RBS 6 Nations 2009 by Blackpool Gazette

RBS 6 NATIONS

2009 JOHNNO DEMANDS SUCCESS ENGLAND COACH MARTIN JOHNSON SENDS HIS SIDE OUT hungry to lay down a marker for the former captain’s new regime. After a disappointing autumn Test series, Johnson now needs a good RBS 6 Nations and will be looking to overcome France and Wales – the two best European teams of recent years. Johnson said: “We learned some harsh lessons in the autumn, but it is now about making sure we get the best out of this group.”

PAGE 5

FIXTURES

2009

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY England v Italy (3pm) Ireland v France (5pm)

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8 Scotland v Wales (3pm) 14 SATURDAY, FEBRUARY France v Scotland (3pm) Wales v England (5.30pm) SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15 Italy v Ireland (2.30pm) FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27 France v Wales (8pm) 28 SATURDAY, FEBRUARY Scotland v Italy (3pm) Ireland v England (5pm) SATURDAY, MARCH 14 Italy v Wales (3pm) Scotland v Ireland (5pm) SUNDAY, MARCH 15 England v France (3pm) SATURDAY, MARCH 21 Italy v France (1.15pm) England v Scotland (3.30pm) Wales v Ireland (5.30pm)

CROKE PARK

– ENGLAND

ENGLAND EXPECTS

RBS 6 NATIONS 2009

ARE THESE THE MEN

DOB: 12/10/79 Pos: Second row Club: Saracens Height: 1.96m/6ft 5in Weight: 114kg/17st 13lb

DOB: 24/03/86 Pos: Hooker Club: Northampton Height: 1.85m/6ft 1in Weight: 109kg/17st 2lb

DOB: 19/08/81 Pos: Second row Club: London Irish Height: 2.03m/6ft 8in Weight: 112kg/17st 10lb

Club: Harlequins Height: 1.93m/6ft 4in Weight: 114kg/18st

DOB: 13/04/83 Pos: Wing Club: Harlequins Height: 1.88m/6ft 2in Weight: 90kg/14st 3lb

DOB: 09/05/79 Pos: Centre Club: Newcastle Height: 1.78m/5ft 10in Weight: 91kg/14st 4lb

PAUL SACKEY

DOB: 08/11/79 Pos: Wing Club: Wasps Height: 1.86m/6ft 1in Weight: 92kg/14st 7lb

DELON ARMITAGE

RIKI FLUTEY

DANNY CARE

Club: Harlequins Height: 1.74m/5ft 8in Weight: 84kg/13st 3lb

DOB: 02/11/87 Pos: Fly-half Club: Wasps Height: 1.85m/6ft 1in Weight: 91kg/14st 4lb

UGO MONYE

DOB: 02/01/87 Pos: Scrum-half

DOB: 15/08/78 Pos: No.8/ﬂanker Club: Harlequins Height: 1.93m/6ft 4in Weight: 114kg/18st

DOB: 15/08/78 Pos: No.8/ﬂanker

JAMIE NOON

DANNY CIPRIANI

NICK EASTER

JAMES HASKELL

PHIL VICKERY DOB: 14/03/76 Pos: Prop Club: Wasps Height: 1.88m/6ft 2in Weight: 116kg/18st 4lb

DOB: 20/09/85 Pos: Flanker Club: London Irish Height: 1.75m/5ft 9in Weight: 96kg/15st 2lb

NICK KENNEDY

DYLAN HARTLEY

COURSE FOR GLORY? MARTIN JOHNSON ON

STEFFON ARMITAGE

STEVE BORTHWICK

ANDREW SHERIDAN DOB: 01/11/79 Pos: Prop Club: Sale Sharks Height: 1.93m/6ft 4in Weight: 118kg/18st 8lb

TO PUT NEW MANAGER

✖ PLAYER PROFILES DOB: 10/02/80 Pos: Centre Club: Wasps Height: 1.80m/5ft 11in Weight: 90kg/14st 3lb

DOB: 15/12/83 Pos: Full-back Club: London Irish Height: 1.85m/6ft 1in Weight: 93kg/14st 9lb

✖ PLUS

✖ EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS ✖ STATS & FIXTURES ✖ AND MUCH MORE!

RBS 6 NATIONS 2009 – ENGLAND

GR EAT GAMES SCOTLAND 13 ENGLAND 7 MURRAYFIELD, MAR 17, 1990 Jeremy Guscott crossed for England’s first try in Edinburgh in 10 years, but three Craig Chalmers pens helped Scotland to a five-point advantage at the break. Winger Tony Stanger then touched down, and England could not fight back. ENGLAND 21 FRANCE 19 TWICKENHAM, MAR 16, 1991 The Grand Slam was won by a brutally efficient England, with Philippe Saint-Andre’s superb try, epitomising Gallic flair. Simon Hodgkinson scored four penalties, added to Rob Andrew’s drop goal and Rory Underwood’s try to send Twickenham into raptures. FRANCE 21 SCOTLAND 23 PARC DES PRINCES, MAR 18, 1995 A moment of magic from Gregor Townsend in the last minute ended Scotland’s 26year run without a win in Paris. Gavin Hastings finished with 18 points in a match which ended a memorable career. WALES 32 ENGLAND 31 WEMBLEY, APR 11, 1999 Scott Gibbs scored under the posts for Wales to defeat England in their temporary home and hand Scotland the last-ever Five Nations title. SCOTLAND 17 ITALY 37 MURRAYFIELD, FEB 24, 2007 Italy claimed their first away win with Mauro Bergamasco, Andrea Scanavacca and Kaine Robertson crossing for tries in the opening six minutes.

ARMITAGE TO INSPIRE A NEW ERA DELON ARMITAGE MAY have taken a bit of an unconventional route to Twickenham, but having forced his way into the England squad, the fullback could take the RBS 6 Nations by storm. Armitage, 25, was fasttracked from outside of England’s two elite squads straight into coach Martin Johnson’s (pictured) Test side for the autumn games. And while England were taught some brutal lessons by Australia, South Africa and New Zealand, Armitage set about establishing himself as a beacon of hope for the country’s future. He overcame severe nerves and self-doubt to make an electric debut against the Paciﬁc Islanders and then produced a series of assured performances in difﬁcult circumstances against the big three. By some distance he was

DELON, 25, WAS BORN IN TRINIDAD, BUT LEFT THE CARIBBEAN AFTER HIS MUM MARRIED HIS ENGLISH STEP-FATHER England’s brightest light of a dark autumn and he won the man-of-the-series award by a landslide, polling 83% of the vote. “What have I have learned? That I can compete at the top level whereas I had doubts before,” said Armitage, who arrived at London Irish via Trinidad and the south of France. “When

I woke before the Islanders game, I couldn’t eat breakfast and had to force down a protein shake. “There was a lot of stuff going through my head. Should I really be here? Am I ready for this? “Jason Robinson texted me before the match and that was a big lift. He said go out there and enjoy it, saying I deserve my place. “A great player like that telling you that sort of thing gives you conﬁdence. “I’m happy Martin Johnson gave me a chance to put on an England shirt – but I want to be the No.15 for some time. “For me, getting there is not enough. I want to progress my game and get better and better.”

AT I H T ? D E N R A E L I “WHAT HAVE E L” V E L P O T E H T T CAN COM PETE A

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RECORD

ARMITAGE IS AN EXCITING PROSPECT FOR THE ENGLISH

BREAKERS ■ ENGLAND have won more Grand Slams than any other country, having achieved a tournament clean sweep on 12 occasions. ■ ENGLAND have also claimed more Triple Crowns than any other country, achieving the feat 23 times. ■ FRANCE have recorded more RBS 6 Nations victories than any other country, winning 33 of their 45 Tests. ■ ENGLAND’S incredible 80-23 victory over Italy in 2001 is a record win for the tournament. ■ Jonny Wilkinson’s haul of 35 points in that match is also an individual record. ■ SCOTLAND’S 12 tries against Wales in 1887 is a record for one team in one match.

JASON LEONAR D RBS Ambassador

THERE HAS BEEN MUCH DOOM AND gloom surrounding England since a poor autumn series, but I genuinely believe they will be up there with the frontrunners. Admittedly, conﬁdence will be a bit low after the autumn, but can they win the Championship? Yes, I think they can. The key is to gain some continuity and momentum. I expect them to beat Italy,

France and Scotland at home, so the trips to Wales and Ireland on the second and third weekends of the tournament will be crucial. At this level experience is key and the recalls for Mike Tindall, Mark Cueto and Lewis Moody could be invaluable. Despite the troubled start to his tenure, there is no doubt that Martin Johnson is the right man to lead England forward.

■ ENGLAND’S Cyril Lowe (1914) and SCOTLAND’S Ian Smith (1925) share the record for most tries in a championship campaign, with eight. ■ WALES have drawn more RBS 6 Nations games – two – than any other country. ■ IRELAND’S Mike Gibson holds the record – 56 – for most championship appearances.

RBS 6 NATIONS 2009 – ENGLAND

FIXTURES

2009

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7 England v Italy (3pm) Ireland v France (5pm) SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8 Scotland v Wales (3pm) SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14 France v Scotland (3pm) Wales v England (5.30pm) SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15 Italy v Ireland (2.30pm) FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27 France v Wales (8pm) SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28 Scotland v Italy (3pm) Ireland v England (5pm) SATURDAY, MARCH 14 Italy v Wales (3pm) Scotland v Ireland (5pm) SUNDAY, MARCH 15 England v France (3pm) SATURDAY, MARCH 21 Italy v France (1.15pm) England v Scotland (3.30pm) Wales v Ireland (5.30pm)

CROKE PARK

ENGLAND

ARE THESE THE MEN TO PUT NEW M ANDREW SHERIDAN

STEVE BORTHWICK

DOB: 01/11/79 Pos: Prop Club: Sale Sharks Height: 1.93m/6ft 4in Weight: 118kg/18st 8lb

DOB: 12/10/79 Pos: Second row Club: Saracens Height: 1.96m/6ft 5in Weight: 114kg/17st 13lb

DYLAN HARTLEY

NICK KENNEDY

DOB: 24/03/86 Pos: Hooker Club: Northampton Height: 1.85m/6ft 1in Weight: 109kg/17st 2lb

DOB: 19/08/81 Pos: Second row Club: London Irish Height: 2.03m/6ft 8in Weight: 112kg/17st 10lb

PHIL VICKERY

JAMES HASKELL

DOB: 14/03/76 Pos: Prop Club: Wasps Height: 1.88m/6ft 2in Weight: 116kg/18st 4lb

DOB: 15/08/78 Pos: No.8/ﬂanker Club: Harlequins Height: 1.93m/6ft 4in Weight: 114kg/18st

DO Po Cl Lo He 1. W 96

DO Po Cl Ha He 1. W 11

DO Po Cl Ha He 1. W 84

PAGE 5

D EXPECTS

MANAGER MARTIN JOHNSON ON COURSE FOR GLORY? STEFFON ARMITAGE

DANNY CIPRIANI

JAMIE NOON

OB: 20/09/85 os: Flanker lub: ondon Irish eight: .75m/5ft 9in Weight: 6kg/15st 2lb

DOB: 02/11/87 Pos: Fly-half Club: Wasps Height: 1.85m/6ft 1in Weight: 91kg/14st 4lb

DOB: 09/05/79 Pos: Centre Club: Newcastle Height: 1.78m/5ft 10in Weight: 91kg/14st 4lb

NICK EASTER

UGO MONYE

PAUL SACKEY

OB: 15/08/78 os: No.8/ямВanker lub: arlequins eight: .93m/6ft 4in Weight: 14kg/18st

DOB: 13/04/83 Pos: Wing Club: Harlequins Height: 1.88m/6ft 2in Weight: 90kg/14st 3lb

DOB: 08/11/79 Pos: Wing Club: Wasps Height: 1.86m/6ft 1in Weight: 92kg/14st 7lb

DANNY CARE

RIKI FLUTEY

DELON ARMITAGE

OB: 02/01/87 os: Scrum-half lub: arlequins eight: .74m/5ft 8in Weight: 4kg/13st 3lb

DOB: 10/02/80 Pos: Centre Club: Wasps Height: 1.80m/5ft 11in Weight: 90kg/14st 3lb

DOB: 15/12/83 Pos: Full-back Club: London Irish Height: 1.85m/6ft 1in Weight: 93kg/14st 9lb

RBS 6 NATIONS 2009 – THE STARS

LEONAR D: RUG BY IS FOR ALL! ENGLAND World Cup winner Jason Leonard insists the opportunity for youngsters of all backgrounds to play rugby has never been greater. Leonard overcame a number of obstacles before building a distinguished career for club and country, winning the World Cup in 2003 and becoming the most capped forward in the international game. And the former prop, who also represented the British and Irish Lions, believes the game’s increasing exposure in recent years has opened it up beyond the traditional boundaries. “I came from a concrete jungle and there was no rugby played in Barking then, but there is now,” said Leonard, an RBS Ambassador. “If you are good enough, you are good enough – it does not matter what school or what area you come from.” Leonard is active in passing on his experience to others, and he has also been using rugby to help struggling pupils in his role as a Prince’s Trust Ambassador. “The idea is to help the kids understand team-based values, to help their confidence and self-esteem,” he added. “These initiatives bring rugby to a wider audience.” This season RBS has developed RBS RugbyLink, a series of club, school and charity initiatives connecting fans with rugby and all its benefits. To find out more and to get involved visit www. rbs6nations.com/rugbylink

THE MATC

SIX ME N THAT COULD JUST GO ON

RYAN JONES (WALES) Skipper has switched to the blindside in recent games, and looks better than ever

R IKI (E NG

The New midfield versatilit making

M IKE B LAIR (SCOTLAN D) The lightning-quick scrum-half must have another great season to make sure of his Lions place

B R IAN (I R

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CHWINNERS

N TO TAKE TH E 2009 RBS 6 NATIONS BY STOR M TH IE R RY DUSAUTOIR (FRANC E)

Known as the Dark Destroyer for his pulsating support, bone-crunching tackles and tenacity at the breakdown

FLUTEY G L A N D)

w Zealand-born der’s creativity, ty and decision g will be key.

N O’DR ISCOLL R E LAN D) The world’s leading centre will again exhibit his elusive running, brutal tackling and consummate leadership

SE RG IO PAR ISSE (ITALY) Skipper is robust and uncompromising and will be at the heart of Italy’s forward effort

RBS 6 NATIONS 2009 – THE OPPOSITION

BRIAN’S LIFE IS CHANGING BRIAN O’DRISCOLL goes into this year’s RBS 6 Nations amid renewed scrutiny over his future as Ireland skipper. O’Driscoll’s steady decline in recent seasons has seen the ﬂashes of brilliance that at one time identiﬁed him as the world’s best centre dry up. But it takes a brave man to write off O’Driscoll and he insists he has developed into a more complete centre. “Well, I’m not as quick as I was as a 22-year-old, though I wouldn’t say I’m a snail,” he said. “Obviously my knowledge of the game is greater than it was. I’ve run the line 70 times in games, so I have ideas about how I want to break down a defence. “Yes, I’ve changed, but not necessarily for the worse.”

MALLETT NAILS ITALIAN SYSTE M COACH NICK MALLETT SAYS fundamental change is required if Italy are to develop further. The South African said: “The standard of club rugby is just not good enough and Italy have got a system where they allow a lot of overseas players to come in. “There can be eight overseas players and they are often in key positions. We have a dearth of quality at Nos. 5, 9 and 10.”

WILLIAMS H SIGHTS ON E MORE SUCCE IT WOULD BE SOMETHING of a Herculean task to work out how Shane Williams can possibly surpass his achievements in 2008 in the coming year. The Wales wing will head into this season’s RBS 6 Nations championship in identical mode to how he ﬁnished the last one – as one of rugby’s hottest properties. Williams, 31, scored six tries during Wales’ relentless march towards the title and Grand Slam glory last term. He is the current IRB Player of the Year, but despite the praise showered upon him, Williams retains an

admirable sense of modesty. Reﬂecting on the IRB award, he said: “I don’t think I believed it, even when my name was mentioned. It is a massive accolade. Certainly, the success Wales have had with the Grand Slam has helped. I am able

to get a lot of ball and get involved in the game a lot, and I am enjoying my rugby. “The massive turning point for me was the Steve Hansen era with Wales, when I was getting injured quite a lot and wasn’t getting picked. “I told myself really to grow up, and I began to play some good rugby again and play with a smile.” Williams will be a marked man this season – no defence can afford to give him space – but coaches Warren Gatland and Shaun Edwards,

URE S S E R P E R O M R “I AM U N DE E T T E B E M E D A M BUT THAT HAS

CHABAL UN LOCKED B

OVERLOOKED FOR THE 2008 RBS 6 Nations Championship, Sebastien Chabal could have been forgiven last spring for thinking his France career was over. Marc Lievremont had just been appointed as the new Les Bleus head coach, and was intent on giving youth its chance during his

ﬁrst tournament. But, a year on, Chabal is back in Lievremont’s plans and is a likely starter for France. How has this happened? Lievremont could not ﬁnd a suitable replacement for Chabal in the second row, while France’s summer tour of Australia came at the same time as the Top 14 play-

offs, meaning the was one of France available options. Chabal will ben from Sale playing at lock, a position is growing accustomed to and which is

PAGE 9

HAS EVEN ESS

PATE RSON KIC KING BAC K

WILLIAMS NOW HAS 44 TRIES, REPLACING GARETH THOMAS AS WALES’ RECORD TOUCHDOWN SCORER pictured, need not worry, as he is ready for it. “I do feel that I am under a bit more pressure these days,” he added. “I seem to get manmarked constantly, but I think that has helped to make me a better player overall. “I tend to work a little bit harder, looking for gaps. It doesn’t always work, but that’s the way it goes. “It is difﬁcult, but you have got to adapt.”

E... E R”

SHANE IS NOW A GLOBAL STAR

BY POSITION CHANGE

Sale ace e’s few

neﬁt him n he

providing him with a chance to have an unlikely international swansong. “The position suits him better in my view, particularly if you consider the demands on the No.8 in our style of play,”

said Lievremont. “He’s much more dangerous at lock than at No.8.” The former Bourgoin forward is still a box-ofﬁce phenomenon in France. The roars that greet his arrival on the pitch are still as deafening as ever and he remains a media darling because of his looks and playing style.

IN AN ERA WHERE THE MOST reliable thing about Scotland has been their unreliability, the kicking of Chris Paterson remains a reassuring constant. For the last six years, Paterson has been his country’s matchwinner in the truest sense of the word, with his trusty right boot responsible for delivering the vast majority of their points. But while the Edinburgh full-back readily accepts his talismanic mantle, he is keen to show he is much more than a kicking machine. He said: “It’s just another part of the game I like to work on and improve all the time. “But there’s a lot more that goes into the game than kicking and I get a little bit frustrated that I’m just seen as a kicker.” Paterson knows the importance of hitting the ground running – despite facing Wales ﬁrst. He said: “Week one is about focusing on your own game, no matter who you’re playing.”

FROM AUGUST 07 TO JU NE 08, PATERSON SCOR ED 36 PLAC E KIC KS IN A ROW

RBS 6 NATIONS 2009 – LAST YEAR

HOW WALES DID THE GRAND SLAM

THE 2008 RBS 6 NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP WAS PAINTED RED BY A DOMINANT WELSH SIDE WHICH THRIVED UNDER NEW HEAD COACH WARREN GATLAND. WALES EVENTUALLY WON THE TITLE BY AN EMPHATIC FOUR-POINT MARGIN...

WEEK ONE Ireland 16 Italy 11 (Dublin) Ireland’s laboured display set the tone for their tournament as 11 points from ﬂy-half Ronan O’Gara edged them home. England 19 Wales 26 (Twickenham) The wheels came off England’s chariot after Wales trailed 19-6 approaching the hour mark. Wales claimed their ﬁrst Twickenham win since 1988 as Lee Byrne and Mike Phillips scored second-half tries. Scotland 6 France 27 (Edinburgh) Scottish optimism was replaced by reality as new France coach Marc Lievremont saw wing Vincent Clerc (two) and Julien Malzieu, far right, cross for tries.

WE EK TWO

Wales 30 Scotland 15 (Cardiff) Shane Williams, left, scored his first Test tries of 2008 as Wales marked Warren Gatland’s first home game in charge with a victory. France 26 Ireland 21 (Paris) French try machine Clerc made it five in two games by scoring a hat-trick, but Ireland made a game of it through a penalty try and David Wallace touchdown. Italy 19 England 23 (Rome) Jonny Wilkinson clocked up 1,000 points for England, yet it was another error-strewn display despite first-half tries by wing Paul Sackey and centre Toby Flood.

PAGE 11 WEEK THREE

STATS 08

Wales 47 Italy 8 (Cardiff) Italy were guilty of a damaging 20 missed tackles as rampant Wales ran them ragged, helped by another Williams double. Ireland 34 Scotland 13 (Dublin) Scotland scored their ﬁrst try of the season through Simon Webster, but Ireland managed ﬁve themselves, including Tommy Bowe’s pair. France 13 England 24 (Paris) England stunned Les Bleus with a brilliant away win. Scrum-half Richard Wigglesworth scored England’s clinching try following an earlier effort from Sackey, right, while Wilkinson booted 14 points.

WALES ENGLAND FRANCE IRELAND SCOTLAND ITALY

D 0 0 0 0 0 0

L 0 2 2 3 4 4

F 148 108 103 93 69 74

A PD Pts 66 82 10 83 25 6 93 10 6 99 -6 4 123 -54 2 131 -57 2

ENGLAND 19 T: Flood, C: Wilkinson, P: Wilkinson 3, D: Wilkinson WALES 26 T: Byrne, Phillips, C: Hook 2, P: Hook 4

Ireland 12 Wales 16 (Dublin) In a tense, tight battle at Croke Park, Williams – inevitably – scored Wales’ solitary try, with the visitors overcoming yellow cards for scrum-half Phillips and flanker Martyn Williams. Scotland 15 England 9 (Murrayfield) England delivered a tactically-naive display in dreadful conditions at Murrayfield, and Wilkinson had a shocker – which saw him dropped for the next game. France 25 Italy 13 (Paris) Although France outscored their visitors 3-1 on tries, defences dominated a contest high on effort, but low on flair. Anthony Floch, Aurelien Rougerie and Yannick Jauzion scored for Les Bleus against the Italians.

Italy 23 Scotland 20 (Rome) Centre Gonzalo Canale’s touchdown and a penalty try accounted for the Scots, who scored just three tries in their campaign. England 33 Ireland 10 (Twickenham) Wasps prospect Danny Cipriani made a memorable full Test debut, kicking 18 points and running the show at Twickenham. Wales 29 France 12 (Cardiff) Wales memorably secured a second RBS 6 Nations title and Grand Slam in four seasons amid euphoric scenes at the Millennium Stadium. Wing wonder Williams claimed a try that saw him break Gareth Thomas’ Wales international record.

W 5 3 3 2 1 1

FEBRUARY 2-3 IRELAND 16 T: Dempsey, C: O’Gara, P: O’Gara 3 ITALY 11 T: Castrogiovanini, P: Bortolussi 2

WEEK FOUR

WEEK FIVE

P 5 5 5 5 5 5

SCOTLAND 6 P: Parks, D: Parks FRANCE 27 T: Clerc 2, Malzieu, C: Elissalde 2, Skrela, P: Traille FEBRUARY 9-10 WALES 30 T: S Williams 2, Hook, C: Hook 2, S Jones, P: Hook, S Jones 2 SCOTLAND 15 P: Paterson 5 FRANCE 26 T: Clerc 3, Heymans, C: Elissalde IRELAND 21 T: Pen, D Wallace, C: O’Gara, P: O’Gara 3 ITALY 19 T: Picone, C: Bortolussi, P: Bortolussi 4 ENGLAND 23 T: Sackey, Flood, C: Wilkinson, P: Wilkinson 3 FEBRUARY 23 WALES 47 T: Byrne 2, S Williams 2, Shanklin, C: Hook 2, S Jones 3, P: S Jones 4 ITALY 8 T: Castrogiovanni P: Marcato IRELAND 34 T: D Wallace, Kearney, Horan, Bowe 2, C: O’Gara 3, P: O’Gara SCOTLAND 13 T: Webster, C: Paterson, P: Paterson 2 FRANCE 13 T: Nallet, C: Traille, P: Parra, Yachvili ENGLAND 24 T: Sackey, Wigglesworth, C: Wilkinson; P: Wilkinson 3, D: Wilkinson MARCH 8-9 IRELAND 12 P: O’Gara 4 WALES 16 T: S Williams, C: S Jones, P: S Jones 2, Hook SCOTLAND 15 P: Paterson 4, Parks ENGLAND 9 P: Wilkinson 3 FRANCE 25 T: Floch, Jauzion, Rougerie, C:Yachvili 2, P: Yachvili 2 ITALY 13 T: Castrogiovanni, C: Marcato, P: Marcato MARCH 15 ITALY 23 T: Pen, Canale, C: Marcato 2, P: Marcato 2, D: Marcato SCOTLAND 20 T: Hogg, Blair, C: Paterson, P: Parks, Paterson ENGLAND 33 T Sackey, Tait, Noon, C: Cipriani 3 P: Cipriani 4 IRELAND 10 T; Kearney, C: O’Gara, P: O’Gara WALES 29 T: S Williams, M Williams, C: S Jones, P: Hook 3, S Jones 2 FRANCE 12 P: Elissalde 3, Yachvili

RBS 6 NATIONS 2009 – BETTING

PU NT IT FORWAR D!

THE DESTINATION OF THIS season’s RBS 6 Nations silverware is tougher to predict than ever, but most of the smart money will be on Wales. They are a meagre 6/1 chance with the bookmakers to repeat their 2008 clean sweep, despite three of their games – against Scotland, France and Italy – being away from home. They are also 5/2 shots to win the Triple Crown. Meanwhile, England are second-favourites with the major bookmakers, with most offering odds of 3/1 that they will win it and 10/1 about the Grand Slam. Like Wales, France face three games on the road, but odds of 10/1 to win the Grand Slam are tempting.

Unless Scotland can ﬁnd a way to break down opposition defences on a consistent basis, Frank Hadden’s side will struggle yet again. At 16/1 for the title, the Scots could be worth an outside bet, although their lack of tries remains an enormous concern. Ireland coach Declan Kidney takes charge of his ﬁrst RBS 6 Nations campaign, yet it could be a case of the same old story of promise and potential. Odds of 4/1 to win the tournament are hardly encouraging. Italy’s revered former South Africa coach, Nick Mallett, is more capable than most of inspiring a surprise, but his side are 8/13 for the dreaded Wooden Spoon.

CAN SCOTLAND GET AMONG TH E

RBS RugbyLink ...

...we’re right behind you. This season look out for RBS RugbyLink, a series of club, school and charity initiatives connecting fans with rugby and all its benefits. From RBS RugbyLink to the RBS 6 Nations, we are here to support rugby at all levels.

To find out more visit rbs6nations.com/rugbylink

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