With England, Ireland and Wales all in with a shout of Six Nations glory on Saturday, a trio of former international stars for each nation have their say on the destination of this year’s championship.
– #Quiz360: WIN a group paintball session at Zayed Sports City
– England ready for a titanic title fight against France at Twickenham
Sport360 caught up with former Wales centre Tom Shanklin, ex-Ireland flanker David Wallace and versatile former England back Peter Richards.
The trio were in Qatar for Friday’s West Asia Cup final between Doha and Abu Dhabi Saracens, and took time out to chat about their thoughts ahead of a Super Saturday showdown.
Peter Richards:
Thoughts on England: We’re (England) in the driving seat. With home advantage you’d expect them to come through, with both Wales and Ireland away from home. Wales have the big points advantage to make up. Wales have done so well because they lost then had to go away to France and Scotland. To be in a position to beat a weakened Italy team to win the championship, they would have bitten your hand off.
It’s really tricky playing France because everyone remembers the World Cup where France lost to Tonga then got to the final. They have that ability. They are a very tough team to break down. They have nothing to lose and have all this firepower they haven’t used yet, so at Twickenham they could cause an upset. Mentally, it depends what French team turn up. Are they up for the challenge?
England are favourites and rightly so and are due a complete performance.
Final weekend predictions: I can see all three nations winning. I think Wales will put a hefty score on Italy, 30 or more points, and set the pace. I’d like to think Ireland will set the pace with a win over Scotland and then England have to win by a certain margin over France. Whether they win by a margin I wouldn’t put my house on it.
Six Nations winners: England
David Wallace:
Thoughts on Ireland: Wales is the guaranteed win. Ireland and Scotland isn’t a given. They’re always turgid affairs, with the game stuck in the breakdown. Scotland have improved this year but haven’t been able to get the wins. It’s a big carrot for them, with Wales beating Ireland the previous week.
That was a big disappointment. Wales were really up for the game. I think that’s why they won, they had the better of them emotionally before the game. Ireland didn’t see the ball for the first 10-15 minutes. Probably more disappointed with the way they played more than the result, and missing out on a possible grand slam. I think they’ll dust themselves down, they’re still in the title race, but they’re the meat in the sandwich I suppose.
Wales will put up a big score and hand it over to Ireland, who have to win first, that will be hard enough. They’re in a difficult position and it could go awfully wrong.
Final weekend predictions: I see Wales getting a big score against Italy and going into the lead on points difference. I see Ireland forcing it maybe against Scotland but maybe getting there in the end, but England winning.
Six Nations winners: England
Tom Shanklin:
Thoughts on Wales: It was a win and a massive win last weekend because Ireland were in the driving seat for the Grand Slam, and they’ve had a great record at the Millennium Stadium too. It was huge. Wales lost the first game but can still win the championship, so it’s a bit of a psychological edge, because Ireland have come up short a few times.
Wales won’t be able to do that every week though because on another day, with all that possession and territory, Ireland will score tries. It was incredible defence, 49 phases, but you won’t be able to do it week in week out because better teams will score against you.
Final weekend predictions: Wales to win but not by enough points. I think they’ll beat Italy but I think they’ll win by 20 points which won’t be enough. I think Ireland will win by two or three points and England I think will win comfortably.
Six Nations winners: England