Tackleman Blog: Six Nations Breakdown

Hello everyone, Tackleman here with another quick jaunt through a few rugby happenings from the past weeks. 

The 6 Nations is done and dusted and the good folk in the Northern H are still coming down to earth following “Super Saturday”. 221 points scored over the course of three games and the poor devils didn’t know who to cheer for.

The English rugby fan was in a state of total panic over the final 2 rounds.

They unnervingly found themselves having to cheer on the Welsh in the penultimate round, hoping that Gatland’s men would topple the Irish. Gatland, labelled a coach with the intellectual properties of a tub of lard by one former Irish player, spread the word amongst his charges and got one over Joe Schmidt and the Irish boys.

Thanks to a sporran full of wasted chances against the Scots the week before, England needed Italy to do them a favour and halt the crimson tide in Rome as Wales went big score hunting. And if relying on the increasingly fragile Azzuri wasn’t problem enough, Scotland would need to keep things respectable in Edinburgh against Ireland.

The boys in blue were swept aside with ease by Wales and Ireland, leaving England needing to win by a clear 27 points against the other Blue menace; France. And you know what? They nearly did it. 90 points were rattled off but it wasn’t quite enough. The battle was won but the war was lost, Ireland the 6 Nations victors, by a points difference of 6.

Team by team

So instantly the post mortems began. Where would this leave “The 6” ahead of Rugby World Cup 2015? Ireland first; clearly the favourites to cause damage come September. Experienced, well coached and with just the right amount of stardust to raise them above the norm. Main men? Paul O’Connell; immense presence, hugely powerful, relentless. The mantle of O’Driscoll comfortably shouldered. Alongside him, Connor Murray and Jonny Sexton; class at half back with Robbie Henshaw a gem at centre.

England; confused, rudderless, losing ground ahead of the tournament.

A few injuries to seemingly immovable Lancaster favourites and George Ford and Jonathan Joseph are thrown into the limelight and shine like seasoned pros. Quick of thought and deed, a beacon of hope in England’s previously gloomy backline. Up front, Joe Marler, fast learning his trade and Billy Vunipola engaging brain and brawn in one lethal package.

Wales, slow out of the blocks against England, only capable of playing “Gatland Ball”; smash it up and bulldoze the opposition. As the tournament progressed though, a seam of Welsh gold was unearthed. Dan Biggar grew, well, bigger game by game. Alun Whyn Jones was the warrior whilst his lofty partner at lock, Luke Charteris, took tackling to another level. Wales, they love a training camp, and after another few weeks in the cryo chambers of Poland they’ll be bursting their shirts to play England and Australia in the pool games.

But unfortunately, this is where the Northern Hemisphere teams start to go downhill.

Room to improve

France. Oh dear! Would someone please bring back the real France? We saw a glimpse of them against England but it was way too little way too late. Dull, mechanical, uninspiring. Poor Thierry Dusautoir, he deserves so much more. Still, they’ll probably make the Rugby World Cup Final.

Scotland? Dreadful really.

Injuries didn’t help them but the heart went out of their game as the tournament progressed; the brains left in the final minutes against Italy. Jonny Gray was their one bright spot up front, Stuart Hogg a pearl in the backline.

And finally, Italy. There is talk of Georgia wanting to take Italy’s place in the 6 Nations. The group leaders in the European Nations Cup might look good against the likes of Romania, whom they defeated 15 -6 last time out, and Russia, but they’re still a long way behind the Italians. Sadly, the Italians are now a long way behind the rest of the 6 Nations sides, Scotland apart, for now. You fear for them when Sergio Parisse retires. He has been their heartbeat for over a decade and for me is the most significant 6 Nations player of the modern era. Too bad for him Italy can’t find a few more like him; but they’re trying.

So until next month, thanks for reading and enjoy your rugby.

Tackleman

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