Final Thoughts - Six Nations 2017

Final Thoughts - Six Nations 2017

One of the most competitive Six Nations Tournaments of recent years ended with England again winning the championship but being denied a back to back Grand Slam by an inspired Irish performance at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. England missed the opportunity to become legends and break the All Blacks consecutive win record and whilst England fans will be no doubt disappointed in the final outcome, Coach Eddie Jones is focused on the bigger prize of 2019 World Cup and will be pleased his team have continued to blood new players and maintain their status as the Northern Hemisphere’s leading rugby nation.

The tournament raised a number of questions on sportsmanship which we will go into later in this analysis. Both Italy and France danced on the edges of laws of the game versus sportsmanship. We also have the question of 2017 British & Irish Lions selections for the tough trip to New Zealand. Your correspondent will give you his own views on players likely to start as a test line up together with those players who won’t make the trip.

One of the main things shown is this year’s competition is just how difficult it is to win away. Other than in Rome, only one other away win was achieved – England in Cardiff. That shows just how difficult it is to win a Grand Slam these days and I don’t see that changing in the coming seasons.

Rugby Raconteur finished with 11 correct predictions out of 15 – a better than average accuracy rate of 73%. Let's look back some of the highlights of the competition and some final thoughts and considerations as we await the British Lions this summer.

A Bridge too far in Dublin!

England deservedly won the championship again by winning their home matches and stealing that solitary win away in Cardiff. Other than against Scotland – whom they ruthlessly demolished; England never really fired on all cylinders this season. Why is that? Well we can all have our opinions but for me it was the lack of a credible back row – an area where England traditionally are so strong.

Nathan Hughes never showed any real dominance at No.8 and the recall of Billy Vunipola looked premature as he lacked crucial match fitness. Maro Itoje is not a flanker and neither is Courtney Lawes. None of Jack Clifford, James Haskell, or Tom Wood really put their hands up and it was noticeable that England struggled when up against teams with strong back rows – France, Wales, and latterly Ireland. The missing Chris Robshaw was a big loss for England and to win the World Cup – they badly need to find back row depth.

In Dublin, Ireland never let England settle and there were also worries about England’s front row too. Joe Marler struggled against France and never dominated any prop. How long Eddie Jones can persist with Dylan Hartley is another open question in the face of consistently strong performances from Jamie George. Dan Cole must also be looking over his shoulder as Kyle Sinckler looks to be also growing stronger game by game.

Other than that, England were the best team and deserved champions. For the other nations, just beating England really doesn't make a season and the lack of consistency shown by Wales (worst offender) but also Ireland and Scotland is why those nations will not win the next world cup.  Until all three of those nations build strong squads beyond a starting XV, they will never rise to the top of the game. England look the Northern Hemisphere’s only chance of World Cup glory in Japan.

Coach of the Tournament:

Take a bow Vern Cotter.  Scotland for me absolutely rose to the occasion and the SRU must be concerned as to whether or not they have made the right decision in not renewing Cotter’s contract. Gregor Townsend is a fine coach in his own right, but for me Cotter has shown to be a level above and his selections and squad development with a limited talent pool are to be applauded.

For the record, his 19 wins out of 36 matches as Scotland coach – a 52.8% success rate is far higher than his predecessors.  Only Ian McGeechan who was coach from 1988-93 has a better record for Scotland and not by much! His record 19 wins from 33 matches – 58% success is marginally better than Cotter’s but that was from a period before professionalism. Cotter has been a great servant for Scottish rugby and Rugby Raconteur was proven wrong twice this season by under-estimating the standard and passion of the Scottish team. I wish him well as he takes on his new role at Montpellier and he must return to international coaching again in Future. Good luck and thank you!

Spoiling Tactics and “HIAgate”!

Italy have struggled in this tournament and against England they adopted the tactics of non-contesting rucks and whilst effective, it killed the match as a competitive game and for the neutral spectator coming for the first time to our great game – it made Rugby look confusing and boring to watch.

I commented this season on my disappointment of Eddie Jones’ reaction but as a good friend pointed out - take a bow rugby journo Rich Freeman (follow him on #rugbyjapan on twitter) for stating that it was more down to him being outthought than anything else. It did raise the question of sportsmanship and that was followed by the absolute chaos in Paris for the final match between France and Wales.

Wayne Barnes is a great referee but for me he lost the plot. A second half which lasted just under 60 minutes on the pitch and over 75 minutes elapsed is frankly not what anyone wants to see.  Wales coach Robert Howley was absolutely furious with the potential gamesmanship from France which I have christened “HIAgate”. Prop Uini Atonio had what looked like a back/groin injury and the doctor claiming he needed a Head Injury Assessment is, for me at least; a gross violation of “trust”. Barnes put himself in an impossible position and the replacement of the prop had a massive impact on the outcome. Atonio walked straight down the tunnel on his own clutching his groin. I have seen players suffering with concussion on the pitch and Atonio clearly did not have a head injury.

Let’s be clear – no complaints about France winning. They deserved it. Two tries to none and total dominance in the set piece. Well done to the team on the field. BUT and it's a big but, this is no different to "Bloodgate" at Harlequins a few years back. The French officials played the rules and if there is any justice – officials must be sanctioned and banned as that was blatant cheating. I don't expect any action will be taken as rugby had a huge fall out from “Bloodgate” and I will be shocked if the Six Nations Committee or World Rugby do nothing more than just sweep it under the carpet.

Promotion and Relegation?

I have never been a fan of Italy in the Six Nations, and this year’s performance by the Azzurri was probably almost as bad as it gets. Five defeats and a negative 145 points difference don’t lie and Italy were hopelessly outclassed in every match. Italy have competed in 18 Six Nations tournaments. During that period, they have won only 12 matches out of 85 – a 14% success rate and only once outside Rome. They have a negative 1,553 points difference and have finished bottom of the table on 12 occasions. This season’s points difference is the worst ever performance by an Italian team and the time has come for the Six Nations to look at a promotion and relegation play off between the bottom side and the winners of the second-tier European Championship.

Georgia are already ranked above Italy in the World rankings and their progress towards the Six Nations looks unstoppable. World Rugby has to promote and encourage new teams as well as raise standards and the time is right now for Italy’s place to be seriously questioned. A play off between the European Champions and Six Nations Wooden Spoon team has to come in and soon.

British & Irish Lions Test XV, Captain, & Squad

So, after the Six Nations, all attention will now turn to April 19 and Warren Gatland’s squad announcement. Let me start my Lions assessment with eight players from the four home nations who I don’t think will make the trip. Some big names here but this is how I see it:

Summer on the Beach:

England: Mike Brown & Dylan Hartley. Gatland will take 3, maybe 4 full backs. Mike Brown didn’t make the last tour and I don’t see him making this one either. Hogg, Halfpenny, and Payne are all better choices in my book and with wingers like Simon Zebo and Liam Williams also able to cover the Full Back slot – I really don’t see Brown on the plane.

As for Hartley, he isn’t good enough. PERIOD. Volatile, weak in the scrum, prone to lose line outs and not better than Owens, Best, George or Ford.

Wales: Jonathan Davies & Dan Biggar. Jonathan Davies was the controversial selection in keeping Brian O’Driscoll out of the last Lions test. Passing has never been his strength – a real weakness for a 13, and he also lacks the pace to cause real problems. With a plethora of strong centres to choose – he won’t make the cut ahead of Joseph, Huw Jones, Ringrose, Henshaw, Farrell, T’eo.

Dan Biggar had a poor tournament and like the last tour to Australis, he won’t make this one either. Sexton, Ford, Russell, with Farrell as cover mean no place for the Welsh No. 10.

Scotland – Greig Laidlaw & John Barclay. Laidlaw offers kicking options but with Webb, Murray, Youngs and Care ahead of him – he will be spending his summer in the Highlands.

John Barclay has been great for Scotland but again – back row strength and Gatland’s desire to pick ball carriers and big defenders mean he won’t get the call. A pity.

Ireland – Jamie Heaslip & Rob Kearney. Heaslip has been a shadow of his former self and could be a surprise omission. Kearney has lacked pace and is another who is well down the pecking order. With Jerrod Payne back – I think Kearney won’t make it

Lions Captain:

Its traditional that the team which wins the Six Nations usually provides the Lions captain. With Hartley, uncertain to make the trip – that makes things problematic. My choice for Lions captain is a man who has never captained his country but has shown great form and has captaincy experience from his club side. 

Take a bow – Joe Launchbury! 

There are other candidates but Alun Wyn Jones hasn’t really impressed with his leadership and is a big question mark to even make the trip given his shoulder injury on Saturday. Warburton looks far better with the captaincy off his shoulders – rather like Chris Robshaw has done for England – so I wouldn’t go for either of them. To win in New Zealand is going to be down to forward power and big Joe is my surprise selection for Captain.

Test XV:

Here it is. I have picked my side based on current Six Nations form:

15 – Stuart Hogg (Scotland) – 2016 Man of the Tournament and a shoe in. See’s off the challenge from Halfpenny and Payne who will also make the 47-man squad

14 - George North (Wales) – Poor against Scotland but strong in all other matches. Definite starter.

13 – Jonathan Joseph (England) – Devastating runner and intelligent with it. Outstanding against Scotland. Under pressure from Irish Centres and Huw Jones but will get the start.

12 – Owen Farrell (England) – gives great second receiver options and will be first choice kicker. Great leadership shown for England and he has matured enormously over the past two seasons.

11 – Elliot Daly (England) - under pressure from Anthony Watson and Jack Nowell – his flexibility and kicking game give him the nod

10 – Jonny Sexton (Ireland) - the best talent at 10. Needs to stay fit but world class vision and organisation skills

9 – Rhys Webb (Wales) – An outstanding Six Nations gives Webb the nod over Murray. Both England scrum halves – Youngs and Care also making the squad.

1 – Jack McGrath (Ireland) – Controversial but for me just edges out Joe Marler. Mako Vunipola, and Gordon Reid, are the other understudies. No Welsh props on the tour.

2 – Ken Owens (Wales) – Another player with a fabulous Six Nations. Rory Best, and Jamie George making up the rest.

3- Tadhg Furlong (Ireland) – A real talent and narrowly edges out Kyle Sinckler for me. Dan Cole, and (if fit) WP Nel the others.

4 – Joe Launchbury (England) – A great tournament and Captain.

5 – Maro Itoje (England) – I don’t think Alun Wyn Jones will make the trip with injury. Itoje is next in line

6 – CJ Stander (Ireland) - the Lions will need leaders on the field. Best ball carrier in home nations.

7 – Sam Warburton (Wales)  - A fantastic tournament and will be the first name on the team sheet. Peter O’Mahony, Justin Tipuric, Hamish Watson, and Chris Robshaw making the squad.

8 – Billy Vunipola (England) – Needs match fitness but plenty of time. Hamish Watson, Taulupe Falatau, will be pushing him

Squad: - these 15 plus:
13 Backs – Halfpenny, Williams (both Wales), Seymour, Jones, (all Scotland), Watson, Ford, T’eo, Youngs, Care (all England), Payne, Ringrose, Henshaw, Murray (all Ireland),

19 Forwards - Reid, Nel, Watson, Richie Gray (all Scotland), Marler, Cole, Sinckler, M.Vunipola, George, Kruis, Lawes, Robshaw, (England), Falatau, Tipuric, Jones (Wales), O’Mahony, Henderson, O’Brien, Best (Ireland),

19 English
12 Irish

9 Welsh
7 Scots

Rugby Raconteur will be back for Lions tour...See you soon!