[Aled]

So its less than a month before it all kicks off on Saturday the 4th of February.
So how's it going to pan out?
France or Ireland for the Grand Slam?
Who will come third is actually quite an interesting competition in a World Cup year?
Will Gattland & Borthwick make a difference?
Will Russell behave himself?
Can Italy do it again against Wales?
All to look forward to, so banter, joke, share wisdom and knowledge but most importantly of all enjoy and have fun ....so here wo go gain!
Cheers Aled

 

[chriswjx]

Will Russell behave himself?

Think that's the only question not worth asking 😂

Looking forward to kickoff though

 

[burnie]

I completely lost interest in it whilst "Skippy" was in charge of England, I might have a look this year, but not expecting much from Wales or England, Scotland blow to hot and cold, who knows how they will go, but I fancy Italy are getting better and may cause another upset. Should be between France and Ireland, but they too can both fail to show up, it often goes down to the fly halves, so if Sexton is injured and Farrel is banned, the opening games could go anywhere.

 

[Occasional salmon fisher]

Hard to see anything other than France v Ireland for the top 2 spots.

On recent form, Scotland probably 3rd, Wales and England battling it out for 4th and 5th and Italy looking to cause an upset in at least one game.

Tough start for Borthwick but at least expectations are fairly low for his first tournament.

 

[ozzyian]

Darcy Graham, Duhan VDM (I think) Rory Darge, Zander Fagerson, Hamish Watson, plus a few other big names I can't just think of all injured and unavailable at this stage.

Scotland have gone from largely injury free to badly hobbled in the last 3 months. Tight head the biggest of all the headaches, after Fagerson who's up next? Simon Berghan maybe and his bench cover would have to be Nell. Still, I think we'll be good enough for Wales.

 

[Aled]

David Duckham: Former England and British & Irish Lions back dies aged 76 - BBC Sport
Another legend of the game gone, Rest In Peace, and condolences to family and friends.

 

[Slaneybs]

I remember watching him play in Landsdown Road. How could he have been 76? Time, like him on the pitch is flying - what an exciting man to watch with the ball.

 

[salarchaser]

David Duckham: Former England and British & Irish Lions back dies aged 76 - BBC Sport
Another legend of the game gone, Rest In Peace, and condolences to family and friends.

Caught me by surprise that one. Haven't heard anything of him for some time, but no age really.
Chatted to him for some time after he was a guest speaker at the club I played for in Bristol. A bit cocky, but an interesting guy.
Max Boyce once said that the only problem with Duckham was that he wasn't Welsh.

I remember watching him play in Landsdown Road. How could he have been 76? Time, like him on the pitch is flying - what an exciting man to watch with the ball.

With his flowing locks even still photos of him looked fast.
A swerve and a step and gas to burn.
Equally adept at centre or wing, and a big man in the backs for the day.
We saw more of his attacking flair for the '71 lions in NZ than for England.
Some player.

 

[Handel]

David Duckham: Former England and British & Irish Lions back dies aged 76 - BBC Sport
Another legend of the game gone, Rest In Peace, and condolences to family and friends.

As you say another one of the greats gone. That Lions back division in 1971 is still the best I have seen. And interesting that they had two former centres in Duckham and Davies on the wings. That side was all about being able to pass the ball. John Bevan lost his place because he couldn’t.

Just think Duckham and John Spencer played centre for Coventry together. England can‘t field one centre now as good as either of them. And Duckham was a better winger than anyone England has now. Some player.

 

[salarchaser]

Gatland filling the supporting coaches roles.

Wales name King and Forshaw as coaches

Warren Gatland appoints Alex King and Mike Forshaw to replace Stephen Jones and Gethin Jenkins in Wales' backroom staff.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[pfeul]

Not so much to tell about the french side.
Danty is out at least for the first game, and so would be also Atunio.
The november test games have highlighted the progressive adaptation of the opponent game plan to french one and how les bleus have struggled at some point to overcome this. It will be interesting to see if they show some plan B other than their "dispossession" game plan.

I think the tournament winner will be either France or Ireland. I'd bet Scotland at 3rd place, England 4th, Italy 5th and (sorry Aled and Salarchaser) Wales as last.

As an aside, Shaun Edwards and William Servat have renewed their contract after the WC while Laurent Labit will leave then. It seems that Gregor Townsend has officially applied for replacing him.
How is this viewed across the Chanel?

 

[Handel]

Gatland filling the supporting coaches roles.

Wales name King and Forshaw as coaches

Warren Gatland appoints Alex King and Mike Forshaw to replace Stephen Jones and Gethin Jenkins in Wales' backroom staff.

www.bbc.co.uk

Garland does like experience.

 

[salarchaser]

Garland does like experience.

I'd heard King's name mentioned but not Forshaw.

 

[Aled]

Sadly pfeul i think you may be correct...but i hope you are not. Anybody know how i can change my Union flag for a Welsh Dragon next to the Registered below my name for the 6 Nations???
Cheers. Aled

 

[Handel]

I'd heard King's name mentioned but not Forshaw.

Forshaw is a bit of a catch.

 

[salarchaser]

Forshaw is a bit of a catch.

Can't say I know much about him. Read a few complimentary things since his appointment.
Seems to have a similar background to Edwards though maybe a slightly different character.
Hope it works out for him. Oh, and us.

 

[Aled]

Six Nations 2023: Ken Owens to captain Wales squad that includes four uncapped players - BBC Sport

Well that's about the best squad we could pick, but Leon Brown seems to be taking forever to mature!

 

[Oscar]

I put a fiver on Scotland to win every year - one day they might just turn up in all 5 games, and I'll be quids in!

Oscar.

 

[Aled]

I used to put a £5 on Glamorgan Cricket doing "something" every year, promotion T20, etc in 2004 they won the one day league, was gutted my winnings was only £60!

 

[salarchaser]

I put a fiver on Scotland to win every year - one day they might just turn up in all 5 games, and I'll be quids in!

Oscar.

Back in the day, my dad always bet on draws in the 6N. More than broke even over the years. He gave up when a try became 5 points making draws far less likely.