Firstly, everyone needs England to lose to Wales, who are on a six nations 10-game losing streak which is totally earned. It is almost impossible to think that England will not win the game, collecting all available bonus points on the way.
If England loses - or fails to run up the score on the Welsh - it opens the door for Scotland and Ireland (who are both better than England to be honest).
Ireland can be expected to do roll the Italians. However, Scotland and France play each other. If France wins while collecting bonus points, they’re champions. Anything other than that probably lets in England.
So this is the game to watch. Scotland has a mathematical chance of being champions, while France has a legit chance of being champions. Of course, history is rife with examples of France and Scotland colluding against the English…
The three games are staggered through the day on March 15 on Peacock.
It’s France’s championship to lose. The most points England can secure next weekend is five (four for the win, one for scoring four tries or more). They can’t get the three “Grand Slam” bonus points because they lost to Ireland in the opening round. I assume that a win plus a bonus point will happen.
And I agree that if France beats Scotland, it’ll be without a bonus which would put them level with England at the top of the table. The first tiebreaker, however, is points difference and that goes to France who have an insurmountable lead for all intents and purposes.
Scotland is a very good side, though. It would not surprise me if they beat France. That said, if the French play like they did Saturday, they win.
Speaking of yesterday, the French defense was impressive all match but the opening twenty minutes was a masterclass in absorbing pressure and denying Ireland scoring opportunities. And the opening thirty minutes of the second half was classic Champagne rugby. I don’t know if there’s a better team in the world at attacking space and setting up support runners. It ought to be a hell of a great match at the Stade de France Saturday.
Yamal’s assist on Barcelona’s first goal in today’s Champions League game was amazing: a pinpoint, bending cross through a tiny gap off the outside of his left foot, nicely finished by the onrushing Raphinha.
England knocked off Wales 68-14 and now lead the championship by one point. I think that closes out Scotland, who can no only be a spoiler. France needs a single point to win the title.
France took care of the Scots after a bit of a scare, and are worthy champions. The fact that they didn’t win the Grand Slam will be forever a mystery.
Turning to F1, the lights go out to start the 2025 season shortly in Australia. With McLaren locking out the front row, it’s almost certain that pole-sitta Norris won’t be 1st after the first corner.
Either Piastri will take him or Verstappen and Russell in 3rd and 4th will cause an almighty conflagration. It’s going to be a wet track, so form means nothing, balls mean everything.
I know “it’s Tottenham lads” but it still feels good to beat one of the top 6. And for Sess to get the goal minutes after coming on against the team he left Fulham for, delicious.
Statement F1 win by Norris. Max is the king of driving in the wet, but a combination of a cool head, skill and a notably faster car kept Norris ahead despite numerous safety cars putting Max right back up his arse.
McLaren showed they still haven’t fully rid themselves of the “clusterfuck by committee” approach, but they made the most important decisions correctly, and that’s what counts.
With a late safety car, a drying track, DRS enabled and Verstappen once again artificially allowed to park himself between Norris’ butt cheeks, the radio message from Norris’ race engineer said it all: [paraphrasing] “don’t stress yourself, even with DRS we’re still faster.” That’s a team confident in what everyone has known since the first couple of races last season: they have the best car.
Based on Hamilton’s radio exchanges and Ferrari’s decision to leave him out on slicks when it was pissing down and everyone else switched to inters, he’s going to have to learn a lot of Italian swear words. I know it’s a storied franchise and all, but right now it is an utter clown show.
Leclerc deciding to risk both their races with an utterly meaningless pass on Hamilton late on - that nearly removed his front wing - is not going to help engender a collegiate atmosphere in the Ferrari garage. And getting passed around the outside by the hapless Piastri with only a couple of corners to go just garnished Lewis’ shit sandwich of a weekend.
