The Six Nations
The past weekend produced the most entertaining Six Nations climax that I can remember.
With England, Ireland and Wales all level on points, going into the last game, each team needed to win and put points on the board.
Wales started sluggishly against an Italian side determined to do well in front of their home crowd. However, the Italians were missing their talisman in Sergio Parisse, and the Italians fell apart, as the class Welsh backline surged into life, running in a total of 8 tries, however the final try went to Italy with Luigi Sarto running most of the field.
Ireland thumped a Scottish team, who were expected to be playing for their pride to avoid the wooden spoon. Ireland let loose and swapped their usually controlled game plan for a more attacking one. They were rewarded with 4 tries, but their overall win owed much to the try saving tackle of Jamie Heaslip, who dispossessed Stuart Hogg, as he reached for the line in the 76th minute.
That was to be crucial as in the most open game of all England beat the French, who played their part in the most open game of the Six Nations, but fell 6 points short of overhauling Ireland.
How crucial Jamie Heaslip's tackle proved, how crucial Craig Joubert not referring England's last minute try in Dublin to the TMO, how crucial England failing to drive over the last minute maul at Twickenham. Small margins, made the big difference in the tightest of Six Nations, a feast of rugby, a perfect prelude in a World Cup year.
Six Nations Team of the Tournament
Full Back: Stuart Hogg (Scotland) - Hogg just edges this one for me. Despite being in a team that won no games, Hogg was the inspiration for most of Scotland's attacking flair, he more defenders than any other player (19) and made more metres (455m) as well as making several try saving tackles.
Wing: Liam Williams (Wales) - Williams displaced Alex Cuthbert, which is no mean feat in itself. He made 8 clean breaks, the most of any Welsh player, despite not starting the first game. Also, he sparked Wales in to life against Italy when he moved to full back.
Outside Centre: Jonathan Joseph (England) - Joseph owes his place here, not just because he was the Tournament's top try scorer, but the way he scored the tries. He showed great footwork for each of this tries, and was part of an attacking England team that scored 18 tries. Mark Bennett also had a very good tournament for Scotland.
Inside Centre: Robbie Henshaw (Ireland) - Henshaw came into the Irish team and beat more defenders than any other Irish player (16). He also scored a pivotal try against England and was Ireland's top tackler in the tournament.
Wing: Gio Venditti (Italy) - Venditti offered Italy a real threat on the break, his try against Scotland, was not just opportunism but a very smart finish, and similarly against the Welsh. Other wingers could just as easily have made the team, indeed Jack Nowell's stats were very impressive for someone who only played 3 games, but his breaks, didn't always lead to the right option being taken.
Fly Half: George Ford (England) - Many would have gone for Johnny Sexton, who had a very good tournament, but he only played 3 and a half games, but George Ford played with an authority beyond his tender years, and a creativity which enabled his backs to excite with ball in hand.
Scrum Half: Conor Murray (Ireland) - There was very little between Murray, Youngs and Webb. All played key parts in dictating the tempo and momentum of their teams. Murray just edged it for me, as his performance against England was key to Ireland winning that game.
Number 8: Billy Vunipola (England) - With 64 carries, Billy Vunipola, was key in softening up the opposition defence, allowing the backs to wreak havoc with ball in hand. Vunipola, nearly always makes key metres, helping to provide go forward ball (e.g. forward momentum).
Openside Flanker: Sam Warburton (Wales) - Warburton faced pressure for his place in the Autumn, but he had a fine Six nations, capped off by a try which showed his pace. Chris Robshaw pushed him close for the position, after putting in 82 tackles, the most in the tournament.
Blindside Flanker: Peter O'Mahoney (Ireland) - O'Mahoney had a good tournament both in the loose and hitting rucks hard, when partnered with O'Brien and Heaslip, they form a formidable back row. Blair Cowan, also had a good tournament effecting turnovers, but was in a disappointing Scotland side.
Second Row: Paul O'Connell (Ireland) - Not only did Paul O'Connell have a great tournament, but he was also surprisingly voted Ireland's sexiest rugby player. O'Connell lead from the front, as always, scoring the first try against Scotland and leading his side to another Six nations title.
Second Row: Alun Wyn-Jones (Wales) - Alun Wyn-Jones, always seems to step up when Wales need him the most. Whilst Luke Charteris is more effective at stealing lineouts, Wyn-Jones has the mobility required of a modern day lock, and leads from the front.
Tighthead Prop: Mike Ross (Ireland) - Ross is consistent at tighthead, and alongside Rory Best they form a good partnership and a solid base for the scrum.
Hooker: Leonardo Ghiraldini (Italy) - Guirado for France was also good, but Ghiraldini stood out, in both the scrums and the loose.
Loosehead Prop: Joe Marler (England) - Marler is one of those players you enjoy having on your side, but hate playing against.
Referee - Nigel Owens - Owens officiated the final match with authority and worked well with the TMO. Although, I thought it was the wrong call on the Nakaitaci try, Owens made sure the final day, was not about dubious refereeing decisions and all about the rugby.
With England, Ireland and Wales all level on points, going into the last game, each team needed to win and put points on the board.
Wales started sluggishly against an Italian side determined to do well in front of their home crowd. However, the Italians were missing their talisman in Sergio Parisse, and the Italians fell apart, as the class Welsh backline surged into life, running in a total of 8 tries, however the final try went to Italy with Luigi Sarto running most of the field.
Ireland thumped a Scottish team, who were expected to be playing for their pride to avoid the wooden spoon. Ireland let loose and swapped their usually controlled game plan for a more attacking one. They were rewarded with 4 tries, but their overall win owed much to the try saving tackle of Jamie Heaslip, who dispossessed Stuart Hogg, as he reached for the line in the 76th minute.
That was to be crucial as in the most open game of all England beat the French, who played their part in the most open game of the Six Nations, but fell 6 points short of overhauling Ireland.
How crucial Jamie Heaslip's tackle proved, how crucial Craig Joubert not referring England's last minute try in Dublin to the TMO, how crucial England failing to drive over the last minute maul at Twickenham. Small margins, made the big difference in the tightest of Six Nations, a feast of rugby, a perfect prelude in a World Cup year.
Six Nations Team of the Tournament
Full Back: Stuart Hogg (Scotland) - Hogg just edges this one for me. Despite being in a team that won no games, Hogg was the inspiration for most of Scotland's attacking flair, he more defenders than any other player (19) and made more metres (455m) as well as making several try saving tackles.
Wing: Liam Williams (Wales) - Williams displaced Alex Cuthbert, which is no mean feat in itself. He made 8 clean breaks, the most of any Welsh player, despite not starting the first game. Also, he sparked Wales in to life against Italy when he moved to full back.
Outside Centre: Jonathan Joseph (England) - Joseph owes his place here, not just because he was the Tournament's top try scorer, but the way he scored the tries. He showed great footwork for each of this tries, and was part of an attacking England team that scored 18 tries. Mark Bennett also had a very good tournament for Scotland.
Inside Centre: Robbie Henshaw (Ireland) - Henshaw came into the Irish team and beat more defenders than any other Irish player (16). He also scored a pivotal try against England and was Ireland's top tackler in the tournament.
Wing: Gio Venditti (Italy) - Venditti offered Italy a real threat on the break, his try against Scotland, was not just opportunism but a very smart finish, and similarly against the Welsh. Other wingers could just as easily have made the team, indeed Jack Nowell's stats were very impressive for someone who only played 3 games, but his breaks, didn't always lead to the right option being taken.
Fly Half: George Ford (England) - Many would have gone for Johnny Sexton, who had a very good tournament, but he only played 3 and a half games, but George Ford played with an authority beyond his tender years, and a creativity which enabled his backs to excite with ball in hand.
Scrum Half: Conor Murray (Ireland) - There was very little between Murray, Youngs and Webb. All played key parts in dictating the tempo and momentum of their teams. Murray just edged it for me, as his performance against England was key to Ireland winning that game.
Number 8: Billy Vunipola (England) - With 64 carries, Billy Vunipola, was key in softening up the opposition defence, allowing the backs to wreak havoc with ball in hand. Vunipola, nearly always makes key metres, helping to provide go forward ball (e.g. forward momentum).
Openside Flanker: Sam Warburton (Wales) - Warburton faced pressure for his place in the Autumn, but he had a fine Six nations, capped off by a try which showed his pace. Chris Robshaw pushed him close for the position, after putting in 82 tackles, the most in the tournament.
Blindside Flanker: Peter O'Mahoney (Ireland) - O'Mahoney had a good tournament both in the loose and hitting rucks hard, when partnered with O'Brien and Heaslip, they form a formidable back row. Blair Cowan, also had a good tournament effecting turnovers, but was in a disappointing Scotland side.
Second Row: Paul O'Connell (Ireland) - Not only did Paul O'Connell have a great tournament, but he was also surprisingly voted Ireland's sexiest rugby player. O'Connell lead from the front, as always, scoring the first try against Scotland and leading his side to another Six nations title.
Second Row: Alun Wyn-Jones (Wales) - Alun Wyn-Jones, always seems to step up when Wales need him the most. Whilst Luke Charteris is more effective at stealing lineouts, Wyn-Jones has the mobility required of a modern day lock, and leads from the front.
Tighthead Prop: Mike Ross (Ireland) - Ross is consistent at tighthead, and alongside Rory Best they form a good partnership and a solid base for the scrum.
Hooker: Leonardo Ghiraldini (Italy) - Guirado for France was also good, but Ghiraldini stood out, in both the scrums and the loose.
Loosehead Prop: Joe Marler (England) - Marler is one of those players you enjoy having on your side, but hate playing against.
Referee - Nigel Owens - Owens officiated the final match with authority and worked well with the TMO. Although, I thought it was the wrong call on the Nakaitaci try, Owens made sure the final day, was not about dubious refereeing decisions and all about the rugby.
