The conclusion last week of the 2010 RBS Six Nations was nothing short of a damp squib. A championship that had been billed by many to be among the best for the generation, turned into six weeks of scrappy, and disappointing rugby action and badly highlighted the Northern Hemisphere’s weaknesses. With a 2011 Rugby World Cup a mere eighteen months away in New Zealand, it looks very unrealistic on any of our sides challenging the world superpowers from the All Blacks, South Africa, the out-of-form Australians and even Argentina.
Top of the class were undoubtedly the French. For once, Les Bleus played as a team unit throughout, got the results they needed and as a result, another Six Nations Grand Slam, their first since 2006. However, it was more professional and cagey, than the flamboyant, bullish style that we all know that France can play. In Paris last Saturday, the nerves got the better of them and had England shown more discipline, they may well have lost their chance of the Grand Slam. However, I don’t see this French side having the capability to challenge for the top honours in the world game. There is definitely a puzzle missing in this jigsaw.
Defending champions Ireland struggled to live up to their potential and it showed. Apart from an excellent win against Wales, the Irish laboured to wins at Twickenham and against Italy, but they were outfought and outplayed against France in Paris, and Scotland ended their Croke Park fairytale on a very sour note. For the Irish, their big-game players did not turn up and perform, similar to their shocking 2007 Rugby World Cup performance. It was a tournament to forget for them, despite finishing as distant runners-up.
Once again, England underachieved and failed when it came to the crunch. Finishing third in this championship is now a norm and if we start celebrating it, something is wrong. Turgid against Ireland at home, followed by a shocker at Murrayfield, Martin Johnson is still relying too heavily on the players that bought back the Webb Ellis Trophy seven years ago. True, young talent is coming through to replace the old guard, but they need more experience and time to shine and that is running out. Johnson’s naivety with some of his tactical decisions highlighted that he still has a way to go to become a top international coach. We need to stick by him and not make any rash decisions, but England is running out of excuses for failing to deliver. Winning something big in 2011 is imperative for this side.
Wales look a pale shadow from the side that stormed to Grand Slam victory two years ago. Gifting England victory in the Twickenham opener summed up their campaign from start to finish. It lacked quality and very error-prone. However, they did produce one of the greatest fightbacks in the code’s history to record a famous win over Scotland at the Millennium Stadium on matchday two. Also, their spirit to not accept defeat against France should be highlighted as a success. The never-give-up attitude and determination means Wales are still a force to be reckoned with. Costly errors are denying this side from getting anywhere successful.
Scotland was the surprise of the championship and deserved more than they got. They lost control of a winnable match in Cardiff and really should have taken advantage to beat a limp England at Murrayfield. However, Andy Robinson is injecting belief and pride into the players that hasn’t been there for a long time. For them to win last week at Croke Park was well-deserved, because not only did it lift them off the bottom of the table, but it would have been unjustified as well. Despite a 5th placed finish, the Scots can hold their heads up high on a decent, solid campaign.
Lastly, the Italians propped up the table again, but they are steady improvers. They pushed England all the way in Rome, beat Scotland fair and square and outscored France in the second half in Paris. If there was a prize for belief and competitive instinct, Italy would win the Grand Slam. Their passion and commitment makes up fully for the distinct lack of quality.
Most games turned into tedious, tense affairs, rather than the free-flowing, attacking rugby we’ve seen in recent championships. Let’s hope 2011 is slightly better. Congratulations to France on achieving the Grand Slam, but for all six teams competing, there is significant room for improvement and with the World Cup approaching fast, the clock is ticking away….
