The uniqueness of 6 Nations rugby. A competition that continues to defy logic and prediction.
France beat Wales in a pulsating finish. England falter against the Irish and where now for Italian Rugby.
Ireland didn’t need St Patrick to beat England.
In fact, they didn’t need 15 players! Aki dismissed in the 64th minute.
Wales led by 10 with 8 minutes to go. Then get reduced to 13 men. Indiscipline. France score the winner deep in injury time.
France can win the tournament if they beat Scotland in Paris with a bonus point.
Ireland are on the march and improving.
England with all their resources finish 5th…says it all.
Italy return home to more discussion. Changes soon to occur. They need a forwards coach who understands the difference between technique and skill.
Scotland despite beating England in game 1, have floundered but still have a role to play and it could be a significant one!
Ireland’s performance, a vindication of Farrells desire to shake off Joe Schmidt’s meticulous approach and see Ireland play a freer flowing style of rugby.
Where do England go from here?
Occasional wins ignite an almost orgasmic response from the media, but the rugby public aren’t stupid, they see the flaws and ignore the headlines.
Has Eddie Jones created his own England comfort club, certainly seems harder to leave the squad than enter it.
Leadership, from the Captain and players is sadly missing. Itoje, the heir apparent, is waiting in the wings, but he is ill-disciplined and doesn’t seem to get it!
My view, is leave him as a player and work on his discipline, look for someone else to be captain. There are question marks around England’s fitness and team mobility. There are players who can’t handle the physicality, they go missing when it cuts up rough! Ireland dominated most collisions, yet England players kept running into them…footwork, offload, please.