6 NATIONS PREDICTIONS

time to make the final pre-tournament checks. Beer in fridge - tick, sofa free of dogs - tick, TV working - tick - and we're off.....

In order of play my predictions are..

France to beat Ireland by 15 to 20 pts.
O'Driscoll is injured and Keith Wood retired. Without their only 2 genuine world class performers they will struggle against France.
Wales to beat Scotland by 10 to 15 pts.
Wales looked good at the end of the World Cup, while Scotland looked woeful. I think Scotland will probably raise their game for the 6 Nations, especially with a new coach to impress, but Wales are at home and I think will be too strong.
England to beat Italy by 45 to 50 pts.
Italy have so many injury problems they have delayed naming their team to give some players more recovery time. England will be way too good, even without Wilkinson and Johnson.