Will Wales retain the title? (no)
Will Italy avoid the Wooden Spoon? (no)
Will Scotland finally make that long promised challenge for the Championship? (no)
Will Ireland avoid the one game crash and burn that stops them winning the Championship? (no)
Will Eddie Jones finally make England more than the sum of their parts? (no)
Will anyone stop a French Grand Slam? (Hmmm...maybe)
With Alun Wyn Jones, Ken Owens, Justin Tipuric, Taulupe Faletau, Josh Navidi, Dan Lydiate, George North and Leigh Halfpenny all out not looking great Waleswise.
Spooky. I was just reviewing last year's thread, prior to setting up this year's...
Unforch, we have France & England away, so at least one loss is very likely.
You seem to have mostly covered it in the blue writing, Tada.
My prediction is
1. FRA (GS)
2. IRE
3. ENG
4. SCO
5. WAl
6. ITA
Looks sound. I remember a few years back, it was remarked here (and elsewhere, I think), that French club rugby was a very dull affair, and this was something the national coaches struggled with. But it has struck me, as I've happened to catch a bit of live action lately on TV from their league, that it looks a far better watch than most of the Premiership. Certainly the Sale/Leicester match, which I thought was low on quality. There seemed, to my eyes at least, more intent to keep the ball moving, with good handling from both backs and forwards, even in closely contested contests, then I've generally seen in the English comp.
I see some of the Irish press are predicting a massacre. I think Ireland will win, but it must make coaches wince when they see this stuff saying they will thrash the opposition esp when both Wales and Ireland have a rich tradition of imploding against each other.
It sounds perfectly sensible. Hopefully it goes well and works.
A penalty will be awarded to whichever scrum-half points most excitedly at something no one else can see.
https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/2022/01/28/new-scrum-law-to-be-trialled-during-six-nations-rugby-championships/
Though I preferred Ben's version
Where's that being said, Tada?
https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/were-going-kill-them-irish-22963105
ah seems it's just one source rather than a general thing.
And of course Wales Online isn't the most reliable.
For e.g.
'Wales can't afford to misfire in the scrum because they are up against opponents who boast arguably the top front row in European rugby in Andew Porter, Ronan Kelleher and Tadhg Beirne.'
I mean I know Tadhg Beirne is pretty versatile...
arguably the top front row in European rugby in Andrew Cotter, Ronan Keating and Tadhg Beirne
WalesOnline is always worth a visit after a Wales loss just for the BTL comments.
Wales online intro lines are beyond excruciating.
They always start 'articles' with things like
"As Welsh television icon, Windsor Davies used to say in the sweltering jungle "it ain't half hot, mum".
Well he's not the only Welshman who might be finding things a bit hot for their liking. When the Welsh team step out onto the Aviva pitch on Saturday they will be facing an Irish team who have not only recently claimed the scalp of the All Blacks ...etc etc"