Can’t argue with the Six Nations winner
WELL that was a highly entertaining Six Nations championship with bucketloads of tries and controversy.
What wasn’t controversial was the winning team. Ireland, the world’s number one ranked side, thoroughly deserved the Grand Slam; they are just so ruthless, a real green machine and undoubtedly the best Ireland side I have ever seen.
Not too far behind were France, whose power and guile are just like the French teams of old. What with home advantage, I fancy them to lift the World Cup later this year as I believe they are still on an upward curve.
Also on an upward curve are Wales, albeit from a much lower standing. No one expected them to set the tournament alight this year but there were signs in the last two games that Warren Gatland can make them competitive come the World Cup. And after all the turmoil in our game recently that would be no mean achievement.
Scotland have been improving for several years and now thoroughly deserve their number five world ranking. They were possibly the most entertaining side of the tournament and have shored up their once-leaky defence.
England had a poor tournament but people forget they have a new coach who needs time to bed in fresh tactics and ideas. They won’t be easy to beat at the World Cup.
Italy were desperately unlucky to come away winless, they just need a little more composure. The Azzurri are no longer Six Nations cannon fodder, that’s for sure.
As for Warren Gatland’s fantasy Lions pick, he was right not to choose any Welshmen. We’d probably struggle to get a player in a Lions second XV at the moment.
Steve Harding Llandaff, Cardiff