The second weekend of the tournament continued to make a mockery of pre-game predictions, particularly those that started with the phrase: 'It'll be close'. In the event, none of this weeks games were, and France vs England remains the only game with less than 7 points between the sides. How crucial that score will be in deciding the final destination of the trophy remains to be seen, but despite the table England have emerged as one of the two best sides, and seeing as the other is Ireland, the next round could be very interesting indeed.
Ireland vs Wales
Much was made before this one of the Warren Gatland v Brian O'Driscoll, 'how-dare-you-drop-him?!' sub-plot. Irish romantics who were hoping for a match-defining contribution from the hand of BOD were to be disappointed though, as the Sluggin' in Dublin was decided by a stark triumph of brawn over brains. Specifically, Irish brawn, whose ferocity at the maul and breakdown out-muscled Wales to a worrying extent, if you happen to be Welsh. With the Irish travelling to Twickenham in two weeks time, where A) they suffered a similar forwards-based demolition job themselves 2 years ago and B) where they will face an England pack that has not been been outclassed by anyone, All Blacks included, since they played Wales last year, a close game looks set to be predicted. And then probably ignored by the players involved. With France playing like they are, the title is - potentially - there to be won for Ireland.
Wales, meanwhile, spectacularly failed to supply the improvement that was demanded after they stuttered past Italy last week. They looked, if anything, even more knackered and it's difficult to see what could be done to shake them up: one or two players aside, this was their strongest side. If they keep turning in performances of such little energy it may well be a case of a willing heart and unwilling limbs, though there was no sign of any such frailties in the leagues just before the 6 Nations began. Gatland has a job on his hands.
Scotland vs England
Anyone who has watched England play Scotland at Murrayfield in the last decade was eyeing up the pitch and pinpointing Owen Farrells right boot as the most important item of footwear in the ground. These are typically ferocious encounters, frequently decided by less than a try either way. Scotland were the other team that needed a big step up from the opening game - a limp performance in Dublin - and like Wales they steadfastly stuck to their guns and were duly shown to fresh depths of ineptitude. England won easily, Scotland hardly ever visited the opposition 22 and coach Scott Johnson was left to criticise his side for being 'naive' after dropping 2 of his most experienced players, Kelly Brown and Richie Gray, not just from the starting XV, but the squad altogether. This, understandably, has left many observers to wonder just how much cake the man wants, and also for at least one call for Stuart Hogg to be given the fly-half shirt. At this stage, giving their best attacking player the ball on a regular basis can hardly make them worse.
England, meanwhile, were disappointed not to score more than 20 points, and rightly so. Although there were encouraging signs of life from the back line (given the conditions, the opposition and the number of caps possessed by said line) they remain a work in progress, albeit one that is coming together rather pleasingly. Farrell is attacking with more purpose and Luther Burrell looks more assured in the centres than Joel Tomkins did in the autumn. It was the cutting edge of the finished article that was missing, and it is this that Ireland will test: England cannot afford to waste opportunities if they want to start being regular winners instead of unlucky losers.
The other thing they can not afford to do is give away cheap ball with games on the line, as they did against France and New Zealand, to their cost. These came directly from England's own line-out, which is now habitually going to shit whenever Tom Youngs replaces Dylan Hartley at hooker, and did so again against Scotland. There was word in the week that Lee Mears had been brought in to help him sort his throwing out. It didn't work. Whilst it would be harsh and unwarranted to blame either of the defeats mentioned purely on Youngs' throwing, it is becoming too much of a trend to ignore, and needs to be shorn up.
France vs Italy
France are still harder to work out than General Relativity equations. For long periods against Italy they possessed all the attacking flair of a bag of bricks in a bin, forced to defend desperately along their own try line and somehow, SOMEHOW managing to limit Italy to only a single try. A more clinical side would surely have scored more, given some of Italy's opportunities, and we might have had a very different game on our hands. As it was, France won at a canter thanks to 3 second half tries that game in spite of, rather than due to, their game plan. Two of these were down to the individual canniness of Wes Fofana, the other the bloody-mindedness of Louis Picamoles, but none of them came after a sustained period of attacking phases in Italy's half. They were sucker punches that the French got away with, unlike the ones thrown by Rabah Slimani and Michele Rizzo, which earned them a red card each. We were also treated to an early bid for Tosser of the Tournament from the confusingly-named Sebastien Vahaamahina, who was on for 2 minutes before kicking the ball away after the whistle in a dazzling display of petulance and receiving a yellow card, football style. He came back on after 10 minutes had elapsed for a grand total of 30 seconds, whereupon the final whistle was blown.
Italy were, on the whole, hard done by, and should be supremely confident of beating Scotland in Rome. They're trying their damndest to play some decent attacking rugby and certainly look more likely than Scots, however when you're under the cosh for long periods of every game, as Italy are, then you can not afford to waste the opportunities you do create. Never mind missing out on potential tries, they need a goal kicker as a matter of urgency. Allan is still young enough to become a good one, but that won't help them much in this tournament.
So, two games down, and the front runners look to be Ireland. France are two from two but were somewhat unconvincing, while England are starting to look good without being, as yet, excellent. See you in two weeks.
Ireland vs Wales
Much was made before this one of the Warren Gatland v Brian O'Driscoll, 'how-dare-you-drop-him?!' sub-plot. Irish romantics who were hoping for a match-defining contribution from the hand of BOD were to be disappointed though, as the Sluggin' in Dublin was decided by a stark triumph of brawn over brains. Specifically, Irish brawn, whose ferocity at the maul and breakdown out-muscled Wales to a worrying extent, if you happen to be Welsh. With the Irish travelling to Twickenham in two weeks time, where A) they suffered a similar forwards-based demolition job themselves 2 years ago and B) where they will face an England pack that has not been been outclassed by anyone, All Blacks included, since they played Wales last year, a close game looks set to be predicted. And then probably ignored by the players involved. With France playing like they are, the title is - potentially - there to be won for Ireland.
Wales, meanwhile, spectacularly failed to supply the improvement that was demanded after they stuttered past Italy last week. They looked, if anything, even more knackered and it's difficult to see what could be done to shake them up: one or two players aside, this was their strongest side. If they keep turning in performances of such little energy it may well be a case of a willing heart and unwilling limbs, though there was no sign of any such frailties in the leagues just before the 6 Nations began. Gatland has a job on his hands.
Scotland vs England
Anyone who has watched England play Scotland at Murrayfield in the last decade was eyeing up the pitch and pinpointing Owen Farrells right boot as the most important item of footwear in the ground. These are typically ferocious encounters, frequently decided by less than a try either way. Scotland were the other team that needed a big step up from the opening game - a limp performance in Dublin - and like Wales they steadfastly stuck to their guns and were duly shown to fresh depths of ineptitude. England won easily, Scotland hardly ever visited the opposition 22 and coach Scott Johnson was left to criticise his side for being 'naive' after dropping 2 of his most experienced players, Kelly Brown and Richie Gray, not just from the starting XV, but the squad altogether. This, understandably, has left many observers to wonder just how much cake the man wants, and also for at least one call for Stuart Hogg to be given the fly-half shirt. At this stage, giving their best attacking player the ball on a regular basis can hardly make them worse.
England, meanwhile, were disappointed not to score more than 20 points, and rightly so. Although there were encouraging signs of life from the back line (given the conditions, the opposition and the number of caps possessed by said line) they remain a work in progress, albeit one that is coming together rather pleasingly. Farrell is attacking with more purpose and Luther Burrell looks more assured in the centres than Joel Tomkins did in the autumn. It was the cutting edge of the finished article that was missing, and it is this that Ireland will test: England cannot afford to waste opportunities if they want to start being regular winners instead of unlucky losers.
The other thing they can not afford to do is give away cheap ball with games on the line, as they did against France and New Zealand, to their cost. These came directly from England's own line-out, which is now habitually going to shit whenever Tom Youngs replaces Dylan Hartley at hooker, and did so again against Scotland. There was word in the week that Lee Mears had been brought in to help him sort his throwing out. It didn't work. Whilst it would be harsh and unwarranted to blame either of the defeats mentioned purely on Youngs' throwing, it is becoming too much of a trend to ignore, and needs to be shorn up.
France vs Italy
France are still harder to work out than General Relativity equations. For long periods against Italy they possessed all the attacking flair of a bag of bricks in a bin, forced to defend desperately along their own try line and somehow, SOMEHOW managing to limit Italy to only a single try. A more clinical side would surely have scored more, given some of Italy's opportunities, and we might have had a very different game on our hands. As it was, France won at a canter thanks to 3 second half tries that game in spite of, rather than due to, their game plan. Two of these were down to the individual canniness of Wes Fofana, the other the bloody-mindedness of Louis Picamoles, but none of them came after a sustained period of attacking phases in Italy's half. They were sucker punches that the French got away with, unlike the ones thrown by Rabah Slimani and Michele Rizzo, which earned them a red card each. We were also treated to an early bid for Tosser of the Tournament from the confusingly-named Sebastien Vahaamahina, who was on for 2 minutes before kicking the ball away after the whistle in a dazzling display of petulance and receiving a yellow card, football style. He came back on after 10 minutes had elapsed for a grand total of 30 seconds, whereupon the final whistle was blown.
Italy were, on the whole, hard done by, and should be supremely confident of beating Scotland in Rome. They're trying their damndest to play some decent attacking rugby and certainly look more likely than Scots, however when you're under the cosh for long periods of every game, as Italy are, then you can not afford to waste the opportunities you do create. Never mind missing out on potential tries, they need a goal kicker as a matter of urgency. Allan is still young enough to become a good one, but that won't help them much in this tournament.
So, two games down, and the front runners look to be Ireland. France are two from two but were somewhat unconvincing, while England are starting to look good without being, as yet, excellent. See you in two weeks.
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