Boards
Wot? No 6 nations week 3 thread?
Ireland v Italy:
Ireland name an unchanged team, and should be too strong for an Italy team who have played well in patches but just don't have a kicker, any depth and any killer instinct. The loss of Bergamasco for the rest of the tournament due to a ban is also a loss.
Ireland by 11-15
England v Wales:
England make 4 changes to the team that has won their 1st two games. Changes at 8, 9 and 10 (10 appears to have been forced) are a gamble, as they have a grand total of 7 caps between them. Tuilangi should add some bulk, but the creativity is still the issue. Baptism of fire for Farrell, I wonder how he'll hold up. Wales missing 1st, 2nd and 3rd choice hooker, so a risk going with the inexperienced Owens. I think him being alongside Jenkins and Jones will help. AWJ back in for Ryan is a little harsh on Ryan, but bring him on with 20-25 minutes to go as impact. Wales going to HQ as favourites hasn't happened since the 1970's, and over confidence does worry me. But I think Wales will just sneak it
Wales by 4-6
Scotland v France: The Scots make a couple of changes for the Scots. Hogg looked good v Wales, so deserves a start. Rejigg in the backline sees De Luca dropped (finally), Jones moving to centre and Blair in. Strokosch is a loss at blind side by Barclay is a good cover and they have a very mobile backrow. France are unchanged from the team select to play Ireland, I reckon they should be too strong for the Scots. Brave failure again
France by 6-10
Thoughts?