Final Thoughts - 2019 Six Nations

-->

This is my 10^th year of writing Rugby Raconteur. During that decade, I have written 66 blog missives. I have predicted the results of 150 matches and now stand with statistics of predicting the correct results in 117 matches – a 78% success rate!

This project takes on a life of its own between January and March each year and the positive feedback I receive is very satisfying given the huge amount of research required and time taken to write the blog for a relatively small limited audience. Thank you for taking the time to read my words and I trust you all enjoy the insights I try to provide as the tournament progresses.

The 2019 Guinness has been a cracking tournament and once again showed some surprises right up to the final whistle of the final match. It truly is the World’s best annual rugby competition and I for one, hope World Rugby’s plans fail and the tournament stays sacrosanct.

Some final thoughts on what unfolded over the seven weeks of the tournament.

Team of the Championship – WALES

Congratulations to Wales who won a 12^th Grand Slam and their third during Warren Gatland’s period as head coach. Wales did it in their own way and after the first 40 minutes of the 1^st match on a wet and windy night in Paris, a 16-0 score line in favour of France then a Grand Slam looked far away.

Wales made hard work of wins in Paris, Rome and Edinburgh but were outstanding in the two home matches against England and Ireland beating their two best opponents in fine fettle.

Wales have conceded just 58 points in the 2019 Championship, the lowest total in the competition – a real telling endorsement of their emphasis on defence and the work of Shaun Edwards in particular.  Josh Navidi and Justin Tipuric did 150 tackles between them with an average of 16 each per match. Compare that with Peter O’Mahoney of Ireland who against Wales made 2 carries to gain 2 metres and made 2 tackles. Defence wins matches.

Deserved champions!

Player of the Tournament – Alun Wyn Jones

Captain Courageous played 350 minutes of Wales 5 games. He made 71 tackles in 5 the 5 matches but more importantly he established himself as probably the World’s best captain. He led by example in every game and is a true role model for all young players at any level.

Coach of the Tournament – Shaun Edwards

Defences win matches. Shaun Edwards is the absolute pinnacle of the world’s defensive organisers and a superb motivator.  Whilst most of the press is (rightly) paying tribute to Warren Gatland – he would not be where he is without his side kick and companion Edwards. He will be pissed off and upset for Wales letting in that final Irish try – such as a perfectionist should be. Simply a legend!

Most Exciting Team to Watch - England

When England were working in harmony you had to be transfixed. The marker they laid down in Dublin was outstanding and to open the tournament in such a manner away against the team ranked number two in the world was breath-taking.

Jonny May turned into a quality finished. In Tom Curry, England have their best flanker since Richard Hill. Their depth in wingers is unbelievable. Nowell, May, Ashton, Cokanasiga not forgetting the absent Anthony Watson. Unfortunately, England did not look great when Owen Farrell failed to hit consistent form.

Their spectacular collapse against Scotland when leading 31-0 after 30 minutes showed a real lack of mental toughness and once again England lacked leadership on the field when the chips counted. Take nothing away – this team when they are on top with their tails up they look awesome. More consistency required before they can start dreaming of World Cup glory.

Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics 

The game today is dominated by Statistics. You can get any stat on any team or player but does it all matter?  I’ve been watching rugby for 47 years and I don’t know what a dominant tackle is? Does anyone?

Wales were bottom in almost all the team statistics and yet won a Grand Slam.  They had the lowest number of Carries – 569, with the lowest number of line breaks – 29, metres gained 1480, defenders beaten – 69, and passes made – 621. More focus on watching the play and less focus on meaningless stats will help.

Championship All Star XV 

15 Liam Williams (Wales)

Liam Williams was outstanding. Imperious in the air and deadly in attack. A brilliant talent who gave Wales enormous assurance in aerial exchanges and, as usual, proved an elusive runner in attack. He enjoyed one of his finest Six Nations campaigns. Sanjay has been brilliant throughout and his ability to also play on the wing has been key, as seen against Ireland. In the England game he had an answer for everything and, while Elliot Daly may arguably be a more dangerous runner in open spaces, Williams has not put a foot wrong. Leigh who?

Honourable mention: Elliott Daly (England)

14 Jonny May (England)

Jonny May has developed into a devastating finisher. He has gone in Jonathan Davies’s word from “a headless chicken to a world beater”. Jonny May goes from strength to strength in an England jersey. He knows the way to the try-line with 14 in his past 15 matches but what has impressed me most is his aerial skills, whether being kicked to or chasing Ben Youngs’ box kicks. He has commanded the air, wins the space between himself and the receiver and on top of that is England’s strike weapon. He took almost every scoring chance he could and was again solid in defence.

Honourable mention: Damian Penaud (France)

13 Henry Slade (England)

Made for an exciting addition to England’s midfield and really knitted the back-line together. Jonathan Davies has been incredibly solid for Wales but, looking at outside-centre, I’ve loved watching Slade play. When he is given some freedom, when he gets the ball in wide areas, he has shown his brilliance. He has an ability to ghost through gaps, makes good decisions and is a left-footed kicking option.

Honourable mention: Jonathan Davies (Wales)

12 Hadleigh Parkes (Wales)

Hadleigh Parkes has struggled with form all season. His club form has been average at best and an unimpressive Autumn didn’t auger well for the Six Nations. But when he needed to stand up and be counted he was there. His fall on the fall with the onrushing Jonny May probably saved a try against England. His “man of the match” performance against Scotland in defence and attack. His final cameos came with him collecting Gareth Anscombe’s delicate chip to score a try in the 1st minute against Ireland following it up with a quite superb tackle on a flying Jacob Stockdale. He earned his place in this XV after getting through mountains of work in setting that dominant Welsh defence.

Honourable mention: Bundee Aki (Ireland)

11 Josh Adams (Wales)

What a year for Josh Adams. From being dropped by Warren Gatland halfway through last year’s Championship, to cracking the six-man shortlist for the Guinness Six Nations Player of the Championship in 2019. The 23-year-old has established himself on the wing for Wales and played a key role in their Grand Slam success. His breaks against France and his try against England were key moments for Wales. One of only four players to start every game for Gatland’s side, he ended up with three tries in the Championship.

Honourable mention: Darcy Graham (Scotland)

10 Finn Russell (Scotland)

Half backs win matches. The mercurial Finn Russell had a curate’s egg of a competition but when Finn plays well, Scotland play well. Russell, for all his unbridled talent, has had some undoubted occasional shockers in a Scotland jersey, but quite rightly has shaken every one of them off. The tournament’s final game was a thrilling watch and Russell was at the heart of it as he padded out his assist stats. Also impressed in breaking down Wales’ defence in week four with a slick set-play execution. The picture of his face at the end of the Calcutta Cup summed it up. A real enigma! With the two Lions playmakers off form at different points of the tournament Wales sharing their 10 duties, Russell’s exceptional skill gets the nod here.

Honourable mention: Gareth Anscombe (Wales)

9 Ben Youngs (England)

This has not been a tournament for great No. 9 displays. Gareth Davies has been stuttering for Wales. Conor Murray has been simply dreadful and Greig Laidlaw out of form. Ben Youngs has been solid and consistent for England with (mainly) quick ball and safe box kicking. His half-back partner lost form as the tournament wore on, but Youngs continued to set the tone for England with zippy passing and consistently accurate kicking. Best of an average bunch.

Honourable mention: Tito Tibaldi (Italy)

1 Cian Healy (Ireland)

Ireland’s scrum was once again in fine shape during the championship and Healy helped lockdown the loose head side, which gave Murray a solid platform from which to launch attacks. He carried well, too, and that was probably the decisive factor which saw him nudge ahead of Rob Evans, who was also very effective for Wales. Unfortunately for Healy, he seemed to get on the wrong side of referee Angus Gardener in the Cardiff encounter in Round 5.

Honourable mention: Rob Evans (Wales)

2 Jamie George (England)

The English line out was metronomic consistency and Jamie George has continued his Lions form this season to make the No. 2 jersey his own. Ken Owens had some strong games but was inconsistent in the line out. Similar with Rory Best at Ireland and Stuart McInally pushed George hard all through the Calcutta Cup game.

Honourable mention: Stuart McInally (Scotland)

3 Tomas Francis  (Wales)

From the fat prop two years ago, who could scrummage okay has arisen a world class tight head. Francis had the measure of every loose head prop during the 4 games he started. It’s no mean feat taking on some giant scrummagers but Francis has also developed a very strong defensive game and increasingly involved in the loose. The cornerstone of Wales’ Grand Slam. Francis was brimming with intent on every carry, tackle and set-piece.

A rock at the heart of the Welsh pack.

Honourable mention: Kyle Sinckler (England)

4 George Kruis (England)

Kruis had a strong tournament and is the organiser of England’s line out platform.  He’s back to his very best form. He suffered from the Lions, getting dropped after that first game; and has had his fair share of injuries. A solid hard working lock forward performance. A tower of strength in the England pack, the consistent presence Eddie Jones has built his pack and set-piece around and he doesn’t skimp on work around the field.

Honourable mention: Jonny Gray (Scotland)

5 Alun-Wyn Jones (Wales) (CAPTAIN)

Nothing to add – player of the championship!

Honourable mention: Adam Beard  (Wales)

6 Josh Navidi (Wales)

An awesome performer who gives absolutely 100% every game. His work rate is phenomenal. His tackle count is ridiculous. He’s had a massive void to fill with Sam Warburton hanging up his boots but he’s done it. Second forward name on Gatland’s team sheet. A relentless workhorse that kept Wales ticking in tough times away to France and Italy. He didn’t let up in the battles with England and Ireland either.

Honourable mention: Magnus Bradbury (Scotland)

7 Tom Curry (England)

The breakthrough player of the Six Nations. Curry has been absolutely world class. Turnovers, ball carries, smashing boys – he’s just hard as nails; and he’s only 20-years-old, which is just farcical. The best England flanker since the legendary Richard Hill.

Honourable mention: Arthur Iturria (France)

8 Ross Moriarty (Wales)

An absolute brute and warrior. In the absence of Taulupe Falatau, Moriarty has made the Welsh No. 8 jersey his own. His ability to get over the gainline and ball carrying has been immense but also his ability in the tackle. As expected from a Moriarty – no quarter is ever given and he is a real tribute to his family name.

Honourable mention: Billy Vunipola (England)