Six Nations 2021 - Round 2 Predictions

And so to Round 2.

Last week’s results showed just how difficult this prediction lark is and I don’t think it gets an awful lot easier this week.

Anyway, here goes:

England v Italy

This should be the easiest of predictions. Italy have never beaten England and have lost 28 consecutive Six Nations matches. If ever there is a home banker, therefore, surely this is it? Except that, of course, England’s abject performance last week does raise a few doubts about the outcome that normally would not exist. On recent evidence what we have here is a team that can’t attack against a team that can’t defend.  So, purely on the basis that defence tends to win matches these days I’m plumping for an England win, albeit I’d be very surprised if the performance is anything other than functional. England by less than 20.

Scotland v Wales

The big question at Murrayfield will be, after their heroics last week, will this Scotland team be able to live up to their billing as odds on favourites? It’s certainly not a position with which they have become overly familiar in the last few decades. Up against a Wales team decimated by injury it is difficult to see anything other than a Scottish victory, although the Welsh will certainly not be as poor as England were last weekend and, remember, for all their dominance Scotland only won by 5 points last weekend.

Scotland by less than 10.

Ireland v France

If France win this one I think the Grand Slam beckons. They did look superb in attack last week, albeit against an Italian team whose defensive structures were non-existent. A trip to Dublin will be a far sterner test and I can see Ireland really fronting up for this one (frankly, if they don’t their season is practically over). If the Irish can produce an old-fashioned, no-frills, fire and brimstone performance then they have a chance of upsetting the odds. Anything else will see a relatively comfortable French win. Go on then, I’ll stick my neck out.

Ireland by less than 6.

Total Flanker – the older I get, the better I was