6. Italy:

Haimona chipping over the top vs Ireland

Here we go again. Italy have yet to record a win, and their play has been pretty
cringeworthy most of the time. There are a lot of young stars in the Italian team, and they have looked really good for brief flashes, but the these moments do not make up for the defensive lapses and general lack of focus that this Italian team shows. On the bright side, Luca Morisi seems to have taken Campagnaro’s notes on announcing yourself as a 13 with his double against England, and Andrea Masi actually looked quite promising as a 12. Italy’s biggest problem lies in finding a quality option at 10. Kelly Haimona has looked dangerous at times, but his poor decision making and prop-esque kicking means that he is holding this side back. Until Italy find a reliable flyhalf, they will continue to struggle.

5. France:

Yoann Huget Under a high ball vs Ireland

The reason why France find themselves so low down on this list is that this list is
based on not only potential, but form as well- and as usual the French have no consistency! To date, France’s backline have scored a grand total of 0 (yes, zero) tries, and never really looked like they were going to against Ireland. We are actually surprised that the French forwards haven’t revolted against Camille Lopez, who seems to enjoy kicking the ball away when his pack goes forward. Poor kicks wasted good attacking opportunities time and time again. The French look more frenzied than traffic around the Arc De Triomphe. Now there was a time when the French turned this chaos into a thing of beauty, with players like Philippe Sella torturing defences with their unpredictability, but those days are gone. If the French of old were a monet painting, the current team is the finger painting that a 4 year old brings home from preschool. Yoann Huget, Wesley Fofana, Scott Spedding, all are incredible, explosive players, but France’s lack of a game plan keeps them from having a major impact on the game. Relying entirely on superior size and strength has yet to work, so France need to be more creative, and utilize Fofana and Lopez to open gaps for Huget and Bastareaud, for if they dont, success will not follow.

4. Wales:

George North touching down in the Millennium Stadium.

Wales have the potential to have the best backline in the tournament. Every player in
this unit is a proven scorer on the international level, they just have been in pretty poor form as of late. Rhys Webb has been torturing defences, and Dan Biggar is a proven and reliable option at 10. The problem the Welsh have been having is that they are constantly being caught behind the gainline, exposing them to turnovers. One part of the problem is that Jamie Roberts wasn’t running into contact at full speed, rather he was ‘stutter’ stepping before going into contact, killing his momentum and making him easier to tackle. He looked better against Scotland, but he still didn’t seem to be running his lines at full speed all the time. Another problem the Welsh seem to be having is consistency. Against Scotland, they went no where in the first half, but in the second, they exploded into life, culminating in Jonathan Davies’ excellent try. Alex Cuthbert has the pace to finish from anywhere, but he has been lacking lately. Liam Williams looked really good against Scotland, and I think that he should hold onto his starting spot, and take over for Cuthbert for the time being. Cuthbert is a very good player, but against Scotland he never really had any sort of impact on the game, and was the same way against England. Wales have all of the parts for a really dangerous backline, now they just need to put together the performances they are capable of week in, and week out.

3. Scotland:

Scotland celebrating their victory over Italy in last years’ Six Nations.

Scotland have a lot of talent in their backline, and have looked really dangerous
throughout the tournament. Their 23 year old flyhalf Finn Russell has looked really good with ball in hand, although his kicks from hand have let Scotland down on a few occasions. Alex Dunbar and Mark Bennett have looked very good, with Bennett looking very dangerous against France in particular. Dunbar and Bennett have also been a threat at the breakdown, picking off isolated runners and winning penalties for their team. Tim Visser has a lot of potential, and Sean Lamont adds a lot of experience to this young side, but the most dynamic part of the Scottish backline thus far has been Stuart Hogg. Hogg found gaps everywhere in the French defence and was heroic against Wales. His try showed just how much pace he has to offer, and he is really coming of age in the Scotland jersey.

2. Ireland:

Tommy Bowe breaking through a tackle vs France

Ireland also have a very dangerous backline, they just haven’t been able to fully
unleash it. What makes this Irish backline so dangerous however is not only the ability to create line breaks, but also the fact that nearly every player in the backline is capable of reversing the field with well placed kicks. Robbie Henshaw and Jared Payne really haven’t sparked as a centre pairing, but Schmidt’s consistent selection of these two over the likes of Keith Earls, Luke Fitzgerald, Darren Cave, and Stuart Olding says a lot about what they are capable of. The back three of Simon Zebo, Tommy Bowe, and Rob Kearney offer an excellent kick chase, as well as being some of the most explosive backs in the tournament. Conor Murray has to be considered
with the likes of Aaron Smith for best 9 in the world, as he has become a key leader in the Irish backline, and his excellent box kicking has given Ireland a great platform time and time again. The return of Johnny Sexton is a huge boost to the Irish team. At the moment he is the worlds in form flyhalf, and even after 12 weeks out, his man of the match performance against France was nearly perfect. With some time to work together, and the return of Sexton, expect this Irish backline to improve over the coming weeks, and start to become a major threat in time for the World Cup.

1. England:

Mike Brown in action vs Italy.

The English backline should not work. It has been made of leftovers, the
players that have survived what has turned out to be a very attritional start to 2015.
Jonathan Joseph and Luther Burrell have taken over in the centers due to the injuries to Brad Barritt, Manu Tuilagi, and Kyle Eastmond, and remarkably, Joseph has scored three tries and looked really dangerous whenever he has had the ball. Ben Youngs and George Ford were waiting behind Danny Care and Owen Farrell, but now they form one of the most dangerous partnerships in the tournament, and have been able to flawlessly control every game they’ve played in. Anthony Watson has been really good under the high ball, and dynamic with ball in hand, and even though England are now without Mike Brown due to concussion, they have plenty of talent to call up with Alex Goode or Semesa Rokoduguni set to play a major role against Ireland. Johnny May has become a controversial selection, but his incredible pace makes him a danger to any team, and he set up a great try for Danny Cipriani last week as well. As painful as it is for many to accept, England’s backline has been the best in the 6 Nations so far, and a lot of that is down to the good play of George Ford. Ford has looked really dangerous with ball in hand, and his goal kicking has been excellent. If he continues to play like this, England could be a major contender for the World Cup this year.

Who has the best back line in your mind? Let us know!

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February. For some, this means love, hearts and chocolate. For rugby fans all over Europe, it’s time for the Six Nations! Never before have the six giants been so close, with only a points difference of eight separating the men in green and the men in white last time. One try, one moment of brilliance. Can a simple act of excellence from Lancaster’s rookies help England claim their revenge from the experience of the Irish bulldogs?

Ben Morgan crashing over to score the opening try of the England vs Australia match in November.

During the Autumn Internationals, England came extremely close to wins against New Zealand and South Africa; only for the two giants to show why they are currently the best in world rugby. It is safe to say that England divided opinions – some fans were extremely impressed by how far England has come under Lancaster, Rowntree and Farrell while for others it was the same old England. So close but so far. I believe that with an injury free campaign (unfortunately we already know that Joe Launchbury, Courteney Lawes, Ben Morgan and Manu Tuilangi will miss at least a portion of the Six Nations) and a reduction of basic errors, England can win the Six Nations. Although written off by some pundits due to the fact they have their two most difficult games away from home (Wales and Ireland), the experience of Chris Robshaw and lessons from previous heartaches (30-3 to Wales in the final weekend of the 2013 Six Nations) should pull them through. Perhaps George Ford will morph into the next Jonny Wilkinson over the upcoming two months? With only seven months and nine matches to go until the World Cup, a successful Six Nations will be more coveted than ever!

Jamie Heaslip, Ian Madigan, and Peter O’Mahony celebrating vs Australia in the autumn internationals.

Ireland had a tremenduous Autumn campaign with unexpected wins against both South Africa and Australia, resulting in them claiming 3rd place in the IRB world rankings. Under Joe
Schmidt, youth and experience have been mixed beautifully with Jamie Heaslip and Johnny Sexton perfectly primed to take the lead from Paul O’Connell after what will likely be his
final world cup, later this year. Intelligent, creative, simple. These three words summarise Ireland perfectly under Joe’s leadership. Although I am an England supporter, I do
recognise Ireland as the largest threat out of the five other teams to claim the Six Nations crown. With seven straight wins in a row and eight victories in their last ten matches,
Ireland are definitely regaining the dominance they had in the famous Six Nations campaign of 2009. Four provinces, one nation. They are certainly answering Ireland’s call!

Mike Phillips in Action.

George North, Leigh Halfpenny, Jamie Roberts. These three players will be instrumental in Welsh success. A hard earned, forwards dominated win against South Africa gave much needed encouragement for a side that had only beaten any of the ‘big three’ once in the 27 games beforehand. Rugby is as much mental as it is physical; meaning that that win could give Wales the momentum needed to defeat England on February 6th and continue to eventually win the tournament. Personally, I believe that Wales will finish third and ultimately fail to qualify from the pool stages of the upcoming World Cup. However if Wales decide to focus on a similar forward, physical style, then they may surprise many and replicate their successes of 2011 in the World Cup and their Six Nations win in 2013.

Yoann Huget running in a try vs England, 6 nations 2014

France. What a transition between 2011 and now. From being one point a first World Cup win to winning just five of their eleven matches last year and 4th and 6th place in the last two Six Nations campaign. The last four years have certainly been ones to forget, despite a decent result against Australia in their penultimate game of 2014. However, you can never rule out a side with Thierry Dusautoir, Wesley Fofana and Mathieu Bastareaud. Realistically, I can see France having to endure another difficult campaign, perhaps clinching fourth place from a courageous and ever improving Scotland side.

Scotland in action vs England, 6 nations 2014.

Deep deep with in us, we all love an underdog. It is simply in our nature. We were treated to a surprising and certainly encouraging display from Scotland against New Zealand. Although it was a much weakened All Black side, history wouldn’t have seen it any differently had they won. Usually seen as nothing more than candidates for the Wooden Spoon and last year branded ‘an embarrassment to one of sport’s greatest tournaments’, Scotland have displayed moments of brilliance in recent years and have beaten Australia and South Africa more times than Warren Gatland has with Wales. Despite this, the likelihood is that Vern Cotter will struggle to transfer his leadership success that lead the Crusaders to a Super 14 winning campaign to his squad. Fourth is ambitious but not unachievable. Realistically, they will be battling, once again, for the Wooden Spoon.

Sergio Parisse, Martin Castrogiovanni and Michele Rizzo during the national anthems vs Wales, 6 nations 2014.

At the turn of the millennia, we welcomed Italy into the Six Nations. Unfortunately, they have won ten Wooden Spoons and never finished in the top three. Despite this, their physical style and pure hunger has meant some difficult games against them (19-15 loss vs England, 22-15 win vs Ireland). Yet again, I feel that Italy will be in the middle of a fight in the bottom three. However, if they can salvage wins against France and Scotland then fourth place could be salvaged. Although they have not been boasting much success in their time in the Six Nations, they are certainly a team of surprises and excitement!

I believe that this Six Nations will be the tightest we have ever seen (apologies for the cliché). The battle for first will be between Ireland and England (their match on March 1st should be a colossal one) while the bottom three places will most likely be contested between France, Scotland and Italy. Third place is probably the only certainty with Wales holding that position, in my opinion. Then again, the Six Nations wouldn’t be so special if it didn’t have its surprises. Who’d have thought that France would come last two years ago or that Ireland would lose to Italy? I just hope that this year proves as entertaining, captivating and sensational as previous years and sets up a platform for a Northern Hemisphere team to win the World Cup!

By Vincent Masterson

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Scotland don’t win many test matches by a margin of twenty five points, so, upon their resounding victory over Tonga, they should enjoy themselves.

Finn Russell, the Glasgow fly half, has acclimatized well to International Rugby and his impromptu dance after being withdrawn during the Scots’ victory over Tonga is indicative of an increased confidence and positivity instilled by Scotland’s new coach, Vern Cotter.

He may not be the smoothest dancer, but we give top marks for effort.

Clip Credit: Le-Rugbynistere

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Prior to next months South African leg of the HSBC World Sevens, the Cell C Nelson Mandela Bay Sevens Tournament , the tournaments organizers have produced this funny video depicting stereotypical characters from some of the participating nations, England, Scotland, Australia & France.

Also, the South African 7’s team provide a cameo appearance.

Youtube Credit: BokTube SARU.

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Ahead of their Autumn test series, new Scotland head coach Vern Cotter has named a thirty three man squad and has named a new Scottish captain, Edinburgh lock Grant Gilchrist.

The 24 year old, who led his nation twice during the summer tour, including a victory over Argentina, will skipper his side against Argentina at Murrayfield  on November 8th; New Zealand, again at Murrayfield, a week later on the 15th and, to round up the series, Tonga at Rugby Park, Kilmarnock on November 22nd.

The squad shows only one new cap with in-form Glasgow Warriors centre Mark Bennett, who scored twice against Bath in the European Champions Cup last weekend, looking to see some game-time.

Surprisingly, though, the experienced trio of Kelly Brown, Alistair Kellock and Jim Hamilton have all been omitted in what could be construed as a conscious effort by Cotter to focus on youth in advance of next year’s World Cup.

Formerly of Clermont, Vern Cotter is expecting a tough test from Scotland’s test opponents, but is relishing the prospect of pitting his teams defense against Argentina and, in particular the All Blacks.

: “Argentina will offer us a very stern test, especially scrum time. They have good variety and move the ball well from nine, through the middle of the paddock and out the back.

“The All Blacks have just won the Rugby Championship and are the best team in the world, so we’ll have to be on our toes.

“They also have more variety in their kicking game so covering space in the back field will be important.

“Defensively, we’re going to get tested, which is good because we want to show that our defence has improved.

“Tonga will be the final big test psychologically, having come through two big games, to play away from BT Murrayfield, and needing to put in a good performance at Rugby Park in Kilmarnock.

“It’s essential that we show maturity, mental strength and adaptability throughout the series”

FORWARDS: Adam Ashe (Glasgow Warriors), Johnnie Beattie (Castres), Fraser Brown (Glasgow Warriors), Blair Cowan, Geoff Cross (both London Irish), Alasdair Dickinson, Ross Ford (both Edinburgh Rugby), Chris Fusaro (Glasgow Warriors), Grant Gilchrist CAPTAIN (Edinburgh Rugby), Robert Harley, Jonny Gray (both Glasgow Warriors), Richie Gray (Castres), Scott Lawson (Newcastle Falcons), Kieran Low (London Irish), Euan Murray, Gordon Reid (both Glasgow Warriors) Alasdair Strokosch (USA Perpignan), Tim Swinson (Glasgow Warriors).

BACKS: Mark Bennett (Glasgow Warriors), Chris Cusiter (Sale Sharks), Alex Dunbar (Glasgow Warriors), Dougie Fife, Tom Heathcote (both Edinburgh Rugby), Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors), Greig Laidlaw (Gloucester), Sean Lamont, Sean Maitland, Finn Russell, Henry Pyrgos, Tommy Seymour (all Glasgow Warriors), Duncan Taylor (Saracens), Tim Visser (Edinburgh Rugby), Duncan Weir (Glasgow Warriors).

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Ahead of their Autumn test series, new Scotland head coach Vern Cotter has named a three man squad and has named a new Scottish captain, Edinburgh lock Grant Gilchrist.

The 24 year old, who led his nation twice during the summer tour, including a victory over Argentina, will skipper his side against Argentina at Murrayfield  on November 8th; New Zealand, again at Murrayfield, a week later on the 15th and, to round up the series, Tonga at Rugby Park, Kilmarnock on November 22nd.

The squad shows only one new cap with in-form Glasgow Warriors centre Mark Bennett, who scored twice against Bath in the European Champions Cup last weekend, looking to see some game-time.

Formerly of Clermont, Vern Cotter is expecting a tough test from Scotland’s test opponents, but is relishing the prospect of pitting his teams defense against Argentina and, in particular the All Blacks.

: “Argentina will offer us a very stern test, especially scrum time. They have good variety and move the ball well from nine, through the middle of the paddock and out the back.

“The All Blacks have just won the Rugby Championship and are the best team in the world, so we’ll have to be on our toes.

“They also have more variety in their kicking game so covering space in the back field will be important.

“Defensively, we’re going to get tested, which is good because we want to show that our defence has improved.

“Tonga will be the final big test psychologically, having come through two big games, to play away from BT Murrayfield, and needing to put in a good performance at Rugby Park in Kilmarnock.

“It’s essential that we show maturity, mental strength and adaptability throughout the series”

FORWARDS: Adam Ashe (Glasgow Warriors), Johnnie Beattie (Castres), Fraser Brown (Glasgow Warriors), Blair Cowan, Geoff Cross (both London Irish), Alasdair Dickinson, Ross Ford (both Edinburgh Rugby), Chris Fusaro (Glasgow Warriors), Grant Gilchrist CAPTAIN (Edinburgh Rugby), Robert Harley, Jonny Gray (both Glasgow Warriors), Richie Gray (Castres), Scott Lawson (Newcastle Falcons), Kieran Low (London Irish), Euan Murray, Gordon Reid (both Glasgow Warriors) Alasdair Strokosch (USA Perpignan), Tim Swinson (Glasgow Warriors).

BACKS: Mark Bennett (Glasgow Warriors), Chris Cusiter (Sale Sharks), Alex Dunbar (Glasgow Warriors), Dougie Fife, Tom Heathcote (both Edinburgh Rugby), Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors), Greig Laidlaw (Gloucester), Sean Lamont, Sean Maitland, Finn Russell, Henry Pyrgos, Tommy Seymour (all Glasgow Warriors), Duncan Taylor (Saracens), Tim Visser (Edinburgh Rugby), Duncan Weir (Glasgow Warriors).

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In what is considered the longest range successful penalty kick in international Rugby history, Wales’ Paul Thorburn slotted a penalty from 70 metres against Scotland in the Five Nations’ of 1986.

Impressively, the former Neath player achieved the feat without the assistance of a kicking tee.

What welly!

Youtube Credit: Davz1992

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Tries, tries and more tries…

Last Friday, England u20s retained their JWC title with a narrow 21-20 win over an impressive Baby Boks side.

The competition was fiercely contested throughout with a serious showcase of the up and coming talent of for international rugby.

The IRB youtube account has compiled their best 5 tries from the tournament. Who gets your vote for no.1? It has to be South Africa’s try vs. Scotland or Tevita Li’s try vs. South Africa. Two moments of brilliance really.

Here are the 5 tries, enjoy.

 

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We saw:
Wallabies defeat France 39-13
All Blacks over England 36-13
South Africa squeeze out Wales 31-30
Scotland get up over Argentina 21-19
Japan upset Italy 26-23
Samoa over Fiji 18-13

One international remains, next week we’ll see South Africa take on Scotland.

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Scotland overcome heat and USA for hard-fought win in Houston

The USA Eagles hoped to profit from their experience of the conditions on Saturday night as they returned to the city for their third high-profile friendly here against Tier 1 opponents in as many years, but Scotland shrewdly did most of the hard work early on to earn Vern Cotter a win in his first match as head coach.

This was a warm-up for their encounter in next year’s World Cup, since both are in Pool B along with South Africa, Samoa and Japan. With the temperature at 31C at kick-off, and humidity wrapping the stadium like a 15-tog blanket, warm was the operative word.

“That was tough, we’re not used to playing in heat like this,” said the Scotland captain, Greig Laidlaw. “It was a dry night but the ball was slippy.” Cotter said the heat created fatigue, which bred mistakes – the most serious committed by the Americans, who entered the game optimistic of victory. However, for the third year in a row they were unable to achieve a prestige triumph that would have acted like a neon sign illuminating the nation’s recent progress.

“I think the game tonight never really picked up any momentum, certainly not from our side but I think in general it was a very stop-start affair,” said the USA coach, Mike Tolkin, who was frustrated by his team’s continued growing pains.

Coming after the 51-3 defeat to Wales in Cardiff in March, this was a solid enough display from Scotland, though they picked up several injuries that Cotter said would be assessed on Sunday.

Scotland are 10th in the IRB rankings, the US 18th. The Scots have waited a long time for Cotter, an understated New Zealander and sometime farmer who was appointed in May last year but remained in France until the expiry of his contract with Clermont Auvergne last month.

“We’ll come back to basics. We want to do the simple things well,” the 52-year-old said. Scotland’s summer tour continues with games against Canada, Argentina and South Africa later this month. The Eagles next meet Japan and Canada, with the undoubted highlight of the year coming in November when they host the All Blacks in Chicago.

Italy beat the US 30-10 here in 2012 but Tolkin’s side ran Ireland far closer in Houston this time last year, losing 15-12 in a tryless, and often trying, friendly before a record home crowd of 20,181. This was far more open and entertaining, though the attendance was fractionally lower: 20,001, a fair number of them in kilts.

Cotter handed debuts to Glasgow Warriors pair Gordon Reid and Finn Russell, and Blair Cowan of London Irish. Alex Allan, who has just joined the Warriors from Edinburgh, was a second-half substitute.

Six of the Eagles’ starting XV play in England. Tolkin gave a first start to fly-half Shalom Suniula, the younger brother of centre Andrew Suniula, while Samu Manoa, the Northampton Saints lock, was unavailable.

Laidlaw saw his penalty kick from about 10 metres inside the US-half cannon off the left-hand post less than three minutes in, but his aim was truer from much shorter range a couple of minutes later. US full-back Chris Wyles levelled the scores with an 11th-minute penalty, which proved to be about as good as it got for the Eagles.

The first try came after a quarter of an hour, as Laidlaw fed Tim Visser for an easy score under the posts. It was a satisfying return to international rugby for the winger, who broke a leg last October. Only a fumble prevented him from scoring again soon afterwards.

The home side were further disrupted by two injuries in the first 20 minutes, with hooker Phil Thiel and Andrew Suniula forced off – an early test for the Eagles’ bench, which Tolkin had identified in the build-up as stronger than in previous years.

Scotland pressed down the left and Visser was denied a second try following a TMO review that determined he had lost control of the ball as he dived over the line. Indiscipline promptly cost the US, as prop Olive Kilifi was yellow-carded for collapsing a scrum before the French referee, Pascal Gauzere, awarded a penalty try. It was converted to make the score 17-3.

The US immediately responded with a powerful drive to the line – and over, it appeared. But on review, captain Todd Clever was found guilty of double movement. Still, it roused the already boisterous crowd, who were energised again when Wyles reduced the deficit with a 30-metre penalty kick 11 minutes into the second period.

However, American hopes of a stunning turnaround evaporated in the 66th minute with the highlight of the night, as full-back Stuart Hogg superbly collected a kick at halfway and dashed imperiously down the wing. Laidlaw converted the try from an acute angle and the tourists saw out the rest of the match.

Clever said that the US did not recover from the setback of his close call at the line. “The callback kind of took the wind out of our sails. We’ve just got to be mentally stronger than that,” he said.

“They didn’t have a platform to really launch their game but they never gave up,” said Cotter. “They’ve got powerful runners, powerful athletes. The energy coming from their team – they just need to channel it.”

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