6 Nations Round One Match Predictions

Well, here we are. After months of speculation and hype, we have finally arrived at the opening weekend of the 2016 RBS 6 Nations!

The tournament wastes no time in getting into the big matchups, so we will have 3 fantastic games this weekend, as the Northern hemisphere looks to rebound from its embarrassing Rugby World Cup.

France v Italy:

Of all the weekend’s fixtures, this is the one with the most potential for a one sided result. France will be confident coming into the match under new head coach Guy Noves, while Italy have been hammered by injuries to key players like Luca Morisi and Josh Furno.

In the pack, Italy will be counting on Wasps star Lorenzo Cittadini and George Biagi in a very inexperienced front 5. France will see this as a major weakness, and with names like Ben Arous, Guirado, Slimani, Maestri, Chouly, and Dusautoir, they have the tools to exploit it as well. Italy will fight back with a very solid back row featuring Francesco Minto, Alessandro Zanni, and the talismanic Sergio Parisse. The battle between Picamoles and Parisse will be mouthwatering, as both are incredible athletes with great vision and experience. These are two mobile and powerful packs, and this should yield some good rugby.

Out wide, the Italians have been ravaged by injury again, as they go into battle without Andrea Masi, as well as Morisi and flyhalf Tommaso Allan. The burden of expectation will fall on the shoulders of 23 year old flyhalf Carlo Canna, as well as Exeter outside center Michele Campagnaro. Leonardo Sarto will be the Italians biggest threat in the wide channels, with his electric pace. France have also made plenty of changes to start the Noves era, with Stade Francais outhalf Jules Plisson paired with uncapped scrum half Sebastien Bezy. Jonathan Danty and Gael Fickou give France a powerful punch in the center’s, but the distribution will remain effective as those two have great vision and passing. Physical 7’s star Virimi Vakatawa will make a start on the wing, while veteran Maxime Medard starts at fullback.

I doubt this match will be as painful to watch as last years encounter between these two, but whether the scoreline will be less lopsided, I am less sure about that. France will be coming into this match looking to start Guy Noves’ reign as head coach with a big victory. With so many young players starting, and in the hostile environment of the Stade De France, nerves may be a major issue for this Italian side.

Prediction: France 36- Italy 10

Scotland v England:

Last year it was Scotland who came into the Calcutta Cup with a new head coach, but now it is England’s turn to play that role, as it is Scotland who have form behind them. England may have the better players on paper, but Scotland have been clicking really well under Vern Cotter, and they will definitely feel they can pull off the upset.

Up front England will feel that they have the edge, with Joe Marler, Dylan Hartley, and Dan Cole. If Hartley can keep his head he is a great player, and will solidify the English set piece. WP Nel may give Marler trouble, as he as emerged as a great weapon for Scotland on the tight head side, which should allow Alasdair Dickinson to play his game in the loose. There are two shades of Gray in the Scotland second row, which offers a great matchup to England’s duo of the eternal man of the match, Joe Launchbury, and that other young Sarries lock, George Kruis. John Hardie will relish his battle with Chris Robshaw, while Dave Denton and Billy Vunipola will clash time and time again as they vie to win the gainline.

Danny Care pairs with George Ford for England in a pairing that promises to play with more pace, while having Owen Farrell and Jonathan Joseph in the centres will allow England to play a much wider game as well. Scotland have a great form pairing in Greig Laidlaw and Finn Russell, who finally clicked at the World Cup. Laidlaw’s boot will keep the scoreboard ticking for the Scots, while Russell will attack the line to put others in space. Mark Bennett will likely be the key for Scotland in attack, as he can have the most impact, the most often. There is a tough battle at fullback, with Stuart Hogg and Mike Brown going head to head. Both are among the best in the world at their position, and can open up any defence with their feet. I for one, am hoping we see them get plenty of ball in space.

Scotland have not won the Calcutta Cup since 2008, and will be more than up for the challenge. England will be confident, and they too will want to start the Eddie Jones era on the right foot, but whether or not this new look side will be capable of meshing to pull off a big result I am not so sure. I think England will sneak by with a win, but not by much.

Prediction: Scotland 22- England 24

Ireland v Wales:

Over the last few years, this matchup has budded into a great rivalry. Ireland have been able to keep the Welsh at bay in Dublin, but Warren Gatland’s men will want to change that.

Scott Baldwin and Samson Lee will be expected to carry the burden at scrum time for Wales, while Jack McGrath and Rory Best will provide them with a major challenge. Wales have a clear edge in the second row. Devin Toner will give Ireland a boost in the lineout, but he will not be able to match the physicality of Welsh duo Alun Wyn Jones and Luke Charteris. Ireland will be hard done by the absence of Peter O’Mahony, but Sean O’Brien will give them a physical presence at the breakdown and in open play. Wales have elected to start Justin Tipuric in the 7 shirt, with captain Sam Warburton at 6, which should give them a big edge in the wide channels. Ireland struggled to stop Tipuric last time these two sides met, and he could cause them trouble again.

Jonny Sexton’s struggles with form have not cost him his starting spot for Ireland, but Dan Biggar’s searing form may cause the Irish a few problems. Robbie Henshaw will be relishing the physical battle that he will face against the likes of Jamie Roberts and Jonathan Davies. Davies is making his first start since his traumatic knee injury in last years tournament, and according to Roberts he has been very excited at the prospect of getting back into it. The loss of Luke Fitzgerald certainly takes some of the sting out of the Irish backline, but there is plenty of attacking potential in Joe Schmidt’s squad. George North and Gareth Anscombe give Wales a potent back three, as well as one that can beat Ireland at its own, beloved high ball game.

This match is promising brutal physicality, and if past encounters are anything to go by, that is exactly what we will get. Two years ago, it was Wales that have succumbed to the war of attrition, but this season, it appears that Ireland already have. This Ireland team is capable of beating Wales, but I cannot see it happening this time around.

Prediction: Ireland 18- Wales 23