Six Nations 2015 – Final Thoughts

Introductory preamble

This is my 6th year of writing Rugby Raconteur. What started out as a few comments on matches between mates on email has expanded to become the blog we have today. I receive many positive comments and feedback from people who read Rugby Raconteur. Some friends, other people I don’t know and I want to thank everyone who reads my missives for your support.

Throughout the six years, I have focused exclusively on the Six Nations tournament. People ask me why I don’t expand this to cover British Lions, Autumn Internationals, World Cup etc. the short answer is time and the long answer is a lack of knowledge. I watch lost of European rugby – Guinness Pro 12, English Premiership, European Cup and that enables me to have a view on the players who play in they Six Nations. I don’t watch Super 15 very much or Rugby Championship in Southern Hemisphere so rather than weaken my writing and judgment – I stick to what I know.

For 2015, I am pleased that once again I have an 80% prediction rate – 12 out of 15 matches judged correctly. In the aggregate points difference – I had a 91% accuracy going into final round but given the unpredicted runaway results yesterday that dropped to a sobering 71% by the end of the tournament. Must try harder.

Anyway enough of the preamble – lets look at my final thoughts on 2015:

Judgment Day!

What a final weekend! With three teams still in the running everyone expected a tense day but no one could have written the script to this one! The greatest ever final day in Six Nations history! The destination of the silverware still in doubt until the final play and the final whistle of the third match. 240 minutes of scintillating rugby enjoyment and not for the faint hearted.

Wales started sluggishly in an error strewn 1st half in Rome going in with a single point advantage at half time. No one expected the second half display. Simply wonderful rugby from Wales who had been heavily criticised for a lack of running ruby and tries in previous rounds. Not so on this occasion. Wales were once again magnificent. Their whole season can be summed up in two halves. An awful 2nd half against England and a magical 2nd half against Italy.  A marker set down for everyone else and Ireland needing a 20 pt. victory margin to overtake Wales.

Match 2 brought Ireland to Murrayfield. Scotland surely must be up for the fight? Nothing to lose and everything to gain in a final home encounter. Well no. That’s not how the script went. No Hollywood ending for Scotland who were lamentable and quite simply the worst display by a Scottish team I have ever seen. Ireland dominated early with the evergreen O’Connell scoring an early try and never looked back. Ireland dominated the play and deservedly won the match by a record 30 points. Advantage Ireland into game 3.

England v France has thrown up some memorable games but this one will go down as a classic. A carefree England attacking well and gaining an early score. Back comes France. Then advantage England. Ben Youngs has been heavily criticised by me for his poor game against Ireland produced a man of the match performance to put England back in the ascendency and with the clock running down England on the attack needing a try to overhaul Ireland. A lost possession, scrum and France almost committing suicide with sloppy play near the end. The ball goes out to row Z and its all over Ireland are champions.

Many have criticised the judgment day format saying it gives too much advantage to the team playing last. Maybe but I think March 21st 2015 will go down as the greatest day in Six Nations rugby.

Bridesmaids

Stuart Lancaster’s England once again finishes in 2nd place in the championship. Another disappointment but England has much to be positive about going into the World Cup.  Despite horrific squad injuries, England were competitive in every match. Their big challenge is like in 2013 – they started strongly and got worse through the tournament. Defensive lapses hurt them against France and they were killed with slow ball against Ireland. 

Despite this, England can hold their heads up high. A god tournament on the build up to the World Cup – at home this autumn. Jonathan Joseph shone in the centres. Mike Brown, Jack Nowell, and Anthony Watson confounded their critics with a very attacking back 3. Ben Youngs was inconsistent but on his day is a world-beater. George Ford controlled things well at outside half. When you add the strength of the English pack then despite finishing second, it is England who can dream of World Cup glory and I confound anyone to bet against England being in the World Cup final on October 31st.

Team of the Championship – Wales

Controversial and I am not trying to show national bias but Wales for me were the best side in this Six Nations. They were the only team to win three away games and the only team who improved round after round.  Losing your first game at home to England after controlling a first half would break most teams but Wales bounced back with “job done” wins in Edinburgh and Paris before the Rourke’s Drift defensive display against Ireland and the magnificent win in Rome.

Dan Biggar became a man in this tournament and showed levels of maturity and control. Liam Williams rightly gained his place on the wing and Rhys Webb was an attacking threat at scrum half. Webb is much like Ben Youngs. Similar style and similar concentration levels – wonderful one minute awful the next. But he will improve.

In the pack, Luke Charteris was a giant and Sam Warburton absolutely back to his best with solid displays in every game. The dragon is back but sadly the World Cup looks very challenging. This six nations could be Warren Gatland’s swansong. An ignominious World Cup exit at group stage is the risk facing Wales for the remainder of 2015.

Goal kickers win matches

There is no substitute for a great kicker. Quite simply goal kickers win matches. Leigh halfpenny has set the standard again for everyone but Jonny Sexton, George Ford and Dan Biggar also gave noble efforts. When Halfpenny left the field against italy, Biggar stepped up and it was business as usual.

Greig Laidlaw was the only Scottish player to show real grit and his goal kicking accuracy was the only thing which kept Scotland from even bigger defeats. 
France and Italy struggled because a lack of a suitable goal kicker. If France who were 15-7 up against England had kicked the conversions and two penalties that followed, it could have been a different game yesterday. They need to find a kicker and fast!

Fond Farewell and Good Luck!

This Six Nations looks like it could be the last for many fantastic performers whom I doubt we will see in Six Nations 2016.

Paul O’Connell - defied his years to be an outstanding leader for Ireland but advancing years are catching up with him and an international retirement after the World Cup looks highly likely.

Gethin Jenkins – never the greatest scrummager but a fabulous loose player who has own over 100 caps and tasted Grand Slam and Lions glory. Again advancing years are catching up and I believe he will join another Welsh legend Adam Jones in international retirement.

Sergio Parisse – will we ever see him again for Italy in the Six Nations? Got to be doubts. Another centurion capper who has been the World’s best No.8 for many seasons.

Nick Easter – a surprise recall but he enjoyed his last season in the sun and contributed to England’s victories. Never the greatest No.8 but a real trier and a fabulous character.

To all those whom we ill never again see grace the Six Nations. Thank you and I wish you all the best for the future.

All Star Team

Finally my all-star line up for the 2015 Six Nations. Some controversial selections but that goes without saying

Full back:

Leigh Halfpenny – back to his very best and goal kicker extraordinaire who ran well in attack and was brace in defence, Honourable mentions for Brown, Kearney, McLean and Hogg but Halfpenny gets the nod

Wingers:

Liam Williams – some sublime performances from Sanjay. Close against Bowe and Watson

Noa Nakaitaci – two wonderful cameos for France. Just where has this guy been? Honourable mention for Jack Nowell who comes a narrow second.


Centres:

Jonathan Joseph – wonderful displays from the Bath product who has made the England no. 13 shirt his own. Great flair, pace, and strong defence. 

Robbie Henshaw – narrowly shades Jamie Roberts. Solid performer for Ireland. The new BoD? Time will tell.

Half Backs:

Jonny Sexton – the governor. Ford and Biggar chasing in his wake.

Conor Murray – simply the best and fastest distribution of the all the home scrum halves. Sublime handling and great vision for Irish try against England.

Props

Joe Marler – the most improved prop in the Six Nations. Outstanding in scrums and loose. Well done for a man I previously considered a journeyman. Honourable mention for the excellent Vincent Dubaty.

Dan Cole – 50 caps now and currently the best tight head in the world. 

Hooker:

Guilhem Guirado – narrowly shades it ahead of Dylan Hartley

Second Row:

Paul O’Connell – goes without saying

Luke Charteris – narrowly shades out team mate Alun Wyn-Jones.

Back Row:

Peter O’Mahony – part of a wonderful Irish Back row. Spoiling and unplayable at times

Sergio Parisse – wonderful displays against England and Scotland. Literally carried Italy home against Scotland. Simply the best!

Sam Warburton – back to his brilliant best. Man of the match against Ireland and close against Italy. Captain courageous.


Well that’s all folks. See you again for Six Nations 2016!