DUBLIN, IRELAND – Our trio of West Ghana’s Rugby Wunderkind Junoir Blaber, Ireland’s quick-witted fly-half (that’s redundant) Kevin Fegan and contrived Kiwi Johnathan Wicklow Barberie pick the Heineken Cup matches, with decidedly different results. Now, they’re picking the Six Nations matches…
Straight from the Holy Rugby Bible, here are their picks:
Junoir Blaber’s Rationale:
ITALY at IRELAND: Ireland by 6; Italy don’t have it in the backs to beat the Irish; The Irish back-line isn’t great but it will be just good enough on this day
FRANCE at SCOTLAND: France by 4; Scotland pack has looked great, the handling errors and poor attacking decisions of the Scottish back-line will be their undoing. The French will lose in ball possession stats but will be too clinical with ball in hand to lose this game.
WALES at ENGLAND: Wales by 6; the Welsh attack will be too much for an England team that has been defending well but looked impotent in attack. Wales will get up early and England won’t get a charge-down try to keep them in it.
Kevin Fegan’s Thoughts:
ITALY at IRELAND: Ireland were anxious to play in Paris and the fact that they didn’t get a chance will bode very badly for Italy. Italy can’t play away from home and Ireland want to show the home fans that they still have it. Ireland will impress in this one and thump the italians by 12 points.
FRANCE at SCOTLAND: Scotland have not played badly thus far but have made far too many errors in the act of trying to score. I think at home they will provide a good test for a decent French side but will again come up short. France by 3
WALES at ENGLAND: The English team is the worst I’ve seen in years and against one of the better Welsh teams in decades the English will be badly embarrassed at home. Wales by 9.
JWB’s Two Bits:
ITALY at IRELAND: Ireland will win this one easily. They are rested, healthy and on their home turf. That, and the fact that I have Irish citizenship solidifies the pick. The Italians will be made into pesto sauce – it’s green. Ireland by 16
FRANCE at SCOTLAND: I’ve been guilty of betting with my heart so far, so why stop now? Easy – the French, despite nobody liking them and being awfully catty, don’t give a hoot about William Wallace. France by 7
WALES at ENGLAND: This is easy. Wales are healthy. They will push England all over their own sod. Look for George North to run north and south all day! Wales by 11
Feel free to argue your case and why, below.
P.s… Here’s a little extra, as per Mssr. Junoir Blaber:
15. Rob Kearney – Even while Idle, Foden didn’t do enough to take the Jersey from him.
14. Julien Malzeiu – Alex Cuthbert and Leigh Halfpenny of Wales have looked great on the wing but Malzeiu’s class from week 1 keeps him at 14.
13. Jonathan Davies – Look outstanding against Scotland, great support angles.
12. Jamie Roberts – Starting to stake his claim as the best 12 in European Rugby
11. George North – Another solid game at 11, he may finish as one of the games greats.
10. Greig Laidlaw – Snuck in a try and all things considered has looked outstanding at 10
9. Mike Phillips – Yet to make a wrong move this whole 6N
8. Sergio Parisse – He puts out herculian efforts for Italy, match after match.
7. Thierry Dussatior – He was idle but no other 7 really demonstrated and ability to disrupt an attack
6. Alasdair Strokosch – Not the most dominat 6 but he does do a astellar job of working with his fellow backrow teammates as a unit and being disruptive as well as supporting play.
5. Paul O’Connell – No other Second Row, besides Gray has shown a greater array of skills.
4. Richie Gray – He is amzaing in how he gets the ball in the loose and looks for support
3. A. Jones – His work in the Loose is ridiculous fo a tighhead, really is the modern day pro prop.
2. Ross Ford – He is also doing all he can. Being an extrad backrower will successfully completein the basic Hooker duties.
1. Alex Corbisero – Took on two fo Italy’s best TH and held his own. He is also improving in loose play
