Six Nations: Six of the best - Wales v Scotland

For some reason I have Andy Robinson's face etched into my head when it comes to remembering the 2010 match. It was just a picture of pure astonishment and rage.

I do feel for the man as there is not much you can do in the box when your team throw it away like that. Saying that the Wales pressure in the last 10 minutes was incredible but there was many a time when the forwards should have rumbled into the line to waste a minute or two.

Great game though, struggling to think of a better 6 Nations game anyway.

I was at the millennium in 2010 in my Scotland shirt and really couldnt believe what happened, especially when we chose to kick the ball back into play when they drew level. I expected my Scotland shirt to draw a lot of mockery after the match from the Welsh fans but fair play to them they were actually quite sympathetic! Lots of people just said "you were robbed". Oh well. I do love this fixture though. Cant see this weekend joining the list though, I think we are in for a mauling.

Am I missing something here, or does this "Six of the Best" article only talk about five matches?

Also, funny that the previous Scotland/England six of the best had a split of 3-3, but this is 4-1 in favour of the Welsh.

Badger - 1999 is also listed - Its just not bolded. Scotland won that so its 4-2. Also I think the intent was to list the best matches regardless of who won, guess the Welsh just won more of the really excitiing ones!

There's only 5 Badger. I feel when Wales have some of their key forwards back, they will be hands down the best team in the Northern Hemisphere and will start to dominate for the next few years. They ooze quality. It's quite sick to see.

Ah, how I love to watch Wales and Scotland go at it...my ex-girlfriend was scottish, and me being welsh, and both of us big rugby fans, when the Six Nations games would come around, THIS was the one that meant the most!

That 2010 game was just amazing to watch - Scotland played a fantastic game of rugby, giving the welsh a piece of their own medicine by running at them with ball in hand and, more importantly, scoring tries. To this day I'm sure there are a few welsh players wondering how they came back to even up the score, let alone then go on to win it. Obviously the two-man advantage played a significant part over the last period of the game, but Scotland not opting to kick the ball out as time expired was an error of huge proportions.

Also remembered Thom Evans's horrific injury, which ultimately put paid to his rugby career - although, having Kelly Brook as your girlfriend is the best consolation prize you could ever ask for! Good luck to him in his new career as a sprinter in athletics.

Wales will not take this game lightly, but I expect them to come away with the win.

The 1999 game where Scotland won 33-20 is reported but the video doesn't work properly.

The best opportunity that Scotland have, is that Wales see this as an anti climax. After that great battle fought out on a visit to fellow championship rivals, won with the final push from heaving lungs and aching body, this weekends match could seem to them, like a game of Semi-opposed training.

It will be clear for all to see that Wales will have their sights set on bigger games now, France and England, who are undoubtedly the key to their grand slam aspirations, it is just fortunate that they have so many injuries as this is the only thing that would prevent Gatland from succombing to the temptation, and Scotland from suffering the indignity of them resting players.

Despite the probability of Welsh complaisence, it will still be difficult for Scotland. After all, even with the energy generated by the home crowd against their greatest rival, they still couldn't manage a try against England, despite the fact that this was a revamped squad further hit by numerous injuries.

This time they face an away day against a more passionate crowd and an experienced settled team. Sights must surely be turned to the Italy game for any hope of a victory.

The 2010 game is one of those that was a real roller-coaster. Never have I seen a game with so many highs and deep deep lows. From us (Scotland) winning 21-9 and cruising to having 2 players carried off (Chris Paterson and Thom Evans) to having 2 players sin-binned (Phil Godmans being a bit dubious) to eventually losing. I must have sat after watching that game for half an hour what the heck I'd just witnessed. Come on boys do it for us this time around!!

'Also, funny that the previous Scotland/England six of the best had a split of 3-3, but this is 4-1 in favour of the Welsh.'
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The 3-3 split for England/Scotland was pretty amusing. Given since 1990 the record reads England 21 wins, Scotland 3 and 1 draw.

I guess they didn't want to set Alec Salmond off on one.

This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.

That 1988 match was the first ever international game I ever went to, it was an absolute cracker and stoked my passion ever since. Whereas I appreciate Scots comments that it should be 3 each as opposed to 4-2 in wales favour, 1988, 2005 and 2010 absolutely have to be there and frankly they've missed a fair few other Welsh barnstormers off. Looking forward to the weekebnd, I think it will be a lot closer than people think and wales toughest homegame. I'm won Welshman that is not counting my chickens...

The 2010 game wasn't "thrown away" as some suggest but gifted by that Irish referee George Clancy. He has a lot to answer for when it comes to Scottish teams, not least his first ever international when he asked the front rows, about to go down for a scrum, "What is going on in there?", as if they were going to tell him. Last Saturday was another example of his poor decision making ability when it comes to Scotland. As Brian Moore asked at the time, what happened to the penalty advantage?

That was meant to be one btw...Sorry Freudian slip!!!

13. They kicked it. That's what happened. Read the rule book, even Moore was corrected.

#3, 4 & 5. There are six encounters listed and it is a 3/3 split. Scotland in 1971, 82 and 99. Wales in 1988, 2005 and 2010.

15. Read the Laws yourself - Law 8. There is nothing in there that says by kicking you lose the advantage. It is down to interpretation (Law 8.1(a)) and Clancy, as always, called it against Scotland. He is biased beyond belief.

Phillip its 4-2 Wales won in 71...

#10 - the split still makes sense to me. When 1 team typically dominates the other, the matches in which the underdog wins are more likely to be classics, as many of the wins for the dominant side are routine and not that exciting. Not sure why people are commenting on the split.

cymrulondoner, quite right about not taking Scotland lightly, I am sure the coaches and players will not fall into the 'arrogance' trap, but the hardest home game ! With France to come?

@17

Bitter much Phil?

Scotland don't lose games because Clancy 'wants' Scotland to lose, Scotland lose games because they don't have nearly good enough players.

I have no idea what is going on with Scottish sports recently because the football team is appalling as well at the minute. Maybe Salmond isn't as great as he tells us all!!!

'1982 - Wales 18-34 Scotland. The definitive end of the "golden age" as Wales' first loss at home in a Five Nations match since France won at Cardiff in March 1968 - a 14-year undefeated run spanning 27 matches (26 wins and a draw) - condemned them to the Wooden Spoon.'

That's one hell of an unbeaten run, isn't it?

#22 - Its simple. We like watching sports in a comfy armchair with a few beers and a packet of chips complaining at how rubbish our players are and explaining to anyone that'll listen what the manager's doing wrong. Thats why half the PL managers are Scottish.

Luckless, yes it certainlywas. I just hope the current golden age doesn't come to an end in the same fashion, but I don't think we need to worry about that for at least another decade...

Bryn - Glad you've chosen Scotland v Wales for this weeks six of the best, always been my favourite fixture of the championship as it is generally competitive most years and played in a good spirit. Also it rarely has the tedious "hype" associated with other fixtures and both teams tend to play without as much pressure as they would in other games (Scotland v England for example) and they tend be more enjoyable to watch because of that.
I'm a Welsh fan but have fond memories of some of the Scottish teams and players I've watched over the years, Craig Chalmers was a particular favourite alongside The Hastings brothers, Finlay Calder, John Jeffrey and Gary Armstrong.
Shame there isn't extended highlights of the 88 match, that was a cracker, with great players on show from both sides.
Regards the 2010 match, as exciting as it was at the end I felt pretty hollow about the victory as in most of the match the Scots did a number on us and fully deserved to win in my opinion. Really looking forward to Sundays game, not buying some of the predictions of a comfortable Welsh win at all. I think it'll be close but hopefully no controversies this week, just a clean win for one of the teams.

#11 - #26 summed it up perfectly. Maybe we werent robbed but up until the last few minutes lots of the Welsh fans around me were pretty angry at the performance of their team, and were as bewildered as we were at how it ended. Robbed was definitely the wrong word as it implies theft. It was more of a gift.

As a Scotland fan this is also my favourite fixture for the same reasons that 26 mentioned. Theres no "enemy" stadium I'd rather be in than the Millennium as both sets of fans, whilst passionate, can enjoy the game in good spirits.

Can't believe it's 2 years since I was at that 2010 match, incredible game! Wales came into it after defeat at Twickers and Scotland were playing ball in hand with belief. Next weekend's game would've been a tough one had Scotland won against England and Wales lost in Dublin but confidence and momentum are now with Wales. You might think Scotland would be happy just to get a try, but the 6 Nations is anything but predictable.
One thing the Scots should know though - Wales will play for 80 minutes.

*13 Phillip you're spot on. I remember that game and how the refs decisions went consistently agaisnt Scotland allowing Wales to win once again thanks to the ref. So that was Scotland in 2010, Ireland in 2011 and once again Ireland in 2012 where Wales have been ably assisted by the man with the whistle. Whilst I accept that this is part of the game and it's normally sqigns and roundabouts, for every decision that goes against you you get one in your favour at some point, I wish some of the Welsh fans remembered this in the World Cup when a call didn't go in their favour. The anguish, claims that Rolland should never ref again and the fact that the BBC then referred to him as 'controversial referee' afterwards did grate a bit.

Regardless of this I'm looking forward to this Sundays game (can anyone explain to me why Wales have to put up with two Sunday games and both in a row? doesn't seem fair) should be a good one. Wales will be favourites but I'd say they write off Scotland at their peril. Scotland have the stronger pack, especially given Wales' injuries, and with guys like Grey in the line out, an area Wales have been very weak, they should dominate the set pieces. That said Wales clearly have the stronger backline and are at home.

#29 - you don't have to tell Welsh fans about refereeing decisions that have gone against them, Wales have had their share! Definitely swings and roundabouts and all part of the game as far as I'm concerned. Did Warburton argue against his red? No. Did Gatland say Davies' yellow should have been red? Yes.
Did we get out of jail against Scotland in 2010 - definitely. But Wales played some rugby in that last 15 minutes and Scotland collapsed, nothing to do with the ref.

Ah, I see it now. Thanks for clearing it up, and I have little doubt that the games mentioned deserve notice.

As a Scot, the 2010 game still rankles, although we did have a hand in our own downfall. However, we seem to have moved on from the view of the time that Byrne had indulged in a "Drogba-esque" dive to gain the equalising penalty, and get Godman sent off (effectively). Also, the ref allowed the game to restart after 80 minutes were up.

Refereeing decisions - we all remember the ones that went against us and forget (or agree with) the ones that went for us. You'll never get an objective view on refereeing decisions from a board like this!

*30 Did Warburton say it should have been a red? well yes but thousands of howling Welsh fans, Warren Gatland and plenty of others said it wasn't. As for Davies I don't think anyone, the linesman aside, could look at that and not think it's a red.

I disagree on the 2010 result and feel that the ref played a significant part in helping Wales win. I get a sense though that after 2 years we're never going to agree on this one.

As I said it's swings and roundabouts and we need to remember that. However in the last 3 six nations Wales have been very fortunate in a game a year and I can't remember a game each year where it went against them.

LastKing nobody is denying Wales were extremely fortunate in 2010. It must have been an absolute body blow for the Scots and their fans at the time. Regardless of the rights and wrongs that happen in matches that one was a crazy, crazy game. The way it ended was a fantastic spectacle and in many ways it doesn't matter who won as like Barbarians 73 et al it will always be remembered.

Whereas Scotlands V Englands game last Saturday probably won't be...

On the Sunday fixtures, I think we'll all accept them uncomplainingly after the Friday night experiments.
You cannot beat all three final fixtures on Super Saturday though!!

Very true Scrumpox2 I wasn't overly keen on the Friday night games myself. So I guess it's not that bad. I've had a look at the fixtures and basically Wales, Scotland and France get 2 Sunday games, England and Ireland get 1 and Italy get none but always get the earlier Saturday game.

Seem like a clear bow out to the TV audience to me, which I don't particularly like but I guess that's the age we live in.

Did Godman trip Byrne in 2010? No end-on replay was ever seen to my knowledge. The referee was not well placed. Byrne went down very easily on the side-on replay. Wales do combine flair with a street wisdom (some might call it nastiness or cynicism). BBC rugby seems to be very principality based.

Perhaps clutching at straws here.... (Scotland keep finding new ways to torture me)

'BBC rugby seems to be very principality based.' Are you kidding me? With John Inverdale anchoring the coverage?!

#33 - Yes, just like England got very lucky that Laidlaw's 'try' got scratched off last week to hand your boys a win.

Wales have had a fair share of bad ones too. One that sticks out is Italy away 2007 when English ref Chris White told Hook that there was still time to take the lineout, he kicked it out and White just blew for full time. Never had an explanation as to why either.

In the Ireland match. how many times were Wales the victim of Irish forwards laying on the wrong side of a ruck for an age and slowing the ball down without getting called? When the Italian and French players were doing it on Sat, the ref told them 'It's no good to me you laying on the wrong side with your hands in the air. You've got to move it. Penalty.' Refs need to be much more assertive and consistent in this area.

As for the Warburton red card, that seems to be the yardstick for all other tip-tackles since then. I don't think most people considered it a red at the time because it was one of the first high profile cases, however now Warburton and rugby fans have accepted the refs decision it's easy to conclude that Bradley Davies' challenge was worse and deserved a Red and Ferris' challenge wasn't as bad, but by the letter of the law definitely a penalty and probably a card too. Why Dave Pearson thought otherwise regarding Davies when he was just 5m away is baffling.

Err yeah it is Luckless_pedestrian. Scrum V, live games, come the LV Cup they'll show games featuring the Welsh teams where as the English sides are lucky to get a match report written about them (go on have a look Leicester v Newcastle not even a mention from the weekend every Welsh region has a full match report). The BBC basically treats rugby as if it were part of it's Welsh interest programming.

I'm pretty sure that BBC regions get allocated a budget to tailor their programming to suit its regional audience. BBC Wales chooses to spend a portion of its money on Scrum V and Magners League coverage, as do BBC Scotland / Alba and BBC Ulster.

Why don't English BBC regions have rugby discussion shows or bid to televise Premiership Rugby games? Ask them.

Still peddling the same anti-Welsh tripe TheLastKing? LOL. Your conspiracy theories are ludicrous as ever!
As for bias against the English club game on the BBC - did you ever consider that the RFU sold all rights to England Internationals and the English premiership to SKY?
Welsh regions get coverage because Scrum V is a BBC Wales/S4C production - not because the BBC in London are biased against England!

As for the match on Sunday - I am looking forward to it. I am sure scotland will be far more competative than they were against England. The Scotland Wales match has regularly been one of the highlights of the tournament for as long as I can remember, and over the years has produced so many great tries. From the Welsh perspective I remember Edwards, Bennett, Davies, Evans & Williams all scoring wonderful tries in the fixture, and the Scots have scored some barnstormers too. Both sides always seem to reserve some of their best Rugby for each other, and I am sure that this year will be no different. Whilst wales will clearly be favourites after the first weekend's performances, the game will be a LOT tighter than the bookies imagine!

Having lived through the last golden age it is clear that Wales have once again captured the two magic ingredients they had then - they believe they are the best and their skill levels are the best of the home nations. It also helps that they gel together as a team better than any other 6 nation side and that they are probably the fittest team in the Northern Hemisphere if not the world.

bluesbluesblues as rugby support is spread out across all the English regions it would have to be something done centrally by the main BBC (of course their is no BBC England). Though there would be little point to it with the highlights being on ITV. Then again when the BBC did have the rights to it they made a hash of it.

MarkL1712 ignoring the ScrumV debate can you tell me why the main BBC website carries no match reports in LV Cup games only involving English clubs but always does for those involving Welsh teams? If it were the other way round there would be outcry. Look us English have long accepted that the BBC sees rugby as predominantly a Welsh thing and so don't typically bring it up. It just riles me when the Welsh go look look John Inverdale has mentioned England oh God the BBC always favour England. As it shows a lack of awareness of how well their own bread is buttered.

As for your opinion on the Wales v Scotland match I have to agree. One of the things that I think will give this game an extra spin is that Scotland's strong points, big pack, good set pieces, are Wales weak areas, especially given the injuries and suspensions Wales have. Equally Wales strength lies in their powerful back line which is typically Scotland's weak area. Wales will be justfiable favourites but I certainly think you're right it will be closed than expected.

If I had to pick the weekends winners well I think it will probably be the same as last week with France, England and Wales winning. Though if I had to pick the game most likely to give an upset it would be the Wales v Scotland game. Part of the reason why I expect it to be the most exciting game of the weekend (from a neutral point of view. Personally I found Scotland V England more exciting than Ireland v Wales this weekend. But then it was because England were involved and so I'll still favour the Italy v England game this weekend).

Also I've noticed that Davies has now been suspended for 7 weeks so missing the rest of the six nations. Personally I think this is a fair punishment and I hope that Wales don't launch an appeal against it.

'#33 - Yes, just like England got very lucky that Laidlaw's 'try' got scratched off last week to hand your boys a win.

Wales have had a fair share of bad ones too. One that sticks out is Italy away 2007 when English ref Chris White told Hook that there was still time to take the lineout, he kicked it out and White just blew for full time. Never had an explanation as to why either.'

I'd say that in terms of Laidlaw's 'try' last week the fact it went to the TMO means that any idea of luck was taken out of it as it was fully reviewed and deemed to be no downward pressure. Equally I'd say there was a case for an English penalty as Laidlaw virtually tackled the English player without the ball. Then again I guess I would think that.

In term of the 2007 Wales v Italy game yeah that was a terrible, terrible deicision by the ref there and one the Welsh can feel rightly aggrieved about that one. 'Do I have time to kick it out?''Yes' ball goes out 'right game over'. Terrible.

In terms of Pearson's call on Davies the guy clearly made a mistake and hopefully he'll be reprimanded for it. You can't blame Barnes on it though as he was taking the touchjudges advice on something he didn't see.

In terms of Ferris, yeah given the letter of the law now the decision was probably correct but I'd say the law needs to be looked at because to judge Ferris' 'offence' (I still don't think that that should be a penalty. Rules say yes it was but I'm saying the rule is wrong) and Davies act of thuggery is the same just seems like madness to me.

LastKingofEngland - What's the national sport of England? Football. Enough said. Either get over it or if you have deep grief you should write to the BBC as opposed to trying to make it sound like Welsh people's fault that they like covering us in rugby.

Lastking. Scrumv is a BBC Wales show aired exclusively in Wales for A welsh audience, although BBc make it available on iplayer. What else would they be showing? Now go and get a job and stop spending all your afternnon posting your anti-welsh sentiments on this blog. Over and out...

As for shock results this weekend, I don't think there wil be any as any combination of results is perfectly possible, including a Scotland win. My persoan preduictions for the weekend are Wales by 15, France by 6 and Italy by 3. Italy beating England would not be a shock result as it is entirely plausible...

I wonder if Andy Robinson will be calling the Welsh arrogant in the lead up to the game?? Either way, would love the Scots to beat 'em.

Famous numbernine. You're sounding a bit like Kevin Keegan in his famous Fergie rant. I suspect you're going to end up feeling like him. C'mon you reds, c'mon you reds!!!...hahah

Could everyone please check how this side discussion started. Basically a Welsh fan saying that because of John Inverdale the BBC was biased towards coverage of English rugby. Then when I point out how much more coverage they give Welsh rugby they get all upset.

Anyway going back to the citings Ferris has now received no ban and Davies is out for the rest of the six nations which I think most people will accept is fair given the two incidents. What interests me slightly though is that Davies ban was halved mainly based on him pleading guilty (well he could hardly not really), his good conduct during the citing and his previous good disciplinary record. Does he have a good record? I'm fairly sure this isn't his first yellow internationally but don't know about his domestic record so not sure about that.

Cymrulondoner I for one would be surprised if Italy, a side ranked 7 places below England, who have never beaten England or indeed typically come close to it (it only being within one score twice in 17 occaisions) and the last time they played England won by 46 points, beat England. Maybe you wouldn't find a result going against ranking, form and history a surprise......or maybe you're just wumming but I couldn't possibly comment.

Though I take it from what you said you wouldn't find a Scotland win a shick result either as it is plausible. Personally I would as it goes against the expected results but you know if you wouldn't class Scotland winning as a shock then there you are.

My apologies extended in advance for my lack of constructive contribution in this instance, with regards to my memories of great Scotland VS Wales matches... I just need to say that I am very mutch fond of the Scots, but in my heart I love WALES!
OK, nevertheless, I'm looking forward to a good game. I actually suspect that Scotland might get a try or two, once they realise it's not that difficult, once the tryline's right there. But overall, I think Wales won't let this one slip through the fingers...

It wasn't you pointing out that Wales have more coverage, it was the way you did it. And none of us were getting upset, simply educating you on how BBC funding works.

And I agree that Italy beating England wouldn't be a huge shock, it would be a shock, but given that last year they beat France at home, a French team that was better than this England team, it's not out of the realms of possibility. Similarly, I would be surprised if Wales lost to Scotland, but not shocked.

Certainly not beyond the realms of possibility Padds31. Italy, and their regions, have been improving steadily and the win over France last year was huge. Whether they'll match the 2007 Italian by picking up a couple of wins in a year again will be interesting. Sadly it's been the wooden spoon for them since then but I can't help but feel it's not long before that dubious honour goes to someone else.

#53 Padds31. Are you saying that 7-1 available from the bookies for a Scotland win in Cardiff is good value?

Scotland's best hope is to slow the game down, try and dominate the set piece and do everything they can to keep the Wales backline from getting their hands on the ball. Easier said than done... If the Welsh backs get ball and are as direct as they were last week then Scotland might be in for a long afternoon.

However, I would never write off Scotland and I am sure the Wales camp won't either. The near miss in 2010 is a reminder of what Scotland can do every now and again and they surely wouldn't make the same mistakes again.

Wales had a little luck with the ref in Dublin, but the Italy 2007 one was far worse in my opinion. Italy 2007 = Cardiff 2010, Cardiff 2011 and Dublin 2012. So we're even. I assume everyone will just agree with that... :)

@55 Are you saying you don't understand the difference between "suprised" and "shocked"?

Without wishing to sound arrogant, Scotlands best hope is to put something in the Welsh teams food the night before as allegedly happend to the ABs in the RWC world cup final in 1995. Its just a fact Wales will dominate right acroos the park, with the exception of the lineout and if Scotland attempt to slow the ball down, they are going to get absolutely snmashed.

Lastking as I say Italy by 3, entirely realistic scoreline. Last Saturday could well be your only win this 6 nations. Saturday against the Italians is your last real chance of a win this year I think...

lastkingofengland

italy had never beaten france either until last year!

they had never beaten scotland either until they did

they hadn't beaten wales either until they did.It is not beyond reason for england to blow it on the weekend.

I imagine italy will be gunning for this inexperienced english side.I don't see it happening myself but I will have my fingers crossed.It would be good for italian rugby to get one over the saes.
The italians have a decent pack but their weakness is the half backs.

England and Scotland on the weekend was a load of dirge served up with heaps of boredom a lack of skill and very little creativity.It was a great advert on how not to play rugby at the highest level with full time professional players.I watch better games down taffs well rfc

I'd say Scotland are in for more of a beating if Wales can build through quick phases than if Scotland manage to kill off all their momentum at every breakdown. That is still not exactly easily done as Wales' breakdown looked fairly solid against a much better Irish pack.
There is very little reason to believe that Scotland will beat Wales if both teams play to their potential and without the intervention of a dodgy cook. However, stranger things have happened...
I think Italy have as good a chance of beating England as they've ever had, as long as they don't experiment with 7s at 9 like they did a few years ago...

#22 The evidence has been stacking up against Clancy since long before Scotland's last visit to Cardiff. His performance over the advantage to Scotland last Saturday is just one in a long line of interpreting the Laws in favour of Scottish opposition. In my view, he should be booted off the panel while he undergoes re-training.

What I would really love to see this weekend is for Scotland to come down to Cardiff and decide enough of the negativity, we're going to go down in a blaze of glory and play Wales at their own game and as we did for periods against France last year. Yes we'll probably lose by 20 points, but whats to be gained from our usual style. Its time to change our approach and the new Scotland starts here and now. I'd love to see a scoreline like 46-27, rather than 17-9...

Scotland scoring 27 points in one match?! That would be a shock.

To be fair, they had a lot of half chances against England which, with a little more composure, would've yielded a few tries. Pretty soon Scotland will have a match where it all comes together, I just hope it's not on Sunday.

#51 Previous good conduct is not as simple as previous red and yellow cards. I have yet to see a player not have "previous good conduct" count in their favour and am beginning to believe that it has more to do with helping old ladies across the street (whether they want to or not) than anything that happens on the rugby field.

Ferris was cleared but what is not clear, as the panel are not asked to determine it, is whether or not the yellow card was upheld or deemed unwarranted. They should ahve been asked to determine it as it may count in the category of "previous good conduct" (Excuse me, can I help you across the road. Let me re-phrase that, I'm helping you across the road as I need it for "previous good conduct").

#62, Scotland playing same old will yield a result of more than 46 - 27. Play like you suggest and it is more likely to be 146 - 27 and only becuase Wales got bored and went home before the end.

@58 "Saturday against the Italians is your last real chance of a win this year I think..."

With the best will in the world, this statement is taking it a little bit too far. The games against Ireland and Wales are both real chances of a win as they are at home (Albeit as underdogs). A win against Italy, and England get more confidence and momentum, which would in turn lead to better performances. Add a few returning players to strengthen the team. The Irish in particular could lose in Paris this weekend, be out of the championship by the time they visit Twickenham for what would then likely be a dead rubber.

As usual the optimism builds ahead of this game, bit sure where it's come from? but it exists in small measures.

My head says Wales will win at a canter, my heart says that Scotland have been cack for long enough and will come out and give the Welsh a damned good test.

Looking objectively at the sides i'm not sure that Scotland have the advantage in the pack that a lot proclaim. The front row battle for example is likely to go to Wales, Scotland have 2 excellent 2nd rows where Wales are weak due to injuries and thuggishness whilst the back rows are quite equal.

In the backs Scotland have gone for Laidlaw who far from being a "headless chicken" as that idiot Davies states is a very clever heads-up footballer at 10. I'm not hugely worried by the Roberts/Davies running at Lamont/De Luca as they are both strong defensively but limited in an attacking sense. The really interesting match ups for me are Cuthbert and North against Jones and Evans (the Scottish wingers with Welsh names) - 2 really large blokes with excellent running lines and good skill levels against 2 small fleet-footed Scots. I don't relish seeing the Welsh wingers given the ball on the charge against the Scottish wingers but similarly i think there's a glimmer of hope if the Scottish guys can avoid head-on encounters against the Welsh guys, Shane Williams made a career of using his quick feet to make much larger opponents look daft.

Anyways on balance a Welsh win is on the cards and if they play the kind of rugby that they're capable of then i'll enjoy watching it even if Scotland are on the receiving end. Just think though Murrayfield in 2013 will see Wales ripped to shreds by a certain Steve Shingler!

@67. No they won't. The IRB have ruled he is only eligible for Wales, pending an appeal, which, like Sunday's game, the Scots will more than likely lose.

Scotland seem happy to release the shackles in Cardiff. They were also being heavily criticised in 2010 for not scoring tries and had a barnstorming match before stuttering towards the end.

I seem to recall Wales throwing away a lot of intercept tries against Scotland over the years as well so this has the potential to be another cracker.

@66 OH Jimmy when will you learn? You see Wales have won one game this year by 2 points with a last minute kick and so obviously are going to win a grand slam this year. This by the way is not arrogance but faith in the team. England on the other hand have won one game this year by 7 points and so obviously are going to win the wooden spoon this year. This by the way is conclusive proof that the English fans are the most arrogant of all time.

@digbic78 yes there is always a first time for everything but for starters it's not just history I based my predictions on but form, world rankings and general play. Equally saying it would be a shock result doesn't mean I don't think it COULD happen just that it's not LIKELY to happen and if it did it would be a SHOCK. I would repeat my idea that IF Scotland beat Wales it would be a shock but it's not impossible and would be more likely than Italy beating England. As I said I'd say the most likely winners this weekend will be France, England and Wales. Though I get a feeling there will be one upset this weekend.

I actually think Wales will win the grand slam because they are a good team and definitley have lady luck on their side. Good to see that Ferris was not only cleared to play against France but told by the disciplinary committee that it wasnt even a penalty!!! Nice one Wayne Barnes looking forward to you and Pearson wrecking us again at the weekend. This ruling also shows us that the refs dont actualy know what they are doing when Ferris was cited in the first place by an official obviously reviewing the tackle again and again on video and still couldnt get it right. Time the IRB did something. Wales, France and England to be comfortable winners this weekend

Check out some footage of the new Ireland team in training and a long over due comeback from shane byrne!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTpXymuwxNs

This is the best fixture to go to home or away as the Scots and the Welsh get on well, only when there is something big on it does it really count, although things are changing now, back in the day was just one great big drinking session. Gethin Jenkins is back, so Gatlan's Lieutenant is back on the field, priceless. Dont see much hope for Scotland as they time and time again fail to score tries against weak defenses. All we need to do is not give penalties away in our half for Parks and we should be alright, just hope some of the wounded are healing up for Twickers. That one should be make or break!

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Contrary to expectation, I've got a feeling (probably entirely unfounded and destined to appear ridiculous in retrospect) that Wales/Scotland will be a real ding-dong encounter....I predict that Scotland will explode out of the blocks against a slighly complacent Wales and score an early try to get the monkey off their back (and since I'm making wild predictions, I also predict that this try will come through Chris Cusiter at the culmination of some sustained and powerful phase-play). They'll go into the break at least 10 points up. Wales will wake-up in the second half and begin to show their class with a couple of tries of their own, but Scotland will cling on for a two point victory, blowing the tournament wide open with Ireland having beaten France and Italy having beaten England the previous day...

Upsets weekend: You heard it here first!

Chap1 exactly!! He doesn't want to read about England just like the aforementioned. He Just enjoys goading us Welsh!!!!!

Last King. Don't let the Welsh posters grind you down. They are a very touch, sensitive lot!

Looking forward to the England Wales game, always a good spirited, close, high quality affair.

Aren't we on for 3 in a row this year, at home?

Which Scotland will turn up? The profligate or the teak tough and resolute?

If it is the profligate than I think Wales will run riot, if the other side of the coin then a tough afternoon lies in wait.

England Italy will be interesting, I see England just JUST edging it. Italy played a structured phase game against France and I think in spite of the loss took great credit from their performance. England though just have too much, we can't forget they are the 6N champions they really are not a bad side and the longer they spend together as a group the better they will get.

To me that means Wales trip to Twickenham will be a very stern test indeed. I do hold out hope that Wales will win the 6N this year though and I think Scotland will be our toughest home match, France will flatter to deceive this season and I fancy the Irish to cause problems for them in Paris.

So in summary Wales by 20+ or by less than 5

England to squeak home less than 5

Ireland to win by 10

Ireland to win by 10 is a bold shout indeed, I'd like it to happen though. Despite the often prevalent anti-english sentiment that flows from the other home nations I cant help myself but support them against the dastardly frogs. I think that now Mad Marc has gone the French will probably be a bit more consistent, but then they could hardly be more inconsistent. I see the 6N as a whole coming down to Wales or France however any Welshman doing anything other than tentativley penciling in a win a Twickenham is jumping the gun somewhat.

As for who's goading who, I think the finger pointing is all a bit unnecessary, its fairly clear that the goading is mutual as is the disrespect in some quarters.

I don't see Ireland winning at all, BBC keep saying how they have all of the best players, but is it me or did they manage 2 performances last year (England, Australia). By that average and Irelands awful record in Paris, you really are counting on rolling a double 6 there, form and fate are not your friend. Certainly not by 10.

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oh do stop shouting you silly chappy!

I see Lastking is on here again trying to get under the skin of as many welsh as possible. He's obiously trying to distract himself from the frightening proposition of England losing all their remaining 6N games,and by a large margin against the Irish,French and Welsh! England are pathetic at the moment,and will be exposed,as they should have been last Saturday. Enjoy the rest of the tournament Lastking!!!!!!!!!!

Looks like Ross Fords beeen reading my coments at 62. So 46-27 here we come, or 146-27!!

Chap1 yeah theres a fair few of them on these blogs the aforementioned and Smackeyes spring to mind. Eire11 is another but an Irish version, but happily out of step with most of his countrymen. Get the feeling their all going to be very quiet for the rest of the 6nations...Yep probably a wife run off or he's from Bristol or Oswestry or somewhere and just can't get over the dissapointment that he could have shared in the glory if only he'd been born 10 miles further west!! haha

"Also, the ref allowed the game to restart after 80 minutes were up."

Which is why it's all the more bewildering that Scotland chose to keep the ball in play. I (an Englishman) was looking at the TV totally bemused shouting "What on earth are you doing?!". Ultimately, it was 100% in Scotland's own control to secure the draw... and they chose to throw it away.

Ireland By 10!! There's luck of the Irish but come on! Optimism fair enough but I cant see that happening, they're record in Paris is dismal, no-one has a great record there but pffff, even though this aint a great French side I just cant see it happening, would be great and throw the tournament up in the air, but I think the French will win comfortably. Irelad dont play %age rugby anymore, ust like the 1/4 final against us they were going for lineouts instead of taking the points in the first 10 mins of the game! stupid! Kicking almost seems beneath them now, but they dont win. France by 10 - Wales by 10 - England by 10

Referees: "Never had an explanation as to why either."

The explanation, in 99.99999% of all cases of dubious referee decisions, is that the referee has had the temerity to be human and has made a mistake / error in judgement / failed to see the event exactly as it happened.

It is so easy to complain that a referee is incompetent or biased but the simple fact is they are simply human, doing the best they can in a pressurised situation.

The 2005 grand slam year sticks out in my mind because for the first time that I can recall, I felt sorry for a team. if wales played the second half like the first, God only knows what the score would have been. as for some people saying we didnt deserve to win in 2010, get real. the game isnt over till the fat lady sings. the greatest comeback since Lazarus.

I wouldnt underestimate scotland but i did read with some amusement that ross ford says scotland want to play running rugby. is this the same scotland who would have only beat england 3-0 if england has all been red carded within 5 minutes. i dont think it will be quite the 2005 thrashing but i expect us to put scotland to the sword on the weekend

i'd like to thank the last king of england for making me laugh out loud with his ludicrous conspiracy theories and anti welsh sentiment. its a shame that you cant give credit where its due

Oh dear I seem to have caused a little bit of an upset here with a few people losing their tempers a bit. To bring it back to the points here I'll reiterate all my main points and please feel free to say where you disagree
1. Welsh rugby receives ample coverage on the BBC
2. It's a disgrace that the BBC doesn't even produce a match report for LV Cup games involving only England sides
3. England are favourites to beat Italy on Saturday but you can't rule out an Italian win
4. Wales are justifiable favourites to beat Scotland but Scotland have a good shout at a win. Certainly better than the 5-1 odds I've seen.
5. It's far too early to be talking about a Welsh (or indeed English or French) grand slam or even championship
6. Davies ban is completely justified, possibly he's got a bit lucky to not get more, Ferris not receiving a ban is justified.

Now if you disagree with any of these points please feel feel to put down why, but to Chap1 and CyrmuLondoner just take a deep breath and count to 10 first would you?

So much of this one has the feeling of the potential that was played out in 2010. Scotland, their inability to hold on to a ball put to one side, have the attacking threat there for all to see: https://eye-on-wales.com/2012/02/10/and-then-came-scotland/. Like that puts it, if they control the lineout again, they have a chance. However, the attacking threat posed by Wales should make any of this talk of an open Scottish game the stuff of nonsense, because it would surely only play towards a Scots defeat?

Completely agree dislikesthings. That would be the worst thing Scotland could do. They've got the talent up fron to compete with Wales, especially in the line out where Scotland look strong and Wales look weak, but if you look at the backs you'd fancy Wales in every position and as a whole.

As a Welshman i'm going to stick up for the TheLastKingofEngland here.. I've never understood why criticism of the Welsh national team is treated as utter blasphemy. We are not currently the best team in the world, so not sure why some people act as though we are? To suggest that the game against Scotland is full gone conclusion is utter nonsense!

Realistically all they have to do is kick to touch in our 22 and our lineout will provide them with good attacking ball. Whether they get it over the line is another matter, but they did in 2010. Quite why they have stated they want to take us on at running rugby is beyond me, and can only think that they're trying their hand at some mind games....hmmm.

I think Wales will win, when we do get good ball i think the back line will be too much for them. I think Wales will edge the breakdown also, but will definitely loose the lineout battle so avoid that as much as possible.

The great thing about the 6N is that anybody on their day can win. Isn't that why we all enjoy it so much?

93/94 I think Scotland have to play expansively WHEN JUSTIFIED to win. Simply keeping it in the forwards will not win nor will running everything from all over the pitch. Get the ball in the right area, use the forwards to suck in defenders then spin it wide.

The issue is what is the right area - and I do not believe it is the Welsh 22 but rather between 10 yard and 22. The reason is the Welsh backs are big - really big so logically Scotland should be looking to the way teams played Lomu as the template. Scotland have to be chipping behind the Welsh backs and seeing how quick they are on the turn. There is no point in doing that inside the 22 as Welsh 9 or 15 (which ever is closest sweeper) simply catches and calls mark.

I am pretty sure Scotland will have a big edge at lineouts. Scotland ought to have an edge in scrums as well (but either ref or Scotland will muck that up!). Big issue is the back row contest at breakdown and I am really looking forward to two young back rows having a go. This could be a really pointer to Lions back row make up for next couple of tours

95 i agree to a point. I'm not suggesting putting bombs in to the 22 as you rightly say we'll just call mark. I meant kicking to touch inside our 22 when the opportunity is there and then put immense pressure on our lineout as Scotland definitely have the edge here and could give them excellent field position.

The dink over the top between 10 - 22, agreed, but Scotland will need to be fairly savvy here and play some heads up rugby to spot the Welsh positioning, particularly of Halfpenny. The best opportunity for this i think is turnover ball when Halfpenny will have joined the attacking line, if they can secure said turnovers, so as you say the battle of the back row is key.

i'll offer my support,as a welshman, to the lastkingofengland.there are far to many one eyed welsh men who have skins as thin as microbes.Lastking has made some valid points and as usual we get the hysterical and child like welsh on here.

I've lived in the rhondda all my life and the level of expectation and the emotion invested in a game is quite sad really.This is how pathetic the welsh psyche is;you can measure it from a game of rugby!lol

What have wales achieved in rugby since their last grand slam in 2008?
Not a lot really. We got to a semi final of the world cup by not beating any of the big three sides.We just lost to SA with the usual welsh mental fraillties coming to the fore.Fiji were a rubbish side compared to the 2007 side and the namibians were a joke.We only just got passed samoa,beat the irish fairly convincingly and then limped out against france despite the fact that france just sat back and kicked the ball at us all day and how many kicks at goal did we miss to win?We then got well and truly beaten by australia in the play off spot and then at the millenium for shane williams send off.

I'm well happy we beat ireland on sunday.It was a good game and I imagine the irish feel robbed big time.It was a closely faught match between two very good teams.It has set us up well for the tournament but the grandslam?they may do it and if they do then it would have begun with a jammy win against the irish.

Digbic - If you read through the comments properly you'd see that the majority of us only took exception with LastKing's comments regarding the Beebs love-in with Welsh rugby, pointing out that this is due to regional funding decisions. Aside from that he knows his rugby and is entitled to his opinion.

On the other hand you're always going to some Welshys shouting in capitals at the slightest English provocation. That, however, is not a call for someone from the Rhondda to come on here your spouting insults and negativity towards other Welsh people. Calling people pathetic for enjoying rugby does in fact make you look like the hysterical and childish one, as that is their choice to invest so much passion and heart in the game, not yours.

Anyway, now getting very excited about another weekend of Rugby, possibly the best weekend of the tournament (unless we have a Grand Slam deciding last day) as all the games have the potential to be crackers. Let's hope for some good rugby all round and that next week we can see some of the harmony on here that makes Rugby the great sport it is. Or, you know, just all have a good old argument again ;)

@98, Padds31.

"Aside from that he knows his rugby and is entitled to his opinion."

One of those clauses is true...and I'll give you a clue as to which: it's the second one.

As for the blog - some great games talked about there. Will never forget 2010. Why oh why didn't Scotland kick the ball out from the restart? Because they wanted to win! Probably very unlikely given they were down to 13 men at that stage but I say kudos to them for having a go - showed how much a 6N victory meant to them. Yes, it might not have been what a cold, calculating type would have done but the day the game gets that cold and calculating is the day I stop watching.

I think Wales are justifiably favourites for Sunday (and I love how LastKingofEngland is *so* darned knowledgeable he can even tell the billion odd pound bookmaking industry what they should do - think they're alright without you chum) but if we're anywhere near as complacent as we were in 2010 then they'll have more than a good shout. I just hope it brings another fantastic game of rugby...and of course, a Wales win.

i dont accept that the win against ireland was jammy. for me the mark of a good side is one that can win when under the cosh. it was a close game throughout but we came from behind and won the best game of the tournament so far. for too long wales have only been able to win if they are at their best and everything goes right. winning when its not all your own way is the mark of a good team.

are we world beaters? no, i've never said that we were. should we have beaten france and south africa in the world cup? yes. lastly for those who claim we have chips on our shoulders; not me mate never have, although i know plenty of welsh people who do. in this case its the last king who's got the chip. it pains him to see wales with such potential, it pains him to see welsh club ruby on terrestrial (as already said, england sold their rights to sky). it would be pathetic if it wasnt so laughable.