By Leipziger
February 3 2009

It's that time of the year again, when Europe's top six rugby countries meet for their annual battle of supremacy, when optimistic Celts insist their countries will do the business and any Englishman who dares make the same claim is immediately accused of arrogance.  

2009's competition begins with England v Italy, so we should at least start with a win before going to champions Wales, who are also engaged in the Taxpayers Six Nations' first ever Friday match.

England's games don't get any easier with a second trip to Croke Park following a victory at home to the Irish last season, a rare event since 2003, and a home clash with France which for some of us will be a side-show after the real business of Falcons v Harlequins. Scotland will also be keen to win at Twickenham too, and will draw belief from their Calcutta Cup win at Murrayfield last spring.

One thing is for certain though, tough fixtures or not, the autumn's results mean Martin Johnson's honeymoon period is over and he needs to start getting results. He couldn't ask for a better opportunity than this Saturday's game.

2009 Six Nations fixtures:

Saturday 7 February

England v Italy 3pm

Ireland v France 5pm

Sunday 8 February

Scotland v Wales, 3pm

Saturday 14 February

France v Scotland, 3pm

Wales v England, 5.30pm

Sunday 15 February

Italy v Ireland, 2.30pm

Friday 27 February

France v Wales, 8pm

Saturday 28 February

Scotland v England, 3pm

Ireland v England, 5.30pm

Saturday 14 March

Italy v Wales, 3pm

Scotland v Ireland, 5pm

Sunday 15 March

England v France, 3pm

Saturday 21 March

Italy v France, 1.15pm

England v Scotland, 3.30pm

Wales v Ireland, 5.30pm

Six Nations 2009

Discussion started by FalconsRugby.org.uk , 03/02/2009 17:45

FalconsRugby.org.uk
03/02/2009 17:45

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steve1888
03/02/2009 18:28

I think we're pushing it a bit on the 28th mind

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TouchLine
03/02/2009 19:17

How daft is France v Wales at 8pm on a friday night.

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Leipziger
03/02/2009 19:20

I think England playing two games on February 28th is most daft. Oops!

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steve1888
03/02/2009 19:21

Not all - I enjoyed Friday night games in Paris at the world - people even took photos

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anneke
03/02/2009 19:48

evening games are better. No work, no groceries, no kids just a clubhouse full of rugbylovers

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TouchLine
03/02/2009 19:54

Can't imagine the Corporates being very happy

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DGNTR
04/02/2009 20:00

What's groceries got to do with it?

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anneke
04/02/2009 20:57

to eat you have to get groceries and that is what i usually do on a saturdayafternoon

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DGNTR
04/02/2009 21:05

So shop on a different day when the rugby isn't on.

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TouchLine
04/02/2009 21:06

That's male logic Dodgy. Women don't think like that.

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DGNTR
04/02/2009 21:13

Clearly.

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TouchLine
04/02/2009 21:40

They don't think like that either.

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anneke
05/02/2009 07:30

Dear D and T, we women have to work too so haven't got all the time in the world to go to the shops to get the food men like to eat. I hope that is clear enough for you.

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Leipziger
05/02/2009 08:07

Does it take longer to get the food men like to eat than the food women like to eat?

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TouchLine
05/02/2009 10:13

Order online and Tesco deliver at a prearranged time when you're in.

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TouchLine
05/02/2009 11:20

Care out, Ellis in

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maccafan
05/02/2009 13:46

Fascinating team selections by Italy and Scotland.Players out of position galore.What is it with Rugby and poofball at the moment,they both have examples of this nutty team selection thingy.The Master loves it.

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Merula
05/02/2009 13:57

I know. I used to really like Frank Hadden but we have the most reliable kicker in the worls and where does he put him - on the bench

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TouchLine
05/02/2009 14:02

Reliable, but only inside 35m! He never goes for the length of kicks that most international kickers take routinely.

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Rugby Rose
05/02/2009 14:11

Quote:

Leipziger
Does it take longer to get the food men like to eat than the food women like to eat?

No we are very quick - the chocolate aisle can be cleared in milleseconds -

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anneke
05/02/2009 18:53

don't forget the ice-cream

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Mally
05/02/2009 19:06

And a pork pie from the deli counter...

Great opening paragraph btw Leipy...

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DGNTR
05/02/2009 23:55

Anneke, you're wrong.

Mrs DGNTR is a full-time housewife and mother, has been for 16 years.

She can go shopping any time she likes.

Just goes to show, some folk have got all the time in the world to shop.

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anneke
06/02/2009 10:51

D, maybe she can but i can't

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westand
06/02/2009 15:51

I would go shopping with any of the Twelve of the best in this Light hearted expose---- No smut here.

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anneke
06/02/2009 18:25

bet you would, but if a certain rugbyplayer would take me shopping i would leave work and never come back

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Mally
06/02/2009 18:36

If a certain rugby player was prepared to spend the afternoon with me I can think of better things to do than shopping!!!

And yes that's me lowering the tone again!!!

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Dr. B.
06/02/2009 18:39

How is getting him to do your marking classed as lowering the tone?

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DGNTR
06/02/2009 18:43

Depends how good the work is

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Mally
06/02/2009 18:53

Nice one Doc...

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anneke
06/02/2009 20:28

Mally, miles ahead of me as usual

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