The England, Wales game last weekend certainly lived up to its billing, but on the whole the Six Nations games did not provide the greatest spectacle. I think the guys were a bit apprehensive, being that it was the first game of the tournament, and they may very well have been waiting to see what the other teams would be bringing to the party.

Ireland and Italy were not great, while there were flashes of brilliance in then France-Scotland game ? if France were more clinical on the day there could have been a blowout ? but the game of the weekend was definitely the England-Wales clash.

Still wide open

England, meanwhile, really stepped things up and did very well considering the late withdrawal of Ricki Flutey. Jonny Wilkinson kept the scoreboard ticking over early on, before England closed the game out. Captain Steve Borthwick really put his hand up on the day ? justifying his selection ? as did scrumhalf Danny Care, who had a great game.

They will be very happy with the victory because if they had lost at home, it may very well have been the end of their tournament with three away games still to come, against Italy, Scotland and France respectively. It will also give Martin Johnson some breathing space, meaning he can stick to his combinations and build on the victory going forward.

England have given themselves a good start to the tournament, but I still feel all four of the big unions have a chance of winning. The big question is hanging over the France-Ireland game this weekend, because they could cancel one another out?

It is an absolutely massive game. Ireland sides have been doing well in France lately, but against Italy they looked to be struggling up front and France will definitely look to capitalise on that area of the game. France are a force up front, but they need to get their lineouts sorted out and get it out to the backs to really start firing.

Ireland need to stick to their gameplan and get the ball on the front foot. They can't afford to make mistakes against the French, who will punish them on the counterattack. This is a really tough game to call, but the winner of the Six Nations could very well come out of it.

Stormers the dark horse

Moving down south now, I don?t think we will see a major change amongst the Super 14 contenders this year, particularly amongst the South African teams, with the Sharks and Bulls again being the major challengers for the crown.

The Sharks, however, have a tough overseas tour this season, they need to make sure they win their home games before heading to Australasia.

The Stormers for me will be the dark horse this year. They always promise so much, but deliver little, but this year they have a different make-up with finishers in Bryan Habana and Jaque Fourie, while their tight five made massive improvements in the Currie Cup last year.

They have the means to put down a serious challenge in 2010.

But like I said, so much will come down to how the teams start the tournament. They need to have some wins behind them before heading off on tour and build into a strong run-in at the end of the round robin.

Super 14:

The Bulls will be tough to beat this year! They will have the confidence to go down and beat the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein, but I think Heinrich Brussow is going to be a thorn in their side all afternoon. The Bulls, however, will have too much for the locals though and I predict them to take it by 10 points.

The Lions haven?t been doing too well in their pre-season matches, and with a new coach and new players they need time to gel. The Lions simply don?t have the depth to beat the Stormers, who have gone out shopping in the off-season and come back with some good deals. Stormers by 5-10 points.

The Sharks have to back themselves at home, and while the Chiefs have always been a dangerous side, I think the hosts will have too much for them in the end. Sharks by 10.

Six Nations:

Wales will be disappointed with the loss to England and they will come out firing this weekend. Unfortunately for Scotland they will bear the brunt of it? Wales to win by at least 10 points.

This is really a tough one to call. I will call it from where I am at the moment and go for an Ireland win. France will be dangerous, but Ireland will have enough to hold the French off. Ireland by 5 points.

This will be a good duel. Italy showed that they are coming through against Ireland last weekend, but England have to move on as a side and these games need to become mandatory to win. For them to do that they have to win well. I predict that they will do exactly that. England by 10.