Irish Chances for RBS 6 Nations

Sports blogger Micil Glennon of sportsphile predicts Ireland’s chances in the RBS 6 Nations before Sunday’s kick off.

After six rounds of scintillating European Cup action, we’re back on the international stage. You’ll remember that our last date with Wales didn’t go quite to plan. We got well and truly, and fairly and squarely, beaten four months ago in the Rugby World Cup. It’s best not to think about it.

This year’s RBS 6 Nations tournament is the first one Ireland have faced into without the irreplaceable Brian O’Driscoll. That fact will play a significant role in the six weeks ahead. All of Ireland’s glory days from the last 12 years had the Leinster man at their very heart.

With that in mind, it would probably be some kind of madness to expect too much from Ireland’s Six Nations campaign. The form of the provinces in the European Cup seems to put an extra pep in the step of Irish rugby fans but, as we know, it rarely equals success at international level.

The away fixtures against France and England in the even years also makes it tougher to make an impact on the championship but there is also the reality that both Scotland and Wales will have something to say too.

Just two years ago Scotland denied Ireland a consolation Triple Crown in Croke Park. Two years previous to that, Wales spoiled the party. The lesson here is that too much focus on the away legs allows the Celtic cousins to slip in under the radar. A fact I’m sure Declan Kidney has drilled into his team.

Wales, Sunday 5 February
First up it’s beaten World Cup semi-finalists Wales. Apparently it was supposed to be us that were beaten semi-finalists but Warren Gatland was reading off a different script.

Wales totally outfoxed Ireland in the RWC and that will irk Kidney and the players. And while the revenge factor is a natural part of the build up, it shouldn’t be allowed to dominate.

Pound for pound Ireland have a stronger line-up and that, along with home advantage, should just about swing it.
Prediction: Ireland 22-15 Wales

France, Saturday 11 February
France was a total mess in the World Cup – and still came within a whisper of winning the thing. There may be a bedding-in period for new manager Philippe Saint-André but the cold hard fact is that they have quality all over the field. If they just go about their business in the normal fashion, they’ll be too strong for an Ireland team missing Brian O’Driscoll, who has been at the heart of every notable success for the last 12 years.
Prediction: France 30-15 Ireland

Italy, Saturday 25 February
Italy beat France for the very first time in last year’s championship and came within two minutes of upsetting Ireland as well. But they are a different side on the road. Paul O’Connell’s men will have two weeks to recoup and prepare for this one and it will go only one way.
Prediction: Ireland 33-8 Italy

Scotland, Saturday 10 March
One-dimensional Scotland had a very disappointing World Cup: beaten by Argentina, they failed to make it out of the pool. That won’t stop them coming to Dublin with anything other than an upset on their minds. They did it two years ago and if Ireland show any sort of complacency they have the cheek to do it again.
Prediction: Ireland 18-10 Scotland

England, Saturday 17 March
The big one? All going to plan – that is three home wins and someone (Wales) beating the French – this could be the Championship game. Ireland’s record in Twickenham in recent years has been phenomenal, winning three of the last four matches.

They’ll have to do it without captain fantastic but stand-in England coach Stuart Lancaster has a huge job turning his ship around. With some silverware at stake, and the St Patrick’s Day’s factor, Ireland might just have the edge.
Prediction: England 14-16 Ireland