Five things we learned from the Six Nations
A 2020 Six Nations interrupted for seven months by the coronavirus pandemic ended with England seizing the crown tamely surrendered by Wales.
Here, the PA news agency examines five things we learned from the competition.
Dominant England
A year after being well beaten in the World Cup final by South Africa, England were crowned champions of Europe for the first time since 2017. Apart from a disastrous start in Paris, where France won 24-17 after storming into a 24-0 lead, it was a solid championship that landed a seventh Six Nations title – two more than closest rivals Les Bleus and Wales. Eddie Jones has presided over three of those – the same number engineered by Sir Clive Woodward. It was hardly a vintage tournament and England rarely excelled, but they now occupy the summit.
Hurry back the crowds
It is to rugby’s credit that the 2019-20 season was completed despite the chaos caused by coronavirus, but the ghostly spectacle of Six Nations matches staged behind closed doors leaves a yearning for the tribal atmospheres that make the championship such compelling viewing. With all vibrancy and colour drained from ‘Super Saturday’, the tournament’s richly-anticipated climax had a gloomy feel that does not bode well for when its next instalment arrives in just over three months’ time.
French resurgence
Champagne corks may be popping at Twickenham, but there is acknowledgement that France – inspired by their electric scrum-half Antoine Dupont – are breathing down their necks, and the resurgence of fallen heavyweights who have been in the doldrums for a decade is a welcome development. It took points difference to separate the teams at top of the table and but for a brainless punch by prop Mohamed Haouas against Scotland, they might have claimed the Grand Slam.
Downward spiral
As one team rises, another sinks. The decline of Wales from Grand Slam champions and World Cup semi-finalists to a lame fifth-placed finish is staggering. Warren Gatland departed a year ago and his successor Wayne Pivac has presided over their worst Championship since 2007 – the last time they only managed one win. The looming Autumn Nations Cup offers a chance to halt the slump, but their failure to fire a shot against Scotland points to more misery ahead.
Advantage Itoje
Alun Wyn Jones leads the race to become Lions captain for next year’s tour to South Africa according to bookmakers, but with every rampaging display it is Maro Itoje who takes a step closer to securing one of the game’s most prestigious roles. At the heart of his claim is a remarkable level of consistency. Alongside Owen Farrell, he is the only player to have completed all 400 minutes of England’s Six Nations and every performance is never less than outstanding. There is still a lot of rugby to be played before a Lions skipper is chosen, but Itoje must be the front runner.
Comments on RugbyPass
I reckon it may be Jordan at 10 and Nohamba at 9, both players have played together alot and both have been on the Radar for a long time. After Pollard got injured in 2022 with Elton sidelined on a path of self destruction Erasmus and Nienaber indicated that the other options in the country at the time were thin but that Jordan and Manie were the 2 they were looking at. In the end Frans steyn played flyhalf, Willemse slotted in there on the end of year with Libbok as back up. Jordan was right there in the thinking back then so expect him to take the Jersey either as the starter.
1 Go to commentsHaha did he always say it in a sarcastic teacher sort of manor or was it the petulant English snob sort of wail?
43 Go to commentsWell said Mils. It is a big boost at last having Fergus Burke back at 10 for the Crusaders. Had a great season last year as the article says. Mils is also right about captain Codie Taylor’s performance in his return to the Crusaders last week. He was all class.
4 Go to commentsLet’s make them both Capt. I think we'd get the best of both of them and it would help alleviate some of the pressures of the role. They'd have to confer over on field decisions which should lead to “ learnings “ for both. They are our two best consistent performers.
16 Go to commentsOur best player by far..but not a good Captain..poor tactician cost the AB'S and Canes games by not taking the easy points and going for tries when the lineouts were a shambles..can he read a game? And his throat slitting gesture should disqualify him from the AB Captaincy..it is not the appropriate behaviour of an AB Captain.
16 Go to commentsForget what was said or how many players said it. TONY BROWN IS THE NEW ATTACK COACH. That’s the only story worth freaking out over. The springboks are going to grow their game an awful lot over the next cycle and it’s not just the 19 disgustingly arrogant Irish players who refused to shake Ebens hand and said “see you in the final if you can cheat your way past France” who will find that out first hand.
123 Go to commentsOn one hand I think it's a bit ridiculous that this gar into the season and with only 2 wins the Crusaders may make the finals. On the other hand if it was only top 4 or 5, then that last several weeks may be mainly dead rubbers. Nope, 8th place after round robin shouldn't be able to lift the trophy.
4 Go to commentsI do think the media in NZ treated him badly. Sam is a legend. He is humble, a great rugby mind and leader. What happened in the final could happen to anyone. The margins is so fine these days. I lay blame at the feet of the coaching staff and NZ rugby. The stats tell’s all. The AB’s was the worst disciplined side in the WC with more red and yellow cards than anyone else. Problem is NZ rugby is not training their players to play safer. And thats the danger a fast game brings. More yellow and red cards. But Sam Cane in my eye was and still is a great ambassador for the game, that just had a stroke of bad luck.
6 Go to commentsI hope Jim and co. Add this to their list of icebreaker questions they can ask all their guests going forward. So we can eventually hear what everyone thinks about this subject. “What do you think Ireland meant…”
123 Go to commentsHe’s a dominant personality. That might be both a good and bad thing in team dynamics. Certainly it ruined Smith’s first crack at 10 with Owen at 12. BTW, Bristol flatter to deceive. When things really matter, they tend to deliver less rather than more. Farrell would have been good for them
43 Go to commentsGot a lot of over the top abuse from Crusader fans, in particular, who thought every 7 they had was miles better. Now we will see if anyone is better? Laid his body on the line every game so finishing early makes sense. A lot of life left after rugby.
6 Go to commentsA poor decision to appoint Carley as not only is Pearce a better referee but also importantly speaks French.
2 Go to commentsHe is 100 % on the mark. Malicious arrogance with a lack of respect for the other teams mostly the south. they must learn from True rugby nations like the Boks and Kiwis
123 Go to commentsThis Outiniqua boy has played sublime rugby and deserves a spot in BI LIONS team. Well played son
4 Go to commentsI don’t like to see players miss big matches but this ban looks to be tailored to allow him to compete in the final. In principle a suspension for a very dangerous tackle in a semi should warrant missing the relevant final. Done now. One the flip side having both teams with very strong squads/teams available for the final will add to the occassion hopefully.
1 Go to commentsTalent to burn and a huge engine..hope he gets a shot at higher honours
2 Go to commentsIf anything like his dad he has a bright future, Soane was the best ball carrying props ive ever seen using a combination of pace power and footwork.
1 Go to commentsThose who saw Sharks vs Clermont and Ox N'Che vs Rabah Slimani should have a good idea of the best scrumagers… May be not the best props…
2 Go to commentsIt's been an unusual era of unpopular, highly competitive, domineering, fairly big fly halves in the home nations with Farrell, Sexton and Biggar. Russell is different in personality and player I think. I'd rank Sexton first of the three because he is just as good a game controller but also has a great passing game. And his competitiveness never seems to cause problems with refs.
43 Go to commentsThank goodness he wasn't born in Scotland, he'd have been a great candidate for the Scottish Barbarians. I wouldn't put it past them to push for a “where the player was conceived” rule 😂
2 Go to comments