Originally Posted by dogs_bollox

He's FAR too good for the likes of you !! And our need is obviously greater than yours AND surely you don't want to be crediting an Englishman (even if he is from the north) with any of your success ?!

Granted, your need is greater than ours.....but I'd still like him to stay with Wales (even if he is a northern monkey)

Originally Posted by Auld-Yin

No doubt we will have the English supporters coming along crying again that "Nobody loves us!"

Nah Old Yin. We survive by knowing we are genetically superior and put it down to jelousy.
Re the 6 Nations - Yup. I suspect that a couple of - well two - coaches might be replaced. Martin Johnson because his win ratio is piss poor and the England team looked like they didn't give a rats arse in New Zealand, Andy Robinson because some people believe that with enough Pledge and hard rubbing you can actually polish a turd. Not his fault of course, I just don't believe Scotland will ever raise their game beyond the once a decade Calcutta Cup upset because they don't have enough competitive club teams, until they fix that they will underperform. Mallett is safe because Italy beat the French in last years, 6 Nations, Wales will obviously keep Gatland because he over performed with Wales in the RWC, the Irish know that they have an old team and need to steady the ship and the French made the RWC final.

My guess - Wales for the 6 Nations because they've the best home fixtures. Ireland have got France and England Away. France have only one tough home game against England and they rarely beat England more than once, they have two tough away fixtures so I don't fancy them. But to be honest I'm guessing. England mid table mediocrity.

Originally Posted by Auld-Yin

As everyone knows, I am completely neutral and will support any team playing our sourthern neighbours but IMO the next 6N will be exciting in that some of the teams will have something to prove, some managers are probably sitting on a 6N warning - win or you're offski and, probably the most important reason - it is the 6 Nations tournament.

Many thanks to Markintime for pointing out on another thread that it is a competition that Scotland stays in!! :(

No doubt we will have the English supporters coming along crying again that "Nobody loves us!"

To be honest, England don't stand much of a chance in 2012, they will be lucky to get 3rd I feel. There needs to be a rebuilding of the team, blooding some of the younger players that will be at their peak in 4 years would be my strategy and write this one off and concentrate on a GS for 2014\15.

Unfortunately, from the England point of view and if they decide to retain Martin Johnson then the 6 Nations is a must win tournament. A new coach would be extended the luxury of an 'experimental' 'team building' competition but MJ if he's in charge will be expected to make up for past failure.

I said all along that France would take the game to NZ and that is what they did. They have a habit of adapting their game to reflect their opponents and know how to close down the opposition.

Wales have played some brilliant rugby in the RWC but aren't quite as good as their fans seem to think. They can get a lot better and if their coaching team stay in place I can see them doing a lot of damage in the 6N, not quite enough for a Grand Slam though.

I have a feeling that this will be Italy's best ever 6N and that they will record two wins under M. Brunel, Scotland and Ireland.

Ireland and Scotland are both going to be team building and apart from raising their games against England I can't see them being much of a force for this 6N.

If there is a Grand Slam winner I think it'll be a repeat of 1977 where Wales take the Triple Crown but France the Grand Slam. I don't anticipate easy victories for any side against another and, fortunately enough, off-park discipline is not likely to be an issue as players will be, very much, under the watchful eye of their parent clubs.

Originally Posted by Markintime

Wales have played some brilliant rugby in the RWC but aren't quite as good as their fans seem to think.

I disagree with that. Wales have an excellent team, with hunger, and the fitness/ability to win the 6N. There are a couple of minor things that need to be ironed out by way of finishing/taking chances when presented but they can certainly do it.

I am not sure shaun Edwards would want to be associated with the RFU. He is talented, disciplined, professional and has had success as player and coach.

I've just looked at William Hills website, and currently France are the favourite to win (to be expected) but they have England at shorter odds than Wales for a 6N 2012 outright win.

England 5/2
Wales 3/1

Originally Posted by Cuddles

I am not sure shaun Edwards would want to be associated with the RFU. He is talented, disciplined, professional and has had success as player and coach.

According to The Rugby Paper he's out of contract with Wasps and the WRU on his return to the UK. Speculation is that he's got his eyes on the next Lions tour, but TRP is often as relaible as a cheap NAAFI watch...

Originally Posted by smudge67er

I disagree with that. Wales have an excellent team, with hunger, and the fitness/ability to win the 6N. There are a couple of minor things that need to be ironed out by way of finishing/taking chances when presented but they can certainly do it.

Broadly speaking you're probably right but Wales need to come up with some clever countering moves. Steamroller rugby is great if you can gain and keep the ascendancy. If you can't then you need more strings to your bow than just more of the same.

They have obviously thought a great deal about attack and defence but not about the little flourishes of brilliance from the half-back division that can turn a game. Wales are perfectly placed to show improvement year-on-year and build the juggernaut but they have to be wary because all the other sides have got four years to build up a strategy to attack them with.

Too much expectation this early is rarely a good thing. In this RWC they've performed well against under-performing sides but, as you point out, lack the finish and the ability to think outside the box. I've never met a humble and successful half back, the really good ones are little generals who make the forwards play their way and give you an electrifying back division that capitalises on all the forwards toil!

Scrum Halves are chimpanzee-like and get the girls because they're cute and cuddly, fly halves are blonde and drive sports cars and get the bimbos. It's not me that says that, it's the Laws

As has already been said, if MJ stays with England then I expect anything short of a Grandslam would see his head back on the chopping block. Although England are current holders of the 6N (thought I'd slip that in there) I think a grandslam is well beyond us judging from recent displays. So in my humble opinion, Johnson either goes now or he goes early next year at best. Any new head coach that takes the seat would be given time to "bed in" and get to grips with his best starting 15. Something which MJ seemingly still hasn't decided on after all these years. One thing that is certain is that after such a dissapointing RWC, England have the biggest point to prove this coming 6N.

If a new head coach comes in then I'd like to see him finally answer the "no10" question even if that meant forcing Boy Wonder out of the picutre for good. Im expecting a few golden oldies to follow Moody's lead over the next few weeks and retire from the international stage. Thanks for the service but now step aside and let the young bloods have a crack at it.