3 Things England Have Learned From The 6 Nations

1) England's pack is world class - even with injuries

The strength in depth in the English pack can rival anyone. England’s pack has had a lot of injury troubles over the last few years, and although this is never good to see, it has given a lot of players the chance to lay down a marker and gain some vital experience. With a lot of players having come back from injury (Parling, Wood), and some hoping to make a return before the World Cup (Launchbury, Morgan), it is clear that England have a world class pack, and crucially, a world class set piece heading into this years World Cup. The injury to Morgan allowed Billy Vunipola to lay down a marker, and put in his best performances in an England shirt. Whilst players such as Attwood and Haskell didn't impress as much as many had hoped, failing to bring their club form to the international stage, players like Cole (who would not have been rushed in to the side without injuries), Kruis, Parling and Billy V showed the strength in depth in this pack. It would be a crime not to mention that the strength of this pack is largely down to the exceptional coaching by Graham Rowntree, who has been consistently seen to demand more from his players.

2015 6 Nations - Final Weekend Predictions

If you are a regular reader you will know we don't usually predict exact scores, but given the importance of points difference in this year's tournament we thought we'd give it a go.

England vs Scotland - Review

Wasted opportunities. So many wasted opportunities for the English. They had a chance to control the competition with a big victory over the Scottish and fluffed it, over 5 gaping opportunities went missing, and that could have put them in the driving seat with just one round to go, as it is they will need a big performance against France and hope the Welsh and Irish don't score too many. We will look at what went right and wrong for both sides, and suggest where they can go from here, starting by analysing the players that impressed us.

Wales vs Ireland - Review

355 tackles, 39 defenders beaten and 280 carries set up the game of the tournament. A bruising, exhausting game culminated in a 7 point victory for Wales, and opened up the 6 Nations Championship title race. Halfpenny's boot was crucial as everyone assumed it would be, and a fantastic refereeing performance from Wayne Barnes helped the game massively, although the Irish took their time to adapt to his style. We will discuss the players that had the biggest impacts in the game, and how the Welsh ended the Irish winning streak.

04/03/2015 - Football Predictions

2-1

Man City suffered a disappointing loss to Liverpool on Sunday, but will have enough to overcome Leicester. They could make it an unnecessarily nervous game for themselves however, and I wouldn't be surprised if The Foxes made it an uncomfortable game for the fans at The Etihad.

My ESPN Fantasy Rugby Team - Week 3

This week I have made just 2 changes after the 5 in the last round. Samson Lee returns from injury, so he takes the place of Dickinson. Alex Dunbar come sin for Luther Burrell, a disappointing last week compared to the other choice of English centre, Jonathan Joseph. I have been very impressed with Dunbar so far, mainly in defence but I think he can spring a surprise on the Italian backs and get a try or an assist. I am very confident in Alex and am almost certain he will guarantee points, a potential MOTM. 

The other Scottish players featuring are Hogg, J Gray and Cowan, all potential MOTMs as well, Hogg will look to add to the try he scored last round, and the two forwards will look to continue their good form against the weakest side in the tournament. The other player featuring in the first match of the weekend is the Italian captain, a fantastic player that scored against England, and if Italy are to spring a surprise on the Scots, he will be the man to lead them there.

Partnering my key man Dunbar, I've gone for Fofana again, although he has been incredibly disappointing this far. The match against Wales is very important for France, and he will have to shine in Paris for the French to win. Samson Lee, Guirado and Liam WIlliams are the other players featuring in that game, and Williams has looked dangerous so I'm very happy with this selection. He has a perfect chance to cement his space in the Welsh side, and I expect him to score or get another assist.

Then we have Haskell, B Youngs, Ford, POC, Best and R Kearney retaining their spots, I am not expecting fireworks from these guys, just more consistent points from Ford and a big performance from Kearney. The game could well hinge on the breakdown, and Haskell's ability here could win the game for England, and hopefully secure me a MOTM.

Ireland and England Composite Side

Ahead of the game at the weekend we have taken inspiration from www.therugbyforum.com and decided to pick the best players from the (probable) Ireland and England teams to play each other on Sunday.

Front Row: Cian Healy, Dylan Hartley & Dan Cole

What beautiful men. Dan Cole has never looked better. But on to the rugby... a great front row, powerful scrummagers and Dylan Hartley gets the nod over Rory Best as he has impressed more over the course of this RBS 6 Nations. These formidable scrummagers can cause nightmares for any side, and with Marler's recent form he was unlucky not to make the cut but Healy is a sensational tight head and the battle between him and Cole will be very interesting to see.

Second Row: Dave Attwood & Paul O'Connell

As the two best second rows in the world are currently injured, that would be Launchbury and Lawes, we have plumped for these two, who are no slouches in their own right. POC is a legend of the game and has once again impressed in this tournament, but the most impressive second row so far has been Dave Attwood, who has been a machine once again in the line out and with his tackling. These two second rows could walk in to any side in the world, apart from a fully-fit England team.

Back Row: James Haskell, Chris Robshaw & Billy Vunipola

A controversial all-English back row. No room for O'Brien ahead of the machine Haskell. He has carried fantastically, and although O'Brien can clear out three men by himself, he hasn't impressed as much as the ever-present blue scrum cap that is Haskell. Robshaw is Robshaw, he has been stunning this 6 Nations, and has been one of the players of the tournament so far. Tackle after tackle have secured his place in the side. Vunipola is in after Heaslip's injury caused by Pape, and although he hasn't set the tournament alight, Vunipola has been solid so far and makes his way in to the side.

Half Backs: Ben Youngs & Jonny Sexton

Ben Youngs has made both of our team of the weeks so far, and whilst Conor Murray was the better player before the tournament began, Youngs's kicking, good running and clever sniping has helped him assert himself as the best scrum half of the tournament. George Ford has impressed recently, but Jonny Sexton is a class above, and he proved that on his first game back from injury against the French, with his smart kicking, strong defending and good carrying we saw that he deserves the accolade of one of the best 10s in the world.



Centres: Luther Burrell & Jonathan Joseph

Burrell and Henshaw are fairly equal in terms of ability, but Burrell is more proven at international level and at domestic level has impressed me, although I haven't seen much of Henshaw in this respect. JJ walks in to the side after his sensational 6 Nations, the boy is on fire and even when moved to the wing last game he secured two scintillating tries, and we are all excited to see how he will fare on Sunday.



Back 3: Anthony Watson, Tommy Bowe & Rob Kearney

These three pick themselves on current form, Watson has really impressed so far, Bowe is a great player, and it appears that Nowell will play on Sunday and the Irishman is certainly better than the Exeter winger, who may find his best position is at fullback. With Brown injured it appears that Alex Goode is Kearney's opposition for the number 15 shirt, and although the Englishman is solid, Kearney is better in almost every way.



Do you agree with us? Have we favoured England too much? Let us know your teams below.

Andy Murray Climbs Back To Third In World Rankings

Good news for all Andy Murray fans out there such as myself, he is back in the top 3 where he belongs. After a sublime run to the final of the Australian Open, a disappointing final left  him short of the top two, but his impressive run of form of late looks to continue as he heads into the Dubai Duty Free Championships seeded third. He'll have the old dog Roger Federer in his sights as he looks to climb the rankings further this year and win a major.

1 Djokovic, Novak (SRB)	13,045	0	18
2 Federer, Roger (SUI)	9,205	0	19
3 Murray, Andy (GBR)	5,460	1	21
4 Nadal, Rafael (ESP)	5,425	-1	19
5 Nishikori, Kei (JPN)	5,205	0	20
6 Raonic, Milos (CAN)	4,980	0	24
7 Wawrinka, Stan (SUI)	4,595	0	21
8 Berdych, Tomas (CZE)	4,460	0	24
9 Ferrer, David (ESP)	4,185	0	24
10 Dimitrov, Grigor (BUL)	3,465	1	21

The only other move in the top 10 is Dimitrov moving into it, replacing Cilic. At the Rio Open Nadal lost his first semi-final in 12 years to Fabio Fognini after coasting the first step, but the Spaniard lost his way and the Italian world number 22 capitalised, but went on to lose the final to Nadal's compatriot Ferrer. The build up to the Davis Cup is on, and we can't wait to see what will come of it. 

22/02/2015 - Football Predictions

After correctly predicting 2 scores yesterday and getting other results correct, we're going to try out hand at predicting two of the afternoon kick-offs today.

21/02/2015 - Football Predictions

2-1

With big Tim Sherwood at the helm now for Villa they will look to secure a winning start. In what will prove to be a close game, I think the Villains at home with their new manager will earn victory.

Do England Deserve To Be Ranked Higher Than Ireland?

World Rugby Rankings

Updated: 16 February, 2015

CHOOSE DATE

FULL RANKINGS

POSITION		TEAMS	POINTS
1	(1)	NEW ZEALAND	93.70
2	(2)	SOUTH AFRICA	88.23
3	(3)	ENGLAND	85.83
4	(4)	IRELAND	85.66
5	(5)	AUSTRALIA	82.95
6	(6)	WALES	81.71
7	(7)	FRANCE	80.09
8	(8)	ARGENTINA	78.23
9	(9)	SCOTLAND	77.11
10	(10)	SAMOA	75.39

There has been a large amount of controversy over the IRB rankings recently, placing England above Ireland after England's victories over Italy and Wales and Ireland's narrow victories over Italy and France, but do the new rankings accurately reflect the teams' position in world rugby?

Reigning 6 Nations champions Ireland are disappointed to see themselves below England, given the form of each team. A fantastic end to last year for Ireland saw them beat Australia and South Africa, whilst England lost 4 times to New Zealand last year and lost to the South Africans, so many Irish fans are upset to see them scored just below the English. However, England beat Ireland in the last 6 Nations, and the one before that, and the one before that and in the World Cup warm up before that. However, that was a long time ago now and the Irish with the sensational Jonny Sexton are a different team, as shown last year. So who deserves it?

To be honest, it doesn't really matter. People are getting worked up over nothing, but it is helping to fuel the hype before the game. Everything will be settled on March 1st, with the English looking to secure a vital victory away at the AVIVA and the Irish looking to assert themselves as the third, possibly second best team in the world. It will be a passionate contest and the more build-up we get to it the better it is as far as I'm concerned, flaring tempers and harsh banter will make this one of the biggest games of the year, even with the World Cup coming up.

My ESPN Fantasy Rugby Team - Week 2 Review

Back 3 - Rob Kearney (3), Stuart Hogg (8) & Liam Williams (6)

No complaints here, 3 very strong performances and the form they are showing suggests very strong performances to come. Liam Williams almost scored a try but I'll settle for an assist, and Hogg was unlucky not to get man of the match, but scored a fantastic try.

Centres - Luther Burrell (3) and Wesley Fofana (3)

Gutted here. I spoke about gambling on Burrell ahead of Joseph for his physicality, but Joseph went and scored two tries and picked up man of the match. A colossal mistake from me. Once again I was disappointed with Fofana, who needs to show more in his next performance

Half backs - George Ford (14) & Ben Youngs (7)

More fantastic performances from the England halfbacks, Youngs securing a try for my team and George Ford reliable with the boot and creating Joseph's try, exactly what I wanted from my 9 and 10.



Front Row - Alasdair Dickinson (3), Rory Best (1) & Guilhem Guirado (2)

Best picked up a yellow, but other than that I'm happy with my front row, Dickinson playing the whole game and putting in a very good shift for the Scots.



Second row - Jonny Gray (3) & Paul O'Connell (3)

Fantastic players, full appearances, no problems here.



Back row - James Haskell (2), Blair Cowan (3) & Sergio Parisse (8)

All 3 played very well, Haskell carrying well as usual, Cowan influential at the breakdown as usual, and Parisse leading his side brilliantly as usual, scoring a try as well.

POSITION 21126 SCORE 69