireland v France, 15:00

 

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Saturday, 24 February 2007

France v Wales, 20:00

Ireland v England, 17:30

Scotland v Italy, 15:00

 

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Saturday, 10 March 2007

Italy v Wales, 15:30

Scotland v Ireland, 13:30

 

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Sunday, 11 March 2007

England v France, 15:00

 

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Saturday, 17 March 2007

France v Scotland, 15:30

Italy v Ireland, 13:30

Wales v England, 17:30

Scotland 'can win Triple Crown'

 

 

Former captain Gavin Hastings believes Scotland can go on to win the Triple Crown if they end 24 years without a victory at Twickenham on Saturday.

 

Scotland play three successive matches at Murrayfield - against Wales, Italy and Ireland - after facing England.

 

"Scotland would gain so much confidence from a victory at Twickenham," Hastings told BBC Sport.

 

"Even a rampant Ireland side would find it difficult against a Scottish side on a run of three games without defeat."

 

He added: "If they manage to nick that match (against Ireland) then they've got the Triple Crown.

 

"They would go then to Paris looking for the Grand Slam. It would be incredible, while also fanciful for some."

 

Scotland have not beaten England at Twickenham since 1983, when Jim Aitken led his side to a 22-12 victory.

 

Although the Scots will be without inspirational captain Jason White and first choice scrum-half Mike Blair, Hastings is confident Frank Hadden's side still have the capacity to produce results when they matter.

 

"England are not playing the greatest rugby they have ever played," said Scotland's record points-scorer.

 

"They (Scotland) can give England a good run for their money and have a go - I would hope and expect them to do that."

 

Hastings queried Hadden's decision to persist with Dan Parks at stand-off, rather than give more responsibility to captain Chris Paterson in the pivotal role.

 

"I would just love to see Chris given an extended run because I think he's the best stand-off Scotland have at their disposal," said Hastings.

 

"I'm not convinced he is offering any more playing full-back or wing. But he can offer something that the other people who play at 10 can't offer.

 

"He's also just about the most consistent goalkicker in the whole of the Six Nations. He is an important cog in Scotland's wheel."

 

Paterson, who started his career at fly-half before moving into the back three, is cautious over the possibility of a reverse switch.

 

"If I am asked to play there I would do it," he said. "But I haven't been playing there for my club (Edinburgh, where Phil Godman is the number 10)."

 

Hadden, meanwhile, feels Paterson's ability to step into the stand-off role during a game already benefits the side.

 

"Chris is such a good footballer that even when he is at wing or full-back he finds himself at first receiver," Hadden said.

 

"I don't rule out Chris playing in a number of positions. We will just have to wait and see what is best for the team on the day."

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/scottish/6288655.stm

Well Jonny Wilkinson's back at long last, anyway!!;)

England pick Wilkinson & Farrell

 

 

Jonny Wilkinson and Andy Farrell have both been named in Brian Ashton's England team to face Scotland in the Six Nations at Twickenham on Saturday.

Fly-half Wilkinson has not played for England since the 2003 World Cup final because of injuries, and has only played 40 minutes in the last 12 weeks.

 

Rugby league convert Farrell is picked at centre alongside Mike Tindall.

 

Jason Robinson returns on the wing, while Magnus Lund, Joe Worsley and Martin Corry make up the back row.

 

Robinson was coaxed out of international retirement after initially stepping down after the 2005 Six Nations.

 

England hooker Steve Thompson has been ruled out of the whole tournament with a neck injury, while uncapped number eight Dan Ward-Smith is also facing a lengthy spell out with a knee injury.

 

The defending world champions have finished fourth in the last two Six Nations and are on a dismal run of eight defeats in their last nine Tests.

 

But Ashton's appointment as head coach has raised hopes that England can make a fresh start under new captain Phil Vickery.

 

And Ashton has certainly rung the changes in his first selection, with 11 personnel changes from the last Test under previous coach Andy Robinson.

 

Leicester's Harry Ellis has received a recall at scrum-half, but there is no room for veteran back Mike Catt.

 

Newcastle's Mathew Tait has to settle for a place on the bench, as do prop Julian White and second row Tom Palmer.

 

Ashton has opted for Leicester's Louis Deacon alongside Danny Grewcock in the second row, while George Chuter gets the nod at hooker with Steve Thompson struggling with a neck injury.

 

Lund, a specialist open-side flanker, will start at seven with Lewis Moody dropping down to the bench.

 

And Corry, captain during Andy Robinson's largely unsuccessful tenure, gets the chance to stake his claim as a player, partly thanks to Ward-Smith's injury.

 

Wilkinson's inclusion represents a major gamble, given his injury record over the last three years.

 

The 27-year-old, who has 52 England caps, has endured a horrendous run of luck, suffering injuries to his neck, shoulder, knee ligaments and, most recently, kidney.

 

He returned as a substitute for Newcastle at the weekend against Leicester, his first action since suffering a lacerated kidney in early November.

 

Wilkinson will have Saracens centre and former Great Britain rugby league captain Andy Farrell outside him at Twickenham.

 

Farrell missed the whole of his first season in union to injury, but has impressed at centre since switching from blind-side flanker.

 

"I'm delighted to announce a strong England 22 for what will be a very challenging match against Scotland on Saturday," said Ashton.

 

"It is well documented that I have been an admirer of Andy Farrell's career for a number of years and I'm looking forward to seeing him play rugby union for his country.

 

"I'm also pleased that Jason Robinson has decided to return from international retirement and that Jonny Wilkinson has returned to fitness after his recent injury."

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/english/6308957.stm

Wales wingers play waiting game

 

 

Wales physiotherapist Mark Davies says the next few days are crucial if wings Shane Williams and Mark Jones are to win their fitness race to face Ireland.

The duo have risen from non-runners a week ago to possible starters for Sunday's RBS Six Nations opener.

 

"We'll make a full assessment, probably on Wednesday," Davies said.

 

"Both are up and running but are unable to take a full part in team activities, at some point they will have to face full contact."

 

Ospreys wing Williams is recovering from a hip injury, while Scarlets number 14 Jones had damaged ankle ligaments.

 

The Wales team had been scheduled to be named on Monday, but coach Gareth Jenkins has now delayed that announcement until late Thursday afternoon.

 

That should also allow Wales to know the outcome of Toulouse back Gareth Thomas' disciplinary hearing in Dublin that day.

 

Thomas faces a possible ban if an ERC panel finds him guilty of engaging in "aggressive exchanges with spectators" after an incident in a match with Ulster.

 

One player to be officially cleared for action is Gavin Henson, who aggravated an existing knee problem in a Magners League match on Saturday.

 

His Ospreys coach, Lyn Jones, had already said that the knock was not serious, but Davies rubber-stamped Henson's fitness.

 

"We reviewed Gavin again yesterday (Sunday) and his knee has settled down completely," Davies added.

 

"He's fine with it and has taken a full part in this morning's session."

 

Henson had been pencilled in as a possible make-shift full-back to face the Irish at the Millennium Stadium.

 

But with the injury crisis in the backs apparently easing, Henson may have to settle for a place on the bench instead.

 

Definitely ruled out is Cardiff Blues centre Tom Shanklin, whose place in the 13 shirt - with James Hook almost certain to be at 12 - is likely to be filled by either regional team-mate Jamie Robinson or Hal Luscombe of Harlequins.

 

Another casualty is Bath back-row Gareth Delve, who withdrew from the squad after twisting his ankle in the Guinness Premiership match with Harlequins.

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/welsh/6310719.stm

My predictions:

 

1 - Ireland

2 - France

3 - Scotland

4 - Wales

5 - England

6 - Italy.

I think you're not far off there! Although I do think France will retain it again. Wilkinson to pick up another injury and Wales to be the surprise package

I don't think England will do so badly now they've dispensed with Blobinson................... watch this space!!:rolleyes:

in comes another jason blobinson though... he can't have had much international practice :dozey:

in comes another jason blobinson though... he can't have had much international practice :dozey:

 

Oh ye of little faith!!:rolleyes:

It's ENGLAND we're talking about here! ;)

It's ENGLAND we're talking about here! ;)

 

But now the "messiah" is back!!:rolleyes:

what sport is this? you know im not from England,but im interrested

Rugby, mate :wink: The Yanks ripped it off and made American "football", this is the original one though.

 

I think France will win it again. They have a good squad, I'm expecting a decent performance from England.

oh,i am watching that ,but only premiership

i think England doesnt have big chance to win

oh,i am watching that ,but only premiership

i think England doesnt have big chance to win

 

How would you know? You don't know anything about it!!:rolleyes:

oh yes,they lost sic matches in a row

oh yes,they lost sic matches in a row

 

That's merely a statistic.:rolleyes:

ok then,sorry that i was interrested

ok then,sorry that i was interrested

 

Well please feel free to come back once you've watched a few matches.;)

i did you bastard

Italy 3-39 France

 

 

Italy: (3) 3

Pens: Pez

 

France: (22) 39

Tries: Dominici, Heymans, Chabal 2, Jauzion

Cons: Skrela 4

Pens: Skrela, Beauxis

 

France opened the defence of their RBS Six Nations title with a crushing five-try win over a disappointing Italy at the Stadio Flaminio in Rome.

 

Italy had been thought capable of springing a shock, but the home side failed to convert chances into points.

 

Tries from Christophe Dominici, Cedric Heymans and Sebastien Chabal put France in a commanding 17-3 lead at the break.

 

It was more of the same in the second half, with Chabal crossing again before Yannick Jauzion added a fifth.

 

Italy's formidable pack had been talked up before the match as one which could push France all the way.

 

And Italy had chances early on - but a misdirected long-range penalty from Andrea Scanavacca set the tone as their good work in open play was frequently undone by mistakes at key times.

 

A promising early attack saw Mauro Bergamasco latch onto a Scanavacca chip ahead but the flanker was dragged down just short of the line.

 

The home team won a penalty for their efforts but Roland de Marigny's effort at goal was woefully wide.

 

France started to show some of the flair missing from their autumn displays with half-backs David Skrela and Pierre Mignoni impressing with ball in hand.

 

Skrela, given the chance to stake his claim in France's problem fly-half position, kicked his side into the lead but their first try came from an Italy mistake.

 

A run-around move broke down in midfield, and Raphael Ibanez hacked the loose ball on for Dominici to gather and outpace the cover defence.

 

The next try was a product of some old-fashioned forward play from Chabal, as he battered over the gain line before releasing quick ball.

 

A swift pass from Mignoni found Skrela, and the fly-half slipped the ball to Heymans in the blink of an eye to allow the winger to race down the tryline.

 

France's handsome lead should have been cut moments later though.

 

But hooker Fabio Ongaro butchered a two-on-one overlap, preferring to cut inside and take contact. To add insult to injury, Ongaro found himself turned over and France cleared their lines.

 

Ramiro Pez's penalty finally got Italy on the scoreboard on 37 minutes but there was time enough for Chabal to power through three tackles for his first score.

 

After the break, France soon showed they were in the mood to extend their lead.

 

A brilliant Skrela kick set up the position, and a few phases later the outstanding Chabal was taking a short pass from Mignoni to amble over for his second try.

 

Italy won and retained their fair share of possession but looked like a side desperately short of ideas, and a lack of precision in midfield saw France able to hack through on several occasions.

 

Andrea Masi had to pull off a tremendous tackle on Skrela after the fly-half ran onto a loose ball from an Italy mistake.

 

But the fifth try was not long in coming, with Jauzion able to cross after Skrela's cross-kick found its way to Clement Poitrenaud and the full-back cut inside before releasing the centre.

 

Italy continued to push with more than 17 minutes left to go, but they never looked in serious danger of crossing France's tryline.

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/6319769.stm

No real news there, Italy is crap at rugby, they nearly always finished bottom of the group.

 

But england are leading 17-13 at the moment :o

England 42-20 Scotland

Twickenham - 3 February, 2006

 

By Phil Harlow

 

 

England: (17) 42

Tries: Robinson 2, Wilkinso, Lund

Cons: Wilkinson 5

Pens: Wilkinson 2

Drop-goal: Wilkinson

 

Scotland: (10) 20

Tries: Taylor, Dewey

Cons: Paterson 2

Pens: Paterson 2

 

Jonny Wilkinson and Jason Robinson made fairytale returns as England returned to winning ways in the opening RBS Six Nations match against Scotland.

 

Wilkinson scored 27 points, including a controversial second-half try, while Robinson grabbed two tries as England put Scotland to the sword.

 

England shrugged off Simon Taylor's try for a 17-10 lead at the break, and they cut loose in the second half.

 

Magnus Lund crossed on 73 minutes, as the points flowed from Wilkinson.

 

Every camera lens was trained on Wilkinson from the moment he came out for his pre-match kicking practice - and Twickenham's favourite son did not disappoint after shaking off some early rustiness.

 

A loose pass and an overhit up-and-under that let Hugo Southwell call a mark suggested Wilkinson was not at his best, but they proved mere teething trouble.

 

Scotland withstood intense early pressure early on, and England saw the outstanding Harry Ellis denied by the video referee after Chris Paterson somehow got his hands under the ball.

 

But it was a temporary reprieve as Wilkinson's famous goalkicking routine - not seen in an England shirt since the 2003 World Cup final - returned, and he made no mistake with a straightforward penalty.

 

England did not build on that platform initially though, as needless penalties were conceded by Louis Deacon and Martin Corry, and Paterson levelled the scores.

 

Straight from the kick-off though, England regained the lead after an outstanding tackle from Joe Worsley turned over possession for Wilkinson to slot a drop-goal.

 

Scotland fly-half Dan Parks was happy to kick away much of the possession that came his way, and the tactic paid dividends when Taylor capitalised on a missed England line-out to burst over for his try.

 

Wilkinson cut the gap with another penalty after Taylor offended at the line-out, and a scorching Ellis break set up the chance for another successful kick at goal.

 

England then scored their first try under new coach Brian Ashton, and it had the former Bath man's imprint all over it.

 

Andy Farrell, Mike Tindall and Wilkinson all ran straight and drew their man to give Robinson space to score in the corner shortly before half-time.

 

Wilkinson had stitches to repair a cut to his lip during the break, but it made no difference to his performance whatsoever.

 

An early Paterson penalty brought the gap down to four points, but two Wilkinson kicks soon put England in the clear again.

 

England's second try effectively sealed the match, and it came courtesy of a bad Sean Lamont error as the winger failed to deal with Ellis' kick through and allowed Robinson to pounce.

 

Yet another searing Ellis break then set up Wilkinson for a try which truly delighted the Twickenham crowd.

 

The fly-half took the ball from Ellis and dived in the corner, dotting the ball down one-handed although replays suggested he had a foot in touch.

 

But it was Wilkinson's day, and he swept in the touchline conversion with ease.

 

Flanker Magnus Lund scored in the corner after a long England drive tied in Scotland's defenders to give him a free run to the line.

 

Wilkinson came off on 73 minutes to a rapturous reception.

 

Scotland substitute Rob Dewey grabbed a deserved consolation late on, but England regained the Calcutta Cup in style to mark the beginning of the Ashton era.

 

England: Morgan; Lewsey, Tindall, Farrell, Robinson; Wilkinson, Ellis; Freshwater, Chuter, Vickery (capt), Deacon, Grewcock, Worsley, Lund, Corry.

Replacements: Mears, White, Palmer, Rees, Richards, Flood, Tait.

 

Scotland: Southwell; S Lamont, Di Rollo, Henderson, Paterson (capt), Parks, Cusiter; Kerr, Hall, Murray, Kellock, Hamilton, Taylor, Callam, Brown.

Replacements: Ford, Jacobsen, Murray, Hogg, Lawson, Dewey, R Lamont.

 

Story from BBC SPORT:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/sport1/hi/rugby_union/6320339.stm

ah, jonny, welcome back!