Six Nations 2026 :) :) :)

[Noggin]

I am a bit gutted that I didn't realise the first match was a Thursday and in Paris until it was too late to organise a ticket and trains etc So instead I'm desperately trying to stay awake And just hoping I can tune in to see it

Since I know next to nothing about Rugby (don't even really know rules any more ) I just enjoy watching the matches - so I'm copying and pasting a mates blurb!! He's big into predictions although he lost his connection with Mystic Meg last year, so it seems he's found another connection

I had a surprise visit today from Derek Acorah. Surprising in part because I don't know him, but mainly because he died several years ago. I didn't mind though, because he'd brought with him the results of the first round of Six Nations games. From beyond the grave.
Thanks Derek, it was great to see you, even in spectral form.

Spoiler alert...

France vs Ireland

An ageing Ireland will struggle against a strong France keen to add a Grand Slam to their championship crown. Decca confirmed that they are off to a winning start.

France 22 Ireland 12


Italy Scotland

The battle to see who gets to retain their futile "This'll be our year" hopes for a further week. Look away if you are Italian.

Italy 16 Scotland 28


England Wales

The fall has been substantial; from the 1970s all-conquering "Decade of the dragon" to being overseen by the Worst Rugby Union, Wales has become a nation where even Ospreys are not a protected species. Mr Acorah had a tear in his ghostly eye as he told me that national pride will not be enough to ward off a pumping for the Taffs.

England 42 Wales 9

I'm trying not to believe the France Ireland prediction but the rest seems fair - although I'm not sure England will get that much

Roll on 9:10 tonight

[Taff]

I think I'll sit this one out this year

[Noggin]

I think I'll sit this one out this year

Sad to say, but probably less miserable to sit it out (unless you can bring yourself to change alliegance for one tournament?!!)

I'm currently not sure if I'm happy or disappointed at the score

[MrLongbeard]

Have France forgotten the ball should be played backwards

And ITV can do one for that advert.

[Ditchfinder]

Abject 1st half from Ireland there and ruthless from France.

What's the point of TMO when they can't spot a forward pass?

Yup ads during breaks in play can do one, I thought scrum set times weren't to bad last night.

That Biarrey is probably the only player as good as Du pont right now

[MrLongbeard]

I can't be too harsh on Scotland, they came back well in the second half and were playing in atrocious conditions, but they should practise the line out for the next week as they'll need it.

[Supermofo]

England 42 Wales 9

- although I'm not sure England will get that much

Roll on 9:10 tonight

You were right...they got more

[petrolpete]

Looking forward to a good tournament. Must say the tmo does make it a bit tedious but at least players know they won't get away with much.
Great win for England. Shame about the W(h)ales.

[Druid]

A few years ago I would have been gutted at losing to England by 41 points, and England were'nt even particularly good. It's a sad reflection on the state of Welsh rugby that today I just shrug and think "it could have been worse". We play France next week, so it probably will be worse. It's hard to see where the next win will be, possibly Japan in the autumn but I think we're looking at another whitewash in the 6N.

[ZRX61]

Pretty sure Cornwall could beat Wales at this point. Seven Nations....

Pirates just thrashed London Scottish 31-0

[Noggin]

Abject 1st half from Ireland there and ruthless from France.

What's the point of TMO when they can't spot a forward pass?

Yup ads during breaks in play can do one, I thought scrum set times weren't to bad last night.

That Biarrey is probably the only player as good as Du pont right now

I was actually quiet even about this going in and not bothered who won. Turns out that I was pretty peeved when we lost

Hey ho, maybe it will give Ireland a bit of a kick up the bum to play better next week - but no chance of the Grand Slam now

Tis odd about the forward pass for sure

England 42 Wales 9

- although I'm not sure England will get that much

Roll on 9:10 tonight

You were right...they got more

My Kiwi friend was so pissed off. He hates England getting even close to the win He kept texting saying the ref was shit and biased, not sure a non biased ref would have helped Wales

[Noggin]

Looking forward to a good tournament. Must say the tmo does make it a bit tedious but at least players know they won't get away with much.
Great win for England. Shame about the W(h)ales.

Liked for the the bit about the TMO - not the England/wales bit !!

[Noggin]

Since I started by sharing my mate's predictions (mostly cos he's a bit silly!) - here you go for this weekend -

This week I was surprised to get a visit from none other than a heavily bearded, if somewhat deceased, Rasputin; controversial mystic and malign influence in the court of Tsar Nicholas II, who came to a brutal end in 1916 at the hands of jealous noblemen. Knowing of Rasputin's reputation for knowledge of the occult and a mastery of thaumaturgy I asked the long dead Russian wraith to gift me advance knowledge of the results of Round 2 of the Six Nations.

Sadly he couldn't speak English and I have no Russian, so this week I've just guessed.

I must find an Anglophone augur for R3. I don't mind, dead or alive.

Ireland v Italy
Will Ireland react positively to the poor showing against a strong France side, or are they pasta (sorry) best and will Italy continue where they left off? A bit of both and a closer match than many pundits suggest, and hopefully with less rain.
Ireland 24 Italy 18

Scotland v England
A big game for both with England keen to continue their winning streak and cut down on penalties, Scotland desperate not to start this year's 6N with two defeats. Bad news for the porridge munchers: swirling kilts and a few renditions of "Flower of Scotland" will not be enough to stop whatever Borthwick held back from showing on Saturday for the tougher test this week and the unrelenting waves of attacks from the England pack.
Scotland 16 England 28

Wales v France
What can you say about the Taff shit show at Twickenham that's not already been said? Sheep fondling fans blaming a biased ref are as desperate as they're deluded, looking for a way to defend a team lacking in discipline, quality and in effect quantity (feel free to add your own "weak as a lamb" joke here). Facing a rampant France and their physically daunting forwards is the last thing they need, so keeping the score under 50 will be classed as a success. They won't be successful.
Wales 9 France 54

[petrolpete]

With comments like that you will be upsetting all of Gymru.

[Noggin]

With comments like that you will be upsetting all of Gymru.

Yeah, I've been upsetting the Welsh since they were at the top of the game 35+ years ago!!!!

[MrLongbeard]

My 50p bet.

Reverse that Ireland score line, maybe a tad closer.

Scotland match, England for the win, but only by 3 - 5 points, Scotland for the win if Itoje plays his usual dirty penalty conceding game.

Welsh match, who?

[Druid]

With comments like that you will be upsetting all of Gymru.

I'm more upset at your incorrect spelling of Cymru. The comments on the rugby are spot on, although I think you may have been a bit generous with your score prediction

Yeah, I've been upsetting the Welsh since they were at the top of the game 35+ years ago!!!!

35 years ago Wales were pretty crap, mostly fighting with Ireland for 4th and 5th place (except 1994 when they won the 5 Nations). You need to go back to the 1970s to see Wales at their best. Your dislike of the Welsh rugby team doesn't upset me, especially as you have admitted yourself that you don't know too much about the game. The sheep shagging jokes do get a bit tiresome though

[Noggin]

With comments like that you will be upsetting all of Gymru.

I'm more upset at your incorrect spelling of Cymru. The comments on the rugby are spot on, although I think you may have been a bit generous with your score prediction

I didn't want to correct him as I'm not Welsh but I was pretty sure it didn't start with a G

Yeah, I've been upsetting the Welsh since they were at the top of the game 35+ years ago!!!!

35 years ago Wales were pretty crap, mostly fighting with Ireland for 4th and 5th place (except 1994 when they won the 5 Nations). You need to go back to the 1970s to see Wales at their best. Your dislike of the Welsh rugby team doesn't upset me, especially as you have admitted yourself that you don't know too much about the game. The sheep shagging jokes do get a bit tiresome though

I never make sheep shagging jokes, not my style!

I was pretty sure that in the 90's Wales wasn't so bad, just because that was when I realised how many stealth Welsh friends I had (no Welsh accent!). Because they did always shout about the rugby a LOT - maybe it was just that England was worse?

And weirdly I don't actually dislike the Welsh rugby team, I just never support them (probably because of all the Welsh and Stealth Welsh friends ramming their goodness down my throat!!). I do very much dislike the English team of the last few years but that's probably skewed by my Kiwi mate pointing out all the dirty play!! So I don't support them any more than the Welsh team

I've watched rugby for more than 35 years, but intermittently - and sadly wasn't allowed to play in college due to a back injury when I was young (probably wouldn't have been an issue, but hey ho ).

My issue now is that the rules seem to keep changing and I haven't kept track of them for the last ten years simply because the rugby I generally watch over here is the 6 Nations but for the last ten years I've been working every weekend, so haven't been able to watch many matches to actually keep up properly.

So you're right, I don't know much about the rules now but I do love the game and understand the general idea of the rules!! I just want Ireland or France to win with Italy and Scotland in 3rd and 4th - can't see the second coming true, but the first might

But, as with motor racing of any sort, I do just love watching a good match, regardless (almost) of the result

[MrLongbeard]

The sheep shagging jokes do get a bit tiresome though

Stop shagging the sheep and we'll stop making jokes about it

[Count Steer]

With comments like that you will be upsetting all of Gymru.

I'm more upset at your incorrect spelling of Cymru. The comments on the rugby are spot on, although I think you may have been a bit generous with your score prediction

I didn't want to correct him as I'm not Welsh but I was pretty sure it didn't start with a G

Not as wrong as it might appear.

If it's 'in' or 'to' Wales it mutates so 'Welcome to Wales' may appear as 'Croeso i Gymru' on the signs (next to the 20mph signs ) as you enter - and the rain starts.

So, anyone entering may be forgiven for thinking, they should know how to spell the place, even if the language is 'too much spit and not enough vowels'.