barrys final blog 24-2-17

This will be my final blog at least for now on this platform as I don’t really know if anyone is reading at the moment. If any of you are still reading this I thank you as there is no way for you to get into contact with me about anything as I do not respond to any mail as I am not completely sure how it works. If anyone wants to give me their Email so I can pass in into my system for mailing sports or tv reports  then you can. I hope that people are reading and I hope to hear from you

With Love

Barry Jordan 

18-2-17 PRO 12

SATURDAY

CONNACHT 14-9 DRAGONS

BLADE TRY SECURES DISAPPOINTING CONNACT WIN

The Irish hosts led 14-0 after as many minutes thanks to converted tries from Tiernan O'Halloran and Caolin Blade.

Angus O'Brien's penalty cut the lead to 11 points at the close of the first half at the Sportground.

O'Brien landed two more penalties to set up a tense but scoreless finish as Connacht held firm for victory.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/39007517

This was a bit of a damp squid of a match as Connacht showed that they can win matches like this when they are needed and showed as well that they are improving week on week and I think that Connacht could make a push for a European place

OSPREYS 23-25 MUNSTER

KILLCOYNE TRY WINS MATCH FOR MUNSTER

Captain Tyler Bleyendaal opened the scoring for Munster with a penalty before a superb opening try from wing Hanno Dirksen following impressive build-up work from back-rowers Sam Underhill and James King.

New Zealand centre Kieron Fonotia side-stepped his way to the try line before his midfield partner Ashley Beck had a try disallowed because of a forward pass.

Davies and Bleyendaal exchanged penalties before Munster scored through number eight Jack O'Donoghue from a well-worked lineout move while centre Francis Saili wriggled over the Ospreys line.

Bleyendaal kicked the extras as the Ospreys led by just two points at the interval in a first-half they dominated.

In the second half, Beck had another try disallowed in the right-hand corner following the decision which was referred to Italian television match official Stefano Penne, with no action taken against a challenge from Saili.

Davies kicked his third penalty of the match but Munster responded and were denied a try for captain Bleyendaal by another TMO decision.

The Irish province piled on the pressure and were rewarded when prop Dave Kilcoyne powered over in the 78th minute to draw the scores level, before Bleyendaal kicked the winning conversion.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/38972750

Munster found this to be a tricky tie and found a way to win this is going to be something that will be needed in the next few weeks as they go to the European Champions cup. I think that the Ospreys can definitely can learn for next season and will improve

ULSTER 37-17 GLASGOW

STOCKDALE DOUBLE HELPS ULSTER GET BONUS POINT

Tries by winger Tommy Bowe and flanker Sean Reidy helped Ulster forge a 15-0 lead before Brandon Thomson touched down for Glasgow just before half-time.

Ulster went 30-5 up with fine tries by Ruan Pienaar and Jacob Stockdale.

Glasgow threatened a comeback when Scott Cummings scored two tries but replacement Stockdale broke through for his second try to make sure of the win.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/39005251

This is a win for Ulster that keeps them in touch for the play offs and means as well that Glasgow might have problems securing their European place as they sit in 6^th position why do I say that this gives Ulster a boost this is because their next 3 ties are Italian

17-2-17 PRO 12

FRIDAY

SCARLETS 42-7 ZEBRE

PRICE GETS SCARLET'S VITAL BONUS POINT

Steff Evans, Aaron Shingler and Tom Williams claimed first-half tries with Tom Price, Will Boyde and a penalty try following after the break.

Mattia Bellini claimed Zebre's touchdown early in the match.

Fly-half Dan Jones was on target five times and Aled Thomas once as all six Scarlets tries were converted.

Evans was playing for the first time in four weeks after being released from the Wales Six Nations squad and caught the eye with a number of jinking runs.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/38971070

This was a win for the Scarlet's that was expected by many but few felt it could not happen as this was an Italian side and they are not well known for competing against big teams.

LEINSTER 39-10 EDINBURGH

BARRY DALY BECOMES EMERGING TALENT FOR LEINSTER

Winger Barry Daly and fly-half Joey Carbery scored two tries each for the victors, who have reaped 19 points from their last four Pro12 matches.

Flanker Dan Leavy and hooker Bryan Byrne got further tries for Leinster.

Fly-half Duncan Weir scored all of Edinburgh's points, including a well-taken 70th-minute try.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/39011067

Leinster can show that this is a win that they should be getting every week and are showing why they are the best team in the league both for developing talent and for putting out performances when few see it as possible

SATURDAY

BLUES 57-20 TREVISO

DACEY SHOW THAT THEY ARE STILL LEAGUES APART

Nick Williams, Blaine Scully, Sion Bennett, Kris Dacey, Willis Halaholo and man-of-the-match Matthew Morgan scored the other home tries.

Meanwhile, Ian McKinley and Angelo Esposito both crossed for Treviso.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/39002975

This was a routine win for Cardiff Blues as they showed why they are the strongest team in the league at the moment and are showing that there is a sense that they are getting ready for something but little can be learned from Italian sides 

17-2-17 pro 12 predictions

FRIDAY

LEINSTER V EDINBURGH

Leinster I think will have too much strength in depth for this match to be considered even a challenge and I think that they will find it easy to get the bonus point win deed to keep their season on track especially with having a few internationals back

SCARLET'S V ZEBRE

Italian sides still have to learn week on week and I am not sure how or when this will happen I see this as a bonus point win for the welsh side

SATURDAY

BLUES V TREVISO

I don’t think that the Blues will find it easy to get the bonus point here but I think that they will as it will not be easy and it might take until the last 10 minutes for them to win

ULSTER V GLASGOW

This I think will be a battle that will be won by one poor decision and I think that Ulster will get the win as the players they are getting back are top quality

OSPREYS V MUNSTER

This will be a lot closer than people think and I personally see a win here for the Ospreys as I do not think that the Munster team will settle back as well

CONNACHT V DRAGONS

I think that because Connacht need this win they will not get it 

6 NATIONS 13-2-17

SATURDAY

ITALY 10-63 IRELAND

GILROY AND STANDER HAT TRICKS SHOW WHAT IRELAND CAN DO

Scrum domination helped the Irish take immediate control with the bonus point secured by the 35th minute as Stander and Keith Earls both notched two tries.

Italy scored a first-half penalty try but for the most part was outclassed.

After Stander completed his hat-trick on 46, replacement Gilroy repeated the feat with Garry Ringrose also scoring.

South African-born Stander's third try meant he became the first Ireland player to score a Six Nations hat-trick since Brian O'Driscoll achieved the feat against Scotland in 2002.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/38911558

Ireland were the first team to get a losing bonus point and the first team to get a try bonus point which makes me think their might be something a little bit weird with the Irish this year but I am not sure if they have the potential to win the 6 nations

WALES 16-21 ENGLAND

DALEY LAST MINUTE TRY SAVES DAY FOR ENGLAND

Liam Williams' slicing first-half try and 11 points from the boot of Leigh Halfpenny looked to have sealed a merited home triumph, the Principality Stadium awash in song and celebration.

Defending Six Nations champions England had led through Ben Youngs' early try but were then bullied for much of a pulsating contest, their callow back row outmuscled and their attack imprecise.

But Owen Farrell's penalties kept them within two points and with time running out his long flat pass put Daly away down the left to escape Alex Cuthbert's despairing tackle and dive over in the corner.

It was a poor clearing kick from Jonathan Davies that gifted England that final chance, and Wales will be left ruing that lapse, just as the visiting supporters celebrated it with glee.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/38920444

England have shown in this match when things go against them they know what is needed in order to win a match as they seem to be the best in the world at the moment. Wales will be gutted as for a lot of this match they lead but the break and until the last 5 minutes they lead and Wales will have hope of finishing in second now after what happened 

SUNDAY

FRANCE 22-16 SCOTLAND

LOPEZ BOOT GIVES BIG WIN FOR FRANCE

Stuart Hogg's 16th Test try gave the Scots an early lead but Gael Fickou's try put France 13-5 clear before two Finn Russell penalties made it 13-11.

Tim Swinson's try regained the lead for the injury-hit visitors before Camille Lopez's third penalty tied it at 16-16.

Remi Lamerat had a try ruled out before two late Lopez kicks sealed victory.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/38934397

Scotland has shown in this match that the win against Ireland was not a fluke and that they could pull off another big win. I think for France this still does not take away the fact that they blow hot and cold on an instant.

6 nations prediction 10-2-17

SATURDAY

ITALY V IRELAND

Italy: 15-Edoardo Padovani, 14-Angelo Esposito, 13-Tommaso Benvenuti, 12-Luke Mclean, 11-Giovanbattista Venditti, 10-Carlo Canna, 9-Edoardo Gori; 1-Andrea Lovotti, 2-Leonardo Ghiraldini, 3-Lorenzo Cittadini, 4-Marco Fuser, 5-Andries Van Schalkwyk, 6-Maxime Mbanda, 7-Simone Favaro, 8-Sergio Parisse,

Replacements: 16-Ornel Gega, 17-Sami Panico, 18-Dario Chistolini, 19-George Biagi, 20-Abraham Steyn, 21-Giorgio Bronzini, 22-Tommaso Allan, 23-Michele Campagnaro.

Ireland: 15-Rob Kearney, 14-Keith Earls, 13-Robbie Henshaw, 12-Garry Ringrose, 11-Simon Zebo, 10-Paddy Jackson, 9-Conor Murray; 1-Cian Healy, 2-Rory Best (captain), 3-Tadhg Furlong, 4-Donnacha Ryan, 5-Devin Toner, 6-CJ Stander, 7-Sean O'Brien, 8-Jamie Heaslip.

Replacements: 16-Niall Scannell, 17-Jack McGrath, 18-John Ryan, 19-Ultan Dillane, 20-Josh van der Flier, 21-Kieran Marmion, 22-Ian Keatley, 23-Craig Gilroy.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/38911558

I think that for the fans of Irish Rugby more than anything else I think that Ireland need to show that they have fixed what went wrong against Scotland and I think that they can get a bonus point here I think that this will be not an easy first 60 minutes but as the game goes on Ireland will improve as the game goes on

I say Ireland by 21 and bonus point

WALES V ENGLAND

England: Mike Brown (Harlequins); Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs); Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby), Owen Farrell (Saracens), Elliot Daly (Wasps); George Ford (Bath Rugby), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers); Joe Marler (Harlequins), Dylan Hartley (captain, Northampton Saints), Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), Joe Launchbury (Wasps), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints), Maro Itoje (Saracens), Jack Clifford (Harlequins), Nathan Hughes (Wasps)

Replacements: Jamie George (Saracens), Matt Mullan (Wasps), Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins), Tom Wood (Northampton Saints), James Haskell (Wasps), Danny Care (Harlequins), Ben Te'o (Worcester Warriors), Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/38918169

I think that this game will be a lot closer than people think and |I think that one moment for England will make the difference for them as I think that England are that step ahead of Wales at the moment

I say England by 5

SUNDAY

FRANCE V SCOTLAND

I think that there are matches that Scotland must win after beating Ireland last week to that it was not a fluke. Though the thing is that France are known for bong hot and cold and if France play well Scotland for one should have hope after their brilliant first half against Ireland I think if players like Grey and Laidlaw stand up they have a chance. To me this does depend more on France than anyone else. 

I say France by 3 

6-2-16 6 nations

SUNDAY

ITALY 7-33 WALES

LIAM WILLIAMS SECURES WIN FOR WALES BUT NO BONUS  POINT

Wales stuttered for an hour in the face of a colossal Italian defensive display before pulling clear to open their Six Nations campaign with a victory.

But they missed out on a bonus point as Liam Williams came agonisingly close to a fourth try from the final move of the match, but lost control of the ball over the line as he tried to tried to touch down.

Rob Howley's team left a number of criticisms from the autumn campaign unanswered as they toiled in damp and slippery Rome to break down an Azzurri team inspired by peerless number eight and captain Sergio Parisse.

It was only when Italy cracked in the face of lopsided possession and penalty count, and prop Andrea Lovotti was sent to the sin-bin, that Wales were able to open up.

Tries by Jonathan Davies and Liam Williams while Italy were a man short turned the tables, and an apparently injured George North delivered a killer blow as he ran in from 60 meters.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/38850890

The fact that they did not get the bonus point could be the difference between 2^nd and 3^rd or 4^th and 5^th for Wales as this looked like their was no chance of this happening until the end of the match. Italy can definitely learn from this and improve going into the next match

SATURDAY

SCOTLAND 27-22 IRELAND

HOGG DOUBLE GIVES SCOTLAND MASSIVE WIN

The hosts enjoyed a stunning start despite Ireland's scrum dominance, full-back Stuart Hogg crossing twice.

Keith Earls scored in the corner but Alex Dunbar's try from a clever line-out move put the Scots 21-5 up.

Tries from Iain Henderson and Paddy Jackson put Ireland 22-21 ahead before Greig Laidlaw's two late penalties.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/38848621

Ireland had a terrible first half with so much possession and only one try that they scored this is something that must be fixed if they are to stand any chance against England if they are going to win the 6 nations. Ireland do need to look at young players against Italy as well as they have to show they are evolving towards 2019. As for Scotland if they get another win on top of an Italy win they should call it a successful season

ENGLAND 19-16 FRANCE

UNSTOPPABLE ENGLAND AND TEOO MAKE THINGS IMPOSSIBLE FOR FRANCE

England were fortunate to be level 9-9 at half-time and were four points down with time running out after a fine try from Rabah Slimani.

But, kept in touch by Owen Farrell's three penalties and one from Elliot Daly, their strength off the bench gradually seized control of a match that had been slipping away.

With their forwards at last making inroads with ball in hand and a tiring defence stretched, Ben Te'o's try finally brought Twickenham to full voice.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/38849751

England are showing that they are back to where they were last season and I think that they are going to be very difficult to beat I think that they are only going to get better as they look brilliant at this point. France can blow hot and cold and are famous for this