France, Wales and Ireland have been around there for the last 3 years but in World Cup year - who will be there
2007-01-21 06:08:29 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Rugby
Scotland will get the Calcutta cup (Hopefully) then go on to win every game
2007-01-21 06:12:04 · answer #1 · answered by EWE ANCHOR 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I hope wales win the grand slam, but more realistically, I would think a triple crown is a good result in the end.
2007-01-22 03:18:30 · answer #2 · answered by mentalblock 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think it'll be a grand slam. The favourites have to be Ireland and France, with Wales seeming likely to be the other possible contenders.
2007-01-21 21:49:15 · answer #3 · answered by Phil 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think the championship will go down to points this year as it's about the most balanced the tournament has ever been in terms of the quality of the sides competing.
I believe that France are actually way out ahead but Laporte and Maso have already said that certain players who aren't necessarily first choice (Romain Cabannes, if he's fit on time as an example) will get more games than obvious first choice players (Yannick Jauzions for example). This will have an effect on the fluidity and quality of the French team but I still think they're capable of winning it although from what I've read in the French Rugby Press, I'm not entirely convinced that it's a priority.
I wouldn't be surprised if Ireland win the tournament, they're looking good. Leamy and Best are two parts of a top class back row and with Wallace putting pressure on O'Gara and d'Arcy and O'Driscoll firing on all cylinders I think that the only thing that stands in their way is discipline. By that I don't mean that they're likely to kick off because a French player lands a cheap shot but they could have sealed it against Leicester if O'Gara had kept his cool.
I don't think Wales have improved as much as they could have since their Grand Slam and I think that playing James Hook anywhere other than fly half is complete madness - he's capable of being the best ever in that position so of course he's polyvalent to cover at center and fullback, he's probably fast enough to play on the wing as well and his pass is probably good enough for scrum half too but that doesn't excuse the fact that Stephen Jones is being protected - he's not good enough or quick enough to worry defenses at the world cup so it's about time the Welsh installed Hook at fly half, gave Henson a break and put him in the center with Shanks and got on with being as good as they could be.
England are an unknown entity of sorts or so it's said in the press; this said, they've got a fair few world cup winners in the squad and it's going to be interesting to see how Wilkinson and Robinson get along. I wouldn't bet against them; on paper they're clearly capable of beating anyone in the world, New Zealand included.
Scotland need to get themselves a fly half. They've got an outstanding backrow even without Jason White but the players from 10 to fullback, with the possible exception of Lamont (who didn't exactly terrify Biarritz on Saturday), are pretty average club players and I can't see that team doing much more than slugging out a victory against a team that wants to chuck the ball around too much in the rain. Possibly (and hopefully) England at Twickenham.
Italy are ahead of Scotland these days, in my opinion. They fought Argentina down to the wire and with a bit more maturity would have beaten Australia over the Autumn. If their fitness holds up, which it should as they have a number of Stade Francais players and they train hard all year round, they'll be very, very tough to beat.
One last point. You asked "will it be through a Grand Slam, Triple Crown or French Win?"
What's to say the French won't win a Grand Slam?
2007-01-22 03:43:47 · answer #4 · answered by Diarmid 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Ireland Grand Slam.
England to win the Calcutta Cup.
Jason will score 2 tries on his return to the England team!
2007-01-22 07:22:47 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ireland by grand slam
2007-01-21 06:10:53 · answer #6 · answered by fergie 11 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
French - Grand Slam!
2007-01-23 08:13:31 · answer #7 · answered by wadecrptrng 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think Ireland are going to be hard to beat but I'm not too sure about them getting The Grand Slam, but it would be nice !!!!!
2007-01-21 07:50:23 · answer #8 · answered by MASON 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They performed properly and deserved the win. it would want to were a travesty had Wales kicked that very last penalty attempt. the idea is to score tries and that become what the Irish did and what the Welsh couldn't. Edit: David P, it continues to be extra effective to win with type, although win gruesome is okay too.
2016-12-02 20:36:06 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
as long as wales beat england i dont mind
2007-01-21 06:47:42 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋