Six Nations 2016 Round 2 – Hoping for Better things…

Six Nations 2016 Round 2 – Hoping for Better things…

The 2016 Six Nations Round 1 is now just a distant memory and good riddance. What a disappointment it was! The three matches that took place at the weekend were all very disappointing for the neutral spectator with few tries and lots of errors. Despite the tight score lines, only one of the three matches showed any real passion. The France v Italy game was at least exciting to watch and provided the weekend’s only real pulse racing moments with France eventually winning an error filled encounter in Paris.

Those doubting Thomas’s from the Southern Hemisphere who couldn’t see a way that the Six Nations could compete with their Rugby Championship are looking like being proven right given that poor start in Round 1. But one swallow doesn’t make a summer and one round doesn’t make a tournament.

The second area of controversy this week has been the announcement that the World’s top 3 referees – Nigel Owens, Jerome Garces and Craig Joubert are only each taking one match in this years’ tournament.  Roman Poite, South African Jaco Peyper and Glen Jackson of New Zealand have all been granted two matches each.

There are two ways of viewing this. The negative view would be it’s a poor tournament so it doesn’t need the best referees. The positive counter would be this very farsighted from World Rugby to blood and develop the next tier of referees giving them vital experience for the future.

I think the positive view is the right one and World Rugby should be applauded for this move.

So what can we expect in Round 2?  Here is my quick review of the matches, which proceed this weekend.

France v Ireland

A tough encounter for the men of green who travel to Paris for an away game against France with only a six-day turnaround. Guy Noves new look French team did not deliver the promised attacking rugby in particular the defensive patterns looked very suspect. The team didn’t look together and the centre partnership looked like they met in the Pub 30 minutes before the kick off. Italy got on top of the pack at various times and only a late controversial penalty enabled France to achieve an undeserved victory over the Italians.

For Ireland, the 16-16 draw with Wales will no doubt be a disappointment especially after racing to a 13-0 lead in the first 25 minutes. Up until Joe Schmidt took charge of the Ireland team in 2014 the ‘France away’ fixture held little prospect of a victory for this generation of Irish rugby fans. After a famous win in 1972, Ireland had to wait until the Denis Hickie-inspired comeback of 2000 to taste success in Paris.

Ireland’s recent record against the French – they look for their fourth win in a row on Saturday – is their best since 1924-1928 when they managed six victories on the bounce. Freshest in the memory is the ferocious battle of attrition in Cardiff during the World Cup, a victory that came at the cost of Paul O’Connell’s rugby career and Johnny Sexton’s tournament.

Ireland ground out an 18-11 win in Dublin this time last year, and secured the 2014 title with a 22-20 win in Stade de France, Brian O’Driscoll’s last game in an Ireland shirt.

The short turnaround means that starters against Wales, Simon Zebo and Keith Earls, don’t make the cut. Both of who are nursing minor knocks.

In come Rob and Dave Kearney, while Sean O’Brien, outstanding in the RWC win over France, takes Tommy O’Donnell’s spot at flanker

Other than that it is essentially the same team, which ground out that dire defensive draw with Wales. 

For France, their performance last weekend can at best go down to early tournament rustiness and Guy Noves will be looking for a much stronger performance this weekend against Ireland. A defeat on Saturday and France’s Six Nations will be over with tough away trips to Cardiff and Edinburgh to follow.

For France, wing Teddy Thomas and centre Maxime Mermoz replace Hugo Bonneval, and Gael Fickou, who is absent for personal reasons.

In the forwards, props Eddy Ben Arous and Rabah Slimani drop to the bench as Noves goes for Jefferson Poirot and the giant Uini Atonio either side of captain Guilhem Guirado, with second row Paul Jedresiak and injured back row Louis Picamoles making way as Alexandre Flanquart and Yacouba Camara come in.

Although Ireland didn't lose a scrum against Wales, the set piece was under pressure and the “relay” of Slimani to the bench is perhaps the most surprising.

The bookies are struggling to separate the sides and a draw (yes, another one) wouldn't come as much of a surprise.  That would realistically kill Ireland's chances of another title and they will need to keep their starting XV on the field for as long as possible, if there are to have any chance of victory in Paris.

Jonny Sexton is again the critical man and I am also excited to see Sean O’Brien, Heaslip and CJ Stander come together as a back row trio for the first time at this level. Stander was the outstanding Irish player against Wales and his 23 carries last weekend takes him to hallowed ground. Only five players have ever carried more in a Six Nations match.

I think France will bounce back from last weekend. The winger Virimi Vakatawa had an excellent game against Italy and I suspect he will cause Ireland some problems. I am surprised that Noves has retained Sebastien Bezy at scrum half. He had an awful game last weekend and if Parra gets fit he must be in line for a recall against Wales.

The French bench is very strong and their pack could cause Ireland some problems especially in the latter stages. Again hard to call but I think France will squeak home.

France 19 Ireland 16

Wales v Scotland

Scotland were desperately disappointing against England and it will be with some trepidation that they travel to Cardiff to face an underachieving Wales team.

For Wales, they will want to push aside the memories of the Dublin disappointment and kick on to put Scotland to the sword in Cardiff.

Coach Warren Gatland names an unchanged team for the Scots with only one change on the bench with Gareth Anscombe shaking off the tight hamstring which caused his late withdrawal against Ireland to replace Alex Cuthbert.

I have to say my eyebrows were raised with news that Dan Biggar has miraculously shaken off the ankle injury, which curtailed his match against Ireland. I have to admit he looked a lot worse when he came off in Dublin and I am not sure I would have risked him for this encounter.

Wales were frankly awful and asleep for the opening 25 minutes in Dublin and there must also be concerns that they failed to break through the Irish defence with any clean breaks against five for the men in green. The promise of new attacking techniques was not on display and it was an exhibition of textbook Warrenball – pure and simple.

Many of the Welsh team are still not at full fitness and it showed. Jonathan Davies had a quiet game. Liam Williams looked slightly tired towards the end and Captain Sam Warburton is lucky to keep his place and he knows he must lead his team to a much-improved performance this weekend.

The one area Wales did show some real progress was at the scrums. Young Loose head prop Rob Evans had a strong showing and Samson Lee looks like he is returning to his best form. Wales were rock solid and had Ireland scrummage under pressure leading to Faletau’s well-taken try.

Jamie Roberts and Taulupe Faletau were the stand out men for Wales with strong defensive and attacking showings.

As for Scotland they have to be bitterly disappointed the way they folded to English pressure at Murrayfield. Greig Laidlaw had an uncharacteristically poor game and Finn Russell looked like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders.

Eight straight losses now in the Six Nations and eight losses in a row to Wales too. It’s hard to see what coach Vern Cotter can do to bring a change in fortunes?

Just a solitary change in the Scottish team for this weekend’s match with Duncan Taylor, the admirable Saracen, in for the injured Matt Scott in the midfield. The forward pack is unchanged, with Alasdair Dickinson, Ross Ford and WP Nel in the front row who will be looking to cause Wales some disruption in the scrums and at the breakdown.

The Scottish team has shown some good progress and it wasn’t all doom and gloom last weekend more an opportunity missed. Tommy Seymour made far too many errors and I felt Cotter should have brought Blair Cowan on far earlier in the match.

Stuart Hogg remains a threat from full back and the Scottish pack are no mugs. John Barclay is very familiar with all the Welsh players and they know to expect a wounded dragon to come out firing on all cylinders in Cardiff.

Scotland are a better side now than they have been for a number of years but that isn’t saying much. They have a decent scrum and a reliable lineout. They have an industrious back row and they have a backline full of nice footballers. But what they lack is something exceptional.

Any quality side should have somebody or something that poses a threat. Whether it’s a powerful scrum, a driving maul, an aerial game or simply an individual that is so potent that it influences the outcome of international matches. It might not do it every time but when this aspect of the game is working, the team wins.

Scotland have no weapons, and international rugby is a tough place to be if you’ve got no weapons

Wales will be desperate to win and win well against a Scotland side that always seems to raise its game in Cardiff. I would like to see a more expansive Welsh attack to bring Faletau more into the action and less reliant on an attritional defensive one-dimensional aspect. The return of Dan Biggar is a critical factor and I fear Scotland could have something of a hiding but Wales must be wary of interceptions with their flat passing game.

Scotland will compete hard but I don’t see a breakthrough. With inclement weather likely in Cardiff, both teams have agreed to have the roof closed in the hope of a better running game. Wales by at least two scores.

Wales 23 Scotland 9

Italy v England

Well what do I know? Not a lot based on way I completed dismissed Italy’s chances against France. Quite simply the Italians played way above their expected capabilities with Sergio Parisse once again showing why is rated as the world’s best No. 8.

Quote honestly he was absolutely everywhere against France. Leading from the front and inspiring the many new faces in the Italian. Team.

Jacques Brunel used his substitutions and bench very intelligently and it was a very encouraging start for a written off Italy.

As I write this review, neither England or Italy have announced their team line-ups so in the interests of time, I have to use my crystal ball and look at any potential lineup changes.

Jacques Brunel and Italy will be forced to make at least one change to his Italy team to take on England, with fullback David Odiete having been ruled out through injury.

Luke McLean seems the obvious choice for that role, however Brunel has placed his faith in youth already this campaign. I think we will go with experience and McLean will be I believe the only change. After going down narrowly in Paris, Brunel will surely be tempted to stick with the players who impressed at the Stade de France.

Debutants Andrea Lovotti and Ornel Gega shone in the front row and I believe there will not be any changes at all in the pack.

In the backline Carlo Canna will look to build on a strong performance against Les Bleus, and looks to have shaken off the knock he picked up at the end of the game.

For England, there are two additions to the squad that won comfortably at Murrayfield.  For the trip to Rome, Elliot Daly and open side flanker Matt Kvesic are out and in comes another young talent - but this time it's No.8 Josh Beaumont - leading some to anticipate a 6-2 split between forwards and backs this weekend on the bench.

Maro Itoje has once again been included in a 25-strong England squad for Sunday's RBS 6 Nations clash with Italy in Rome. Itoje has been in outstanding form for Saracens this season and could be in line for a first cap in round two of the Championship at the expense of Joe Launchbury, Courtney Lawes or George Kruis. Kruis was outstanding against Scotland so I think Lawes could be the unlucky here and may drop from the bench.

Coach Eddie Jones has hinted that there will be changes to his pack due to the conditions expected at the Stadio Olimpico.

Jack Clifford made his debut off the bench in Edinburgh and I believe will be promoted, but selecting the fast Harlequins back row Jones would mean having to drop either James Haskell or Chris Robshaw - both of whom performed well against the Scots. Clifford would certainly bring some added speed to the back row

So while many are hoping the likes of Itoje and Beaumont are handed their debuts, the starting XV looks set to stay largely the same. In the backline Ben Youngs' bright cameo last weekend could see him leapfrog Danny Care at No.9 but elsewhere the three-quarters look set to stay largely unchanged.

Should Jones pack his bench with forwards and give Itoje and Beaumont a chance, then Ollie Devoto's versatility could prove vital alongside a scrum-half in reserve.

England did a workmanlike performance against Scotland. Owen Farrell had a mediocre day with the boot and George Ford really is looking off the pace. England could really do with a proper inside centre but I don’t see Jones tinkering too much with the winning formula.

The weather in Rome is unpredictable and may not be the warmer drier weather England are hoping for. Italy has never beaten England – their only remaining Six Nations scalp – and despite the heroics in Paris, I don’t see England letting this one slip. A comfortable win for England before the two tough games at Twickenham will leave them favourites for the title.

Italy 9 England 27