Another three from three in my Round 2 predictions, just 0.25 points behind Andy Phipps at the top of The Rugby Blog pool of over 500 people. Can we keep up the form this weekend?
I have Scotland to thank for getting me towards the top in Round 1 by beating Ireland, and I’m considering backing them again in this one out of loyalty. Scotland at home, weather forecast not great, seems like an easy pick?
But I’m not so sure – the Scots have had to make five changes from the team that lost in Paris, and with talisman Greig Laidlaw ruled out amongst others, I fear they may suffer from a lack of leadership and confidence issues once again. Moreover, this Scotland team would prefer a dry track and a fast-paced game, so the weather may not be in their favour.
Wales played magnificently against England, and arguably deserved to win. Dan Biggar might feel like he has a sniff at the Lions Tour again, and he’s clearly a driven player determined to take his chances. With George North returning for Alex Cuthbert, they are a stronger side than last time out, unlike their hosts, and I’m wondering if they might edge this game.
A look at the recent results between the teams shows a swathe of Red (no graphic this week as Superbru transitions to the new site, back next time hopefully) – indeed, Wales has won the last 9 matches between the two sides, with Scotland’s last victory 10 years ago.
The last two matches have been won by 3 and 4 points respectively, and I suspect this one will be close too – and I’m leaning towards Wales.
My prediction: Wales by 2
Average Superbru Prediction: Wales by 3.13
Paddy Power: Wales by 1
What is your prediction for the match?
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It should be a cracking game whatever the weather. I’m really hoping that Scotland can hold their nerve at home and get the win.
Personally I don’t think Biggar was that good against England. Well he was good, individually, but as part of the team, not so impressive. He didn’t get the rest of the backline moving in sync with him and Wales’s best move of the game saw him left out altogether. When he caught the intercept and chipped forward, he was the only one chasing it. If that had been Ford you can bet that JJ, Nowell, Faz etc etc would have chased the kick to back him up, but Biggar was out on his own.
Compare him to Russell who gets his centres involved in the game and moves the ball around more and you have two very different 10s. Russell doesn’t kick as much as Biggar and if Russell can get Jones and Dunber into the game early I think Wales will struggle to contain them if they get over the gain line and start offloading.
I have no concern of Price stepping in as scrum half. He is pacy and agile, what we need. Goal kicking is the issue though. Russell has been poor at goal kicks all season, especially in that last game. I’d much rather Duncan Weir had come in for him. For all his ingenuity Russell’s mistakes overshadow his moments of genius. If Scotland want to win this without a goal kicked they have to score. And score well. 4 or 5 tries are needed for me. I imagine this will a high scoring game, and if either side perform to their best they could win handsomely.
“Wales played magnificently against England” – really?
I’m still finding the response to Wales performance baffling. England dominated the first 20 and looked pretty threatening with ball in hand. Wales had so much ball for the next 20 and Biggar did nothing but kick it away, as Dazza mentioned the one time their back line conjured something up he was excluded.
That being said, I think Wales’ pack will win this for them, especially if the weather is poor.
Yes, I thought Wales played well against England. Not being able to create anything in the backs is not new for Wales, and so to give England such a scare despite that is impressive.
I get what you’re trying to say, but I just struggle with the concept that a test level rugby team that is so inept in that area can be championed in the way the have been, or referred to as magnificent. I certainly didn’t feel as though England stole the game last week, I thought they were the better side. We had just as much ball and did a hell of a lot more with it.
In recent Wales Vs England matches the closeness of the match and the scale of the occasion has overshadowed the fact that the last few games between them have been very poor.
Looking forward this one. Its obviously a big game in the context of the campaign for both sides. Whoever wins here keeps themselves in the title chase. The weather will be interesting. Its supposed to be improving come game time according to the latest bbc forecast. I think a dry game favours Scotland who I think need to avoid getting into a forward slog against the Welsh pack. It will be close but for me Wales are overrated, if they were that good they’d have beaten England last time out. I can see Scotland winning this by 6-10 points.
Just to put it out there, I think Wales will win convincingly and pick up a bonus point. Just my thoughts.