November Internationals: Expectations for your team

[Leonormous Boozer]

Ireland 4/4 - very worried about our 10 situation for NZ but presume that will be a very emotionally charged and dominant pack performance.

France 3/3 - Dupont is back.

England 2/4 - don't see them turning SA and I think NZ could be stuttery for them giving the changes.

Scotland 2/4 - I think Schmidt really targets them and SA beats them too.

Wales - 2/3 - Gatland with his back against the wall to pull out ugly wins v Oz and Fiji, there'sa little bit to build from the regions that hasn'tbeen there in the last couple years amd they need to establish themselves back in that 5-8 ranked tier.

Italy - 2/3 - Focus on the Pumas and I think they've way too much for Georgia.

All but Ireland are finished and I got that wrong so here's a wrap up:

Ireland - NZ was a disaster and wasted opportunity, twice now this year where we went into a game quite comfort with a big opportunity to do something big and failed, disappointing but maybe (hopefully) a sign of young guys lacking experience and leadership amd older guys going through motions and fading a bit, both things that should fix themselves naturally over time. If we win playing well next week I'd give us a 7/10 for the period, unconvincing is a 6 and a loss would be a 3. Argentina stopped the rot before it became a thing and Fiji was good use of test minutes for less experienced lads.

France - Bang on, 10/10 without hitting 100% for the period.

England - pretty bad, got worse as it went on too I think with NZ being their best game. More players raising questions about themselves than putting themselves straight on the teamsheet. Clearly have the talent available in most spots though and were mostly competitive. 3/10.

Scotland - Better than I expected, thought the Aussies would warm into the tour and get them yesterday, they seemingly did the opposite. Still nowhere near the top level but I think that's beyond their ceiling. 8/10

Wales - No more predicting a resurgence, will believe it when I see it. 0/10

Italy - Bad bad start and warmed into it (bit of a trend?). Would have loved to see them at their 6n level v Argentina but it was their worst game of the year. Got the job done v Georgia and better than expected v NZ. 5/10.

 

[Lé Ddanno]

3/10 is about right for us. The only player that consistently impressed me was Smith,* he emphatically claimed the 10 shirt. But when systems are all over the place, players are going to look bad

*Maybe Stuart as well

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Yeah, I'm Stuart's number 1 hater but he had a good autumn, comfortable with him being starter atm while we bridge the gap for the youngsters to come through

 

[OllyM97]

After the Autumn, here would be my early shouts for each team's prospects in the Six Nations.
France - Favourites for me even with Ireland and England away. Great depth and they've got a point to prove after last year.
Ireland - No Farrell which will affect them but still a very strong side. Should have enough to beat England, Wales and Italy but I think Scotland and France might fancy their chances.
Scotland - Who knows?. They've got the talent and the order of games to finish top 2 but would anyone be surprised if they lost to Italy first up and finished bottom half?. I wouldn't.
England - Either we upset Ireland first game and a GS is very much on or we lose and are marooned in mid to lower table mediocrity again, my money is on the latter.
Italy - Performance against NZ was much improved. I expect another good 6N from them and I think they'll easily avoid bottom spot and could finish 4th. I reckon two wins again.
Wales - any hope of avoiding another whitewash?. I don't think so. I just don't see where they win a game.

 

[ShropshireAllBlack]

After the Autumn, here would be my early shouts for each team's prospects in the Six Nations.
France - Favourites for me even with Ireland and England away. Great depth and they've got a point to prove after last year.
Ireland - No Farrell which will affect them but still a very strong side. Should have enough to beat England, Wales and Italy but I think Scotland and France might fancy their chances.
Scotland - Who knows?. They've got the talent and the order of games to finish top 2 but would anyone be surprised if they lost to Italy first up and finished bottom half?. I wouldn't.
England - Either we upset Ireland first game and a GS is very much on or we lose and are marooned in mid to lower table mediocrity again, my money is on the latter.
Italy - Performance against NZ was much improved. I expect another good 6N from them and I think they'll easily avoid bottom spot and could finish 4th. I reckon two wins again.
Wales - any hope of avoiding another whitewash?. I don't think so. I just don't see where they win a game.

1. France- just too good at the moment.
2. Ireland- lose to France, beat everyone else.
3. Scotland- made Australia look very ordinary yesterday.
4. England- absolutely dependent upon magic from Smith and the defence is poor.
5. Italy- will beat Wales on current form, may get a bounce of the ball at Twickers, but that's it.
6. Wales- oh dear!

 

[dullonien]

Wales - any hope of avoiding another whitewash?. I don't think so. I just don't see where they win a game.

Depressing to read that, but I don't disagree with it at all. I'd expect a close game v Italy that could go either way, but realistically Italy start as favourites.

I think we needed to hit rock bottom though to finally ensure that a proper plan is put in place to take Welsh rugby forwards. The WRU and regions just have to work together to find a way out of this mess, the big question is are they actually capable of that, as they've been talking about working together for decades, and we're still waiting!