The East Terrace Predicts Round One of the Six Nations
 |
We know what the rugby will bring this year |
We tell you exactly how the Six Nations will pan out
Click here to read about our new predictions page and how it works...
For Round one of our East Terrace analysis program we utilised the computer software program World Class Rugby.
This program was created by Imagineer for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System and launched in 1993.
Probably the first rugby program for the console market, World Class Rugby’s statistics seem to be based on the 1991 world cup teams, which may be a slight problem for our attempts at accuracy. But we will let this pass. Furthermore, the game has a few flaws when it comes to tackling, rucking, mauls, scrums, lineouts, passing, offside, drop goals, foul laws, realism, ball physics and player position and attributes, but we feel sure this program can predict exactly what will happen in round one of the championship. Computers are brilliant, after all.
England v Wales
England begin our Six Nations computer experiment with a long kick to the Welsh 22. Wales, reply with a long punt downfield where the home side take the game straight to their opponents with a high risk, high tempo passing game.
The first minutes of the game see England running everything, from all positions all over the field. Wales, meanwhile, are kicking away the limited possession they attain.
It is a breathtaking opening as over three minutes play ensues before a single stoppage occurs. The thrust of the play seems to be directed by the second rows and loose head props from both sides. England’s loosehead, Beonard, is the main runner for England. His fast, incisive breaks scatter the Welsh defenders everywhere. However, it is tighthead Probin who almost opens the scoring account with a wonderful forty-yard dash which sees his run end inches short of the line.
In a worrying trend, only forwards seem interested in rucking in World Class Rugby. Some tackle situations see backs actually sprint away from the breakdown and we have to wait three of four seconds for the forwards to arrive and win the ball.
English dominance of possession is rewarded after the game’s first quarter as inside centre Carring, straight from a set piece, waltzes over unopposed for the first try. The conversion is easily added. Moments after the restart Doley, England’s hugely efficient second row, crashes over in the corner after good work from the English pack. The touchline conversion sees the halftime score at 14-0 to the home team.
The second half begins badly for the Welsh as Wales throw an interception from the kick off and only just manage to thwart a third English try. However, from the resultant lineout Wales have their clearance charged down and Hil at scrum half crashes over.
From then on it is English dominance as they add a few more tries; Hil even adding a forty metre drop goal whilst running at full sprint. In reply, the Welsh left wing, Amyren, keeps running off the pitch when no player is near him. Finally, with Wales yards from the English line, the referee blows his whistle despite the ball being in play and Wales crash to a record 43-0 defeat.
England: Wepp, Underwooz, Gascott, Carring, Hesrop, Andlew, Hil, Beonard, More, Probin, Acford, Doley, Winterbot, Teag, Richard
Scorers: Try: Doley, Hil (2), Carring, Winterbot. Conv: Andlew (4). DG: Hil
Wales: Clemet, Evanens, Earring, Hallen, Amyren, Daviece, Jon, Griffiz, Rains, Williamjon, Arslot, Mosoley, Corllin, Robster, Daviece
Ireland v Italy
The Irish start to this game is marred by the left wing, Crowassan, running into touch near his own line seemingly for the fun of it. The East Terrace is strongly beginning to suspect that the World Class Rugby simulation program may not be the most reliable of rugby indicators out there. However, the Italians are unable to convert their chance and Ireland were soon down the opposition end trying to score. ‘Trying’ was the word as the Irish second row, Goldway, decides to not place the ball down after he crosses the line and simply stands there until he is knocked off the pitch. The referee proceeds to award Italy a lineout on their own line, rather than a drop out, and Ireland steal the ball and put scrum half Sanders in under the sticks.
As in the opening fixture of the round, the game is dominated by the looseheads, second rows and inside centres from both teams. So either The East Terrace has hit on a revolutionary change in the way international rugby is played - with the front five controlling the ball in open play and making fifty yards runs - or World Class Rugby is ******* useless.
Finally, in perhaps confirmation of the reliability of World Class Rugby, an Irish second row spends 40 seconds running around the Italian try line refusing to put the ball down. Eventually the referee blows for half time with Ireland leading 7-0.
The second half is incredibly dull, apart from the frequent surging runs and skilful play of Italian number second-row Favalo. Once again players seem reluctant to score as Italy often throw away the ball in touch with no defenders nearby and just yards short of the line. Finally, with seconds remaining, the Irish loosehead Popplegood troubles the scorers with a superb thirty-five yard dash. The conversion means a dull game finishes 14-0.
The Irish win but the digital man of the match is Italian number 5 Favalo.
Ireland: Murty, Genside, Mullian, Cartis, Crowassan, Keyman, Sanders, Popplegood, Smithis, Fitzgerlad, Leniton, Goldway, Hamilan, Matelial, Robinton
Scorers: Try: Popplegood, Sanders. Con: Keyman (2)
Italy: Troyani, Brunelo, Bolden, Balba, Cutitta, Vonomi, Francscat, Gleapsn, Pivett, Rosi, Gloci, Favalo, Giovanneli, Cobi, Zamon
Scotland v France
An apparently nervous Scotland side, making a bundle of early errors almost concede a score as the Scottish left wing, true to the form of round one in our Six Nations, runs off the pitch under no pressure. However, as if on cue, the Scottish second row concedes an early lineout as another left-winger decides to leave the pitch for no reason at all.
Again, as if we are watching a replay of the previous games, the Scottish number 4 takes the ball in his own half and runs a full 60 metres to put Scotland on the score sheet, the kick follows for two points. Not long after the restart the Scottish wing decides to run his support angle off the field and when he is catches the pass he is a full ten yards off the pitch. From the resultant lineout the French number ten goes in straight off quick lineout ball and, for the first time in our opening round of games, both sides are on the score sheet. It is 7-7 at half time.
The Second half begins in a unique display of skills as the Scottish tighthead prop, Aran, loops with scrumhalf Armstlong three times before the prop makes a forty metre break. Sadly the magnificent play ends unrewarded as the prop is tackled inches short of the whitewash and France gratefully clear. Moments later France kick a forty-metre penalty as Scotland make a late tackle off the ball.
It finishes at 10-7 to France.
Digital man of the match: Deveogie (French second row)
Scotland: Gabin, Stenger, Scott, Lineem, Tukaro, Chermers, Armstlong, Soul, Miln, Aran, Gley, Kronini, Turnbill, Jefley, Whyte
France: Bionco, Hontes, Serra, Mesnen, Lagicquet, Camberhero, Sanzet, Lesuba, Marecco, Ondarte, Deveogie, Roumnt, Champon, Cabames, Cecirron
Round One Results
England 43 Wales 0
Ireland 14 Italy 0
Scotland 7 France 10
Potential problems with our computer system
The East Terrace does admit slight concern with the results forecast by the World Class Rugby Super Nintendo programme. We are slightly doubtful that the majority of 80 yard breaks in the first week of the Six Nations will be made from the front row and that the huge booming clearance kicks will come from the second row (as well as the majority of tries). Nevertheless, it is a computer system and computes rarely get things wrong.
So what should you bet on for the opening round of the Six Nations?
The first round of the Six Nations should see a revolution in offensive patterns and tactics with loose head props and second rows dominating the running game and also controlling the midfield kicking tactics. Put your money on the English loosehead and the Irish second rows to be first try scorers in the opening round of games. Hard to see where you could lose your money on this. It might also be worth a bet that the Irish second rows will be the top try scorers. Please feel free to donate portion of any winnings you make to The East Terrace. Similarly, do not expect us to cover any losses you may suffer as a result of this column.
Check back next week to see how The East Terrace fared with betting on some of the predictions we forecast.
If you have any experience with the Super Nintendo World Class Rugby program, please share them with us by emailing webmaster@theeastterrace.com