You do not have to be a member to buy from us, but there are lots of benefits to becoming one!

Six Nations is here!

I am sorely tempted to join the crowd and make some Six Nations predictions, but as a Francophile who was born in Wales, has a Scottish mother, studied Latin, played for England and enjoys Guinness too much I shall stay away from that. It’s a mug’s game anyway as the unpredictability of this marvellous tournament is legendary.

First of all, I must yield to my ongoing search for English centres. Max Ojomoh has had two marvellous games for Bath recently and I would love to see him break into the squad. He, rather like Ollie Lawrence, feeds off the exceptional passing of Finn Russell. Now you know why so many great Australian centres were produced in the era of Mark Ella and Michael Lynagh, both outstanding distributors. Not to mention Dan Carter. As a former Harlequin, my other club besides Bath (oh, Ludlow and North Dorset too!), I have often surveyed their conveyor belt of talented young centres stacked up behind Andre Esterhuizen before he departed to the Sharks. Ben Waghorn is now making the sort of impact that justifies further scrutiny and pressure. He should start for the multi coloured mavericks outside Marcus Smith or find a club which will pick him (not Bath or Northampton but anyone else) and could easily leapfrog Northmore and Beard into an England reckoning with the right coaching. Talking of coaches, Lee Blackett’s new Bath contract is England’s loss but they should come for him eventually as he is the best. 

So, if the England selection is to run Ireland off the park, shut down their phase play and clinch an unlikely away win, it will be a masterstroke and add weight to the O’Driscoll view – not just him – that Ireland’s shamrock is wilting a little . They will have plenty to say about that on their home park and with Leinster featuring so strongly domestically and in Europe. England’s propensity to leave results out there and for their bench to underdeliver will encourage Ireland till the last minute but the bet on a brace of Curry’s could be too hot for a one-paced Irish backrow. Flip a coin frankly but if England travel to Twickenham with a win under their belt then even the beer-seeking supporters will stay in their seats for ‘Le SuperCrunch’.

It is all down to selection for these big games as well as luck and tactics. France may have a dilemma as my opinion is that Jalibert shades N’Tamack but these are degrees of excellence. Out wide is where it matters for them with their red-hot wingers and they will get a lot of ball. I feel that Wales may be looking to limit damage earlier than they would like. However, their regions have been performing well recently so could be a lot more competitive than imagined, to begin with anyway.

A particular fascination for me rather bizarrely is how the defences line up. Ireland is very measly with its concession of tries and Leinster has shown that this season. England is the reverse and no one has any idea how they will defend! Italy I believe will score tries and have a wonderfully potent midfield, as would Scotland have had if Sione Tuipolotu wasn’t injured. So disappointing as he is probably the best centre in Europe right now. Glasgow forms the bulk of the Scottish team and they are one of the leaders in URC and Europe. Finn Russell will surely think this must be the year they win something and his personal form at Bath is something to behold.

Like everyone else I am even more excited given the great form of many of the players coming into it. The early shape of the tournament will be driven by the result in Dublin and the tension will be sky-high. 

Hallers

Related Articles

A View From The Cape: Victory ‘Never In Doubt’

February 11, 2025

A View From The Cape: Six Nations – The Pressure Builds!

February 5, 2025

French Lessons Become Compulsory

January 22, 2025

View from the Cape – Europe, England, Defence, Centres

January 16, 2025

View From The Cape

January 7, 2025

French Lessons Handed Out On Second Champions Cup Weekend

December 17, 2024

Sign up to our newsletter

Get our latest news and special offers direct to your inbox.

Please confirm that you are over 18

By clicking the below button I can confirm that I am over 18 and I am eligible to order products from the shop.