We’re down to the business end of proceedings in the 2018 NatWest 6 Nations and things are hotting up in the PSA Academies Predictions Challenge with just two rounds of matches to go.
Literally this is ‘Moving Saturday’ and it’s going to take a few big calls to shift Johan from the top of the table, a position that he’s solely possessed since after round 1.
Will it be Scotland, France or even, heaven forbid, Italy that can upturn the form and table in the Challenge. Who knows!
Read on to find out more.
PSA Academies 2018 6 Nations Predictions Challenge – Post Round 3 Results Positions
- 1st place – Johan 40 points
- Tied 3rd place – Cory, Johne & Graham – 35 points
- 5th place – Philippe – 30 points
- Last & 6th place – Neil – 25 points
OUR 2018 RUGBY ACADEMIES – CHANGING THE GAME FOR YOUNG PLAYERS!
- Ireland – NEW Roscrea Rugby Academy, Sun 1 to Fri 6 July 2018
- France – Tignes Rugby Academy, Sat 7 to Sat 28 July 2018
- UK – NEW Finborough Rugby Academy, Sun 5 to Fri 10 August 2018
- Ireland – NEW Kilkenny Rugby Academy, Sun 12 to Fri 17 August 2018
TIGNES 6 NATIONS BOOKING OFFER – 6% OFF IF BOOKING TIGNES RUGBY ACADEMY 7 DAY PACKAGE AS A PAIR / 12% OFF IF UPGRADING TO 14 DAY RUGBY & LANGUAGE PACKAGE
IRISH RUGBY ACADEMY EARLY BOOKING OFFER – 5% OFF AS AN INDIVIDUAL/10% OFF IF BOOKING AS A GROUP OF 4 OR MORE BEFORE 31 MARCH – SEE EVENTBRITE (ROSCREA RUGBY ACADEMY / KILKENNY RUGBY ACADEMY) FOR MORE DETAILS
The 2018 6 Nations Predictions Challenge rules are simple. Each competitor needs to give us a simple match summary plus a winner prediction and winning margin (if a draw was predicted, they need to predict the total match points). It is 5 points for a correct result prediction and 5 points for a correct winning margin/total draw match points total.
The ‘expert’ with the most points at the end of the tournament is crowned the 6 Nations Predictions Challenge ‘King of the Picks’, whilst the person finishing last needs to make a public donation (amount TBC) to our 2018 Charity partner Unicef Ireland at our upcoming Unicef Ireland Charity Rugby Clinics in Ireland in April.
Saturday 10 March – Ireland v Scotland, 1415hrs kick off
Johan Taylor (South African) – Strip everything away and just on the basis of Ireland’s home form versus Scotland’s away form, the call has to be with Joe Schmidt’s team
Prediction – Ireland by 10 points
Johne Murphy (Irish @MurphyJohne) -Despite being stressed by Scotland’s wide attacking strategy, Ireland are just going to have too much game in this one
Prediction – Ireland by 9 points
Philippe Saint-André (French @PSaintAndre) – Ireland have home advantage, experience & form. Too much for Scotland
Prediction – Ireland by 10 points
Neil Marchant (English @NeilMarchant2) – After humiliating my beloved England in Murrayfield, the Scots are going to rain on Joe’s Grand Slam parade in Dublin, just like 2010
Prediction – Scotland by 5 points
Cory Brown (New Zealander @corybrown90) – Scotland will struggle away from Fortress Murrayfield, with Ireland game managing their way to victory Prediction – Ireland by 6 points
Graham Ross (Irish @GrahamRoss76) – Great test of the mentality of this Irish side, with the looming shadow of a Grand Slam. Scotland to give it a real rattle but Ireland have too much winning experience in key positions to blow it Prediction – Ireland by 8 points
Saturday 10 March – France v England, 1645hrs kick off
Johan – It’s about time France upset the apple cart and this is it. France to win in an arm wrestle, definitely a taxi for Eddie!
Prediction – France by 2 points
Johne -England just not firing and struggling for form in key positions. Expect more of that BUT France don’t have enough game to turn them over. Late England score wins it.
Prediction – England by 5 points
Philippe – C’est le jour pour les Français! England in poor form and lacking leadership. Brunel getting France in shape & targeting this as the key Championship game. Nearly beat Ireland, will use same gameplan to go one better.
Prediction – France by 4 points
Neil – The Road to Redemption starts in Paris for Eddie & the boys. Some good selection changes freshens things up. It won’t be pretty but England too organised, disciplined and strong for the underwhelming French.
Prediction – England by 15 points
Cory – Farrell steps up as captain and the Chariot gets back on track in a Paris cauldron Prediction – England by 15 points
Graham – Crunch match for this England team. Fail to win in Paris like they did in 2014 & the Eddie Jones project risks falling apart. France will be passionate and full throttle but the penalty count, weather and strength of the English set piece will get them the win, in the end Prediction – England by 6 points
Sunday 11 March – Wales v Italy, 1500hrs kick off
Johan – Even with 11 changes, no upset expected when unlucky Wales face average Italy
Prediction – Wales by 53 points
Johne – Massively changed side is being given one job – run up a big score. Chastened Saint George North to make a point with a hat trick. Easy.
Prediction – Wales by 36 points
Philippe – of all the teams in the Championship, Wales have the best chance of putting a big score on Italy and despite needing time to find their rhythm, they will hit top speed in the second half to win easily
Prediction – Wales by 30 points
Neil – Wales have too much skill and speed for these Italians, especially at home in Cardiff. Expect a comfortable win
Prediction – Wales by 30 points
Cory – Dead rubber. Italy no chance. Only question is how long it takes the 11 changes to gel. Wales by a distance. Prediction – Wales by 33 points
Graham Ross – Gatland staying true to his new Scarlets philosophy. Expect Wales to run riot. Prediction – Wales by 35 points
Best of luck to all involved in the 2018 6 Nations Predictions Challenge and enjoy the rugby wherever you are this weekend.
