Five things we learned from the Six Nations
A 2020 Six Nations interrupted for seven months by the coronavirus pandemic ended with England seizing the crown tamely surrendered by Wales.
Here, the PA news agency examines five things we learned from the competition.
Dominant England
A year after being well beaten in the World Cup final by South Africa, England were crowned champions of Europe for the first time since 2017. Apart from a disastrous start in Paris, where France won 24-17 after storming into a 24-0 lead, it was a solid championship that landed a seventh Six Nations title – two more than closest rivals Les Bleus and Wales. Eddie Jones has presided over three of those – the same number engineered by Sir Clive Woodward. It was hardly a vintage tournament and England rarely excelled, but they now occupy the summit.
Hurry back the crowds
It is to rugby’s credit that the 2019-20 season was completed despite the chaos caused by coronavirus, but the ghostly spectacle of Six Nations matches staged behind closed doors leaves a yearning for the tribal atmospheres that make the championship such compelling viewing. With all vibrancy and colour drained from ‘Super Saturday’, the tournament’s richly-anticipated climax had a gloomy feel that does not bode well for when its next instalment arrives in just over three months’ time.
French resurgence
Champagne corks may be popping at Twickenham, but there is acknowledgement that France – inspired by their electric scrum-half Antoine Dupont – are breathing down their necks, and the resurgence of fallen heavyweights who have been in the doldrums for a decade is a welcome development. It took points difference to separate the teams at top of the table and but for a brainless punch by prop Mohamed Haouas against Scotland, they might have claimed the Grand Slam.
Downward spiral
As one team rises, another sinks. The decline of Wales from Grand Slam champions and World Cup semi-finalists to a lame fifth-placed finish is staggering. Warren Gatland departed a year ago and his successor Wayne Pivac has presided over their worst Championship since 2007 – the last time they only managed one win. The looming Autumn Nations Cup offers a chance to halt the slump, but their failure to fire a shot against Scotland points to more misery ahead.
Advantage Itoje
Alun Wyn Jones leads the race to become Lions captain for next year’s tour to South Africa according to bookmakers, but with every rampaging display it is Maro Itoje who takes a step closer to securing one of the game’s most prestigious roles. At the heart of his claim is a remarkable level of consistency. Alongside Owen Farrell, he is the only player to have completed all 400 minutes of England’s Six Nations and every performance is never less than outstanding. There is still a lot of rugby to be played before a Lions skipper is chosen, but Itoje must be the front runner.
Comments on RugbyPass
The shoulder is a “joint” with multiple bones. You don’t “fracture” a shoulder, you fracture any one or more of the bones that make up a shoulder.
2 Go to commentsOh dear, bones too suspect to continue?
2 Go to commentsBold headline considering the Canes and Blues are 1 and 2 and the Brumbies were soundly beaten by the Chiefs and Blues. Biggest surprise is Rebels 4 Crusaders 12 - no one saw that coming. If Aus are improving that’s great 👍
1 Go to commentsAnna, You are right, we need to have patience whilst the others catch up to England and France. Also it is the PWR that has been the game changer for England. the RFU put money into that initially at the expense of the Red Roses. I was sceptical at first but it has paid off in spades.
1 Go to commentsI think Matt Proctor became a 1 test AB in the same fixture. Cameron is quality and has been great this season, can’t believe’s he only 27. Realistically how would he not be selected for ABs squad this year. Only Dmac is ahead of him as a specialist 10. With Jordan out, it will come down to where and when Beauden Barrett slots back in, and where they want to play Ruben Love. Cameron seems an absolute lock in for the wider squad though. Added benefit of TJ-Cameron-Jordie combination at 9, 10, 11 too.
1 Go to commentsFarcical, to what end would someone want to pay to keep this thing going.
1 Go to commentsHavili, our best 12 by a mile, will be in the squad, if he stays fit. JB is the most overrated AB in the last 50 years.
61 Go to commentsWe had during the week twilight footy, twilight cricket, tw golf plus there was the athletics club. Then the weekend was rugby 15s plus the net ball, really busy club scene back then but so much has changed and rugby has suffered. And it was all about changing lifestyles.
6 Go to commentsIn the 70s and 80s my club ran 5 Senior sides plus a Vets. Now it is 2 sides with an occasional 3rd team. Players have difficulty getting to training now, not sure why and the commitment is not there. It seems to me more a problem of people applying themselves and not expecting to turn up and play whenever they want to.
6 Go to commentsROG’s contract is until 2027. The conversation about a successor to Galthie after RWC 2027 may be starting now. We can infer that Galthie’s reign stops then. He is throwing the Irish Coaching Job angle in because he is Irish. The next Irish coach MUST be Leo Cullen. As well as being the best coach available, coaching the vast majority of Irish Internationals week in week out, he has shown incredible skill at recruiting the best coaching staff for the job in hand. That was a failing in France. Cullen is a shrewd guy and if there is a need for foreign coaches underneath him he won’t hesitate. Rightly so. Ireland does need to start to bring Irish coaches through. Not just at the professional level but we need to train coaches to man new pathways for developing kids from schools/clubs up through the divisions.
8 Go to commentsNo Islam says it must rule where it stands Thus it is to be deleted from this planet Earth
18 Go to commentsThis team probably does not beat the ABs sadly Not sure if BPA will be available given his signing for Force but has to enter consideration. Very strong possibility of getting schooled by the AB props. Advantage AB. Rodda/Skelton would be a tasty locking combination - would love to see how they get on. Advantage Wallabies. Backrow a risk of getting out hustled and outmuscled by ABs. Will be interesting to see if the Blues feast on the Reds this weekend the way they did the Brumbies we are in big trouble at the breakdown. Great energy, running and defence but goalkicking/general kicking/passing quality in the halves bothers me enormously. SA may have won the World Cup for a lot of the tournament without a recognised goalkicker but Pollard in the final made a difference IMO. Injuries and retirements leave AB stocks a bit lighter but still stronger. 12 and 13 ABs shade it (Barret > Paisami, Ione = Ikitau, arguably) Interesting clash of styles on the wings - Corey Toole running around Caleb Clark and Caleb running over the top of Toole. Reece vs Koro probably the reverse. Pretty even IMO. 15s Kelleway = Love See advantage to ABs man for man, but we are not obviously getting slaughtered anywhere which makes a nice change. Think talent wise we are pretty even and if our cohesion and teamwork is better than the ABs then its just about doable.
11 Go to commentsCompletely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
6 Go to comments1.97m and 105Kg? Proportionately, probably skinnier than me at 1.82 and 82kilos. He won’t survive against the big guys at that weight.
56 Go to commentsThe value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
8 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
11 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
61 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
11 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to comments