By Nick Powell
For England, it was a thoroughly deserved win, it was a dominant performance. They were fantastic in that first half. They did miss a few chances, but for all of them came away with at least three points. They really did squeeze those points as well. Wales' defence wasn't what it normally was, but George Ford took it to the line and helped an excellent attacking performance. This team will only get better under Eddie Jones, the signs are very positive.
The last ten minutes were disappointing and nearly a complete disaster, but there's no way it should have been 14 vs 15, it was a weak, embarrassing decision by Craig Joubert . Thomas Francis should've gone, not yellow, red. If that wasn't enough evidence I don't know what is. Had it been 14 on 14 it would have been a very different finish. Wales scored a great try which they might well have scored but the domination and barrage of that period would not be there, and had they won it would have been a complete disgrace. So while Wales can take positives, England shouldn't lose any sleep over it. What they should lose sleep over, is Joe Marler's comments to Samson Lee. Equally shocking stuff, Eddie Jones ought to have a word with him, and a strong one. It's got no place on a rugby field.
The Championship really did come to life this weekend, it was about time as well, but it more than made up for some of the rugby we've seen in this year's competition.
Ireland 58-15 Italy
A lot of credit has to go Ireland's way, I expected them to win, but not in the manner they did or playing some of the excellent rugby they were. They were fantastic and it was a wonderful day for the fans who had turned up the Aviva, mind you there weren't a great deal of them, but that is possibly the result of what had been thus far a disappointing Championship.
I never doubted Ireland's defence in their 22 and it delivered in a good first five minutes for the Italians and they soon led and from there they didn't look back. They found several line breaks in tight areas with some nice plays, moves and at times quality heads up rugby, and they got fantastically quick ball which meant they were able to score whenever they did get through. Heaslip was my Man of the Match. Finishing that sensational try at the end of the first half and then another in the second half, plus a real sense of leadership made him the vital cog for them.
For Italy, life is not good. The side that beat Ireland and France in 2013, they have shipped an average of 36.5 points per game since 2014. The Champions of those tournaments have conceded an average of less than 10. Their defence can be staggeringly poor, just not up to the standard required to compete in the biggest test matches. Conor O'Shea seems to be on the way, and he'll bring a lot for their defence and spice up their attack, and it does feel like the end of an era under Jacques Brunel, an era that could and should have been so much better. I don't envy his task of going to the Principality to finish his disappointing reign.
England 25-21 Wales
The game of the weekend, and the tournament. As Jones described it, there were two in one, all England then all Wales. For the visitors, it was a very disappointing way to miss out on the title. They were not good in the first half, they dropped off 19 tackles, anymore than 25 missed in 80 minutes can't win you a game and they were nearly at that after 40. England had some great quick ball and made some nice moves but Wales were not good enough. Offensively also they were non-existent in the first half and were lucky to get Biggar's try.
Credit is due to them however. They were very good in the last 10 minutes and scored a really nice try, they played heads up rugby, got good go forward and gave England a real scare. They were against 14 men, which was not fair as I'll discuss in a minute, but it's probably a sterner test than the 15 Italians they will be up against on Saturday. I expect them to pile on the points, especially if they show the attacking intent they did at the end of the game.
For England, it was a thoroughly deserved win, it was a dominant performance. They were fantastic in that first half. They did miss a few chances, but for all of them came away with at least three points. They really did squeeze those points as well. Wales' defence wasn't what it normally was, but George Ford took it to the line and helped an excellent attacking performance. This team will only get better under Eddie Jones, the signs are very positive.
The last ten minutes were disappointing and nearly a complete disaster, but there's no way it should have been 14 vs 15, it was a weak, embarrassing decision by Craig Joubert . Thomas Francis should've gone, not yellow, red. If that wasn't enough evidence I don't know what is. Had it been 14 on 14 it would have been a very different finish. Wales scored a great try which they might well have scored but the domination and barrage of that period would not be there, and had they won it would have been a complete disgrace. So while Wales can take positives, England shouldn't lose any sleep over it. What they should lose sleep over, is Joe Marler's comments to Samson Lee. Equally shocking stuff, Eddie Jones ought to have a word with him, and a strong one. It's got no place on a rugby field.
But England are the Champions, and they have deserved every win. They could have won every single game by more. This year's championship was there for the taking, with one of the weakest Championships for a while and they took it. Jones has proved himself and they have a positive future in store. The game against France is so important. Ending thirteen years of hurt and making the perfect start for Eddie Jones. But we'll see.
Scotland 29-18 France
For Scotland, it was so important that they backed up the Italian win to show they really are made of something. They are a really good side and have a good shot in Dublin, it should be a good contest. Their finishing was clinical, every time they got into the 22 they took their chances superbly. They also showed that winning instinct that they have lacked so often. Coming back from an early deficit, and then halting a dangerous French fightback. They genuinely have a chance next year. England, Wales and Ireland should watch out, the top three could be shaken up, infact Ireland might get that lesson on Saturday.
For France, it is a Championship that had so much promise but ultimately ends disappointingly. Scotland were good but they should have challenged them a lot better and have lost their feel-good factor. France are a side that needs a lot of development, and this year is only the first step, give it two years, and they'll be in the hunt.
Photos:
http://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2016/mar/12/ireland-v-italy-six-nations-live
http://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2016/mar/12/england-v-wales-six-nations-live
Photos:
http://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2016/mar/12/ireland-v-italy-six-nations-live
http://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2016/mar/12/england-v-wales-six-nations-live
http://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2016/mar/13/scotland-v-france-six-nations-live
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