Blue skies, sunshine and the second round of the 6 Nations 26 after 6 weeks of continuous rain gave us all hope.

However, Ireland’s opportunity to bounce back from last week’s grilling didn’t exactly fill their faithful with confidence.  Perhaps Italy are better than we have been conditioned to believe, but the sight of Tadgh Furlong being hoisted into the sky at scrum time smacked more of the end of an era than a bump in the road.

Scotland versus England in Murrayfield has been a no quarter given or asked battle since Bannockburn, this weekend no exception, with the Scots outfoxing England and derailing Borthwick’s 12 wins on the bounce record, but they would still have Championship aspirations.

France, well, what can you say?  Wales’ woes are well known, and all credit to them keeping battling to the end.  Our Gallic cousins are certainly the most attractive attacking side in the world at the moment, and going from strength to strength.  The Springboks look the only thing standing between France and the World Cup in 18 months.

Leaderboard

The storm may have passed but plenty of turbulence at the top of the table.  Up comes Catherine Curran to top spot on 74, with Peter Kane a close second on 68 and Ciaran Twomey in third on 61.

Week 2 Leader Board
1 Catherine Curran 74
2 Peter Kane 68
3 Ciaran Twomey 61
4 Eoin Dennehy 54
5 Alan Kane 52
6 Johnnie Greene 50
7 Pat Mc Gorr 48
8 Rob Battigan 48
9 Pat O’Riordan 47
10 Oliver Balding 44
11 Brian DeLuge 42
12 Johnny Sheehan 41
13 Steven Cook(i)e 40
14 Julian D’Arcy 40

 

“Over the moon” said Curran from her sunbed  somewhere in the Canaries.  “This is a whole new experience for me, but I suppose I’ll get used to the media attention and fandom.  Have I won it now?”

Peter Kane was quick to establish he is no relation to 5th placed Alan Kane.  “No, don’t know him at all, have never met” said Kane, P.

“We are not related” stated Kane, A, “and there is DNA evidence to prove that, but that’s a matter for the PSNI”

Ciaran Twomey has surged to the front ranks, displacing Eoin Dennehy.  “I had a good weekend again alright” said Twomey, with a very decent 32 points.  “Lets hope I can keep it going”

Team Entry

Grubber Knickers go top this week, pushing With Fans Like This . . . into 2nd place.  The Tavira Two have nudged up, and JJ Bowles nudged down, but all of this will change yet.

Week 2 Team League
Grubber Knickers 30.3
With fans like this . . . 21.7
Tea Time 15.0
Tavira Two 7.5
JJ Bowles 3.6
Neil’s Nuts 2.0
All About Mary -28.3
Scully Scrappers -38.6
Duffy -42.4
Jascom -47.5
Wylde Card Entry -54.5

 

Week 2 Prizes

The RKD Form Before Function Award from last week goes to Eoin Dennehy on countback, pipping Johnnie Murphy for the €100 architectural appreciation course, which will enable him to wax lyrical about mullions, corbells, mansard roofs and any amount of RAL colours.

The Asset Recruitment Best Candidate Award goes to Catherine Curran to celebrate her top spot position this weekend, offering her interviews for current plum job opportunities: in the driving test sector, RTE’s stunt person department or the Bord Pleanala Reasons for Refusing Planning Applications section.  Or the monetary equivalent, €100.

The Hanley Pepper Structurally Sound Award goes to Peter Kane, with the highest score of the weekend, 53 points.  “That’s brilliant” said Kane, “I’ve always wanted to be a Civil Engineer, looking into holes, pouring concrete and bolting big lumps of steel together.  When do I start?”

Next Week

Ireland travel to Twickenham, not without some trepidation, but maybe (just maybe) it will be the making of them.  On the other booted foot, England will be stiffened with resolve to get their season back on track.

Italy travel to Paris to test out just how far they have come.  They have surprised the hosts before, can they do it again against the current Galthie star crop?

The F6NF predict England to beat Ireland by 5, Scotland to beat Wales by-8, and France to prevail by 22

How will you do?