Neil Back

Results should go to form

Fri Feb 27 03:09PM

The France-Wales clash is the toughest of the three games to call this weekend, but I think Warren Gatland's side will sneak a win in Paris and maintain their push for a second consecutive Grand Slam.

There is a great culture in the Wales set-up at the moment, the players have real self-belief and every one of them appears to know what their role is within the team. France will be looking to put in a better performance from their win over Scotland and they will need to against this Wales side to stand any chance of victory.

It's a big call but I think Wales will just pinch it.

Wales' confidence is clearly high, and the players look to be in great shape, both mentally and physically.

England did well to nullify their threat in Cardiff two weeks ago and put them under pressure. But Wales came through it and I think that will have given them a boost.

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If you were plotting England's course ahead of this Six Nations then, on form, you would have to say a win against Italy, loss in Cardiff and a loss in Dublin. After two rounds of the championship I would say not much has changed with that prediction.

The smart money will be on Ireland if they are at their best on Saturday, and so far they have gone well in this tournament.

For England it is again about producing another improved performance. They did better in Cardiff than in the first round, and if they can show a similar level of improvement then a loss would not be the end of the world for them.

What will be interesting is to see how well Ireland deal with the pressure of being favourites.

Everyone is expecting Declan Kidney's side to register another victory and keep alive their Grand Slam hopes. I expect them to win, but if they don't turn up then I think England have good enough players to produce a shock.

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I have been disappointed with Scotland so far in this championship. The Scottish regional teams have done well in Europe and the Celtic League this season and I was expecting a better showing from them.

Although the Scots do not have a good record under Frank Hadden - they have lost nine of their last 10 Six Nations games - he is still a good coach and the players appear to want to play for him and that is important.

I think the game with Italy in Murrayfield will go Scotland's way. I expect them to win and win well.

Comments1 - 11 of 11

I know a hot place,
and I think orangegit should go there.
its called hell.
From brw1marine on Fri Feb 27 03:49PM
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Probably the best report I've seen from Back. Not hard considering the usual rubbish he rights though.
orange2tuf, you need to take pack your computer up, take it to the store and when they ask why you are returning it, tell them you're to f...ng stupid to own one.
From daftshiva on Fri Feb 27 03:54PM
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Orange-ya gypsy, have a wash.
From laboca123 on Fri Feb 27 04:09PM
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Orange-ya gypsy, have a wash.
From laboca123 on Fri Feb 27 04:09PM
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Well, why do you think he's an idiot? I thought this article was balanced enough and a fair prediction of the weekend's results with good reasons for them.
From alexa.webster on Fri Feb 27 05:21PM
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one of backs best blogs lets hope he keeps it up.
From tangoman7 on Fri Feb 27 05:40PM
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Orange you make Neil Back look good you c**t. And no i'm not English or Welsh before you say it you gimp
From needtoknow555 on Fri Feb 27 06:28PM
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Its too hard to call. On form Ireland, but being an Irish fan we always manage to f..k up along the way.
From murnaneandy34 on Fri Feb 27 07:10PM
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Why is that the posts here are littered with %*$%^&* bad language and seem to posted by those with some sort of axe to grind ?
I didn't rate Neil Back highly as a player (although he wasn't the worst England forward) but surely he is entitled to make his point of view.
Personally, I don't think England have a hope in this years 6 Nations, although I English and proud of it. Of course I'll be shouting for them, but other countries and stonger and better organised.
If you have a comment, just make it fair and not agressive - it's only a game!
From bawest on Sat Feb 28 12:18PM
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orange you're a disgrace, you should be a football fan
From rude_god on Sat Feb 28 02:12PM
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Allez au France!
From tarquiniussuperbus on Sun Mar 01 11:26AM
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