That time of year again.

I don't think there will be a grand slam winner this year, no one is good enough IMO to put together 5 wins on the trot.

Ireland have what I'd call the easiest set of fixtures in that they're playing the toughest teams (France and England) at home.

My prediction for England...

They'll scrape past Scotland this weekend, lose away to Ireland and then 'come good' and win every other game.

Overall winner will come down to points difference and will be a close one between England, Ireland and France.

I also hope Wales can improve on an abysmal Autumn series.

I don't

England to win the Grand Slam.

You may well be right John. They seem to have a good spirit about them at the moment.

I am interested to see how Scotland get on,i thought some improvment in the autum tests.

Wales can only improve, and Italy seem to be enjoying the sense of the unknown by the other teams.

So what of France ? Strong finishers in thier team so the other teams need to keep the ball.

Lets hope Ireland play to thier full potential and thrash the rest ! ( well i can dream anyway)

It will be interesting to see who comes last as well. Italy are no longer the whipping boys they once were and are a real threat to scotland and others if they are not on their game.

Interesting. I'm going with...

England (on points)
France
Ireland
Wales
Italy
Scotland

...but I wouldn't bet on it.

Roll on Saturday

Oh dear Wales, early doors but it doesnt look good. Come on Ireland.

Close game

Eating my words now!! Great come back by the Taffs!

Indeed. But have they left it too late. Getting interesting.

I think thats a fair result. Great comeback effort but left far too late.

Come on England

Fantastic start to this year's jamboree! Follow that England.

There was a time when the giant slow-moving lads in white would get run ragged by the nimble Scots especially when cast as underdogs but recent years the latter have committed too many unforced errors to allow themselves in the frame.

Let's see how Aussie Scott Johnston motivates the boys in blue!

I think it should be mandatory that each team has a flagship name, Wales have 0.5penny and England have 12trees....

How long was it going to be before Andrew Cotter commented that 12trees was felled

Well it's a good game to watch!

Nice try.

Just wish league got the folowing of union, its so much quicker. Takes me ages to get into Six nations rugby...

But without getting drawn into a long OT debate, League is fast but doesn't have the depth of interest because it's a simpler game. I enjoy watching the odd game but it just can't sustain my interest.

Well it's easier to go more quickly when you don't have to think about skill or tactics.

League is to rugby what Nascar is to motor racing.

Think its because I played it for so long...
Anyway, England are being flattered by the score line! Good to see some real work coming from both teams.

Agreed. It doesnt have the depth of play union has still better that football though

I dont think England are being flattered. It pretty much matches both the posession and scoring oppertunities. It is great to see scotland with some fire it their belly though.

League has less rules that slow it down, the skills are the same the only difference until recently was u could be fat and useless and slow but still appear in a union side....
These days union players make good runssl, mauls move quicker and its a much better flowing game to watch.
I enjoy both suits - and have played both - so know how they both work

I was kidding about the skill and tactics comment.

But you're right, it's a much simpler game. A bit too simple for me to be honest. Whenever I've played it it's seemed to be more about who's the biggest/quickest/strongest rather than the technically better.

What I like about union is that there's a position for everyone. Short and quick? Get on the wing. Short and stocky? Front row for you. Etc.

England are doing what they need to at the moment. They look a bit rusty in that there are too many simple errors but they were never going to lose this game.

Yeah if youre heavy and quick youre onto a winner, but you do need to beable to step or youre screwed. One cross over rule I like on league is 1-1 ball stealing, means you have to have support. Guess its half way to auzzie rules!
Loving the last 5 minutes, both teams showing real fitness! Some big hits going in!

What a great game. Scotland showed far more spirit that Wales did against Ireland. There weren't many points given away easily by eaither side

Lets hope tomorrows match is equally competative.

It should be, italy are a big side so they never get put down easily

Two good games today. Ireland will have to play well for the full 80 minutes just to stay with England next week.
Great to see BOD playing well.

Italy could upset the French,but i think not. But stranger things have happened.

Scotland looked very good at times,lets hope we see the improvment built on.

I was only listing to the TV in the other room as I was servicing my MTB forks but Wales played better in the second half and Scotland are improving. They can certainly capitalise on the smallest error, good bits of speed. Wales, what has gone wrong I really like O'Driscole. He really seems like a Gent in interviews and always looked like a general as the captain. Good to see him score a try.

I was very happy to see how solid England became. The early points to Scotland were pretty shabby from England though. Scotland played with good heart.

I was out last night at a charity dinner in Inverness - very little rugby talk despite a huge amount of sports memorabilia being auctioned

Jersey signed by Chris Hoy, Steve Redgrave and Bradley Wiggins (the 3 Sirs) anyone? You'd have had to have had deep pockets - it went for £3000 but the guy who bought it was prepared to pay anything (and, apparently, as a co-creator of Grand Theft Auto, he could afford to)