Brent Pope - Six Nations Preview
Friday, 12 March 2010
Brent Pope
New Zealand born rugby player, coach and TV commentator Brent Pope played rugby with top New Zealand side Otago University before finally settling in Ireland in 1991 and lining out for three seasons with St Marys RFC. Later Brent coached Clontarf RFC for two seasons, leading them to promotion to Division One of the AIL. Brent has worked as a TV rugby pundit for nine years and can regularly be seen on RTE with George Hook & Tom McGurk. Brent is also a children's author having published his fourth children's book, Arnold the Anteater last Christmas the proceeds of which went to Children's Hospice Homecare.
We will be discussing Ireland's chances against Wales, which takes place on Saturday in Croke Park at 2:30pm!
RBS 6 Nations Championship 2010 Fixture Schedule
Saturday 6 February
14:30 - Ireland v Italy
17:00 - England v Wales
Sunday 7 February
15:00 - Scotland v France
Saturday 13 February
14:00 - Wales v Scotland
16:30 (17:30 local) - France v Ireland
Sunday 14 February
14.30 (15:30 local) - Italy v England
Friday 26 February
20:00 - Wales v France
Saturday 27 February
13:30 (14:30 local) - Italy v Scotland
16:00 - England v Ireland
Saturday 13 March
14:30 - Ireland v Wales
17:00 - Scotland v England
Sunday 14 March
14:30 (15.30 local) - France v Italy
Saturday 20 March
14:30 - Wales v Italy
17:00 - Ireland v Scotland
19:45 (20:45 local) - France v England
Results so far
Sat 6th Feb 10 14:30 Ireland 29 - 11 Italy Croke Park
Sat 6th Feb 10 17:00 England 30 - 17 Wales Twickenham
Sun 7th Feb 10 15:00 Scotland 9 - 18 France Murrayfield
Sat 13th Feb 10 14:00 Wales 31 - 24 Scotland Millennium Stadium
Sat 13th Feb 10 16:30 France 33 - 10 Ireland Stade de France
Sun 14th Feb 10 14:30 Italy 12 - 17 England Stadio Flaminio
Fri 26th Feb 10 20:00 Wales 20 - 26 France Millennium Stadium
Sat 27th Feb 10 13:30 Italy 16 - 12 Scotland Stadio Flaminio
Sat 27th Feb 10 16:00 England 16 - 20 Ireland Twickenham
Team P W D L F A P T S
1 France 3 3 0 0 7 7 3 9 6
2 England 3 2 0 1 6 3 4 9 4
3 Ireland 3 2 0 1 5 9 6 0 4
4 Wales 3 1 0 2 6 8 8 0 2
5 Italy 3 1 0 2 3 9 5 8 2
6 Scotland 3 0 0 3 4 5 6 5 0
Questions for Brent:
What were your thoughts on the last day in Twickenham?
Brilliant, the manner in which Ireland dug in for the last ten minutes with O'Driscoll off, the last minute try and then holding on, real team spirit and a will to win.
How does it leave you feeling about Wales in Croke Park this weekend?
Confident, Wales are missing a good few players with injury, especially in the forwards, but they are one team Ireland has not beaten in Croke Park.
Wales have had a lot of injuries, are we playing them at a good time?
Yes, although they are desperate to start a gamed well and win, they will be fighting tooth and nail, more so with Gatland on board.
How should we play against Wales?
Who are the players to really watch out for on the Wales team? (2 maybe 3) Jamie Roberts the centre is world class, as proved on the Lions tour as is no 7 Martyn Williams, the best No 7 in Europe. Also the new kid Delve at No 8, I am impressed with him, he is unheard of but a good ball carrier.
Which Irish player(s) do we need to really perform?
Murphy must back up his great performance from last week and the scrum needs to be solid again
You're 3-0 in our predictions stake! This week's prediction?
Ireland by 10-12 points I am going for 22-12 Ireland
Your fantasy league team continues to climb, you're now our highest rated contributor! Can you push for the crown?
I don't think so, I mucked up at the start when many of my key players were injured, but I am still in there