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6 Nations Round 2 Accumulator

O'Crampeasy — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:03:41 +0000

After the roaring success of last weeks accumulator I thought it only proper to undo that good work by offering a second. Admittedly there maybe many of you that feel my selection on the France Vs Ireland game is… hopeful. I’d agree, I’d also say its Friday afternoon why not be hopeful!. Here you go;

The Six Nations Wales v Scotland
12-02-2012 15:00
Alternative Handicap
Scotland (+9.0) @ 5/4

The Six Nations France v Ireland
11-02-2012 20:00
Alternative Handicap
Ireland (+6.0) @ 13/10

The Six Nations Italy v England
11-02-2012 16:00
Alternative Handicap
England (-10.0) @ 13/10

Alright for 11/1 I’d hope you would agree. Good Luck!!

Ireland Team to play France Announced

O'Crampeasy — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:41:09 +0000

The biggest news being Earls returns to the starting line up with McFadden dropping to the bench. Hopefully this should lead to a bit more defensive cohesion in midfield, then again, its not like Keith Earls is world renowned for his defence. Could be a very long afternoon in Paris

15 – Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster)
14 – Tommy Bowe (Ospreys)
13 – Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster)
12 – Gordon D’Arcy (Lansdowne/Leinster)
11 – Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster)
10 – Jonathan Sexton (St. Mary’s College/Leinster)
9 – Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster)

1 – Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster)
2 – Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster)
3 – Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster)
4 – Donncha O’Callaghan (Cork Constitution/Munster)
5 – Paul O’Connell (Young Munster/Munster) Captain
6 – Stephen Ferris (Dungannon/Ulster)
7 – Sean O’Brien (Clontarf/Leinster)
8 – Jamie Heaslip (Naas/Leinster)

Replacements:
16 – Sean Cronin (St. Mary’s College/Leinster)
17 – Tom Court (Malone/Ulster)
18 – Donnacha Ryan (Shannon/Munster)
19 – Peter O’Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster)*
20 – Eoin Reddan (Lansdowne/Leinster)
21 – Ronan O’Gara (Cork Constitution/Munster)
22 – Fergus McFadden (Old Belvedere/Leinster)

France Team to face Ireland Announced

O'Crampeasy — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:22:15 +0000

The French have named their side to face Ireland on the weekend. There are four changes in the forwards yet the backline, ominously, remains unchanged. Most notable of the changes being Harinordoquy who comes onto the flank to form what looks like a serious back row combination.

This and the backline that really started to show promise in the second half of the Italian game, could leave Ireland leaving Paris in sombre mood.

15-Maxime Medard, 14-Vincent Clerc, 13-Aurelien Rougerie, 12-Wesley Fofana, 11-Julien Malzieu, 10-Francois Trinh-Duc, 9-Dimitri Yachvili, 8-Louis Picamoles, 7-Imanol Harinordoquy, 6-Thierry Dusautoir (captain), 5-Yoann Maestri, 4-Pascal Pape, 3-Nicolas Mas, 2-Dimitri Szarzewski, 1-Jean-Baptiste Poux.

Replacements: 16-William Servat, 17- Vincent Debaty, 18-Lionel Nallet, 19-Julien Bonnaire, 20-Morgan Parra, 21-Lionel Beauxis, 22-Maxime Mermoz

6 Nations Opening Weekend Accumulator

O'Crampeasy — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:28:38 +0000

As if reliving centuries old rivalries wasn’t fun enough, you can of course make the victories that little bit sweeter and defeat a little easier to bear, with taking a few quid off the bookies

Paddy Power are offering a fairly ‘generous’ 2/1 on the three favourites France, England and Scotland to get the result.

If you fancy a bit more value for your money why not have a go on the points handicap. For those of you thinking… What is a points handicap? this explanation should help

For those of you who aren’t Paddy Power are offering this little gem at 8/1;

Italy +21

England -2

Wales +5

For those of you, like myself, are looking upon this weekends rugby as you might look upon this evenings lottery draw might fancy the following, Paddy Power are offering 227/1 on this selection of (fairly unlikely) outcomes;

The Six Nations Scotland v England
04-02-2012 17:00
Alternative Handicap
Scotland (-1.0) @ 7/5

The Six Nations France v Italy
04-02-2012 14:30
Alternative Handicap
Italy (+12.0) @ 21/10

U20 International Matches France U20 v Italy U20
03-02-2012 19:45
Handicap Betting
France U20 (-28.0) @ 10/11

U20 International Matches Scotland U20 v England U20
03-02-2012 19:30
Handicap Betting
Scotland U20 (+22.0) @ 10/11

International Matches Scotland A v England Saxons
03-02-2012 19:30
Handicap Betting
England Saxons (-5.0) @ 10/11

U20 International Matches Ireland U20 v Wales U20
03-02-2012 19:05
Handicap Betting
Wales U20 (+7.0) @ 10/11

The Six Nations Ireland v Wales
05-02-2012 15:00
Alternative Handicap
Ireland (-8.0) @ 13/10

Be quick though, two of those games kick off in half an hour, good luck!

Wales Team to face Ireland Announced

O'Crampeasy — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:00:30 +0000

Just a quickie, here it is:

15 Leigh HALFPENNY, 14 Alex CUTHBERT, 13 Jonathan DAVIES,12 Jamie ROBERTS, 11 George NORTH, 10 Rhys PRIESTLAND, 9 Mike PHILLIPS

1 Rhys GILL, 2 Huw BENNETT, 3 Adam JONES, 4 Bradley DAVIES, 5 Ian EVANS, 6 Ryan JONES, 7 Sam WARBURTON ©, 8 Toby FALETAU

Reps: OWENS, JAMES, POWELL, TIPURIC, WILLIAMS, WILLIAMS

England side to Face Scotland, bit boring really

O'Crampeasy — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:49:35 +0000

So the brave new world of English rugby announces itself to the world with a bit of a damp squib. Charlie Hodgson at Fly-Half I’ve just seen described by Matt Dawson as “One of the best fly-halves England have had”. Which must count as some major disservice to all others who have donned the jersey.

Excitingly though, they’ve gone for a debut in the back row, some youth and exuberance no doubt? No the 30 year old Phil Dowson makes an appearance. He gets in, as Stuart Lancaster describes it, because “He deserves it” which “is a big thing for me” apparently. Shame Declan Kidney goes on things like talent and ability, otherwise I’d be dusting off my boots and trying reeeaaally reeaaally hard, until I deserved it too.

Team in full;

Ben Foden; Chris Ashton; Brad Barritt, Owen Farrell, David Strettle; Charlie Hodgson; Ben Youngs; Alex Corbisiero, Dylan Hartley, Dan Cole; Mouritz Botha, Tom Palmer; Tom Croft, Chris Robshaw (captain), Phil Dowson.

Replacements: Rob Webber, Matt Stevens, Geoff Parling, Ben Morgan, Lee Dickson, Jordan Turner-Hall, Mike Brown.

Ireland Team to face Wales Announced

O'Crampeasy — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:08:30 +0000

Declan Kidney has announced his side to face Wales on Sunday with few surprises. Keith Earls attempts the impossible, replacing O’Driscoll at 13 and Andrew Trimble makes it onto the left wing. Conor Murray faces a horrible 6 Nations debut up against his doppelganger Mike Phillips. Peter O’Mahony is likely to get a debut from the bench.

Team in full;

15 - Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster)
14 - Tommy Bowe (Ospreys)
13 - Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster)
12 - Gordon D’Arcy (Lansdowne/Leinster)
11 - Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster)
10 - Jonathan Sexton (St. Mary’s College/Leinster)
9 - Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster)
1 - Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster)
2 - Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster)
3 - Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster)
4 - Donncha O’Callaghan (Cork Constitution/Munster)
5 - Paul O’Connell (Young Munster/Munster) (capt)
6 - Stephen Ferris (Dungannon/Ulster)
7 - Sean O’Brien (Clontarf/Leinster)
8 - Jamie Heaslip (Naas/Leinster)

Replacements:

16 - Sean Cronin (St. Mary’s College/Leinster)
17 - Tom Court (Malone/Ulster)
18 - Donnacha Ryan (Shannon/Munster)
19 - Peter O’Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster) *
20 - Eoin Reddan (Lansdowne/Leinster)
21 - Ronan O’Gara (Cork Constitution/Munster)
22 - Fergus McFadden (Old Belvedere/Leinster)

The Six Nations is Back

O'Crampeasy — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:18:27 +0000

Its back. So is this blog. And Robinson has named his squad, 5 changes to the side that met England in the World Cup, thanks to a few injuries and the fact that Chris Patterson has finally retired. Come on Scotland!!

Team as follows;

Scotland team:

15-Rory Lamont, 14-Lee Jones, 13-Nick De Luca, 12-Sean Lamont, 11-Max Evans, 10-Dan Parks, 9-Chris Cusiter; 8-David Denton, 7-Ross Rennie, 6-Alasdair Strokosch, 5-Jim Hamilton, 4-Richie Gray, 3-Euan Murray, 2-Ross Ford (captain) 1-Allan Jacobsen.

Replacements: 16-Scott Lawson, 17-Geoff Cross, 18-Alastair Kellock, 19-John Barclay, 20-Mike Blair, 21-Greig Laidlaw, 22-Graeme Morrison.

RWC2011 Wales Vs France, Teams, Thoughts and a Tip

O'Crampeasy — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 14:16:11 +0000

I’ve just managed to open my eyes following Irelands defeat last weekend and what do I see? I see two beefy semi-finals heading right this way. Yes Ireland lost. Yes the early mornings have ruined me. It’s been great though hasn’t it? England getting knocked out (had to say it) and some great rugby all round has made it a fantastic tournament. with 4 great games to come starting with Wales V France. The only thing missing is an Andy Powell moment but I suppose there is still time.

Whilst doing a bit of research for this post I came across a headline announcing Yachvilli as a doubt for the French. For me this turned a tight game into a nailed on win for Wales. However, the next headline I read tells me that Preistland is out for Wales and has been replaced by James Hook. For me this tips the balance in the other direction. Living in Wales, I know alot about James Hook, mercurial talent, blah de blah de blah de blah. Undoubtedly, he is a talent, but he is also in his late twenties, weak in defence and positionless. There, I said it. Now that’s out of the way, here are the teams:

Wales: Leigh Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues); George North (Scarlets), Jonathan Davies (Scarlets), Jamie Roberts (Cardiff Blues), Shane Williams (Ospreys); James Hook (Perpignan), Mike Phillips (Bayonne); Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Huw Bennett (Ospreys), Adam Jones (Ospreys), Luke Charteris (Dragons), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Dan Lydiate (Dragons) Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues, capt), Toby Faletau (Dragons).

Replacements: Lloyd Burns (Dragons), Paul James (Ospreys), Bradley Davies (Cardiff Blues), Ryan Jones (Ospreys), Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues), Stephen Jones (Scarlets), Scott Williams (Scarlets).

France: Maxime Medard; Vincent Clerc, Aurelien Rougerie, Maxime Mermoz, Alexis Palisson; Morgan Parra, Dimitri Yachvili; Jean-Baptiste Poux, William Servat, Nicolas Mas, Pascal Pape, Lionel Nallet, Thierry Dusautoir (capt), Julien Bonnaire, Imanol Harinordoquy.

Replacements (from): Dimitri Szarzewski, Fabien Barcella, Julien Pierre, Louis Picamoles, Francois Trinh-Duc, David Marty, Cedric Heymans, Fulgence Ouedraogo, Jean-Marc Doussain.

Oh and the tip? Though I firmly believe that James Hook will go along way to losing this game for Wales, I still feel the rest of the side have enough to match the French. The one thing I’m absolutely certain of is that Vincent Clerc will score. Which is a healthy 5/2 over here.

Ireland Name Team for the RWC2011 Quarter-Final.

O'Crampeasy — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 07:47:43 +0000

Well if last weekend was a big weekend for both Wales and Ireland this weekend dwarves it in comparison. These two sides have produced some incredibly close Six Nation encounters and I can’t imagine there are too many of us who are expecting anything different. Ireland may have got all of the coverage for their win to Australia, yet if Wayne Barnes had felt the TMO worth the money he was being paid then Wales would have turned over the South Africans.

They didn’t though did they. So we have our mouth drowning contest for Saturday. For which Ireland have named their team, no great surprises, Rory Best faces a last fitness test and Kidney has gone for O’Gara and Murray as halfbacks. Team in full:

Ireland: R Kearney (Leinster); T Bowe (Ospreys), B O’Driscoll (Leinster, capt), G D’Arcy (Leinster), K Earls (Munster); R O’Gara (Munster), C Murray (Munster); C Healy (Leinster), R Best (Ulster) or S Cronin (Leinster), M Ross (Leinster), D O’Callaghan (Munster), P O’Connell (Munster), S Ferris (Ulster), S O’Brien (Leinster), J Heaslip (Leinster). Replacements: S Cronin (Leinster) or D Varley (Munster), T Court (Ulster), D Ryan (Munster), D Leamy (Munster), E Reddan (Leinster), J Sexton (Leinster), A Trimble (Ulster).

The clocks are ticking, there will be some incredible match ups on the day, not least the Hadron Collider of a battle between back rows. Thankfully though, for those of us with an Irish persuasion, we have ROG on our side. Remember This: