This weekend I will mostly be watching TV

I know that I am a woman of many parts, and I hope that is reflected here ~ none of us are just one thing, we all have a variety of interests, activities and relationships that come together to make us the complex fascinating people we are. But this is where I go of on one of my slightly more odd directions. 

I'm very pleased to be able to say I'm writing this while watching live test match cricket on free to air TV. The fabulous Joe Root has just got out after scoring a magnificent double century; if I'm beginning to lose you, enjoy the fact that he has adopted the number 66 and is a very good looking young man. You can also be reconciled that I'm not writing about cricket, no, something much more interesting ~ Rugby!

Today is the start of the Six Nations Championship, and I do like to stick my neck out with some predictions, that's particularly difficult this year as not much rugby has been played by quite a few key players. It would be very easy to say expect business as usual, but I'm looking forward to something a bit different this year.

Scotland are looking good! Finn Russel is over loaded with talent, if he can keep his temperament in control and make use of all the tools in his bag he can take apart the best of teams. With Stuart Hogg at full back and Cameron Redpath in the center the Scottish back line is looking more exciting than for a long time. With the Gray brothers and the Fagersons looking better than ever Scotland are my team to watch, but they have to play England at Twickenham as their first game, and that's a big ask.

France has shed loads of talent, and as they showed last year they can put out their second team and take on anyone in the world. Even with key players missing they are world class, and entertaining with it. It looks like the coaching team has come up with a consistent game plan and a way of imposing some discipline without stifling the players' self expression too much. If France can hold it together for five games then should be champions.

Kyle Sinckler (currently on a ban)

England are England, whatever they say about playing more entertaining rugby and using more attacking alternatives they will be pragmatic, they will use their forward power and destructive tacklers to grind down the opposition, and then take advantage of the cracks that will appear. The players I'm looking forward to seeing from England are Kyle Sinckler and Ellis Genge when you realise they are both props that will tell you a lot about both English rugby and me.

Wales and Ireland have both got to work out who they are! Both teams looked a bit shapeless to me before Christmas, they either have to try some new players and new ideas or go back to the old guard and abandon World Cup hopes. I think they will both be using this championship to sort themselves out, accepting that they will not be contenders.

Italy are no mugs but have simply failed to improve at the same rate as the other five nations. While I think we can expect some odd flashes of brilliance from Italy they just don't have the playing strength in depth to consistently compete at this level. Any team can beat any other in this championship but if Italy can win one game they will consider it a good year.

Who's going to win? England! in many ways I'd like to see France win, they play wonderful rugby, their players understand that rugby is a form of self expression and creativity, they have a strong pack and talented backs, but I think England have the temperament and the strength in depth to play out the five games, grinding down their opponents. England are relentless, and ruthless where France can still be reckless.

What ever happens I will enjoy it all! This weekend I will mostly be watch sport ~ and by sport I mean Rugby and Cricket!