The tourists last visited in 2013 and, under the leadership of Warren Gatland, emerged victorious. Will they be able to repeat this feat in 2025? At the time of writing, the Lions record stands at; 660 games, 494 wins, 32 draws and 134 losses.
So before we focus on the British Lions Tour 2025 that will be upon us soon enough, let’s look back at the history.
The British & Irish Lions is a rugby team that is made up of players from England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland. The team is selected every four years to tour one of the major rugby-playing countries, such as South Africa, New Zealand, or Australia.
The first tour by the British & Irish Lions took place in 1888, when a team made up of players from England, Scotland, and Wales traveled to Australia and New Zealand. The team played 35 matches in total, winning 14 and losing 21.
The Lions have since toured many countries and have had mixed results. They have had some successful tours, such as the 1971 tour to New Zealand, where they won the series 2-1, and the 1997 tour to South Africa, where they also won the series 2-1. However, they have also had some unsuccessful tours, such as the 2005 tour to New Zealand, where they lost the series 3-0.
In recent years, the Lions have toured in Australia(2013) and New Zealand(2017). The British & Irish Lions secured their first series victory in 16 years in the most emphatic fashion in Sydney as they defeated Australia 2-1 in 2013. So when the British Lions Tour 2025 is underway, can they repeat this outcome once again?
The British & Irish Lions led by Warren Gatland proved to be formidable opponents for the All Blacks, the reigning two-time world champions, in an exciting three-match Test series that exceeded expectations. Despite losing the first Test at Eden Park, the Lions fought back and won the second Test in Wellington, just as they had done in 1993. They then returned to Auckland and tied the third and final Test, resulting in a tied Test series, a feat only previously achieved in the 1955 Tour of South Africa.
In 2021, The British & Irish Lions faced the daunting task of traveling to South Africa for their Tour amidst a global pandemic. Despite the challenges and uncertainty, the team managed to stage the Tour successfully and delivered some thrilling performances. The opening match in Cape Town was a nail-biter, with the Lions ultimately coming out on top with a 22-17 victory. However, they were unable to maintain the momentum and lost the second game 27-9.
The series was decided in the final Test, which was a tense and closely contested match. The Lions put up a valiant effort, but ultimately fell short, with the South Africa team securing a 2-1 series win with a 19-16 victory. One of the key moments in the final Test was when 37-year-old fly-half Morne Steyn, who came off the bench, kicked the winning penalty, just as he had done in the second Test in 2009.
It was a memorable Tour for both teams and fans, and despite the loss, the Lions can take pride in their performances against a formidable South Africa team. Next on the fixture list is the British Lions Tour 2025 down under.
Throughout the British & Irish Lions’ history, spanning over 100 years and 660 tour matches, several players have made their mark in the record books by scoring a significant number of points. The top 5 point scorers of all time for the Lions are:
These players have left an indelible mark on the history of the Lions, and their contributions on the field will always be remembered.
In 1974, the British & Irish Lions traveled to South Africa and created history by becoming the only unbeaten Lions tour in the post-war era. The team, captained by Willie John McBride, recorded an impressive 21 wins out of 22 matches, with the only draw coming in the final test after the series had already been secured.
Many consider this team to be the greatest to ever play the game. Their success can be attributed to the exceptional talent of the players, as well as their strategy known as the “99 call,” where all team members would gather to retaliate if they felt the opposition was getting too physical, fighting fire with fire. This added a new dimension to the game and further cemented their legacy as one of the greatest teams in the history of rugby.
The starting line-up for the final test match of the 1974 British & Irish Lions tour of South Africa was as follows:
Forwards;
Ian McLauchlan
Bobby Windsor
Fran Cotton
Willie-John McBride (capt)
Christopher Ralston
Roger Uttley
Fergus Slattery
Mervyn Davies
Backs;
Gareth Edwards
Phil Bennett(C)
John Williams
Ian McGeechan
Andy Irvine(T/P)
JPR Williams
Dick Milliken
The team was mostly composed of players from Wales, Scotland and England, and the captaincy was led by Willie John McBride. This team was considered one of the greatest teams of all time and their performances during the tour are still remembered today for their skill, strength, and determination.
Although as Irvine put it in the book Behind the Lions: “What we have done is left a wee scope there for another team to go one better than us. The challenge is still there!”
I’ve watched rugby for decades and these are my top 12 nominations for the best ever Lion. How many of these would get into the British Lions Tour 2025 squad if they were still available?
So although there are great players named above, the title goes to the points machine Andy Irvine
In the ten games leading up to that Test, he had scored over 100 points, and with his try in the final drawn Test, he finished the Tour with five tries and 156 points, a record tally for a Lion in South Africa.
He was similarly prolific in New Zealand three years later, where he equalled Malcolm Thomas’ 1959 record for most points in a single game on Kiwi soil by scoring 25 points against the Hanan Shield Districts, including an amazing solo try. His five tries against Wanganui/King County was also a new record for the most tries scored by a Lions full-back in a single game.
He joined the South Africa Tour late in 1980 but ultimately featured in three of the four Tests. He also earned 51 caps for Scotland and upon his retirement, his 301 Test points were a world record. Still the Lions record points-scorer with 274, he served as the tour manager on the 2013 Lions Tour to Australia.
As of yet, there are no prices for British Lions Tour 2025 tickets or hospitality available.
Once the British Lions Tour 2025 fixtures are available, we will post these with the dates, kick-off times and also TV schedules.
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Are you a baseball fan that’s looking for the best way to watch Major League Baseball? Have you been searching for an online platform that will let you watch your favorite teams without any hassle? Look no further than MLB66! This comprehensive streaming service is one of the most popular ways to watch Major League Baseball, giving fans access to all their favorite games. In this article, we’ll explain how easy it is to use MLB66 and why so many people are loving it. I can watch sports on Amazon Prime, but I’m always looking at other options too.
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There’s nothing quite like watching live sports from home – especially when it comes to America’s pastime, baseball. With its long history and passionate fanbase, watching Major League Baseball has become something of a ritual for millions of Americans. But with traditional TV packages becoming more expensive, accessing your favorite teams can be challenging. That’s where MLB66 comes in!
MLB66 provides an innovative solution for baseball lovers everywhere – allowing them to stream all their favorite games in HD quality on any device they choose. It also offers users exclusive features such as real-time game highlights and player stats, making following the action even easier. Plus, with its simple setup process and affordable subscription plans, there’s never been a better time to get into Major League Baseball with MLB66!
Watching Major League Baseball is like a roller coaster ride – it’s exciting, unpredictable, and always keeps you on your toes. MLB66 is the ultimate way to experience that thrill from anywhere in the world.
It’s an online streaming service dedicated exclusively to broadcasting live games of all 30 major league baseball teams throughout every season. MLB66 offers fans access to real-time stats, commentary, highlights, and more with their subscription packages. With its sleek design and intuitive navigation options, MLB66 gives viewers the opportunity to connect with the game in ways never before possible.
MLB66 provides comprehensive coverage for those who want to stay connected with America’s favorite pastime, no matter where or when you watch- at home or on the go. Now let’s take a look at what subscription options are available.
When it comes to watching Major League Baseball on MLB66, several subscription options are available. I’m going to go over the two main ones here: a basic subscription and an All Access package.
The first option is the Basic Subscription. It’s great for fans who just want access to watch games live or on-demand. This package offers all regular season games plus select postseason games as well. You can also get scores, highlights and other features with this plan.
The second option is the All Access Package, perfect for those who want more than just game viewing. With this plan, you’ll get access to everything included in the Basic Plan, along with exclusive content that includes interviews with players and coaches, behind-the-scenes footage, news stories, and more! Plus, you’ll be able to follow your favorite teams throughout the entire season so you never miss a moment of baseball action.
No matter which subscription option you choose, signing up for an account with MLB66 will give you access to all the best baseball coverage out there!
Well, well, here we are. You’ve considered your subscription options and you’re ready to join Major League Baseball on MLB66. It’s time to sign up!
The first step is easy: create an account. All you need is a valid email address and a password of your choice. This process should take no more than a few minutes. Plus, all the information provided will be kept secure by MLB66 so there’s nothing to worry about in that regard.
Finally, it’s time for the fun part – downloading the app! With one simple click from either Apple or Google Play stores, you’ll have access to every game available for streaming live. There’s also plenty of additional features like highlights, stats and news articles that can enhance your viewing experience even further. Now let’s check out what else you can do with this great service…
I’m ready to watch Major League Baseball on MLB66! The first step is to download the app. I can do this from the App Store or Google Play. It’s free, so all I need to do is click ‘install’ and it’ll be good to go.
Once it’s downloaded, I can open it up and start watching some games. But before I get too excited, there’s one more thing I have to do – activate my account. Activating an account allows me access all of MLB66’s awesome features like live streaming games, checking scores, and getting team news updates. To activate my account, all I have to do is enter in a few pieces of info like my name and email address. After that, it’s time for the real fun – baseball!
To kick off your MLB66 experience, you’ll need to activate your account. This is a simple process that will have you watching baseball games in no time! Here’s how:
Firstly, let’s set the scene for activation. Imagine yourself as a Major Leaguer walking up to their locker on game day – excited and ready to get out there on the field. You open it up with anticipation and find all of the necessary equipment needed for success – cleats, glove, hat, etc.
The same goes for activating your MLB66 account; equip yourself with the following items before taking your first steps towards viewing live games:
Once you have these things in hand, simply follow this five step plan:
1. Visit [www.mlb66.com](https://www.mlb66.com/)
2. Select “Sign Up Now” from the homepage
3. Enter in the requested information, including name, payment details, and more
4. Accept the terms & conditions by clicking “I Agree” at the bottom of the page
5. Click “Create My Account” when finished entering the required information.
And just like that –you’re an official member of MLB66! With your account activated and ready to go, now comes network availability so you can watch those games right away…
I’m a big fan of Major League Baseball, so I was thrilled to learn about MLB66. It’s an amazing way to watch my favorite teams play without having to go out and buy tickets for every game! But with any streaming service, there is one important factor that needs to be taken into consideration: network availability.
Firstly, you need to make sure your internet connection is fast enough in order to stream the games properly. If it isn’t, then you’ll likely experience buffering or lag while watching them.
Secondly, you should also check what devices are compatible with the service. Some services only work on certain types of smart TVs and other devices, so it pays off to do some research beforehand.
Lastly, if you’re planning on taking your device outside of your home WiFi zone (like when travelling), you may want to check if the service has a mobile app available as well – this will ensure that you can still access the streams wherever you go.
With all these factors accounted for, now it’s time to move onto accessing live streams through MLB66…
To access live MLB games, I’d recommend signing up for MLB66. It’s a streaming service that gives you access to every game of the season. With it, you’ll be able to watch all 30 teams in action from the comfort of your own home. Plus, with its advanced features like chat rooms and social media integration, you can connect with other fans while enjoying each thrilling match-up!
The good news is that setting up an account on MLB66 is easy. All you have to do is create an account online and then follow their simple instructions. Once your account is set up, you’re ready to start watching – just find the game or team that you want to see and click play! As long as you have an internet connection, you’ll be able to catch every pitch and hit from anywhere in the world.
Additionally, if a particular game or series catches your eye during the regular season, don’t worry about missing out – MLB66 also offers archived content so that you can go back and rewatch some great moments whenever you feel like it. With this feature, you won’t ever miss a beat no matter when or where baseball takes place! Moving forward into scheduling and recording games…
If you’re a fan of Major League Baseball, then MLB66 is the perfect way to stay up to date with all your favorite teams. With MLB66, you can schedule games and record them so that you never miss an important play or game-winning hit.
The first step in scheduling a game on MLB66 is selecting which team’s broadcast you’d like to watch. You can select either the home or away team for any given matchup. Once you’ve selected your desired broadcast, simply click the “Schedule” button and enter the start time of the game. This will allow MLB66 to automatically tune into the channel when it starts playing at the designated time. Additionally, if you’d like to record a particular match-up, simply check off the “record” box next to it before clicking “schedule.”
For those who want even more control over their viewing experience, MLB66 also offers advanced recording options such as setting specific start and end times as well as choosing whether or not commercials should be included in playback. What’s more, these recordings are stored in your library where they’ll remain until deleted – giving you easy access anytime you want to relive some of your favorite moments from past games!
No matter how busy life gets, MLB 66 helps ensure that baseball fans won’t ever have to miss out on big plays or other exciting moments during crucial matchups. With its wide range of features and simple usability, there’s no better app for keeping track of America’s Pastime!
One way to watch Major League Baseball games is through on-demand content. For example, MLB66 offers a variety of options that allow viewers to catch up on the latest news and highlights or even relive classic moments from previous seasons.
Here are some ways you can access this content:
With all these options available, it is easy to stay up-to-date with baseball without having to miss out on any exciting plays. Not only does this help keep fans engaged, but it also gives them the opportunity to experience history as if they were at the stadium themselves. Additionally, there are plenty of interactive features such as trivia challenges and polls that make viewing more enjoyable.
The best part? All of this can be accessed from anywhere, anytime – making watching major league baseball easier than ever before! On top of that, MLB66 offers multiple devices support so that you never have to worry about missing a game no matter which device you’re using.
I’m sure you’re excited to be able to watch Major League Baseball on MLB66. But what if you want to watch from multiple devices? Well, it’s easy! All you have to do is sign up for an account with the service and then make sure that all your devices are connected through the same network. That way, you can access MLB66 from any device in your home or office.
Plus, there are plenty of other benefits when signing up for an account too. You can save a list of favorite teams so you never miss a game they play. You also get updates about upcoming games and special offers directly sent to your inbox. And lastly, you’ll be able to manage your account settings easily, like changing payment methods or updating contact information quickly and securely.
With MLB66, watching baseball games has never been easier! Plus, knowing that you can take advantage of all these great features while still being able to watch from any device makes it even better. Ready to start managing your account settings? Let’s go!
Now that you’ve got the basics of how to watch MLB66 on multiple devices, let’s talk about managing your account settings. This is important for making sure your MLB66 experience is tailored to your preferences and secure from unauthorized access.
First off, it’s important to set up a strong password for your account. Your password should be at least 8 characters long and include both numbers and letters in upper and lowercase. It’s also a good idea to change your passwords every few months or so just to stay extra safe. Additionally, take advantage of two-factor authentication if available – this adds an additional layer of security by requiring you to enter a code sent via text message when logging into your account.
Next, check out the other options available on your personal profile page and make sure they’re all accurate and up-to-date. You may want to update things like contact information or payment details but you can also customize some aspects related directly to watching baseball, such as language preference or whether notifications are enabled or not. Taking the time to look over these features will help ensure that you get the most out of MLB66 each time you log in!
With those considerations taken care of, we can now move onto setting parental controls & age restrictions for our accounts.
As a parent, it can be difficult to know what’s right for our kids – especially when we want them to have fun. MLB66 makes it easier with its parental controls and age restrictions. With these features in place, parents can feel secure knowing their children are only viewing content that is appropriate for their age group. Here’s how:
It’s great to have peace of mind when it comes to letting our kids explore new things online – but what happens if there’s an issue? Whether it’s a technical problem or customer support question, MLB66 has us covered with dedicated customer support & troubleshooting resources available 24/7.
MLB66 provides great customer support if you need assistance. They have a FAQ page that addresses the most common questions, but if you can’t find what you’re looking for there, they also offer email and telephone support. I’ve had some good experiences with their customer service reps over email; usually my query is answered within 24 hours.
When it comes to troubleshooting, MLB66 makes it easy to solve any problems you might encounter. If your stream isn’t playing properly or freezing up, simply restarting the app will often do the trick. Additionally, they have an extensive technical guide on their website which covers all sorts of issues in detail. Plus, if all else fails, you can always contact their customer service team and they’ll be able to help out.
Overall, MLB66 has made sure that its customers receive top-notch customer service and help when needed. This gives users peace of mind knowing that if something goes wrong during game time, people (and resources) are ready to lend a helping hand! With this in mind, let’s take a look at how MLB66 compares cost wise with other streaming services…
When it comes to watching Major League Baseball, there are a variety of options out there. It can be hard to decide which one is right for you and your budget. Vizio is one popular option, and Pluto TV was another one we looked at a few years back. However, MLB66 stands head and shoulders above the rest with its unbeatable cost-to-value ratio.
Unlock the gates to an exciting baseball season with MLB66:
The affordability of MLB66 makes it stand apart from other streaming services – no monthly fees or subscription costs! Plus, when compared side by side with similar streaming platforms, MLB66 offers more bang for your buck. With so much entertainment at such a low price, you really cannot go wrong. And if that wasn’t enough incentive, there are plenty of benefits too…
The benefits of watching MLB66 are numerous. First, this platform allows you to watch your favorite teams and players in action. This means that no matter where you live or how far away from the stadium they play, you can still be a part of the excitement. You can also follow along with their stats and highlights, so there are never any missed plays or moments.
Second, MLB66 is easy to use. All you need is an internet connection and a subscription plan. That way, you won’t have to worry about missing out on important games because of technical errors or poor connections. Plus, it has all kinds of features like exclusive commentary, interviews with players and coaches, and multiple camera angles for each game.
Finally, MLB66 gives fans unprecedented access to major league sports entertainment. With its extensive library of classic baseball footage available on demand, as well as up-to-date scores and news coverage throughout the season – not just during playoffs – it offers something for everyone who loves America’s pastime. Whether you’re passionate about keeping track of your team’s progress or simply want some nostalgic throwbacks to simpler times, MLB66 provides all the content you could ever desire!
Doing the wave at a major league baseball game is an iconic American experience, but with MLB66 you don’t have to miss out on any of the action. The question I’m here to answer today though: do mlb66 games have commercials?
The short answer is yes, they do! However, there are some benefits that come along with watching your favorite teams and players through MLB66.
Here’s why it might be worth skipping those pesky commercial breaks:
Ultimately, whether or not you decide to take advantage of the unique offerings of MLB66 over traditional broadcast networks comes down to personal preference. It provides unprecedented flexibility allowing fans to follow their favorite team(s) wherever life takes them. And while commercials may still pop up during broadcasts, viewers will never miss another moment of exciting big league play because of it. So go ahead – grab that popcorn and cheer on your home team without ever leaving the comfort of your couch!
I’m wondering if MLB66 has a free trial period? It’s great to have options when it comes to watching major league baseball, and I’d like to know if MLB66 offers any kind of introductory offer.
Well, luckily for us, the answer is yes! According to their website, MLB66 does indeed provide a 7-day free trial period so you can decide whether or not the service is right for you. This lets you watch all the games available on the platform – no strings attached. Plus, after your trial ends, there are plenty of subscription packages with different levels of access that you can choose from. So no matter what level of fan you are – casual or die-hard – there’s something for everyone on MLB66.
No matter which plan you select, one thing is certain: You’ll get exclusive access to live and archived regular season games as well as postseason matchups, plus player stats and other features that make the experience even more enjoyable. And best of all, you don’t need expensive equipment or complicated setup steps either; just an internet connection and a compatible device should do the trick!
MLB66 is clearly worth checking out if you’re looking for an easy way to follow Major League Baseball. With its free trial period and various subscription options at competitive prices, it’s definitely worth considering as part of your fandom experience.
“As the saying goes, ‘the best things in life are free’, and this could not be any truer when it comes to watching Major League Baseball on MLB66. Are all games available to watch on MLB66? In short, yes!
MLB66 offers viewers a wide range of options for watching their favorite teams play. You can choose from live streaming broadcasts of every game throughout the season or catch up with archived footage of past games. All you need is an internet connection and you’re ready to go! Plus, there’s no subscription fee required so you can stay up-to-date without breaking your budget.
The platform also provides access to exclusive content, such as interviews with players and coaches, plus highlights from recent matches and behind-the-scenes footage. So, whether you want to keep track of all the action or just take a trip down memory lane, MLB66 has got you covered.
Here’s what else they have in store:
With MLB66, baseball fans across America can enjoy the sport anytime and anywhere they like – hassle free! Now that’s what we call making memories worth remembering.
Do I need a VPN to use MLB66? That’s an important question if you’re looking to watch Major League Baseball games. And the answer is: it depends. It all comes down to where you live and what geo-restrictions might be in place that would require a virtual private network (VPN).
If you want access to baseball content in areas around the world, then yes, you’ll need a VPN. This way, no matter where your IP address is located, you can still see all of the same content as someone else who lives in another country or region. With a good quality VPN service, MLB66 will think that your device is accessing its content from somewhere else in the world.
But even with a VPN, there are some restrictions with certain countries’ broadcasting laws that could still prevent viewers from seeing specific games or features on MLB66. So before investing any money into a subscription plan for MLB66, make sure that you double check their terms of service and which countries they support so that you don’t miss out on any of the action!
I’m really excited to watch Major League Baseball on MLB66, but I’d love to be able to do it on my TV. Is there a way? Absolutely! With the right setup, you can easily stream directly from your computer to your television.
The first step is getting everything connected up correctly. You’ll need an HDMI cable and either a streaming stick or game console that supports MLB66. Once those are in place, open up the app on your device and make sure it’s linked with the same account you used when signing up for MLB66. From there, just select what match you want to watch and press play! The video should now show up on your television screen.
This is one of many methods for watching baseball games through MLB66 – there are even more options if you have other devices like AppleTV or Chromecast at home. If none of these work for you, don’t worry – there are still plenty of ways to get in on all the action without breaking the bank! All it takes is a little bit of research and some patience – then you’re ready to go!
It’s never been easier to watch Major League Baseball games on MLB66. With its wide range of features, you can enjoy the game from the comfort of your home or while you’re out and about. You don’t have to worry about commercials getting in the way, as there are none during an MLB66 broadcast. Plus, if you want to see what it’s all about before committing for a longer period of time, MLB66 offers a free trial so that you can try it out first.
You’ll be happy to know that nearly every single game is available to view through this platform. So no matter which team is playing, chances are you won’t miss any highlights. And when it comes to streaming content securely, using a VPN isn’t necessary with MLB66 – making watching games even more convenient!
Finally, if you’d like to catch up on some baseball action without having to sit at your computer or phone, there’s now an option where you can stream directly onto your TV. All in all, watching major league baseball has never been easier, thanks to MLB66. Whether you’re catching up on scores or tuning into live broadcasts, the options are endless with this fantastic resource!
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The 2023 edition of the prestigious Six Nations tournament commences with a scintillating series of fixtures on Saturday. A hallmark of the competition, this year’s Six Nations promises to be one of the most fiercely contested in recent memory.
To start the day’s proceedings, Wales, galvanized by the return of their celebrated head coach Warren Gatland, play host to the reigning world champions Ireland in a match that will be broadcast live on BBC One.
Later in the day, Steve Borthwick will take the reins as England’s head coach for the first time, as Scotland travel to the hallowed turf of Twickenham Stadium.
The opening weekend of the tournament concludes on Sunday, when an Italy side in the midst of a resurgence will welcome the defending Grand Slam champions, France.
This comprehensive guide provides all the information necessary to fully appreciate the 2023 Six Nations, including the channels where you can watch the opening matches and a succinct overview of each game to prepare you for the weekend’s enthralling rugby action.
Wales vs Ireland, 2.15pm, Principality Stadium, Cardiff (BBC & S4C)
Predictions for the highly anticipated Wales vs. Ireland match are difficult to make given the formidable strengths of both teams. The return of Warren Gatland as head coach of Wales, following an 11-year successful stint and subsequent poor performance in 2022, has inspired the team and resulted in the selection of an experienced squad with a mix of veteran leadership and youthful talent.
However, Ireland’s status as the top-ranked team in the world, combined with their history of consistent performance, make them a formidable adversary. Despite their recent victory drought in Cardiff, Ireland’s solid lineup, led by captain Johnny Sexton and including the reigning World Rugby Men’s Player of the Year Josh van der Flier, cannot be underestimated.
It remains to be seen which team will come out on top in this high-stakes encounter if Wales can get out of the blocks quickly and cause an upset.I think Ireland will dominate this opening fixture and set the benchmark for their tournament.. Fat Lad Says; Ireland by 16+ points
England vs Scotland, 4.45pm, Twickenham Stadium, London (ITV)
As the Six Nations 2023 tournament begins, the upcoming match between England and Scotland is particularly interesting. Both teams come into this match with different managerial and player dynamics, with Steve Borthwick making his debut as the head coach for England and Gregor Townsend’s tenure as the head coach for Scotland ending after the World Cup.
England arrives at Twickenham amidst anticipation as fans wait to see if Borthwick can turn their fortunes around after a disappointing performance in 2022. Meanwhile, Scotland arrives with the Calcutta Cup in their possession and the confidence of having claimed a historic win at Twickenham during their last visit to London. Despite Scotland’s recent victories in the Six Nations, England is considered the favorite. However, their former scrum-half, Danny Care, acknowledges that the outcome is uncertain.
Ollie Hassell-Collins will make his debut for England while Manu Tuilagi is left out in favor of Joe Marchant. In addition, Owen Farrell, who was initially expected to start at fly-half, will instead fill the role of inside center due to the injury of Henry Slade. For Scotland, three-cap back row Luke Crosbie will start, with the more experienced Hamish Watson excluded, and Finn Russell will start at fly-half with Stuart Hogg returning from injury at full-back.
Fat Lad Says; Tight game this, England by 4-7 points.
Italy vs France, 3pm, Stadio Olimpico, Rome (ITV)
The Six Nations 2023 Sunday meetings return with Italy hosting reigning Grand Slam champions and world ranked second, France. The Azzurri will be buoyed by their win in the tournament last year against Wales and their victory against Australia in the autumn, but facing Les Bleus is a daunting task. Ugo Monye mentioned in a podcast that Italy’s return to the Six Nations has made it “whole again” as there were questions surrounding their place in the tournament.
The Italian side will be led by the talented Ange Capuozzo, who will look to make a mark in the tournament. On the other hand, France, captained by scrum-half Antoine Dupont, are on a 13-match winning streak and are aiming to defend their Grand Slam title and become the first men’s team to do so.
Italy have improved since their 33-0 drubbing by England, but they are not in the same league as France.
Fat Lad Says; France will be too good and will win by 15+ points
Don’t forget to check out the full fixture lists here and enjoy each game as they come around.
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We have once again put together details about the television schedules and games. We have the fixture list below and some information as to where to be able to view the games.
Where can I watch Six Nations live?
All games are live on BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and mobile app.
What channel is Six Nations rugby on?
The 2023 Six Nations starts on Saturday and BBC Sport has live coverage and highlights across TV, radio and online. BBC One will broadcast live coverage of one game every round, starting with the opening match between Warren Gatland’s Wales and Ireland on Saturday’
What channel to watch my team?
The current Six Nations TV deal in the UK means BBC and ITV will bring every moment of every tournament between 2022 and 2025.
BBC will show all Scotland and Wales home fixtures, while ITV will broadcast each of the England, France, Ireland and Italy home games.
Saturday, 4 February
13:15-16:30 – Wales v Ireland – BBC One & iPlayer – BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra
16:45-18:45 – England v Scotland – ITV – BBC Radio 5 Live
Sunday, 5 February
15:00-17:00 – Italy v France – ITV – BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra
Saturday 4 February
Wales vs Ireland, 2.15pm, Principality Stadium, Cardiff (BBC & S4C)
England vs Scotland, 4.45pm, Twickenham Stadium, London (ITV)
Sunday 5 February
Italy vs France, 3pm, Stadio Olimpico, Rome (ITV)
Saturday 11 February
Ireland vs France, 2.15pm, Aviva Stadium, Dublin (ITV)
Scotland vs Wales, 4.45pm, Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh (BBC & S4C)
Sunday 12 February
England vs Italy, 3pm, Twickenham Stadium, London (ITV)
Saturday 25 February
Italy vs Ireland, 2.15pm, Stadio Olimpico, Rome (ITV)
Wales vs England, 4.45pm, Principality Stadium, Cardiff (BBC & S4C)
Sunday 26 February
France vs Scotland, 3pm, Stade de France, Paris (ITV)
Saturday 11 March
Italy vs Wales, 2.15pm, Stadio Olimpico, Rome (ITV)
England vs France, 4.45pm, Twickenham, London (ITV & BBC)
Sunday 12 March
Scotland vs Ireland, 3pm, Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh (BBC & S4C)
Saturday 18 March
Scotland vs Italy, 12.30pm, Murrayfield, Edinburgh (BBC & S4C)
Ireland vs England, 5pm, Aviva Stadium, Dublin (ITV)
You can also check these listings on the Radio Times website.
England kicks off its first Six Nations campaign under new head coach Steve Borthwick against Scotland. The Scots are hoping to win back-to-back games at Twickenham for the first time ever. Borthwick took over for Eddie Jones in December after England’s lackluster autumn campaign ended with boos against South Africa. Scotland has won its last two visits to Twickenham and defeated England at Murrayfield last year. They’re aiming to up their game after finishing fourth in last year’s tournament.
The English team is missing several key players due to injury, but Ollie Hassell-Collins will make his debut on the left wing and Owen Farrell will return as captain, starting at inside center with Marcus Smith at 10. Jamie George is back in the front row after recovering from concussion, and Jack Walker will make his debut as a replacement hooker. Scotland has its own fair share of absentees, including Hamish Watson, but will feature British and Irish Lions center Chris Harris on the bench.
This new era for England will be about banishing the memory of the November boos and making a positive start for Borthwick’s project. Meanwhile, Scotland coach Gregor Townsend is taking a bold approach, including Luke Crosbie, Ben White, and Huw Jones to show a clear attacking intent.
This Saturday’s Calcutta Cup showdown at Twickenham will see England and Scotland face off for the 141st time. New Red Rose head coach Steve Borthwick is hoping to start off with a win, but Scotland will have other plans. With the oldest rivalry in international rugby being tipped on its head since Scotland triumphed at Murrayfield in 2018, the Scots have won three of their five meetings since and even managed a stunning 38-38 draw in London four years ago, where they fought back from a 31-0 deficit.
It’d be an understatement to call this a tough match for England. Scotland’s side is packed with talent, and they’ve already stormed Twickenham once since 1983. They may be missing five Lions squad members, but they’re still fielding a side with a ton of attacking potential. With Ben White starting at scrum-half, and offensive threats like Huw Jones, Finn Russell, and Stuart Hogg, England will definitely have their hands full.
While Scotland has shown they can take down major opponents, they haven’t been able to string together big wins in the Six Nations. The last two years they’ve beaten England in the opener, raising hopes for their first Championship crown since 1999, but then they’ve fallen away. Until they find some consistency, success will continue to elude them.
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If you fancy a cheeky flutter and want the best home run derby odds, you are on the right page. This is an end of season baseball event that MLB fans love.
The home run derby is an annual competition held during Major League Baseball’s (MLB) All-Star break. It features eight of the best power hitters in the game, who battle it out by attempting to hit as many home runs as possible.
The Home Run Derby is typically held on the day before the MLB All-Star Game, which usually takes place in July or August, in the USA each year. This year, however, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Home Run Derby was cancelled. The 2021 Home Run Derby took place in Denver, Colorado on July 13.
As with any competition, bets can be made on who will come out on top of the Home Run Derby. The odds are typically determined by how well each player has been performing throughout the season, as well as their past performance in the tournament. Previous winners are often expected to do well, as Pete Alonso proved.
For example, Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton of the New York Yankees are two players that have consistently performed well in previous derbies and, therefore often have higher odds of winning. Other factors, such as weather conditions, can also affect the home run derby odds.
We look at the recent results and winners, keeping in mind the 2020 event was hit by the Covid outbreak.
Bryce Harper was the winner, as he beat Kyle Schwarber, in the final 19–18, winning the derby in front of his hometown crowd. He tied Schwarber on the last pitch as time expired in regulation; then won it with 16 seconds left in bonus time. Washington, D.C.
New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso defeated Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 23-22 in the final round of the 2019. Alonso took home $1 million for winning the Derby
Winner Pete Alonso of the New York Mets tied his own record for most home runs hit in the final round with 23. He also broke the record for most home runs hit in the first round with 35, surpassing Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s total of 29 from 2019
The 2022 Home Run Derby winner was Juan Soto, one of the best hitters in Major League Baseball. He added to his already-lengthy resume by winning the 2022 T-Mobile Home Run. The 23-year-old Nationals star won the 2022 MLB Home Run Derby, knocking off Mariners rookie Julio Rodríguez in the finals and preventing two-time defending champion Pete Alonso, making it a third win.
Yankees slugger Aaron Judge (2017) and Mets first baseman Pete Alonso (2019) are the only rookies to win the Home Run Derby outright, as of 2022.
Keep an eye out for these power hitters when placing bets on the home run derby odds for the year!
Of course, just like any other sporting event or competition, there are odds associated with who will come out on top of the Home Run Derby. The odds are typically determined by how well each player has been performing during the season, as well as their past performance in the tournament. Other factors such as weather conditions can also affect the home run derby odds. Recent winners include Pete Alonso of the Mets in 2019 and Juan Soto of the Nationals in 2022.
The Home Run Derby is an annual competition that takes place during Major League Baseball’s All-Star break. It features some of the best power hitters in the game, who battle it out for bragging rights by attempting to hit as many home run as possible. Bets can be placed on which player will come out on top, with odds typically determined by how well each player has been performing throughout the season, as well as their past performance in the tournament.
Keep an eye out for these power hitters when placing bets on the home run derby odds for the year! Please keep in mind that all information provided here is for general knowledge only and should not be used as a basis for gambling or betting activities.
Be sure to check out the latest home run derby odds when placing bets!
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Let’s look at the Six Nations 2022 Round 2 fixtures and results. February 14th is Saint Valentine’s day and we know you all love rugby. With the favourites France at home once again, this time facing Ireland this was probably on the paper the fixture of this round. It didn’t fail to disappoint either and was as nail biting as Scotland in Cardiff. The foregone result was going to be England playing at the Stadio Olimpico against Italy. England the week before fell to a late 20-17 loss to Scotland in their opening match but any risk of back-to-back defeats to begin a campaign for the first time since 2005 never looked likely.
HT 14-14
Dan Biggar’s drop goal completed a memorable win for Wales as the champions bounced back from a sobering opening loss against Ireland. This very tense Six Nations win in Cardiff, which was tied at half time , came about thanks to Biggars 15 point contribution
France beat Ireland 30-24 in Paris on Saturday to consolidate their status as favourites for this year’s Six Nations title. Andy Farrell’s men beaten in Paris as Jaminet with 6 penalties and a conversion made Ireland pay for their lack of discipline. France ensured a thrilling Ireland come back from 15 points down fell just short as the hosts held on for a 30-24 victory in a nail biting match, that could have gone either way.
The Azzurri got the backlash from England, and this meant they are bottom as things go. England stretched their 6 nations record against Italy to 23 wins from 23 meetings.
A man of the match performance from Marcus Smith helped inspire England to a 33-0 bonus-point win over Italy in Sunday’s Six Nations. The half time score of 0-21 once again highlighted the gulf between these 2 teams. Fly-half Smith scored a try and slotted over four conversions. A great performance too from hooker Jamie George going over in the first half for his 10th and 11th England tries.
Italy, who have now lost each of their past 34 matches in the Six Nations and have still yet to beat England in the competition. They are surely going to be the whipping boys again this year. They travel to Ireland in the next round, playing on Sunday 27th February. The 26th sees France on the road, at Murrayfield in the afternoon while the later kick off sees England entertain Wales. Will England start with Ben Youngs, who will break the record for number of caps, beating Jason Leonard’s Test record. Hopefully the break next week will see all teams refreshed and back to full strength.
If Scotland can upset the French in Murrayfield, this will throw open the title race. My thoughts are that France will be too strong and will have the Grand Slam in mind. England have the chance to bury demons and put the Welsh to the sword at Twickenham.
Finally looking at the Italians who are no one mugs under new boss, the Kiwi Kieran Crowley. The fitness levels seem to have improved a lot and they played ok in these first 2 fixtures against the 2 teams I originally said would be fighting out the title on the final day. As I said here ” Is the deciding fixture this last one being played in Paris? France v England when the draw was made was the mouthwatering fixture for sure.”
With both the English and French looking to have both found great kicking options with Smith and Jaminet respectively, providing both stay free from injuries and both these teams win the next 2 rounds of fixtures, this will add to the excitement of the final match. Could the Grand Slam fail or be won, by the boot of one of these 2 players? We will see Saturday March 19, KO 20:00, Paris.
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Streamhunter is a website that claims to allow you to watch all the games of your favourite team for free. The main analogy they use is: “You pay 15 Euro for a soccer shirt and you get every game of your favourite club free. You don’t have to buy expensive subscriptions or cable TV.” No doubt you read our USAgoals article which is a similar offering.
Streamhunter also has two sister sites that offer the same service. They are “Streamfighter” and “Goalhunter”. These three websites all have similar layouts.
The question is: how can they offer these games for free? How does Streamhunter work?
To find out what’s going on under the hood, I started with a thorough analysis of Streamhunter. The article explains in detail how they are able to stream the games, but here’s a short summary:
All Streamhunter links point to one single location which returns different links for every game. These links point to IP camera streams that are hosted on Amazon AWS servers. That way it becomes very difficult to hunt them down and block them.
This method has a big flaw: the stream quality is very poor because all links point to a single server that is shared with many people. To counter this they offer different qualities, but this is only available on the website itself – the links always point to low quality streams. Another problem with this method is bandwidth: a single IP camera can generally handle only 50 connections. As you can imagine, this quickly becomes a problem when 10 000 people try to watch the same live stream at the same time.
In order to solve these problems, Streamhunter has created two different systems: an automated system that selects free servers and distributes incoming traffic automatically and a manual system where Streamhunter employees manually prioritize traffic.
It’s worth noting that they also make use of a very interesting technology: UDP multicast (see the article for details).
The amount of resources needed to offer this service is huge, plus traffic is so high, that it even affects Amazon AWS servers located in Europe and North America. To solve this problem, they have created ‘shadow’ portals. They need to buy servers, pay for bandwidth and provide customer support. What makes the entire operation profitable is the advertising they run on their site: all visitors are forced to watch two video ads before they can access any of the games. One such site is https://streamhunter.to.
What is annoying about the site is how they even use the acceptance of the cookies to redirect to ads.
When you visit Streamhunter, you’ll be greeted with a list of upcoming games. You can find the link to any game by scrolling down until you find this:
This is a live updated list of all available games. When a match starts, it will say “LIVE”. This means that everyone is trying to access the links at that moment and as a result, the quality will be very poor. When a match ends, it will say “VOD” which is short for ‘video on demand’. All games that are available after the live broadcast are linked from this page.
This article by TorrentFreak has an interesting tidbit about Streamhunter: “Streamhunter has its roots in another project, one that was started earlier this year by another group of football fans who wanted to share their passion with others. Their site, however, lacked the polish and reliability that Streamhunter currently offers.”
Often there are no quality games available when you visit Streamhunter. They only offer low-quality videos which are generally unwatchable. If you know when the game starts, it’s easy to find high quality videos: visit Streamhunter about 30 minutes before the game starts and start looking for links that say “HQ”. This means that they offer a high-quality video (see image).
If there are no HQ links available, try again 1 hour after the game starts. This is when most people stop watching the match and Streamhunter wants to clear up bandwidth for more HQ links.
The quality of these videos is excellent: 1080p at 60fps . I had some issues with this video but as far as I can tell, these problems were caused by server problems, not the video itself.
A live broadcast can only be watched during the event, for example, a football match. When it ends, people will still try to watch the video but since the links are no longer available, everyone sees ‘video unavailable’ or something like that. This is why Streamhunter cannot provide live streams after the event ends.
The video on demand (VOD) is a recording of the stream. This means that you can always watch the match later and since no one is trying to access it at that moment, you get high-quality videos. The downside is that matches usually last only 90 minutes, so you might miss some of the action.
Streamhunter has a very large network, so you may access it from any country. You can choose which server to connect to by changing your local IP address. This is done with a VPN, proxy or Tor. If you want more details on how to change your IP address, please check this article.
If you’re using a computer, you also need an addon for your browser. They work with Firefox and Chrome but not Internet Explorer or Opera. The addon is called ‘Open Media Player’ and can be downloaded easily.
One important question to consider- Is Streamhunter legal? According to the FAQ, “streamhunter.to is one of the leading websites for watching sport streams and does not infringe on copyrights. Our service acts merely as an index of videos that are freely available all over the Internet.”
They don’t host any content themselves so they’re not breaking any laws. However, this is different for each country so it’s best to check your local laws.
Streamhunter.eu is completely free . They only request that you share the website with others once you find a link that works for you (see image). You can also use the Facebook like/share button on the right, or tweet this article on Twitter.
If you do not want to look for working links yourself, they offer a subscription service called ‘ Streamhunter Basic ‘. For €5/month or €50/year you get access to high-quality live and VOD streams. This is much cheaper than other paid services (see comparison table).
Streamhunter Basic offers more than 3 times as many live match events as Firstrow
Firstrowsport is $5.99/month but you can only watch football on your computer and the quality of the videos is low.
Streamhunter Basic costs €5/month and you can watch football, rugby and tennis on any device, including smart TVs and mobile phones.
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I was asked if I knew alternatives to Usagoals and if so, which would I suggest using. So after doing some research, we’ve got more knowledge and here are our suggestions.
Now that the English Premier League has kicked off, you might be looking for sites similar to UsaGoals that can provide you with free HD streams of your favourite teams in action.
If yes, then read this article till the end since in it we have listed some amazing sites which you can bookmark for watching EPL online without any hassle. So if you are an ardent fan of Premier League and want to catch all its games without paying a single penny then keep reading this article till the end.
Amazon Prime is another option to stream sports. For example Stream the AFC Champions League on-demand with Paramount+! View full matches and highlights from the 2021-2022 season featuring the top soccer club teams in Asia.
UsaGoals is one of the best sites like UsaGoals where you can get all the latest EPL videos and match highlights. The site has a decent number of visitors, which means that if you want to watch football online, there’s no better site than this. If you wish to know more about it then below we have listed some points:
Domain: Usagolshd.com
Live Streams: Yes
Mobile Optimized: Yes
Exclusive Live Stream Content: No
Collage Highlights Video Section: Yes
Advertisements: Not very intrusive
Ads Placement: On Homepage and Sidebar
User Interface (UI): Clean and simple design
Comments Section for each video with Ratings Social Media Integration: You can share videos or any other news with your friends on Facebook and Twitter.
Subscription Options: No
UsaGoals is one such site that offers users with the best HD streams of all the games taking place in EPL. The site also provides fans with a chance to chat about their favourite teams and players in its comments section. So if you’re looking for free online streaming sites like UsaGoals then we suggest that you bookmark UsaGoals Shd as well because it’s surely going to be your cup of tea.
So these were some amazing sites like United States Goals which provide HD live sports streaming without showing any ads at all, however, we cannot guarantee that all these sites will work for you as they’re depending on where you are attempting to view from.
This is another alternative of UsaGoals, however it has streams in low quality. So if you are not able to watch live games due to slow data speed then we suggest that you switch back to usagoal once the game commences.
Hope this article was helpful for all the football lovers out there! Don’t forget to share your opinions in the comments section below. Cheers!
So these were some amazing sites like United States Goals which provide HD live sports streaming without showing any ads at all, however we cannot guarantee that all these sites will work for you as they’re depending on where you are attempting to view from.
Next on the list is goATD which is another great site similar to usagoals. The best thing about this website is the design which looks very much like that of UsaGoals, however, you can expect a lot of ads on this site.
Now if you are looking for an alternative that does not have too many ads then we recommend that you switch to lrtvyo.com stream channels as it shows only one ad at the top and delivering HD quality streams with good speed.
Another great alternative of our favorite website Usa Goals is ntvvru as it has high quality streams and very less or no ads at all as well as except for some pop-ups they have a very clean interface.
Next on the list is ukoolive which shows pop-ups ads but has high quality streams and a decent amount of visitors as well. The site also provides users with an option to download any video they want, however, we suggest that you use it at your own risk because downloading copyrighted material can get you into trouble.
Now if you are looking for sites similar to usagoals then come4hd is another great alternative that provides high definition sports streaming with fast speed and reliable servers. However the only con about this website is its low number of visitors which makes it difficult to find the latest football matches live on this site, so we suggest that if possible to watch live games on this site by using proxies in order to maintain anonymity.
Now if you are looking for another alternative to come4hd then we suggest that jtvfo is a great option because it has HD quality streams and very less or no ads at all, however like usagoals it seems that jtvfo also has a low number of visitors which makes it difficult to watch live matches, so in order to solve this problem you can use proxies in order to maintain the anonymity.
Next on the list is kkolli which offers high quality sports streams with unlimited speed but has too many ads and pop-ups, so if you are looking for alternatives to come4hd then better switch to kkolli or jtvfo because it has high quality streams with very less ads.
Next on the list is albvsurf which provides excellent HD streaming with ultra-fast speed, however, it only shows ads at the bottom of the site and has plenty of ads like pop-ups here and there, so we suggest that you use it on your own risk.
Now if you are looking for another alternative to kkolli then we suggest that you switch to usahdtv which has many ads but has fast streaming speed and provides HD streams as well.
Now if you are looking for high-quality live sports streaming with a clear interface then we suggest that you switch to goalstown as it shows ads on the top of the site but has a very clean interface, however, it seems that it only shows soccer matches live.
Next on the list is watchsport which is another great site similar to goals town, it has a clean interface and provides HD quality streams with fast speed but shows ads both at the top of the site as well as throughout the video, so we suggest that you use it on your own risk or you can use proxies in order to maintain the anonymity.
VipBoxTV is the go-to website for sports fans looking to watch their favourite teams play live from around the world! You can enjoy coverage of football matches in Brazil or ice Hockey tournaments right here on our site.
Check to make sure you are legally allowed to watch sport through any of these channels. Depending on where you are watching you may discover you’re not actually permitted to do so, legally. This article is for informational purposes only.
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The Six Nations is back and for all you rugby fans, it’s time to get ready. just to make sure you don’t miss any of the action, our Six Nations TV Coverage guide here, has your back.
If you’re in the States, you’re in luck as NBC Sports will broadcast every match of the 2022 Six Nations in the States. The action will be streamed live on Peacock!
All 15 fixtures will be televised on terrestrial television, and this year they have been shared between RTÉ and Virgin Media. Ireland’s opening match against Wales will be shown on RTÉ 2, with RTÉ also having the game against England on March 12th.
Every game will be aired live on either the BBC or ITV.
The BBC has lost the rights to broadcast France’s home matches in the men’s Six Nations from 2022 but the tournament remains on terrestrial television after a new four-year deal was agreed up to and including 2025. The two broadcasters began sharing the rights for the championship in 2016.
In previous years, the BBC broadcasted all of Scotland, Wales and France’s home matches – with ITV showing those of England, Ireland, and Italy – but from 2022 all matches in Paris will be added to ITV’s coverage.
The Six Nations Tournament is held between six European rugby union teams. It is also known as the 6 Nations or simply – The Six Nations. Since 2000 it has been contested annually by England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland & Wales. The current champions are Wales.
The Six Nations has a tradition dating back to 1882 when the Home Nations Championship was first played. It was then decided that there should be an annual competition involving all of them to keep interest high – hence the Five Nations Championship came into being in 1910! Since 2000 Italy have been added as a permanent fixture with Scotland making up six teams to play each other once over five weekends throughout February and March every year.
The one to watch in 2022 is going to be Scotland who have been in exceptional form recently and will be looking to add another trophy to their cabinet this time around. Could it be the Calcutta Cup or the Six Nations or even both?
ROUND 1
Ireland v Wales, Saturday Feb 5, KO 14:15, Dublin
Scotland v England, Saturday Feb 5, KO 16:45, Edinburgh
France v Italy Feb 6, KO 15:00, Paris
Thoughts; The Calcutta Cup fixture, here we’ll see if England can travel to Murrayfield and tame the Scots. As an Englishman, I’m wanting a win for the visitors but the improvement since last year by Scotland could see them sneak this. It’ll be a close game with 3 points the difference in all probability. France can show their credentials when they beat Italy but by how many points? They’ll either be slow out of the blocks and struggle to dominate Italy or they will hit the ground not just running, but at a spring and steamroll the visiting team.
ROUND 2
Wales v Scotland, Saturday Feb 12, KO 14:15, Cardiff
France v Ireland, Saturday Feb 12, KO 16:45, Paris
Italy v England, Sunday Feb 13, KO 15:00, Rome
Thoughts; England have a chance here to establish themselves and need a convincing win in Rome. Ireland in Paris will hopefully be a test of the home side. Wales Scotland will be a close result, again probably 3-5 points difference at the most.
ROUND 3
Scotland v France, Saturday Feb 26, KO 14:15, Edinburgh
England v Wales, Saturday Feb 26, KO 16:45, Twickenham
Ireland v Italy, Sunday Feb 27, KO 15:00, Dublin
Thoughts; England entertain Wales and can hopefully come out as winners, but this will be a test for the Wales team for sure. Depending on how the Scots have done at home in round 1, France will be a stern test, but either of these 2 teams at this stage, on p[paper, could still be competing for the top spot.
ROUND 4
Wales v France, Friday March 11, KO 20:00, Cardiff
Italy v Scotland, Saturday March 12, KO 14:15, Rome
England v Ireland, Saturday March 12, KO 16:45, Twickenham
Thoughts; Can England upsets the early St Patricks celebrations and how strong will the Wales defence need to be at home against the French? You’d expect Scotland to pick up the win here along with bonus points. Heading into the final round, I’d still expect France to be the top of the pile with hopefully England in a very close second.
The Final Round
Wales v Italy, Saturday March 19, KO 14:15, Cardiff
Ireland v Scotland, Saturday March 19, KO 16:45, Dublin
France v England, Saturday March 19, KO 20:00, Paris
Thoughts. Is the deciding fixture this last one being played in Paris? France v England when the draw was made was the mouthwatering fixture for sure. Pre-tournament these 2 sides are the favourites with little between them. Wales if they beat Italy, might be condemning Italy to a whitewash here. I think Scotland and Ireland are battling for 3rd and 4th place at best here.
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The question is, deserved or not? If you look at the final table, Wales lost just once. Granted they conceded a huge 103 points, but they have also scored a massive 164. They managed 3 bonus points for scoring 4 tries in a game and the only game they lost, they picked up a losing bonus point. In a year where we have seen a lot of red and yellow cards, Wales did what they needed to do and that was to scrape the win in these matches.
Captain Alun Wyn Jones led by example throughout and Wales coach Wayne Pivac showed determination to improve after a really poor 2020. Louis Rees-Zammit has become a sensation, thanks to his speed on the wing and this was in part due to Pivac deciding to play Goerge North in at the centre.
This was the final game of the Six Nations and it lived up to expectations. France who were favourites to win this match, yet still underdogs according to the bookies to lift the title, were at home against Scotland.
With France needing not just to win, but more importantly, the 4 try bonus point and a winning margin of 21 points, this looked set to be a blockbuster of a frantic game.
France went into the half time break with a small lead of 3 points, with just one try scored. At 13-10 the pressure was there to really get the game moving in the second half. Stuart Hogg yellow carded just before the break, didn’t give France any advantage.
French flair in the backs was equalled by Scottish forwards determination to dominate. A wonderful chip and chase gave France an eight-point lead. Scotland pressed and thank to penalties, kept the scores close at 18-13. Then Scottish forwards stepped up a gear, David Cherry, dotted over the line, putting Scotland in the lead, 20-18.
French lock Swan Rebbadj, scored a try to take the lead back 23-20. With less than 10 minutes left Finn Russell was red carded. Unable to take advantage of the extra man, then with French replacement lock, Romain Taofifenua shown a yellow card, meant both sides ended the match with fourteen players. Deep into extra time though Duhan Van Der Merwe went over for his second try of the evening to give Scotland a deserved victory.
Possible Deciding Factors.
France fancied themselves to do the business, the bookies expected them to win against Scotland. So what went wrong?
According to what news reports you read, I’ve seen comments about a quicker turnaround for this international, being one possible reason France didn’t achieve the win. Enforced changes in a couple of positions, with Ntamack starting at 10 and taking over kicking duties. At the end of the day, Scotland deserved their first win in France since 1999.
Maybe had the Premiership clubs refused to release the players for international duty, would this have made a difference?
Scotland kicked 3 conversions from 3, Ntamack managed just 1 from 3, so Matthieu Jalibert was missed in this final fixture.
Johnny Sexton, was the leading point scorer, with 65 points in total.
Scottish winger, Duhan Van Der Merwe took the leading try scorer spot, thanks to 2 in this final game. The English and Welsh wingers, Louis Rees-Zammit and Anthony Watson both had 4 tries apiece.
Wales finished 5th place last year now are in the winners spot. Last seasons winners England did the reverse, going from top spot down to a miserable fifth.
Scotland won in Paris for the first time since 1999 and lifted the Twickenham hoodoo with their first Six Nations victor there in 38 years.
The ongoing debate as to the Lions Tour going ahead, still rages on. What is interesting though is the options for players to make the squad ( should the tour, actually tour ). Scottich back rows Hamish Watson & Jamie Ritchie have surely cemented their claim to a place on the team bus.
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