Cheer up lads, you won the 6 Nations! Photo from http://bit.ly/eCVxep
Saturday , March 19
Scotland 21 - 8 Italy
Ireland 24 - 8 England
France 28 - 9 Wales
Scotland 21 - 8 Italy
Scotland finally gave their long suffering fans something to cheer about their first victory in the 6 Nations, first try for two years, first try by a Scottish player called Nikki (2nd cousin of Motley Crue bassist Nikki Sixx) - not really. Anyway I’m making light of what was a fantastic victory for Scotland, not just the result, but the manner in which they won, using their big forwards effectively, stealing line out ball, and seeing creativity and incision from their back line. Rory Lamont looked comfortable in the centre for the first time, and you’d think this must now be Scotland’s first choice team. Italy had a quiet day at the office, scoring a try but being stifled by good Scottish play. Scotland avoid the wooden spoon, while Italy’s win over France puts a sheen on their season that can’t be dulled by last place.
Redemption! That’s what Saturday afternoon in Dublin’s fair city was all about. The Irish team stood up to be counted, from 1 to 15, every man could be proud of his contribution. The years striped back for players like O’Connell, O’Callaghan and Wallace who were in sensational form. Jonathan Sexton answered his critics in some style with a consummate performance. And it was Brian O’Driscoll who lead from the front to help deliver the team performance we all knew that was in them. BOD also broke a 70 year old record for the number of tries in the tournament with his 25th. I have to mention the rise and rise of Mike Ross too.
It was leadership that seemed to be sorely missing in the English team, in a team that was outmuscled, out thought and out fought. Tom Woods was the only player that stood up for them. This is a good English team, they’ll be back, bigger and badder than before, and in fairness they were good value for their four wins and the championship. But Saturday was Ireland’s day, the sun shone (then it rained at the right time), babies laughed, the angels sang and all was right in the world as the country bathed in the afterglow of another famous victory.
It was a full moon that night, the biggest in 18 years, and while it was a bad moon rising for England, could it have been responsible for Ireland’s newly discovered vigour? Donncha O'Callaghan laughs off the suggestion below.
France 28 - 9 Wales
It was left for France to wrap up second place in Paris with a pretty comprehensive victory over Wales. It was redemption for them after a horrendous loss to Italy the week before. Wales don’t seem to have a happy camp – Warren Gatland runs the show with all the charm and warmth of Kim Il Jung, their defence coach and physio were allegedly involved in a fist fight last weekend, and Gatland didn’t mince his words after the match, letting his players have it. It hasn’t been much joi de vivre French camp either, with French coach Marc Lievremont calling his players cowards after their defeat to Italy. France were about the second best team in the tournament, although with a bit of application, they could have easily been 1st, or 4th or 5th. Both teams seem to be at a bit of a cross roads.
Well that’s it for another year, England deserved champions, Ireland on the rise, France and Wales at the crossroads, and Scotland and Italy game as ever.
Watched the game with all the other Londoners (aka The whole of Ireland) interesting to see what I can only assume are 2nd and third strips with Blue and Red equally prevalent and screaming your boys on ;-)
ReplyDeleteAnyway Ireland deserved the win and well done for doing so, interesting to see the French dissect a poor Welsh team. I do fear for the Northern Hem teams in the World Cup as even the 6N champions would struggle againt the top three at the moment.
Another good read. Cheers
Ireland played well, and England are only going to be better for this, winning the chamionship is a huge achievement. Wales were really flat.
ReplyDeleteI think the NH defense has improved a lot, which made for lower scoring games and mistakes. I think England will be a real threat at the World Cup, France can beat anyone on the day, so could Ireland, and Wales could have their day too. Once you get into the knockouts anything could happen. England are the most consistent team in the NH now, one hiccup every 4-5 matches.
Gotta say, I still think 6N showed nothing we down here have to fear in SANZAR ... but is thestrange thing about the 6N: Grand Slams, even Triple Crowns, are very hard to pull off, so often a team finishes top of the table with a loss or two? Crazy. Enjoyed watching England turn a page this year, hope they bring their new B game for RWC. They showed mots improvement, then worst back step against Ireland. All the others? Lordknows. Enough talent there to make any quarter final interesting, but still AB confident. All you fullas in the UK, watch Sonny Bill & Robbie Fruean's double act this weekend at Twickers. Freaks I tell ya!
ReplyDeleteHi Slugso
ReplyDeleteI think NH defense has improved which makes the teams all a lot closer. England are in with a shout, so are France, and Ireland will give anyone a good match on their day. Wales should be there but are so unpredictable.
Fruean is the one to watch, everyone talks about SBW but Fruean is the form center in NZ right now
Taking awesome Rugby 6 Nations hospitality would be very exciting. he matches are really worh watching.
ReplyDelete