England are not a bad side – but they certainly have issues
Whatever your allegiance in this year’s Six Nations, you cannot say it was dull. It was one of the most discussed and most entertaining tournaments in recent memory with some critiques being germane and others inapposite. The truth is, Italy aside, and whatever the standings, the teams were separated by fine margins.
With a different decision here or a play coming off there, it could all have looked so different. Analysing what went right and wrong for the teams, you must look at more than their finishing positions.
Any talk of Wales being lucky champions is nonsense. They were the most disciplined team and created and converted more of their chances. Their experienced players returned to form and their youngsters successfully negotiated the challenge of stepping up from club rugby.
The work done by Wayne Pivac and assistants Jonathan Humphreys, Stephen Jones and Gethin Jenkins meant that, in defence and attack, they developed a style that suits them and makes them difficult to beat. Wales’s progress was an all-round effort, the challenge now is to maintain the upward curve to 2023. There is nothing to suggest they cannot do this, other than the retirement of the talismanic Alun Wyn Jones. That he will retire is certain; that he will be seamlessly replaced, less so.
Let us not carp about who did what, got sent off or benefited from a refereeing mistake, Wales are worthy champions. Of the chasing nations, Scotland and Ireland have more to be pleased about than France and England.
Scotland’s fourth place was scant reward in a season in which they won in Paris and London. What must irk head coach Gregor Townsend is knowing that, with a tad more discipline, the one- and three-point losses to Wales and Ireland respectively could have been reversed and a Grand Slam claimed. They did not deserve to beat Ireland, but the chance was there. As with all the sides, the issue of discipline at crucial points is something Scotland must master. Their pack is now solid, and they have a better and deeper array of attacking talent than at any time in the professional era. The back three of Stuart Hogg, Sean Maitland or Darcy Graham, and Duhan van de Merwe, is the equal of nearly any side.
France’s performances ebbed with each round and if the Covid-19 situation and postponed Scotland game affected them, they have only themselves to blame. In Antoine Dupont they have a gem and they were able to see several bench players prove they can handle this level. That said, the return of indiscipline and insouciance undercut France’s efforts and the glamour and style they are capable of was sporadic.
Every game involving France was worth watching and they are a joy to behold when playing well. Neither of their losses was overwhelming, but they did not achieve what their talent and squad depth promised. Head coach Fabien Galthie does not need to worry unduly, but nor can he be comfortable with the limited gains his side made in finishing second.
England cannot honestly claim to take any positives. There are reasons, not excuses, for their poor showing – a Covid-limited squad and undercooked players being the chief issues. You then must look at Eddie Jones’s inflexibility in selection and the struggle to find a style that modifies the previously successful strategy of kicking on the front foot as a first option. Both added to their woes but there is another issue that is paramount.
The fact that they conceded the same number of penalties as Italy is damning. No side can hope to win close games against top-class opposition if they cannot solve this problem and it is not new.
They have been pilloried and cannot complain about some of the comments. I would, however, point out that the same people who now shout loudest about their decline did the same in 2018 – and look how that turned out.
They have not become a bad side in one competition, but they have many issues to rectify, in an evershortening window, before the next World Cup.
The fact Jones’ side conceded the same number of penalties as Italy is damning