Six Nations Team by Team Review 2016 - 3rd to 1st place

By Nick Powell
Onto the top three, the usual top three. These three sides have been the top three for 4 of the last 5 seasons, though this year the order was shaken up quite dramatically.

England surged to the top, injury-hit Ireland fell to third place and Wales were left disappointed as they finished runners up in a Championship where everyone except the most passionate of English fans (me) would've expected them to win, and most likely a grand slam.

3rd: Ireland

For an Ireland team that had suffered a devastating World Cup disappointment and were running out of fit players, it was always going to be a tall order to challenge for the title, and unsurprisingly, they were unable to do so.

The opening game saw a titanic battle against Wales, the men in red were big favourites in this game, which is why it was such a huge surprise when Ireland surged into a 13 point lead before Wales could even blink. In the second half, Wales showed their strength, wrestling themselves back level, but Ireland did well and held on for what was in the end, a fair draw and a point gained.
Ireland 16-16 Wales

Round two would have been disastrous to lose and Ireland did just that. It was a poor game of rugby, but in the first half Ireland should have been well clear and led by just 6 points. It meant France's first real attack could win them the game and it did just that. Medard ran it in to give France a win that all-but ended Ireland's hopes of a third straight title.
France 10-9 Ireland

And they statistically finished by England in week three. Ireland were dominated and didn't really have a chance. Even when they led you couldn't feel optimistic for them and England duly came back. It was a really disappointing day but it had a lot to do with the mind games for a clever England team. Ireland were described as a boring team by Jones so just sent the ball wide rather than kicking it, they were caught several times and it cost them. Had they stuck to their guns, it would have been a different story.
England 21-10 Ireland

So Ireland were out of the running, but had an opportunity to run in a few tries in their last two games. In the end, they ran in 13 in total after scoring just 2 in their first two games. They were clinical and showed what a good team they are, making opportunities all over the park and finishing them off in style. A great finish and a silver lining, securing them a well-deserved top three spot.
Ireland 58-15 Italy, Ireland 35-25 Scotland

Verdict: It was never going to be easy to win this year, given what happened in the World Cup and with their injury list about as long as it has ever been, but they did pretty well. Next year, with England and France at home, it could well be a different story. Some brilliant players came through, Stander and van der Flier in the back row. It was also great to see McGrath showing that he is a world class loosehead, for me the positives outweigh the negatives.

Points: 5
PD: +41
Tries Scored: 15, Conceded: 9
Player of the Tournament: CJ Stander
Score: 7/10

Runners Up: Wales
The Pundits' favourites failed to live up to the hype. Decent performances at home, but one dimensional and very disappointing in the big games. For Wales, this will go down as a disappointing Championship. Have they got any chance down in New Zealand?

Wales lacked direction in the first half against the Irish, but recovered well by playing typically orthodox "Warren Ball" after the 30 minute mark. They defended superbly but really struggled to create opportunities and I think a draw was a fair result on the day. It was a game they should have won, and have a knack for winning, but just missed out. That said, they had three games at home to come, the title was far from gone.
Ireland 16-16 Wales

However it was almost gone in the very next round. Wales got a real scare from Scotland. They were again, short of ideas in attack and poor Scottish tackling and temperament in their 22 saw them home. They would have wanted to win by more but were still on track, albeit cracks were appearing.
Wales 27-23 Scotland

The game that summed up the first three rounds. A stinker. Both teams were clueless in attack, Wales' try coming from a comedy of errors a they kicked through. Defensively they were excellent again, but it was felt England would offer more and if they dominated the ball, how could Wales attack?
Wales 19-10 France

Those questions were left unanswered as England dominated the ball and dominated Wales in the first half, with their defence all over the place too, they were convincingly outplayed as they slumped to a 16-0 deficit. Even as England led 25-7 Wales couldn't say they had given England the slightest of scares. That was saved for one almighty one in the last 10 minutes though, Wales ran in two tries and threatened to run in a third. An incorrect touch judge call denying them the greatest comeback in Six Nations history.
England 25-21 Wales 

So the Cardiff faithful demanded a response in the last game. They got one, Wales were very impressive as they ran in nine tries against Italy. Italy were not good but eventual Champions England only managed to put 40 points on them, so Wales have to be given credit. They took them apart for their biggest win in their Championship history, a wonderful effort.
Wales 67-14 Italy 

Verdict: Whilst Wales had 3 home games, they had the really challenging games away from home. Had Wales been playing England in Cardiff I'd be certain they would have won a grand slam but they didn't. Warren-ball won't work in New Zealand, that said if they play the kind of rugby they did against England and Scotland in the last 10 minutes then they have a chance, albeit a slim one, of nicking a test. The big opportunity is in the 2017 tournament with their two top three rivals having to go to Cardiff, and if that Championship kicked off tomorrow, Wales would be my favourites.

Points: 7 
PD: +62
Tries Scored: 17, Conceded: 7
Player of the Tournament: George North
Score: 6.5/10

Champions (with Grand Slam): England
England ended 13 and 5 year waits for the Grand Slam and title respectively after a Championship that was vitally important and quite impressive on their part. They bounced back from a devastating World Cup to achieve a feat they have failed to reach for far too long and will head to Australia in buoyant mood.

They were not up to standard in the first game. Both them and Scotland played like the didn't want to lose rather than wanting to win, it was ultimately a good result but other than their nicely worked second try they lacked much invention in attack, had it not been for Scotland's worse performance of the Championship they could have lost. It was a win, and a vital win at that, but they didn't have the look of a team destined to win a Slam.
Scotland 9-15 England

Game two, Rome. This was seen as Italy's best ever chance to beat England and at half-time there definitely was hope. England were on the ropes, a narrow lead and Italy having the better of the play. Once Jonathan Joseph reacted quickly to the loopy interception pass of Sarto, England were on their way and were clinical as they swept to a decent victory in Rome, they did well and ultimately deserved it.
Italy 9-40 England

They made their first step up against Ireland. Ireland had picked up just one point from their opening two games but England's victory was an impressive one. They dominated the first half and made their way into the 22 with ease. Their finishing let them down on the day, it could have been a lot more convincing. The second half saw them show good fight when they were 10-6 down, and Jack Nowell's covering tackle opitimised that. England now looked a serious team a they faced Wales for the title.
England 21-10 Ireland

They stepped it up again against Wales to earn their second Triple Crown in three seasons. Wales were disappointed with their own performance but you have to say, England's quality stopped Wales from playing. Defensively they didn't have much to do in the first period, and they were dominant in attack, but once again weren't quite clinical enough. The charge-down try was frustrating to concede but England were set to coast to victory thanks to Owen Farrell's boot. They didn't in the end, and had to hold on, but Wales shouldn't have had 15 players on the pitch as Joubert bottled it again at Twickenham regarding his non sin-binning of Tomas Francis. Still, England made it through, and the substitutes who had to endure that tight finish will have learnt important lessons.
England 25-21 Wales

The final game was always going to see France improve, and they did as expected. England's discipline was cruelly exposed as Maxime Machenaud knocked over seven penalties but England's attack was its lively self once again, Vunipola having players hanging off him, scrum halves sniping. England left some points out there again but they held out and managed to keep France at bay and they didn't really look like losing. It capped off a Championship where they had always improved and they managed to seal their first ever grand slam where they've played more away games than home ones.
France 21-31 England

Verdict: It was a poor Championship, but England won't care. The initiative was there for the taking and England took it, a Championship and Grand Slam that England richly deserved and things are looking up. The team morale has improved, some Gems have been uncovered in the forwards, and while finishing chances off in the 22 is proving difficult, the long range attacking play has improved a lot. As for the set piece, Borthwick has completely changed England. For Jones, it is a fantastic start, and if he can nick a test or two down under, it will be a phenomenal start.

Points: 10
PD: +62
Tries Scored: 13, Conceded: 4
Player of the Tournament: Billy Vunipola
Score: 8/10