Ugo Monye's run down of Ireland's defensive stats:

Since the beginning of 2022, based on games played against the world's top-10 sides, Monye pointed to Ireland having:

• Won the most breakdown turnovers
• Conceded the fewest linebreaks of any team
• Conceded the fewest points per 22 entry
• Conceded the fewest tries of any team
• Conceded the fewest 22 entries
• Conceded the fewest points

Just an awesome team.

After two strange incidents last week, will we see a controversy free weekend? Irelands to lose at this stage, will anyone upset them?

Ireland vs Wales

A bit of steam has run out of this fixture in recent years but it is often a classic. Ireland looking for the Bonus Point win, and likely to get it

Scotland vs England

An ascendant England vs an aggrieved Scotland. Should be closest this week, but plenty writing off England. Prematurely I'll add, the blitz defense of England will be hard to counter for Scotland

France vs Italy

France with a get out of jail card spent will be looking for a solid victory here. Italy will be desperate for anything

Get your picks in!

Super rugby kicks off tonight. How many teams will still be solvent by the end of the season?

Round 2

Three away wins last week, fat chance of that this week but 2 a possibility. Nobody quite expecting France to roll over so badly, did they flatter Ireland? Scotland grinding out the victory, bittersweet and maddening for both teams I suspect. And England building more steam in Rome, can it continue?

Scotland vs France

At Murrayfield myself today, and this could go either way. Been pishing it doon for at least 36 hours, so wet, slips, and who knows if it will let up? France without a few key players, and a not great recent record in Edinburgh says this one is the game to watch

England v Wales

After Wales remarkable turnaround last week they'll be hoping to expose an England side that is going well, but has yet to be really tested since last years 6n (wherethey finished 4th). But Wales are still rebuilding. This one is always a cracker, but hard for me to call

Ireland v Italy

A forgone conclusion I'm sure, but will Italy continue to play wide and an attractive game at least? Ireland after the points of course, and tackling likely to be optional, could he a fun 70 point game here!

Remember your picks for tomorrow and Sunday!

@[email protected] leading again, but nothing in it. Funny we all called Ireland France wrong :D

Ireland for the back to back would be insane

Round 1

Here it is ladies and gentlemen, the biggest annual tournament in terms of attendance and eyeballs, the best in Europe duking it out for the title of 6 Nations champion. Ireland with the Grand Slam (winning every match) from last year to defend!

France v Ireland

The match many predicted as a likely world cup final, a bit late, but it's finally arrived! Both squads without some key players, sexton and du pont, and likely some cobwebs to brush away, but this match is being talked about as the tournament decider before even any points have been scored! This is one tasty opener and you better believe it will live up to it

Italy vs England

England with a good world cup despite plenty of criticism and churn of players and coaches in the last 18 months and are looking for a good start to get themselves rolling. Italy seeking a win, any win, and will be looking to take advantage of a fairly inexperienced England squad. Expect both teams to play wide exciting stuff with a slight whiff of desparation - neither side can afford a loss here

Wales vs Scotland

Wales are in trouble, and have been for some time, but at home with an impressive record against the Scots, Gatland will want to throw the kitchen sink at them and will be able to with new faces. Scotland will be looking for a victory and a bonus point, and know every point will be vital in order to challenge Ireland or France into even a 2nd position in the tournament

Under 20s

The U20s also kicks off tonight, and is a great watch to get the tournament started. Can Scotland get a win this year?

There we are then, my match narratives for yous, please, head, heart, and arse predictions in the comments before kick offs, score predicrions in kicktipp, and reactions during/after matches! I'll do half time and full time for all 3

Anyone brave enough to call the England XV?

Some LRZ analysis, might have to watch some NFL to see how he gets on!

Just thought it would be nice to have some highlights from last year. Couldn't find generic tournament highlights so went for this.

It's going to be so good on Friday!

Come one, come all, sign up and have a go at predicting who will win each match this year. The world cup was a closely contested for the community, will we see @[email protected] win again?

Alright, we aren't many, and our interactions are low; we did however have a fantasy competition over the world cup, shall we do so again? Any preference on platform?

Thinking match threads for each round currently, anyone fancy writing a preview thread for say Wednesday?

Wish Lemmy had flairs, flair bet threads and sledge threads were always fun too

Getting panned. I'm only 20 minutes in and am enjoying the Scotland focus so far. Anyone else watching yet?

We better not lose in Cardiff this year!

Good appt, can't wait for the Lions!

Undoubtedly a big exit in the rugby world. A long term leader of the SRU, and a big commercial operator. Who's replacing, the big question?

Splitters! I'm totally sure a micro union for the 25 will work real well for the players. I predict a tumultuous 6n already

Should be good watching. Might get myself to Mini-Murrayfield even in Jan

Look after yourselves peoples!