Ireland can hardly be favourites to win the championship - given that they still have to play france.

what do the bookies think?


[I am really surprised Ireland about evens, france 14/1

Why not? I'd put my money on Ireland over France for several reasons - not least the way they played this afternoon, and Ireland's relatively large points difference.

Ummmmm, have you seen how France have performed so far? The worst French side is a long, long time.

Ireland are on fire.

Not only are France playing as badly as last year when they won the wooden spoon, but even if they got yet another lucky win in the Ireland game that probably would not give them the championship as the winner of today's England-Wales game would probably end up with 4 wins and a better points difference.

Because it's a handicap bet in effect.

If Ireland beat France by one point they win the championship.

*For France to win they need to beat Ireland by 18 plus whatever England beat Wales by plus whatever England beat Italy by.

*For France to win they need to beat Ireland by 3 plus whatever Wales beat England by plus whatever Wales beat Scotland by.

*delete as appropriate

Given France have beaten England by 2, beaten Scotland by 2 and lost to Wales, it's a suckers bet to assume they'd beat Ireland by the likely 30, 40 points needed to secure the championship

Really looking forward to the game. Joke with my friends that the England v Wales fixture is the one day of the year that I become a rabid Welsh Nationalist. Not really, but I do get very passionate for the duration!

I like Stuart Lancaster. Partly because he seems very nice, but mostly because he's a dead ringer for Chris Barrie. Every time I see him, I think flipping heck, it's Rimmer.

Here's hoping for a cracking game, may the best tea.....well, no, wont go that far.

It's Ireland's to lose this year, though.

Being half-Welsh, half English, I've generally supported the team playing the most attractive rugby which has usually been Wales. However with England adopting a more expansive style, the Northampton factor & finding Gaitland's tactics too rigid, I might switch sides.

I just fancy England to shade it.

England flags being left on every seat!!!!

Twickenham looking spectacular in the sun - here's for a good game and may the best team win!

Wake up Wales!

He will never score and easier try - what the hell were Wales doing turing their back ... mindblowing at international level.

Soft penalty to let Wales back in.
Not sure how long England can keep the ambition up, but will be a hell of a game if they do.

Never thought I would say this, but it may be time to change Wales half backs to Phillips and Hook.

England should he kicking themselves for only being 5 points up at half time

Still anyone's game. Thought Nowell was taken out in the air at the end, but Brown should have put the ball dead.
You're right Stunty, Philips will be on for the second half.

Frankly I'm exhausted.

Two tries to nil says it all, but wonderful Mr Halfpenny has kept us in touch. Cracking half. I need a drink.

Really surprised to hear so much booing during that last penalty - I thought rugby supporters were usually more more respectful.

Wales have given fewer penalties away whereas any penalty in the England half has lead to 3 points. Wales aren't good in attack so far but their defence is very good in general.

Have you ever watched a France game in Paris?

I think they thought it was a penalty to England for taking the man in the air.

How many times did England win in the past by just kicking penalties and never troubling the try line?


Never really seen Wales rely so much on their penalty kicker ....... but hey if Wales win without scoring a try I will be happy today!

Wales don't seem to have a plan B with Gaitland.

England look in a different class here to Wales - Ireland and England are a level above France and Wales.

Unfortunately, Jenkins got himself the wrong side of the ref from the start, so was always on to a loser. Can't see England messing it up from here.

Sin Bin was an awful error from the ref - ball wasn't even in and it was an early push from England ... Wales have been awful but that decision was wrong.