Stephen Ferris Six Nations blog: Previews for England, France & Ireland games
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In his latest Six Nations blog with Ladbrokes, Stephen Ferris previews England vs Wales, Scotland vs France and Ireland vs Italy this weekend.
Stephen Ferris’ Six Nations blog
Scotland secured a remarkable away victory in Cardiff last week, breaking a 22 year dry spell. Now, at 2.15pm this Saturday in Murrayfield, they face France, aiming to build on their recent success. Despite a recent strong home record against France in the 6 Nations, Scotland suffered a substantial defeat in 2022, with France scoring 37 points and giving the Tartan Army very little to cheer about. It is vitally important for the French to keep the home support quiet if they are to repeat their success
France, having lost only two of their last eleven 6 Nations games, faced criticism after a lacklustre performance in Marseille last weekend against Ireland. A significant response is expected from the French players, as another defeat, especially against Scotland, could escalate pressure on coach Fabien Galthie. Can France bounce back, or will we see them loosing 3 games on the bounce like they did in 2018/2019 season?
With notable players missing, including Dupont, France seeks new leaders to step up and lead by example. The need for discipline and a return to basics is essential, recognizing the depth of talent in the French squad. The French lineout needs to go from 70% clean ball to 90%. Their missed tackles and lack of defensive communication needs to be addressed and rectified. And lastly, more energy and work rate are needed, this is something that doesn’t need coached. It’s a mindset.
I think most people who watched Scotland’s game last week against Wales, knows that they played their get out of jail free card…. With a 27-0 lead after 44min, how on earth did Scotland let Wales back into the game and very nearly lose it? Was it a capitulation from Scotland or was it a rejuvenation from Wales after they started to believe they were good enough? Or was it Scotland just completely taking their foot off the gas due to the big lead??
Scotland’s focus this week is on improving discipline after conceding 16 penalties and receiving two yellow cards against Wales. The hope is for a more confident and composed performance, steering away from the nervousness displayed in the final 30 minutes of their previous game.
A colossal clash is set to unfold on Saturday afternoon at 4.45pm as Wales embarks on a journey to Twickenham to face England, marking one of the most intense rivalries in sports. Both teams find themselves in a transitional phase, integrating numerous young talents and new caps, hinting at a strategic focus not just on the present but on future competitions. Despite the influx of inexperienced players, this matchup is anticipated to deliver substantial physicality and gripping drama.
In recent history, England has clinched victory in each of their last five 6 Nations home matches against Wales. However, the narrow margins of their last four triumphs, all within seven points, suggest a closely contested encounter. Despite Wales struggling, winning only one of their last nine 6 Nations games, England enters as 12-point favourites. Nonetheless, improvement is imperative for England, following a low powered performance against Italy in Rome last weekend.
Highlighting areas for improvement, England’s tackle success rate of 85% in their previous game stands as the lowest among all teams from the weekend’s fixtures. For England to sustain their pragmatic approach and extensive kicking strategy, a focus on more effective tackling becomes paramount. Having huge line speed is important to stop the opposition in their tracks, although making smarter decisions while on the move will be significantly beneficial.
Wales revealed their lineup on Wednesday, featuring the inclusion of George North at 13 and key contributors from the previous week granted starting opportunities. While concerns persist about the depth of the Welsh squad, their courage and never-say-die attitude shine through when adorned in the iconic red jersey. While victory against England might be a tall order, the potential for an inspiring performance lays the groundwork for future endeavours.
Prepare for a Sunday rugby spectacle as Ireland and Italy go head-to-head in Dublin at 3pm. Despite Ireland being favoured for a comfortable victory, anticipation surrounds Italy’s potential display of attacking prowess and continued improvement under their new coaching setup.
In the 6 Nations Championship, Ireland boasts an impressive record, winning 23 of their last 24 encounters against Italy, with the Azzurri’s lone victory on home turf over a decade ago. Ireland’s dominance extends to their home soil, where they have triumphed in each of their last 16 Test matches, scoring four tries or more in 12 of those games. The average margin of defeat for Italy in Dublin has been 29 points, so no wonder the points handicap for this weekend is extremely close to that.
Despite a disappointing Rugby World Cup, Italy surprised many with a strong start against England last weekend. While their first half performance showcased magnificent tries, a dip in the strike rate during the second half allowed England to seize control and keep the score board ticking in their favour. Moments of promise, notably Paulo Garbisi’s control at flyhalf and the forward pack’s resilience, provide Italy with confidence heading into the Ireland fixture.
As the weather promises to be half decent on Sunday, expectations are high for another convincing Ireland win. The obvious question centres on the potential points tally, hinging on the composition of the team sheets. If Ireland maintains their strength and selects a pretty much unchanged starting fifteen, then a 50-point margin against Italy seems plausible, however, a significant number of changes could make for a closer and unpredictable contest.
