“He will never amount to anything,” the bulletin read.

With a theory of relativity and a Nobel Prize in physics later, it’s safe to say that Albert Einstein managed to thwart the expectations of a former professor who may have had reason to ponder the dangers of trying to look into the future. However, no one said that such a practice is easy.

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This is especially true of the Six Nations, the most unpredictable of sporting tournaments.

Will Wales be competing with a wooden spoon in 2021? Er, not really, because Wayne Pivac’s team actually won the title. Will England reach the Grand Slam in 2019? It didn’t happen again, Wales beat them all.

So what will happen this time? Here’s our best estimate of what the next Guinness Six Nations will look like:

FIRST ROUND, February 4/5

Wales vs Ireland

england v scotland

Italy vs France

Predictions: Ireland for four, England for seven, France for 15.

It’s a monumental game to open with Wales and Ireland both chasing a win that could define their campaigns, timing is vital in the Six Nations.

Ireland wrecked Wales last season but were without key opposition leader Tadhg Furlong in Cardiff. Wales are without Will Rowlands and might well have lost had they not included Nicky Smith in their squad, with Osprey’s devastating form in scrums and useful on the field.

It may be tighter than many expect, and shock is out of the question. But perhaps Ireland have enough to win, with their talisman Johnny Sexton leading the way (you can read what happened after Sexton crushed the Wales star on Lions serve here).

England have won just one of their last five meetings with Scotland but this is the start of a new era under Steve Borthwick and they will be determined to mark the occasion with victory. Tom Curry’s absence of injury isn’t big news, but Borthwick has recruited Tom’s brother Ben. Their bench looks strong too, with Anthony Watson, Ollie Lawrence, Mako Vunipola and Ben Earl among them. It could all be too much for the Scots, despite having a mighty 23.

Italy beat Wales in their last Six Nations clash but will be unaffected if they beat France.

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SECOND ROUND, February 11/12

Ireland vs France

Scotland vs Wales

england vs italy

Predictions: Ireland for two, Wales for three, England for 17.

With Ireland facing England in the final game of this year’s Championship, organizers and broadcasters were no doubt expecting a lot of tension and drama on the final day, but as of now it looks like the key meeting of the tournament will be the date between the Irish and the French in the second round.

If France wins, it will be a true declaration of intent, an indicator that they will be the team to beat in the world tournament to be hosted in the autumn.

But there was little between the Irish and Les Bleus last season; maybe the home advantage will be decisive again.

Wales have not lost the game Gatland saw against Scotland in the New Zealander’s first spell as Wales manager, but the Scots are developing depth and quality in a World Cup year. How Wales play against Ireland will matter here. A good performance in the first phase will give them confidence. Maybe they’ll keep their coach’s proud record in this game.

England have not lost to Italy in 29 games. Don’t expect that sequence to change here.

THIRD ROUND February 25/26

Italy vs Ireland

Wales vs England

france vs scotland

Predictions: Ireland 16, Wales 3, France 9.

The pick of games here seems to be Wales v England. Again, a lot will depend on which players are still standing at this point, who catches up with them and who starts to score. But he is in Cardiff, and Wales can usually be counted on to raise a storm at home against an old enemy.

It is inconceivable that the men in red could overthrow their colleagues in white and carry their teammates’ spoils across the River Severn, as they have done in the last three meetings between the teams at the Principality Stadium.

Ireland must sweep Italy and France have plenty for Scotland.

FOURTH ROUND, March 11/12

Italy vs Wales

england vs france

scotland v ireland

Predictions: Wales by nine, France by six, Ireland by nine.

As the old saying goes, revenge is a dish best served cold. And Wales will have almost a year to reflect on the disappointing home defeat to Italy that likely cost Wayne Pivac his job when the WRU went into full reflection mode last autumn.

You don’t expect them to sprout again, but never say never. In Round 4, Gatland would have had time to put his stamp on the team and Wales should have shown themselves to be very strong.

England may rest easy on their chances at home to France, but Les Bleus have wins and comebacks everywhere, led by Antoine Dupont, Lionel Messi style.

Two years ago, Scotland allowed Ireland to contest in Edinburgh, but in the end it was the men in green who prevailed as they have played 11 of the last 12 matches between the two countries. It wouldn’t be a surprise if the Scots might upset their Celtic cousins ​​this time around.

FIFTH ROUND March 18

scotland v italy

France vs Wales

Ireland vs England

Predictions: Scotland 12, France 10, Ireland 9.

And so it is until Super Saturday, when Wales face an uphill battle to finish against France in Paris. Les Bleus are looking to end the campaign on a high in front of their fans.

Chasing a Grand Slam two years ago, Wales produced perhaps the best performance of Wayne Pivac’s tenure. Had it not been for an unrest in the final minutes, they could have easily finished without conceding a goal.

Since then, the teams have gone their separate ways. They want to end France with a flourish.

Scotland must defeat Italy and Ireland proved too strong for England in Dublin. Then it will be an emerald success.

Let’s see if Wales can break that prediction in the first weekend.

Expected final ranking: 1) Ireland, 2) France, 3) Wales, 4) England, 5) Scotland, 6) Italy.

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