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Regarding the Ireland v Wales in the 6Ns as JFRS has pointed out we've finished above Wales most years. But we've failed to win the championship on many occasions leading to us finishing 2nd more than any other nation. Especially during Eddie O'Sullivan's reign where we blew many chances and...

Even though it would be to the detriment of Irish Rugby in the short term I'd love to see a true resurgence in Scottish Rugby both in the provinces and at test level. It's not in anyone's long term interests to have non-competitive teams and empty stadia. If I was in the IRFU I'd be trying to...

It's something that was changed without a big fanfare about a month ago and was used in the HEC games in January and all subsequent games. The reason was because an unintentional consequence of the ref telling the scrumhalf to feed by saying "yes 9" was that the opposition took this as their...

Also taking Danny Care off after 61 minutes what a terrible decision. A great example where going with a preplanned switch for the last 20 was the wrong thing to do. Sometimes a guy is having such a good game that it outweighs the benefit of getting fresh legs on.

That was a fantastic game of rugby. England's power almost did it for them. But France's flare delivered in the end. There was an interesting discussion on RTÉ about the size versus skill when picking backs given the way the game seems to be moving. It was good to see Fikou pop up at the end...

What a start to the game from France and Huget. England are still in the game but don't really deserve to be on this display. Picking a backline full of monsters in one thing but they have to have talent and then need to function as a until. England deliver neither. Brown is the best back...

Fair play to Italy really made a game of it in the 2nd half. Wales were very poor in the 2nd 40. Wales have the win and an ugly win like that can ultimately win you the championship. Roberts seemed to go over on his ankle right at the end, maybe a doubt for next week?

I though Faletau had an excellent first half. With that 2nd try just before half-time it's going to be very difficult for Italy to get back into contention. Wales will be looking for more tries and a comfortable victory from here.

I don't think Kearney has been in great form over the last year or so. The worrying thing is that the real strength of his game, security under the high ball just hasn't been there this season. I'd say he's knocked on my high balls this year than in his entire career previously. Also he's been...

There's a few injuries to players who'd expect to start and a couple of players on their way back from injury (Gilroy & Zebo) who'll likely feature later in the 6Ns. Zebo looked sharp enough to start on his return with Munster. Then we have the fact that both D'Arcy and BOD stuck around for so...

I'll give it a go: 1. France 4 wins 2. Wales 3 wins 2. England 3 wins 2. Ireland 3 wins 5. Scotland 1 win 6. Italy 1 win

Not sure how much appetite there is for this up here. Apart from Sarries there are no other clubs clamouring to play SA teams on a regular basis. The English teams have previously tried to use the SA teams as a bargaining chip in the row over the future of the HEC. But then there isn't much they...

Wales team for their opener against Italy: WALES (v Italy): Leigh Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues); Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Jamie Roberts (Racing Metro), George North (Northampton Saints); Rhys Priestland (Scarlets), Mike Phillips (Racing Metro); Paul James (Bath)...

I would pick Zebo ahead of McFadden personally. If Zebo got injured McFadden could then be brought into the squad. Zebo offers more in attack and I always worry about McFadden on defence. McFadden does provide a handy utility player for the bench. But I think Fitzgerald and Zebo would give us...

Warburton has been copping flak from all sides for signing his central contract. First from disgruntled "fans" on social media: http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/rugby-union/25907690 Then from explayers about the dangerous precedent it sets. http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/rugby-union/25906764...

Also on the tax in France the 75% bracket was changed so that's it's the employer/club who have to pay and not the employee/player for salaries over €1m.

Spotted this piece of reporting from the BBC on the England Saxons v Irish Wolfhounds game that the Irish won 14-8. "England produced a late resurgence to try to steal victory, but Elliot Daly was held up short and Freddie Burns was squeezed into touch when trying to sneak a try." The bolded...

Sam Warburton has just signed the first central contract with the WRU. Hopefully it's good news for Welsh Rugby and the regions in the fight to keep their top players.

I love the European season's structure. The fact that in the HEC you might see the current top of the Pro12 v top of the Premiership or Top14 in the HEC. Teams come straight from league games in HEC and you get to see them go head to head when they're in top form. After belting the crap out of...

Alun Wyn Jones has signed a new 2 year deal with the Ospreys ending speculation about him going to England or France.