Ben Kay: RBS 6 Nations Predictions 2017
As Official Technology Partner of the RBS 6 Nations, Accenture is aiming to give its audience an edge through new insights and rich rugby stories, allowing fans to see beyond the raw match data at accenture-rugby.com.
We’re always looking for an edge on Superbru to help us make better predictions, and some of the Accenture data could be useful during our Six Nations Predictor game.
We also spoke to former England lock Ben Kay about his own Six Nations Predictions, and we’ll be entering these on Superbru and publishing them each week during the tournament.
His prediction for the Championship winner isn’t a huge shock, but it's not totally emphatic. “I think England will win. They have great strength in depth now, better than the other nations, and they have that belief that they can beat anyone, anywhere. I do think they’ll be run very close by Ireland though, and I think Scotland could be contenders too."
Having lauded England’s depth, they do have some injury concerns in key positions, and there are a couple of players they could miss dearly.
“England are going to miss the Vunipolas, and their ability to get over the gainline every time. I think it will affect Eddie Jones’ selections, and there might be more onus on players like Maro Itoje to carry more."
“The Wales game worries me - going to Cardiff is never easy, and that’s before we even talk about Ireland away in the last round. From an English point of view, I hope that both teams are unbeaten going into that match - it would obviously be a great finale, but it means the pressure would be on both teams, and England have proved they are good at handling that pressure."
Bonus Points are being introduced to the Six Nations for the first time, and that could have an impact on the outcome of the Championship if there is no Grand Slam.
“Playing Italy and Scotland at home could be in England’s favour with Bonus Points in play. Scotland will be threatening, but I think they’ll play an open, attacking style and will score and concede a few tries in some high-scoring games."
“If I were Joe Schmidt, I’d be very concerned about their first match, away to Scotland in Murrayfield. As the tournament goes on, the Scots might lose some of their surprise factor and unpredictability, but I can see them causing Ireland some problems."
England v France: England by 7
Italy v Wales: Wales by 15
Look out for Ben's predictions for the rest of the tournament, and he's also pulled out some players to watch that you might like to consider for your Six Nations Fantasy team, which we'll publish in the next few days.
Ben Kay is part of the Accenture Analysis Team during the RBS 6 Nations, providing fans with insight and analysis to #Seebeyond standard match data. Follow @AccentureRugby or visit accenture-rugby.com
We’re always looking for an edge on Superbru to help us make better predictions, and some of the Accenture data could be useful during our Six Nations Predictor game.
We also spoke to former England lock Ben Kay about his own Six Nations Predictions, and we’ll be entering these on Superbru and publishing them each week during the tournament.
His prediction for the Championship winner isn’t a huge shock, but it's not totally emphatic. “I think England will win. They have great strength in depth now, better than the other nations, and they have that belief that they can beat anyone, anywhere. I do think they’ll be run very close by Ireland though, and I think Scotland could be contenders too."
Having lauded England’s depth, they do have some injury concerns in key positions, and there are a couple of players they could miss dearly.
“England are going to miss the Vunipolas, and their ability to get over the gainline every time. I think it will affect Eddie Jones’ selections, and there might be more onus on players like Maro Itoje to carry more."
“The Wales game worries me - going to Cardiff is never easy, and that’s before we even talk about Ireland away in the last round. From an English point of view, I hope that both teams are unbeaten going into that match - it would obviously be a great finale, but it means the pressure would be on both teams, and England have proved they are good at handling that pressure."
Bonus Points are being introduced to the Six Nations for the first time, and that could have an impact on the outcome of the Championship if there is no Grand Slam.
“Playing Italy and Scotland at home could be in England’s favour with Bonus Points in play. Scotland will be threatening, but I think they’ll play an open, attacking style and will score and concede a few tries in some high-scoring games."
“If I were Joe Schmidt, I’d be very concerned about their first match, away to Scotland in Murrayfield. As the tournament goes on, the Scots might lose some of their surprise factor and unpredictability, but I can see them causing Ireland some problems."
Ben Kay's Round 1 Predictions
Scotland v Ireland: Scotland by 2England v France: England by 7
Italy v Wales: Wales by 15
Look out for Ben's predictions for the rest of the tournament, and he's also pulled out some players to watch that you might like to consider for your Six Nations Fantasy team, which we'll publish in the next few days.
Ben Kay is part of the Accenture Analysis Team during the RBS 6 Nations, providing fans with insight and analysis to #Seebeyond standard match data. Follow @AccentureRugby or visit accenture-rugby.com
by France