February is just around the corner and for Ireland, Wales, Scotland, England, France and Italy it means it’s time to fight.
No world supremacy at stake, nor ‘European champion’ trophy to claim. No need. It’s beyond that, beyond getting gold or playing a final, claiming a title.
No, it’s just about fighting, fighting your brother, your cousin, your step-dad, your neighbour, your colleague, your mate.
Yes, a backyard scrap, a two month-long all-in fight between six nations who have a common history, dozens of wars, territory disputes, independence aspirations, that’s what it is.
I love you, me neither (Gainsbourg). You have to fight the bloke next door, the guy you see every day of your life. That’s why for decades the historic five thought ‘why bother with a World Cup’ when you have such a competition that satisfies all your animalistic, patriotic needs? Nothing can top that and in a way, nothing has.
The French call it ‘le tournoi‘. No need to say the full name: when someone talks about ‘the tournament’ we know what he is talking about: the sport, the opponents, the time of the year. It’s time to fight your best enemies, time for the family affair.
When you know your opponents so well, you tend to instinctively box them, see them the way that has been passed on to you by the players themselves, the commentators you listened to as a kid, your elders. Each of the six has a tag, a reputation, in other words a good reason to have their arse kicked by your team.
That’s what I want to look into now, who are the six and what’s their street cred?
England
They are tournament’s best enemy and team to beat in this part of the world. At all costs. Only the Italians, perhaps, haven’t the history that makes this game so special for the rest. A year in which you rack up four losses can be redeemed with a win against England.
You always turn up against England, no extra motivation needed. They are the Six Nations’ historical benchmark and axis, the guys you measure yourself against. The England match is everyone’s blockbuster.
No one is more battle-hardened than these guys, it’s in their DNA. England are always a formidable opponent whose only goal is to shut you up then shake your hand after 80 minutes, the traditional ‘good game’ and de rigueur smirk capping it all.
They are the team to beat no matter what. The mother of all battles, la guerre.
France
The fifth brother, the estranged one. That’s what they were for decades until the Italians joined in. They are on the continent, speak a different language, don’t get what ‘fair play’ is about. They are the ugly ones, the dirty ones, the eye gougers, brawlers of the pack. The dark, ugly face of romanticism. It’s in them: a rugby field is a no man’s land in which anything goes.
The French initially lamented professionalism, the IRB, the Anglo power, southern hemisphere’s modern vision, the rugby World Cup itself as they knew all this was going to kill the rugby they knew.
They have infringed, punched and eye-gouged on all European grounds. It’s what they are renowned for. France is the team to crush, to wipe out, to stand up to.
Let’s mess the Frogs up. They love it.
Wales
Wearing red when you play a brutal sport like rugby is a statement: we are not afraid of drawing blood. There is something mythical about them, something different, dunno what really. Is it because of the Welsh rugby legends of the pre-80s we heard so much about? Or are we just reminiscing our first rugby emotions, the goosebumps we had when we saw, heard, felt Cardiff’s Arms park?
One thing is certain: no one in Europe ever underestimates the Welsh, no matter what has their form been in the months before the battles.
They are the only true rugby nation among the six, they represent the history of the game. They are the ‘Six Nations Tournament’, more so than anyone else.
Ireland
The rebels, the outcasts, the islanders who will protect their land at all costs. When you grow up in Europe’s 1980s you know two things about Ireland: the IRA and Irish teams’ fighting spirit.
Nothing is simple or smooth with the Irish and certainly not a rugby match against them. For us continentals, they have achieved what the Welsh and Scots haven’t: the political and historical aura they have ‘earned’ can be felt on rugby fields too.
For many French supporters Ireland feels like a second home-team. And for the Bretons it even goes further, it’s their Celtic homeland, nothing less.
The Irish won’t go down without a fight. They are the tournament’s pit bulls, they never let go.
Scotland
They have a low-key status that suits them all right. No one among us really hate them but for decades (when we were five), we all knew that a win at home or Murrayfield was likely to be the difference between a wooden spoon or not.
The great thing when you aren’t English is that you have the feeling the Scots will use all their stamina and anger against their southern foes. They have talent and class. Scotland are the younger brother you know you have to beat, somehow reluctantly.
But if you are English, you know you will feel the ire of the whole nation when you travel to Murrayfield. And not just a wee bit.
Italy
The late comers, the non-rugby nation. When they were invited to join in 2000, most of us thought the Italians would be the sacrificial lambs of the bunch for the next 20 years. The football divas on a rugby pitch, really?
How wrong were we! Many have discovered an aspect of Italy we didn’t know about. ‘Les ritals‘ have embraced the sport, the tournament’s tradition. They have earned their spot all right.
Italy are the strangers, the guests who will tear you apart if you don’t respect them. A country which has the Calcio Storico in their blood has its place in our European tournament, we should have known better.
So yes, the next two months may be cold, wet, muddy, ugly. The rugby played may be poor, uninspiring and unwatchable at times, that’s true. It has occasionally been all this in the past, no question.
But for the six and their people, and for others who love rugby, all rugby, they will love it. As soon as the first anthem resonates our rugby instincts will take over, it has always been and will always be like that.
Like a life-long family feud, we need to be who we are.
Vic
Guest
Or just old age setting in......
Bakkies
Guest
I have watched him play over here a fair bit and he hasn't carded or suspended that often. It was on the cards as he would meet his match playing in France.
RobC
Roar Guru
I guess in that context, its the Pumas who might have an axe to grind with England
JimmyB
Guest
Well I don't know AK but they seem to. I'm always puzzled by the arrogant tag, given the competition but Anyhoo.
AussieKiwi
Guest
I think "Hate" or "outright hatred" are the wrong words Jimmy B, definitely from the Southern hemisphere perspective anyway. I think the Irish/Scottish/French perspective is probably coloured by the real historical enmities which led to very real armed conflicts in the past. We all take England games very seriously, and it is very satisfying to beat them(you!). . That is because England generally has a very good team and is the birthplace and home of rugby. Yes we find some poms to be arrogant or pompous sometimes. Likewise some English supporters who post on the Roar apparently find us Southerners to be arrogant, crass, loud and obnoxious! (I know, it's hard to believe, isn't it!) But hey we just gave your Queen's consort a knighthood! (ultra embarrassing I know) . In all seriousness, how could anyone hate the country who gave the world Monty Python, Fawlty Towers, Ab Fab, the Office, etc, etc, etc????
JimmyB
Guest
I'm quite calm about it Charl, if I'm honest I still find it all a little bemusing really, but I'm used to it.
Dublin Dave
Guest
Ireland have only won in Paris five times since the war. In effect five times since 1931 as France were exiled after that season. So that's an average of one win every 17 years in round terms. They won in 1948 (Grand Slam year) 1952, 1972, 2000 and 2014. It's the second worse away record in the Five/Six Nations in the post war era, if you discount Italy who have only been playing since 2000. In fact, Scotland's record in Twickenham is even worse. They've only won twice there since the war, in 1971 and in 1983.
Homer Gain
Guest
Ireland have got to be hot favourites (and I'm not just saying that to jinx them). Autumnal form and fixture list favour them this year. That said, until that first game is played one never know how the autumn form will translate and having to play Italy first up, away from home is a potential banana skin. England and Wales are roughly on a par, with Wales having the (huge) advantage of playing England in Cardiff. England's injuries are a factor, but less than would be the case with those countries with smaller player pools. The injuries I think rule out any chance of an England Grand Slam, but not the chance of winning the tournament. The fly in the ointment this year is Scotland. They looked good in the autumn and their club sides have improved markedly. The Cotter effect might be working. Yet in previous years foreign coaches and their Scottish teams have flattered to deceive so this tournament will be a real crucible. France remain in the doldrums. Italy aside, they are the only team which has no realistic chance of winning the tournament; which probably means they'll do just that. All in all the most intriguing 6 Nations for several years and all with the World Cup in the offing adding extra spice. For all the cynics and pessimists out there, I know of no annual competition (in any sport) which consistently evokes this degree of anticipation and excitement. And NH or SH, this remains the greatest sport on the planet.
Vic
Guest
Eye gouging, eh? No wonder old Bakkies enjoys playing in France so much.....wonder who's teaching whom? Wales for me, France second.
Charl
Guest
Ah, Jimmy, but do you think we would be that vocal if we didn't see you as a threat? Keep calm and Vive la France ;)
RobC
Roar Guru
haha. Happy to be your bookie NOS ;)
JimmyB
Guest
Bakkies, you can add to that list Parling, Eastmond and Barritt.
Bakkies
Guest
Farrell and Tom Wood got injured on the weekend. What France have over the other teams is superb handling and weighting passes with soft hands to the man running in to space. Their offloading is a lot better too. Their good backrowers have superb hands so they don't become a hindrence when they get involved in a opportunity. A lot of Irish forwards get in the way and get caught with the ball.
Bakkies
Guest
Ireland have a good record against Wales. It's more the losing streak against England that needs to be dealt with.
Bakkies
Guest
The viewing numbers for Rugby on TF1 and Canal are superb. Canal have won the battle for Top 14 rights. You can't compare Basketball crowds with XV de France as indoor stadiums don't have capacities over 20,000.
JimmyB
Guest
I'm going with the pervading attitude on The Roar BB which waivers between mild antipathy to outright hatred. Plenty of Roarers are more than happy to admit to their disregard for the poms.
Firstxv
Guest
Aus packs haven't always been this lame and the 91 and 99 ish eras had two very well rounded sides. The French have played some of the very best rugby ever played versus NZ sides in my book. 1979 at Eden Park they shred the ABs with Arguirres side, the wingers Averous and Cordoniu(?). 87 they had Blanco and co and 94 the try from the end of the earth, not to mention the 99 blitz from 24-10 down to 36-24 in twenty minutes. Stunning stuff. These days they seem to threaten but are less likely to achieve it. For this 6N I'm going with Ireland. The best NH side of the AI's, a coach that knows his stuff, a pack leader in O'Connell that never takes a foot back, and a backline that can only improve. If they manage the latter, they'll be too strong again. England I believe have not kicked on from 2012, are subject to a cruel injury run, and just cannot seem to get that 10-12 axis sorted. Wales and England to fight for second and Scotland to pull one big one off but be overpowered in the end overall. France?...who knows...not even they do.
I don't think everyone hates England, that would be too simple a way to judge it. I personally don't hate any team, however I am a bad loser, I hate losing and above all I hate when the SA teams do not perform to the standard I expect of them.
nickoldschool
Guest
Yea its probably true richard. I think there is a bit of morosity in the french nt at the moment. PSA makes odd selections plus they see their neighbours putting in place the kind of rugby they havent been able to play for years now. I think hearing the french public criticizing them and saying how england, ireland and wales are so much better these days is hurting them too. I dont think players are kidding themselves they know the relative success of french clubs is mostly due to imports so I guess some players may have lost motivation too. Same with the nt, PSA is calling foreigners who are imo not outstandingly better than french born and its a very risky thing to do. Bit of a mess really.
Harry Jones
Expert
D'accord! Loved the humour