Thoughts on the Six Nations.
I watched every Six Nations game this weekend.
First up was Italy v Wales in Rome for the wooden spoon.
Had Italy had Ange Cannone and Capuozzi they might have given Wales a close game but in their absence the away side won comfortably.
This was followed by England v France.
When Jack van Poortvliet hoisted an aimless kick after the first ruck my heart dropped. England were not going on the front foot with a high tempo game as promised but playing a tactical kicking game.
For Poortvliet and Marcus Smith read Clive Rowlands and Rob Andrew.
The tactics resulted in France having a healthy lead at half-time and they really asserted their primacy in all areas in the second half when they ran riot.
Scotland v Ireland is invariably a well-contested, exciting game. With Fulham 3 down at home to Arsenal, I made the TV switch and was rewarded by the best rugby of the weekend with Ireland shading the first half 9-8.
The second half did not reach the same level as Ireland eased away.
One fears for England at Lansdowne Road next week.
Although the return from injury of Courtney Lawes, Sam Underhill and Tom Curry will strengthen the pack this does not address the deficiencies at scrum half and centres.
It’s difficult to see where England go from here. I feared Eddie Jones’s Australia would do for us in the World Cup in 7 months’ time now I worry whether England can beat Argentina.
