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Ireland V Scotland
Declan Kidney will be saying his prayers for a few things to go his way this Sunday as he has been besieged by players in either crises of injury (D’Arcy, Sexton, McCarthy and Zebo), form (Heaslip and O’Gara) or idiocy (Healy). Ironically it may be the Godly devotion of Scottish tight head Euan Murray, absent owing to religious beliefs precluding from playing on a Sunday that could be a crucial factor, particularly with Lions frontrunner Healy suspended. There is no place in the starting XV for Ronan O’Gara. The Corkman can have few complaints as his prodigious right peg; the scourge of many sides throughout his illustrious career has been out of sorts lately. Indeed his most memorable performance of recent vintage with the boot was also in Murrayfield on a Sunday. But that was kicking out at Edinburgh second row Sean Cox in the Heineken Cup which earned him a one week suspension. He has been usurped by debutant Ulsterman Paddy Jackson who has also been handed the place kicking duties, a task he does not carry out for his province. Scotland have not beaten Ireland at home in the Six Nations since the ‘foot and mouth’ game in 2001. They have an unparalleled ability to be absolutely terrible but they are unlikely to have a better chance of reversing their fortunes than this weekend. They should have the measure of Ireland out of touch with second row giants Jim Hamilton and Richie Gray. It is worth noting they have not scored a try against Ireland at home in the Six Nations since 2005 when Hugo Southwell touched down. They appear to have a bit more zip in the backline these days with their back three of Hogg, Maitland and Visser looking threatening going forward. With Ireland down four of their first choice backline you would imagine the Scots will be able to put an end to that particular streak.
History: 2001 (32-10), 2003 (06-36), 2005 (13-40), 2007 (18-19), 2009 (15-22), 2011 (18-21)
Bookies: Ireland by 2. 2Stat: Scotland by 4.
Italy V Wales
will be back in their dual comfort zone of being both at home and being the underdogs against Wales. They have only won more than one game in a single season in their previous thirteen Championships (two in 2007) and as such have already fulfilled their quota with victory against France. Wales have had three first place finishes in those thirteen seasons, earning three Grand Slams in the process. Amazingly in the other ten seasons they have never been in the top three and have finished 4th (six times), 5th (three times) and 6th (once). There is no doubt if both sides play to their potential that Wales should win. The suspension of inspirational No.8 Sergio Parisse, who was sent off in a club game for Stade Francais last weekend, makes the possibility of a home win highly unlikely. The bookies had Wales by seven at the start of the week. They are now saying eight. Parisse’s presence is worth far more than a solitary point to the Italians. The extra motivation of Lions test places will also aid the Welsh.
History: 2001 (23-33), 2003 (30-22), 2005 (08-38), 2007 (23-20), 2009 (15-20), 2011 (16-24)
Bookies: Wales by 7. 2Stat: Wales by 14
England v France
This is an unusual England team in that they are proving quite difficult to dislike. English arrogance seems to have gone out fashion. And with it French flair. Historically, even when they are going well, the English have always been something of a psychological barrier to French sides. The fact that English coach Stuart Lancaster has made three changes to a winning side is likely to keep everyone on their toes. France are in disarray (what’s new?!) with their main problem centring around bizarre selection decisions thus far, both in terms of players being played out of position (Fofana, Michalak) or out of the team altogether (Parra). England are not the finished article some of their supporters think they are but they are extremely efficient. In Owen Farrell they have an excellent goal kicker who is certain to be presented with plenty of opportunities at goal as France are unlikely to have found the necessary cohesion in just two weeks.
Bookies: England by 7. 2Stat: England by 8.
History:
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