England/Scotland by the Silver Rhondda Fox

It looks as if Brian Ashton is not the only one trying something a bit different this weekend. This is my first ever Blog entry – ever! See how far Mrs. Evans’ boy has come from the Valleys!!

Anyway, the former bath boss is known as an attacking coach but looking at the team he has picked for this weekend it doesn’t look as is he is going to be getting the juggernauts of the Northern Hemisphere throwing the ball around as if it is on fire. Corry is looking in good form after having the captaincy taken off him. Glad Grewcock is in as there is man who likes to take 10 minutes off, usually in the second half for a breather

While the selection of Wilkinson and Farrell have caused a few eyebrows to be raies especially as the veteran Johnny has not really played much in the way of tiddlywinks let alone rugby in the last few years, you cannot deny that there is a quality to the English backs that was lacking under Robinson. Corry is looking in good form after having the captaincy taken off him. Glad Grewcock is in as there is man who likes to take 10 minutes off, usually in the second half for a breather.

England certainly have what appears to be an easy draw to start with (Scotland then Italy) and if the players carry their Heineken cup form into this competition they will be in with a shout of the Championship but not I think of the Grand Slam, Ireland are still my hot favourites.

Scotland on the other hand, have been showing signs of improvement over the last couple of months. This game last year had a couple of lucky factors for the Scottish:

A home game for Scotland
Very bad conditions
The worst England team in a long time.

The Scottish fans are looking forward to the weekend but more in hope than expectation.
Let’s hope that Hadden’s selection of Paterson at 10 doesn’t happen in the last ten minutes of the game when the English are 30 points ahead and out of sight and there is my prediction for the weekend. The English pack will be too strong for the Scots and the English backs will have and easy opener for the tournament.