Thoughts then people?
Ireland favourites & rightly so in light of their wins over Oz & yer saffies in the autumn, but it is quite an open tournament. Ireland could waltz off with a slam but could equally cop a pasting in their first game at the Millenium on Sunday.
France seem all over the place, but they almost invariably do. The recall of Skrela at 10 after (it seems) about a decade smacks of desperation. Think the hidings they got at the hands of the ABs has probably provoked one of the macho sulks French rugger is sometime prone to. They have to come to Dublin & Twickers too, so are actually quite rotten value @ 5/2 for the title.
England have the creamiest of openings possible: home games v Scotland & Italy. If we don't have 4 points after them we might as well give up the sport now. Wilko being back is the big news, obv. A fit & firing Wilkinson is obviously a massive boon to any team but the boy's body has been in bits for 3 years now. He may be fit but I guarantee you he isn't match fit. Farrell starts @ 12 which is probably his best position in the senior code. His distribution skills would be wasted in the back row, but he does lack gas & is a 31 year old with dodgy knees. England could actually win the whole thing, but could end up with Rugby egg all over our world champion mushes too.
Wales will be competitive, particularly at home & James Hook is a star in the making. Ireland & us have to go to the Millenium so they could have a say in the destination of the title if nothing else.
Chris Cusiter back at scrum-half is great news for the sweaties, but Jason White is a big miss for them. They could find themselves on the end of a mauling against an England team with a point to prove but at 5/1 for the game may be worth a sly quid or two.
Italy, god bless them, will scrummage well, but still don't have the backs to make use of all that lovely ball yet. Another spoon for them I fear.
Final table for me:
1) Ireland
2) England
3) France
4) Wales
5) Scotland
6) Italy