Wales turn to Scotland for a bit of help catching Ireland

Key stats for the penultimate set of 2009 Six Nations fixtures

Wales’ hopes of retaining the Six Nations for the first time in thirty years were severely dented by defeat in France a fortnight ago and as a result they will be looking for favours from Scotland and England, who host Ireland and France respectively:

Italy v Wales (3pm, Saturday, BBC1)
Defeat is not an option for Wales but their last trip to Italy ended in a shock 23-20 loss while during their last Six Nations defence in 2006 they were held 18-18 at home by the Wooden Spoon regulars. Wales returned to form by thumping them 47-8 last year but the best price of 1/14 offered by Paddy Power on the away win isn’t good enough value for a team who have won just one of their last three against Italy. Another worry for Wales is that they have won just six of their last away games in the competition but they should still be too strong for a team who have lost eight of their last nine.

Scotland v Ireland (5pm, Saturday, BBC1)

Posted: March 13th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

Ireland look to capitalise as Wales face their toughest test

Key statistics for this weekend’s three Six Nations matches

Photo Credit: Dylan Martinez/WPA ROTA/PA

Ireland and Wales have won their opening two games but both face tough tests this weekend as Wales travel to France and Ireland host England. If one of the two slip up this weekend it will leave them at a massive disadvantage when they meet on the final weekend. Here are all the important statistics:

France v Wales (8.05pm, Friday, BBC2)
Wales have now won eight straight Six Nations matches but they lost 32-21 on their last trip to France two years ago. Even more worryingly for the tournament’s favourites is the fact that they have won just two of their last eight matches against Les Bleus. Since 2002, France have won seventeen of their nineteen Six Nations home games so the 2.46 that Betfair are offering on them triumphing shouldn’t be sniffed at.

Scotland v Italy (3pm, Friday, BBC1)

Posted: February 27th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment

France look to make it eight wins in a row against Ireland

Stats on all of this weekend’s Six Nations openers

With the two biggest football matches of the weekend taking place on Sunday, rugby fever could grip the nation tomorrow and the good news is that by starting off at home to Italy, England should still be in contention by the end of day one:

England v Italy
England have won all fourteen of their meetings with Italy and will be expected to do so again despite their poor recent form. On five of Italy’s last seven visits to Twickenham they have scored precisely one try. Italy have failed to score ten or more points on any of their last three trips to England and in five of their last seven meetings against them overall. Italy have always lost their opening away game of the tournament.

Ireland v France

Posted: February 6th, 2009 by Michael Lintorn | Add Comment