SIX NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP - 2010

john horton · Group 3 Class Joined: 22 Jan 2006 Posts: 80

Well the Ireland -20 is what I expected and I'll be taking that, have to say I'm a little suprised at the England/Wales game, expected to get 4/5 England [scr] yet they're a best of 4/6 [Hills/Corals] and as low as 4/7 elsewhere. I see to get the 10/11 you've got to give up 3 points which doesn't inspire a deal of confidence!? Confused

Think I'll Lay into the Irish giving up just under 3 converted trys and just observe the tea time game without risking the cash.... Wink

swashbuckler · Stallion Read My Blog! Joined: 19 Mar 2007 Posts: 5193

Good Luck John Fingers Crossed

Looking at Ireland to cover the spread also Yes

Before against Italy they would have struggled to cover the spread but then again unless I'm mistaken the spread usually for their home game with Italy would have been closer to the 30pts mark Confused

Ireland are way more of a professional team than years previous with a serious winning mentality throughout the team and with such competition among the squad to make the first team the likes of O'Gara (with Sexton a big rival for his Fly-Half position), Darcy & Trimble to name just 3, will be trying to cement their places in the Team with big performances.I'll be a bit surprised if they don't cover the spread. I must say I strongly fancy England to beat Wales and I also think they will have a good 6 nations campaign but more about that later.

Best Of Luck Fingers Crossed

john horton · Group 3 Class Joined: 22 Jan 2006 Posts: 80

Cheers Swashbuckler, sounds to me like you're taking on the Italians with the 20 start like myself? IF that pans out OK I may also put it on England but I'd take the 4/6 [Scr], don't want to take on the Welsh WITH a start! Wink

PhilCookson · Group 2 Class Joined: 08 Dec 2009 Posts: 220

My thoughts are heading the same way. I just can't side with Italy away from home with 20 point start, the way Ireland and the provinces are playing I think they will score 4 or 5 tries, and as long as Ireland don't give away too many penalties that are kickable or put Italy in range for a catch and drive or 5 metre scrum, then I can't see Italy scoring too many points. A good indicator is the way Munster dismantled Treviso and 4 of Treviso's team have been selected for Italy.

I have got a fancy for Scotland on Sunday but still mulling it over. I will be going for an alternative handicap treble which has done well for me in recent weeks - Ireland -15, Wales +10, Scotland +10.

jaydubs · Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2010 4:17 pm Post subject:

Just got back from a trip so will have a look later on.
Did read something in the paper today though that the Italians were wanting to get in to the Magners league but it has been rejected. May want to prove a point to Ireland who i think they are blaming?
Still Ireland should be good for their start.
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john horton · Group 3 Class Joined: 22 Jan 2006 Posts: 80

You guys have any views on tonights u20 internationals?
Scotland +9
Ireland-16
England-13

I'm thinking of taking a Irish double tonight/tomorrow, a -36 point double but they ARE playing the Italians..... Wink

PhilCookson · Group 2 Class Joined: 08 Dec 2009 Posts: 220

I've been burnt before by under 20 games so i'm a bit cautious.

But if I was betting I would be tempted to back Wales with that handicap as a lot of their youngsters have had good exposure. I would also back France as Scotland aren't too strong at this level whereas France usually are. I would probably go for Italy as they tend to be a bit more competitive at this level, its the next 2 or 3 years where the gap widens when the Irish, British and French players get further into the professional system. So completely different 3 to you! Good luck though if you do have a bet!

jaydubs · Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2010 4:25 pm Post subject:

Good luck lads if you do play I am not going to play this week I can't see much I fancy. May fancy Scotland if the weather gets really bad up there but most probably will just watch and have a beer or 2

Don't like 20 pts on Ireland (weather) and I still really don't know how England will play so will defeinatly not give Wales a start like John mentioned
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john horton · Group 3 Class Joined: 22 Jan 2006 Posts: 80

ANYONE here backing the Italians? I expected them to be getting nearer 30 points never mind the 20 on offer so I'm taking the Irish to cover less than 3 converted tries..... Win

deco121 · Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2010 10:52 am Post subject:

Essentially just going on hunches this week for the most part with only some hard to weigh up November Internationals as recent form but for me this Ireland side against this Italy side are good enough to cover the handicap at Croke Park given this years championship could easily come down to points difference and in a game (that I reckon anyway) will come down to a 'battle of the boot' I think Wales are overpriced.

IRELAND (-20.0) @ 2.00 (StanJames)
Ive been debating about this one all week as Im not a big fan of large handicaps like this but after much consideration Ive decided to back Ireland to cover it on Saturday at Croke Park. The average score between these two over the past decade has been 35-15 so the bookies 20.5pts handicap is pretty much on the ball. Ireland will win the game no doubt but the question is whether they will cover the handicap. Italy are man for man inferior to Ireland anyway at full strenght but the visitors are without their best player No 8 Sergio Parisse for this game and the whole tournament while fly half Craig Gower is not fully fit. Ireland should have huge amounts of possession here and in front of 80,000 fans at Croke Park I think the boys in green will go out to put on a show and win this one by 21pts or more - not only for the fans but the fact is this years championship could easily come down to points difference. Declan Kidney knows that and he will have his team looking for maximum points until the final whistle.

WALES (+0.0) @ 2.94 (Betfair)
Martin Johnson has made some strange selections for his England Six Nations squad and to me Wales look very good value for a win at Twickenham in their opening game. I think discipline, or lack of it, will play a huge part in deciding who wins this match as it will likely come down to accurate kicking from penalty opportunities and for me Wales are the more likely victors with that in mind. Englands discipline has been awful at times in recent Internationals and especially in this opening game I expect a few mistakes from them again. If they give Wales opportunites to kick at goal the visitors wont need a second invitation and I reckon that could decide the match this Saturday. Wales to win by 6pts I reckon.

best of luck,

Deco.

ps. Have changed the title of this thread to have everything in one rather than creating two threads every weekend. Smile

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jaydubs · Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2010 5:09 pm Post subject:

I have just had a little speculative bet on Haskell as first try scorer as he would be at the back of the maul form a line out or playing off a care break . just small stakes but maybe worth it at 20-1
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garlicsauce · Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2010 5:51 pm Post subject:

good call on Haskell there!