HARD HITTING VIEW
How do you assess a Six Nations like the one that has just passed?
Full of excitement, drama and nailbiting finishes, the only thing it needed was stadia full of crowds to create some atmosphere for the players.
Scotland concluded their campaign as they had begun it – with a win on the road.
Clearly, home advantage means little without a ground full of partisan fans raising the rooftops and urging on the home team. But notwithstanding that, Scotland deserved their victory – albeit France shot themselves in the foot more than once.
Scotland’s victory, while not as complete or dominant as the one against England in the opening match of the tournament, was founded on a belligerent and solid defence – a trademark of their campaign.
Clearly, the Welshman in charge of it, Steve Tandy, had a vested interest in the outcome of the game as Scotland’s win handed Wales the Championship. But contrast the defensive performances with those in Japan during the last World Cup and it has been quite a transformation.
The Scots can also owe a debt of gratitude to Wayne Barnes who awarded a try in the first half to Duhan van der Merwe without referring to the TMO to check its legitimacy.
Had he done so, it would have
‘ Scotland will sit down and rue this year’s campaign
revealed a clear double movement by the big South African winger and the try would have been chalked off – but the record books say it was scored and so be it.
Van der Merwe also scored the winning try with the clock in the red and both sides reduced to 14 men.
It made up for his shocking defence allowing Penaud to score for the French earlier in the game. For all of his ballcarrying heft, the winger is far from the finished article.
In the cold light of day, Scotland will sit down and rue this year’s campaign.
Having started so brightly, they had the opportunity to defeat Wales at home and when the Welsh were almost down and out, the Scots failed to press home their advantage.
They were out of sorts against the Irish, who seem to have a psychological edge over the Scots and despite a brave comeback, could not put their Celtic cousins away.
Two close games, but two close defeats, consigning Gregor Townsend’s side to fourth in the table and a Triple Crown, won the hard way, went begging.
Looking back on the Championship, few will recall the excitement and closeness of the games, nor Scotland’s brilliant victories away from home – they will see another lowly position on the table, which doesn’t tell the whole story of this year’s campaign.
Townsend now has something to build on and his players must have renewed confidence. It is time to ensure those solid foundations turn into something meaningful.