Overall sentiment about the tournament

[yoe91]

I'd say, subjectively, that it was a terrible tournament.
Now, objectively also I think the show wasn't exactly spectacular.

Overall, France's poor performance, constantly trailing at half time; Ireland's way up/way down performances after a promising RWC and silly mistakes (totally should have won that first game against Wales); Italy showing they STILL have a long way to go and how we wish they could finally get there and their foolish performance at the end of the England game in Rome...
The overall quality of game wasn't amazing...and the suspense was constantly ambiguous as opposed to epic.

It's a shitty 6N for all nations but England and Wales: congrats to both, again.

Which game did you find *entertaining* ?
The only games I liked were actually France VS Italy and France Scotland (not just because we won them); with of course England Wales a thriller, but super tight on defense and just that one try...

I dunno, I almost have a bit of a sour taste for Rugby itself. I'm going back to watching old classic games, this year sucked...and please spare me the jokes and remarks about France, that's not the point. I'm talking entertainment only...

[Robert Prosser]

I found it to be a tough tackling hard hitting entertaining tournament, Wales vs Ireland was a cracking game and the Wales vs England game really enjoyed that one, also really enjoyed the Wales vs France game if I am honest its hard to feel let down and not enjoy any of the games if you are Welsh.

[mustardcharlie]

I'm sixty this month. I played for a long time at decent level in several countries. Thought it was a very good tournament. Wales are an exceptional team these days. I say that as an Englishman. Lydiate's performance today was worthy of Merv.

[Peat]

I enjoyed most of the matches until the last day, the last day was woeful, but the preceding weeks were filled with some great games full of tension and intensity. Not one for the attacking purist though I think.

[Little Guy]

Yeah kind of a weird tournament to evaluate for everyone but Wales and to a lesser extent England. My final grades and some brief analysis.

Wales:Grade A. A really good tournament following a solid RWC, Wales look like the team of the future out of Europe with so much of the team so young. Grand Slam is always an accomplishment they onyl avoid an A+ grade due to weakness in the rest of the field.

England: Grade B-. This could be an A+ in the final two games, but the first three England didn't look very good and were a couple of chargedown tries from being 0-3 at one point. Still the results were there and the progress the team made was very apparent, Lancaster should be given the managment postion on a full time basis for at least a year IMHO.

Ireland: Grade C. Generally played to their competiton, looked good against the weaker teams, and did allright vs. Wales and France as well. Game vs. England was one of the worst in a while by Ireland especeially on St. Patricks day of all days. I'm not sure where Ireland goes from here I think this was a missed oppourtunity to play some younger players as the squad was fairly old.

France: Grade C-. A really flat effort looked more like the team from the pool stages of the RWC then the team in the knockout rounds, didn't reallly impress at any point in the competition, nor were they awful they did get a couple of results and weren't blown out by anyone. Need to revaluate the mental side of their game this team has way too much talent to be finishing fourth.

Italy: Grade D. Some allright first halves but the full 80 minutes just wasn't there. Fly-half is a massive weakness and it is even more glaring now than in the past, also need a better goal kicker than the collection of stiffs we saw. A win vs. England was possible but not closed out and would have raised my grade dramtically, the win against Scotland was essential and was earned. Italy have some good individual players they just need some better continuity and game plans.

Scotland: Grade F+. Game against France probably the only game to be proud about in any way(heart was in the English game as well) attack looks weak, good indivdual players aren't really there aside from Gray. Robinson is most likely gone following other favourite scapegoat Parks into the sunset, I think the Scots would be really pressed to beat some of the Tier two sides at the moment, Romania and Georgia already pushed them to the brink at the RWC and I think Tonga, Samoa and Canada could also give them a run for their money. With Italy I feel their is some hope for future years but Scotland I'm not so sure, Glasgow has done allright in the Pro12 this year maybe thats a positive but Edinburgh is down there with Aironi at the basement.

[yoe91]

I enjoyed most of the matches until the last day, the last day was woeful, but the preceding weeks were filled with some great games full of tension and intensity. Not one for the attacking purist though I think.

I bet you did ! But yeah, yesterday was the last day and every team was playing super mega tight defense. On one hand, it was to be expected I suppose, but I'd forgotten all about that "finals mentality" because the clashes were epic...Ireland England, France Wales...
But besides the game in Twickenham that totally went berserk towards the end, Italy's game had just one try, Wales got just one...

Like I mean, even if I were welsh (as the grand winners) I'd be super glad we've added another Grand to our country heritage and I'd be happy with certain large victories, but it's just not an awesome tournament...I'd be "passively happy" even as a welsh, so imagine being French lol.

[TRF_SelimNiai]

I enjoyed the 6N, was full of intense, hard hitting, nervy rugby. Not many games were foregone conclusions, games v Italy aside, so the supporters were kept intrested all the way to the end which is how it really should be.

[Little Guy]

I enjoyed the 6N, was full of intense, hard hitting, nervy rugby. Not many games were foregone conclusions, games v Italy aside, so the supporters were kept intrested all the way to the end which is how it really should be.

The Italians were in a couple of the games, against England was an exciting match and obviously against the Scots whcih they won, most of their games they fell apart in the final 20-30 minutes. They have to make way too many tackles and by the 2nd half are totally out of gas. I'm interested to see what kind of side they send to their June tour any thing less than a 90% strength squad and they might end up losing to Canada or the States.

[Jockstap]

Ireland quick fix - Sack Kidney, find another tighthead that can scrummage = problem solved. We have players who consistently look better than their International peers at HC level. We need a coach who can implement a game plan similar to the provinces that suits the players we have, simples. Also continually picking guys like D'Arcy, DOC, SOB at 7, TOL, who have been consistently terrible for over two seasons doesn't help either. I'm awesome.

[welshglory]

Ireland quick fix - Sack Kidney, find another tighthead that can scrummage = problem solved. We have players who consistently look better than their International peers at HC level. We need a coach who can implement a game plan similar to the provinces that suits the players we have, simples. Also continually picking guys like D'Arcy, DOC, SOB at 7, TOL, who have been consistently terrible for over two seasons doesn't help either. I'm awesome.

Not so easy

[Jockstap]

Not so easy

Agreed.

[Feicarsinn]

Mike Ross is a good tight head, but it is an area of concern no doubt. The heir apparent is Jamie Hagan, also at Leinster. He's a decent scrummager and pretty useful around the park too. Needs to tour with the senior squad in the summer.


As a whole I thought the tournament was great. We had some top games with Ireland vs Wales, Wales vs England and England vs France all being top. I'm happy that it was better fair than last year.

[Jockstap]

Mike Ross is a good tight head, but it is an area of concern no doubt. The heir apparent is Jamie Hagan, also at Leinster. He's a decent scrummager and pretty useful around the park too. Needs to tour with the senior squad in the summer.


As a whole I thought the tournament was great. We had some top games with Ireland vs Wales, Wales vs England and England vs France all being top. I'm happy that it was better fair than last year.

There's the main problem, what imbecile at the IRFU let Jamie Hagan go to Leinster to sit on his arse. He could have been gaining valuable experience in the HC with Connacht this season or bar that go to Munster or Ulster who have genuine need of an Irish tighthead. It's daft that the only two genuine Irish tightheads in the country are at the same club.

[psychic duck]

The Italians were in a couple of the games, against England was an exciting match and obviously against the Scots whcih they won, most of their games they fell apart in the final 20-30 minutes. They have to make way too many tackles and by the 2nd half are totally out of gas. I'm interested to see what kind of side they send to their June tour any thing less than a 90% strength squad and they might end up losing to Canada or the States.

they will be without players in the Top 14 final for sure, so probably just Canale (not that he is a vital part of the Clermont team anyway), huge game for Canada and I really hope they can do themselves justice (unlike 2008/09) and prove that they and the likes of Georgia and Japan both deserve more matches against the lower Tier 1 Nations

There's the main problem, what imbecile at the IRFU let Jamie Hagan go to Leinster to sit on his arse. He could have been gaining valuable experience in the HC with Connacht this season or bar that go to Munster or Ulster who have genuine need of an Irish tighthead. It's daft that the only two genuine Irish tightheads in the country are at the same club.

on another point, what imbecile at the IRFU selected Loughney and Archer ahead of Hagan for the Wolfhounds squad, and thought Buckley could be the successor to Hayes and stuck with that thought for years as well

[j'nuh]

How each team goes forward:

Wales: the forwards are great, competing with the best in the world in most positions. Front and back rows sorted, just need to establish which two locks are the best going forward. Need to sort out the lineout. Wales are too predictable in relying on physicality in the backs, and Priestland, who was much better in the WC, has been putting in too many aimless kicks. Solution: Hook and Beck should be given some time in the future.

Ireland: new coach in, everything taken from scratch. Kidney has spent too long not responding to how players go in and out of form, which suggests that he hasn't a clue. Ireland have proved tricky in this tournament whilst playing a weaker team than they can put out. The only significant worry is how to solve the scrum and how to replace BOD imo.

France: only a few changes needed. Harinordoquy should move to 7 and a ball carrier brought in at 8. (Bonnaire is retiring anyway.) Rougerie needs to do one. More faith to be put in Parra and Trinh-duc (and with Fofana at 12, that's a scary 9-10-12). Not sure what solution there is to Servat retiring.

Italy: afraid they're not going to be getting much better until they've engineered some halfbacks. More Pro12 experience should help though. It's a bit of a waiting game for Italy I'm afraid, more wooden spoons to come their way. (For their sake, I hope they come up with a 9 and 10 before Parisse retires, or else it'll be a step forward and two back.)

Scotland: coach needs to go. Scotland now seem to be playing close to their best team, but it's strangely not working as well as it should on the field.

England: Wood in for Robshaw (can't decide if he goes to 6 or the bench), new wingers, start to give Burns a go at 10, sort out the bench, hope Lancaster isn't stubborn and will respond to form.

[welshglory]

Agree with most of what you say about Wales j'nuh.
However i think Priestland's tactical kicking can be excellent at times, much better than S Jones. I would also really like to see Ashley Beck given a run this Summer, maybe we should rest Jamie Roberts for one of the tests and pair Beck with J Davies.
Hook should be given more game time in the summer as well because we're playing against OZ club/super rugby sides as well as the national side i think.

[coonor]

Wales- Proved any doubters wrong and I have said it before but their best asset is their ability to front up to any challenge. They have a game style that works and that was implemented consistently throughout the tournament and that is the difference between them and the rest of the nations

Scotland- Lacked a killer touch again and every year they're talked up and then just fail, They have some really good players like Gray, Rennie, Denton and Hogg but the rest of their players are just below par. Its hard to know what can be done to solve this problem.

Italy- They're becoming more competitive but are still behind the other nations. They lack quality players in key positions

England- They will be very happy and most importantly appear to be on an upward curve with improvement every game. They're pack appears to be more dogged and dynamic while their back are far more balanced.

France- Once again they're talent hasn't dominated and they failed to built on a good world cup. I really question their game plan and it seems like alot of the players aren't to convinced about it either. They need to find a good controlling ten and use their skill to try and take on opposition, rather than let opposition take on them.

Ireland- Simply lack a modern game plan off Ten. The game against England will leave a sour taste in their mouth and they need to prove alot. DOC, Darcy, TOL have to be replaced. I think we have quality and I don't understand how our provinces can play so well and then our national team be rubbish but having said that the question will be was the England game just a blip or is it the truth hidden behind this Ireland team?

[yoe91]

How each team goes forward:Ireland: new coach in, everything taken from scratch. Kidney has spent too long not responding to how players go in and out of form, which suggests that he hasn't a clue. Ireland have proved tricky in this tournament whilst playing a weaker team than they can put out. The only significant worry is how to solve the scrum and how to replace BOD imo.

France: only a few changes needed. Harinordoquy should move to 7 and a ball carrier brought in at 8. (Bonnaire is retiring anyway.) Rougerie needs to do one. More faith to be put in Parra and Trinh-duc (and with Fofana at 12, that's a scary 9-10-12). Not sure what solution there is to Servat retiring.

Italy: afraid they're not going to be getting much better until they've engineered some halfbacks. More Pro12 experience should help though. It's a bit of a waiting game for Italy I'm afraid, more wooden spoons to come their way. (For their sake, I hope they come up with a 9 and 10 before Parisse retires, or else it'll be a step forward and two back.)

Scotland: coach needs to go. Scotland now seem to be playing close to their best team, but it's strangely not working as well as it should on the field.

England: Wood in for Robshaw (can't decide if he goes to 6 or the bench), new wingers, start to give Burns a go at 10, sort out the bench, hope Lancaster isn't stubborn and will respond to form.

As difficult as it is to pronounce your username, I salute your concision and good judgment.
Yeah, Servat Nallet and Bonnaire out is gon be toughhh...

[cyRil]

I think we have quality and I don't understand how our provinces can play so well and then our national team be rubbish

We have exactly the opposite problem!!

[lucky number 7]

Ireland quick fix - Sack Kidney, find another tighthead that can scrummage = problem solved. We have players who consistently look better than their International peers at HC level. We need a coach who can implement a game plan similar to the provinces that suits the players we have, simples. Also continually picking guys like D'Arcy, DOC, SOB at 7, TOL, who have been consistently terrible for over two seasons doesn't help either. I'm awesome.

hold the **** on...He's been very good for Ireland at 7 ...He shouldn't be playing as a 7 but he still performs pretty damn well regardless of the number on his back...that said to get the best out of him he need to move to 6 or 8 at the expense of Heaslip I think

[cmac95]

hold the **** on...He's been very good for Ireland at 7 ...He shouldn't be playing as a 7 but he still performs pretty damn well regardless of the number on his back...that said to get the best out of him he need to move to 6 or 8 at the expense of Heaslip I think

Agree with this. SO'B out of position has consistently been playing better than Heaslip for both Leinster and Ireland.

[Prestwick]

Mike Ross is a good tight head, but it is an area of concern no doubt. The heir apparent is Jamie Hagan, also at Leinster. He's a decent scrummager and pretty useful around the park too. Needs to tour with the senior squad in the summer.


As a whole I thought the tournament was great. We had some top games with Ireland vs Wales, Wales vs England and England vs France all being top. I'm happy that it was better fair than last year.

All good and well but I think the time has come for Ireland, just as England did circa 2007 onwards, to look at scrummaging prowess first and running ability second. Otherwise the risk is that Ireland slowly deviate and start heading down the road Australia went which involves highly mobile props who are damned awful at scrums but excellent at fooling referees with smoke & mirrors.

[Peat]

There's the main problem, what imbecile at the IRFU let Jamie Hagan go to Leinster to sit on his arse. He could have been gaining valuable experience in the HC with Connacht this season or bar that go to Munster or Ulster who have genuine need of an Irish tighthead. It's daft that the only two genuine Irish tightheads in the country are at the same club.

I believe that Connacht were outbid by a foreign club for Hagan.To help keep Hagan in the country, the IRFU had Leinster counter-bid; unless the IRFU gave Connacht the money, they couldn't afford to keep him.

Hagan's spent most of the season getting up to the speed which Leinster want and should be playing a lot next year; think Leicester show that a club can accomodate and use two international class tightheads, one of whom is developing. In fact, clubs who are serious about Heineken Cup rugby need that. And Ulster don't need an Irish tighthead.

[Feicarsinn]

All good and well but I think the time has come for Ireland, just as England did circa 2007 onwards, to look at scrummaging prowess first and running ability second. Otherwise the risk is that Ireland slowly deviate and start heading down the road Australia went which involves highly mobile props who are damned awful at scrums but excellent at fooling referees with smoke & mirrors.

I'd agree with that of course. That was what pissed me off about the likes of selecting Tony Buckley. I was merely saying that it's a bit of a bonus that he's quite handy, not that it's a prerequisite in any way. If you game me a fat blob who could barely walk from one scrum to the next, but was dominant there I'd take him any day of the week.