End of 6 nations....onto Rugby World Cup 2011

Well that is the 6 nations over.  It is heartbreaking to see it come to an end as it was a very memorable tournament this year.  England have indeed been crowned 6 Nations champions and will carry the beacon of European champions going to New Zealand for the World Cup in September this year.  When England played well they managed to exploit their opposition’s weaknesses and really take the game to them – clinical finishing, great spatial and territorial awareness, solid defensively and very together.  Though, I feel that any injuries to the starting team in the world cup could cost them big as we saw in their final game against Ireland.  Could this be the same impetus which propelled them to World Cup glory?  Well, last time they did win the grand slam, so hopefully not!! 

Ireland had a very mixed campaign where they showed glimpses of excellent Eire talent.  Sparks of brilliance from Brian O’Driscoll, Ronan O’Gara’s level head to see out games, their back three were all excellent and their most consistent players along with their entire forwards pack.   I feel that Gordon D’Arcy sold the jersey (for want of a better expression) in some games, especially against France.  If they won that game it may have impelled them to a grand slam?  They got very unlucky to concede a try against Wales as it was illegal when you look at the replays.  If the form they ended the tournament is reflected in the World Cup, they can be very threatening. 

France, France, France.  When they are in the mood they are easily the best team in the northern hemisphere – arguably in the world!  A very good start against Scotland in but, seemed to fizzle out like an effervescent!  A good start and a good end to their  tournament to defeat a Wales team that were on the ascendancy.  I really think they have a lot of work to do before the World Cup if they want to match England to be the only other northern hemisphere team to win the RWC.  This work is right from the top – Marc Lievremont, their manager – taking in the right players and cutting out the others.  Their team is aging.  They need to make sure they have the perfect blend. 

Marc Lievremont made some insanely lewd comments about his team - ....his players agreed!  What a badass!

Wales came in second having lost to the giants of the tournaments.  Being injury riddled, they faced England in the opening game of the tournament and they got beaten.  From then on, they won the rest of their games up until they faced France in Paris where they were defeated, convincingly.  They need their key players.  They need them very much! I do not think Wales will progress past the quarter finals of the RWC.  A lot of decisions went their way I feel. 

Scotland.  Hmm.  Once again on the back of a good Autumn test series, they were overhyped before the tournament.  They lost all their games, some convincingly, others narrowly.  They won their last game against the Azzuri and they did well against a strong Italian side, truth be told. I really do not know how to call it for the Scottish for their RWC.  It is just depressing watching Scotland play rugby.  It is so boring.  For me, they butcher the game.  They do nothing spectacular or striking and have no real brand of rugby.  I wish they would keep it more simple and play to their strengths. 

Italy!!!  This tournament was one of their greatest despite narrowly losing out against Ireland and Wales respectively and also suffering one of the greatest defeats in recent 6 nations tournaments against England, they managed to show resilience and pull out all the stops against France.  They defeated France for the first time in international rugby – 22-21.  At one point during the match they were 18-6 down.  What a turn around.  What dogged attitude to grind out a win against one of the biggest forces in world rugby.  It seemed like only the French did not want the Italians to win.  Excellent result for Italian rugby, excellent for world rugby, a memorable, heart stopping match which belonged to Italy.  For me, thee single greatest moment in the whole tournament.

An up and coming force in rugby and they are not to be taken lightly in the RWC. 

My most hated parts of the tournament is whenever that inbred douche, Chris Ashton would score a try he would swallow dive.  Celebrating like that is not what Rugby Union is about.  It is disrespectful and unnecessary. 

It is very exciting times for Rugby! BRING ON RWC 2011!!!!

Much love,

Jackson L.