Hello. Excuse me. Have you seen any of my grey matter? I had a full complement and then I went to Dublin for St Patrick’s weekend, backed the Irish winner in the Cheltenham Gold Cup on the Friday and then someone gave me a ticket for the Aviva Stadium on Saturday and the next thing I know is that I woke up on St Stephen’s Green on Sunday morning with one shoe lost, my wallet empty and half a million brain cells missing. What happened?
The Six Nations finale is what happened, delivering the most romantic as well as the most fitting of climaxes with Ireland landing their first ever Grand Slam in Dublin (the 1948 one was claimed in Belfast), cementing their status as Europe’s leading contender for World Cup honours with their fourth title of the last decade. It was nervy, it was tense, occasionally tetchy but the team did as it has done over the past 18 months, finding a way through a thicket of challenges to send the fair city into raptures.
Ireland keep on winning no matter what – and, fair play to England, they were up for the fight, a minimum requirement for an international team, you might say, but they had been so useless, so spineless, so meaningless against France that the prospect of another horror show was very real.
It made for wonderful scenes at the final whistle, producing images that reached out way beyond rugby’s normal constituency.
In the long-running saga of bone-headed rugby administrators pride of place must go to those who have repeatedly pushed for the Six Nations championship to be shunted towards the end of the season. Take your pick as to the reasons behind such cack-handed thinking: aligning the southern and northern hemisphere seasons, greater clarity for club season, better weather and so on and so on. All lame excuses, short-sighted and wilfully destructive. Thankfully there are those with wisdom, foresight and backbone in those corridors of power and instead of a humdrum club weekend, Test-match rugby once again hit the headlines.
The Six Nations Championship is made for this time of year, filling the schedules and drawing in so many passing viewers as well as the diehards. As for the guff that has long been spouted about aligning the seasons north and south of the equator, it has only ever meant playing to a southern calendar. The north is where the money lies, so why should it meddle with its long-established conventions and tournaments. It makes no sense.
And as Dubliners scrabble among the rubble of a boisterous celebratory weekend, it’s only right to salute the finely-paced rhythms of this seven week competition, its ongoing narrative arch which threw up so many intriguing story lines. The denouement in Dublin may not have given us high-end quality fare but it was never less than riveting.
It has never been difficult to be in thrall to what Ireland has to offer, the warmth (of the welcome rather than the weather), the fun, the craic and all that malarky. Cliched, perhaps but true nonetheless.
Andy Farrell’s Ireland team have all those characteristics in them, derived from the persona of their head coach who has released them from the more rigid ways, on and off the field, of his predecessor, Joe Schmidt. Ireland benefitted hugely from Schmidt’s scholastic approach, their finely choregraphed play seeing them rise up the rankings and taking them to a Grand Slam in 2018.
Andy Farrell, the Ireland head coach, holds the Six Nations trophy after Ireland secure a Grand Slam victory during the Six Nations Rugby match between Ireland and England at Aviva Stadium on March 18, 2023 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
But Farrell has moved the team on from that period which, once again, ended in World Cup failure in Japan. Farrell has liberated the side, encouraged them to trust their instincts as much as the game plan. There is intelligence as well as emotion in their play, craft and graft in equal measure, cleverness, variety, nuance, all of those subtle shifts of on-field strategy and off-field mindset.
Ireland once again won on the hoof, adapting to the circumstances they found themselves in, didn’t rush or panic, let the man advantage take its toll ( what an over-the-top red card that was for Freddie Steward) and got their due returns. Ireland play winning rugby, far easier said than done, and is the most precious virtue of a champion team.
England’s relative misery is encapsulated in the figure of Andy Farrell, not so much the one that got away as the one shown the door in 2015 following England’s ignominious World Cup exit at the pool stage. Farrell’s stock is so high, and rightly so, that he is already a shoo-in to be Lions head coach in Australia in 2025.
England did at least put some pride back into performance. They are still so far behind the market leaders but at least they are back in the fight, scuffling sluggers maybe while the champs dance around the ring, but that is their rightful place on the card at the moment. They’ve spent too long bemoaning the supposed mess Eddie Jones left behind and now have to get on with the job. And it’s a monumental one.
And what of last weekend’s Anglo-slayers, the buccaneering French, bested only by Ireland but showing enough punch and panache in brushing off the Welsh challenge to show that the opening match of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, France vs New Zealand, on September 8th might well turn out to greatest opener that the tournament has ever seen?
France have so much to offer, from the power of their forward pack, the skill too, to the all-round brilliance of their back line. To prove that they are an all-court side, capable of hurting you from anywhere, it was an old-school barrelling score from prop, Uni Antonio, four minutes into the second-half that took France past their previous best ever total of points (156 pts in 2002) in the championship. They let their attention drift to allow Wales, doing something of an England with a spirited sort of show, to get a bonus point with a fourth try by Rio Dyer.
Scotland, edgy, febrile, just-about-got-away-with-it, Scotland confirmed their reputation as a team with potential if not yet wholly proven product. The 26-14 scoreline against Italy to deliver a respectable third place finish with three victories for the fifth time in the last seven seasons masks just how squeaky-bum a win it was.
Italy, oh Italy. How close, knocking the ball on within a gnat’s whisker of the line in the dying seconds only to then see Scotland go the length-of-the-field to secure victory, once again have to deal with the heartache of a near-miss. They will be bruised, as well as cheesed off, with all those well-intentioned yet patronising pats on the back and the dreaded, ‘Well played old chap but tough luck.’ At least talk of relegation from the championship has been well and truly stilled.
Scotland will be troublesome at the World Cup, dangerous as they showed against France. But they are not yet Ireland, able to rise above the mess and mayhem to see their way to glory. And thoroughly deserved it was too. Ireland and France have proper designs on the Webb Ellis trophy, the rest of the European sides are also-rans.
Faith
Roar Rookie
I'm sure saffa teams will have something to say about that ...
Faith
Roar Rookie
For France to win the RWC Ntamack has to go back to the levels he was playing at in attack i.e taking risks like he did when they beat the ABs ...
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
The main issue as I see (probably wrongly) is how each region want to structure their competition calander. NH does about 8 weeks of Club, test window, 8 weeks of Club, test window, 8 weeks of Club test window. Rest of the world is 18 weeks of Club 18 weeks of tests. NH is unlikely to ever go for the SH model as Club is about 10 more weeks and that isn't going to change. Clubs also like that they can engage fans for 12 months of the year and aren't going to sign up to a model where for 4 months there are only 3-6 games a week for fans to watch, and the Clubs aren't bringing in money. Canal have paid big money to the T14/PD2 because they get about 30 weeks of games spread out over the year with a nice gap in the summer to cover summer sporting event. That is why 6N rugby is starting to sell Club and tests as one package to providers around the world because its about 11 months of games. I don't think Oz and NZ want that model hence the impass. The RC window is the problem because it wants to force NH to play all their test rugby from July to November and shorten the Club season from Jan to June.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Thanks for the detail. I knew most of it but the clarity is good to have. Sounds like a compelling argument for retaining Feb-Mar. Now it would be nice to engage all the partners to convince them of that. Or the 6N could go the other way and simply impose their view without negotiation. I think my point is clear, I don't need to hear any more.
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
The Feb-Mar window for test matches is there for 14 nations in Europe, and is the third busiest test window after July and November. I don't think that is self interest or self centred if half the T1/T2 use this window. The Americas 6 Nations was also previously done during this window Though who knows what their plans are. I could care less when the RC is on but more Nations will be put out by closing the European test window than would be by closing the RC window. T3 nations play their test during the year so not really affected as non professional players can't give up 6 weeks of work in one go. PIs don't play outside of July and November, and 95+% of the time are playing Europeans in these tests. African Gold Cup was June in 2022. Japan don't play regional rugby anymore so also just play July and November for WR approved windows, they dont play during the RC window. Americas is still working out their future plans. Currently the RC window only benefits 2 of the 4 nations in it as SA and Arg either must send their players back to their clubs on RC rest weeks or strike a deal with the clubs. So the RC window is only there currently to support NZ and Oz and no other Union, unless you can think of any other T1 or T2 it benefits. The test windows in Feb-Mar, Jun-July & Oct-Nov have been around for a long long time, RC window was only created in the 90s which is why the RC is happy to cut itself short every 4 years.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
So, naked self-interest. It doesn't have to be a competition. Some sign that there is an attempt to find a balance. And the competition isn't hated. Any thinking fan loves both tournaments; and the 6N has been brilliant over the last few years, producing some fabulous rugby. This isn't anything to do with the rugby being played
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
I don't agree that 6N is hated any less than the RC. Go look at how many Nations outside of the RC and 6N get to play those 10 nations. SA are working with Georgia to make it an 8N with either no rest week or patterned on the European Championship. RC was very happy to add two extra teams if WR were doing the Nations league then pretended they never embraced having 6 teams in the RC when WR's idea fell apart. Even the Nations league had half the teams being European because its where nearly half the teams are. At u20s European T2 are outperforming every T2 nation outside of Fiji and Japan which is why they are now starting to surpass them at test level. The longer the debate goes on the strong European T2 & T3 nations get but they are doing it themselves not WR which is what is holding back other places. Look at the Women's game it is going to go the same way.
Grobu
Roar Rookie
I think you're right. "Fabien Galthie's men were also clinical when they made a break, converting 50% (17/34) of their line breaks into tries, the best rate of any side. This attacking efficiency is mirrored in the fact they averaged three points per opposition 22 entry, again the best rate of any team. A competition high gainline success rate of 55% rounds off the CV, so despite having the least possession (45%), they definitely took the prize for best attack."
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
I just hate the naked self-interest of it. It might be that you're right and the SH teams need to align with the February window but simply stating it is so and not discussing it with all participants is wrong, and typical. It's always been thus. And if you think SA and Argentina feel anything for those who run the game in the NH other than the money they might provide for them, you've misunderstood just how non-6N rugby nations have felt about decision-making from WR for decades.
whistleblower (retired)
Roar Rookie
It is probable France's attack is more intuitive than Irelands 'programmed' attack. That may make it more difficult to defend against France.
whistleblower (retired)
Roar Rookie
But, typically, they score points than they leak.
whistleblower (retired)
Roar Rookie
I'm a fledgling. A mere 7
Grobu
Roar Rookie
Did I say Ireland's attack was not good? Did I say there was a gulf ? I just said that France in this year tournament had a "sharper" attack, with reference to "especially points scored by entry in the 22". Sorry to have offended your fragile ego, keep living in your happy little green cheerleader's world
Khun Phil
Roar Rookie
whistleblower,you guessed correctly!Been here for 18 years.And you?
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
If you believe that Rugby is only the 6N, RC and a few T2 countries you might think his view is self centred but if you look at what actually happens you maybe be surprised how many Nations play tests in this window and how few play in the RC window. 14 nations just completed their annual European tournament. That is more T1 & T2 as the rest of the world combined. The Americas Rugby Championship was also played during this time. How many annual tournaments take place during the RC window, it is the one that fewest would vote to keep. SA and Arg are already aligned with the NH and the RC hinders their players professionally. Same with the PIs who have more professional players in Europe than at home. If a vote was held in the morning to get rid of the 6N or RC test window I would be confident that the 6N, SA, Arg would vote for the 6N, as would Georgia, Romania and the PIs. That is 28 votes plus 2 more for Rugby Europe, well above the 26 needed. If T2 Europe refused to do July & Nov test against those who voted against it, USA, Canada, Nambia, Uaragay would also vote for it or they would have no tests teams to play. NZR & RA are rubbish politically as they have not built up any relationships and tanked ones they had. SA since losing the hosting of the 23 WC has been busy trying to build better relations with teams like Georgia, Spain etc.
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
Glasgow could well do but they still struggle to beat a powered up team in a knockout game. Depending on the SA tour Glasgow may have to knock over Munster & Leinster, while also navigating the Challange Cup knockouts.
Pom in exile
Roar Rookie
Are you alright?
HenryHoneyBalls
Roar Rookie
Haha the difference in attacking tries in 1 try its negligible and it also favours Ireland if you expand it to the last two years. The difference in tries conceded is a total gulf in difference France conceded 14 this year Ireland 6.
Ulrich
Roar Rookie
Luckily the Boks lost to Ireland, France, and New Zealand last year. More "learnings". What a shite word. In all seriousness though, if there is a team that can rally from that it is the Boks. At the very least they will have motivation to one-up any of those three. Scotland is the potential banana peel. Not unthinkable that Aus and Argentina find themselves in the semis. Argentina is the team not many are mentioning but they too can beat the All Blacks and the Boks and and... have beaten France in France at a previous World Cup.
Grobu
Roar Rookie
So you look at tries conceded to assess defensive performance, but you discard tries scored to assess attacking performance ? Suit yourself, no point in discussing further.