Sunday, March 16, 2014

Ireland claim the 6 Nations 2014 title, despite conceding a record number of heart attacks in the last 5 minutes!



 

Ireland rocked Paris this weekend, with a tough, hard fought victory, in a match that was alive until the last  second. They claimed only their second 6 Nations title in 14 years, had the best points difference, had the best points scorer, Jonny Sexton (66) , who also shared the most tries scored (4) with Mike Brown.  We conceded the least penalties (36) , and managed to win the final despite conceding the most heart attacks in the last 5 minutes (4.5 million). Yes, it wouldn’t have been a proper victory without giving the opposition every opportunity to snatch the win in the last few minute – ‘You’re sure like?’.

Brian O’Driscoll was 21 when we last beat France in Paris, so what better way to end your career with a victory in a place that was so hard to get wins. He retires with the record for international caps, was both an Irish and Lions captain, he put his body on the line for 15 years for his country, and it’s really tough to say goodbye, but better to celebrate his career than be sad he’s leaving.

It was day for heroes, Trimble, Kearney, O’Connell, Murray, Toner, world class performances but even more the ultimate team performance. France of course, couldn’t have played rubbish like they did the three matches before, oh no, they came out all guns blazing, but the team, and coaches Joe Schmidt and John Plumtree had a plan, and the rest, as they say is history!
Elsewhere, worthy runners up England put 50 points on Italy, playing their rugby this year with a lot of heart and skill. Italy had an awful tournament, with no wins, taking over from where France left off last year!

Wales got a big win over Scotland, in a match that ended as contest  when Stuart Hogg was red carded for a late hit in the 22nd minute. Fortunately, Dan Biggar wasn’t badly injured, and Hogg will never in a million years deliver such a sweet uppercut with his shoulder again! Not a great season for Wales, after back to back tournaments, but they have all the players, they just need the x-factor back. Scotland still lack the players and the belief, but maybe new coach Vern Cotter will start to fix that next season.

RBS Six Nations
Saturday , March 15
Italy 11 - 52 England 
Wales 51 - 3 Scotland  
France 20 - 22 Ireland 

No comments:

Post a Comment