Before this Six Nations I was hugely excited at the prospect of five of the best sides in the world, and Italy, going head to head and, if it didn’t quite live up to the hype, it was a hugely significant and largely enjoyable tournament nonetheless.
It was a spectacle — both live and on the TV — and it was good to see rugby delivering again. I rejoice in that. My overall take is that there are now manifestly two divisions in the Six Nations.
There are France and Ireland and then there are the rest.
France’s fearless young team lit up the tournament and deservedly took home the Grand Slam
France and Ireland are forging ahead in their understanding of the modern game, their skill levels and attacking intent and the tempo they attempt to play the game at.
That doesn’t mean they are unbeatable, there will still be bumps in the road but the curve is upwards and I salute both teams and both sets of coaches.
It frustrates me incidentally that proud English rugby men, such as Shaun Edwards, Andy Farrell and Mike Catt, are at the heart of these two fine sides but England either ignore their talents — in the case of Edwards — or dispense with them too early as was the case with Farrell and Catt.
The French have lit up the rugby world. Stars such as Antoine Dupont, Cameron Woki, Gregory Alldritt, Romain Ntamack and Damian Penaud will eventually be remembered as legends of the game when they retire but, make no mistake, they are more than a random gathering of freakish talent.
France under Fabien Galthie have fearlessly and systematically selected young tyros they believe in, while Edwards has got them fit and remodelled their defence.
The talents of Ireland coaches Mike Catt (L) and Andy Farrell (R) were ignored by England
Ireland, meanwhile, have a relentless pace and array of skills that reminds me of Farrell’s great rugby league side at Wigan when he was skipper.
As for the rest? Let’s first deal with England, who continue to frustrate and baffle while occasionally giving a tantalising glimpse of a brighter future.
The big problem is that when the squad gather on Mondays after the debrief from the Saturday nobody has got any idea what the back division for the next game will be. And when the squad gather at the start of each season, nobody is really sure who the coaches below Eddie Jones will be.
The player churn and state of flux among the outside backs and coaching staff eventually becomes unsettling.
Of course, you must have competition for places and continual assessment but, in every great side I have encountered a hierarchy must become evident. The Gun XV will trip off your tongue.
England continue to frustrate and baffle but occasionally give a glimpse of a brighter future
Within the squad those who command first XV places are proud of that and defend their places like life itself while contenders redouble their efforts to break through.
It’s healthy and settled while also being strangely dynamic. Within such a squad everybody will instantly know if a selection is a bit random, rogue or unearned. They will instantly know if a selection is destabilising their team.
In the England outside backs we have had this endless confusion of Henry Slade out of position; Joe Marchant on the wing one week, centre the next; Max Malins doing a job on the on the wing when full back is his position but then being dropped altogether after almost no opportunity to shine; Elliot Daly, centre one week, utility back or benchman the next.
Courtney Lawes or Maro Itoje at lock or blindside flanker? Why would you play two of the world’s best locks anywhere other than the second row?
I know it is in vogue to talk about hybrid versatile back five players but for me there is a huge difference between say Woki, a born and bred flanker who can operate brilliantly in the second row, and the English duo who are consistently brilliant locks who can do a decent but not exceptional job at six.
A superstar has emerged in the shape of darting young Italian full back Ange Capuozzo
Elsewhere, we must celebrate Italy’s incredible win in Cardiff and the emergence of a superstar in the darting, sprinting Ange Capuozzo.
What a boost for Italian rugby. I can’t claim that I anticipated the win but Italy have unquestionably been improving this season under their abrasive skipper Michele Lamaro. They have been much more physical and aggressive.
But for a couple of unkind calls in Rome last week they could have run Scotland very close and on Saturday you could see they had a good mindset.
While Wales were celebrating various player milestones, Italy clearly fancied their chances.
I am 100 per cent opposed to South Africa replacing them in the Six Nations, which is a European competition and must remain so. For Italy to start becoming competitive would be a huge boon.
I still believe in promotion and relegation but it would be great if it wasn’t always Italy having to run that gauntlet.
Finn Russell is a word class performer for his club Racing 92 but is inconsistent for Scotland
As for Wales, until Saturday I thought they were punching above their weight in an injury-ravaged season but that defeat will cast a long shadow. They looked flat.
Scotland continue to frustrate and some of their senior players being disciplined for a late night is not good but I haven’t given up on them. I’m intrigued as to why Finn Russell isn’t as consistent as he is for Racing.
At club level, he is surrounded by world-class talent doesn’t always need to provide that ‘special moment’. With Scotland I suspect he feels he must be the miracle worker all the time.
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