Closing Up to date on 8 Feb 2022 6:17 pm (UK Time)
The Six International locations has in any case arrived, and except you’re Welsh, Italian or English, it’s been a perfect begin to what generally is a event for the ages. Eire brushed apart a depleted Welsh facet to arrange an epic conflict with a French group coming off the again of a medical victory in opposition to Italy, whilst Scotland will take massive momentum from their besting of England into an enormous conflict in opposition to Wales on the Millennium Stadium. In a event that would move all the way down to a cord, each and every facet will likely be mindful that no defeat is terminal, and that one victory doesn’t make you champion.
Eire 29-7 Wales (Aviva Stadium)
Eire vs. Wales is normally probably the most stress-free and frequently underrated fixtures within the Six International locations calendar, a high quality recreation performed in enviably just right spirits between two facets assured to offer the opposite a just right run for his or her cash. The Celtic conflict could also be a good affair that may frequently defy absolute prediction: during the last ten years of Six International locations conferences between the 2 groups, Wales have claimed 5 wins, Eire have claimed 4, and there has even been a 16-16 attract 2016 on the Aviva Stadium. This yr’s conflict, alternatively, felt like a nailed-on cert for the house facet sooner than a ball had even been kicked, the eventual 29-7 scoreline only a fraction of what it would were getting into the sport.
The blame can’t in reality move to the Welsh, alternatively. A lot has been talked in their harm issues and the absence of 8 (EIGHT!) British and Irish Lions from their setup, so that you can even come inside of round 20 issues of an Eire group using prime on self assurance and shape must be no true shame. If the rest, Wales can use this event to blood a few of their younger and thrilling ability, ‘long term Lion’ (in line with Sam Warburton) Taine Basham in particular impressing on a difficult day for the boys in crimson. The Welsh defence, alternatively, appeared in disarray as Eire forever modified their playbooks, disguising their issues of assault with suave wrap round performs and adorable passing passages that frequently left the likes of makeshift centre Josh Adams chasing shadows. Adams’ useless shoulder price of Jonathan Sexton was once most probably borne out of frustration than anything.
Eire will undoubtedly be happy if relatively pissed off. Bearing in mind the gulf in school that are meant to have existed between the 2 facets, they’ll marvel how they did not capitalise additional given the selection of elements of their favour. Eire performed fluid, flowery rugby, however there have been occasions when a medical edge wouldn’t have long gone amiss, with Johnny Sexton’s boot suffering amid the swirling winds. Nonetheless, an excellent get started for the boys in inexperienced as they search for a primary Six International locations name since 2018.
France 37-10 Italy (Stade de France)
If there’s a group extra irritating to observe than France, it must be Italy. France are like a Ferrari confined to dual carriageway visitors, at all times taking a look to burst thru gaps and show off their bizarre pace, elegance and pedigree. Italy are like a do-it-yourself boxcar hurtling down a vertical slope, belting out of the traps with pace and promise till one of the vital wheels falls off they usually finally end up the wrong way up being dragged from a ditch on fireplace.
The issue that has plagued the Italians for years is totally evident but confoundingly elusive: they don’t understand how to win rugby fits. Whilst this will likely look like a banal commentary to make a couple of group lately at the longest shedding streak in Six International locations historical past, it’s price noting that the Azurri are by no means a foul facet stuffed with unhealthy gamers. Particularly, the likes of Polledri (when are compatible), Garbisi, Padovani and co. are sturdy operators taking part in on the elite degree of membership and take a look at rugby. Italy’s factor is that they’ve no thought find out how to grasp that almost all treasured of talents in take a look at rugby: find out how to win video games.
Italy play at a mile a minute and make a perfect account of themselves, no less than first of all, however they’re at risk of too many mistakes in vital spaces, knocking the ball ahead simply as they’re coming into the opposition 22 or else gifting tries from mistakes on the line out. The Italians can frustrate, they may be able to assault and they may be able to surely play, however their recreation control remains to be seriously missing. Groups like England in 2016 or Eire in 2018 performed some gritty, unpleasant and once in a while downright appalling rugby at the highway to 2 in their maximum a success years of the trendy generation.
France, in the meantime, had been hampered by way of the weather up to they had been by way of their very own incapacity to in reality spark their very own fireplace. An advantage-point win in opposition to Italy may be very a lot activity achieved, however the French facet’s susceptibility to the weather is likely one of the possible weaknesses of a group taking a look to in any case make this their yr. Flowing French rugby is relatively hampered by way of a rainy ball and deficient visibility, and the event favourites will wish to have contingencies and backup plans in reserve if their primary recreation is disrupted by way of the weather, the opposition or the rest in between.
Scotland 20-17 England (Murrayfield)
Scotland are speedy turning into England’s bogey group, besting the English in again to again Calcutta Cups for the primary time within the event’s historical past. Many have tipped the Scots to in reality move properly on this yr’s Six International locations, and little marvel. Whilst different groups are suffering with harm and ill-health, Scotland appear glad, content material and well-preserved underneath Gregor Townsend. In what would possibly finally end up being probably the most open and tightly contested Six International locations for a just right whilst, Scotland may in any case benefit and finish a apparently never-ending curse that has averted them from getting their arms on that almost all elusive of trophies. With Hogg, Watson and Harris all firing, Scotland have all of the proper items in position, however accidents to Jamie Ritchie and Josh Bayliss going into their fixture in opposition to Wales could have reduced the distance between two facets beginning their respective tournaments in moderately alternative ways.
England, in the meantime, will see their problems with harm as a explanation why for his or her defeat moderately than an excuse. Sam Warburton raised a fascinating level in regards to the state of the English midfield, alternatively, in that the apparently huge reliance on Manu Tuilagi is inflicting them a significant issue. As he issues out, a facet with round 30 professionally reduced in size within centres that aren’t in a position to switch or reflect Manu Tuilagi has severe problems, the England centre partnership apparently simplest working convincingly when the Samoan-born wrecking ball is to be had. Now at 30 years of age and round a stone lighter than sooner than, Eddie Jones received’t be capable to depend on Mighty Manu without end.
