RBS Six Nations tickets have taken a dramatic boost in sales for the 2009 championship, following news that England has been installed as the bookmakers’ favourite to win the title. England, coached then by Brian Ashton, bounced back to form earlier this year by finishing second to Grand Slam winners Wales, and have had their odds slashed to 11-8 putting them streets ahead of the other competing nations.
With three of their five scheduled matches in 2009 to be played at their home stadium at Twickenham, England will be a tough prospect for anyone. Ranked fifth in the world, England – who haven’t won the championship since their Grand Slam triumph of 2003 – are in their best position yet to claim the title next March, and it is this boost in confidence that has seen RBS Six Nations tickets sales take off.
But if England is to lift the cup, Johnson will have to rid his team of the bad habits illustrated in the 2008 championship. England sides have shown a trend of making poor starts to campaigns, and this was once again proved when they were trounced by Wales at home, 26 points to 19, in their first match of 2008.
The England team was lucky to hang on against Italy in Rome the following week, after another dramatic dip in form midway through the match almost cost them the points. It wasn’t until England met France in week three did they find their form, ending French dreams of a Grand Slam by hammering them 24 points to 13 in Paris.
Ashton took his team to Scotland on a high the following week but were unable to cope with a determined Scotland side, as well as treacherous weather conditions in Edinburgh. They lost by 15 points to 9, and the result left England down and out without their problems to seek. In the final game they picked themselves up to run over Ireland 33 points to 10, but their championship was already finished for them.
England relied on too few players in 2008 and it cost them the chance of winning the title. Their lack of foresight and a cohesive team spirit led to their downfall, but Ashton has been working hard behind the scenes to change things around. The bookies believe Ashton has done enough and the fans have backed this by snapping up their nation’s tickets in the strong belief that 2009 will be England’s year.
England Fixtures for RBS Six Nations Championship 2009
Saturday, 7 February
versus Italy (3pm, Twickenham)
Saturday, 14 February
versus Wales (5.30pm, Millennium Stadium)
Saturday, 28 February
versus Ireland (5.30pm, Croke Park)
Sunday 15 March
versus France (3pm, Twickenham)
Saturday, 21 March
versus Scotland (3.30pm, Twickenham)
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