Guinness Six Nations 2019 Round 1 Predictions

Rugby News

by Steven Smith

Wednesday, 30 January 2019 at 13:49

bySteven Smith

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By Ruaraidh Britton, Feature Writer

It’s here! The week we’ve all been waiting for.

The Six Nations is back and is looking fiercer than ever, as Ireland defend their crown against the northern hemisphere’s elite.

Friday night sees the tournament get underway in Paris, with France looking to make a statement and prove themselves as contenders once again.

Here are my Guinness Six Nations 2019 Round 1 Predictions.

WALES vs. FRANCE

In ten years as boss, Gatland has bagged three titles and two of them have come with Grand Slams. I’m sure there are many coaches who would settle for a record like that and go out quite happy, but Warren Gatland is a different kind of man.

Paris is never an easy trip, and in terms of fixtures, Wales couldn’t have it better with France and Italy in the first two weekends. This first
weekend will however be a big test and for Gatland it’s go hard or go home.

Apart from an inexperienced back row, I’m expecting a fairly well-known side we’ve seen for a number of years from Wales, but France’s squad have a rather old school feel to them with some big names returning to the set up.

But unfortunately old school doesn’t quite look to be the way forward in this years tournament, and France could have a rough start to the 20th Six Nations.

Predicted result: Wales win by 10

SCOTLAND vs. ITALY

Townsend has never had it worse with injuries in his coaching career, but even when missing nearly a full match day 23, Gregor is spoiled with choices.

That shows you how much Scotland’s squad depth has come on in recent years. But just as much as Gregor’s has developed, so has
O’Shea’s Italian side.

Murrayfield has proven to be a fortress, but Italy have pulled off a shock in
Edinburgh before, something Scotland will be desperately keen to avoid if they are to challenge for the title.

Experience could be key here however, and despite a significantly powerful supply of Bennetton players, Glasgow and Edinburgh have been stronger, and experience and quality might just put a dampener on Italian hopes.

Predicted result: Scotland to win by 15+

IRELAND vs ENGLAND

2019 guinness six nations launch hurlingham club 2

We begin where we left off, potentially with a Grand Slam decider in round one, we are a lucky bunch. England were humbled last year, with Scotland, France and Ireland doing the damage to leave them in fifth, a finish no one predicted.

And despite a disappointing summer, their autumn showed hope, winning against heavyweights South Africa and Australia. With that said, you’d
expect England to get the job done, but Schmidt’s Ireland is a whole new beast.

A win over New Zealand in Dublin, a Grand Slam title, a series win in Australia, and a squad with no injury concerns. I think it’s pretty much game over for England. Had they been in London I would have
cut them some slack, but Ireland’s home record is second to none right now.

I don’t see much hope of a bonus point however, as England’s return to form will most likely make Ireland work for a victory, but the result in my mind isn’t in doubt, but what a scalp on the tournament a win for
England would be.