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Slam pour La France … 6 Nations Review

As I write, French Captain Thierry Dusautoir is being presented with the RBS 6 Nations Trophy at the magnificent Stade de France, after a narrow 2 point victory over England added the Grand Slam to the Championship which had been clinched 3 hours previously, after Scotland’s victory against Ireland. It has been a tournament which at times was brutal, and as tonight was so often decided by the narrowest margins.

The tone was set on the second weekend with Wales’ remarkable last minute come back against Wales, whilst England suffered narrow defeats to Ireland and France and a draw with Scotland. Simply, whilst the French were the class act of the competition, there is little to choose between the others at this point.

The most worrying aspect, potentially, is that France apart, the gap between the 6 Nations and the Southern Hemisphere giants seems to have grown into an inescapable chasm. With the Rugby World Cup 2011 a mere 18 months away, this will have gone unnoticed by nobody with the interests of British and Northern Hemisphere Rugby at heart.

Nevertheless, it has been an exciting 6 Nations Tournament, and those of us at Random Musings have taken the opportunity to briefly rate the performances of each team – with a final mark out of 10, whilst also selecting each team’s player of the tournament and future ‘bright light’:-

The French have been the standout team of the tournament and deservedly emerge both as winners, and with the Grand Slam. It is a result of perseverance for coach, Marc Lièvremont, who has endured much criticism from the demanding French media for his selections over the last 2 years, but who has seen some of the controversial picks repay his loyalty in great fashion.

Tactically, they have been much improved, illustrated by how they negated the Welsh attacking game during the first half in Cardiff, but they retain the flair that they have always had. They are by far the best prepared of the European teams to launch an assault on the World Cup in 2011.

Mark – 9 ; Star – Imanol Harinordoquy; Bright Light – Morgan Parra

This was not the Irish team of 2009, although they did still play some of the best attacking rugby of the tournament. In Tommy Bowe, they have one of the best young finishers in the modern game, and have a mix of youth and experience.However, none of that ‘experience’ is getting any younger, and after the Lions tour of last summer, a tired looking Brian O’Driscoll was certainly not the influence that he so often is.

Declan Kidney will know that he needs to get this mixture absolutely right. For all of Jonathan Sexton‘s youthful promise, would Irish supporters prefer to see the ageing but hugely effective Ronan O’Gara? Not at their best but still a threat to anyone on any given day.

Mark – 6; Star – Tommy Bowe; Bright Light – Tomas O’Leary

England will come away from the tournament wishing that they still had 4 matches ahead of them. Despite the loss in Paris, this was their best performance of a competition in which they flattered to deceive. This was a team that seemed to lack direction, purpose and dynamism, yet were never out of a game in which they played.

They lost narrowly against France and Ireland, were abysmal in the Calcutta Cup draw with Scotland, equally poor in beating Italy, and comfortable in beating a Welsh side that were unable to find consistency over a match let alone a tournament. Yet, there is promise in the likes of Ben Foden and Chris Ashton.

However, Martin Johnson faces the same conundrum as Declan Kidney, as to how he utilises experienced heads such as Wilkinson, Tindall and Thompson, who evidently still have much to offer. This is a crucial time of rebuilding for England in the build up to 2011 – their biggest asset still remains in the fact that they rarely lose by many, and hence are always in with a chance.

Mark – 5; Star – James Haskell; Bright Light – Ben Foden

The Welsh will possibly be more than a little confused at their tournament. They combined, at times, breathtaking brilliance in attack, with schoolboy errors.

Defensively, they were frail, which will concern Warren Gatland and Shaun Edwards.This was a hugely entertaining but horrifically inconsistent side, with much work ahead. However, the second half comebacks which overcame Scotland, and very nearly the French were memorable, and an indication of the talent in the Principality.

Mark (out of 10) – 5; Star – Shane Williams; Bright Light – Jamie Roberts

The Scots have taken great steps forward under the leadership of Andy Robinson, and their dramatic win against Ireland justified some of the plaudits that they have received. It may sound a little exaggerated to say that the Scots could easily have won a Triple Crown, but it really is not.

They were defeated in 2 crazy minutes in Cardiff, could so easily have won the drawn Calcutta fixture with England, and did beat the Irish. Their only real disappointment was in losing to the Italians. They were able to generate quick ball and played with defensive passion. A hugely encouraging campaign for the Scots.

Mark – 8; Star – Dan Parks; Bright Light – Johnnie Beattie

The Italians were a credit to themselves in this Tournament, underdogs and rightly so in each match, but on each occasion really giving a good account of themselves.

Their highlight was of course the win against Scotland, but England walked away from Rome after a real fright, and France were certainly not used to having 20 points put on them. They are competitive up front and have some talent in the backs. Coach Nick Mallett should be very proud of his charges.

Mark (out of 10) – 7; Star – Mauro Bergomasco; Bright Light – Luke McLean

So another Six Nations has passed, and it continues to be brilliant in its unpredictability, if not always its quality. It remains a wonderful tournament and the measure of supremacy in the Northern Hemisphere.

No doubt come January 2011, we will enter next years competition with no idea of who will win. Hopefully, we will however go in with the thought that at least 2 of the protagonists can challenge the Southern Hemisphere powerhouses.