Six Nations Week 1 Roundup

I have an admission to make, I decided to kick of the 2011 Six Nations by having a few friends around the house so the memories of the Wales – England game might be a little jaded! OK, very jaded. I think it would be fair to sum it up as this though, England started well, invited Wales back into the game but just about deserved to hold on for 26-19 win, fair? Perhaps most importantly for fans of running rugby the 2011 Six Nations continued where the Autumn Internationals left off. Sure there was plenty of kicking away possession in the first half an hour but once both teams settled down we were treated to some great rugby and some cracking tries. The second admission is that the fuzzy head didn’t help things on the Saturday either. Italy vs Ireland was a belter for different reasons. Talk about close to an upset? The Ireland game was littered with errors and it helped give Italy a sound footing in the game, the Italians just love playing at home and they came oh so close to a first ever Six Nations win over Ireland with a try in the last 5 minutes. Ireland were dire, no other words for it and they can thank o’Gara for saving any blushes with a drop goal in the last couple of minutes to give them a “closer than close” 13 points to 11 victory. If only Italy would have converted the try. The final game of the first weekend saw Scotland taking on France. Passion, pace, running and impact – another great game of rugby. Scotland seems to have lifted themselves a level above recent Six Nations efforts and had France under plenty of pressure for a lot of this game. However the French class told in the end and despite a great effort by Scotland France ran out 34 -21 winners. Scotland should not be too downbeat, with a little bit more of a cutting edge they could have caused a massive upset. So what can we conclude from the first weekend of the 2011 Six Nations? Ireland look off their game, England can be still be sloppy but France look bang on form and perhaps ready for back to back grand slams? We’ll see.

Six Nations Week 2 Roundup

England vs Italy - England on top all the way through and a proper good old fashioned stuffing. In Ashton England have one of those rare talents that always seems to find himself in the right place at the right time. Strangely enough even though Italy were shocking at the line out all through the game it was actually the source of their consolation try late on. It's hard to understand how Italy can play so differently home and away in the Six Nations? England on this form will take some stopping. Scotland vs Wales was a much more competitive affair all around (not hard) and one that managed to throw the form book on the bonfire. After Scotlands performance against France the previous week great things were expected of them, however them took massive steps back. Wales on the other hand were resurgent. As soon as Wales scored early this game never really seemed to be in doubt, even when they went down to 13 men Scotland failed to take any real advantage. Shane Williams is another of those players that has a real talent for being in the right place. Finally, Sunday gave us the game of the weekend with Ireland playing France in a very tight game. I think it would be fair to say that everything that happened in this game was down to Ireland in one way or another. When they were good they scored tries, when they were bad they gave away endless penalties. France were consistent throughout and kept themselves right in the game with some excellent kicking, eventually running out 25-22 winners. An absolute cracking game to watch and one that Ireland could have easily of won with better discipline.

Six Nations Week 3 Roundup

The third week of this years Six Nations could really have been the decisive set of games in terms of deciding an eventual winner. The weekend started of with Italy versus Wales and what a brilliant game it was. I sound like an old record but Italy are so much better at home and there were none of the signs of weakness that the displayed against England in their last game. Wales struggled to build on their convinving win over the Scots but just about held out for a very hard fought victory (worth noting that if Italy could find a kicker they would have won this game!). Shortly afterwards it was the big decider, England vs France. Can I be honest here without appearing biased? England stuffed them! Other than some sloppy penalties England were far and away the more creative and direct team and it was every bit a deserved victory. Even more so considering some French students had gathered in the same pub as us - thank you fate, it's not often I get to watch England win in the pub and I thank my lucky stars it was a day when the French were in town! The final game of the weekend saw Ireland travel the short distance to Scotland. Could Scotland get any worse than the previous game? Of course not, it was a much improved display that saw them lose by just 3 points to an Irish team that alough wasteful at times still look a force. After 3 games the Six Nations is still poised with England ahead (3 victories out of 3) with Ireland, Wales and France all on 2 wins. With England still having to play Ireland it's certainly not all over yet.

Six Nations Week 4 Roundup

How many times have I written about Italy being a tough team at home tens, hundreds, thousands? It should come as no surprise then that when Bergamasco finally puts his kicking boots on they finally turn over one of the big teams. It should come as no surprise that this team would be the French this year either. I can't tell you just how delighted I was for the Italians, that 22-21 result (A well deserved hard fought one) has made their year already. The French on the other hand were dire. Not one of them could hold their head up after that display and say they gave 100%. Wales gave themselves a slim chance of still lifting the Six Nations trophy with a dubious 19-13 win over Ireland. It was a very even game until a Scottish official made an almighty ballsup by allowing Wales to take a quick line-out with what was obviously the wrong ball. Not only that but he then confirmed without doubt that it was "the right ball". Surely this sort of nonsense only happens in football? What it did show up though was just how irate team officials can get in rugby. Imagine how irate team/club officials would get if there was £20-£30 million riding on it. Those figures are not far from the mark in big promotion/cup/title football games. Respect is all well and good until somebody mistake causes a club to go under and lots of people to lose their jobs. Just a thought. Anyhoo back to the Rugby. England were nervous as hell against the Scots. Personally I think the Italy result had put doubts in their minds as well as giving the Scottish a boost. A gutsy performance from the Scots which saw them hold England until half time was perhaps worthy of a draw? England's fitness seemed to tell in the second half and they just about managed a 22 - 16 victory. Scotland have been so up and down in this years Six Nations, it wouldn't be too much of a surprise if they got a good win in their last game. But the big question on everybody's lips going in to the last week is...will England do the Grand Slam or will Ireland open it up for another team to lift the Six Nations trophy?

Six Nations Week 5 Roundup

The final week of the 2011 Six Nations gave us a chance to see just what a massive impact home advantage is in the Six Nations. There were comfortable wins for Scotland, France and Ireland. Obviously most significant in these was the Irish demolition of England. Within 10 minutes it was fairly clear to all but the most die hard English fans that the game was up and there would be no Grand Slam. It was a result that left the English needing some help from the French in order to take the Six Nations title. If Wales could have won by a big margin they could take the honours on the final day but it wasn't to be. The French still smarting from the defeat by Italy the previous week were far from their best but still too strong for Wales. This only left the wooden spoon and completely true to form the Italians which had achieved the unthinkable only a week before were back to their away form worst. Scotland even managed to break their try scoring voodoo at home and ran in a couple. After this final weekend of the 2011 Six Nations that leaves England is the winners with Italy taking the Wooden Spoon. Bring on the World Cup I say!

Six Nations Week 1 Roundup

What a brilliant weekend of Rugby, I've got to admit that there was far more ball in hand rugby than what I was expecting. Of course just like every first weekend of the Six Nations there were plenty of errors in each game but it all looks good for some free flowing rugby later on in the tournament. In the games Ireland were a little stodgy against Italy who themselves battled hard. England were impressive against Wales although even the most die hard English fan would have to admit the game was won when Wales were rightly down to 14 men. The importance of discipline in the international game shone through once again. The final game of the weekend saw France looking dangerous against a solid Scottish team. It was nice to see France on their game from the very beginning of the Six Nations. Player of the weekend had to be Mathieu Bastareaud, the 18 stone French center. He looked unstoppable and his second try against Scotland was awesome.

Six Nations Week 2 Roundup

Another weekend of superb Rugby action. I'll get what was by far the worst game of the weekend out of the way first, England vs Italy. After the excitement of Saturday and Englands improved form against Wales the previous week this one was a shocker. Italy were much improved but even so nothing could hide the total lack of ambition from an England team that were happy to kick the ball in a completely aimless fashion time after time. France vs Ireland on the other hand was full of fast paced ball in hand Rugby. Well I say ball in hand but in Ireland's case it was much more ball falling out of hand, I don't think I can recall so many knock-ons from one team in a game. France were in top form and have surely got to be favourites for a grand slam with England being the only other possible Grand Slam nation. Bastareaud was in ominous form once again, showing a little more to his game including setting up a try and some hard hitting tackling. Ireland were below par for them but I doubt that even a top Ireland performance would have been good enough to beat a top French performance at the moment. That only leaves the game of the weekend and perhaps the best game the Six Nations has ever seen, Wales vs Scotland? It didn't stop from the first minute, both teams full of ambition and Scotland playing out of their skins to build a sizable lead. Right up until the last 10 minutes. What followed can not be portrayed properly through words, the only thing I can do is recommend in the strongest possible way that you find the highlights of this game and watch it! (BBC iPlayer will have it). One of the best 10 minutes of rugby I can ever remember watching and a prefect advert for the 6 Nations. Not so much a player of the week this week, more a team of the week and I'm going to give that to Wales and Scotland jointly, if you didn't see it then you really need to watch that game :)

Six Nations Week 3 Roundup

The third week of Six Nations produced a mixed bag of rugby. The highlight had to be the Wales vs France game on the Friday, France put themselves into a great position with a commanding lead in the first half but then seemed to completely relax in the second half. This gave Wales the chance to play themselves into the game, a chance they weren't shy in taking. It couldn't possibly happen again could it? When Shane Williams went over for only minutes to go I bet there were plenty of Welsh fans that believed it could happen! Alas France held on for a deserved win by kicking the ball straight out from the restart (a lesson their for Scotland maybe?). The second game saw Scotland play Italy. In a game that both teams see as their best chance for winning a game in the Six Nations this was always going to be a tight affair. Penalties were the order of the day with both side exchanging blows. It all game time to a frantic last few minutes in which Italy held on to secure a rare win in the Six Nations, the home crowd went nuts. To be fair to Italy their home form has been building and I don't think many people would have been too shocked to see them win. Scotland always have a chance at home against England to avoid the wooden spoon. Talking of England, another sack of old shite. By far the most boring game of the weekend as they played out a dull as dishwater, take no chances game, against Ireland. Ireland won the game 3 tries to one and even though they had limited chances they looked to run the ball and take each one. A complete contrast to the English "pass sideways" or punt it play. It'll be a good day when England finally wake up to the actually standard of rugby they are inflicting on their fans! When it comes to player of the week I'm going to give it to the Welsh wing Shane Williams, the little man was an inspiration again against the French.

Six Nations Week 4 Roundup

I'm going to keep this really short, I'm still gutted by the total lack of progress being made by England, not to mention the post match England camp spin machine spewing nonsense. England play the most unwatchable Rugby of any international team I've watched in the last 20 years. This wouldn't be so bad if they were playing effective Rugby, but as was proven against Scotland they are not. A 15-15 (no trys) score says more about that game than anything I ever could. Luckily fur us rugby fans we had the other 4 teams to provide some top class ENTERTAINING rugby. The Ireland Wales game was compelling to watch, for the second weekend in a row Ireland seemed to be happy to sit back and pick apart their opposition at just the right time. The speed at which they were able to score was impressive and they ran out well deserved winners over the Welsh. Wales did have a bit of an off day but even at their best I don't think they would have had the right answers to stop the Irish who if they would have had their kicking boots on would have won be even more. In the final game of the weekend on Sunday France destroyed Italy. Well that's how it started, but by mid way through the second half Italy woke up and and even managed to score a couple of well worked trys. Perhaps that had something to do with France experimenting with their subs but even so all credit must be given to Italy for never letting their heads go down. It was a 1000% more enjoyable watch than the Calcutta Cup game. Man of the weekend is big Lawrence Dallaglio for having the balls to speak his mind and express how disapointed he was, good on him.

Six Nations Week 5 Roundup

What a great end to the Six Nations Super Saturday was. I'll be honest here, I spent a large part of the day in the pub so some of the details are a little hazy, especially about the England game but I'll do my best to sum up what happened. The first game of the day saw Wales take on Italy. Italy true to form were rubbish away from home, they always are! It was kept fairly close for the first half but as soon as the second half started Wales just blew them away with some decisive finishing. Next up was the game of the day for me, Ireland vs Scotland. From the first minute I got the impression that the Irish were only there for a party, turn up, beat Scotland, celebrate last game at Croke Park? Somebody obviously forgot to tell Scotland the script and the team which has been really unlucky this Six Nations actually got the luck in the last few minutes and a much deserved victory. I have never seen so many upset Irish lads in one pub. Johnny Sextant in particular came in for a lot of stick from his own fans. Last and for once not least it was England vs France at the Stade de France. Hands up if you were fearing the worst? My hands up. I was expecting a kicking England game and not only a hammering but also a really dull game. It was a massive surprise but a very pleasant one. The changes Martin Johnson had made to the team worked wonders and England fans were treated to a great display of running rugby. It wasn't quite enough on the night to beat the French who fair play to them have been far and away the team of the tournament. A well deserved Grand Slam for France, no Triple Crown for the Irish and at last an English performance worthy of the name. A great day of rugby all around and a very sore head on the Sunday.

2010 Six Nations Results

Sat 6th Feb 14:30 Ireland 29 - 11 Italy
Sat 6th Feb 17:00 England 30 - 17 Wales
Sun 7th Feb 15:00 Scotland 9 - 18 France
Sat 13th Feb 14:00 Wales 31 - 24 Scotland
Sat 13th Feb 17:30 France 33 - 10 Ireland
Sun 14th Feb 15:30 Italy 17 - 12 England
Fri 26th Feb 20:00 Wales 20 - 26 France
Sat 27th Feb 14:30 Italy 16 - 12 Scotland
Sat 27th Feb 16:00 England 16 -20 Ireland
Sat 13th Mar 14:30 Ireland 27 - 12 Wales
Sat 13th Mar 17:00 Scotland 15 - 15 England
Sun 14th Mar 15:30 France 46 - 20 Italy
Sat 20th Mar 14:30 Wales 33 - 10 Italy
Sat 20th Mar 17:00 Ireland 20 - 23 Scotland
Sat 20th Mar 19:45 France 12 - 10 England