Autumn Nations Cup: Round 2 Predictions

Nearly everyone managed 3 correct picks last weekend, and I picked up a Margin Point in the big England win over Georgia, and narrowly missed one for Ireland’s thrashing of Wales.

This weekend, the Fiji game has once again been cancelled, but there are three great matches to look out for.

Here are my Autumn Nations Cup predictions for Round 2.

England v Ireland

Whilst England have been able to recall several first-choice players such as Mako Vunipola and Tom Curry, Ireland have lost two of their key men in the shape of Johnny Sexton and Robbie Henshaw. In my opinion, Sexton’s absence puts paid to any hopes of Ireland winning at Twickenham, and so it’s about the margin. England have won the last two Six Nations meetings by 12 points, and that feels about right this time. England by 12

Wales v Georgia

Georgia were fairly abysmal at Twickenham last weekend, and the winning margin could have been 60-odd if the weather hadn’t been so poor. The forecast isn’t great this weekend either, which must be taken into account. Wales are in a terrible run of form, and in no mood for champagne rugby, so it will be a pragmatic win-at-all-costs performance. They have a very experimental lineup, including Sir Ian Botham’s grandson making his debut in midfield, and I don’t think it’s going to be a huge margin. Wales by 13

Scotland v France

The home team normally wins this fixture, and you have to go back to 2014 to find a France victory at Murrayfield. The French Grand Slam campaign came to an end in Edinburgh in March, and that defeat ultimately cost them the Six Nations title. Their fixture last weekend was cancelled unfortunately, but France have been looking like a growing force lately, and given that the Scots are missing both Finn Russell and Adam Hastings, I’m leaning towards a French victory here. France by 6