England get the Grand Slam while Ireland claim the sought after third spot!

 

 (Picture bit.ly/1UuLfD7)

The final day of the six nations tournament went according to plan - well my plan anyway. First up was a ragged Italian side, leaking tries all over the place to Wales, and conceding their biggest loss ever to the Welshmen. It’s been a woeful tournament for the Italians, winless, and big losses. But they are missing a rake of players, and it’s not they were over resourced in the first place. Let’s hope they do sign Connor O’Shea as their new coach and start to turn it around. Wales for their part helped ease the pain slightly after their loss to England last weekend with a dominant display.

Ireland also finished with a bang, putting away a game Scotland side, and claiming the spot everyone really wanted, third. It was a high tempo match, tries from both sides, and it was Scotland’s yellow cards that really cost them in the end. Sexton played his best game of the tournament, CJ Stander continues to excel, and Heaslip is a workhorse that just keeps going.

Finally, England achieved their first grand slam for thirteen years, overcoming France in a hugely physical match in Paris. The French gave their fans what they look for, with silky handling skills, and jinking running lines, but again it was indiscipline that took the match away from them. England were as solid as rock, huge physical men who bashed their way up the field, with fast attacking backs doing then bit as required. They were really the only team in the tournament, and they got just reward for their efforts.

In the Pro 12, Leinster couldn’t seem to get going in Glasgow, and came out the wrong side of an exhausting eye wateringly physical match. I’d like to see a bit of standardisation on pitches though – when does a sand pit become a rugby pitch, and vice versa?

Munster meanwhile came to grief in Cardiff, so in terms of the provinces it’s just as well Ireland did the business against Scotland.
Saturday, March 19

Wales 67 - 14    Italy
Ireland 35 - 25    Scotland
France 21 - 31    England

Friday, March 18
Cardiff Blues 37 - 28    Munster
Glasgow Warriors 12 - 6    Leinster

Six Nations - Ireland's battle for third!

The Six Nations wraps this day with the traditional final Saturday  featuring three matches one after the other. At this stage, England have won, Italy have come last, and Wales will have to outdo themselves not to come second. The hot ticket this year is the competition for third, with Scotland, France and Ireland all in contention. Winning it is so last year!

First up will the visit of Italy to Wales, which the Italians must be looking forward with the same enthusiasm as a trip to the dentist. They were hammered in Dublin last weekend, and face a Welsh side with their title aspirations in tatters after a demoralising defeat in London. Wales will be determined to finish with a bang and show they’re better than last weekend’s result, Italy will just want to go home, and it could be a long afternoon for the Italians.

Then its Ireland’s chance to finish with a little more success, and the chance of a third place finish – not brilliant, but better than 5th. Scotland arrive flushed from a victory over France last weekend that was 10 years in the making. How did WE not beat France? The revival of Scotland has happened in fits and starts, but they are on the up, no doubt about it. I think the hallmark of our performance will be desperation this weekend, but we should win it – our defence is better organised than theirs, and while their attack is committed, if we can keep Hogg in check they don’t offer a major threat. Our attack has to click again of course, but I think it will, so another home victory for us.

Finally, England travel to Paris in search of a Grand Slam. France were all over the shop last weekend, either attacking with breath-taking skill, or committing the most basic of mistakes. They played like we expected them to then! England’s organisation, confidence and precision should claim a well deserved slam.

In the Pro 12 , it’s also Scotland v Ireland, as Leinster travel to Glasgow, looking to reinforce their place in the top four, while Glasgow still have hopes of getting in there themselves. Both of them are decimated by the 6N, but on paper Leinster look stronger. If they can navigate the sand pit that is Scoutston, they’ll probably win.

Munster go to Cardiff needing a win to keep them going towards the top 4, and again, I think they look stronger than on paper than Cardiff, and they’ll pull through.

Friday, March 18   
Cardiff Blues v    Munster     7:15 PM
Glasgow Warriors v    Leinster    7:30 PM

Saturday, March 19   
Wales v    Italy     2:30 PM
Ireland v    Scotland     5:00 PM
France v    England     8:00 PM